bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Properties of Fluorine‐Free Mold Fluxes Based on CaO–Al2O3–B2O3 System
Authors: Li Jiangling , Kong Bowen , Galdino Bruno , Xu Jifang , Chou Kuochih , Liu Qingcai , Shu Qifeng
Published: July 2017

Fluorine‐free mold flux has received ever increasing attentions due to environmental problems cause by fluorine in casting. Fluorine‐free mold fluxes based on CaO–Al2O3–B2O3 systems are developed in the present work. The melting temperatures, viscosities, and crystallization behaviors of CaO–Al2O3–B2O3 based mold fluxes are investigated. The results show that the melting temperatures decrease with the increasing B2O3 and Na2O content, while the melting temperatures of mold fluxes first increase with increasing CaO/Al2O3 mass ratios, and then decrease with further increasing CaO/Al2O3 ratios. The viscosity values of mold fluxes decrease with increasing of B2O3, Na2O content, and CaO/Al2O3 ratio. The crystallization temperatures of mold fluxes decrease with the increasing B2O3 and Na2O, while the crystallization temperature of mold fluxes first increases with increasing CaO/Al2O3 mass ratios, and then decreases with further increasing CaO/Al2O3 ratios. XRD and SEM are used to analyze the sequence of crystallization. Ca3Al2O6 crystals are precipitated at first, followed by LiAlO2 during continuous cooling for all samples, and Ca3B2O6 is precipitated finally. It is shown that CaO–Al2O3–B2O3 based mold flux has a potential to be applied as a kind of F‐free mold flux.
Does high‐resolution modelling improve the spatial analysis of föhn flow over the Larsen C Ice Shelf?
Authors: Turton J. V. , Kirchgaessner A. , Ross A. N. , King J. C.
Published: July 2017

The ice shelves on the east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) have been disintegrating for over two decades. Surface melting induced by föhn winds has been proposed as a driver of this disintegration. Föhn winds are adiabatically warmed dry winds, formed by the interaction of a mountain range with perpendicularly approaching winds, in this case of the AP mountains with the prevailing circumpolar westerlies. Assessing their impact is difficult due to the sparsity of observations and the relatively low‐resolution of operational forecasts. We have carried out high‐resolution simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to provide more detailed simulations of the spatial distribution of the föhn air. The analysis presented here covers the period from 10 to 22 May 2011 and focuses on two föhn events during this period. Results show that a stable boundary layer can reduce the impact of föhn, as can the occurrence of cooler föhn jets.
Monitoring drought in Ghana using TAMSAT‐ALERT: a new decision support system
Authors: Brown Matt , Black Emily , Asfaw Dagmawi , Otu‐Larbi Fred
Published: July 2017

Approximately 886 million people in Africa rely on agriculture as their main means of survival. They are therefore susceptible to changes in seasonal rains from year to year that can result in agricultural drought. Agricultural drought is determined by low soil moisture content. Soil moisture responds to rainfall, but also depends on many other factors, including the soil characteristics and, crucially, on the past soil moisture.

Here we demonstrate that predictive skill can be gained from knowledge of the current state of the land surface – how wet or dry the soil is – as the growing season evolves. This skill arises from the land surface memory – the soil moisture content at a particular time depends to a large extent on the historical soil moisture.

By forcing a land surface model with observed data up to a ‘present day’ and then forward in time with climatological data (to represent the range of possible future conditions) we show that it is possible to be confident of an ensuing agricultural drought several weeks before the end of the growing season. This system is illustrated using results from an operational trial for Tamale in northern Ghana.
In this issue of Weather
Authors: Galvin Jim
Published: July 2017

This month, we publish four papers that were written following presentations at last year’s RMetS Student Conference. They cover a wide range of subjects, demonstrating the health of meteorological science in the UK and the importance of weather data. The students were each the lead authors of their articles.

We begin with ‘The role of cyclone clustering during the stormy winter of 2013/2014’ by Matthew Priestley, Joaquim Pinto, Helen Dacre and Len Shaffrey on p. 187. This paper outlines the evidence that depressions may deepen rapidly in association with Rossby‐wave breaking. This was seen in particular during the winter of 2013/14, when many depressions became storms, having crossed the Atlantic along a similar course to enter the left exit of a persistent strong high‐level jet stream. Some of these deep depressions bring storm‐force winds into Europe and so may be associated with significant damage and possible loss of life.

Next, we move south. In ‘Does high‐resolution modelling improve the spatial analysis of föhn flow over the Larsen C Ice Shelf?’ on p. 192, J V Turton, A Kirchgaessner, A N Ross and J C King examine the advances made as model resolution improves, as well as the remaining shortcomings. The Larsen  C Ice Shelf lies to the east of the mountainous Antarctic Peninsula and is often subject to the warm dry winds associated with lee flow. Föhn winds aid the break‐up of the ice shelf and improvements in our knowledge can be important for the operations of scientists in the area – not least the British Antarctic Survey.

