bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Incumbency Curse: Weak Parties, Term Limits, and Unfulfilled Accountability
Authors: KLAŠNJA MARKO , TITIUNIK ROCÍO
Published: February 2017

We study how representation works in a context where accountability to voters is restricted because of term limits and accountability to parties is limited because of party weakness. Analyzing all Brazilian mayoral elections between 1996 and 2012 using a regression discontinuity design, we show that becoming the incumbent party results in large subsequent electoral losses. We theorize that the presence of term limits, combined with political parties to which politicians are only weakly attached, affects the incentives and behavior of individual politicians in such a way that their parties’ suffer systematic losses. A descriptive analysis of an original dataset on the career paths of Brazilian mayors suggests that our assumptions are an accurate description of Brazil’s political context, and we find support for three central empirical implications of our theoretical explanation. Moreover, based on an analysis of additional data from Mexico, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, and Colombia, we show that the negative effects found in Brazil also exist in other democracies.
Colonization and Democracy: Tocqueville Reconsidered
Authors: ATANASSOW EWA
Published: February 2017

The prominence of colonization in Tocqueville's life and works has been widely noted, yet scholars disagree about its importance. The perceived tension between Tocqueville's analysis of democracy and his advocacy of colonization continues to be the subject of heated scholarly debate. Revisiting Tocqueville's analytical and practical engagement with colonization, this essay reexamines its relationship to Tocqueville's account of democracy. It argues that, while lending political support to the French empire, Tocqueville was a clairvoyant critic of colonial rule; and that his involvement with colonization could only be properly understood in light of the historical and civilizational vista that informs his oeuvre as a whole. Proposing that Tocqueville viewed European expansionism as an instrument of the global movement toward democratic equality, the essay concludes with an assessment of the significance of Tocqueville's colonial writings for his “new political science,” and their relevance today.
Democracy at Work: Moving Beyond Elections to Improve Well-Being
Authors: TOUCHTON MICHAEL , SUGIYAMA NATASHA BORGES , WAMPLER BRIAN
Published: February 2017

How does democracy work to improve well-being? In this article, we disentangle the component parts of democratic practice—elections, civic participation, expansion of social provisioning, local administrative capacity—to identify their relationship with well-being. We draw from the citizenship debates to argue that democratic practices allow citizens to gain access to a wide range of rights, which then serve as the foundation for improving social well-being. Our analysis of an original dataset covering over 5,550 Brazilian municipalities from 2006 to 2013 demonstrates that competitive elections alone do not explain variation in infant mortality rates, one outcome associated with well-being. We move beyond elections to show how participatory institutions, social programs, and local state capacity can interact to buttress one another and reduce infant mortality rates. It is important to note that these relationships are independent of local economic growth, which also influences infant mortality. The result of our thorough analysis offers a new understanding of how different aspects of democracy work together to improve a key feature of human development.
Small differences? The study of the Irish in the United States and Britain
Authors: Doyle David Noel
Published: February 2017

How small in fact were the differences between and within the Irish communities overseas, and between their cultures and work achievements and those of their host societies? The past decade has seen the arrival of fairly complete bibliographies of the Irish diaspora in the United States and in Britain, and substantial bibliographical essays on the Irish in Canada and in Australia. The pioneer volume of Hartigan and Hickman, compiled outside the academic grid and its resources, is welcome, intelligent and full of small surprises, despite some odd omissions (e.g. all but one of Denis Gwynn’s relevant titles). Yet, unlike Patrick Blessing, they could not rely on and collate existent bibliographies, as he could do with those of J. T. Ellis and Robert Trisco on American Catholic history (1982), Daniel Casey and Robert Rhodes on Irish-American fiction (1979), and W. C. Miller (1975) and Séamus Metress (1981) on the bibliography of Irish-America overall.
Long Term Effects of Early School Entry
Authors: de Lemos Marion M.
Published: February 2017

The debate regarding age of entry to school goes back a number of years. It seemed to come to a head in the late 1970s, coinciding with the visit to Australia of Dr Raymond Moore, who put forward the somewhat extreme view that children should not start school before the age of about 8 to 10 years. Hisargument was based on a maturational view of development. Experiences must wait until the child is ‘ready’ and the brain has ‘matured’. In particular, he argued that exposure to early reading and the close work involved in the pre-school and early primary school could harm the developing visual system and lead to long-term visual defects, particularly short-sightedness.

Moore's position was of course contrary to the mainstream of thought in this area, and particularly the recognition, stemming from the work of Hebb and Piaget, of the importance of the early environment in laying the foundations for later development. It nevertheless had some popular appeal, and was taken up by various parent and teacher pressure groups who called for changes to school entry policies and specifically raising the age of entry to school to five years.
Principals’ and Teachers’ Attitudes: Factors Influencing The Integration of Disabled Students
Authors: Center Yola , Ferguson Cecile , Jackson Vanessa , Ward James
Published: February 2017

