bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of cyclin E co‐expression genes reveals nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha is an oncogene in gastric cancer
Authors: Bie Liang‐Yu , Li Dan , Mu Yu , Wang Sheng , Chen Bei‐Bei , Lyu Hui‐Fang , Han Li‐Li , Nie Cai‐Yun , Yang Chang‐Cheng , Wang Lin , Ren Chuan‐Chuan , Zhang Wei‐Jie , Guo Ping , Shi Feng , Fan Qing‐Xia , Wang Liu‐Xing , Chen Xiao‐Bing , Luo Su‐Xia
Published: October 2018

Objective

To explore genes potentially co‐expressed with cyclin E in gastric cancer and discover possible targets for gastric cancer treatment.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) stomach adenocarcinoma sequencing data were used to predict genes co‐expressed with cyclin E. Co‐expression genes predicted by cBioPortal online analysis with Pearson correlation coefficient ≥0.4 were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment annotation using the PANTHER online platform (Ver. 7). Interactions between proteins encoded by these genes were analyzed using the STRING online platform (Ver. 10.5) and Cytoscape software (Ver. 3.5.1). Genes displaying a high degree of connection were analyzed by transcription factor enrichment prediction using FunRich software (Ver. 3). The significant transcription factor and cyclin E expression levels and their impact on gastric cancer progression were analyzed by Western blotting and Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis.

Results

After filtering the co‐expression gene prediction results, 78 predicted genes that included 73 protein coding genes and 5 non‐coding genes with Pearson correlation coefficient ≥0.4 were selected. The expressions of the genes were considered to be correlated with cyclin E expression. Among the 78 genes co‐expressed with cyclin E, 19 genes at the central of the regulatory network associated with cyclin E were discovered. Nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NF‐YA) was identified as a significant transcription factor associated with cyclin E co‐expressing genes. Analysis of specimen donors’ clinical records revealed that high expression of NF‐YA tended to be associated with increased cyclin E expression. The expression of both was associated with progression of gastric cancer. Western blotting results showed that compared with normal tissues, NF‐YA and cyclin E were highly expressed in tumor tissues (P < 0.001). Survival curve analysis clearly demonstrated relatively poor overall survival of gastric cancer patients with high cyclin E or high NF‐YA expression level, compared to patients with low cyclin E or NF‐YA expression (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

NF‐YA may promote gastric cancer progression by increasing the transcription of cyclin E and other cell cycle regulatory genes. NF‐YA might be a potential therapeutically useful prognostic factor for gastric cancer.
A DBQ in a Multiple-Choice World: A Tale of two Assessments in a Unit on the Byzantine Empire
Authors: Fitzpatrick Colleen , van Hover Stephanie , Cornett Ariel , Hicks David
Published: October 2018

This case study explored how a teacher, Mr. Smith, and his students experienced a mandated performance assessment while simultaneously preparing for an end of the year high-stakes, multiple-choice assessment. We employed qualitative research methods to examine how the teacher enacted a mandated performance assessment during a unit on Byzantium and how students described their learning and classroom experiences from the unit. Drawing on Grant's idea of ambitious teaching and learning of history and Ball's work on policy realization, analysis of these data indicated that Mr. Smith interpreted and enacted a performance assessment in ways that differed from how district and state policy makers intended. Despite an assessment that the district designed to promote historical thinking skills, students learned primarily factual knowledge.
Russian and Ukrainian elites: A comparative study of different identities and alternative transitions
Authors: Kuzio Taras
Published: October 2018

The deterioration in Russian-Ukrainian relations heightened in 2014 but did not begin then and has deeper roots. Both Russian presidents have had troubled relations with all five Ukrainian presidents irrespective if they were described as ‘nationalist’ or ‘pro-Russian.’ This article is the first to explain why the roots of the crisis go deeper and it does this by investigating three areas. The first is the different sources of elites in 1991 when independent Russia captured Soviet institutions and undertook top-down state building while Ukraine inherited far less and set course with bottom up state-building. The second is divergent Russian and Ukrainian national identities. The third is the resultant different transitions with Russia reverting to great power imperial nationalism and Ukraine quadruple and post-colonial transitions.
Policy competition in clean technology: Scaling up or innovating up?
Authors: Hughes Llewelyn , Meckling Jonas
Published: October 2018

Governments support clean technologies to advance both environmental goals and national competitiveness. By adopting environmental policies early on, governments are argued to create durable competitive advantages for domestic companies that develop clean technologies for export to late adopters. This paper argues that policy competition between lead and follower markets conditions the ability of governments to create durable competitive advantages in low-carbon technologies. Depending on the complexity of the technology, we observe two patterns of green industrial policy competition. In low-complexity technologies, such as solar photovoltaics, follower markets are likely to adopt policies that support manufacturing capacity to rapidly achieve price advantages from economies of scale, with global supply chains intensifying this competition (“scaling up”). In high-complexity technologies, such as electric vehicles, follower markets are likely to adopt policies that support research and development to develop differentiated high-tech products for export (“innovating up”). We also suggest that new forms of interdependence in policy competition can affect the political sustainability of lead market policies. Competition in scaling-up is more likely to undermine political coalitions in favor of government support for low-carbon technologies, while innovating-up dynamics embed political coalitions that support lead market policies for low-carbon technologies.
THE IRRATIONALITY OF PLURALISTIC IGNORANCE
Authors: Grosz Daniel
Published: October 2018