Next, we move to the effects of the monsoon‐dominated climate of West Africa. Preparedness allows farmers to take measures to protect against drought. Matt Brown, Emily Black, Dagmawi Asfaw and Fred Otu‐Larbi examine a method to predict drought during the growing season in the relatively dry Sahel zone in ‘Monitoring drought in Ghana using TAMSAT‐ALERT: a new decision support system’ on p. 201. They set out its increasing value as this prediction tool is developed, but also investigate its shortcomings. TAMSAT‐ALERT relies on satellite data, surface observations and ensemble output from the Met Office Unified Model, as well as a knowledge of evolution of soil moisture under a range of weather scenarios.

The last of our Special Issue papers is on p. 206: ‘The local response of El Niño events and changing disease distribution in Tanzania’ by Rachael Reynolds, Gina Cavan and Mark Cresswell. One of the challenges presented by global climate change is the possible spread of diseases responsive to moisture and temperature, although some diseases may become restricted in a more humid world. El Niño years bring at least some of the weather likely to be seen in an anthropogenically warmed world, so this study compares disease data from recent El Niño years with those in other years.
Use of transcription activator-like effector for efficient gene modification and transcription in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Liu Pei , Wang Wei , Wei Dongzhi
Published: July 2017

Filamentous fungi have wide applications in the field of biotechnology. The use of transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) is a powerful genome-engineering tool, which can facilitate genome editing and transcriptional modulation, and has been used for genetic modification in a variety of organisms. However, a transcription activator-like effectors nuclease (TALEN) approach has not been used in filamentous fungi so far. Here, we aimed to establish the shortest TALEN and TALE-transcription factor (TALE-TF) proteins for use in gene modification and transcription in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. The alternative tandem repeat unit of the TALEs was first established by the ligation of two isocaudamers: XbaI and SpeI, instead of the natural unit. In addition, we adopted T. reesei expression assays to monitor the activities of the TALENs and TALE-TF in vivo in T. reesei. Our results showed that TALEs are a powerful genome-manipulating tool for use in T. reesei and other filamentous fungal species and that their use might facilitate studies on functional genomics and strain improvement in these filamentous fungi.
Leg Pain From Periostitis as the First Clinical Manifestation of Large‐Vessel Vasculitis: A Case Report
Authors: Bogaert Bert , Brys Peter , Peers Koen
Published: July 2017

We report a case of a 47‐year‐old woman with isolated periostitis of the lower leg as a first manifestation of large‐vessel vasculitis. The diagnosis was first suspected when a second magnetic resonance imaging of the lower leg approximately 4 months after onset of shin pain showed edema near intramuscular vessels. Isolated periostitis is a very rare skeletal manifestation of systemic vasculitis and easily could be misdiagnosed. This case demonstrates that maintaining a broad differential diagnosis for a common presenting complaint such as localized leg pain is imperative.

Level of Evidence

V
Literature as a Medium for Social and Political Activism: The Case of Mashingaidze Gomo’s A Fine Madness
Authors: Makombe Rodwell
Published: July 2017

Over the years, literary scholars have engaged in heated debates on the role literary artists should play in society. In the African context, this debate has been championed by scholars such as Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Chinua Achebe, and Okot p’ Bitek, among others. The central bone of contention has always been the question of self-narration. How should African writers narrate the African story (-ies) against the backdrop of slavery, colonialism, and neoliberal imperialism? In the context of these debates, this article seeks to read A Fine Madness by the Zimbabwean writer Mashingaidze Gomo (2010) as a socially and politically engaged text.
On binding, lexical and superlexical prefixes, andsiin the Baltic verb
Authors: Korostenskiene Julija
Published: July 2017

The present paper is concerned with a historical puzzle: the changing position of the markersiin the extant Baltic languages, Lithuanian and Latvian.Siappears before the root in prefixed verbs and verb-finally in prefixless verbs in Lithuanian and dialectal Latvian, as opposed to a consistently verb-final position in standard Latvian and in Slavic languages, specifically Russian. This ordering is examined within a larger picture of morpheme linearization – focusing primarily on Lithuanian, but also bringing in Latvian and Latgalian data – to account for the Baltic paradigm. Historically a pronoun,siis argued to have incorporated into the verbal structure, and to maintain nowadays a binding relation with the subject of the sentence. The placement ofsiwithin the verb is shown to depend on two factors: the type of the antecedent and the morphosyntactic composition of the verb. The findings presented here also provide new evidence against the Lexicalist Hypothesis.
The Effect of Adding Comorbidities to Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Central-Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Risk-Adjustment Methodology
Authors: Jackson Sarah S. , Leekha Surbhi , Magder Laurence S. , Pineles Lisa , Anderson Deverick J. , Trick William E. , Woeltje Keith F. , Kaye Keith S. , Stafford Kristen , Thom Kerri , Lowe Timothy J. , Harris Anthony D.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Risk adjustment is needed to fairly compare central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates between hospitals. Until 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) methodology adjusted CLABSI rates only by type of intensive care unit (ICU). The 2017 CDC models also adjust for hospital size and medical school affiliation. We hypothesized that risk adjustment would be improved by including patient demographics and comorbidities from electronically available hospital discharge codes.

