bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a New Fort on the Gold Coast: Johan Fredrik Trenks, the WIC, and the New Fort at Takoradi, 1774–1791
Authors: Odegard Erik
Published: December 2016

This article examines the decision-making process for a new fort which the Dutch West India Company proposed to build near Takoradi in present-day Ghana in the third quarter of the eighteenth century. By closely following the process of design, evaluation, and redesign of the fort, this article argues that the WIC was institutionally incapable of coordinating and carrying out such a complex project. The original design for the new fort was made in 1774 by Johan Frederik Trenks, a Silesian-born engineer who, as it turned out, was not current with modern design practices and used Dutch examples from the first half of the seventeenth century. The design was sent to the Netherlands for evaluation and returned with scathing criticism. The long, drawn-out process of design, evaluation, and redesign of what was after all a relatively small fort show the institutional paralysis of the WIC in the years leading up to the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War (1780–84). Though the fort would never be completed, construction did begin shortly before the war. The conflict, followed shortly thereafter by the dissolution of the WIC, meant the project would never be completed.
PRICING VULNERABLE AMERICAN PUT OPTIONS UNDER JUMP–DIFFUSION PROCESSES
Authors: Wang Guanying , Wang Xingchun , Liu Zhongyi
Published: December 2016

This paper evaluates vulnerable American put options under jump–diffusion assumptions on the underlying asset and the assets of the counterparty. Sudden shocks on the asset prices are described as a compound Poisson process. Analytical pricing formulae of vulnerable European put options and vulnerable twice-exercisable European put options are derived. Employing the two-point Geske and Johnson method, we derive an approximate analytical pricing formula of vulnerable American put options under jump–diffusions. Numerical simulations are performed for investigating the impacts of jumps and default risk on option prices.
Assessing Hospital Disaster Readiness Over Time at the US Department of Veterans Affairs
Authors: Der-Martirosian Claudia , Radcliff Tiffany A. , Gable Alicia R. , Riopelle Deborah , Hagigi Farhad A. , Brewster Pete , Dobalian Aram
Published: December 2016

Introduction

There have been numerous initiatives by government and private organizations to help hospitals become better prepared for major disasters and public health emergencies. This study reports on efforts by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration, Office of Emergency Management’s (OEM) Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) to assess the readiness of VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the nation.

Hypothesis/Problem

This study conducts descriptive analyses of preparedness assessments of VAMCs and examines change in hospital readiness over time.

Methods

To assess change, quantitative analyses of data from two phases of preparedness assessments (Phase I: 2008-2010; Phase II: 2011-2013) at 137 VAMCs were conducted using 61 unique capabilities assessed during the two phases. The initial five-point Likert-like scale used to rate each capability was collapsed into a dichotomous variable: “not-developed=0” versus “developed=1.” To describe changes in preparedness over time, four new categories were created from the Phase I and Phase II dichotomous variables: (1) rated developed in both phases; (2) rated not-developed in Phase I but rated developed in Phase II; (3) rated not-developed in both phases; and (4) rated developed in Phase I but rated not- developed in Phase II.

Results

From a total of 61 unique emergency preparedness capabilities, 33 items achieved the desired outcome – they were rated either “developed in both phases” or “became developed” in Phase II for at least 80% of VAMCs. For 14 items, 70%-80% of VAMCs achieved the desired outcome. The remaining 14 items were identified as “low-performing” capabilities, defined as less than 70% of VAMCs achieved the desired outcome.

Conclusion:

Measuring emergency management capabilities is a necessary first step to improving those capabilities. Furthermore, assessing hospital readiness over time and creating robust hospital readiness assessment tools can help hospitals make informed decisions regarding allocation of resources to ensure patient safety, provide timely access to high-quality patient care, and identify best practices in emergency management during and after disasters. Moreover, with some minor modifications, this comprehensive, all-hazards-based, hospital preparedness assessment tool could be adapted for use beyond the VA.

Der-MartirosianC, RadcliffTA, GableAR, RiopelleD, HagigiFA, BrewsterP, DobalianA. Assessing hospital disaster readiness over time at the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Prehsop Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):46–57.
Long-term individual shear rate therapy counterpulsation enhances plasma nitrite release in patients with PAD
Authors: Brix Michèle , Buschmann Eva-Elina , Zietzer Andreas , Jaurigue Jonnel Anthony , Li Lulu , Jungk Constantin , Buschmann Ivo , Janke Doreen , Hillmeister Philipp
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Background: Individual shear rate therapy (ISRT) has been designed as a novel non-invasive treatment option for peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients and has been shown to improve endothelial function and walking distance. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of ISRT on the level of nitric oxide in patient blood plasma and the expression of related molecular markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Molecular diagnostic tests were performed for two ISRT trials. Patients and methods: In ISRT-1 26 healthy subjects underwent one session of treadmill training and one session of ISRT respectively in a cross-over design. In ISRT-2 14 PAD patients with a stable intermittent claudication underwent a 30 hours long-term treatment. Plasma nitrite release as well as the mRNA expression of NOS2 and key regulators of the kallikrein-kinin system were measured in PBMCs at different time points. Results: Short-term ISRT revealed significantly decreased NOS2 expression in PBMCs of healthy volunteers and PAD patients. Long-term ISRT, in turn, demonstrated a significant plasma nitrite increase in PAD patients. Conclusions: We verified that long-term ISRT stimulates the vascular system and exerts a comparable effect to physical exercise in regards to NO release, which coincide with recent findings regarding an improvement of endothelial function. However, further studies are necessary to investigate the role for circulating leukocytes.
Monaco Leader Urges Climate Action, Calls on Trump to Help
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: December 2016