Pluralistic ignorance is a social-psychological phenomenon in which an agent believes that their attitudes, feelings, and beliefs are different from those of others, despite the fact that their public behavior is identical. I argue that agents in standard cases of pluralistic ignorance are epistemically irrational. I accomplish this, first, by rebutting a recent argument for the rationality of pluralistic ignorance. Next, I offer a defeat-based argument against the epistemic rationality of pluralistic ignorance. Third, I examine a type of case in which the pluralistically ignorant agent's belief is irrational, despite the fact that this belief lacks a defeater. Finally, I consider instances of pluralistically ignorant agents whose beliefs are not irrational, but explain why such cases are not problematic for my main thesis. This critical discussion allows me to offer an important amendment to an extant account of pluralistic ignorance.
THE GEOMETRY OF BLUEPRINTS PART II: TITS–WEYL MODELS OF ALGEBRAIC GROUPS
Authors: LORSCHEID OLIVER
Published: October 2018

This paper is dedicated to a problem raised by Jacquet Tits in 1956: the Weyl group of a Chevalley group should find an interpretation as a group over what is nowadays called$\mathbb{F}_{1}$,the field with one element. Based on Part I of The geometry of blueprints, we introduce the class ofTits morphismsbetween blue schemes. The resultingTits category$\text{Sch}_{{\mathcal{T}}}$comes together with a base extension to (semiring) schemes and the so-calledWeyl extensionto sets. We prove for${\mathcal{G}}$in a wide class of Chevalley groups—which includes the special and general linear groups, symplectic and special orthogonal groups, and all types of adjoint groups—that a linear representation of${\mathcal{G}}$defines a model$G$in$\text{Sch}_{{\mathcal{T}}}$whose Weyl extension is the Weyl group$W$of${\mathcal{G}}$. We call such modelsTits–Weyl models. The potential of Tits–Weyl models lies in(a)their intrinsic definition that is given by a linear representation;(b)the (yet to be formulated) unified approach towards thick and thin geometries; and(c)the extension of a Chevalley group to a functor on blueprints, which makes it, in particular, possible to consider Chevalley groups over semirings. This opens applications to idempotent analysis and tropical geometry.
A LOGICAL AND ALGEBRAIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ADJUNCTIONS BETWEEN GENERALIZED QUASI-VARIETIES
Authors: MORASCHINI TOMMASO
Published: October 2018

We present a logical and algebraic description of right adjoint functors between generalized quasi-varieties, inspired by the work of McKenzie on category equivalence. This result is achieved by developing a correspondence between the concept of adjunction and a new notion of translation between relative equational consequences.
Comparison of an interactive 24-h recall and weighed food record for measuring energy and nutrient intakes from complementary foods among 9–10-month-old Malawian infants consuming lipid-based nutrient supplements
Authors: Hemsworth Jaimie , Arimond Mary , Kumwenda Chiza , Rehman Andrea M. , Maleta Kenneth , Ashorn Ulla , Keogh Ruth , Ferguson Elaine L.
Published: October 2018

Fortifying complementary foods with lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) may improve energy and nutrient intakes of infants at risk for undernutrition. We aimed to determine the relative validity of an interactive 24-h recall (i-24-HR) for assessing the impact of an LNS intervention on dietary intakes of energy and nutrients among rural Malawian 9–10-month-old infants (n132) participating in the International Lipid‐Based Nutrient Supplements Dose (iLiNS-DOSE) trial. Dietary data were collected for the same day via i-24-HR and weighed food records. Inter-method agreements were estimated overall and by intervention group, using Bland–Altman plots and pairedttests; measurement error models (differential error); and percentage of food omissions and intrusions were estimated. Overall, inter-method differences in mean intakes of energy and most nutrients were not significant. When stratified by group, recalled energy intakes were under-estimated (−368 kJ;P=0·01) in the control but not in the intervention group (−42 kJ;P=0·6). This differential reporting error was related to an over-estimation of recalled LNS (8·1v. 4·5 g;P<0·001) in the intervention group, compensating for an under-estimation of energy and nutrient intakes from complementary foods. Sources of measurement error in the i-24-HR were under-estimations of starchy staples, meat/fish/eggs and legumes/nuts/seeds (overall percentage agreement between 38 and 89 %;P<0·028); and over-estimations of added sugar, soups/broths and LNS (overall percentage agreement between 138 and 149 %;P<0·001). Common (>30 % eating occasions) omissions were milk/fish/eggs, starchy roots/vegetables and sweetened snacks. Common intrusions were milk/yogurt. Starchy staples and LNS were recalled when consumed (>85 %) (i.e. matched). These results emphasise the importance of considering differential error when interpreting dietary results in LNS trials.
THE ALAMANNIC WAR WILL NOT TAKE PLACE—CONSTANTIUS’ II OPERATION AGAINST THE ALAMANNI IN 354
Authors: Maier Felix K.
Published: October 2018

