bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in β2-Glycoprotein I Antigenicity Induced by Phospholipid Binding
Authors: Wagenknecht Dawn R , McIntyre John A
Published: July 2018

β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) or apolipoprotein H has been described as a necessary cofactor for antiphospholipid antibody (aPA) binding in ELISA. Some investigators disagree with the β2-GPI requirement whereas data from other laboratories indicate that β2GPI, not phospholipid (PL), is the antigen for aPA. To investigate the cofactor we have produced three IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to human β2GPI; 3G9, 1B4 and 3D11. Western blot analyses showed the mAb to bind human β2GPI (40 kDa), but no reactivity was observed with adult or fetal bovine sera. In contrast, rabbit anti-β2GPI reacted with both human and bovine sera. None of the mAb reacted with phosphatidylserine (PS) or cardiolipin (CL) by ELISA. There were no significant differences in ELISA binding to purified β2GPI when the mAb were adjusted to the same concentration. mAb 3G9 and 1B4 gave stronger signals in ELISA after β2GPI bound to PS; the increase for 3G9 was significantly greater than for 1B4 (p <0.002). mAb 3D 11 was unique inasmuch as it failed to recognize β2PGI bound to PS. In comparison, the rabbit anti-β2GPI was unaffected by PS-β2GPI binding. These observations indicate that the mAb recognize three distinct epitopes on β2GPI. The data suggest that β2GPI undergoes conformational changes subsequent to binding PL. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that aPA recognize a β2GPI neotope formed subsequent to binding PL.
Use of Chromogenic Substrate S-2251 for Determination of Plasminogen Activator in Rat Ovaries
Authors: Shimada H , Mori T , Takada A , Takada Y , Noda Y , Takai I , Kohda H , Nishimura T
Published: July 2018

A simple, specific and reproducible method for determination of plasminogen activator activity in rat ovaries has been developed by using the chromogenic substrate S-2251. The two steps of enzymatic reactions, i. e. activation of plasminogen and subsequent hydrolysis of the substrate was performed in one step incubation. A linear relationship was observed between the amount of chromogen produced and activator activity in the range of the optical density from 0.05 to 1.20 for 30 min’s incubation. Endogenous activity of non-specific proteases, plasmin or plasmin inhibitors which might be contained in rat ovaries turned out not to interfere with the specificity of a standardized assay procedure. Reproducibility was firmly established with coefficient of variation not exceeding 10%. Using this method, a marked increase followed by a drastic decrease in the activator activity was shown with rat ovaries around the time of ovulation after the injection of human chorionic gonadotropin.
Circulating Immune Complexes Pre and Post Clotting Factor Infusion in Hemophilia
Authors: Gomperts Edward D , Jordan Stanley , Berg Debbie , Sakai Rebecca , Boylen Lois
Published: July 2018

Circulating immune complexes (CICs) were studied by the Raji cell radioimmune-assay (Raji-RIA) and Clq-solid phase assay (Clq-SPA) in sera samples obtained pre and post replacement infusion from 21 young hemophiliac patients (Mean age 9.5 years). Seven patients had repeat studies. Sixteen patients were selected randomly; the other five were selected as having potential infusion related disease processes. All patients had received multiple infusions prior to entering the study. Five patients were infused with FIX concentrates (2 Hemophilia B, one FVII deficiency, 2 with inhibitors to FVIII). Of the hemophilia A patients (13 severe; 3 mild/moderate), six were infused with ABO-Rh type specific cryoprecipitate and 10 were infused with factor concentrate. Preinfusion sera samples evaluated by the Raji-RIA showed 14 of 28 (50%) sera positive. Eleven of 28 (39.3 %) were positive post infusion in the Raji-RIA. Pre and post infusion studies of the same sera samples using the Clq-SPA showed 5 of 28 (17.9%) positive pre-infusion and 4 of 28(14.3%) positive post infusion. No statistically significant relationship between pre and post infusion studies could be demonstrated.

There was no obvious correlation between CIC levels and patient age, race, Epe of infusate, ABO-Rh blood type, hepatosplenomegaly, the presence or absence of HBsAG, antibody, or chronic joint changes. CICs were detected in the three patients with SGOT/SGPT levels greater than 5 times normal, in both patients with chronic renal disease (chronic glomerulonephritis), and two children who had previously demonstrated a Coombs’-positive hemolytic anemia after factor concentrate infusion. Six of eight patients with extremely high levels of CICs had associated clinical or laboratory abnormalities.