Although there appears to be little dispute regarding the philosophical principles underlying the policy of integrating disabled children into regular classes (mainstreaming), no such consensus exists about the effectiveness of its implementation. One possible method of identifying factors which may be related to the efficacy of the mainstreaming process is to examine the attitudes of principals and teachers towards the integration of disabled students. This is primarily because principals’ attitudes may influence their enrolment policies, while teachers’ attitudes appear to reflect their confidence in teaching a typical pupils (Hararsymiw & Horne, 1976).
The emerging role of RNAs in DNA damage repair
Authors: Hawley Ben R , Lu Wei-Ting , Wilczynska Ania , Bushell Martin
Published: February 2017

Many surveillance and repair mechanisms exist to maintain the integrity of our genome. All of the pathways described to date are controlled exclusively by proteins, which through their enzymatic activities identify breaks, propagate the damage signal, recruit further protein factors and ultimately resolve the break with little to no loss of genetic information. RNA is known to have an integral role in many cellular pathways, but, until very recently, was not considered to take part in the DNA repair process. Several reports demonstrated a conserved critical role for RNA-processing enzymes and RNA molecules in DNA repair, but the biogenesis of these damage-related RNAs and their mechanisms of action remain unknown. We will explore how these new findings challenge the idea of proteins being the sole participants in the response to DNA damage and reveal a new and exciting aspect of both DNA repair and RNA biology.
Genomic changes associated with the evolutionary transition of an insect gut symbiont into a blood-borne pathogen
Authors: Segers Francisca H I D , Kešnerová Lucie , Kosoy Michael , Engel Philipp
Published: February 2017

The genus Bartonella comprises facultative intracellular bacteria with a unique lifestyle. After transmission by blood-sucking arthropods they colonize the erythrocytes of mammalian hosts causing acute and chronic infectious diseases. Although the pathogen–host interaction is well understood, little is known about the evolutionary origin of the infection strategy manifested by Bartonella species. Here we analyzed six genomes of Bartonella apis, a honey bee gut symbiont that to date represents the closest relative of pathogenic Bartonella species. Comparative genomics revealed that B. apis encodes a large set of vertically inherited genes for amino acid and cofactor biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism. Most pathogenic bartonellae have lost these ancestral functions, but acquired specific virulence factors and expanded a vertically inherited gene family for harvesting cofactors from the blood. However, the deeply rooted pathogen Bartonella tamiae has retained many of the ancestral genome characteristics reflecting an evolutionary intermediate state toward a host-restricted intraerythrocytic lifestyle. Our findings suggest that the ancestor of the pathogen Bartonella was a gut symbiont of insects and that the adaptation to blood-feeding insects facilitated colonization of the mammalian bloodstream. This study highlights the importance of comparative genomics among pathogens and non-pathogenic relatives to understand disease emergence within an evolutionary-ecological framework.
Spectroelectrochemical analysis of the mechanism of (photo)electrochemical hydrogen evolution at a catalytic interface
Authors: Pastor Ernest , Le Formal Florian , Mayer Matthew T. , Tilley S. David , Francàs Laia , Mesa Camilo A. , Grätzel Michael , Durrant James R.
Published: February 2017

Multi-electron heterogeneous catalysis is a pivotal element in the (photo)electrochemical generation of solar fuels. However, mechanistic studies of these systems are difficult to elucidate by means of electrochemical methods alone. Here we report a spectroelectrochemical analysis of hydrogen evolution on ruthenium oxide employed as an electrocatalyst and as part of a cuprous oxide-based photocathode. We use optical absorbance spectroscopy to quantify the densities of reduced ruthenium oxide species, and correlate these with current densities resulting from proton reduction. This enables us to compare directly the catalytic function of dark and light electrodes. We find that hydrogen evolution is second order in the density of active, doubly reduced species independent of whether these are generated by applied potential or light irradiation. Our observation of a second order rate law allows us to distinguish between the most common reaction paths and propose a mechanism involving the homolytic reductive elimination of hydrogen.
Mutualism supports biodiversity when the direct competition is weak
Authors: Pascual-García Alberto , Bastolla Ugo
Published: February 2017

A key question of theoretical ecology is which properties of ecosystems favour their stability and help maintaining biodiversity. This question recently reconsidered mutualistic systems, generating intense controversy about the role of mutualistic interactions and their network architecture. Here we show analytically and verify with simulations that reducing the effective interspecific competition and the propagation of perturbations positively influences structural stability against environmental perturbations, enhancing persistence. Noteworthy, mutualism reduces the effective interspecific competition only when the direct interspecific competition is weaker than a critical value. This critical competition is in almost all cases larger in pollinator networks than in random networks with the same connectance. Highly connected mutualistic networks reduce the propagation of environmental perturbations, a mechanism reminiscent of MacArthur’s proposal that ecosystem complexity enhances stability. Our analytic framework rationalizes previous contradictory results, and it gives valuable insight on the complex relationship between mutualism and biodiversity.
PEGylated graphene oxide elicits strong immunological responses despite surface passivation
Authors: Luo Nana , Weber Jeffrey K. , Wang Shuang , Luan Binquan , Yue Hua , Xi Xiaobo , Du Jing , Yang Zaixing , Wei Wei , Zhou Ruhong , Ma Guanghui
Published: February 2017

