bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differenzialdiagnose des Morbus Wilson
Authors: Tinta C. , Hermann W.
Published: October 2018

Nach dem Stellen der Verdachtsdiagnose Morbus Wilson gilt es, diese zu bestätigen. Bis zum eindeutigen Nachweis bzw. bei Ausschluss einer autosomal-rezessiven Störung des hepatischen Kupfertransporters ATP 7B sind Differenzialdiagnosen anhand der vorliegenden Befunde zu prüfen. Laborchemische Parameter des Kupferstoffwechsels weisen außer auf nicht relevante Normabweichungen auch auf andere Störungen im Kupferstoffwechsel hin.

Neben bekannten Erkrankungen wie den Morbus Menkes, das Occipital Horn Syndrom (OHS), die Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC) und den Coeruloplasminmangel werden neu entdeckte Störungen berücksichtigt. Dazu gehören das MEDNIK-Syndrom, das Huppke-Brendel-Syndrom und der Chaperonmangel CCS. Einen weiteren Schwerpunkt stellen alterskorrelierte Differenzialdiagnosen des kindlichen Ikterus und der Anämie sowie extrapyramidalmotorischer Bewegungsstörun-gen dar. Der Kayser-Fleischer-Kornealring wird als klassische ophthalmologische Manifestation relativiert. Mit der neu beschriebenen Manganspeichererkrankung besteht eine weitere seltene Metallstoffwechselstörung, die eine dem Morbus Wilson ähnliche Symptomatik hat.

Wie diese Übersicht zeigt, ordnet sich der Morbus Wilson in ein weites Spektrum internistischer und neurologischer Krankheitsbilder mit Ikterus, Anämie und EPS ein. Auch neu entdeckte Krankheitsbilder des Mangan- und Kupferstoffwechsels sind relevant.
A bibliometric analysis of the interdisciplinary field of cultural evolution
Authors: Youngblood Mason , Lahti David
Published: October 2018

The science of cultural evolution is unified in its application of evolutionary logic to socially transmitted behavior, but diverse in methodologies and assumptions. Qualitative reviews have encouraged integration by illuminating points of divergence and fostering interaction. This effort would be greatly enhanced by quantitative data on patterns of collaboration and idea sharing in the literature. In the present study, we apply a novel combination of network, cluster, and bibliometric analyses to an extensive dataset of publications on cultural evolution, in order to represent the structure of the field and evaluate the level of disciplinary integration. We first construct a co-authorship network and identify subdisciplines. We then use bibliometric analyses to describe each subdiscipline and investigate trends in collaboration and productivity. Lastly, we assess the topographical distance and degree of citation sharing between subdisciplines, as well as the diversity of subject categories within subdisciplines. Our results reveal an increase in productivity and collaboration over time, albeit a higher inequality in author productivity than expected. Our structural approach reveals research subcommunities with differential levels of integration, citation sharing, and subject diversity. These findings confirm the emergence of a vigorous interdisciplinary field, and indicate ways to foster integration and synthesis in cultural evolution.
A micro dual-frequency transducer based on contour-extensional vibration and thickness mode
Authors: Shao Weiwei , Li Peiyang , Li Zhangjian , Xu Jie , Jiao Yang , Cui Yaoyao
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a single piezoelectric transducer with dual-frequency characters by utilizing contour-extensional mode and thickness mode. A 2.5 MHz and 8.5 MHz frequency transducer prototype is designed by Finite element method (FEM) analyses and verified by experiment. Performance of the transducer is then evaluated through the measurement of admittance curves and pulse-echo responses. It’s demonstrated experimentally that the proposed transducer has -6dB bandwidth of 39.4% @1.0 Vpp at 2.4 MHz and 34.6% @1.1 Vpp at 8.9 MHz, respectively. The proposed dual-frequency transducer has potential applications in vivo thrombolytic therapy and ultrasound-guide of pedicle screws.
Elastic wave propagation in moving phononic crystals and correlations with stationary spatiotemporally modulated systems
Authors: Attarzadeh M. A. , Nouh M.
Published: October 2018

This work presents a generalized physical interpretation of unconventional dispersion asymmetries associated with moving phononic crystals (PCs). By shifting the notion from systems with time-variant material fields to physically traveling materials, the newly adopted paradigm provides a novel approach to the elastic dispersion problem and, in the process, highlights discrepancies between moving PCs and stationary ones with dynamic material fields. Equations governing the motion of an elastic rod with a prescribed moving velocity observed from a stationary reference frame are used to predict propagation patterns and asymmetries in wave velocities obtained as a result of the induced linear momentum bias. Three distinct scenarios are presented corresponding to a moving rod with a constant modulus, a spatially varying one, and one that varies in space and time. These cases are utilized to extract and interpret correlations pertaining to directional velocities, dispersion patterns, as well as nature of band gaps between moving periodic media and their stationary counterparts with time-traveling material properties. A linear vertical shear transformation is then derived and utilized to neutralize the effect of the moving velocity on the resultant band diagrams. Finally, dispersion contours associated with the transient response of a finite moving medium are used to validate the entirety of the presented framework.
Application of MIS-CELIV technique to measure hole mobility of hole-transport material for organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Katagiri Chiho , Yoshida Tsukasa , White Matthew Schuette , Yumusak Cigdem , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Nakayama Ken-ichi
Published: October 2018

