bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of Cold‐Pressed Oil from Commercial Indian Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) Seed as affected by Blending and Interesterification
Authors: Bhatnagar A. S. , Gopala Krishna A. G.
Published: October 2015

Blending and interesterification of cold‐pressed oil from commercially available niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) seeds was performed to improve its stability. The fatty acid composition of cold‐pressed niger seed oil (NSO) revealed that it contained a huge amount of polyunsaturated linoleic acid (69.2 %). NSO being rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was susceptible to oxidation and hence was blended with saturated fatty acid (SFA) rich coconut oil (CNO) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) rich olive–pomace oil (OO) to enhance its stability. CNO contained a total of 91.3 % of SFA, while OO had oleic acid, C18:1 (74.3 %) as MUFA. Two blends of NSO with CNO and OO, i.e. NSO + CNO(B) and NSO + OO(B), were prepared in the ratio of 1:1. The blends were further interesterified using the lipase enzyme from Rhizomucor meihei and interesterified oils, i.e. NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I), were obtained. The oxidative stability of the oils was evaluated by incubating them at 37 °C and 55 % relative humidity (RH) for a period of 45 days. The peroxide values of NSO + CNO(B), NSO + OO(B), NSO + CNO(I) and NSO + OO(I) showed a reduction by 53.3, 42.6, 65.3 and 55.4 %, respectively, while the conjugated diene values showed a reduction by 75.0, 66.9, 76.7 and 75.3 %, respectively, as compared to NSO during the incubation period. This is probably the first report on the stability improvement of niger seed oil through blending and interesterification.
Die Hochschullandschaft im demographischen Wandel – Entwicklungstrends und Handlungsalternativen
Authors: Fritsch Michael , Piontek Matthias
Published: October 2015

What are the effects of the expected demographic development for universities? Our analysis shows that the expected demographic change will affect regions and universities quite differently according to their location, status, and size. A decreasing number of students could particularly endanger the existence of small universities of applied sciences in regions with pronounced population decline. The link between the number of population and the number of students in a region is, however, not very close due to the spatial mobility of students. Hence, competition for students between universities will play an increasing role.
Crystal structure of human nuclear pore complex component NUP43
Authors: Xu Chao , Li Zhihong , He Hao , Wernimont Amy , Li Yanjun , Loppnau Peter , Min Jinrong
Published: October 2015

Nuclear pore complexes (NPC) form nuclear pores that cross the nuclear envelope and allow molecules to transport between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. We solved the crystal structure of human Nup43 (hNUP43), an important component in the Nup107 subcomplex of NPC. hNup43 adopts a seven‐bladed β‐propeller fold. We confirmed by ITC that neither human Nup37 (hNup37) nor human Nup133 (hNup133) interacts with hNup43. We demonstrated by analytical gel filtration that the human Nup85‐Seh1L binary complex recruits hNup43 to form a ternary complex. Based on amino acid sequence analysis, we predicted the hNup85‐hSeh1L binding surface of hNup43.
Structural insights into the loss of catalytic competence in pectate lyase activity at low pH
Authors: Ali Salyha , Søndergaard Chresten R. , Teixeira Susana , Pickersgill Richard W.
Published: September 2015

Pectate lyase, a family 1 polysaccharide lyase, catalyses cleavage of the α‐1,4 linkage of the polysaccharide homogalacturonan via ananti β‐elimination reaction. In the Michaelis complex two calcium ions bind between the C6 carboxylate of thed‐galacturonate residue and enzyme aspartates at the active centre (+1 subsite), they withdraw electrons acidifying the C5 proton facilitating its abstraction by the catalytic arginine. Here we show that activity is lost at low pH because protonation of aspartates results in the loss of the two catalytic calcium‐ions causing a profound failure to correctly organise the Michaelis complex.
The zinc‐finger protein SPT4 interacts with SPT5L/KTF1 and modulates transcriptional silencing inArabidopsis
Authors: Köllen Karin , Dietz Lena , Bies-Etheve Natacha , Lagrange Thierry , Grasser Marion , Grasser Klaus D.
Published: September 2015

TheArabidopsis multidomain protein SPT5L/KTF1 (which has similarity to the transcript elongation factor SPT5) associates with RNA polymerase V (RNAPV) and is an accessory factor in RNA‐directed DNA methylation. The zinc‐finger protein SPT4 was found to interact with SPT5L (and SPT5) both in vivo and in vitro. Here, we show that plants depleted of SPT4 relative to wild type display reduced DNA methylation and the locus specificity is shared with SPT5L, suggesting a cooperation of SPT4 and SPT5L. Unlike observed for SPT5, no reduced protein level of SPT5L is determined in SPT4‐deficient plants. These experiments demonstrate that in addition to the RNA polymerase II‐associated SPT4/SPT5 that is generally conserved in eukaryotes, flowering plants have SPT4/SPT5L that is involved in RNAPV‐mediated transcriptional silencing.
Making reform stick: Political acumen as an element of political capacity for policy change and innovation
Authors: Pal Leslie A , Clark Ian D
Published: September 2015