In his playThe Trojan War will not take place(1955), French novelist and diplomat Jean Giraudoux has his protagonist Hector struggle tremendously with convincing both Trojans and Greeks alike to prevent the looming war. Despite coming very close to negotiating a truce, Hector fails in the end owing to the belligerent aspirations of some other protagonists led by the Trojan poet Demokos. Cassandra's famous final line, ‘war cannot be avoided’, comes true and, in contrast to the title of the play, the Trojan War does indeed take place.
Subjective ratings of age-of-acquisition: exploring issues of validity and rater reliability
Authors: WIKSE BARROW Carla , NILSSON BJÖRKENSTAM Kristina , STRÖMBERGSSON Sofia
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to investigate concerns of validity and reliability in subjective ratings of age-of-acquisition (AoA), through exploring characteristics of the individual rater. An additional aim was to validate the obtained AoA ratings against two corpora – one of child speech and one of adult speech – specifically exploring whether words over-represented in the child-speech corpus are rated with lower AoA than words characteristic of the adult-speech corpus. The results show that less than one-third of participating informants’ ratings are valid and reliable. However, individuals with high familiarity with preschool-aged children provide more valid and reliable ratings, compared to individuals who do not work with or have children of their own. The results further show a significant, age-adjacent difference in rated AoA for words from the two different corpora, thus strengthening their validity. The study provides AoA data, of high specificity, for 100 child-specific and 100 adult-specific Swedish words.
The incidence of symptomatic infection with influenza virus in the Netherlands 2011/2012 through 2016/2017, estimated using Bayesian evidence synthesis
Authors: Teirlinck A. C. , de Gier B. , Meijer A. , Donker G. , de Lange M. , Koppeschaar C. , van der Hoek W. , Kretzschmar M. E. , McDonald S. A.
Published: October 2018

Due to differences in the circulation of influenza viruses, distribution and antigenic drift of A subtypes and B lineages, and susceptibility to infection in the population, the incidence of symptomatic influenza infection can vary widely between seasons and age-groups. Our goal was to estimate the symptomatic infection incidence in the Netherlands for the six seasons 2011/2012 through 2016/2017, using Bayesian evidence synthesis methodology to combine season-specific sentinel surveillance data on influenza-like illness (ILI), virus detections in sampled ILI cases and data on healthcare-seeking behaviour. Estimated age-aggregated incidence was 6.5 per 1000 persons (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 4.7–9.0) for season 2011/2012, 36.7 (95% UI: 31.2–42.8) for 2012/2013, 9.1 (95% UI: 6.3–12.9) for 2013/2014, 41.1 (95% UI: 35.0–47.7) for 2014/2015, 39.4 (95% UI: 33.4–46.1) for 2015/2016 and 27.8 (95% UI: 22.7–33.7) for season 2016/2017. Incidence varied substantially between age-groups (highest for the age-group <5 years: 23 to 47/1000, but relatively low for 65+ years: 2 to 34/1000 over the six seasons). Integration of all relevant data sources within an evidence synthesis framework has allowed the estimation – with appropriately quantified uncertainty – of the incidence of symptomatic influenza virus infection. These estimates provide valuable insight into the variation in influenza epidemics across seasons, by virus subtype and lineage, and between age-groups.
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs): the development and characteristics of a global inventory of key sites for biodiversity
Authors: DONALD PAUL F. , FISHPOOL LINCOLN D. C. , AJAGBE ADEMOLA , BENNUN LEON A. , BUNTING GILL , BURFIELD IAN J. , BUTCHART STUART H. M. , CAPELLAN SOFIA , CROSBY MICHAEL J. , DIAS MARIA P. , DIAZ DAVID , EVANS MICHAEL I. , GRIMMETT RICHARD , HEATH MELANIE , JONES VICTORIA R. , LASCELLES BENJAMIN G. , MERRIMAN JENNIFER C. , O’BRIEN MARK , RAMÍREZ IVÁN , WALICZKY ZOLTAN , WEGE DAVID C.
Published: October 2018

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) are sites identified as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations on the basis of an internationally agreed set of criteria. We present the first review of the development and spread of the IBA concept since it was launched by BirdLife International (then ICBP) in 1979 and examine some of the characteristics of the resulting inventory. Over 13,000 global and regional IBAs have so far been identified and documented in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems in almost all of the world’s countries and territories, making this the largest global network of sites of significance for biodiversity. IBAs have been identified using standardised, data-driven criteria that have been developed and applied at global and regional levels. These criteria capture multiple dimensions of a site’s significance for avian biodiversity and relate to populations of globally threatened species (68.6% of the 10,746 IBAs that meet global criteria), restricted-range species (25.4%), biome-restricted species (27.5%) and congregatory species (50.3%); many global IBAs (52.7%) trigger two or more of these criteria. IBAs range in size from < 1 km2 to over 300,000 km2 and have an approximately log-normal size distribution (median = 125.0 km2, mean = 1,202.6 km2). They cover approximately 6.7% of the terrestrial, 1.6% of the marine and 3.1% of the total surface area of the Earth. The launch in 2016 of the KBA Global Standard, which aims to identify, document and conserve sites that contribute to the global persistence of wider biodiversity, and whose criteria for site identification build on those developed for IBAs, is a logical evolution of the IBA concept. The role of IBAs in conservation planning, policy and practice is reviewed elsewhere. Future technical priorities for the IBA initiative include completion of the global inventory, particularly in the marine environment, keeping the dataset up to date, and improving the systematic monitoring of these sites.
Parking on a Random Tree
Authors: GOLDSCHMIDT CHRISTINA , PRZYKUCKI MICHAŁ
Published: October 2018