Injection-charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage in metal-insulator-semiconductor structures (MIS-CELIV) is applied for the hole mobility measurement of N,N’-Bis(naphthalen-1-yl)-N,N’-bis(phenyl)-benzidine (NPB), which is a standard hole-transporting material for organic light-emitting diodes. Ideal transient currents in agreement with the theory are observed in the NPB film due to its amorphous and homogenous structure, which is regarded as a continuous dielectric. This ideal response enables us to discuss the validity of the MIS-CELIV mobility by comparing its absolute value with that of the conventional space-charge-limited current method. In addition, to establish an experimental guideline for precise measurements, the effect of the voltage drop on the insulator is investigated.
Xenon isotopes tell the story of volatile recycling in the mantle
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: October 2018

The mantle today reprocesses volatile substances from the crust and surface. But for billions of years, that wasn’t the case.
Future gravitational-wave detectors aim to probe early universe
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: October 2018

The promise of multimessenger astronomy drives the field, brings together scientific communities.
Novel appearances
Authors: Day Charles
Published: October 2018

What’s behind a writer’s rare choice to make a physicist a main character?
Building an army of wombat warriors: developing and sustaining a citizen science project
Authors: Skelton Candice J. , Cook Amelia S. , West Peter , Spencer Ricky-John , Old Julie M.
Published: October 2018

Citizen science websites and mobile applications are credited for their ability to engage members of the public in science and enhance scientific literacy, while operating as a cost-effective, geographically vast data-collection tool. Recruiting participants, tailoring online platforms to users’ needs and harnessing community values are key to creating a successful, sustainable citizen science project. However, few studies have conducted a detailed examination of the recruitment experience when trying to build an engaged and active citizen science audience to assess wildlife diseases in Australia. The present study aimed to determine the most effective methods to recruit and continue to engage citizens to use the tool called WomSAT (Wombat Survey and Analysis Tools). Various marketing techniques were employed to recruit participants. A survey was also disseminated to gain feedback on WomSAT and understand the driving factors behind participation. Participation in the WomSAT project was driven by a collective desire to help and learn about wombats. Preliminary distribution data collected by citizens suggest that WomSAT contains the necessary elements to enable it to be an important tool for monitoring wombats and the distribution of disease. Continuation of the WomSAT project will support scientific research while fostering conservation messages amongst the Australian community.
Physiological and biochemical analyses reveal drought tolerance in cool-season tall fescue (
Authors: Alam Mohammad Nur , Wang Yanping , Chan Zhulong
Published: October 2018

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a widely used, cool-season turf grass and is relatively sensitive to water stress. Melatonin has been reported to improve abiotic stress tolerance in many plants. In this study, we demonstrated that, although shoot height and fresh weight of tall fescue seedlings were significantly reduced by drought stress, they were increased by melatonin pre-treatment compared with control plants. Chemical analyses showed that tall fescue seedlings pre-treated with melatonin exhibited decreased levels of reactive oxygen species, electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde, but higher levels of antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, and peroxidase) and total chlorophyll content, compared with untreated seedlings. Leaf water loss was also partially mitigated and leaf water content increased by melatonin application, resulting in improved plant growth under drought stress. Moreover, root growth of tall fescue seedlings was promoted by melatonin under osmotic stress. The results show that drought tolerance was improved in cool-season tall fescue by application of exogenous melatonin. Therefore, melatonin may potentially be used as a protectant for plants against the deleterious effects of drought or water-deficit stress.
Arsenic concentrations and speciation in Australian and imported rice and commercial rice products
Authors: Maher William , Duncan Elliott , Martin Hayden , Snell Peter , Krikowa Frank , Jagtap Rajani , Foster Simon , Ezaz Tariq , Ellwood Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Environmental contextIn countries where inhabitants are not exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water, food is the major source of potentially toxic inorganic arsenic. To complement the existing worldwide dataset on arsenic in rice, data are presented on Australian- and overseas-grown rice, and assessed in terms of possible risk. Only a diet comprising multiple serves of some rice products per day poses a potential risk to young children.
AbstractArsenic concentrations and speciation measurements were determined for six varieties of Australian-grown rice (n = 130), imported rice (n = 53) and rice products (n = 56) from supermarkets. Total As, inorganic As and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) concentrations in Australian rice ranged from 16 to 630 µg As kg−1 (mean ± s.d.: 220 ± 122 µg kg−1), 16 to 250 µg As kg−1 (92 ± 52 µg As kg−1) and <5 to 432 µg As kg−1 (125 ± 109 µg As kg−1), respectively. Total As, inorganic As and DMA concentrations in imported rice ranged between 31 and 376 µg As kg−1 (130 ± 98 µg kg−1), 17 and 198 µg As kg−1 (73 ± 40 µg As kg−1) and <5 and 327 µg As kg−1 (84 ± 92 µg As kg−1) respectively. Few samples exceeded the guidelines for inorganic As in polished rice. In rice products, total As, inorganic As and DMA concentrations ranged between 21 and 480 µg As kg−1 (160 ± 110 µg As kg−1), 20 and 255 µg As kg−1 (92 ± 78 µg As kg−1) and <5 and 340 µg As kg−1 (65 ± 69 µg As kg−1) respectively. Sixteen samples exceeded the 100 µg kg−1 maximum for inorganic As concentration in rice foods for infants and young children. Ingestion of multiple serves of some rice products poses a potential risk. Environmental chemistry gaps, on processes influencing As occurrence in rice, are discussed.
Premarital sexual behaviour among higher secondary students in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Nabaraj , Adhikari Saraswati , Sulemane Nordino Ibraimo
Published: October 2018