HSH Prince Albert II cautioned that the world has to come to terms with the fact that we are facing severe challenges if we don’t move toward a low-carbon global economy.
NQO1 inhibits proteasome-mediated degradation of HIF-1α
Authors: Oh Eun-Taex , Kim Jung-whan , Kim Joon Mee , Kim Soo Jung , Lee Jae-Seon , Hong Soon-Sun , Goodwin Justin , Ruthenborg Robin J. , Jung Myung Gu , Lee Hae-June , Lee Chul-Ho , Park Eun Sung , Kim Chulhee , Park Heon Joo
Published: December 2016

Overexpression of NQO1 is associated with poor prognosis in human cancers including breast, colon, cervix, lung and pancreas. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-tumorigenic capacities of NQO1 have not been fully elucidated. Here we show a previously undescribed function for NQO1 in stabilizing HIF-1α, a master transcription factor of oxygen homeostasis that has been implicated in the survival, proliferation and malignant progression of cancers. We demonstrate that NQO1 directly binds to the oxygen-dependent domain of HIF-1α and inhibits the proteasome-mediated degradation of HIF-1α by preventing PHDs from interacting with HIF-1α. NQO1 knockdown in human colorectal and breast cancer cell lines suppresses HIF-1 signalling and tumour growth. Consistent with this pro-tumorigenic function for NQO1, high NQO1 expression levels correlate with increased HIF-1α expression and poor colorectal cancer patient survival. These results collectively reveal a function of NQO1 in the oxygen-sensing mechanism that regulates HIF-1α stability in cancers.
Dense GeV electron–positron pairs generated by lasers in near-critical-density plasmas
Authors: Zhu Xing-Long , Yu Tong-Pu , Sheng Zheng-Ming , Yin Yan , Turcu Ion Cristian Edmond , Pukhov Alexander
Published: December 2016

Pair production can be triggered by high-intensity lasers via the Breit–Wheeler process. However, the straightforward laser–laser colliding for copious numbers of pair creation requires light intensities several orders of magnitude higher than possible with the ongoing laser facilities. Despite the numerous proposed approaches, creating high-energy-density pair plasmas in laboratories is still challenging. Here we present an all-optical scheme for overdense pair production by two counter-propagating lasers irradiating near-critical-density plasmas at only ∼1022 W cm−2. In this scheme, bright γ-rays are generated by radiation-trapped electrons oscillating in the laser fields. The dense γ-photons then collide with the focused counter-propagating lasers to initiate the multi-photon Breit–Wheeler process. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that one may generate a high-yield (1.05 × 1011) overdense (4 × 1022 cm−3) GeV positron beam using 10 PW scale lasers. Such a bright pair source has many practical applications and could be basis for future compact high-luminosity electron–positron colliders.
TOC1–PIF4 interaction mediates the circadian gating of thermoresponsive growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Jia-Ying , Oh Eunkyoo , Wang Tina , Wang Zhi-Yong
Published: December 2016

Arabidopsis adapts to elevated temperature by promoting stem elongation and hyponastic growth through a temperature-responsive transcription factor PIF4. Here we show that the evening-expressed clock component TOC1 interacts with and inactivates PIF4, thereby suppressing thermoresponsive growth in the evening. We find that the expression of PIF4 target genes show circadian rhythms of thermosensitivity, with minimum responsiveness in the evening when TOC1 level is high. Loss of function of TOC1 and its close homologue PRR5 restores thermosensitivity in the evening, whereas TOC1 overexpression causes thermo insensitivity, demonstrating that TOC1 mediates the evening-specific inhibition of thermoresponses. We further show that PIF4 is required for thermoadaptation mediated by moderately elevated temperature. Our results demonstrate that the interaction between TOC1 and PIF4 mediates the circadian gating of thermoresponsive growth, which may serve to increase fitness by matching thermoresponsiveness with the day–night cycles of fluctuating temperature and light conditions.
Development of a computer-aided design software for dental splint in orthognathic surgery
Authors: Chen Xiaojun , Li Xing , Xu Lu , Sun Yi , Politis Constantinus , Egger Jan
Published: December 2016

In the orthognathic surgery, dental splints are important and necessary to help the surgeon reposition the maxilla or mandible. However, the traditional methods of manual design of dental splints are difficult and time-consuming. The research on computer-aided design software for dental splints is rarely reported. Our purpose is to develop a novel special software named EasySplint to design the dental splints conveniently and efficiently. The design can be divided into two steps, which are the generation of initial splint base and the Boolean operation between it and the maxilla-mandibular model. The initial splint base is formed by ruled surfaces reconstructed using the manually picked points. Then, a method to accomplish Boolean operation based on the distance filed of two meshes is proposed. The interference elimination can be conducted on the basis of marching cubes algorithm and Boolean operation. The accuracy of the dental splint can be guaranteed since the original mesh is utilized to form the result surface. Using EasySplint, the dental splints can be designed in about 10 minutes and saved as a stereo lithography (STL) file for 3D printing in clinical applications. Three phantom experiments were conducted and the efficiency of our method was demonstrated.
Highly intense monocycle terahertz vortex generation by utilizing a Tsurupica spiral phase plate
Authors: Miyamoto Katsuhiko , Kang Bong Joo , Kim Won Tae , Sasaki Yuta , Niinomi Hiromasa , Suizu Koji , Rotermund Fabian , Omatsu Takashige
Published: December 2016