Political acumen as an element of policy capacity involves feasibly and successfully steering policies through organizations and systems. “Normal” policy-making makes no great demands in this regard, and so this paper focuses instead on deep policy reforms that typically engender resistance among organizations and stakeholders. Our approach assumes that the nature of these types of changes is paradigmatic and non-Pareto optimal (imposing losses), and take place within policy systems having reasonable degrees of feedback that require policy reformers to negotiate and adjust their reform agenda. We offer a model of political acumen in dealing with deep policy reform that has 10 characteristics, collected under three sub-categories: (1) the nature of the policy problem, (2) the policy response, and (3) policy skills or capacity. Based on this model, we assess the advice on policy reform in the literature and from the OECD and the World Bank — organizations both deeply engaged in governance reform agendas. Basic tools for policy managers are compensating losers, spreading losses over time, grand parenting, and insulating decision-makers, while elected leaders need to develop mandates for change, build coalitions, and engage in heresthetics. At the highest level, political acumen involves the strategic capacity to manage and implement significant policy change.
Rising Incidence of Clostridium difficile Related Discharges among Hospitalized Children in the United States
Authors: Pant Chaitanya , Deshpande Abhishek , Gilroy Richard , Olyaee Mojtaba , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: October 2015

Using a national database, we report an increasing trend in Clostridium difficile incidence among hospitalized children in the United States from 2003 to 2012. The incidence rate of CDI increased from 24.0 to 58.0 per 10,000 discharges per year (P<0.001) across all age groups, with the greatest increase in children 15 years and older.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;37(1):104–106
The Bar Fight Theory of International Conflict: Regime Type, Coalition Size, and Victory
Authors: Graham Benjamin A.T. , Gartzke Erik , Fariss Christopher J.
Published: October 2015

Studies of regime type and war show that democracies tend to win the wars they fight, but questions remain about why this is the case. A simple, if underappreciated, explanation for democratic success is that democracies fight alongside larger and more powerful coalitions. Coalition partners bring additional material capabilities and may also provide intangible benefits to the war effort, such as increased legitimacy or confidence. Democracies may also find it less costly to join coalitions, as democratic war aims may be easier to apportion among the victors without diluting the spoils. Evaluating our hypotheses in a sample of all wars (or all militarized disputes) during the period 1816–2000, we find that democracies fight alongside larger coalitions and that states fighting alongside larger coalitions are more likely to win major contests. Coalition size subsumes most (and in some specifications all) of the direct effect of regime type on victory.
MOUSIKÊAND MYSTERIES: A NIETZSCHEAN READING OF AESCHYLUS’BASSARIDES
Authors: Burges Watson Sarah
Published: October 2015

In chapter 12 ofBirth of Tragedy, Nietzsche describes Socrates as the new Orpheus, who rises up against Dionysus and murders tragedy:

… in league with Socrates, Euripides dared to be the herald of a new kind of artistic creation. If this caused the older tragedy to perish, then aesthetic Socratism is the murderous principle; but in so far as the fight was directed against the Dionysiac nature of the older art, we may identify Socrates as the opponent of Dionysos, the new Orpheus who rises up against Dionysos and who, although fated to be torn apart by the maenads of the Athenian court of justice, nevertheless forces the great and mighty god himself to flee. As before, when he fled from Lycurgus, King of the Edonians, Dionysos now sought refuge in the depths of the sea, namely in the mystical waters of a secret cult which gradually spread across the entire world. (Trans. R. Speirs) (Cambridge, 1999), 64
‘STEALING THE WAY’ TO MECCA: WEST AFRICAN PILGRIMS AND ILLICIT RED SEA PASSAGES, 1920s–50s
Authors: MIRAN JONATHAN
Published: October 2015

West African participation in the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) grew considerably throughout the first half of the twentieth century. This article examines the causes and consequences of failed British and Saudi efforts to channel, regulate, and control the trans-Sahelian flow of pilgrims and enforce a regime of mobility along the Sahel and across the Red Sea. Focusing specifically on Red Sea ‘illicit’ passages, the study recovers the rampant and often harrowing crossings of dozens of thousands of West African pilgrims from the Eritrean to the Arabian coasts. It examines multiple factors that drove the circumvention of channeling and control measures and inscribes the experiences of West African historical actors on multiple historiographic fields that are seldom organically tied to West Africa: Northeast African regional history, the colonial history of Italian Eritrea, and the Red Sea as a maritime space connecting Africa with Arabia.
‘I WANT TO FOLLOW KWAKU’: THE CONSTRUCTION OF SELF AND HOME BY UNFREE CHILDREN IN THE GOLD COAST,c. 1941
Authors: CAMMAERT JESSICA V.
Published: October 2015

Scholars of children and migration have recently turned their attention to how children mediate home and belonging, especially through contradictory or challenging circumstances. For unfree children in Africa, challenging circumstances of sale or debt-bondage pose particular difficulties. Despite what historians of slavery have noted of their adaptability for survival, questions remain about how the unfree child constructs self, home, and belonging when transferred over long distances, and when age and size precludes running away as a strategy for survival or return. This article focuses on the transcript involving the testimonies of three young, unfree girls transacted in 1930 and redeemed through a district court of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast in 1941. Though their testimonies are provided within the arena of a male, colonial district court, Atawa, Kibadu, and Abnofo reveal how their treatment, duration of bondage, and geographical and cultural distance shaped their constructions of self, home, and belonging.
THE BEGINNINGS OF WRITING ON CRETE: THEORY AND CONTEXT
Authors: Ferrara Silvia
Published: October 2015