Engineered nanomaterials promise to transform medicine at the bio–nano interface. However, it is important to elucidate how synthetic nanomaterials interact with critical biological systems before such products can be safely utilized in humans. Past evidence suggests that polyethylene glycol-functionalized (PEGylated) nanomaterials are largely biocompatible and elicit less dramatic immune responses than their pristine counterparts. We here report results that contradict these findings. We find that PEGylated graphene oxide nanosheets (nGO-PEGs) stimulate potent cytokine responses in peritoneal macrophages, despite not being internalized. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations support a mechanism by which nGO-PEGs preferentially adsorb onto and/or partially insert into cell membranes, thereby amplifying interactions with stimulatory surface receptors. Further experiments demonstrate that nGO-PEG indeed provokes cytokine secretion by enhancing integrin β8-related signalling pathways. The present results inform that surface passivation does not always prevent immunological reactions to 2D nanomaterials but also suggest applications for PEGylated nanomaterials wherein immune stimulation is desired.
RD26 mediates crosstalk between drought and brassinosteroid signalling pathways
Authors: Ye Huaxun , Liu Sanzhen , Tang Buyun , Chen Jiani , Xie Zhouli , Nolan Trevor M. , Jiang Hao , Guo Hongqing , Lin Hung-Ying , Li Lei , Wang Yanqun , Tong Hongning , Zhang Mingcai , Chu Chengcai , Li Zhaohu , Aluru Maneesha , Aluru Srinivas , Schnable Patrick S. , Yin Yanhai
Published: February 2017

Brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate plant growth and stress responses via the BES1/BZR1 family of transcription factors, which regulate the expression of thousands of downstream genes. BRs are involved in the response to drought, however the mechanistic understanding of interactions between BR signalling and drought response remains to be established. Here we show that transcription factor RD26 mediates crosstalk between drought and BR signalling. When overexpressed, BES1 target geneRD26can inhibit BR-regulated growth. Global gene expression studies suggest that RD26 can act antagonistically to BR to regulate the expression of a subset of BES1-regulated genes, thereby inhibiting BR function. We show that RD26 can interact with BES1 protein and antagonize BES1 transcriptional activity on BR-regulated genes and that BR signalling can also repress expression ofRD26and its homologues and inhibit drought responses. Our results thus reveal a mechanism coordinating plant growth and drought tolerance.
The role of alternative polyadenylation in the antiviral innate immune response
Authors: Jia Xin , Yuan Shaochun , Wang Yao , Fu Yonggui , Ge Yong , Ge Yutong , Lan Xihong , Feng Yuchao , Qiu Feifei , Li Peiyi , Chen Shangwu , Xu Anlong
Published: February 2017

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is an important regulatory mechanism of gene functions in many biological processes. However, the extent of 3′ UTR variation and the function of APA during the innate antiviral immune response are unclear. Here, we show genome-wide poly(A) sites switch and average 3′ UTR length shortens gradually in response to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection in macrophages. Genes with APA and mRNA abundance change are enriched in immune-related categories such as the Toll-like receptor, RIG-I-like receptor, JAK-STAT and apoptosis-related signalling pathways. The expression of 3′ processing factors is down-regulated upon VSV infection. When the core 3′ processing factors are knocked down, viral replication is affected. Thus, our study reports the annotation of genes with APA in antiviral immunity and highlights the roles of 3′ processing factors on 3′ UTR variation upon viral infection.
Direct experimental determination of the topological winding number of skyrmions in Cu2OSeO3
Authors: Zhang S. L. , van der Laan G. , Hesjedal T.
Published: February 2017

The mathematical concept of topology has brought about significant advantages that allow for a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics of a system. In magnetism, the topology of spin order manifests itself in the topological winding number which plays a pivotal role for the determination of the emergent properties of a system. However, the direct experimental determination of the topological winding number of a magnetically ordered system remains elusive. Here, we present a direct relationship between the topological winding number of the spin texture and the polarized resonant X-ray scattering process. This relationship provides a one-to-one correspondence between the measured scattering signal and the winding number. We demonstrate that the exact topological quantities of the skyrmion material Cu2OSeO3 can be directly experimentally determined this way. This technique has the potential to be applicable to a wide range of materials, allowing for a direct determination of their topological properties.
Human brain metastatic stroma attracts breast cancer cells via chemokines CXCL16 and CXCL12
Authors: Chung Brile , Esmaeili Ali A. , Gopalakrishna-Pillai Sailesh , Murad John P. , Andersen Emily S. , Kumar Reddy Naveen , Srinivasan Gayathri , Armstrong Brian , Chu Caleb , Kim Young , Tong Tommy , Waisman James , Yim John H. , Badie Behnam , Lee Peter P.
Published: February 2017