METHODS

Using a cohort design across 22 hospitals, we analyzed data from ICU patients admitted between January 2012 and December 2013. Demographics and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) discharge codes were obtained for each patient, and CLABSIs were identified by trained infection preventionists. Models adjusting only for ICU type and for ICU type plus patient case mix were built and compared using discrimination and standardized infection ratio (SIR). Hospitals were ranked by SIR for each model to examine and compare the changes in rank.

RESULTS

Overall, 85,849 ICU patients were analyzed and 162 (0.2%) developed CLABSI. The significant variables added to the ICU model were coagulopathy, paralysis, renal failure, malnutrition, and age. The C statistics were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.51–0.59) for the ICU-type model and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.60–0.69) for the ICU-type plus patient case-mix model. When the hospitals were ranked by adjusted SIRs, 10 hospitals (45%) changed rank when comorbidity was added to the ICU-type model.

CONCLUSIONS

Our risk-adjustment model for CLABSI using electronically available comorbidities demonstrated better discrimination than did the CDC model. The CDC should strongly consider comorbidity-based risk adjustment to more accurately compare CLABSI rates across hospitals.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1019–1024
Foreign accent syndrome and psychosis: a case report
Authors: Asghar M. , Whitty P.
Published: July 2017

This is a case report on a 57-year-old lady who presented to the Psychiatry Department of Tallaght Hospital after being referred by Neurology Department. She was initially attending Neurology Department for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease which was later refuted as there was no objective evidence of response to treatment. She attended the A&E department with altered consciousness and headache, but her computed tomography of the brain was normal, and was diagnosed with migraine. But it was noted that she was reporting paranoia and auditory hallucinations, and her family had noticed marked change in her accent. On assessment in psychiatric outpatient she was noted to have psychotic symptoms. She reported these symptoms to be ongoing for the last 4 years, but have worsened to an extent that she was extremely distressed by them. She had acquired a Scottish accent. The change in accent coincided with worsening of her psychotic symptoms. Based on her assessment she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was commenced on olanzapine. Not only her psychotic symptoms resolved but also her accent reverted to native form.
Cognitive rehabilitation for early stage Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study with an Irish population
Authors: Kelly M. E. , Lawlor B. A. , Coen R. F. , Robertson I. H. , Brennan S.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Research shows that cognitive rehabilitation (CR) has the potential to improve goal performance and enhance well-being for people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This single subject, multiple baseline design (MBD) research investigated the clinical efficacy of an 8-week individualised CR intervention for individuals with early stage AD.

Methods

Three participants with early stage AD were recruited to take part in the study. The intervention consisted of eight sessions of 60–90 minutes of CR. Outcomes included goal performance and satisfaction, quality of life, cognitive and everyday functioning, mood, and memory self-efficacy for participants with AD; and carer burden, general mental health, quality of life, and mood of carers.

Results

Visual analysis of MBD data demonstrated a functional relationship between CR and improvements in participants’ goal performance. Subjective ratings of goal performance and satisfaction increased from baseline to post-test for three participants and were maintained at follow-up for two. Baseline to post-test quality of life scores improved for three participants, whereas cognitive function and memory self-efficacy scores improved for two.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that CR can improve goal performance, and is a socially acceptable intervention that can be implemented by practitioners with assistance from carers between sessions. This study represents one of the promising first step towards filling a practice gap in this area. Further research and randomised-controlled trials are required.
Proactive Cyberbullying and Sexting Prevention in Australia and the USA
Authors: Bhat Christine Suniti
Published: July 2017

Middle and high school students interact via powerful social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Social media platforms are sometimes misused, resulting in cyberbullying and sexting that could adversely affect many in the school community. School counsellors, school psychologists, and educators are uniquely positioned to proactively address cyberbullying and sexting in schools with targeted educational and preventative programming. Attention to four facets is recommended: school climate initiatives, policy development and implementation, training in empathy and decision making in the context of online disinhibition, and challenges to use technology positively. Resources for cyberbullying and sexting prevention in Australia and the United States are highlighted.
The Canadian Charter, the British Connection, and the Americanization Thesis: Toward a Montesquieuean Analysis of Rights and Their Protection
Authors: LaSelva Samuel V.
Published: July 2017

This article examines the Canadian Charter with reference to “the British connection” and “the Americanization thesis.” It also attempts to demonstrate the importance of Montesquieu'sThe Spirit of the Lawsin addressing these issues. Pierre Trudeau insisted that a Charter of Human Rights would provide Canadians with a new beginning and settle difficult questions about the Canadian identity. His critics said that fundamental rights were already protected because Canada had a constitution similar in principle to the United Kingdom, and that the proposed Charter was a step in the Americanization of Canada. What a Montesquieuean analysis helps to identify are significant limitations in both “the British connection” account and “the Americanization thesis.” And, by the avoiding the abstract universalism of Trudeau's “inalienable rights” theorizing and Dworkin's “rights as trumps” regime, a Montesquieuean analysis also helps to demonstrate the distinctiveness of Canadian constitutionalism from Confederation to the Charter.
The euryhaline crabUca tangerishowed metabolic differences to sex and environmental salinity
Authors: Pinoni Silvina A. , Jerez-Cepa Ismael , López Mañanes Alejandra A. , Mancera Romero Juan Miguel
Published: July 2017