Optical vortex, possessing an annular intensity profile and an orbital angular momentum (characterized by an integer termed a topological charge) associated with a helical wavefront, has attracted great attention for diverse applications due to its unique properties. In particular for terahertz (THz) frequency range, several approaches for THz vortex generation, including molded phase plates consisting of metal slit antennas, achromatic polarization elements and binary-diffractive optical elements, have been recently proposed, however, they are typically designed for a specific frequency. Here, we demonstrate highly intense broadband monocycle vortex generation near 0.6 THz by utilizing a polymeric Tsurupica spiral phase plate in combination with tilted-pulse-front optical rectification in a prism-cut LiNbO3 crystal. A maximum peak power of 2.3 MW was obtained for THz vortex output with an expected topological charge of 1.15. Furthermore, we applied the highly intense THz vortex beam for studying unique nonlinear behaviors in bilayer graphene towards the development of nonlinear super-resolution THz microscopy and imaging system.
Salivary and pellicle proteome: A datamining analysis
Authors: Schweigel Hardy , Wicht Michael , Schwendicke Falk
Published: December 2016

We aimed to comprehensively compare two compartmented oral proteomes, the salivary and the dental pellicle proteome. Systematic review and datamining was used to obtain the physico-chemical, structural, functional and interactional properties of 1,515 salivary and 60 identified pellicle proteins. Salivary and pellicle proteins did not differ significantly in their aliphatic index, hydrophaty, instability index, or isoelectric point. Pellicle proteins were significantly more charged at low and high pH and were significantly smaller (10–20 kDa) than salivary proteins. Protein structure and solvent accessible molecular surface did not differ significantly. Proteins of the pellicle were more phosphorylated and glycosylated than salivary proteins. Ion binding and enzymatic activities also differed significantly. Protein-protein-ligand interaction networks relied on few key proteins. The identified differences between salivary and pellicle proteins could guide proteome compartmentalization and result in specialized functionality. Key proteins could be potential targets for diagnostic or therapeutic application.
Host cell surfaces induce a Type IV pili-dependent alteration of bacterial swimming
Authors: Golovkine Guillaume , Lemelle Laurence , Burny Claire , Vaillant Cedric , Palierne Jean-Francois , Place Christophe , Huber Philippe
Published: December 2016

For most pathogenic bacteria, flagellar motility is recognized as a virulence factor. Here, we analysed the swimming behaviour of bacteria close to eukaryotic cellular surfaces, using the major opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model. We delineated three classes of swimming trajectories on both cellular surfaces and glass that could be differentiated by their speeds and local curvatures, resulting from different levels of hydrodynamic interactions with the surface. Segmentation of the trajectories into linear and curved sections or pause allowed us to precisely describe the corresponding swimming patterns near the two surfaces. We concluded that (i) the trajectory classes were of same nature on cells and glass, however the trajectory distribution was strikingly different between surface types, (ii) on cell monolayers, a larger fraction of bacteria adopted a swimming mode with stronger bacteria-surface interaction mostly dependent upon Type IV pili. Thus, bacteria swim near boundaries with diverse patterns and importantly, Type IV pili differentially influence swimming near cellular and abiotic surfaces.
Ebselen Preserves Tissue-Engineered Cell Sheets and their Stem Cells in Hypothermic Conditions
Authors: Katori Ryosuke , Hayashi Ryuhei , Kobayashi Yuki , Kobayashi Eiji , Nishida Kohji
Published: December 2016

Clinical trials have been performed using autologous tissue-engineered epithelial cell sheets for corneal regenerative medicine. To improve stem cell-based therapy for convenient clinical practice, new techniques are required for preserving reconstructed tissues and their stem/progenitor cells until they are ready for use. In the present study, we screened potential preservative agents and developed a novel medium for preserving the cell sheets and their stem/progenitor cells; the effects were evaluated with a luciferase-based viability assay. Nrf2 activators, specifically ebselen, could maintain high ATP levels during preservation. Ebselen also showed a strong influence on maintenance of the viability, morphology, and stem cell function of the cell sheets preserved under hypothermia by protecting them from reactive oxygen species-induced damage. Furthermore, ebselen drastically improved the preservation performance of human cornea tissues and their stem cells. Therefore, ebselen shows good potential as a useful preservation agent in regenerative medicine as well as in cornea transplantation.
Electroacupuncture enhances rehabilitation through miR-181b targeting PirB after ischemic stroke
Authors: Deng Bin , Bai Fuhai , Zhou Heng , Zhou Dandan , Ma Zhi , Xiong Lize , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2016