This article examines the inception of writing on Crete in the second millenniumbcfrom a fresh methodological perspective. It aims to develop a synoptic understanding of the origin, purpose, experience, and significance of the earliest attestations of writing on the island, to investigate the context of its creation, and to explore the cultural triggers that underlie the application of writing in the context of Middle Minoan Crete. Three key points are considered: the problematic definition of early writing on Crete, the possible identification of the subject matter of the Cretan hieroglyphic inscriptions on sealstones, and the script's level of indebtedness to pre-existing models. These paths of investigation are also crucial points of departure for understanding the phenomenon of early writing in more general terms, from a multidisciplinary perspective that seeks to advocate a synergic collaboration between anthropology, archaeology, epigraphy and sociolinguistics.
The Human Dimension of the Protection of the Cultural Heritage from Destruction during Armed Conflicts
Authors: Drazewska Berenika
Published: October 2015

The concept of the “cultural heritage of all humankind” is often summarily dismissed by scholars, possibly due to the aura of unscholarly idealism it appears to emanate. However, it has long been claimed that the special status of objects of cultural, historical, or religious value is a consequence of their importance to the whole humanity rather than their economic or aesthetic value. Global outrage provoked by destruction of unique symbols of our shared past is proof that such claims are not unfounded. Considering that cultural heritage faces increasing risk of intentional destruction for ideological reasons, and the discriminatory intent inherent in such devastations poses a threat to the entire international community, it is opportune to initiate a discussion on the adequacy of the existing legal mechanisms for the protection of cultural heritage in armed conflicts and the perspectives it offers to address these challenges in a comprehensive and informed manner.
For Better and For Worse: Evolving United States Policy on Cultural Property Litigation and Restitution
Authors: Gerstenblith Patty
Published: October 2015

This article reviews the shift in cultural property litigation in the United States over the past twenty-five years from private replevin actions, in which the original owner sues the current possessor and must bear the costs as well as overcome procedural and logistical obstacles, in particular the statutes of limitation, to civil forfeiture actions instituted by the U.S. government to obtain restitution. The article then analyzes recent cases that arguably illustrate over-enforcement of the law through the use of unclear legal standards in civil forfeiture. It then turns to shortcomings in the effectiveness of U.S. law, in particular the difficulty in imposing emergency import restrictions in the cases of Iraq and Syria, and an over-emphasis on the use of civil forfeiture, which has largely replaced criminal prosecutions in the cultural property arena—but without which there is no true deterrent to trafficking in illegal cultural objects.
Art Lawyers’ Due Diligence Obligations: A Difficult Equilibrium between Law and Ethics
Authors: Giroud Sandrine , Boudry Charles
Published: October 2015

This article examines the duties of diligence of lawyers when handling art-related matters. Due diligence is paramount to any activity in the art market and a key element in ascertaining ownership, authenticity or provenance. In particular, it is a benchmark to help determine the existence of possible criminal activities, including money laundering, terrorism financing or document forgery, to which the art market is regularly exposed. The question arises as to the obligations incumbent to art lawyers who are privileged witnesses of the functioning of the art market. Such obligations include in particular the duty to enquire on the particularities of a transaction, the duty to terminate a mandate or the duty to report any suspicious transaction under threat of civil or criminal sanctions. A survey has shown that art law specialists would welcome more guidance in the form of tailored regulations or professional guidelines.
Evaluating abundance and trends in a Hawaiian avian community using state-space analysis
Authors: CAMP RICHARD J. , BRINCK KEVIN W. , GORRESEN P. MARCOS , PAXTON EBEN H.
Published: September 2015

Estimating population abundances and patterns of change over time are important in both ecology and conservation. Trend assessment typically entails fitting a regression to a time series of abundances to estimate population trajectory. However, changes in abundance estimates from year-to-year across time are due to both true variation in population size (process variation) and variation due to imperfect sampling and model fit. State-space models are a relatively new method that can be used to partition the error components and quantify trends based only on process variation. We compare a state-space modelling approach with a more traditional linear regression approach to assess trends in uncorrected raw counts and detection-corrected abundance estimates of forest birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawai‘i. Most species demonstrated similar trends using either method. In general, evidence for trends using state-space models was less strong than for linear regression, as measured by estimates of precision. However, while the state-space models may sacrifice precision, the expectation is that these estimates provide a better representation of the real world biological processes of interest because they are partitioning process variation (environmental and demographic variation) and observation variation (sampling and model variation). The state-space approach also provides annual estimates of abundance which can be used by managers to set conservation strategies, and can be linked to factors that vary by year, such as climate, to better understand processes that drive population trends.
Slow life history traits in an endangered tropical island bird, the Ma’oma’o
Authors: STIRNEMANN REBECCA L. , POTTER MURRAY A. , BUTLER DAVID , MINOT EDWARD O.
Published: September 2015