This data indicated that CICs (as detected by the Raji-RIA) are present in increased frequency in hemophiliac patients. Although individual patients developed CICs post infusion, there is no clinical or statistical data supporting a common infusate immunogen. CICs were present in patients with serum hepatitis and other immune related disorders, probably secondary to factor infusion. The immunopathogenicity and origin of CICs in hemophiliacs is uncertain.
Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia
Authors: Khanduri U , Pulimood R , Sudarasanam A , Carman R H , Jadhav M , Pereira S
Published: July 2018

In the 14 year period from June, 1966 to June, 1980, 42 cases of Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia have been diagnosed, all fulfilling the criteria of prolonged bleeding time, with normal venous platelet count, defective clot retraction and decreased platelet aggregation, associated with a lifelong bleeding tendency. Few cases have been reported from India though it is the fourth most common congenital bleeding disorder among the patients seen at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore. The large number of such cases found in South India as compared with reports from other parts of the world may be due to the high degree of consanguinity which is part of the accepted culture in this area. Reliable diagnosis of this condition is possible with fairly simple laboratory procedures.
Impact of Patient-Prosthesis Mismatch following Aortic Valve Replacement on Long-Term Survival and Quality of Life
Authors: Hoffmann Grischa , Abraham-Westphal Selam , Attmann Tim , Frank Derk , Lutter Georg , Cremer Jochen , Petzina Rainer
Published: July 2018

Background The impact of patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM) after aortic valve replacement (AVR) on long-term survival and quality of life (QoL) remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of PPM on long-term survival and QoL in a large cohort of patients treated with isolated stented biological AVR in a single-center experience.

Methods We analyzed data of 632 consecutive patients following isolated stented biological AVR between 2007 and 2012 at our institution. We evaluated the QoL (393 evaluable patients) using the Short Form 12-item Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaire via telephone call and the impact of PPM on long-term survival (533 evaluable patients) by Kaplan–Meier's estimate.

Results Severe PPM (<0.65 cm2/m2) had a negative impact on physical component summary (PCS) score (SF-12) compared with patients with moderate or no PPM (p = 0.014), while the mental component summary (MCS) score (SF-12) was not affected by the degree of PPM (p = 0.133). Long-term survival was not different among the three different PPM groups investigated (p = 0.75).

Conclusion Severity of PPM demonstrated no influence on long-term survival and MCS score (SF-12), but it was associated with a lower PCS score (SF-12) in patients with severe PPM.
Size anisotropy inhomogeneity effects in state-of-the-art quantum dot lasers
Authors: Butler I. M. E. , Li W. , Sobhani S. A. , Babazadeh N. , Ross I. M. , Nishi K. , Takemasa K. , Sugawara M. , Childs D. T. D. , Hogg R. A.
Published: July 2018

We describe a high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy study of a self-assembled InAs-GaAs quantum dot (QD) laser sample providing insight into the micro-structure of the QD ensemble. A size distribution anisotropy of the QDs is observed in the two orthogonal (110) planes, and this structural information is used to develop a density of states model for the QD ensemble which is shown to be in strong agreement with a range of optical spectroscopic measurements. This link between the micro-structure and optical properties allows routes to QD device simulation. We go on to discuss how changes to the micro-structure would affect the density of states and hence laser performance.
Elman neural network based short-term photovoltaic power forecasting using association rules and kernel principal component analysis
Authors: Dou Chunxia , Qi Hang , Luo Wei , Zhang Yamin
Published: July 2018

Photovoltaic power prediction for reducing the impact of the grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system on the power system is of great significance. Aiming at the power generation characteristics of the photovoltaic system, a method of Elman neural network based photovoltaic power forecasting using association rules and kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) is proposed in this paper. Gray relation analysis is a means of data mining and used for selecting several power days which are highly correlated with predicted days. In order to remove redundant information, the kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) is used to extract the feature of photovoltaic (PV) power time series. The Elman neural network is used for power prediction due to its dynamic recursive performance. In view of the fact that the prediction error of the Elman neural network prediction model at the peak of power fluctuation is large, the Markov method is proposed to revise and compensate the prediction value of the model to further improve the prediction accuracy. The model is validated by using real data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the prediction accuracy and enhance the generalization ability of the neural network model, which has a good feasibility.
Start current study of a THz sheet beam extended interaction oscillator
Authors: Xu Che , Wang Bin , Peng Ruibin , Bi Liangjie , Zeng Fanbo , Chang Zhiwei , Zhu Sairong , Yin Yong , Li Hailong , Meng Lin
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a theoretical study on a start current of a 0.378 THz sheet beam extended interaction oscillator (SB-EIO), and the design of this device driven by thermionic cathode stands a chance to realize a compact and powerful THz coherent continuous radiation sources. After theoretical study, the SB-EIO with eleven gaps is designed to operate at 2π mode. The coupling and interaction abilities are optimized to meet the synchronization conditions and thus improve the output power and efficiency. The start current analysis is preliminarily accomplished, and the advantages are: (1) At the operation frequency of 0.378 THz, the start current and current density of the device are optimized to 20 A/cm2 and 8.4 mA, and the output power is 14 W. (2) It works in the condition of smooth copper plane in simulation, and the output power is still about 20 W when an electron beam with 252 mA and 41 kV is injected. The research gives an estimation of up to 3.5 times decline in output power when the surface roughness emerges. (3) The results of the simulation show that a relatively high efficiency of ∼13% in particle-in-cell (PIC) was observed, and a stable output power range from 98 W to 234 W is found when the injected electron beam (0.35 mm × 0.12 mm) is 16.8–42 mA and 42 kV. Moreover, the reliability of PIC results is verified in this paper.
Zero resonances for localised potentials
Authors: Georgiev V. , Wirth J.
Published: July 2018