Background
Sexual behaviour of young people is one of the major public health issues. This is because adolescent people may involve themselves in risky sexual behaviour such as practising sex at an early age, having multiple sexual partners, having sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and unprotected sexual behaviours. The objective of this study was to explore the premarital sexual behaviours among higher secondary school students in Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City. Methods: This survey adopted a design of an institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study. A pre-tested structured questionnaire sealed in an envelope was distributed among all consenting 522 higher secondary school adolescent students. Results: Nearly twenty-five per cent (24.6%) of study respondents have had premarital sex. Respondents who had discussed sexual matters with friends had a 2.62-fold higher chance of having premarital sex than those who had not. Male respondents were eight-fold more likely to have premarital sex than females. Respondents who were exposed to pornography reported a nine-fold higher possibility of having premarital sex. Study respondents were also involved in unsafe sexual practices; for example, 13.4% of male respondents had sex with female sex workers. Conclusion: Despite the deleterious social and cultural norms and values regarding premarital sexual activities school adolescents are increasingly involved in sexual activities before marriage. Peer groups or friends are major sources of sexual and reproductive health information, which is often insufficient and inaccurate. It is important to design an appropriate and effective intervention to ensure that adolescents get correct and suitable sexual and reproductive information.
How early media exposure may affect cognitive function: A review of results from observations in humans and experiments in mice
Authors: Christakis Dimitri A. , Ramirez Julian S. Benedikt , Ferguson Susan M. , Ravinder Shilpa , Ramirez Jan-Marino
Published: October 2018

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is now among the most commonly diagnosed chronic psychological dysfunctions of childhood. By varying estimates, it has increased by 30% in the past 20 years. Environmental factors that might explain this increase have been explored. One such factor may be audiovisual media exposure during early childhood. Observational studies in humans have linked exposure to fast-paced television in the first 3 years of life with subsequent attentional deficits in later childhood. Although longitudinal and well controlled, the observational nature of these studies precludes definitive conclusions regarding a causal relationship. As experimental studies in humans are neither ethical nor practical, mouse models of excessive sensory stimulation (ESS) during childhood, akin to the enrichment studies that have previously shown benefits of stimulation in rodents, have been developed. Experimental studies using this model have corroborated that ESS leads to cognitive and behavioral deficits, some of which may be potentially detrimental. Given the ubiquity of media during childhood, these findings in humansand rodents perhaps have important implications for public health.
Changes in resource partitioning between and within organs support growth adjustment to neighbor proximity in
Brassicaceae
seedlings
Authors: de Wit Mieke , George Gavin M. , Ince Yetkin Çaka , Dankwa-Egli Barbara , Hersch Micha , Zeeman Samuel C. , Fankhauser Christian
Published: October 2018

Significance

In dense communities, plants compete for light and sense potentially threatening neighbors prior to actual shading. In response to neighbor proximity cues, shade-intolerant plants selectively elongate stem-like structures, thereby enhancing access to unfiltered sunlight. Although key steps in plant proximity sensing and signaling have been identified, we know little about the metabolic adaptations underlying enhanced stem growth. Here, we show that, following the detection of neighbor proximity cues, seedlings allocate more carbon fixed in the cotyledons to the faster elongating hypocotyl. Moreover, we show that sucrose transport and a transcription factor responding to light and metabolic cues control hypocotyl elongation. Collectively, our work provides important insights into the metabolic changes underlying organ-specific growth adaptations to an environmental stress signal.
Mutations in the DNA demethylase
OsROS1
result in a thickened aleurone and improved nutritional value in rice grains
Authors: Liu Jinxin , Wu Xiaoba , Yao Xuefeng , Yu Ronald , Larkin Philip J. , Liu Chun-Ming
Published: October 2018

Significance

The aleurone, storing proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, is the most nutritious part of cereal grains. Genetic analyses were conducted to screen for mutants with thickened aleurone, and identified
thick aleurone 2-1
, which exhibits a multicell-layered aleurone and an improved nutritional profile. Map-based cloning showed that
TA2
encodes a DNA demethylase. This study provides a strategy for enhancing the nutritional value of rice, and possibly of other cereals as well.
The Qur’an translatability
Authors: Al-Abdullatif Mohammed
Published: October 2018

The Qur’an is the uncontested central religious text of Islam. Many Muslim scholars dogmatically believe that the language of the Qur’an is the miraculous word of God revealed directly to his Prophet, and disagree that it is possible to translate it into any other language. On the other hand, some scholars, old and new, have argued for the permissibility of its translations for linguistic and pragmatic reasons. The polemics surrounding the translatability of The Qur’an bring to light other enduring debates on the permissibility of translating the word of God into an earthly language even if it has been revealed in one, and if one can safely describe this as a translation.