An effective conservation strategy for a species requires knowledge of its biology and life history. This applies to the endangered Ma’oma’o Gymnomyza samoensis, a honeyeater endemic to the Samoan archipelago. Now locally extinct in American Samoa, this species is currently found only in declining numbers on the islands of Upolu and Savai’i in Samoa. Despite being endangered, the life history and breeding behaviour of the Ma’oma’o has not been documented previously. Here we examine Ma’oma’o nesting and breeding biology, which are unique among studied honeyeaters and unusual for passerines in general. Ma’oma’o lay only a single egg per clutch and have an extended breeding season that occurs outside the rainy season and peaks during budburst. Allometric analysis of the length of the nesting period of different honeyeaters versus adult body weight showed that Ma’oma’o remain in the nest for a longer period than expected for their body size. The post-fledging dependency period of 2.5–3 months was also extended compared to other honeyeater species. No Ma’oma’o were observed re-nesting after successfully raising a chick, though pairs attempted to re-nest following breeding failure. Despite the extended breeding season, the maximum annual reproductive capacity of Ma’oma’o is limited by their one-egg clutch and failure to nest again after fledging one chick. We discuss how these slow life history traits can influence conservation strategies, affect monitoring and limit recovery.
Monitoring the health of the work environment with a daily assessment tool: the REAL – Relative Environment Assessment Lens – indicator
Authors: Hinsley Karen E. , Marshall Audrey C. , Hurtig Michelle H. , Thornton Jason M. , O’Connell Cheryl A. , Porter Courtney L. , Connor Jean A. , Hickey Patricia A.
Published: October 2015

Background

Evidence shows that the health of the work environment impacts staff satisfaction, interdisciplinary communication, and patient outcomes. Utilising the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Healthy Work Environment standards, we developed a daily assessment tool.

Methods

The Relative Environment Assessment Lens (REAL) Indicator was developed using a consensus-based method to evaluate the health of the work environment and to identify opportunities for improvement from the front-line staff. A visual scale using images that resemble emoticons was linked with a written description of feelings about their work environment that day, with the highest number corresponding to the most positive experience. Face validity was established by seeking staff feedback and goals were set.

Results

Over 10 months, results from the REAL Indicator in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory indicated an overall good work environment. The goal of 80% of the respondents reporting their work environment to be “Great”, “Good”, or “Satisfactory” was met each month. During the same time frame, this goal was met four times in the cardiovascular operating room. On average, 72.7% of cardiovascular operating room respondents reported their work environment to be “Satisfactory” or better.

Conclusion

The REAL Indicator has become a valuable tool in assessing the specific issues of the clinical area and identifying opportunities for improvement. Given the feasibility of and positive response to this tool in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, it has been adopted in other patient-care areas where staff and leaders believe that they need to understand the health of the environment in a more specific and frequent time frame.
Evaluation of a focussed protocol for hand-held echocardiography and computer-assisted auscultation in detecting latent rheumatic heart disease in scholars
Authors: Zühlke Liesl J. , Engel Mark E. , Nkepu Simpiwe , Mayosi Bongani M.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Echocardiography is the diagnostic test of choice for latent rheumatic heart disease. The utility of echocardiography for large-scale screening is limited by high cost, complex diagnostic protocols, and time to acquire multiple images. We evaluated the performance of a brief hand-held echocardiography protocol and computer-assisted auscultation in detecting latent rheumatic heart disease with or without pathological murmur.

Methods

A total of 27 asymptomatic patients with latent rheumatic heart disease based on the World Heart Federation criteria and 66 healthy controls were examined by standard cardiac auscultation to detect pathological murmur. Hand-held echocardiography using a focussed protocol that utilises one view – that is, the parasternal long-axis view – and one measurement – that is, mitral regurgitant jet – and a computer-assisted auscultation utilising an automated decision tool were performed on all patients.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of computer-assisted auscultation in latent rheumatic heart disease were 4% (95% CI 1.0–20.4%) and 93.7% (95% CI 84.5–98.3%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the focussed hand-held echocardiography protocol for definite rheumatic heart disease were 92.3% (95% CI 63.9–99.8%) and 100%, respectively. The test reliability of hand-held echocardiography was 98.7% for definite and 94.7% for borderline disease, and the adjusted diagnostic odds ratios were 1041 and 263.9 for definite and borderline disease, respectively.

Conclusion

Computer-assisted auscultation has extremely low sensitivity but high specificity for pathological murmur in latent rheumatic heart disease. Focussed hand-held echocardiography has fair sensitivity but high specificity and diagnostic utility for definite or borderline rheumatic heart disease in asymptomatic patients.
No effect of artificial gravity on lung function with exercise training during head-down bed rest
Authors: Su Longxiang , Guo Yinghua , Wang Yajuan , Wang Delong , Liu Changting
Published: October 2015