The tumor microenvironment is composed of heterogeneous populations of cells, including cancer, immune, and stromal cells. Progression of tumor growth and initiation of metastasis is critically dependent on the reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and stroma. Through RNA-Seq and protein analyses, we found that cancer-associated fibroblasts derived from human breast cancer brain metastasis express significantly higher levels of chemokines CXCL12 and CXCL16 than fibroblasts from primary breast tumors or normal breast. To further understand the interplay between cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts from each site, we developed three-dimensional organoids composed of patient-derived primary or brain metastasis cancer cells with matching cancer-associated fibroblasts. Three-dimensional CAF aggregates generated from brain metastasis promote migration of cancer cells more effectively than cancer-associated fibroblast aggregates derived from primary tumor or normal breast stromal cells. Treatment with a CXCR4 antagonist and/or CXCL16 neutralizing antibody, alone or in combination, significantly inhibited migration of cancer cells to brain metastatic cancer-associated fibroblast aggregates. These results demonstrate that human brain metastasis cancer-associated fibroblasts potently attract breast cancer cells via chemokines CXCL12 and CXCL16, and blocking CXCR6-CXCL16/CXCR4-CXCL12 receptor–ligand interactions may be an effective therapy for preventing breast cancer brain metastasis.
Experimental quantum forgery of quantum optical money
Authors: Bartkiewicz Karol , Černoch Antonín , Chimczak Grzegorz , Lemr Karel , Miranowicz Adam , Nori Franco
Published: February 2017

Unknown quantum information cannot be perfectly copied (cloned). This statement is the bedrock of quantum technologies and quantum cryptography, including the seminal scheme of Wiesner’s quantum money, which was the first quantum-cryptographic proposal. Surprisingly, to our knowledge, quantum money has not been tested experimentally yet. Here, we experimentally revisit the Wiesner idea, assuming a banknote to be an image encoded in the polarization states of single photons. We demonstrate that it is possible to use quantum states to prepare a banknote that cannot be ideally copied without making the owner aware of only unauthorized actions. We provide the security conditions for quantum money by investigating the physically-achievable limits on the fidelity of 1-to-2 copying of arbitrary sequences of qubits. These results can be applied as a security measure in quantum digital right management.
Theory of the evolution of superconductivity in Sr2RuO4 under anisotropic strain
Authors: Liu Yuan-Chun , Zhang Fu-Chun , Rice Thomas Maurice , Wang Qiang-Hua
Published: February 2017

Sr2RuO4 is a leading candidate for chiral p-wave superconductivity. The detailed mechanism of superconductivity in this material is still the subject of intense investigations. Since superconductivity is sensitive to the topology of the Fermi surface (the contour of zero-energy quasi-particle excitations in the momentum space in the normal state), changing this topology can provide a strong test of theory. Recent experiments tuned the Fermi surface topology efficiently by applying planar anisotropic strain. Using functional renormalization group theory, we study the superconductivity and competing orders in Sr2RuO4 under strain. We find a rapid initial increase in the superconducting transition temperature T
c
, which can be associated with the evolution of the Fermi surface toward a Lifshitz reconstruction under increasing strain. Before the Lifshitz reconstruction is reached, however, the system switches from the superconducting state to a spin density wave state. The theory agrees well with recent strain experiments showing an enhancement of T
c
followed by an intriguing sudden drop.
Erratum: Metformin sensitizes the response of oral squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin treatment through inhibition of NF-κB/HIF-1α signal axis
Authors: Qi Xiaofeng , Xu Wenguang , Xie Junqi , Wang Yufeng , Han Shengwei , Wei Zheng , Ni Yanhong , Dong Yingchun , Han Wei
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 35788; published online: 20 October 2016; updated: 24 February 2017 The original version of this Article contained a typographical error in the spelling of the author Wenguang Xu, which was incorrectly given as Wengguang Xu. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: NR4A1 Knockdown Suppresses Seizure Activity by Regulating Surface Expression of NR2B
Authors: Zhang Yanke , Chen Guojun , Gao Baobing , Li Yunlin , Liang Shuli , Wang Xiaofei , Wang Xuefeng , Zhu Binglin
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37713; published online: 23 November 2016; updated: 24 February 2017 This Article contains errors in the Experimental procedures section under subheading ‘Lentiviral vector injections’. “We recorded 24 h/day for 21 consecutive days, beginning on the 14th day after SE”.
Erratum: The development of support intuitions and object causality in juvenile Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius)
Authors: Davidson Gabrielle , Miller Rachael , Loissel Elsa , Cheke Lucy G. , Clayton Nicola S.
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 40062; published online: 05 January 2017; updated: 24 February 2017 This Article contains an error in the Methods section under the subheading ‘Subjects’: “Eurasian jays participated in the study (though see results for samples sizes for each test condition)”. should read:
Greener Route for Synthesis of aryl and alkyl-14H-dibenzo [a.j] xanthenes using Graphene Oxide-Copper Ferrite Nanocomposite as a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst
Authors: Kumar Aniket , Rout Lipeeka , Achary Lakkoji Satish Kumar , Dhaka Rajendra. S. , Dash Priyabrat
Published: February 2017