Consider a uniform random rooted labelled tree on n vertices. We imagine that each node of the tree has space for a single car to park. A number m ≤ n of cars arrive one by one, each at a node chosen independently and uniformly at random. If a car arrives at a space which is already occupied, it follows the unique path towards the root until it encounters an empty space, in which case it parks there; if there is no empty space, it leaves the tree. Consider m = ⌊α n⌋ and let An,α denote the event that all ⌊α n⌋ cars find spaces in the tree. Lackner and Panholzer proved (via analytic combinatorics methods) that there is a phase transition in this model. Then if α ≤ 1/2, we have $\mathbb{P}({A_{n,\alpha}}) \to {\sqrt{1-2\alpha}}/{(1-\alpha})$, whereas if α > 1/2 we have $\mathbb{P}({A_{n,\alpha}}) \to 0$. We give a probabilistic explanation for this phenomenon, and an alternative proof via the objective method. Along the way, we consider the following variant of the problem: take the tree to be the family tree of a Galton–Watson branching process with Poisson(1) offspring distribution, and let an independent Poisson(α) number of cars arrive at each vertex. Let X be the number of cars which visit the root of the tree. We show that $\mathbb{E}{[X]}$ undergoes a discontinuous phase transition, which turns out to be a generic phenomenon for arbitrary offspring distributions of mean at least 1 for the tree and arbitrary arrival distributions.
Potential interventions targeting adolescent nutrition in Indonesia: a literature review
Authors: Oddo Vanessa M , Roshita Airin , Rah Jee Hyun
Published: October 2018

Objective

The present study aimed to take stock of nutrition interventions that warrant consideration as a minimum package of interventions in Indonesia to improve four key nutrition indicators for adolescents: stunting, thinness, overweight and anaemia.

Design

We conducted a review of the peer-reviewed literature published between 1995 and 2017 on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that target adolescents in Indonesia. The search to identify studies was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar and EMBASE, using key search terms. We also explored programmatic and policy documents from the grey literature as they related to adolescents and/or Indonesia. Our search yielded thirty-five peer-reviewed articles and programmatic documents.

Setting

Indonesia.

Subjects

Adolescent girls and boys.

Results

There is very limited evidence on the impact of interventions specifically among adolescents in Indonesia. Nevertheless, findings from our review suggest the minimum package of interventions in Indonesia could include the following nutrition-specifc interventions: (i) iron–folic acid supplements, paired with antihelminths delivered at scale via school-based platforms and through health centres; and (ii) diet counselling and nutrition education provided through school-based platforms, adolescent youth centres/peer education and technology-based platforms. The minimum package could also include the following nutrition-sensitive interventions: (i) improving access to reproductive health services; and (ii) increasing the coverage of interventions designed to increase school attendance.

Conclusions

Programmes and policies targeting adolescent nutrition are relatively new and coverage is low. To improve the nutritional status of this vulnerable population, additional evaluations of adolescent programming and surveillance data on adolescents are needed.
Social and scientific disorder as epistemic phenomena, or the consequences of government dietary guidelines
Authors: Scheall Scott , Butos William N. , McQuade Thomas
Published: October 2018

We begin with a process-oriented model of science according to which signals concerning scientific reputation serve both to coordinate the plans of individuals in the scientific domain and to ensure that the knowledge that emerges from interactions between scientists and the environment is reliable. Under normal circumstances, scientific order emerges from the publication–citation–reputation (PCR) process of science. We adopt and extend F. A. Hayek's epistemology according to which knowledge affords successful plan-based action and we employ this in the development of an epistemic theory of social order. We propose that external interferences with the PCR process have distorting effects on scientific knowledge and, thus, on scientific and social order more broadly. We support this claim by describing the history of the US federal government's development of standardized dietary guidelines for American consumers and its concomitant interference in the PCR process of nutritional science. We conclude that this interference contributed to social disorder in dietary science and beyond.
Ionospheric O+ Momentum Balance Through Charge Exchange With Thermospheric O Atoms
Authors: Joshi P. P. , Waldrop L. S. , Brum C. G. M.
Published: October 2018

One of the most notorious uncertainties in ionosphere/thermosphere physics concerns the cross section for resonant charge exchange between neutral atomic and ionized oxygen, O and O+, the principle constituents between ∼200–500 km in the terrestrial atmosphere. O − O+ charge exchange plays a vital role in both momentum and energy exchange between the thermosphere and ionosphere, such that the value of the cross section,
, strongly influences calculations of plasma drift speeds, diffusion coefficients, and electron density distributions. We present an analysis of the nighttime O+ momentum budget in the F region ionosphere, using an unprecedented 27‐year baseline of observations from Arecibo Observatory, as a means to assess the agreement between the data, recent theoretical calculations of
, and NRLMSISE‐00 model predictions of O density, [O]. We find evidence for local time, seasonal, and solar cycle variation between the derived and modeled O − O+ collision frequency, with the best agreement observed near midnight at solar maximum. The data overall support our conclusion that recent theory regarding the magnitude of
is likely accurate. Although biases in the momentum balance technique may account in part or in full for the local time and seasonal dependencies in observed O+ momentum imbalances, the most likely source of the observed solar cycle variation is MSIS model underestimation of [O]. These findings serve to establish the O+ momentum and energy balance techniques as a valuable means of remotely sensing thermospheric [O] in support of future model validation and development.
Quasiperiodic Whistler Mode Emissions Observed by the Van Allen Probes Spacecraft
Authors: Němec F. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Bezděková B. , Demekhov A. G. , Pasmanik D. L. , Santolík O. , Kurth W. S. , Hartley D.
Published: October 2018