To explore the effectiveness of microgravity simulated by head-down bed rest (HDBR) and artificial gravity (AG) with exercise on lung function. Twenty-four volunteers were randomly divided into control and exercise countermeasure (CM) groups for 96 h of 6° HDBR. Comparisons of pulse rate, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) and lung function were made between these two groups at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 h. Compared with the sitting position, inspiratory capacity and respiratory reserve volume were significantly higher than before HDBR (0° position) (P< 0.05). Vital capacity, expiratory reserve volume, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced inspiratory vital capacity, forced inspiratory volume in 1 s, forced expiratory flow at 25, 50 and 75%, maximal mid-expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow were all significantly lower than those before HDBR (P< 0.05). Neither control nor CM groups showed significant differences in the pulse rate, SpO2, pulmonary volume and pulmonary ventilation function over the HDBR observation time. Postural changes can lead to variation in lung volume and ventilation function, but a HDBR model induced no changes in pulmonary function and therefore should not be used to study AG CMs.
Annuity choices and income drawdown: evidence from the decumulation phase of defined contribution pensions in England
Authors: BANKS JAMES , CRAWFORD ROWENA , TETLOW GEMMA
Published: October 2015

We provide new empirical evidence on the importance of defined contribution pension wealth in England, and the nature of annuitization decisions taken by older adults who retire with such sources of wealth. Other things equal, financial literacy, and numeracy in particular, are important factors governing individuals’ choices over whether to shop around for an annuity as opposed to taking the ‘path of least resistance’ option and purchasing from their original pension fund provider. This has important policy and welfare implications given that buying an annuity on the open market has significant financial benefits for most people. In the context of the increasing reliance on private provision for retirement, the importance of individuals having the financial literacy to successfully navigate complex financial decisions late in life should not be underestimated.
Suizid – ethische und rechtliche Aspekte
Authors: Hoff Paul
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag beleuchtet das Phänomen der Suizidalität mit Blick auf das in der jüngeren Vergangenheit intensiv diskutierte medizinethische Spannungsfeld von Patientenautonomie einerseits und ärztlicher Fürsorgepflicht andererseits. Es braucht hier auch zukünftig eine breite gesellschaftliche Debatte. Fragen zur Suizidalität und zum assistierten Suizid betreffen die Medizin und hier speziell die Psychiatrie in hohem Masse, können aber nicht vollständig an sie delegiert werden.
Suizid – Generelle Aspekte, Epidemiologie, Risikofaktoren
Authors: Ajdacic-Gross Vladeta
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die Forschung zum Suizid blickt auf einen grossen, seit über 100 Jahren geöffnetem Reichtum an epidemiologischen Daten und empirischem Wissen. Zugleich hinkt das theoretische Verständnis des Gegenstandes der Empirie hinterher. Suizid, Suizidversuche, wie auch allgemeiner suizidales Verhalten stellen sich deutlich heterogener dar, als die meisten Erklärungsansätze dies wahrhaben wollen. Zusammen mit ausgewählten epidemiologischen Befunden lieferte in neuerer Zeit vor allem die Prävention entscheidende Anstösse zu einem besseren Verständnis. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Ergebnisse der Epidemiologie des Suizids für die Schweiz, die wichtigsten Risikofaktoren und vermittelt die wichtigsten Schlussfolgerungen aufgrund gelungener präventiver Massnahmen.
Mayyasi-Matta Receives the 2015 Fred L. Scarf Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2015

Majd Mayyasi-Matta will receive the Fred L. Scarf Award. She will be formally presented with the award at the 2015 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 14–18 December in San Francisco, Calif.
Downregulation of the cancer susceptibility protein WRAP53β in epithelial ovarian cancer leads to defective DNA repair and poor clinical outcome
Authors: Hedström E , Pederiva C , Farnebo J , Nodin B , Jirström K , Brennan D J , Farnebo M
Published: October 2015

Alterations in the scaffold protein WRAP53β have previously been linked to carcinogenesis and, in particular, associated with an increased risk for epithelial ovarian cancer. Here, we investigated the pathogenic impact and prognostic significance of WRAP53β in connection with epithelial ovarian cancer and examined the underlying mechanisms. We find that reduced expression of WRAP53β in ovarian tumors correlated with attenuated DNA damage response and poor patient survival. Furthermore, in ovarian cancer cell lines, WRAP53β was rapidly recruited to DNA double-strand breaks, where it orchestrated the recruitment of repair factors involved in homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, including RNF168, 53BP1, BRCA1 and RAD51. Mechanistically, WRAP53β accomplishes this by facilitating the necessary ubiquitinylation at DNA breaks. Finally, we demonstrate that loss of WRAP53β significantly impairs the repair of DNA double-strand breaks, resulting in their accumulation. Our findings establish WRAP53β as a regulator of homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining repair in ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that loss of this protein contributes to the development and/or progression of ovarian tumors. Moreover, our current observations identify the nuclear levels of WRAP53β as a promising biomarker for the survival of patients with ovarian cancer.
Localization of Hippo signalling complexes and Warts activation in vivo
Authors: Sun Shuguo , Reddy B. V. V. G. , Irvine Kenneth D.
Published: September 2015