This paper considers Hamiltonians with localised potentials and gives a variational characterisation of resonant coupling parameters, which allow us to provide estimates for the first resonant parameter and in turn also to provide bounds for resonant free regions. As an application, we provide a constructive approach to calculate the first resonant parameter for Yukawa type potentials in R3.
Phase-matched four-wave mixing in the extreme ultraviolet region
Authors: Tran Khoa Anh , Dinh Khuong Ba , Hannaford Peter , Van Dao Lap
Published: July 2018

We report here a detailed study of the four-wave mixing process in the extreme ultraviolet region around 30 nm by using two collinear incommensurate frequency laser pulses. The experimental results reveal evidence of the coherent accumulation of the wave-mixing fields and low-order (third-order and fifth-order) nonlinear response of an argon medium. The dependence of the intensities of the mixing fields on the intensity of a weak control field, on the argon pressure, and on the interaction length is analyzed to show that the four-wave mixing fields in this spectral range are generated under the phase-matched condition.
Motionless and fast measurement technique for obtaining the spectral diffraction efficiencies of a grating
Authors: Wang Shenghao , Liu Shijie , Shao Jianda , Jin Yunxia , Kong Fanyu , Wang Yonglu
Published: July 2018

The measurement of the spectral diffraction efficiencies of a diffraction grating is essential for improving the manufacturing technique and for assessing the grating’s function in practical applications. The drawback of the currently popular measurement technique is its slow speed due to the hundreds of repetitions of two kinds of time-consuming mechanical movements during the measuring process (i.e., the rotation of the mechanical arm to capture the light beam and the mechanical variation of the output wavelength of the grating monochromator). This limitation greatly restricts the usage of this technique in dynamic measurement. In this manuscript, we present a motionless and fast measurement technique for obtaining the spectral diffraction efficiencies of a plane grating, effectively eliminating the aforementioned two kinds of mechanical movements. Herein, the proposed solution for removing the first kind of mechanical movement is tested, and the experimental result shows that the proposed method can be successfully used to measure the plane transmission grating’s spectral diffraction efficiencies in the wavelength range of 550-750 nm. The method for eliminating the second kind of mechanical movement is not verified in this manuscript; however, we think that it is very straightforward and commercially available. We estimate that the spectral measurement can be achieved on a millisecond time scale by combining the two solutions. Our motionless and fast measuring technique will find broad applications in dynamic measurement environments and mass industrial testing.
Nonlinear response behavior of Fe/Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 artificially tilted multilayer thermoelectric devices to thermal contact
Authors: Tang Nuan , Zhou Hongyu , Mu Xin , Wei Ping , Zhao Liangbing , Nie Xiaolei , Zhu Wanting , Sun Zhigang , Zhao Wenyu , Zhang Qingjie
Published: July 2018

The response behavior of artificially tilted multilayer thermoelectric devices (ATMTDs) to thermal radiation has been intensely investigated for remote thermal detection; however, their response behavior to thermal contact is still not well understood. In this letter, Fe/Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 ATMTDs have been fabricated by alternately stacking metallic Fe layers and Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 layers to reveal the response behavior to thermal contact. It was found that the transverse thermoelectric voltages (ΔVx) of the ATMTDs once contacting heat source were rapidly raised in the first seconds and then nonlinearly attenuated after reaching maximum ΔVx. A one-dimensional unsteady heat transfer model was proposed to reveal the attenuation process, which obeys an exponential variation and strongly depends on the heat source temperature. Using the ATMTDs as temperature sensors, the detection uncertainty can be less than 1 K. This work has demonstrated great potential application of the ATMTDs in the field of contact-type temperature detection.
Self-assembled structure of sulfonic gemini surfactant solution
Authors: Deng Xuejian , Yang Yu , Ma Yue , Sun Xiaoliang , Zhou Guanggang , Wu Haicheng , Lu Guiwu
Published: July 2018

Sulfonate gemini surfactant is a new type of anionic gemini surfactant. The unique structure of double sulfonate endows the sulfonate gemini surfactant with superior surfactant properties, including lower critical micelle concentration (CMC), unusual decontamination ability, excellent stability in strong acid/alkali solution. In this paper, the self-assembled structure of gemini dodecyl sulfonate sodium, abbreviated as 12-2-12(SO3Na)2, is studied by using of dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method. We have constructed a spring structure model of surfactant molecules, and the effect of length hydrophobic chain, the concentration of surfactants, ethanol addictive on the self-assembly behavior and critical micelle concentration (CMC) was investigated. The results show that with the increase of the concentration of surfactants in aqueous solution, spherical, wormlike and layered micelles appear in turn. With the increase of the length of the hydrophobic chain, the clusters of the surfactants become tighter and the larger clusters are presented at the lower concentration. It was found that the addition of ethanol molecule can enhance the solubility of hydrophobic group and thus inhibit the formation of the micelles.
Calcium oxalate in soils, its origins and fate – a review
Authors: Uren N. C.
Published: July 2018