This study constitutes a first attempt to investigate sex differences in osmoregulatory capacity and metabolic responses in relation to hyper- and hypo-osmoregulation in the intertidal euryhaline crabUca tangeri. Adult male and female specimens from Cadiz Bay, Spain (36°23′–37′N 6°8′–15′W), were acclimated to three different environmental salinities (12, 33 and 55 psu) during 7 days, and several parameters were assessed in haemolymph (osmolality, glucose, amino acids, triglycerides and lactate) as well as in metabolic key organs (hepatopancreas, anterior and posterior gills: glycogen, free glucose, amino acids and triglycerides). Specimens from both sex exhibited high and similar hyper- and hypo-osmoregulatory capacities. However, metabolite levels were differentially affected upon acclimation to low and high salinity in several metabolic organs and haemolymph of male and females: (i) glycogen in gills, (ii) free glucose in gills and hepatopancreas, (iii) amino acids in hepatopancreas, (iv) triglycerides in haemolymph, hepatopancreas and posterior gills, and (v) lactate in haemolymph. The results suggest the occurrence of differential metabolic adjustments upon hyper- and hypo-osmoregulation related to sex in the intertidal euryhaline crabU. tangeri.
Beyond Special Privileges: The Discretionary Treatment of Ethnic Minorities in China's Welfare System
Authors: HASMATH REZA , MACDONALD ANDREW W.
Published: July 2017

The social welfare of ethnic minorities is a contested subject with a deep politicalised history in contemporary China. This article uses a new large dataset solely looking at ethnic minorities in China, to analyse the impact and outcomes that new urban social and welfare schemes – with notable attention to the basic medical insurance, and the minimum livelihood guarantee allowance (dibao) – have on the livelihoods of minorities. The data suggests that, contrary to the pro-minority rhetoric of the state, minority participation in social welfare programmes is predicated on the incentive set of local government officials. These findings have strong implications for constructing future social welfare policies, and for understanding their potential differential impact on ethnic minority cohorts.
Conditional tax competition in American states
Authors: Arel-Bundock Vincent , Parinandi Srinivas
Published: July 2017

Cross-border commercial activity raises issues in federations where multiple jurisdictions can claim the right to tax the same income. In the United States, this coordination problem is resolved by splitting the tax base according to the geographic distribution of firms’ sales, capital and labour. The weight of each factor is determined on a state-by-state basis, which opens room for competitive legislative behaviour. In this complex issue area, however, policymakers must invest lot of resources to monitor competitors, evaluate policy alternatives and shepherd tax reform through the legislative process. This implies that highly professional legislatures should be more responsive to the policies of nearby states. We consider data on most American states over the period from 1986 to 2013 and find strong evidence ofconditional spatial dependence. Our findings suggest that policy diffusion may often be moderated by institutional and political factors.
Experimental and numerical study of ultra-short laser-produced collimated Cu Kα X-ray source
Authors: Rathore R. , Arora V. , Singhal H. , Mandal T. , Chakera J.A. , Naik P.A.
Published: July 2017

Kα X-ray sources generated from the interaction of ultra-short laser pulses with solids are compact and low-cost source of ultra-short quasi-monochromatic X-rays compared with synchrotron radiation source. Development of collimated ultra-short Kα X-ray source by the interaction of 45 fs Ti:sapphire laser pulse with Cu wire target is presented in this paper. A study of the Kα source with laser parameters such as energy and pulse duration was carried out. The observed Kα X-ray photon flux was ~2.7 × 108 photons/shot at the laser intensity of ~2.8 × 1017 W cm−2. A model was developed to analyze the observed results. The Kα radiation was coupled to a polycapillary collimator to generate a collimated low divergence (0.8 mrad) X-ray beam. Such sources are useful for time-resolved X-ray diffraction and imaging studies.
In situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction studies of reduction of K2CrO4 and the formation of KxCrOy compounds
Authors: Liang Shu-ting , Zhang Hong-ling , Luo Min-ting , Bai Yu-lan , Xu Hong-bin , Zhang Yi
Published: July 2017

In this work, the reduction mechanism of potassium chromate (K2CrO4) was investigated via in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. During the hydrogen reduction of K2CrO4, the formation of K3CrO4, KCrO2, and KxCrO2 were detected for the first time. The study discovered that K2CrO4 was firstly reduced to K3CrO4 and an amorphous Cr(III) intermediate product at low temperature (400–500 °C). Moreover, the K3CrO4 was the only crystalline material at this stage. As the temperature increased, a stabilized amorphous CrOOH was formed. At a high temperature (550–700 °C), KCrO2 was generated. Interestingly, a portion of KCrO2 was spontaneously decomposed during the hydrogen reduction, accompanying by the formation of K0.7CrO2. Finally, the results clearly illustrated the reduction mechanism of K2CrO4: K2CrO4 → K3CrO4 → amorphous intermediate → KCrO2.
Putative germline and pluripotent stem cells in adult mouse ovary and their in vitro differentiation potential into oocyte-like and somatic cells
Authors: Esmaeilian Yashar , Atalay Arzu , Erdemli Esra
Published: July 2017