The debate on the translatability of the Qur’an constitutes one of the most controversial issues in Arabic-to-other-languages translation. This paper aims at weighing, as objectively as possible, the justifications variously employed by each camp to rationalize its position. It also touches upon some of the philosophical issues of translatability itself, along with a critical discussion on the traditional Arabic linguists’ views of meaning and translation.

The paper assumes that some readers, particularly non-Muslim readers, are not fully familiar with certain rhetorical and linguistic issues that might be familiar to Muslim scholars. For reasons of clarity, the paper accordingly includes some detailed discussions of certain essential issues.
Association between residual feed intake and enteric methane emissions in Hereford steers
Authors: Dini Yoana , Cajarville Cecilia , Gere José I , Fernandez Sofía , Fraga Martín , Pravia Maria Isabel , Navajas Elly Ana , Ciganda Verónica S
Published: October 2018

The objective of this study was to quantify the emissions of enteric CH4 from growing Hereford steers raised under feedlot conditions based on contrasting levels of residual feed intake (RFI). A repeated measurements experiment was conducted over 20 d to determine CH4 production from two groups of nine Hereford steers, with contrasting RFI values (mean ± SD): low RFI (LRFI group; −0.78 ± 0.22 kg DMI/d) vs. high RFI (HRFI group; 0.83 ± 0.34 kg DMI/d). Steers were selected from a larger contemporary population in which the RFI was evaluated. Steers were maintained under confined conditions with ad libitum access to water and feed, comprising a total mixed ration of 55% sorghum silage, 21% barley silage, 21% corn grain, and 3% protein–mineral–vitamin–premix, provided twice a day. Before the beginning of CH4 measurements, the live weight of both groups of animals was determined, which on average (±SEM) was 357.0 ± 5.11 and 334.0 ± 10.17 kg in the LRFI and HRFI groups, respectively. Methane emission (g/d) was measured on each animal with the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique, during two consecutive periods of 5 d. Individual daily intake and feeding behavior characteristics were measured using a GrowSafe automated feeding system (Model 6000, GrowSafe Systems Ltd, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada). Methanogens in the ruminal content were quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction with primers targeting the mcrA gene. Methane emission was near 27% lower in animals with LRFI when expressed in absolute terms (g/d; 26.8%; P = 0.009), by unit of dry matter intake (g CH4/kg; 27.9%, P = 0.021), or as % of gross energy intake (26.7%; P = 0.027). These differences could not be explained by differences in amount of total of methanogens (average = 9.82 log10 units; P = 0.857). However, there were some differences in animal feeding behavior that could explain these differences (e.g., LRFI animals tended to spend less time in feeders). Our results suggest that, in Hereford steers, the selection by RFI values is a promising mitigation strategy for the reduction of the emission of enteric CH4.
Deep and Durable Response With Combination CTLA-4 and PD-1 Blockade in Mismatch Repair (MMR)-proficient Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Oh Michael S. , Chae Young Kwang
Published: October 2018

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising efficacy in multiple cancer types. The recent food and drug administration approval of PD-1 inhibitors for mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient tumors has extended use of these treatments to all cancer types, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) positivity in tumor tissue has also been shown to predict susceptibility to immunotherapy. Despite these advances, the response to immunotherapy in endometrial cancer remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the case of a patient with MMR-proficient, PD-L1-negative stage IV endometrial cancer who exhibited a strong clinical response to combination PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibition. She showed deep and durable ongoing partial response to nivolumab and ipilimumab that has persisted after 12 months. This case indicates the potential existence of an endometrial cancer subtype that is sensitive to immune checkpoint blockade based on mechanisms other than those driven by MMR deficiency or PD-L1 positivity. Improved understanding of immunotherapy in advanced endometrial cancer is clearly needed and offers the potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes.
The Hexavalent CD40 Agonist HERA-CD40L Induces T-Cell–mediated Antitumor Immune Response Through Activation of Antigen-presenting Cells
Authors: Merz Christian , Sykora Jaromir , Marschall Viola , Richards David M. , Heinonen Karl , Redondo Müller Mauricio , Thiemann Meinolf , Schnyder Tim , Fricke Harald , Hill Oliver , Gieffers Christian
Published: October 2018