Calcium oxalate, a mineral of low solubility, is found widely in plants, but its fate in soils has been neglected until recently. This review considers the likely forms and reactions in soils that may be significant in the recycling of both calcium (Ca) and carbon (C). In soils, calcium oxalate is both formed by fungi and utilised by saprotrophic microbes and by some mesofauna as a source of energy and C. In acidic soils the oxidation releases soluble products, the Ca as Ca2+ and the C as bicarbonate, whereas in alkaline soils some Ca is released as Ca2+ but some C and Ca2+ form calcium carbonate, which may contribute to the formation of calcrete, usually in soils found in arid regions. This latter reaction has been considered as a possible major pathway, which may be utilised in the sequestration of carbon dioxide.
Targeting cancer addiction for SALL4 by shifting its transcriptome with a pharmacologic peptide
Authors: Liu Bee Hui , Jobichen Chacko , Chia C. S. Brian , Chan Tim Hon Man , Tang Jing Ping , Chung Theodora X. Y. , Li Jia , Poulsen Anders , Hung Alvin W. , Koh-Stenta Xiaoying , Tan Yaw Sing , Verma Chandra S. , Tan Hong Kee , Wu Chan-Shuo , Li Feng , Hill Jeffrey , Joy Joma , Yang Henry , Chai Li , Sivaraman J. , Tenen Daniel G.
Published: July 2018

Significance

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is leading cause of death due to late discovery and lack of effective treatment. The finding of the Sal-like 4 (SALL4)–NuRD interaction in HCC opens a new therapeutic direction targeting an epigenetic regulator. Here, we identified the SALL4–NuRD binding site through structural resolution of the crystal complex, providing valuable insight for the development of antagonists against this interaction. Our subsequent design of a therapeutic peptide has demonstrated the possibility to develop a first-in-class drug targeting the SALL4–NuRD interaction in HCC. Furthermore, we discovered that the therapeutic peptide exhibits robust antitumor properties and works by inhibiting the repressive function of SALL4. Our work could also be beneficial to a broad range of solid cancers and leukemic malignancies with elevated SALL4.
Personal values and the acceptance of immigrants: why national identification matters / Los valores personales y la aceptación de inmigrantes: ¿Por qué es importante la identificación nacional?
Authors: Miglietta Anna , Tartaglia Stefano , Loera Barbara
Published: July 2018

: The study focused on the relations between Italian nationals’ personal values and their expectations towards the way ethnic minorities should acculturate. The main aim was to understand whether nationals’ personal values predict their acculturation preferences towards immigrants, both directly and through national identity. Four hundred and forty-six Italian high school students ( M age = 19.1; SD = 0.57; females = 54.4%) completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing personal values, nationalism, patriotism, acculturation preferences and demographics. An SEM model with bootstrapping estimations was tested. As expected, the results highlighted that personal values predict acculturation preferences towards immigrants in two ways — directly and also through an indirect effect on nationalism — supporting the claim that ingroup and outgroup definitions are closely intertwined. The results also highlighted the need to differentiate between nationalism and patriotism, with the latter having no influence on Italian nationals’ readiness to accept immigrants. Overall, the research demonstrates the relevance of personal values in studying intergroup relations and draws attention to the potential value of communication policies centred on self-transcendence values to improve interethnic relations.
Perseverance and passion for achieving long-term goals: transcultural adaptation and validation of the Grit-S scale / Perseverancia y pasión por la consecución de objetivos a largo plazo: adaptación transcultural y validación de la escala Grit-S
Authors: Fernández-Martín Francisco D. , Arco-Tirado Jose L. , Soriano-Ruíz María
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to undertake the transcultural adaptation and validation of the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) to measure university students’ levels of perseverance and passion for achieving long-term goals. To accomplish this, the Grit-S scale was linguistically and culturally adapted from English to Spanish via the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pre-testing and Documentation method. After that, the adapted scale was administered to a convenience sample of 1,129 university students comprised of 29.6% males and 70.4% females with a mean age of 21, and finally, its psychometric properties were analysed and compared to the original version. The results reveal acceptable values for the internal consistency of the total scale (α = .71) and outstanding fit indexes for the proposed two-factor structural model (i.e., Consistency of Interest and Perseverance of Effort) ( RMSEA = .041, CFI = .96), and the parameters of transcultural adaptation were similar to those in its original version.
Directed migration: Cells navigate by extracellular vesicles
Authors: Sung Bong Hwan , Weaver Alissa M.
Published: July 2018

Directional cell motility toward a chemical gradient, chemotaxis, is critical during inflammation, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. In this issue, Kriebel et al. (2018. J. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201710170) demonstrate that the key cAMP chemoattractant for Dictyostelium discoideum amoebas is synthesized within and released from extracellular vesicles to promote chemotaxis.
Analysis of the contribution of phosphoinositides to medial septation in fission yeast highlights the importance of PI(4,5)P2for medial contractile ring anchoring
Authors: Snider Chloe E. , Willet Alaina H. , Brown HannahSofia T. , Gould Kathleen L.
Published: July 2018