According to classical knowledge of reproductive biology, in the ovary of female mammals there is a limited number of oocytes and there is no possibility of renewal if the oocytes are lost due to disease or injury. However, in recent years, the results of some studies on renewal and formation of oocytes and follicles in the adult mammalian ovary have led to the questioning of this opinion. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the presence of putative germline and pluripotent stem cells in the adult mouse ovary and their differentiation potential into germ and somatic cells. In ovary tissues and cells harvested from pre-differentiation step, the expression of pluripotent and germline stem cell markers was analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. Embryoid bodies that formed in this step were analysed using immunofluorescence staining and transmission electron microscopy. Ovarian stem cells were induced to differentiate into oocyte, osteoblast, chondrocyte and neural cells. Besides morphological observation, differentiated cells were analysed by RT-PCR, histochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Expression of germline and pluripotent stem cell markers both in mRNA and at the protein level were detected in the pre-differentiated cells and ovary tissues. As a result of the differentiation process, the formation of oocyte-like cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and neural cells was observed and characteristics of differentiated cells were confirmed using the methods mentioned above. Our study results revealed that the adult mouse ovary contains germline and pluripotent stem cells with the capacity to differentiate into oocyte-like cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and neural cells.
On-Scene Rescue Breathing Resulting in Gastric Perforation and Massive Pneumoperitoneum
Authors: Butterfield Mike , Peredy Tamas
Published: July 2017

Rescue breathing performed too vigorously or by untrained individuals may cause gastric distension and perforation. A 26-year-old woman is presented who developed acute abdominal pain and distension after receiving rescue breathing following a heroin overdose. Massive pneumoperitoneum was seen on chest x-ray, and on subsequent laparotomy, a 4cm laceration was found in the lesser curvature of the stomach. Review of the literature suggests that the lesser curvature is particularly susceptible to perforation following over-distension. Emergency personnel should be aware of this rare, but serious, complication. Expansion of community and first responder naloxone use in the proper clinical setting may further diminish utilization of rescue breathing.

ButterfieldM, PeredyT. On-scene rescue breathing resulting in gastric perforation and massive pneumoperitoneum. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):682–683.
MINIMUM WAGE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS IN A FRICTIONAL LABOR MARKET: THEORY AND ESTIMATION
Authors: Silva Carolina
Published: July 2017

Wage dispersion is a critical factor in determining the impact of a minimum wage and severance payments on job creation and destruction in a general equilibrium model with search frictions. When wage dispersion is low, the minimum wage and severance payments behave as substitutes. However, as dispersion in wages increases, these policies become complements. The model is estimated using data from Chile and used to perform quantitative welfare analysis.
Modi der Verständlichkeit und die Magie des Unverständlichen
Authors: Pfister Hans-Rüdiger , Böhm Gisela , Bassarak Claudia
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung. In diesem Aufsatz entwickeln wir einen hypothetischen Klassifizierungsansatz, in dessen Rahmen wir verschiedene Formen des Verständnisses eines Wissenschaftsbereichs herausarbeiten und deren Bedeutung für die Risikowahrnehmung darstellen. Empirisch kann zunehmendes Verständnis sowohl zur Akzeptanz von Risiken aber auch zu Polarisierung und starker Ablehnung führen; hingegen ist Unverständnis oftmals mit kritikloser Akzeptanz verbunden, ein Phänomen, das wir als Magie des Unverständlichen bezeichnen. Wir schlagen eine Taxonomie verschiedener Modi und Entwicklungspfade von wissenschaftlichem (Un–)Verständnis vor: Aus einer Zone der (a) Ignoranz und Indifferenz führt ein Pfad zu (b) Vertrautheit und Akzeptanz, ein zweiter zu (c) Fragilität und Polarisierung, und ein dritter zur (d) Magie der Unverständlichkeit. Wir beschreiben Charakteristika von Risikobereichen, die beeinflussen, in welche Richtung sich der öffentliche Diskurs entwickelt und diskutieren Implikationen für die Wissenschaftskommunikation.
Sulforaphane-cysteine-induced apoptosis via phosphorylated ERK1/2-mediated maspin pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Lin Kai , Yang Ronghui , Zheng Zhongnan , Zhou Yan , Geng Yang , Hu Yabin , Wu Sai , Wu Wei
Published: July 2017