Recent studies have demonstrated microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins are beneficial to axon regeneration, which may be involved in Electroacupuncture (EA) therapy against stroke. In this study, we aimed to determine the pivotal role of PirB in EA-produced rehabilitation against ischemic stroke; and to screen and investigate the potential miRNAs directly regulating PirB expression. The results showed EA treatment enhanced axon regeneration and new projections from the corticospinal tract at 28 d after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury of rats. Then, we found EA decreased pirb mRNA and PirB protein expression in the penumbra within 28 days after reperfusion. The reduction of PirB expression facilitated neurite outgrowth after oxygen-glucose deprivation injury. The miRNA microarray showed the level of twenty kinds of miRNAs changed in the penumbra after EA administration. The bioinformatics study and luciferase assay verified miR-181b directly regulated pirb mRNA expression. EA increased miR-181b levels in the penumbras, and improved neurobehavioral function rehabilitation through miR-181b direct targeting of pirb mRNA to regulate the expression of PirB, RhoA and GAP43. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence that EA enhances rehabilitation against stroke by regulating epigenetic changes to directly act on its targets, such as the miR-181b/PirB/RhoA/GAP43 axis, which is a novel mechanism of EA therapy.
Supersymmetrical bounding of asymmetric states and quantum phase transitions by anti-crossing of symmetric states
Authors: Afzal Muhammad Imran , Lee Yong Tak
Published: December 2016

Von Neumann and Wigner theorized the bounding and anti-crossing of eigenstates. Experiments have demonstrated that owing to anti-crossing and similar radiation rates, the graphene-like resonance of inhomogeneously strained photonic eigenstates can generate a pseudomagnetic field, bandgaps and Landau levels, whereas exponential or dissimilar rates induce non-Hermicity. Here, we experimentally demonstrate higher-order supersymmetry and quantum phase transitions by resonance between similar one-dimensional lattices. The lattices consisted of inhomogeneous strain-like phases of triangular solitons. The resonance created two-dimensional, inhomogeneously deformed photonic graphene. All parent eigenstates were annihilated. Eigenstates of mildly strained solitons were annihilated at similar rates through one tail and generated Hermitian bounded eigenstates. The strongly strained solitons with positive phase defects were annihilated at exponential rates through one tail, which bounded eigenstates through non-Hermitianally generated exceptional points. Supersymmetry was evident, with preservation of the shapes and relative phase differences of the parent solitons. Localizations of energies generated from annihilations of mildly and strongly strained soliton eigenstates were responsible for geometrical (Berry) and topological phase transitions, respectively. Both contributed to generating a quantum Zeno phase, whereas only strong twists generated topological (Anderson) localization. Anti-bunching-like condensation was also observed.
Gene network analysis identifies rumen epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation and metabolic pathways perturbed by diet and correlated with methane production
Authors: Xiang Ruidong , McNally Jody , Rowe Suzanne , Jonker Arjan , Pinares-Patino Cesar S. , Oddy V. Hutton , Vercoe Phil E. , McEwan John C. , Dalrymple Brian P.
Published: December 2016

Ruminants obtain nutrients from microbial fermentation of plant material, primarily in their rumen, a multilayered forestomach. How the different layers of the rumen wall respond to diet and influence microbial fermentation, and how these process are regulated, is not well understood. Gene expression correlation networks were constructed from full thickness rumen wall transcriptomes of 24 sheep fed two different amounts and qualities of a forage and measured for methane production. The network contained two major negatively correlated gene sub-networks predominantly representing the epithelial and muscle layers of the rumen wall. Within the epithelium sub-network gene clusters representing lipid/oxo-acid metabolism, general metabolism and proliferating and differentiating cells were identified. The expression of cell cycle and metabolic genes was positively correlated with dry matter intake, ruminal short chain fatty acid concentrations and methane production. A weak correlation between lipid/oxo-acid metabolism genes and methane yield was observed. Feed consumption level explained the majority of gene expression variation, particularly for the cell cycle genes. Many known stratified epithelium transcription factors had significantly enriched targets in the epithelial gene clusters. The expression patterns of the transcription factors and their targets in proliferating and differentiating skin is mirrored in the rumen, suggesting conservation of regulatory systems.
Genes essential for the morphogenesis of the Shiga toxin 2-transducing phage from Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Mondal Shakhinur Islam , Islam Md Rakibul , Sawaguchi Akira , Asadulghani Md , Ooka Tadasuke , Gotoh Yasuhiro , Kasahara Yasuhiro , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Hayashi Tetsuya
Published: December 2016

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), one of the most important virulence factors of enterohaemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC), is encoded by phages. These phages (Stx2 phages) are often called lambda-like. However, most Stx2 phages are short-tailed, thus belonging to the familyPodoviridae, and the functions of many genes, especially those in the late region, are unknown. In this study, we performed a systematic genetic and morphological analysis of genes with unknown functions in Sp5, the Stx2 phage from EHEC O157:H7 strain Sakai. We identified nine essential genes, which, together with the terminase genes, determine Sp5 morphogenesis. Four of these genes most likely encoded portal, major capsid, scaffolding and tail fiber proteins. Although exact roles/functions of the other five genes are unknown, one was involved in head formation and four were required for tail formation. One of the four tail genes encoded an unusually large protein of 2,793 amino-acid residues. Two genes that are likely required to maintain the lysogenic state were also identified. Because the late regions of Stx2 phages from various origins are highly conserved, the present study provides an important basis for better understanding the biology of this unique and medically important group of bacteriophages.
Restoration of clipped seismic waveforms using projection onto convex sets method
Authors: Zhang Jinhai , Hao Jinlai , Zhao Xu , Wang Shuqin , Zhao Lianfeng , Wang Weimin , Yao Zhenxing
Published: December 2016