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, loss of the plasma membrane PI4-kinase scaffold Efr3 leads to sliding of the cytokinetic ring (CR) away from the cell center during anaphase, implicating phosphoinositides (PIPs) in CR anchoring. However, whether other PIP regulators contribute to CR anchoring has not been investigated. Here we report that mutants of other PIP kinases and their regulators divide with off-center septa, similar to efr3∆. Using new biosensors for S. pombe PIPs, we confirm that these mutants have disrupted PIP composition. We extend a previous finding that a mutant known to decrease PI(3,5)P2levels indirectly affects CR positioning by increasing vacuole size which disrupts nuclear position at the onset of mitosis. Indeed, we found that other mutants with increased vacuole size also disrupt medial division via this mechanism. Although elevated plasma membrane PI(4,5)P2levels do not affect medial cytokinesis, mutants with decreased levels display CR sliding events indicating a specific role for PI(4,5)P2in CR anchoring.
Scarification of Exotic and Indigenous Plant Seeds in Nigeria: Effect on Dormancy and Germination
Authors: Emmanuel Amodu , Olayinka Osuolale
Published: July 2018

Dormancy is exhibited in many seed producing plants. It could be endogenous or exogenous, depending on the plant and the type of seed the plant produce. A survival strategy, plant use to conserve their genetic materials during unfavourable conditions. Scarification treatments has been used in this work to break the dormancy ofAnacardium occidentale, Annona muricata, Jatropha curcas, Tamarindus indicaandArtocarpus heterophyllususing 65% Nitric acid (HNO3), 65% Sulphuric acid (H2SO4), 0.5% Potassium tetraoxosulphate(VI) (K2SO4), 0.5% Urea (CH4N2O), 43% Ethanol (C2H6O) and Distilled water. Nitric acid (65% HNO3) produced the best result forAnacardium occidentalewith high numbers of seedlings and a germination period of 15 days.Jatropha curcasdid not produce a favourable result from the treatments.Tamarindus indica,water treatment produced the best result with six days of germination shorter than the controlled value (16 days). Nitric acid (65% HNO3) and water favorAnnona muricatawith germination period of 19 days as against 24 days for control experiment. Water and Potassium sulphate are the best treatments forArtocarpus heterophyllusas they produce viable seedlings with short germination period of 14 and 15 days which give a good result better than the 18 days of the control experiment.
Feedforward and feedback control share an internal model of the arm’s dynamics
Authors: Maeda Rodrigo S. , Cluff Tyler , Gribble Paul L. , Pruszynski J. Andrew
Published: July 2018

Humans have a remarkable capacity to learn novel movement patterns in a wide variety of contexts. Recent work has shown that, when countering external forces, the nervous system adjusts not only voluntary (ie. feedforward) control but also reflex (ie. feedback) responses. Here we show that directly altering the physical properties of the arm (i.e. intersegmental dynamics) causes the nervous system to adjust feedforward control and that this learning also transfers to feedback responses even though they were never directly trained. In our first experiment, we altered intersegmental dynamics by asking participants to generate pure elbow movements with the shoulder joint either free to rotate or locked. Locking the shoulder joint cancels the interaction forces that arise at the shoulder during forearm rotation and thus removes the need to activate shoulder muscles to prevent shoulder joint rotation. We first asked whether the nervous system learns this altered mapping of intersegmental dynamics. In the baseline phase, we found robust activation of shoulder flexor muscles for pure elbow flexion trials prior to movement onset – as required to counter the intersegmental dynamics. After locking the shoulder joint in the adaptation phase, we found a substantial reduction in shoulder muscle activity over many trials. After unlocking the shoulder joint in the post-adaptation phase, we observed after-effects, as participants made systematic hand path errors. In our second experiment, we investigated whether such learning transfers to feedback control. Mechanical perturbations applied to the limb in the baseline phase revealed that feedback responses, like feedforward control, also appropriately countered intersegmental dynamics. In the adaptation phase, we found a substantial reduction in shoulder feedback responses – as appropriate for the altered intersegmental dynamics. We also found that this decay in shoulder feedback responses correlated across subjects with the amount of decay during feedforward control. Our work adds to the growing evidence that feedforward and feedback control share an internal model of the arm’s dynamics.
Excretion initiates walking in the cricketGryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Naniwa Keisuke , Sugimoto Yasuhiro , Osuka Koichi , Aonuma Hitoshi
Published: July 2018