A facile, efficient and environmentally-friendly protocol for the synthesis of xanthenes by graphene oxide based nanocomposite (GO-CuFe2O4) has been developed by one-pot condensation route. The nanocomposite was designed by decorating copper ferrite nanoparticles on graphene oxide (GO) surface via a solution combustion route without the use of template. The as-synthesized GO-CuFe2O4 composite was comprehensively characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, EDX, HRTEM with EDS mapping, XPS, N2 adsorption-desorption and ICP-OES techniques. This nanocomposite was then used in an operationally simple, cost effective, efficient and environmentally benign synthesis of 14H-dibenzo xanthene under solvent free condition. The present approach offers several advantages such as short reaction times, high yields, easy purification, a cleaner reaction, ease of recovery and reusability of the catalyst by a magnetic field. Based upon various controlled reaction results, a possible mechanism for xanthene synthesis over GO-CuFe2O4 catalyst was proposed. The superior catalytic activity of the GO-CuFe2O4 nanocomposite can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between GO and CuFe2O4 nanoparticles, high surface area and presence of small sized CuFe2O4 NPs. This versatile GO-CuFe2O4 nanocomposite synthesized via combustion method holds great promise for applications in wide range of industrially important catalytic reactions.
Comprehensive analysis of long non-coding RNAs highlights their spatio-temporal expression patterns and evolutional conservation in Sus scrofa
Authors: Tang Zhonglin , Wu Yang , Yang Yalan , Yang Yu-Cheng T. , Wang Zishuai , Yuan Jiapei , Yang Yang , Hua Chaoju , Fan Xinhao , Niu Guanglin , Zhang Yubo , Lu Zhi John , Li Kui
Published: February 2017

Despite modest sequence conservation and rapid evolution, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) appear to be conserved in expression pattern and function. However, analysis of lncRNAs across tissues and developmental stages remains largely uncharacterized in mammals. Here, we systematically investigated the lncRNAs of the Guizhou miniature pig (Sus scrofa), which was widely used as biomedical model. We performed RNA sequencing across 9 organs and 3 developmental skeletal muscle, and developed a filtering pipeline to identify 10,813 lncRNAs (9,075 novel). Conservation patterns analysis revealed that 57% of pig lncRNAs showed homology to humans and mice based on genome alignment. 5,455 lncRNAs exhibited typical hallmarks of regulatory molecules, such as high spatio-temporal specificity. Notably, conserved lncRNAs exhibited higher tissue specificity than pig-specific lncRNAs and were significantly enriched in testis and ovary. Weighted co-expression network analysis revealed a set of conserved lncRNAs that are likely involved in postnatal muscle development. Based on the high degree of similarity in the structure, organization, and dynamic expression of pig lncRNAs compared with human and mouse lncRNAs, we propose that these lncRNAs play an important role in organ physiology and development in mammals. Our results provide a resource for studying animal evolution, morphological complexity, breeding, and biomedical research.
Crystal structure control of aluminized clay minerals on the mobility of caesium in contaminated soil environments
Authors: Dzene Liva , Ferrage Eric , Viennet Jean-Christophe , Tertre Emmanuel , Hubert Fabien
Published: February 2017

Radioactive caesium pollution resulting from Fukushima Dai-ichi and Chernobyl nuclear plant accidents involves strong interactions between Cs+ and clays, especially vermiculite-type minerals. In acidic soil environments, such as in Fukushima area, vermiculite is subjected to weathering processes, resulting in aluminization. The crystal structure of aluminized clays and its implications for Cs+ mobility in soils remain poorly understood due to the mixture of these minerals with other clays and organic matter. We performed acidic weathering of a vermiculite to mimic the aluminization process in soils. Combination of structure analysis and Cs+ extractability measurements show that the increase of aluminization is accompanied by an increase in Cs+ mobility. Crystal structure model for aluminized vermiculite is based on the interstratification of unaltered vermiculite layers and aluminized layers within the same particle. Cs+ in vermiculite layers is poorly mobile, while the extractability of Cs+ is greatly enhanced in aluminized layers. The overall reactivity of the weathered clay (cation exchange capacity, Cs+ mobility) is then governed by the relative abundance of the two types of layers. The proposed layer model for aluminized vermiculite with two coexisting populations of caesium is of prime importance for predicting the fate of caesium in contaminated soil environments.
Patterns in the bony skull development of marsupials: high variation in onset of ossification and conserved regions of bone contact
Authors: Spiekman Stephan N. F. , Werneburg Ingmar
Published: February 2017

Development in marsupials is specialized towards an extremely short gestation and highly altricial newborns. As a result, marsupial neonates display morphological adaptations at birth related to functional constraints. However, little is known about the variability of marsupial skull development and its relation to morphological diversity. We studied bony skull development in five marsupial species. The relative timing of the onset of ossification was compared to literature data and the ossification sequence of the marsupial ancestor was reconstructed using squared-change parsimony. The high range of variation in the onset of ossification meant that no patterns could be observed that differentiate species. This finding challenges traditional studies concentrating on the onset of ossification as a marker for phylogeny or as a functional proxy. Our study presents observations on the developmental timing of cranial bone-to-bone contacts and their evolutionary implications. Although certain bone contacts display high levels of variation, connections of early and late development are quite conserved and informative. Bones that surround the oral cavity are generally the first to connect and the bones of the occipital region are among the last. We conclude that bone contact is preferable over onset of ossification for studying cranial bone development.
Increased 4R tau expression and behavioural changes in a novel MAPT-N296H genomic mouse model of tauopathy
Authors: Wobst Heike J. , Denk Franziska , Oliver Peter L. , Livieratos Achilleas , Taylor Tonya N. , Knudsen Maria H. , Bengoa-Vergniory Nora , Bannerman David , Wade-Martins Richard
Published: February 2017