The seismic waveforms would be clipped when the amplitude exceeds the upper-limit dynamic range of seismometer. Clipped waveforms are typically assumed not useful and seldom used in waveform-based research. Here, we assume the clipped components of the waveform share the same frequency content with the un-clipped components. We leverage this similarity to convert clipped waveforms to true waveforms by iteratively reconstructing the frequency spectrum using the projection onto convex sets method. Using artificially clipped data we find that statistically the restoration error is ~1% and ~5% when clipped at 70% and 40% peak amplitude, respectively. We verify our method using real data recorded at co-located seismometers that have different gain controls, one set to record large amplitudes on scale and the other set to record low amplitudes on scale. Using our restoration method we recover 87 out of 93 clipped broadband records from the 2013 Mw6.6 Lushan earthquake. Estimating that we recover 20 clipped waveforms for each M5.0+ earthquake, so for the ~1,500 M5.0+ events that occur each year we could restore ~30,000 clipped waveforms each year, which would greatly enhance useable waveform data archives. These restored waveform data would also improve the azimuthal station coverage and spatial footprint.
Organic Redox Species in Aqueous Flow Batteries: Redox Potentials, Chemical Stability and Solubility
Authors: Wedege Kristina , Dražević Emil , Konya Denes , Bentien Anders
Published: December 2016

Organic molecules are currently investigated as redox species for aqueous low-cost redox flow batteries (RFBs). The envisioned features of using organic redox species are low cost and increased flexibility with respect to tailoring redox potential and solubility from molecular engineering of side groups on the organic redox-active species. In this paper 33, mainly quinone-based, compounds are studied experimentially in terms of pH dependent redox potential, solubility and stability, combined with single cell battery RFB tests on selected redox pairs. Data shows that both the solubility and redox potential are determined by the position of the side groups and only to a small extent by the number of side groups. Additionally, the chemical stability and possible degradation mechanisms leading to capacity loss over time are discussed. The main challenge for the development of all-organic RFBs is to identify a redox pair for the positive side with sufficiently high stability and redox potential that enables battery cell potentials above 1 V.
Endogenous programmed death ligand-1 restrains the development and onset of Sjӧgren’s syndrome in non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Zhou Jing , Jin Jun-O. , Kawai Toshihisa , Yu Qing
Published: December 2016

Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) down-modulates various immune responses by engaging the co-inhibitory receptor programmed death-1. Expression of PD-L1 and programmed death-1 is elevated in the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). The objective of this study is to define the role of endogenous PD-L1 in SS pathogenesis in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of this disease. We inhibited endogenous PD-L1 function by intraperitoneal administration of a blocking antibody to 6 week-old female NOD/ShiLtJ mice repeatedly during a 9-day period. PD-L1 blockade accelerated leukocyte infiltration and caspase-3 activation in the submandibular gland (SMG), production of antinuclear and anti-M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) autoantibodies and impairment of saliva secretion, indicative of accelerated development and onset of SS. The effect of PD-L1 blockade was associated with increased T- and B cells and T helper 1 cytokine IFN-γ in the SMG. Local administration of exogenous IFN-γ to the SMG led to impaired salivary secretion accompanied by down-regulation of aquaporin 5 and an increase in anti-M3R autoantibodies. Conversely, neutralization of IFN-γ markedly improved salivary secretion and aquaporin 5 expression in anti-PD-L1-treated NOD/ShiLtJ mice. Hence, endogenous PD-L1 hinders the development and onset of SS in NOD mice, in part by suppressing IFN-γ production.
Anesthesia and brain sensory processing: impact on neuronal responses in a female songbird
Authors: Karino G. , George I. , Loison L. , Heyraud C. , De Groof G. , Hausberger M. , Cousillas H.
Published: December 2016

Whether anesthesia impacts brain sensory processing is a highly debated and important issue. There is a general agreement that anesthesia tends to diminish neuronal activity, but its potential impact on neuronal “tuning” is still an open question. Here we show, based on electrophysiological recordings in the primary auditory area of a female songbird, that anesthesia induces neuronal responses towards biologically irrelevant sounds and prevents the seasonal neuronal tuning towards functionally relevant species-specific song elements.
Boosting Adaptive Immunity: A New Role for PAFR Antagonists
Authors: Koga Marianna M. , Bizzarro Bruna , Sá-Nunes Anderson , Rios Francisco J. , Jancar Sonia
Published: December 2016

We have previously shown that the Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor (PAFR) engagement in murine macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) promotes a tolerogenic phenotype reversed by PAFR-antagonists treatment in vitro. Here, we investigated whether a PAFR antagonist would modulate the immune response in vivo. Mice were subcutaneously injected with OVA or OVA with PAFR-antagonist WEB2170 on days 0 and 7. On day 14, OVA–specific IgG2a and IgG1 were measured in the serum. The presence of WEB2170 during immunization significantly increased IgG2a without affecting IgG1 levels. When WEB2170 was added to OVA in complete Freund’s adjuvant, enhanced IgG2a but not IgG1 production was also observed, and CD4+ FoxP3+ T cell frequency in the spleen was reduced compared to mice immunized without the antagonist. Similar results were observed in PAFR-deficient mice, along with increased Tbet mRNA expression in the spleen. Additionally, bone marrow-derived DCs loaded with OVA were transferred into naïve mice and their splenocytes were co-cultured with fresh OVA-loaded DCs. CD4+ T cell proliferation was higher in the group transferred with DCs treated with the PAFR-antagonist. We propose that the activation of PAFR by ligands present in the site of immunization is able to fine-tune the adaptive immune response.
A novel chemiluminescence sensor for sensitive detection of cholesterol based on the peroxidase-like activity of copper nanoclusters
Authors: Xu Shuangjiao , Wang Yanqin , Zhou Dayun , Kuang Meng , Fang Dan , Yang Weihua , Wei Shoujun , Ma Lei
Published: December 2016