Hippo signalling controls organ growth and cell fate by regulating the activity of the kinase Warts. Multiple Hippo pathway components localize to apical junctions in epithelial cells, but the spatial and functional relationships among components have not been clarified, nor is it known where Warts activation occurs. We report here that Hippo pathway components in Drosophila wing imaginal discs are organized into distinct junctional complexes, including separate distributions for Salvador, Expanded, Warts and Hippo. These complexes are reorganized on Hippo pathway activation, when Warts shifts from associating with its inhibitor Jub to its activator Expanded, and Hippo concentrates at Salvador sites. We identify mechanisms promoting Warts relocalization, and using a phospho-specific antisera and genetic manipulations, identify where Warts activation occurs: at apical junctions where Expanded, Salvador, Hippo and Warts overlap. Our observations define spatial relationships among Hippo signalling components and establish the functional importance of their localization to Warts activation.
A deuterostome origin of the Spemann organiser suggested by Nodal and ADMPs functions in Echinoderms
Authors: Lapraz François , Haillot Emmanuel , Lepage Thierry
Published: October 2015

During development of chordates, establishment of the body plan relies on the activity of an organizing centre located on the dorsal side of the embryo that patterns the embryo and induces neural tissue. Intriguingly, the evolutionary origin of this crucial signalling centre remains unclear and whether analogous organizers regulate D/V patterning in other deuterostome or protostome phyla is not known. Here we provide evidence that the ventral ectoderm of the sea urchin embryo is a long-range organizing centre that shares several fundamental properties with the Spemann organizer: the ability to induce duplicated embryonic axes when ectopically induced, the ability to induce neural fate in neighbouring tissues and the ability to finely regulate the level of BMP signalling by using an autoregulatory expansion–repression mechanism. These findings suggest that the evolutionary origin of the Spemann organizer is more ancient than previously thought and that it may possibly be traced back to the common ancestor of deuterostomes.
Enhanced light absorption by mixed source black and brown carbon particles in UK winter
Authors: Liu Shang , Aiken Allison C. , Gorkowski Kyle , Dubey Manvendra K. , Cappa Christopher D. , Williams Leah R. , Herndon Scott C. , Massoli Paola , Fortner Edward C. , Chhabra Puneet S. , Brooks William A. , Onasch Timothy B. , Jayne John T. , Worsnop Douglas R. , China Swarup , Sharma Noopur , Mazzoleni Claudio , Xu Lu , Ng Nga L. , Liu Dantong , Allan James D. , Lee James D. , Fleming Zoë L. , Mohr Claudia , Zotter Peter , Szidat Sönke , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: September 2015

Black carbon (BC) and light-absorbing organic carbon (brown carbon, BrC) play key roles in warming the atmosphere, but the magnitude of their effects remains highly uncertain. Theoretical modelling and laboratory experiments demonstrate that coatings on BC can enhance BC’s light absorption, therefore many climate models simply assume enhanced BC absorption by a factor of ∼1.5. However, recent field observations show negligible absorption enhancement, implying models may overestimate BC’s warming. Here we report direct evidence of substantial field-measured BC absorption enhancement, with the magnitude strongly depending on BC coating amount. Increases in BC coating result from a combination of changing sources and photochemical aging processes. When the influence of BrC is accounted for, observationally constrained model calculations of the BC absorption enhancement can be reconciled with the observations. We conclude that the influence of coatings on BC absorption should be treated as a source and regionally specific parameter in climate models.
Non-invasive imaging and cellular tracking of pulmonary emboli by near-infrared fluorescence and positron-emission tomography
Authors: Page Michael J. , Lourenço André L. , David Tovo , LeBeau Aaron M. , Cattaruzza Fiore , Castro Helena C. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Coughlin Shaun R. , Craik Charles S.
Published: October 2015

Functional imaging of proteolytic activity is an emerging strategy to quantify disease and response to therapy at the molecular level. We present a new peptide-based imaging probe technology that advances these goals by exploiting enzymatic activity to deposit probes labelled with near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores or radioisotopes in cell membranes of disease-associated proteolysis. This strategy allows for non-invasive detection of protease activity in vivo and ex vivo by tracking deposited probes in tissues. We demonstrate non-invasive detection of thrombin generation in a murine model of pulmonary embolism using our protease-activated peptide probes in microscopic clots within the lungs with NIR fluorescence optical imaging and positron-emission tomography. Thrombin activity is imaged deep in tissue and tracked predominantly to platelets within the lumen of blood vessels. The modular design of our probes allows for facile investigation of other proteases, and their contributions to disease by tailoring the protease activation and cell-binding elements.
Asymmetric synthesis of syn-propargylamines and unsaturated β-amino acids under Brønsted base catalysis
Authors: Wang Yingcheng , Mo Mingjie , Zhu Kongxi , Zheng Chao , Zhang Hongbin , Wang Wei , Shao Zhihui
Published: October 2015

Propargylamines are important intermediates for the synthesis of polyfunctional amino derivatives and natural products and biologically active compounds. The classic method of synthesizing chiral propargylamines involves the asymmetric alkynylation of imines. Here, we report a significant advance in the catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type synthesis of propargylamines through catalytic asymmetric addition of carbon nucleophiles to C-alkynyl imines, culminating in a highly syn-selective catalytic asymmetric Mannich reaction of C-alkynyl imines that provide syn-configured propargylamines with two adjacent stereogenic centres and a transition metal-free organocatalytic asymmetric approach to β-alkynyl-β-amino acids with high efficiency and practicality, via a chiral Brønsted base-catalysed asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of in situ generated challenging N-Boc C-alkynyl imines from previously unreported C-alkynyl N-Boc-N,O-acetals, with α-substituted β-keto esters and less-acidic malonate (thio)esters as nucleophiles, respectively. A catalytic activation strategy is also disclosed, which may have broad implications for use in catalysis and synthesis.
Correction: Corrigendum: Lattice Distortion in In3SbTe2 Phase Change Material with Substitutional Bi
Authors: Choi Minho , Choi Heechae , Kim Seungchul , Ahn Jinho , Tae Kim Yong
Published: October 2015