Quasiperiodic (QP) emissions are whistler mode electromagnetic waves observed in the inner magnetosphere that exhibit a QP time modulation of the wave intensity. We analyze 768 QP events observed during the first 5 years of the operation of the Van Allen Probes spacecraft (September 2012 to October 2017). Multicomponent wave measurements performed in the equatorial region, where the emissions are likely generated, are used to reveal new experimental information about their properties. We show that the events are observed nearly exclusively inside the plasmasphere. Wave frequencies are mostly between about 0.5 and 4 kHz. The events observed at larger radial distances and on the duskside tend to have slightly lower frequencies than the emissions observed elsewhere. The maximum event frequencies are limited by half of the equatorial electron gyrofrequency, suggesting the importance of wave ducting. Modulation periods are typically between about 0.5 and 5 min, and they increase with the in situ measured plasma number density. This increase is consistent with the main mechanisms suggested to explain the origin of the QP modulation. Two‐point measurements performed by the Van Allen Probes are used to estimate a typical spatial extent of the emissions to about 1 RE in radial distance and 1.5 hr in magnetic local time. Detailed wave analysis shows that the emissions are right‐hand circularly polarized, and they usually come from several different directions simultaneously. They, however, predominantly propagate at rather low wave normal angles and away from the geomagnetic equator.
Source Structure and Measurement Noise Are as Important as All Other Residual Sources in Geodetic VLBI Combined
Authors: Anderson James M. , Xu Ming H.
Published: October 2018

The celestial sources observed by geodetic very‐long‐baseline interferometry (VLBI), most of which are quasars, are resolved—they have a finite angular size as measured by the interferometer—yet modern geodetic VLBI analysis techniques still treat these sources as if they are point‐like. The errors introduced by source structure, the angular distribution of emission, have traditionally been believed to be a small fraction of the total measurement error budget. We analyzed the VLBI data of the CONT14 continuous observing campaign using standard geodetic and imaging techniques, along with an analysis of closures, combinations of interferometric measurements where the error contributions from station‐based effects such as tropospheric and ionospheric errors, clock and cable length errors, station position errors, and so on, cancel exactly, leaving only nonclosing errors, principally source structure and measurement noise. Our statistical analysis of the closure information, based on actual VLBI observations revealed that nearly half (40%) of the total geodetic VLBI error budget (in terms of variance) in CONT14 came from source‐structure effects, nearly the same variance as all station‐based error sources (43%). The remaining error due to other nonsource‐structure, nonclosing errors is also significant (17%). Previous studies, which were primarily simulation‐based, did not account for the full range of effects of source structure on real measurements. Source structure is a major contributor to errors in geodetic VLBI, and source structure must be taken into account in the entire VLBI operational chain, from scheduling to analysis, in order to mitigate its effects on astrometric and geodetic measurements.
Simulations of Zonal Mean Gravity Wave Drag Short‐Term Variability in the Southern Hemisphere Mesosphere
Authors: Pedatella N. M. , Smith A. K. , Liu H.‐L.
Published: October 2018

Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model simulations are used to investigate the short‐term (<30‐day) temporal variability in the midlatitude and high‐latitude Southern Hemisphere mesosphere. We focus primarily on the short‐term variability in zonal mean gravity wave drag and its influence on the mesosphere circulation and chemistry. The seasonal climatology from 36 years (1979–2014) of specified dynamics Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model simulations reveals that the short‐term variability of zonal mean gravity wave drag, which is quantified by the standard deviation over a 30‐day window, in the Southern Hemisphere midlatitude mesosphere maximizes during December to March and September to November. The December to March enhancement is related to interhemispheric coupling during Northern Hemisphere sudden stratospheric warming events, and the enhancement during September to November is attributed to variability in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere zonal mean zonal winds that is driven by planetary wave activity in the Southern Hemisphere. Analysis of the simulations demonstrates that the short‐term variability in mesospheric gravity wave drag leads to changes in the residual circulation, which subsequently introduces short‐term variability in atomic oxygen (O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Comparison with the Northern Hemisphere reveals that the zonal mean short‐term variability in the Southern Hemisphere during September to November is nearly as large (∼80–85%) as the maximum short‐term variability in the Northern Hemisphere, which occurs during December to March. This demonstrates that although the Southern Hemisphere middle atmosphere is generally considered to be less disturbed than the Northern Hemisphere, there is still substantial short‐term variability in the Southern Hemisphere mesosphere.
Spectroscopic Diagnostic of Halos and Elves Detected From Space‐Based Photometers
Authors: Pérez‐Invernón F. J. , Luque A. , Gordillo‐Vázquez F. J. , Sato M. , Ushio T. , Adachi T. , Chen A. B.
Published: October 2018