Sulforaphane (SFN) was demonstrated to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancers via multiple mechanisms. However, owing to a short half-life in circulation, SFN was not used for clinical treatment yet. Interestingly, SFN analog, sulforaphane-cysteine (SFN-Cys) has a longer half-life in metabolism, and we previously demonstrated that SFN-Cys inhibited invasion in human prostate cancer cells. Here, we would investigate whether SFN-Cys induces apoptosis and find the underlying mechanisms in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Western blots were used to test the molecular linkages among extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and downstream signal molecules. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were used to detect cell death. Cell proliferation assay showed that SFN-Cys inhibited cell viability following a dose-dependent manner. Abnormal cell morphology was viewed after the cells were exposed to SFN-Cys. Flow cytometry showed that SFN-Cys induced cell apoptosis via a dose-dependent manner. Further, SFN-Cys triggered the activation of ERK1/2, which resulted in the upregulation of maspin, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and downregulation of pro-caspase-3, Bcl-2, α-tubulin. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that recombinant caspase-3 cleaved α-tubulin in the lysate of cells, which were treated by SFN-Cys. These data indicated that SFN-Cys activated the ERK1/2-mediated mitochondria signaling pathway with maspin upregulation and α-tubulin downregulation leading to apoptosis. These findings will help to develop a novel therapeutic to target NSCLC cells.
First integrative trend analysis for a great ape species in Borneo
Authors: Santika Truly , Ancrenaz Marc , Wilson Kerrie A. , Spehar Stephanie , Abram Nicola , Banes Graham L. , Campbell-Smith Gail , Curran Lisa , d’Arcy Laura , Delgado Roberto A. , Erman Andi , Goossens Benoit , Hartanto Herlina , Houghton Max , Husson Simon J. , Kühl Hjalmar S. , Lackman Isabelle , Leiman Ashley , Llano Sanchez Karmele , Makinuddin Niel , Marshall Andrew J. , Meididit Ari , Mengersen Kerrie , Musnanda  , Nardiyono  , Nurcahyo Anton , Odom Kisar , Panda Adventus , Prasetyo Didik , Purnomo  , Rafiastanto Andjar , Raharjo Slamet , Ratnasari Dessy , Russon Anne E. , Santana Adi H. , Santoso Eddy , Sapari Iman , Sihite Jamartin , Suyoko Ahmat , Tjiu Albertus , Utami-Atmoko Sri Suci , van Schaik Carel P. , Voigt Maria , Wells Jessie , Wich Serge A. , Willems Erik P. , Meijaard Erik
Published: July 2017

For many threatened species the rate and drivers of population decline are difficult to assess accurately: species’ surveys are typically restricted to small geographic areas, are conducted over short time periods, and employ a wide range of survey protocols. We addressed methodological challenges for assessing change in the abundance of an endangered species. We applied novel methods for integrating field and interview survey data for the critically endangered Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), allowing a deeper understanding of the species’ persistence through time. Our analysis revealed that Bornean orangutan populations have declined at a rate of 25% over the last 10 years. Survival rates of the species are lowest in areas with intermediate rainfall, where complex interrelations between soil fertility, agricultural productivity, and human settlement patterns influence persistence. These areas also have highest threats from human-wildlife conflict. Survival rates are further positively associated with forest extent, but are lower in areas where surrounding forest has been recently converted to industrial agriculture. Our study highlights the urgency of determining specific management interventions needed in different locations to counter the trend of decline and its associated drivers.
Propagation-based Phase-Contrast X-ray Imaging at a Compact Light Source
Authors: Gradl Regine , Dierolf Martin , Hehn Lorenz , Günther Benedikt , Yildirim Ali Önder , Gleich Bernhard , Achterhold Klaus , Pfeiffer Franz , Morgan Kaye Susannah
Published: July 2017

We demonstrate the applicability of propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging at a laser-assisted compact light source with known phantoms and the lungs and airways of a mouse. The Munich Compact Light Source provides a quasi-monochromatic beam with partial spatial coherence, and high flux relative to other non-synchrotron sources (up to 1010 ph/s). In our study we observe significant edge-enhancement and quantitative phase-retrieval is successfully performed on the known phantom. Furthermore the images of a small animal show the potential for live bio-imaging research studies that capture biological function using short exposures.
5T4-specific chimeric antigen receptor modification promotes the immune efficacy of cytokine-induced killer cells against nasopharyngeal carcinoma stem cell-like cells
Authors: Guo Xueyang , Zheng Hang , Luo Weiren , Zhang Qianbing , Liu Jingxian , Yao Kaitai
Published: July 2017

Relapse and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are presumably attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). In recent years, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified immune effector cells have been shown to have impressive antitumour efficacy. In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate tumour-associated antigens predominantly expressed on NPC stem cells (NPCSCs) and determine their suitability for CAR-engineered cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell therapy against NPC. By investigating the expression patterns of potential target antigens (ROR1, 5T4 and CAIX) in NPC, we found that the oncofetal antigen 5T4 was predominately expressed in NPC cell lines and tissues but absent in non-cancerous nasopharyngeal tissues. Moreover, significantly enhanced expression of 5T4 in NPC spheroids revealed its relationship with putative NPCSCs. Hence, we designed a CAR construct (5T4-28Z) specific for 5T4 and generated CAR-transduced CIK cells. Our results showed that the artificial CAR was efficiently expressed on the surface of CIK cells and that no native phenotypes were altered by the gene transduction. Functional assays revealed that 5T4-28Z-CIK cells possessed both CAR-mediated and CAR-independent anti-NPC activity and were capable of efficiently attacking NPC cells, especially NPCSC-like cells in vitro, suggesting that they might serve as an attractive tool for developing efficient therapies against NPC.
HpaB-Dependent Secretion of Type III Effectors in the Plant Pathogens Ralstonia solanacearum and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria
Authors: Lonjon Fabien , Lohou David , Cazalé Anne-Claire , Büttner Daniela , Ribeiro Barbara Gomes , Péanne Claire , Genin Stéphane , Vailleau Fabienne
Published: July 2017