Feces contain information about the donor and potentially attracts both conspecifics and predators and parasites. The excretory system must be coordinated with other behaviors in insects. We found that crickets start walking forward following excretion of feces. Most intact crickets walked around the experimental arena, stopped at a particular site and raised up their body with a slight backward drift to excrete feces. After the feces dropped on the floor, the animal started walking with a random gait pattern away from the feces, and then changed the gait pattern to a tripod gait. Headless cricket also showed walking following excretion. In more than half of excretion events, headless crickets walked backward before excretion. The posture adopted during excretion was similar to that of intact crickets, and post-excretory forward walking was also observed. The occurrence rate of post-excretory walking was more than that of intact crickets. The gait pattern during forward walking was random and never transitioned to a tripod gait in the headless crickets. In animals whose abdominal nerve cords were cut, in any position, pre- or post-excretion walking was not shown in both intact and headless crickets, although they excreted feces. These results indicate that ascending signals from the terminal abdominal ganglion initiate leg movement through the neuronal circuits within thoracic ganglia, and that descending signals from the brain must regulate leg the motor circuit to express the appropriate walking gait.
Triazole ureas covalently bind to strigolactone receptors and regulate signaling
Authors: Nakamura Hidemitsu , Hirabayashi Kei , Miyakawa Takuya , Kikuzato Ko , Hu Wenqian , Xu Yuqun , Jiang Kai , Takahashi Ikuo , Dohmae Naoshi , Tanokura Masaru , Asami Tadao
Published: July 2018

Strigolactones (SLs), a class of plant hormones with multiple functions, mediate plant-plant and plant-microorganism communications in the rhizosphere. In this study, we developed potent strigolactone antagonists, which covalently bind to the strigolactone receptor D14, by preparing an array of triazole urea compounds. Using yeast two-hybrid assays and rice tillering assays, we identified a triazole urea compound KK094 as a potent inhibitor of strigolactone receptors. The LC-MS/MS analysis and X-ray crystallography concluded that KK094 was hydrolyzed by D14, and that a reaction product of this degradation covalently binds to the Ser residue of the catalytic triad of D14. We also identified KK052 and KK073, whose effects on D14–D53/D14–SLR1 complex formation were opposite due to a trifluoromethyl group on its benzene ring. These results demonstrate that triazole urea compounds are potentially powerful tools for agricultural application and may be useful for the elucidation of the complicated mechanism underlying SL-perception.
Doppler-Based Algorithm for Mapping Cardiac Rotors by Induced Temperature Perturbations
Authors: Malki Guy , Barnea Ofer , Tuller Tamir
Published: July 2018

Electrogram-guided ablation for mapping of abnormal atrial activity has become increasingly popular in clinical applications. However, current methods have several limitations, and none have been shown to increase the ablation procedure success rate more than empirical ablation procedures. Here we present a new approach to identify arrhythmogenic sources as targets for ablation. Based on our previous findings that rotor drifting can be characterized by a local temperature gradient within the tissue, this article describes an innovative induced temperature technique which exploits the fact that rotor drifting produces Doppler shifts in the dominant frequency as measured at stationary locations. A mathematical algorithm is detailed to solve the inverse problem, reconstruct the drift trajectory, and predict the rotor origin location. Mathematical modeling and computer simulations demonstrate the feasibility of the new approach for rotors and focal source, two well-known arrhythmogenic sources of irregular conduction. Performance was extensively investigated for different numbers of electrodes and varied SNRs. Random conditions were also taken into account, since the electrodes’ array position and the initial location of the rotor pivot can impact the outcomes. By using temperature perturbation and employing the Doppler algorithm, the rotor drift trajectory and the origin region is shown to be estimated. We consider ways in which this technique can be extended to differentiate between rotors and ectopic activity. Future experimental and clinical validations should lead to potential use in ablation procedures and improve localization capabilities, thus increasing success rates and optimizing arrhythmia management.
Cardiac Spiral Wave Drifting Due to Spatial Temperature Gradients – a Numerical Study
Authors: Malki Guy , Zlochiver Sharon
Published: July 2018

Cardiac rotors are believed to be a major driver source of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), and their spatiotemporal characterization is essential for successful ablation procedures. However, electrograms guided ablation have not been proven to have benefit over empirical ablation thus far, and there is a strong need of improving the localization of cardiac arrhythmogenic targets for ablation. A new approach for characterize rotors is proposed that is based on induced spatial temperature gradients (STGs), and investigated by theoretical study using numerical simulations. We hypothesize that such gradients will cause rotor drifting due to induced spatial heterogeneity in excitability, so that rotors could be driven towards the ablating probe. Numerical simulations were conducted in single cell and 2D atrial models using AF remodeled kinetics. STGs were applied either linearly on the entire tissue or as a small local perturbation, and the major ion channel rate constants were adjusted following Arrhenius equation. In the AF-remodeled single cell, recovery time increased exponentially with decreasing temperatures, despite the marginal effect of temperature on the action potential duration. In 2D models, spiral waves drifted with drifting velocity components affected by both temperature gradient direction and the spiral wave rotation direction. Overall, spiral waves drifted towards the colder tissue region associated with global minimum of excitability. A local perturbation with a temperature of T=28°C was found optimal for spiral wave attraction for the studied conditions. This work provides a preliminary proof-of-concept for a potential prospective technique for rotor attraction. We envision that the insights from this study will be utilize in the future in the design of a new methodology for AF characterization and termination during ablation procedures.
Subunit redundancy within the NuRD complex ensures fidelity of ES cell lineage commitment
Authors: Burgold Thomas , Barber Michael , Kloet Susan , Cramard Julie , Gharbi Sarah , Floyd Robin , Kinoshita Masaki , Ralser Meryem , Vermeulen Michiel , Reynolds Nicola , Dietmann Sabine , Hendrich Brian
Published: July 2018