A sensitive and selective chemiluminescence (CL) sensor based on the peroxidase-like activity of copper nanoclusters was established for the detection of cholesterol. Copper nanoclusters catalyse the CL reaction between luminol and H2O2. Because H2O2 is the oxidative product of cholesterol in the presence of cholesterol oxidase, the oxidation of cholesterol can be quantitatively converted to a CL response by combining the two reactions. The proposed method is simple and can be completed in a few minutes with high sensitivity. Under the optimal conditions, the CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of cholesterol over a wide range of 0.05–10 mM, with a detection limit of 1.5 μM. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to determine cholesterol in milk powder and human serum with satisfactory accuracy and precision. This method expands the applications of nano-mimic enzymes in the field of CL-based sensors.
Design and evaluation of primers targeting genes encoding NO-forming nitrite reductases: implications for ecological inference of denitrifying communities
Authors: Bonilla-Rosso Germán , Wittorf Lea , Jones Christopher M. , Hallin Sara
Published: December 2016

The detection of NO-forming nitrite reductase genes (nir) has become the standard when studying denitrifying communities in the environment, despite well-known amplification biases in available primers. We review the performance of 35 published and 121 newly designed primers targeting the nirS and nirK genes, against sequences from complete genomes and 47 metagenomes from three major habitats where denitrification is important. There were no optimal universal primer pairs for either gene, although published primers targeting nirS displayed up to 75% coverage. The alternative is clade-specific primers, which show a trade-off between coverage and specificity. The test against metagenomic datasets showed a distinct performance of primers across habitats. The implications of clade-specific nir primers choice and their performance for ecological inference when used for quantitative estimates and in sequenced-based community ecology studies are discussed and our phylogenomic primer evaluation can be used as a reference along with their environmental specificity as a guide for primer selection. Based on our results, we also propose a general framework for primer evaluation that emphasizes the testing of coverage and phylogenetic range using full-length sequences from complete genomes, as well as accounting for environmental range using metagenomes. This framework serves as a guideline to simplify primer performance comparisons while explicitly addressing the limitations and biases of the primers evaluated.
Divergent topological architecture of the default mode network as a pretreatment predictor of early antidepressant response in major depressive disorder
Authors: Hou Zhenghua , Wang Zan , Jiang Wenhao , Yin Yingying , Yue Yingying , Zhang Yuqun , Song Xiaopeng , Yuan Yonggui
Published: December 2016

Identifying a robust pretreatment neuroimaging marker would be helpful for the selection of an optimal therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD). We recruited 82 MDD patients [n = 42 treatment-responsive depression (RD) and n = 40 non-responding depression (NRD)] and 50 healthy controls (HC) for this study. Based on the thresholded partial correlation matrices of 58 specific brain regions, a graph theory approach was applied to analyse the topological properties. When compared to HC, both RD and NRD patients exhibited a lower nodal degree (Dnodal) in the left anterior cingulate gyrus; as for RD, the Dnodalof the left superior medial orbitofrontal gyrus was significantly reduced, but the right inferior orbitofrontal gyrus was increased (allP < 0.017, FDR corrected). Moreover, the nodal degree in the right dorsolateral superior frontal cortex (SFGdor) was significantly lower in RD than in NRD. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the λ and nodal degree in the right SFGdor exhibited a good ability to distinguish nonresponding patients from responsive patients, which could serve as a specific maker to predict an early response to antidepressants. The disrupted topological configurations in the present study extend the understanding of pretreatment neuroimaging predictors for antidepressant medication.
Surfactin inducing mitochondria-dependent ROS to activate MAPKs, NF-κB and inflammasomes in macrophages for adjuvant activity
Authors: Gan Ping , Gao Zhenqiu , Zhao Xiuyun , Qi Gaofu
Published: December 2016

Surfactin, a natural lipopeptide, can be used both as parenteral and non-parenteral adjuvant for eliciting immune response. However, the mechanisms that confer its adjuvant properties have not been fully explored. By staining with NHS-Rhodamine B labeled surfactin and Mito-Tracker Green, we found surfactin could penetrate into macrophages to bind with mitochondria, following induce ROS that could be inhibited by mitochondria-dependent ROS inhibitor. ROS enhanced p38 MAPK and JNK expression, as well their phorsphorylation, following activated NF-κB nuclear translocation in macrophages that was obviously inhibited by mitochondria-dependent ROS inhibitor. However, inhibition of ROS production only weakened p38 MAPK and JNK expression, but not their phosphorylation in macrophages. As a result, surfaction could activate NF-κB to release TNF-α by the mitochondria-dependent ROS signalling pathway. ROS also induced macrophages apoptosis to release endogenous danger signals, following activated inflammasomes of NLRP1, NLRP3, IPAF and AIM2 in vitro and only NLRP1 in vivo, as well caspase-1 and IL-1 in macrophages, which were significantly inhibited by pre-treatment with ROS inhibitors. Collectively, surfactin as a kind of non-pathogen-associated molecular patterns, modulates host innate immunity by multiple signalling pathways, including induction of mitochondria-dependent ROS, activating MAPKs and NF-κB, and inducing cell apoptosis to realease endogenous danger signals for activation of inflammasomes.
Evaluation of net nitrification rates in paddy soil using mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Shao Yanqiu , Du Changwen , Shen Yazhen , Ma Fei , Zhou Jianmin
Published: December 2016