Plant pathogenic bacteria exerts their pathogenicity through the injection of large repertoires of type III effectors (T3Es) into plant cells, a mechanism controlled in part by type III chaperones (T3Cs). In Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt, little is known about the control of type III secretion at the post-translational level. Here, we provide evidence that the HpaB and HpaD proteins do act as bona fide R. solanacearum class IB chaperones that associate with several T3Es. Both proteins can dimerize but do not interact with each other. After screening 38 T3Es for direct interactions, we highlighted specific and common interacting partners, thus revealing the first picture of the R. solanacearum T3C-T3E network. We demonstrated that the function of HpaB is conserved in two phytopathogenic bacteria, R. solanacearum and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv). HpaB from Xcv is able to functionally complement a R. solanacearum hpaB mutant for hypersensitive response elicitation on tobacco plants. Likewise, Xcv is able to translocate a heterologous T3E from R. solanacearum in an HpaB-dependent manner. This study underlines the central role of the HpaB class IB chaperone family and its potential contribution to the bacterial plasticity to acquire and deliver new virulence factors.
Nuclear receptors connect progenitor transcription factors to cell cycle control
Authors: Neto Marta , Naval-Sánchez Marina , Potier Delphine , Pereira Paulo S. , Geerts Dirk , Aerts Stein , Casares Fernando
Published: July 2017

The specification and growth of organs is controlled simultaneously by networks of transcription factors. While the connection between these transcription factors with fate determinants is increasingly clear, how they establish the link with the cell cycle is far less understood. Here we investigate this link in the developing Drosophila eye, where two transcription factors, the MEIS1 homologue hth and the Zn-finger tsh, synergize to stimulate the proliferation of naïve eye progenitors. Experiments combining transcriptomics, open-chromatin profiling, motif analysis and functional assays indicate that these progenitor transcription factors exert a global regulation of the proliferation program. Rather than directly regulating cell cycle genes, they control proliferation through an intermediary layer of nuclear receptors of the ecdysone/estrogen-signaling pathway. This regulatory subnetwork between hth, tsh and nuclear receptors might be conserved from Drosophila to mammals, as we find a significant co-overexpression of their human homologues in specific cancer types.
The Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Proteins 1 of zebrafish are not required for morphological development, viability or fertility
Authors: Fin Laura , Bergamin Giorgia , Steiner Roberto A. , Hughes Simon M.
Published: July 2017

The Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Protein 1 (Cnrip1) was discovered as an interactor with the intracellular region of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1R, also known as Cnr1 or CB1). Functional assays in mouse show cannabinoid sensitivity changes and Cnrip1 has recently been suggested to control eye development in Xenopus laevis. Two Cnrip1 genes are described in zebrafish, cnrip1a and cnrip1b. In situ mRNA hybridisation revealed accumulation of mRNA encoding each gene primarily in brain and spinal cord, but also elsewhere. For example, cnrip1b is expressed in forming skeletal muscle. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing generated predicted null mutations in cnrip1a and cnrip1b. Each mutation triggered nonsense-mediated decay of the respective mRNA transcript. No morphological or behavioural phenotype was observed in either mutant. Moreover, fish lacking both Cnrip1a and Cnrip1b both maternally and zygotically are viable and fertile and no phenotype has so far been detected despite strong evolutionary conservation over at least 400 Myr.
InSAR constraints on soil moisture evolution after the March 2015 extreme precipitation event in Chile
Authors: Scott C. P. , Lohman R. B. , Jordan T. E.
Published: July 2017

Abstarct

Constraints on soil moisture can guide agricultural practices, act as input into weather, flooding and climate models and inform water resource policies. Space-based interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) observations provide near-global coverage, even in the presence of clouds, of proxies for soil moisture derived from the amplitude and phase content of radar imagery. We describe results from a 1.5 year-long InSAR time series spanning the March, 2015 extreme precipitation event in the hyperarid Atacama desert of Chile, constraining the immediate increase in soil moisture and drying out over the following months, as well as the response to a later, smaller precipitation event. The inferred temporal evolution of soil moisture is remarkably consistent between independent, overlapping SAR tracks covering a region ~100 km in extent. The unusually large rain event, combined with the extensive spatial and temporal coverage of the SAR dataset, present an unprecedented opportunity to image the time-evolution of soil characteristics over different surface types. Constraints on the timescale of shallow water storage after precipitation events are increasingly valuable as global water resources continue to be stretched to their limits and communities continue to develop in flood-prone areas.
The chromosomes and the mitogenome of Ceratitis fasciventris (Diptera: Tephritidae): two genetic approaches towards the Ceratitis FAR species complex resolution
Authors: Drosopoulou Elena , Pantelidou Christina , Gariou-Papalexiou Angeliki , Augustinos Antonios A. , Chartomatsidou Tatiana , Kyritsis Georgios A. , Bourtzis Kostas , Mavragani-Tsipidou Penelope , Zacharopoulou Antigone
Published: July 2017