The microtubule-associated protein tau is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, which are characterized by intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. Mutations in the tau gene MAPT cause frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). In the human central nervous system, six tau isoforms are expressed, and imbalances in tau isoform ratios are associated with pathology. To date, few animal models of tauopathy allow for the potential influence of these protein isoforms, relying instead on cDNA-based transgene expression. Using the P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) technology, we created mouse lines expressing all six tau isoforms from the human MAPT locus, harbouring either the wild-type sequence or the disease-associated N296H mutation on an endogenous Mapt−/− background. Animals expressing N296H mutant tau recapitulated early key features of tauopathic disease, including a tau isoform imbalance and tau hyperphosphorylation in the absence of somatodendritic tau inclusions. Furthermore, N296H animals displayed behavioural anomalies such as hyperactivity, increased time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and increased immobility during the tail suspension test. The mouse models described provide an excellent model to study the function of wild-type or mutant tau in a highly physiological setting.
Sex and species specific isotopic niche specialisation increases with trophic complexity: evidence from an ephemeral pond ecosystem
Authors: Dalu Tatenda , Wasserman Ryan J. , Vink Tim J. F. , Weyl Olaf L. F.
Published: February 2017

It is generally accepted that organisms that naturally exploit an ecosystem facilitate coexistence, at least partially, through resource partitioning. Resource availability is, however, highly variable in space and time and as such the extent of resource partitioning must be somewhat dependent on availability. Here we test aspects of resource partitioning at the inter- and intra-specific level, in relation to resource availability in an atypical aquatic environment using an isotope approach. Using closely related key organisms from an ephemeral pond, we test for differences in isotopic signatures between two species of copepod and between sexes within each species, in relation to heterogeneity of basal food resources over the course of the ponds hydroperiod. We show that basal food resource heterogeneity increases over time initially, and then decreases towards the end of the hydroperiod, reflective of the expected evolution of trophic complexity for these systems. Resource partitioning also varied between species and sexes, over the hydroperiod with intra- and inter-specific specialisation relating to resource availability. Intra-specific specialisation was particularly evident in the omnivorous copepod species. Our findings imply that trophic specialisation at both the intra- and inter-specific level is partly driven by basal food resource availability.
Caulobacter crescentus CdnL is a non-essential RNA polymerase-binding protein whose depletion impairs normal growth and rRNA transcription
Authors: Gallego-García Aránzazu , Iniesta Antonio A. , González Diego , Collier Justine , Padmanabhan S. , Elías-Arnanz Montserrat
Published: February 2017

CdnL is an essential RNA polymerase (RNAP)-binding activator of rRNA transcription in mycobacteria and myxobacteria but reportedly not in Bacillus. Whether its function and mode of action are conserved in other bacteria thus remains unclear. Because virtually all alphaproteobacteria have a CdnL homolog and none of these have been characterized, we studied the homolog (CdnLCc) of the model alphaproteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus. We show that CdnLCc is not essential for viability but that its absence or depletion causes slow growth and cell filamentation. CdnLCc is degraded in vivo in a manner dependent on its C-terminus, yet excess CdnLCc resulting from its stabilization did not adversely affect growth. We find that CdnLCc interacts with itself and with the RNAP β subunit, and localizes to at least one rRNA promoter in vivo, whose activity diminishes upon depletion of CdnLCc. Interestingly, cells expressing CdnLCc mutants unable to interact with the RNAP were cold-sensitive, suggesting that CdnLCc interaction with RNAP is especially required at lower than standard growth temperatures in C. crescentus. Our study indicates that despite limited sequence similarities and regulatory differences compared to its myco/myxobacterial homologs, CdnLCc may share similar biological functions, since it affects rRNA synthesis, probably by stabilizing open promoter-RNAP complexes.
Inhibition of Cronobacter sakazakii Virulence Factors by Citral
Authors: Shi Chao , Sun Yi , Liu Zhiyuan , Guo Du , Sun Huihui , Sun Zheng , Chen Shan , Zhang Wenting , Wen Qiwu , Peng Xiaoli , Xia Xiaodong
Published: February 2017

Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne pathogen associated with fatal forms of necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis and sepsis in neonates and infants. The aim of this study was to determine whether citral, a major component of lemongrass oil, could suppress putative virulence factors of C. sakazakii that contribute to infection. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of citral significantly decreased motility, quorum sensing, biofilm formation and endotoxin production. Citral substantially reduced the adhesion and invasion of C. sakazakii to Caco-2 cells and decreased bacterial survival and replication within the RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Citral also repressed the expression of eighteen genes involved in the virulence. These findings suggest that citral has potential to be developed as an alternative or supplemental agent to mitigate the infections caused by C. sakazakii.
Effects of reciprocal transplantation on the microbiome and putative nitrogen cycling functions of the intertidal sponge, Hymeniacidon heliophila
Authors: Weigel Brooke L. , Erwin Patrick M.
Published: February 2017