Colorimetry is a conventional method for the determination of soil nitrification rates, and it demands pretreatments and chemical reagents, which make it time and cost consuming.
Screening of neuraminidase inhibitors from the leaves of Syringa velutina Kom. via compound fractionation and in vitro activity evaluation
Authors: Zhang Yuchi , Xu Jingying , Liu Chunming , Li Sainan
Published: December 2016

A novel hyphenated technique comprised of circulating ultrasound-assisted extraction (CUAE) coupled with an online solvent concentration tank (SCT), centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and mass spectrometry (MS) was established.
A new way to do an old reaction: highly efficient reduction of organic azides by sodium iodide in the presence of acidic ion exchange resin
Authors: Suthagar Kajitha , Fairbanks Antony J.
Published: December 2016

Azides are reduced highly efficiently simply by treatment with sodium iodide in the presence of acidic ion exchange resin.
Engineering ofd-fructose-6-phosphate aldolase A for improved activity towards cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Yang Xiaohong , Ye Lidan , Li Aipeng , Yang Chengcheng , Yu Huilei , Gu Jiali , Guo Fei , Jiang Ling , Wang Fan , Yu Hongwei
Published: December 2016

d-Fructose-6-phosphate aldolase A (FSAA) fromEscherichia coliwas engineered for enhanced catalytic efficiency towards cinnamaldehyde.
Photoenhanced transformation of hydroxylated fullerene (fullerol) by free chlorine in water
Authors: Wu Jiewei , Alemany Lawrence B. , Li Wenlu , Benoit Denise , Fortner John D.
Published: December 2016

Water-soluble, oxidized fullerenes, termed as fullerols or fullerenols, have gained increasing attention as they have been identified as primary daughter product(s) when C60 is exposed to ubiquitous, reactive (oxidative) environmental scenarios including UV light (including sunlight UVA), radical oxygen species (ROS), and ozone.
Luteolin suppresses the JAK/STAT pathway in a cellular model of intestinal inflammation
Authors: Nunes Carla , Almeida Leonor , Barbosa Rui M. , Laranjinha João
Published: December 2016

Luteolin efficiently fights intestinal inflammation. The inhibition of the JAK/STAT pathway by luteolin is a key mechanism.
Pinch-off dynamics and dripping-onto-substrate (DoS) rheometry of complex fluids
Authors: Dinic Jelena , Jimenez Leidy Nallely , Sharma Vivek
Published: December 2016

We show that the dripping-onto-substrate rheometry protocols allow a quantitative characterization of rheological measures like shear viscosity, power law index, extensional viscosity, extensional relaxation time as well as the processing timescales relevant for printing application for an entire spectrum of complex fluids.
Searching for promising new perovskite-based photovoltaic absorbers: the importance of electronic dimensionality
Authors: Xiao Zewen , Meng Weiwei , Wang Jianbo , Mitzi David B. , Yan Yanfa
Published: December 2016

The concept of electronic dimensionality,i.e., the connectivity of the atomic orbitals that comprise the lower conduction band and upper valence band, is introduced to better account for the device performance of the perovskite-based solar cells.
Initial stage of the degradation of three common neonicotinoids: theoretical prediction of charge transfer sites
Authors: García-Hernández Erwin , Flores-Moreno Roberto , Vázquez-Mayagoitia Álvaro , Vargas Rubicelia , Garza Jorge
Published: December 2016

Tautomerization of acetamiprid gives alternatives to search new pathways for its degradation in water.
Enhanced cytotoxicity by a benzothiazole-containing cisplatin derivative in breast cancer cells
Authors: You Chaoqun , Yu Jia , Sun Yu , Luo Yanghui , Zhang Xiangyang , Zhu Jin , Sun Baiwang
Published: December 2016

A synergic acting cisplatin derivative, madeviaconjugating CJM126 with cisplatin, was synthesized and delivered using liposomes to inhibit tumor cells.
NMR-filtered virtual screening leads to non-metal chelating metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors
Authors: Li Guo-Bo , Abboud Martine I. , Brem Jürgen , Someya Hidenori , Lohans Christopher T. , Yang Sheng-Yong , Spencer James , Wareham David W. , McDonough Michael A. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: December 2016

NMR-filtered virtual screening led to the identification of non-Zn(ii)-chelating metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors, which mimic interactions made by the bicyclic β-lactam antibiotic substrates as they initially bind to the enzymes.
3D hierarchical Ni(PO3)2nanosheet arrays with superior electrochemical capacitance behavior
Authors: Liu Qiao , Chen Chongyi , Zheng Jinju , Wang Lin , Yang Zuobao , Yang Weiyou
Published: December 2016