Sb atoms in In3SbTe2 (IST) are partially substituted by 3.2–5.5 at.% of Bi atoms. As a result, the NaCl crystal structure of IST is slightly distorted. The distorted inter-planar angles observed with fast Fourier transformation of the lattice images are within the maximum range of interplanar angles calculated by density functional theory. When the Bi content is increased, the crystallization temperature becomes relatively lower than that of IST, the activation energy decreases from 5.29 to 2.61 eV, and the specific heat and melting point are obviously reduced. Consequently, phase change random access memory (PRAM) fabricated with Bi-doped IST (Bi-IST) can operate with lower power consumption than pure IST PRAM. The set and reset speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with Bi-IST are both 100 ns with 5.5 at.% Bi, which are obviously faster than the switching speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with IST and Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). These experimental results reveal that the switching speed is closely related with the thermal properties of the distorted lattice structure.
Three-dimensional matrix fiber alignment modulates cell migration and MT1-MMP utility by spatially and temporally directing protrusions
Authors: Fraley Stephanie I. , Wu Pei-hsun , He Lijuan , Feng Yunfeng , Krisnamurthy Ranjini , Longmore Gregory D. , Wirtz Denis
Published: October 2015

Multiple attributes of the three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM) have been independently implicated as regulators of cell motility, including pore size, crosslink density, structural organization and stiffness. However, these parameters cannot be independently varied within a complex 3D ECM protein network. We present an integrated, quantitative study of these parameters across a broad range of complex matrix configurations using self-assembling 3D collagen and show how each parameter relates to the others and to cell motility. Increasing collagen density resulted in a decrease and then an increase in both pore size and fiber alignment, which both correlated significantly with cell motility but not bulk matrix stiffness within the range tested. However, using the crosslinking enzyme Transglutaminase II to alter microstructure independently of density revealed that motility is most significantly predicted by fiber alignment. Cellular protrusion rate, protrusion orientation, speed of migration and invasion distance showed coupled biphasic responses to increasing collagen density not predicted by 2D models or by stiffness, but instead by fiber alignment. The requirement of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was also observed to depend on microstructure and a threshold of MMP utility was identified. Our results suggest that fiber topography guides protrusions and thereby MMP activity and motility.
Origin of Self-preservation Effect for Hydrate Decomposition: Coupling of Mass and Heat Transfer Resistances
Authors: Bai Dongsheng , Zhang Diwei , Zhang Xianren , Chen Guangjin
Published: October 2015

Gas hydrates could show an unexpected high stability at conditions out of thermodynamic equilibrium, which is called the self-preservation effect. The mechanism of the effect for methane hydrates is here investigated via molecular dynamics simulations, in which an NVT/E method is introduced to represent different levels of heat transfer resistance. Our simulations suggest a coupling between the mass transfer resistance and heat transfer resistance as the driving mechanism for self-preservation effect. We found that the hydrate is initially melted from the interface and then a solid-like water layer with temperature-dependent structures is formed next to the hydrate interface that exhibits fractal feature, followed by an increase of mass transfer resistance for the diffusion of methane from hydrate region. Furthermore, our results indicate that heat transfer resistance is a more fundamental factor, since it facilitates the formation of the solid-like layer and hence inhibits the further dissociation of the hydrates. The self-preservation effect is found to be enhanced with the increase of pressure and particularly the decrease of temperature. Kinetic equations based on heat balance calculations is also developed to describe the self-preservation effect, which reproduces our simulation results well and provides an association between microscopic and macroscopic properties.
MiR-125a-5p Decreases the Sensitivity of Treg cells Toward IL-6-Mediated Conversion by Inhibiting IL-6R and STAT3 Expression
Authors: Li Dan , Kong Chao , Tsun Andy , Chen Chen , Song Huihui , Shi Guochao , Pan Wen , Dai Dai , Shen Nan , Li Bin
Published: October 2015

The transcription factor FOXP3 is essential for the differentiation and function of regulatory T cells (Treg). It is established that the transcription factor GATA-3 is induced in Treg cells under inflammatory conditions. GATA-3 stabilizes FOXP3 levels to avoid the differentiation of Treg cells into inflammatory-like T cells. The IL-6 signal pathway influences the sensitivity of Treg cells towards instability. The mechanism of GATA-3 in regulating FOXP3 and its relation to the IL-6 pathway remains unclear. Here we report how miR-125a-5p plays an important role in regulating the conversion of Treg cells by IL-6. miR-125a-5p expression is low in Treg cells under steady state conditions and can be induced by GATA-3 to inhibit the expression of IL-6R and STAT3. This finding reveals a GATA3/miR-125a-5p/IL-6R and STAT3/FOXP3 regulatory pathway, which determines how Treg cells respond to inflammatory IL-6-rich conditions.
Diversifying crop rotations with pulses enhances system productivity
Authors: Gan Yantai , Hamel Chantal , O’Donovan John T. , Cutforth Herb , Zentner Robert P. , Campbell Con A. , Niu Yining , Poppy Lee
Published: October 2015