Microbial symbionts in sponges are ubiquitous, forming complex and highly diverse host-specific communities. Conspecific sponges display remarkable stability in their symbiont communities, both spatially and temporally, yet extreme fluctuations in environmental factors can cause shifts in host-symbiont associations. We previously demonstrated that the marine spongeHymeniacidon heliophiladisplayed significant community-level differences in microbial symbiont diversity, structure and composition when sampled from intertidal and subtidal environments. Here, we conducted a 70-day reciprocal transplant experiment to directly test the effect of tidal exposure on the microbiome ofH. heliophila, using next-generation Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA gene sequences to characterize symbiont communities. While sponges transplanted between habitats displayed shifts in microbial communities after 70 days, temporal variation was the dominant factor affecting microbial community composition. Further, we identified core symbionts that persisted across these spatio-temporal scales and used a metagenomic approach to show that these dominant members of the microbiome ofH. heliophilarepresent nitrogen cycling taxa that have the potential to contribute to a diverse array of nitrogen transformations in the sponge holobiont. Together, these results indicate that despite moderate spatio-temporal shifts in symbiont composition, core symbiont functions (e.g. nitrogen cycling) can be maintained in sponge microbiomes through functional redundancy.
Between-group competition elicits within-group cooperation in children
Authors: Majolo Bonaventura , Maréchal Laëtitia
Published: February 2017

Aggressive interactions between groups are frequent in human societies and can bear significant fitness costs and benefits (e.g. death or access to resources). During between-group competitive interactions, more cohesive groups (i.e. groups formed by individuals who cooperate in group defence) should out-perform less cohesive groups, other factors being equal (e.g. group size). The cost/benefit of between-group competition are thought to have driven correlated evolution of traits that favour between-group aggression and within-group cooperation (e.g. parochial altruism). Our aim was to analyse whether the proximate relationship between between-group competition and within-group cooperation is found in 3–10 years old children and the developmental trajectory of such a relationship. We used a large cohort of children (n = 120) and tested whether simulated between-group competition increased within-group cooperation (i.e. how much of a resource children were giving to their group companions) in two experiments. We found greater within-group cooperation when groups of four children were competing with other groups then in the control condition (no between-group competition). Within-group cooperation increased with age. Our study suggests that parochial altruism and in-group/out-group biases emerge early during the course of human development.
Internal stress induced natural self-chemisorption of ZnO nanostructured films
Authors: Chi Po-Wei , Su Chih-Wei , Wei Da-Hua
Published: February 2017

The energetic particles bombardment can produce large internal stress in the zinc oxide (ZnO) thin film, and it can be used to intentionally modify the surface characteristics of ZnO films. In this article, we observed that the internal stress increased from −1.62 GPa to −0.33 GPa, and the naturally wettability of the textured ZnO nanostructured films changed from hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity. According to analysis of surface chemical states, the naturally controllable wetting behavior can be attributed to hydrocarbon adsorbates on the nanostructured film surface, which is caused by tunable internal stress. On the other hand, the interfacial water molecules near the surface of ZnO nanostructured films have been identified as hydrophobic hydrogen structure by Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflection. Moreover, a remarkable near-band-edge emission peak shifting also can be observed in PL spectra due to the transition of internal stress state. Furthermore, our present ZnO nanostructured films also exhibited excellent transparency over 80% with a wise surface wetting switched from hydrophobic to hydrophilic states after exposing in ultraviolet (UV) surroundings. Our work demonstrated that the internal stress of the thin film not only induced natural wettability transition of ZnO nanostructured films, but also in turn affected the surface properties such as surface chemisorption.
Linkage between N2O emission and functional gene abundance in an intensively managed calcareous fluvo-aquic soil
Authors: Yang Liuqing , Zhang Xiaojun , Ju Xiaotang
Published: February 2017

The linkage between N2O emissions and the abundance of nitrifier and denitrifier genes is unclear in the intensively managed calcareous fluvo-aquic soils of the North China Plain. We investigated the abundance of bacterial amoA for nitrification and narG, nirS, nirK, and nosZ for denitrification by in situ soil sampling to determine how the abundance of these genes changes instantly during N fertilization events and is related to high N2O emission peaks. We also investigated how long-term incorporated straw and/or manure affect(s) the abundance of these genes based on a seven-year field experiment. The overall results demonstrate that the long-term application of urea-based fertilizer and/or manure significantly enhanced the number of bacterial amoA gene copies leading to high N2O emission peaks after N fertilizer applications. These peaks contributed greatly to the annual N2O emissions in the crop rotation. A significant correlation between annual N2O emissions and narG, nirS, and nirK gene numbers indicates that the abundance of these genes is related to N2O emission under conditions for denitrification, thus partly contributing to the annual N2O emissions. These findings will help to draw up appropriate measures for mitigation of N2O emissions in this ‘hotspot’ region.
Compact, cost-effective and field-portable microscope prototype based on MISHELF microscopy
Authors: Sanz Martín , Picazo-Bueno José Ángel , Granero Luis , García Javier , Micó Vicente
Published: February 2017