CD40 ligand (TNFSF5/CD154/CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily is a key regulator of the immune system. The cognate receptor CD40 (TNFRSF5) is expressed broadly on antigen-presenting cells and many tumor types, and has emerged as an attractive target for immunologic cancer treatment. Most of the CD40 targeting drugs in clinical development are antibodies which display some disadvantages: their activity typically depends on Fcγ receptor–mediated crosslinking, and depletion of CD40-expressing immune cells by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity compromises an efficient antitumor response. To overcome the inadequacies of antibodies, we have developed the hexavalent receptor agonist (HERA) Technology. HERA compounds are fusion proteins composed of 3 receptor binding domains in a single chain arrangement, linked to an Fc-silenced human IgG1 thereby generating a hexavalent molecule. HERA-CD40L provides efficient receptor agonism on CD40-expressing cells and, importantly, does not require FcγR-mediated crosslinking. Strong activation of NFκB signaling was observed upon treatment of B cells with HERA-CD40L. Monocyte treatment with HERA-CD40L promoted differentiation towards the M1 spectrum and repolarization of M2 spectrum macrophages towards the M1 spectrum phenotype. Treatment of in vitro co-cultures of T and B cells with HERA-CD40L–triggered robust antitumor activation of T cells, which depended upon direct interaction with B cells. In contrast, bivalent anti-CD40 antibodies and trivalent soluble CD40L displayed weak activity which critically depended on crosslinking. In vivo, a murine surrogate of HERA-CD40L–stimulated clonal expansion of OT-I–specific murine CD8+ T cells and showed single agent antitumor activity in the CD40− syngeneic MC38-CEA mouse model of colorectal cancer, suggesting an involvement of the immune system in controlling tumor growth. We conclude that HERA-CD40L is able to establish robust antitumor immune responses both in vitro and in vivo.
Biogeodynamics: bridging the gap between surface and deep Earth processes
Authors: Zerkle Aubrey L.
Published: October 2018

Life is sustained by a critical and not insubstantial set of elements, nearly all of which are contained within large rock reservoirs and cycled between Earth's surface and the mantle via subduction zone plate tectonics. Over geologic time scales, plate tectonics plays a critical role in recycling subducted bioactive elements lost to the mantle back to the ocean–biosphere system, via outgassing and volcanism. Biology additionally relies on tectonic processes to supply rock-bound ‘nutrients’ to marine and terrestrial ecosystems via uplift and erosion. Thus, the development of modern-style plate tectonics and the generation of stable continents were key events in the evolution of the biosphere on Earth, and similar tectonic processes could be crucial for the development of habitability on exoplanets. Despite this vital ‘biogeodynamic’ connection, directly testing hypotheses about feedbacks between the deep Earth and the biosphere remains challenging. Here, I discuss potential avenues to bridge the biosphere–geosphere gap, focusing specifically on the global cycling and bioavailability of major nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) over geologic time scales.

This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Earth dynamics and the development of plate tectonics’.
Cryopreservation and transplantation of common carp spermatogonia
Authors: Franěk Roman , Marinović Zoran , Lujić Jelena , Urbányi Béla , Fučíková Michaela , Kašpar Vojtěch , Pšenička Martin , Horváth Ákos
Published: October 2018

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most cultured fish species over the world with many different breeds and plenty of published protocols for sperm cryopreservation, however, data regarding preservation of gonadal tissue and surrogate production is still missing. A protocol for freezing common carp spermatogonia was developed through varying different factors along a set of serial subsequent experiments. Among the six cryoprotectants tested, the best survival was achieved with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). In the next experiment, a wide range of cooling rates (0.5–10 °C/min) and different concentrations of Me2SO were tested resulting in the highest survival using 2 M Me2SO and cooling rate of –1 Q59 A When testing different tissue sizes and incubation times in the cryomedium, the highest viability was observed when incubating 100 mg tissue fragments for 30 min. Finally, sugar supplementation did not yield significant differences. When testing different equilibration (ES) and vitrification solutions (VS) used for needle-immersed vitrification, no significant differences were observed between the tested groups. Additionally, varied exposure time to VS did not improve the vitrification outcome where the viability was 4-fold lower than that of freezing. The functionality of cryopreserved cells was tested by interspecific transplantation into sterilized goldfish recipients. The exogenous origin of the gonads in goldfish recipients was confirmed by molecular markers and incorporation rate was over 40% in both groups at 3 months post transplantation. Results of this study can serve as an alternative way for long-term preservation of germplasm in carp which can be recovered in a surrogate recipient.
MdMYB3 helps regulate anthocyanin accumulation in apple calli under moderately acidic conditions
Authors: Wang Yi-Cheng , Sun Jing-Jing , Qiu Yan-Fen , Gong Xiao-Jun , Ma Li , Zhang Zong-Ying , Feng Shou-Qian , Wang Yan-Ling , Chen Xue-Sen
Published: October 2018