In this work, we develop two spectroscopic diagnostic methods to derive the peak reduced electric field in transient luminous events (TLEs) from their optical signals. These methods could be used to analyze the optical signature of TLEs reported by spacecraft such as Atmosphere‐Space Interactions Monitor (European Space Agency) and the future Tool for the Analysis of RAdiations from lightNIngs and Sprites (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). As a first validation of these methods, we apply them to the predicted (synthetic) optical signatures of halos and elves, two types of TLEs, obtained from electrodynamical models. This procedure allows us to compare the inferred value of the peak reduced electric field with the value computed by halo and elve models. Afterward, we apply both methods to the analysis of optical signatures of elves and halos reported by Global LIghtning and sprite MeasurementS (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (National Space Organization) spacecraft, respectively. We conclude that the best emission ratios to estimate the maximum reduced electric field in halos and elves are the ratio of the second positive system of N2 to first negative system (FNS) of N
, the first positive system of N2 to FNS of N
and the Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield band of N2 to FNS of N
. In the case of reduced electric fields below 150 Td, we found that the ratio of the second positive system of N2 to first positive system of N2 can also be used to reasonably estimate the value of the field. Finally, we show that the reported optical signals from elves can be treated following an inversion method in order to estimate some of the characteristics of the parent lightning.
Solar Effects on the Atmospheric Electric Field During 2010–2015 at Low Latitudes
Authors: Tacza J. , Raulin J.‐P. , Mendonca R. R. S. , Makhmutov V. S. , Marun A. , Fernandez G.
Published: October 2018

Solar phenomena such as flares and solar energetic particles events are potential candidates to affect the global atmospheric electric circuit. One can study these effects using measurements of the atmospheric electric field in fair weather regions. In this paper, we investigate deviations of the atmospheric electric field daily curve during solar disturbances (solar flares and solar proton events) from mean values obtained in fair weather conditions. Using the superposed epoch analysis, in order to enhance the visualization of small effects, we study the atmospheric electric field data observed between January 2010 and December 2015 at the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito, San Juan, Argentina. The results show no deviation of the atmospheric electric field after solar flares, and an increase of about 10 V/m after solar proton events. The last result suggests possible ionization effects above thunderstorm in disturbed weather regions, which alters the global atmospheric electric circuit. On the other hand, we analyze the variation of the atmospheric electric field during a ground level enhancement on 17 May 2012, which was capable to produce changes on the surface electric field.
Identification of Cystic Lesions by Secondary Screening of Familial Pancreatic Cancer (FPC) Kindreds Is Not Associated with the Stratified Risk of Cancer
Authors: Sheel A. R. G. , Harrison S. , Sarantitis I. , Nicholson J. A. , Hanna T. , Grocock C. , Raraty M. , Ramesh J. , Farooq A. , Costello E. , Jackson R. , Chapman M. , Smith A. , Carter R. , Mckay C. , Hamady Z. , Aithal G. P. , Mountford R. , Ghaneh P. , Hammel P. , Lerch M. M. , Halloran C. , Pereira S. P. , Greenhalf W. ,   on behalf of EUROPAC collaborators
Published: October 2018

OBJECTIVES:

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are associated with risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is unclear if an IPMN in individuals at high risk of PDAC should be considered as a positive screening result or as an incidental finding. Stratified familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) populations were used to determine if IPMN risk is linked to familial risk of PDAC.

METHODS:

This is a cohort study of 321 individuals from 258 kindreds suspected of being FPC and undergoing secondary screening for PDAC through the European Registry of Hereditary Pancreatitis and Familial Pancreatic Cancer (EUROPAC). Computerised tomography, endoscopic ultrasound of the pancreas and magnetic resonance imaging were used. The risk of being a carrier of a dominant mutation predisposing to pancreatic cancer was stratified into three even categories (low, medium and high) based on: Mendelian probability, the number of PDAC cases and the number of people at risk in a kindred.

RESULTS:

There was a median (interquartile range (IQR)) follow-up of 2 (0–5) years and a median (IQR) number of investigations per participant of 4 (2–6). One PDAC, two low-grade neuroendocrine tumours and 41 cystic lesions were identified, including 23 IPMN (22 branch-duct (BD)). The PDAC case occurred in the top 10% of risk, and the BD-IPMN cases were evenly distributed amongst risk categories: low (6/107), medium (10/107) and high (6/107) (P = 0.63).

CONCLUSIONS:

The risk of finding BD-IPMN was independent of genetic predisposition and so they should be managed according to guidelines for incidental finding of IPMN.
A novel CUL7 mutation in a Japanese patient with 3M syndrome
Authors: Takatani Tomozumi , Shiohama Tadashi , Takatani Rieko , Shimojo Naoki
Published: October 2018

3M syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by severe pre-natal and post-natal growth retardation, dysmorphic facial features, and skeletal abnormalities. We present a patient with 3M syndrome caused by the compound heterozygous mutations p.Trp68* and p.Gly1452Asp in CUL7, the latter of which is novel, who exhibited a good body height response to growth hormone treatment. These results expand our knowledge of phenotype–genotype correlations in 3M syndrome, including correlations relevant to growth hormone response.
6mer seed toxicity in tumor suppressive microRNAs
Authors: Gao Quan Q. , Putzbach William E. , Murmann Andrea E. , Chen Siquan , Sarshad Aishe A. , Peter Johannes M. , Bartom Elizabeth T. , Hafner Markus , Peter Marcus E.
Published: October 2018