We report on a reduced cost, portable and compact prototype design of lensless holographic microscope with an illumination/detection scheme based on wavelength multiplexing, working with single hologram acquisition and using a fast convergence algorithm for image processing. All together, MISHELF (initials coming from Multi-Illumination Single-Holographic-Exposure Lensless Fresnel) microscopy allows the recording of three Fresnel domain diffraction patterns in a single camera snap-shot incoming from illuminating the sample with three coherent lights at once. Previous implementations have proposed an illumination/detection procedure based on a tuned (illumination wavelengths centered at the maximum sensitivity of the camera detection channels) configuration but here we report on a detuned (non-centered ones) scheme resulting in prototype miniaturization and cost reduction. Thus, MISHELF microscopy in combination with a novel and fast iterative algorithm allows high-resolution (μm range) phase-retrieved (twin image elimination) quantitative phase imaging of dynamic events (video rate recording speed). The performance of this microscope prototype is validated through experiments using both amplitude (USAF resolution test) and complex (live swine sperm cells and flowing microbeads) samples. The proposed method becomes in an alternative instrument improving some capabilities of existing lensless microscopes.
Low content Pt nanoparticles anchored on N-doped reduced graphene oxide with high and stable electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Zeyu , Gao Qiuming , Zhang Hang , Tian Weiqian , Tan Yanli , Qian Weiwei , Liu Zhengping
Published: February 2017

A novel kind of Pt/N-rGO hybrid possessing of low content 5.31 wt.% Pt anchored on the surface of nitrogen doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) evenly was prepared. The Pt has uniformed 2.8 nm diameter and exposed (111) crystal planes; meanwhile, the N works as the bridge between Pt and rGO with the Pt-N and N-C chemical bonds in Pt/N-rGO. The Pt/N-rGO material has a very high electrocatalytic activity in oxygen reduction reaction with the mass catalytic activity more than 1.5 times of the commercial Pt/C due to the synergistic catalytic effect of both N-doped carbon matrix and Pt nanoparticles. Moreover, the Pt/N-rGO exhibits an excellent stability with hardly loss (only 0.4%) after accelerated durability tests of 5000 cycles based on the stable Pt-N-C chemical bonds in Pt/N-rGO, which can prevent the detachment, dissolution, migration and aggregation of Pt nanoparticles on the matrix during the long-term cycling.
Erratum: A visual processing advantage for young-adolescent deaf observers: Evidence from face and object matching tasks
Authors: Megreya Ahmed M. , Bindemann Markus
Published: February 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 41133; published online: 24 January 2017; updated: 24 February 2017 This article contains typographical errors in the ‘Methods’ section under subheading ‘Stimuli’. “All face images measured approximately 7 × 10 cm and were shown in full-face view with a neutral expression (for full details about the construction of these stimuli, see ref.
Hydrogel based cartilaginous tissue regeneration: recent insights and technologies
Authors: Chuah Yon Jin , Peck Yvonne , Lau Jia En Josias , Hee Hwan Tak , Wang Dong-An
Published: February 2017

Hydrogel based technologies has been extensively employed in both exploratory research and clinical applications to address numerous existing challenges in the regeneration of articular cartilage and intervertebral disc.
Coexistence of ice clusters and liquid-like water clusters on the Ru(0001) surface
Authors: Liu Feng , Sturm J. M. , Lee Chris J. , Bijkerk Fred
Published: February 2017

Detailed RAIRS spectra reveal rich and varied local hydrogen bonding structures inside the two types of water clusters found on the Ru(0001) surface.
Ultrafast exciton dynamics in 2D in-plane hetero-nanostructures: delocalization and charge transfer
Authors: Cassette E. , Pedetti S. , Mahler B. , Ithurria S. , Dubertret B. , Scholes G. D.
Published: February 2017

The ultrafast dynamics in Cd-based 2D in-plane heterostructures is revealed by femtosecond optical spectroscopy.
Dietary fat proportionately enhances oxidative stress and glucose intolerance followed by impaired expression of the genes associated with mitochondrial biogenesis
Authors: Das Nabanita , Mandala Ashok , Bhattacharjee Sudarshan , Mukherjee Debasri , Bandyopadhyay Debasish , Roy Sib Sankar
Published: February 2017

Our study emphasises the importance of dietary fat modification in modulating oxidative stress-induced glucose tolerance.
Lab-on-a-chip mRNA purification and reverse transcription via a solid-phase gene extraction technique
Authors: Nestorova Gergana G. , Hasenstein Karl , Nguyen Nam , DeCoster Mark A. , Crews Niel D.
Published: February 2017

We report a lab-on-a-chip method for integrated extraction and analysis of mRNA from 3D cells using 130 μm in diameter stainless steel needles.
How RNase HI (Escherichia coli) promoted site-selective hydrolysis works on RNA in duplex with carba-LNA and LNA substituted antisense strands in an antisense strategy context?
Authors: Plashkevych Oleksandr , Li Qing , Chattopadhyaya Jyoti
Published: February 2017

Kinetic study of 36 AON–RNA heteroduplexes single modified by locked nucleic acid (LNA) or by carba-LNA show site-dependent modulation of RNase H promoted cleavage of RNA strand by 2 to 5 fold with preferential 5′-GpN-3′ cleavage sites, giving up to 70% of the products.
Sterical ligand stabilization of nanocrystals versus electrostatic shielding by ionic compounds: a principle model study with TEM and XPS
Authors: Mohrhusen Lars , Osmić Milena
Published: February 2017

Electrostaticversussterical ligand stabilization: competitive stabilization mechanism play a key role in the control of nanomaterial properties.