Multiprotein chromatin remodelling complexes show remarkable conservation of function amongst metazoans, even though components present in invertebrates are often present as multiple paralogous proteins in vertebrate complexes. In some cases these paralogues specify distinct biochemical and/or functional activities in vertebrate cells. Here we set out to define the biochemical and functional diversity encoded by one such group of proteins within the mammalian Nucleosome Remodelling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex: Mta1, Mta2 and Mta3. We find that, in contrast to what has been described in somatic cells, MTA proteins are not mutually exclusive within ES cell NuRD and, despite subtle differences in chromatin binding and biochemical interactions, serve largely redundant functions. Nevertheless, ES cells lacking all three MTA proteins represent a complete NuRD null and are viable, allowing us to identify a previously undetected function for NuRD in maintaining differentiation trajectory during early stages of lineage commitment.
A Markov theoretic description of stacking-disordered aperiodic crystals including ice and opaline silica
Authors: Hart A. G. , Hansen T. C. , Kuhs W. F.
Published: July 2018

This article reviews the Markov theoretic description of one-dimensional aperiodic crystals, describing the stacking-faulted crystal polytype as a special case of an aperiodic crystal. Under this description the centrosymmetric unit cell underlying a topologically centrosymmetric crystal is generalized to a reversible Markov chain underlying a reversible aperiodic crystal. It is shown that for the close-packed structure almost all stackings are irreversible when the interactionreichweites> 4. Moreover, the article presents an analytic expression of the scattering cross section of a large class of stacking-disordered aperiodic crystals, lacking translational symmetry of their layers, including ice and opaline silica (opal CT). The observed stackings and their underlyingreichweiteare then related to the physics of various nucleation and growth processes of disordered ice. The article discusses how the derived expressions of scattering cross sections could significantly improve implementations of Rietveld's refinement scheme and compares thisQ-space approach with the pair-distribution function analysis of stacking-disordered materials.
Indexing of grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction patterns: the case of fibre-textured thin films
Authors: Simbrunner Josef , Simbrunner Clemens , Schrode Benedikt , Röthel Christian , Bedoya-Martinez Natalia , Salzmann Ingo , Resel Roland
Published: July 2018

Crystal structure solutions from thin films are often performed by grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) experiments. In particular, on isotropic substrates the thin film crystallites grow in a fibre texture showing a well defined crystallographic plane oriented parallel to the substrate surface with random in-plane order of the microcrystallites forming the film. In the present work, analytical mathematical expressions are derived for indexing experimental diffraction patterns, a highly challenging task which hitherto mainly relied on trial-and-error approaches. The six lattice constantsa,b,c, α, β and γ of the crystallographic unit cell are thereby determined, as well as the rotation parameters due to the unknown preferred orientation of the crystals with respect to the substrate surface. The mathematical analysis exploits a combination of GIXD data and information acquired by the specular X-ray diffraction. The presence of a sole specular diffraction peak series reveals fibre-textured growth with a crystallographic plane parallel to the substrate, which allows establishment of the Miller indicesu,vandwas the rotation parameters. Mathematical expressions are derived which reduce the system of unknown parameters from the three- to the two-dimensional space. Thus, in the first part of the indexing routine, the integersuandvas well as the Laue indiceshandkof the experimentally observed diffraction peaks are assigned by systematically varying the integer variables, and by calculating the three lattice parametersa,band γ. Because of the symmetry of the derived equations, determining the missing parameters then becomes feasible: (i)wof the surface parallel plane, (ii) the Laue indiceslof the diffraction peak and (iii) analogously the lattice constantsc, α and ß. In a subsequent step, the reduced unit-cell geometry can be identified. Finally, the methodology is demonstrated by application to an example, indexing the diffraction pattern of a thin film of the organic semiconductor pentacenequinone grown on the (0001) surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The preferred orientation of the crystallites, the lattice constants of the triclinic unit cell and finally, by molecular modelling, the full crystal structure solution of the as-yet-unknown polymorph of pentacenequinone are determined.
Antecedents of pregnant women’s purchase intentions and willingness to pay a premium for organic food
Authors: Konuk Faruk Anıl
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of health consciousness, environmental concern and customer innovativeness on pregnant women’s purchase intentions and willingness to pay (WTP) a premium for organic food.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to collect data, a field study was conducted using administrated questionnaires from a convenience sample of pregnant women in Istanbul, Turkey. A structural equations model was used to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicated positive effects of health consciousness, environmental concern and customer innovativeness on both purchase intentions and WTP a premium toward organic food. Specifically, it was found that health consciousness had the greatest influence on purchase intentions and WTP a premium.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, this research focused on pregnant women and aimed to understand the role of health consciousness, environmental concerned and customer innovativeness on purchase intentions and WTP a premium for organic food.
Leader gender and firm investment in innovation
Authors: Reutzel Christopher R. , Collins Jamie D. , Belsito Carrie A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of business leader gender on the pursuit of innovation opportunities. Extant research suggests that leader gender represents an important characteristic that shapes firm behavior in various ways. The authors build upon this research by relating business leader gender, perceptions of environmental munificence and distributive justice to firm investment in innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the survey responses of 469 business leaders in India. These individuals were primarily responsible for their firms. Their responses to survey questions were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