Many small-interfering (si)RNAs are toxic to cancer cells through a 6mer seed sequence (positions 2–7 of the guide strand). Here we performed an siRNA screen with all 4096 6mer seeds revealing a preference for guanine in positions 1 and 2 and a high overall G or C content in the seed of the most toxic siRNAs for four tested human and mouse cell lines. Toxicity of these siRNAs stems from targeting survival genes with C-rich 3′UTRs. The master tumor suppressor miRNA miR-34a-5p is toxic through such a G-rich 6mer seed and is upregulated in cells subjected to genotoxic stress. An analysis of all mature miRNAs suggests that during evolution most miRNAs evolved to avoid guanine at the 5′ end of the 6mer seed sequence of the guide strand. In contrast, for certain tumor-suppressive miRNAs the guide strand contains a G-rich toxic 6mer seed, presumably to eliminate cancer cells.
Author Correction: Sarcolab pilot study into skeletal muscle’s adaptation to longterm spaceflight
Authors: Rittweger Jörn , Albracht Kirsten , Flück Martin , Ruoss Severin , Brocca Lorenza , Longa Emanuela , Moriggi Manuela , Seynnes Olivier , Di Giulio Irene , Tenori Leonardo , Vignoli Alessia , Capri Miriam , Gelfi Cecilia , Luchinat Claudio , Franceschi Claudio , Bottinelli Roberto , Cerretelli Paolo , Narici Marco
Published: October 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Claudio Franceschi, which was incorrectly given as Claudio Francheschi. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Optimized electrical control of a Si/SiGe spin qubit in the presence of an induced frequency shift
Authors: Takeda K. , Yoneda J. , Otsuka T. , Nakajima T. , Delbecq M. R. , Allison G. , Hoshi Y. , Usami N. , Itoh K. M. , Oda S. , Kodera T. , Tarucha S.
Published: October 2018

Electron spins confined in quantum dots are an attractive system to realize high-fidelity qubits owing to their long coherence time. With the prolonged spin coherence time, however, the control fidelity can be limited by systematic errors rather than decoherence, making characterization and suppression of their influence crucial for further improvement. Here we report that the control fidelity of Si/SiGe spin qubits can be limited by the microwave-induced frequency shift of electric dipole spin resonance and it can be improved by optimization of control pulses. As we increase the control microwave amplitude, we observe a shift of the qubit resonance frequency, in addition to the increasing Rabi frequency. We reveal that this limits control fidelity with a conventional amplitude-modulated microwave pulse below 99.8%. In order to achieve a gate fidelity >99.9%, we introduce a quadrature control method, and validate this approach experimentally by randomized benchmarking. Our finding facilitates realization of an ultra-high-fidelity qubit with electron spins in quantum dots.
One-out-of-two Quantum Oblivious Transfer based on Nonorthogonal States
Authors: Chou Yao-Hsin , Zeng Guo-Jyun , Kuo Shu-Yu
Published: October 2018

This research proposes the first one-out-of-two quantum oblivious transfer (QOT) scheme that does not have a two-level structure and is not subject to Lo’s no-go theorem. Instead, the proposed scheme is a simple and efficient approach based on nonorthogonal states. The nonorthogonality causes one of a pair of messages to be unable to be measured to achieve the irreversible goal of discarding a message, resulting in a one-out-of-two selection effect. The proposed QOT protocol is therefore built directly on quantum resources rather than on a two-level structure in which two classical keys must first be created using quantum resources (all-or-nothing QOT) and then a one-out-of-two protocol is built from there. Furthermore, the proposed protocol allows Alice and Bob to test each other’s loyalty by comparing measurement results. In addition, the relationship with the no-go theorem is discussed in detail; this relationship is often overlooked in other studies. A security analysis demonstrates that the proposed protocol is secure against both external and internal attacks. In addition, an efficiency analysis shows that the proposed protocol is more efficient than other, two-level-structured protocols.
Customisable X-ray fluorescence photodetector with submicron sensitivity using a ring array of silicon p-i-n diodes
Authors: Yoon Phil S.
Published: October 2018

The research and development of silicon-based X-ray fluorescence detectors achieved its submicron sensitivity. Its initial use is intended for in-situ beam monitoring at advanced light-source facilities. The effectively functioning prototype fully leveraged technologies and techniques from a wide array of scientific disciplines: X-ray fluorescence technique, photon scattering and spectroscopy, astronomical photometry, semiconductor physics, materials science, microelectronics, analytical and numerical modelling, and high-performance computing. At the design stage, the systematic two-track approach was taken with the aim of attaining its submicron sensitivity: Firstly, the novel parametric method, devised for system-wide full optimisation, led to a considerable increase in detector’s total solid angle (0.9 steradian), or integrated field-of-view (~3000 deg2), thus, in turn, yielding a substantial enhancement of its photon-detection efficiency. Secondly, the minimisation of all types of limiting noise sources identified resulted in a boost to detector’s signal-to-noise ratio, thereby achieving its targeted range of sensitivity. The subsequent synchrotron-radiation experiment with this X-ray detector demonstrated its capability to respond to 8-keV photon beams with 600-nanometre sensitivity. This Article reports on the innovative and effective design methods, formulated for systematising the process of custom-building ultrasensitive photodetectors, and future directions.
The protective effects of maltol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through the AMPK-mediated PI3K/Akt and p53 signaling pathways
Authors: Mi Xiao-jie , Hou Jin-gang , Wang Zi , Han Ye , Ren Shen , Hu Jun-nan , Chen Chen , Li Wei
Published: October 2018