Anthocyanins are the key factors controlling the coloration of plant tissues. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of environmental pH on the synthesis of apple anthocyanins is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the anthocyanin contents of apple calli cultured in media at different pHs (5.5, 6.0, and 6.5). The highest anthocyanin content was observed at pH 6.0. Additionally, the moderately acidic conditions up-regulated the expression of MdMYB3 as well as specific anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes (MdDFR and MdUFGT). Moreover, the anthocyanin content was higher in calli overexpressing MdMYB3 than in the wild-type controls at different pHs. Yeast one-hybrid assay results indicated that MdMYB3 binds to the MdDFR and MdUFGT promoters in vivo. An analysis of the MdDFR and MdUFGT promoters revealed multiple MYB-binding sites. Meanwhile, electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that MdMYB3 binds to the MdDFR and MdUFGT promoters in vitro. Furthermore, GUS promoter activity assays suggested that the MdDFR and MdUFGT promoter activities are enhanced by acidic conditions, and the binding of MdMYB3 may further enhance activity. These results implied that an acid-induced apple MYB transcription factor (MdMYB3) promotes anthocyanin accumulation by up-regulating the expression of MdDFR and MdUFGT under moderately acidic conditions.
The effect of facial expression on contrast sensitivity: a behavioural investigation and extension of Hedger, Garner, & Adams (2015)
Authors: Webb Abigail L. M. , Hibbard Paul B.
Published: October 2018

It has been argued that rapid visual processing for fearful face expressions is driven by the fact that effective contrast is higher in these faces compared to other expressions, when the contrast sensitivity function is taken into account (Hedger, Garner, & Adams, 2015). This proposal has been upheld by data from image analyses, but is yet to be tested at the behavioural level. The present study conducts a traditional contrast sensitivity task for face images of various facial expressions. Findings show that visual contrast thresholds do not differ for different facial expressions We re-conduct analysis of faces’ effective contrast, using the procedure developed by Hedger, Garner, & Adams (2015), and show that higher effective contrast in fearful face expressions relies on face images first being normalised for RMS contrast. When not normalised for RMS contrast, effective contrast in fear expressions is no different, or sometimes even lower, compared to other expressions. These findings are discussed in relation to the implications of contrast normalisation on the salience of face expressions in behavioural and neurophysiological experiments, and also the extent that natural physical differences between facial stimuli are masked during stimulus standardisation and normalisation.
Minimal medical imaging can accurately reconstruct geometric bone models for musculoskeletal models
Authors: Suwarganda Edin K. , Diamond Laura E. , Saxby David J. , Lloyd David G. , Bryce A. Killen , Savage Trevor N.
Published: October 2018

Accurate representation of subject-specific bone anatomy in lower-limb musculoskeletal models is important for human movement analyses and simulations. Mathematical methods can reconstruct geometric bone models using incomplete imaging of bone by morphing bone model templates, but the validity of these methods has not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to determine the minimal imaging requirements for accurate reconstruction of geometric bone models. Complete geometric pelvis and femur models of 14 healthy adults were reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging through segmentation. From each complete bone segmentation, three sets of incomplete segmentations (set 1 being the most incomplete) were created to test the effect of imaging incompleteness on reconstruction accuracy. Geometric bone models were reconstructed from complete sets, three incomplete sets, and two motion capture-based methods. Reconstructions from (in)complete sets were generated using statistical shape modelling, followed by host-mesh and local-mesh fitting through the Musculoskeletal Atlas Project Client. Reconstructions from motion capture-based methods used positional data from skin surface markers placed atop anatomic landmarks and estimated joint centre locations as target points for statistical shape modelling and linear scaling. Accuracy was evaluated with distance error (mm) and overlapping volume similarity (%) between complete bone segmentation and reconstructed bone models, and statistically compared using a repeated measure analysis of variance (p<0.05). Motion capture-based methods produced significantly higher distance error than reconstructions from (in)complete sets. Pelvis volume similarity reduced significantly with the level of incompleteness: complete set (92.70±1.92%), set 3 (85.41±1.99%), set 2 (81.22±3.03%), set 1 (62.30±6.17%), motion capture-based statistical shape modelling (41.18±9.54%), and motion capture-based linear scaling (26.80±7.19%). A similar trend was observed for femur volume similarity. Results indicate that imaging two relevant bone regions produces overlapping volume similarity > 80% compared to complete segmented bone models. These findings have implications for improving movement analysis and simulation with subject-specific musculoskeletal models.
Dynamic Functional Network Connectivity In Schizophrenia With MEG And fMRI, Do Different Time Scales Tell A Different Story?
Authors: Sanfratello Lori , Houck Jon , Calhoun Vince
Published: October 2018