3D hierarchical Ni(PO3)2nanosheet arrays are developed as a novel electrode material with superior energy storage behavior.
Photocrosslinkable, biodegradable hydrogels with controlled cell adhesivity for prolonged siRNA delivery to hMSCs to enhance their osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Nguyen Minh Khanh , McMillan Alexandra , Huynh Cong Truc , Schapira Daniel S. , Alsberg Eben
Published: December 2016

Sustained and localized delivery of siRNA from photocrosslinked dextran hydrogels can enhance human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis.
A one-pot synthesis of water soluble highly fluorescent silica nanoparticles
Authors: Chandra Sourov , Beaune Grégory , Shirahata Naoto , Winnik Françoise M.
Published: December 2016

We report a one-pot synthesis of water dispersible fluorescent silica nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with terminal amine groups, starting from silicon tetrabromide (SiBr4) and aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APTES).
An extensive study of the influence of dopants on the ferroelectric properties of HfO2
Authors: Starschich S. , Boettger U.
Published: December 2016

The ferroelectric properties of hafnium oxide based thin films prepared by chemical solution deposition (CSD) are investigated.
Electronic structure of silicene: effects of the organic molecular adsorption and substrate
Authors: Gao N. , Lu G. Y. , Wen Z. , Jiang Q.
Published: December 2016

The band gap in silicene is opened by the TTF adsorption and silicane substrate pairing, and the high carrier mobility is retained.
Ambipolar charge distribution in donor–acceptor polymer field-effect transistors
Authors: Chin Xin Yu , Pace Giuseppina , Soci Cesare , Caironi Mario
Published: December 2016

CMS and CMM studies spatially resolved polaronic and electroabsorption features, and the distribution of charge carriers in an ambipolar organic FET.
Syntactic Versus Memory Accounts of the Sentence Comprehension Deficits of Specific Language Impairment: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Authors: Montgomery James W. , Gillam Ronald B. , Evans Julia L.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Compared with same-age typically developing peers, school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI) exhibit significant deficits in spoken sentence comprehension. They also demonstrate a range of memory limitations. Whether these 2 deficit areas are related is unclear. The present review article aims to (a) review 2 main theoretical accounts of SLI sentence comprehension and various studies supporting each and (b) offer a new, broader, more integrated memory-based framework to guide future SLI research, as we believe the available evidence favors a memory-based perspective of SLI comprehension limitations.

Method

We reviewed the literature on the sentence comprehension abilities of English-speaking children with SLI from 2 theoretical perspectives.

Results

The sentence comprehension limitations of children with SLI appear to be more fully captured by a memory-based perspective than by a syntax-specific deficit perspective.

Conclusions

Although a memory-based view appears to be the better account of SLI sentence comprehension deficits, this view requires refinement and expansion. Current memory-based perspectives of adult sentence comprehension, with proper modification, offer SLI investigators new, more integrated memory frameworks within which to study and better understand the sentence comprehension abilities of children with SLI.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14963949
A Summary of the Updated Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Ashaie Sameer , Korytkowska Marta
Published: December 2016

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts memory, language, and other cognitive processes, with the prevalence of AD in the United States projected to increase to approximately 13.8 million by 2050. With the anticipated increase in AD cases and medical scientific advances, there was a need to update clinical diagnostic criteria that were established in the 20th century. The purpose of this article is to review the updated diagnostic standards to provide a framework for SLP's working with this population.
SRT analysis of relay selection in the presence of multiple co‐channel interferers
Authors: Hu Weilong , Li Zan , Li Hongyan , Si Jiangbo , Huang Haiyan
Published: December 2016

In this study, a cooperative wireless network is studied based on physical‐layer security, where multiple co‐channel interferers exist at relays, the destination and eavesdropper. Under the influence of multiple co‐channel interferers, the tradeoff between the security and reliability of wireless communications against eavesdropping attacks is analysed in terms of the intercept probability (IP) and the outage probability (OP). The exact closed‐form expressions for the IP and OP are derived for the direct transmission (DT) and the relay selection (RS) schemes over Rayleigh fading channels. The theoretical analysis is validated by numerical results. It is shown that the increase of the number of relays and (or) the number of co‐channel interferers can efficiently improve the security–reliability tradeoff (SRT). Moreover, the RS strategy can achieve a higher SRT performance compared with the DT strategy.
Two‐dimensional sorting algorithm for high‐throughput K‐best MIMO detection
Authors: Fan Wen , Alimohammad Amir
Published: December 2016

This brief presents a novel two‐dimensional parallel sorting algorithm for high‐throughput K‐best detectors utilised in multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems. The proposed sorting algorithm enhances the throughput by sorting a data set in parallel and avoids the relatively long latency of the traditional algorithms. This is especially important in MIMO systems utilising high‐order modulation schemes. The authors used the sorting algorithm in a K‐best detector with variable K values at different layers of the search tree, which improves the bit error rate performance and reduces the computational complexity significantly. The detector using the sorting algorithm is designed and implemented in TSMC 90‐nm CMOS technology for 4 × 4 64‐QAM MIMO systems. Operating at 200 MHz, the detector's throughput is 1.2 Gbps. Its equivalent gate count is 182K.