Ceratitis fasciventrisis a serious agricultural pest of the Tephritidae family that belongs to the AfricanCeratitisFAR species complex. Species limits within the FAR complex are obscure and multidisciplinary approaches have attempted to resolve phylogenetic relationships among its members. These studies support the existence of at least three additional species in the complex,C.anonnae,C.rosaandC.quilicii, while they indicate the presence of two structured populations (F1 and F2) within theC.fasciventrisspecies. In the present study we present the mitotic karyotype, polytene chromosome maps,in situhybridization data and the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an F2 population ofC.fasciventris. This is the first polytene chromosome map and complete mitogenome of a member of the FAR complex and only the second reported for theCeratitisgenus. Both polytene chromosomes and mitochondrial sequence could provide valuable information and be used as reference for comparative analysis among the members of the complex towards the clarification of their phylogenetic relationships.
Effect of carrier confinement on effective mass of excitons and estimation of ultralow disorder in Al x Ga1−x As/GaAs quantum wells by magneto-photoluminescence
Authors: Haldar S. , Dixit V. K. , Vashisht Geetanjali , Khamari Shailesh Kumar , Porwal S. , Sharma T. K. , Oak S. M.
Published: July 2017

Effect of charge carrier confinement and ultra-low disorder acquainted in AlGaAs/GaAs multi-quantum well system is investigated via Magneto-photoluminescence spectroscopy. Significant increase of effective mass is observed for the confined exciton in narrow QWs. The foremost reason behind such an observation is due to the induced non-parabolicity in bands. Moreover, as the thickness of the QW are reduced, confined excitons in QW experience atomic irregularities at the hetero-junctions and their effects are prominent in the photoluminescence linewidth. Amount of photoluminescence line-broadening caused by the atomic irregularities at the hetero-junctions is correlated with average fluctuation (δ1) in QW thickness. The estimatedδ1for Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs QWs are found to be ±(0.14 − 1.6)× ‘one monolayer thickness of GaAs layer’. Further, the strong perturbations due to magnetic field in a system helps in realizing optical properties of exciton in QWs, where magnetic field is used as a probe to detect ultralow defects in the QW. Additionally, the influence of magnetic field on the free and bound exciton luminescence is explained by a simple model. The proposed approach for measuring the interface and volume defects in an ultra-low disordered system by Magneto-PL spectroscopy technique will be highly beneficial in high mobility devices for advanced applications.
Involvement of FANCD2 in Energy Metabolism via ATP5α
Authors: Jayabal Panneerselvam , Ma Chi , Nepal Manoj , Shen Yihang , Che Raymond , Turkson James , Fei Peiwen
Published: July 2017

Growing evidence supports a general hypothesis that aging and cancer are diseases related to energy metabolism. However, the involvement of Fanconi Anemia (FA) signaling, a unique genetic model system for studying human aging or cancer, in energy metabolism remains elusive. Here, we report that FA complementation group D2 protein (FANCD2) functionally impacts mitochondrial ATP production through its interaction with ATP5α, whereas this relationship was not observed in the mutant FANCD2 (K561R)-carrying cells. Moreover, while ATP5α is present within the mitochondria in wild-type cells, it is instead located mostly outside in cells that carry the non-monoubiquitinated FANCD2. In addition, mitochondrial ATP production is significantly reduced in these cells, compared to those cells carrying wtFANCD2. We identified one region (AA42-72) of ATP5α, contributing to the interaction between ATP5α and FANCD2, which was confirmed by protein docking analysis. Further, we demonstrated that mtATP5α (∆AA42-72) showed an aberrant localization, and resulted in a decreased ATP production, similar to what was observed in non-monoubiquitinated FANCD2-carrying cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates a novel role of FANCD2 in governing cellular ATP production, and advances our understanding of how defective FA signaling contributes to aging and cancer at the energy metabolism level.
Integrated analysis of tobacco miRNA and mRNA expression profiles under PVY infection provids insight into tobacco-PVY interactions
Authors: Guo Yushuang , Jia Meng-ao , Yang Yumei , Zhan Linlin , Cheng Xiaofei , Cai Jianyu , Zhang Jie , Yang Jie , Liu Tao , Fu Qiang , Zhao Jiehong , Shamsi Imran Haider
Published: July 2017

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a globally and economically important pathogen of potato, tobacco, tomato and other staple crops and caused significant yield losses and reductions in quality.To explore the molecular PVY-host interactions, we analysed changes in the miRNA and mRNA profiles of tobacco in response to PVY infection. A total of 81 differentially expressed miRNAs belonging to 29 families and 8133 mRNAs were identified. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses showed that genes encoding the DNA/RNA binding, catalytic activity and signalling molecules were all significantly enriched. Moreover, 88 miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs were identified through a combined analysis of the two datasets. We also found evidence showing that the virus-derived siRNAs (vsiRNAs) from the PVY genome target tobacco translationally controlled tumor protein (NtTCTP) mRNA and mediate plant resistance to PVY. Together, our findings revealed that both miRNA and mRNA expression patterns can be changed in response to PVY infection and novel vsiRNA-plant interactions that may regulate plant resistance to PVY. Both provide fresh insights into the virus-plant interactions.