The importance of how brain networks function together to create brain states has become increasingly recognized. Therefore, an investigation of eyes-open resting state dynamic functional network connectivity (dFNC) of healthy controls (HC) versus that of schizophrenia patients (SP) via both fMRI and a novel MEG pipeline was completed. The fMRI analysis used a spatial independent component analysis (ICA) to determine the networks on which the dFNC was based. The MEG analysis utilized a source-space activity estimate (MNE/dSPM) whose result was the input to a spatial ICA, on which the networks of the MEG dFNC was based. We found that dFNC measures reveal significant differences between HC and SP, which depended upon the imaging modality. Consistent with previous findings, a dFNC analysis predicated on fMRI data revealed HC and SP remain in different overall brain states (defined by a k-means clustering of network correlations) for significantly different periods of time, with SP spending less time in a highly-connected state. The MEG dFNC, in contrast, revealed group differences in more global statistics: SP changed between meta-states (k-means cluster states that are allowed to overlap in time) significantly more often and to states which were more different, relative to HC. MEG dFNC also revealed a highly connected state where a significant difference was observed in inter-individual variability, with greater variability among SP. Overall, our results show that fMRI and MEG reveal between-group functional connectivity differences in distinct ways, highlighting the utility of using each of the modalities individually, or potentially a combination of modalities, to better inform our understanding of disorders such as schizophrenia.
Combination of exome sequencing and immune testing confirms Aicardi–Goutières syndrome type 5 in a challenging pediatric neurology case
Authors: Haskell Gloria T. , Mori Mari , Powell Cynthia , Amrhein Timothy J. , Rice Gillian I. , Bailey Lauren , Strande Natasha , Weck Karen E. , Evans James P. , Berg Jonathan S. , Kishnani Priya
Published: October 2018

Exome sequencing is increasingly being used to help diagnose pediatric neurology cases when clinical presentations are not specific. However, interpretation of equivocal results that include variants of uncertain significance remains a challenge. In those cases, follow-up testing and clinical correlation can help clarify the clinical relevance of the molecular findings. In this report, we describe the diagnostic odyssey of a 4-year-old girl who presented with global developmental delay and seizures, with leukodystrophy seen on MRI. Clinical evaluation, MRI, and comprehensive metabolic testing were performed, followed by whole-exome sequencing (WES), parental testing, follow-up testing, and retrospective detailed clinical evaluation. WES identified two candidate causative pathogenic variants in SAMHD1, a gene associated with the recessive condition Aicardi–Goutières syndrome (AGS) type 5 (OMIM 612952): a previously reported pathogenic variant NM_015474 c.602T>A (p.I201N), maternally inherited, and a rare missense variant of uncertain significance, c.1293A>T(p.L431F). Analysis of type I interferon-related biomarkers demonstrated that the patient has an interferon signature characteristic of AGS. Retrospective detailed clinical evaluation showed that the girl has a phenotype consistent with AGS5, a rare neurological condition. These results further define the phenotypic spectrum associated with specific SAMHD1 variants, including heterozygous variants in AGS carriers, and support the idea that autoinflammatory dysregulation is part of the disease pathophysiology. More broadly, this work highlights the issues and methodology involved in ascribing clinical relevance to interpretation of variants detected by WES.
Resolving Proteins for Immunoblotting by Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Litovchick Larisa
Published: October 2018

This protocol describes Tris/glycine SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, also known as SDS discontinuous gel electrophoresis or the Laemmli electrophoresis system. The gel-casting unit is assembled and tested to make sure that there are no leaks. Ammonium persulfate and tetramethylethylenediamine are added to the separating monomer solution, and the bottom (separating) gel is poured and allowed to polymerize. The top (stacking) gel is poured, and the comb is inserted to make the wells. The stacking gel is allowed to polymerize and the comb is then removed. The gel cassette is connected to the buffer chambers and the samples are loaded into the wells. When the electric current is applied, the proteins migrate through the gel with a rate that is roughly proportional to the length of their polypeptide chains. The electrophoresis is stopped when the loading dye reaches the bottom of the separating gel. The gel cassette is disassembled, and the proteins are ready for transfer from the gel onto the membrane.
Immunoblotting: Transfer of Proteins from Gels to Membranes
Authors: Litovchick Larisa
Published: October 2018

Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from gels to membranes can be achieved either by complete immersion of a gel–membrane sandwich in a buffer (wet transfer) or by placing the gel–membrane sandwich between absorbent paper soaked in transfer buffer (semidry transfer). For the wet transfer, the sandwich is placed in a buffer tank with platinum wire electrodes. For the semidry transfer, the gel–membrane sandwich is placed between carbon plate or stainless steel electrodes. Both methods are described here and generally work well, although semidry transfer is quicker and often more complete.
m-commerce technology adoption
Authors: Chhonker Mayanka Singh , Verma Deepak , Kar Arpan Kumar , Grover Purva
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to consolidate the state of research in mobile commerce (m-commerce) technology adoption from 2008 to 2017. This study not only reviews the evolution of m-commerce literature but also highlights the significant contribution of authors and their productive collaborations in the development of this area.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 184 peer-reviewed articles focusing on m-commerce adoption were obtained after applying search criteria on Scopus database. After using inclusion and exclusion criteria to achieve the objective of this study, 86 journals were shortlisted. The study further discusses the dispersion of various m-commerce applications being explored in m-commerce literature. In addition, dominating technology adoption theories and the most used keywords have also been identified and discussed in this study.