The results of this study suggest that female-led firms exhibit less investment in innovation than male-led firms. Results also suggest that female business leaders perceive less environmental munificence as well as distributive justice. Finally, study results suggest that the effect of gender on firm investment in innovation is mediated by perceptions of distributive justice.

Originality/value

This study provides an empirical link between business leader gender and firm investment in innovation. In doing so, it acknowledges and provides insight into the gendered nature of the initiation of innovation processes and leadership. Finally, the finding that business leader perceptions of distributive justice mediate the relationship between business leader gender and investment in innovation extends current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the lower investment in innovation rates exhibited by female-led firms.
Delivering new nuclear projects: a megaprojects perspective
Authors: Saunders Fiona Caroline , Townsend Ellen A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make recommendations for policy makers, promotors and project managers on how to structure and deliver new nuclear build programmes, by drawing on the megaprojects literature and salutary lessons from previous megaprojects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is underpinned by the extant literature and an analysis of public domain data from three proposed new nuclear power plants in the UK. It identifies the main challenges facing new nuclear build projects and subsequently proposes lessons that can be learnt from megaprojects, in order to plan, structure and deliver new nuclear build programmes successfully.

Findings

The paper argues that megaprojects are simultaneously trait-making, rather than trait-taking, possess a temporality and timescale in excess of typical infrastructure projects, suffer from high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity, are organisationally complex, costly and are highly likely to destroy rather than create value. Second, it argues that the challenges facing new nuclear build are not merely technological but also institutional, political and societal in nature. The nature of these challenges is exemplified using three proposed new nuclear build projects in the UK.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to draw on both extant megaproject theory and on an analysis of the public domain data from three proposed new nuclear power plants in the UK. It makes contributions to megaprojects theory and practice, and specifically to nuclear new build projects. Importantly, it proffers recommendations for how new nuclear build programmes around the world might be structured, planned and delivered to minimise the risks of failure.
Sex‐specific patterns of reproductive senescence in a long‐lived reintroduced raptor
Authors: Murgatroyd Megan , Roos Staffan , Evans Richard , Sansom Alex , Whitfield D. Philip , Sexton David , Reid Robin , Grant Justin , Amar Arjun
Published: July 2018

For many species, there is evidence that breeding performance changes as an individual ages. In iteroparous species, breeding performance often increases through early life and is expected to level out or even decline (senesce) later in life. An individual's sex and conditions experienced in early life may also affect breeding performance and how this changes with age.

Long‐term monitoring of individuals from reintroduced populations can provide unique opportunities to explore age‐related trends in breeding performance that might otherwise be logistically challenging.

We used a unique dataset from a reintroduced population of white‐tailed eaglesHaliaeetus albicillain Scotland, which has been intensively monitored since their initial reintroduction in 1975, to study age‐ and sex‐specific trends in two measures of breeding performance. This monitoring provided data on the breeding performance of known individuals ranging in age from 3 to 26 years. We also explored changes in breeding performance in relation to early life experience (i.e., whether they were released or fledged in the wild).

Breeding performance increased with age in early life in a similar manner for both sexes. We found stronger evidence for senescence in breeding performance in males than females. However, late‐life female breeding success was associated with early life experience, while male senescent trends were not apparently impacted by conditions experienced during early life.

Sexual differences in senescence mean that older males are less likely to breed successfully compared to older females, and this may influence females’ mate changes later in life. This difference may suggest a linked sexual difference in survival rates or the possibility of proactive partner change by females in later life in this typically monogamous biparental species.
When it matters most: Collaboration between first responders in incidents and exercises
Authors: Kristiansen Elsa , Johansen Fredrik Håland , Carlström Eric
Published: July 2018

Inter‐organizational collaboration is increasingly a topic for studies into accidents and disasters as well as exercises. In this study, which is based on interviews with first responders, we compared perceived collaboration during an exercise with crisis work. The three organizations included in this study—fire department, police and ambulance services—perceived the investigated tunnel exercise completely different, ranging from harmonious interaction to power struggles between commanding officers, fragmented decision‐making and ambiguity. When comparing the exercise with an incident, we found that collaboration was more evident during incidents than in exercises. However, collaboration exercises appear to improve inter‐organizational collaboration by stimulating informal structures, practicing listening and delegating, getting to know one another and learning a common language.