Cisplatin, a potent anticancer drug, is usually causing nephrotoxicity; limiting its therapeutic application and efficiency. Maltol may be used to prevent such toxic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying protective mechanisms of maltol on nephrotoxicity by cisplatin using a cisplatin-treated mouse model and a cellular toxicity model of HEK293 cells. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in mice were increased by cisplatin but decreased to normal ranges by maltol pretreatment (50 and 100 mg/kg) for ten days. Besides, maltol pretreatment decreased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in cisplatin-treated mice. The inhibitory action of maltol on inflammatory responses was achieved by reducing the expressions in NF-κB, IL-1β, iNOS, and TNF-α in the mice in vivo. Additionally, maltol restored the reduction of PI3K/Akt and mTOR levels by cisplatin through increasing AMPK expression in cisplatin-treated HEK293 cells. Maltol also suppressed the expression of Bax and caspase 3 by inhibiting the p53 activity in HEK293 cells. Overall, maltol may serve as a valuable potential drug to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, and the underlying molecular mechanisms of maltol action may involve intracellular AMPK/PI3K/Akt and p53 signaling pathways.
GSK3β inhibition attenuates LPS-induced IL-6 expression in porcine adipocytes
Authors: Wang Linjie , Li Xueying , Wang Yan
Published: October 2018

IL-6 is not only a proinflammatory cytokine associated with inflammatory responses but also a regulator on the energy and glucose metabolism in adipose tissue. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) has fundamental roles in the regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines production. However, the regulatory role for GSK3β in the pig inflammatory response in adipocytes remains unknown. We show here that SB216763 and LPS increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β (Ser9), and decreased the phosphorylation of GS (Ser641) in adipocytes. The activity of porcine GSK3β was inhibited by SB216763, an inhibitor of GSK3β, attenuated the production of IL-6 in LPS-stimulated adipocytes. Additionally, the essential core region of the pig IL-6 promoter located at −191 bp to −59 bp, and an NF-κBp65 element in this region was responsible for IL-6 promoter activity. The transcription activity of NF-κBp65 was activated by LPS stimulation, and the GSK3β inhibition repressed LPS-induced luciferase activity of the IL-6 promoter. Furthermore, LPS increased p65 binding to the NF-κB site, and GSK3β inhibition had no effect on the association of NF-κBp65 with IL-6 gene promoter after LPS treatment. These results demonstrate that GSK3β has important regulatory roles in the LPS-induced inflammatory response of IL-6 production in pig adipocytes.
Oleaginous yeast as a component in fish feed
Authors: Blomqvist Johanna , Pickova Jana , Tilami Sarvenaz Khalili , Sampels Sabine , Mikkelsen Nils , Brandenburg Jule , Sandgren Mats , Passoth Volkmar
Published: October 2018

This study investigates the replacement of vegetable oil (VO) in aquaculture feed for Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) with oil produced by the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi grown in lignocellulose (wheat straw) hydrolysate. VO is extensively used to partially replace fish oil in aquaculture feed, which can be seen as non-sustainable. VO itself is becoming a limited resource. Plant oils are used in many different applications, including food, feed and biodiesel. Its replacement in non-food applications is desirable. For this purpose, yeast cells containing 43% lipids per g dry weight were mechanically disrupted and incorporated into the fish feed. There were no significant differences in this pilot study, regarding weight and length gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, condition factor and hepatosomatic index between the control and the yeast oil fed group. Fatty and amino acid composition of diet from both groups was comparable. Our results in fish demonstrate that it is possible to replace VO by yeast oil produced from lignocellulose, which may broaden the range of raw materials for food production and add value to residual products of agriculture and forestry.
Trends in weather type frequencies across North America
Authors: Lee Cameron C. , Sheridan Scott C.
Published: October 2018

While 20th century changes in many individual meteorological variables are well documented, the trends in multivariate synoptic-scale air masses—or weather types—largely remain unexplored. Utilizing a recently developed gridded weather typing classification system, this research investigates the changes in the frequency of weather types (WTs) across North America, 1979–2017. Averaged across the study domain as a whole, Humid Warm WTs are occurring 22 more days per year, while Dry Warm WTs have increased by 10 days/year. These increases are offset mostly by decreased frequency of Dry Cool (−17 days/year) and Cool WTs (−21 days/year). The largest absolute changes are in the Canadian Archipelago, where the Warm WT is occurring 42 more days/year and the Cool WT is occurring 48 fewer times per year. In western Canada all humid types are occurring more frequently, including a Humid Cool type that is occurring 16 more days/year. The Desert Southwest US and northern Mexico show significant increases in Dry Warm WTs (+33 to +40 days/year). Cold front and warm front passages show increases in most of the US and decreases in most of Canada. Describing these secular changes to the frequency of intuitive weather types may be an effective means of communicating these climate trends to policymakers and the general public, especially considering their large magnitude.