Findings

This study indicates that technology acceptance model and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology are the most exploited technology adoption theories. Moreover, the dominating constructs in literature are perceived usefulness, ease of use social influence/social norm on behavior intention, attitude intention followed by performance expectancy, facilitating condition and effort expectancy influence on intention.

Originality/value

This study presents a detailed association rule mining and community analysis to show the association among constructs such as usefulness, ease of ease, social influence and intention as dominant group in this area. The study also identifies lesser explored constructs and indicates possible future research to validate and strengthen their understanding further.
Balancing local and international knowledge search for internationalization of emerging economy multinationals
Authors: Wu Hang , Liu Yang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Internationalization has emerged as a vital catch-up strategy for firms in emerging markets. Although external knowledge search has been widely acknowledged as an important way within the internationalization process, there appear to be opposing views as to whether local or international knowledge search contributes more for firms’ internationalization. This paper aims to integrate organizational ambidexterity and external knowledge search theory to define the concept of external knowledge search ambidexterity and empirically test the impact of the balance dimension of external knowledge search ambidexterity and combined dimension of external knowledge search ambidexterity on internationalization and the moderating effect of organizational slack and environmental munificence.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey.

Findings

Based on survey data of 219 Chinese manufacturing firms, the authors find that both relative balance and combined dimensions of external knowledge search ambidexterity are positively associated with internationalization. Organizational slack and environmental munificence both negatively moderate the relationship between balance dimension of external knowledge search ambidexterity and internationalization, both positively moderate the relationship between combined dimension of external knowledge search ambidexterity and internationalization.

Practical implications

It is essential for managers to take different external knowledge sources into consideration, so as to both maximize revenues and profits from advanced technological knowledge and foreign marketing knowledge in foreign markets and geographic proximity advantages in local market, while minimizing the risks of lacking of adaptive capacity for lacking of knowledge about international markets and cost of coordination and communication because of long geographical distance and cultural difference.

Originality/value

The findings help us better understand the knowledge seeking activities of emerging economy multinationals by proposing that the balance and combination of local and international knowledge search both can promote internationalization, especially on the background of China. The results also enrich the organizational ambidexterity research and extend it to external knowledge search field.
Investigation of cross-coupling effect and its restraining methods of a 3-DOF hybrid magnetic bearing
Authors: Zhong Yunlong , Wu Lijian , Fang Youtong , Huang Xiaoyan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and restrain the cross-coupling effect among X, Y and Z-axes of a three degrees of freedom hybrid magnetic bearing (3-DOF HMB). The influence of the cross-coupling effect on the force characteristics and stiffnesses are analysed. Two additional methods are proposed to eliminate the cross-coupling effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis with finite element method (FEM) is time-consuming because of the requirement of a 3D model for the studied 3-DOF HMB. Hence, an improved magnetic circuit model considering the leakage, cross-coupling and saturation effects is used to investigate the cross-coupling effect in this paper. In addition, two restraining methods are proposed. One is adding an auxiliary coil between radial and axial stators. The other is adding an iron ring between the PM and radial or axial stator.

Findings

The X-axis (or Y-axis) force characteristics and stiffnesses are significantly influenced by the Z-axis current, while other axes force characteristics and stiffnesses do not show the cross-coupling effect. Moreover, this cross-coupling effect is inversely related to the distance between axial thrust disk and radial MB part. Besides, adding an auxiliary coil can effectively eliminate the cross-coupling effect in whole work range and adding an iron ring can reduce the cross-coupling effect.

Originality/value

The cross-coupling effect and its restraining methods of a 3-DOF HMB are investigated, which is beneficial to the design and control of such 3-DOF HMB.
A cavitation model considering thermodynamic and viscosity effects
Authors: Pang Kaiwen , Li Yaojun , Yang Wei , Liu Zhuqing
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to develop and validate a new cavitation model that considers thermodynamic effects for high-temperature water flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The Rayleigh–Plesset equation and “B-factor” method proposed by Franc are used to construct a new cavitation model called “thermodynamic Zwarte–Gerbere–Belamri” (TZGB) by introducing the thermodynamic effects into the original ZGB model. Furthermore, the viscous term of the Rayleigh–Plesset equation is considered in the TZGB model, and the model coefficients are formulated as a function of temperature. Cavitating flows around the NACA0015 hydrofoil under different water temperatures (25°C, 50°C and 70°C) at the angle of attack of 5° are calculated.

Findings

Results of the investigated temperatures show good agreement with the available experimental data. Given that the thermodynamic and viscosity effects are included in the TZGB model and the model coefficients are treated as a function of temperature, the TZGB model shows better performance in predicting the pressure coefficient distribution and length of cavity than the original ZGB cavitation model and other models do. The TZGB model aims to determine the thermodynamic and viscosity effects and perform better than the other models in predicting the mass transfer rate, particularly in high-temperature water.

Originality/value

The TZGB model shows potential in predicting the cavitating flows at high temperature and the computational cost of this model is similar to that of the original ZGB model.