Agriculture in rainfed dry areas is often challenged by inadequate water and nutrient supplies. Summerfallowing has been used to conserve rainwater and promote the release of nitrogen via the N mineralization of soil organic matter. However, summerfallowing leaves land without any crops planted for one entire growing season, creating lost production opportunity. Additionally, summerfallowing has serious environmental consequences. It is unknown whether alternative systems can be developed to retain the beneficial features of summerfallowing with little or no environmental impact. Here, we show that diversifying cropping systems with pulse crops can enhance soil water conservation, improve soil N availability and increase system productivity. A 3-yr cropping sequence study, repeated for five cycles in Saskatchewan from 2005 to 2011, shows that both pulse- and summerfallow-based systems enhances soil N availability, but the pulse system employs biological fixation of atmospheric N2, whereas the summerfallow-system relies on ‘mining’ soil N with depleting soil organic matter. In a 3-yr cropping cycle, the pulse system increased total grain production by 35.5%, improved protein yield by 50.9% and enhanced fertilizer-N use efficiency by 33.0% over the summerfallow system. Diversifying cropping systems with pulses can serve as an effective alternative to summerfallowing in rainfed dry areas.
Fabrication of 3-nm-thick Si3N4 membranes for solid-state nanopores using the poly-Si sacrificial layer process
Authors: Yanagi Itaru , Ishida Takeshi , Fujisaki Koji , Takeda Ken-ichi
Published: October 2015

To improve the spatial resolution of solid-state nanopores, thinning the membrane is a very important issue. The most commonly used membrane material for solid-state nanopores is silicon nitride (Si3N4). However, until now, stable wafer-scale fabrication of Si3N4 membranes with a thickness of less than 5 nm has not been reported, although a further reduction in thickness is desired to improve spatial resolution. In the present study, to fabricate thinner Si3N4 membranes with a thickness of less than 5 nm in a wafer, a new fabrication process that employs a polycrystalline-Si (poly-Si) sacrificial layer was developed. This process enables the stable fabrication of Si3N4 membranes with thicknesses of 3 nm. Nanopores were fabricated in the membrane using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) beam. Based on the relationship between the ionic current through the nanopores and their diameter, the effective thickness of the nanopores was estimated to range from 0.6 to 2.2 nm. Moreover, DNA translocation through the nanopores was observed.
Cognitive deficits and anxiety induced by diisononyl phthalate in mice and the neuroprotective effects of melatonin
Authors: Ma Ping , Liu Xudong , Wu Jiliang , Yan Biao , Zhang Yuchao , Lu Yu , Wu Yang , Liu Chao , Guo Junhui , Nanberg Eewa , Bornehag Carl-Gustaf , Yang Xu
Published: October 2015

Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) is a plasticizer that is frequently used as a substitute for other plasticizers whose use is prohibited in certain products. In vivo studies on the neurotoxicity of DINP are however, limited. This work aims to investigate whether DINP causes neurobehavioral changes in mice and to provide useful advice on preventing the occurrence of these adverse effects. Behavioral analysis showed that oral administration of 20 or 200 mg/kg/day DINP led to mouse cognitive deficits and anxiety. Brain histopathological observations, immunohistochemistry assays (cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 [caspase-3], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]), oxidative stress assessments (reactive oxygen species [ROS], glutathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD] activities, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine [8-OH-dG] and DNA-protein crosslinks [DPC]) and assessment of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-а] and interleukin-1 beta [IL-1β]) of mouse brains showed that there were histopathological alterations in the brain and increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation for these same groups. However, some of these effects were blocked by administration of melatonin (50 mg/kg/day). Down-regulation of oxidative stress was proposed to explain the neuroprotective effects of melatonin. The data suggests that DINP could cause cognitive deficits and anxiety in mice and that melatonin could be used to avoid these adverse effects.
Electric-field-induced local and mesoscale structural changes in polycrystalline dielectrics and ferroelectrics
Authors: Usher Tedi-Marie , Levin Igor , Daniels John E. , Jones Jacob L.
Published: October 2015

The atomic-scale response of dielectrics/ferroelectrics to electric fields is central to their functionality. Here we introduce an in situ characterization method that reveals changes in the local atomic structure in polycrystalline materials under fields. The method employs atomic pair distribution functions (PDFs), determined from X-ray total scattering that depends on orientation relative to the applied field, to probe structural changes over length scales from sub-Ångstrom to several nanometres. The PDF is sensitive to local ionic displacements and their short-range order, a key uniqueness relative to other techniques. The method is applied to representative ferroelectrics, BaTiO3 and Na½Bi½TiO3 and dielectric SrTiO3. For Na½Bi½TiO3, the results reveal an abrupt field-induced monoclinic to rhombohedral phase transition, accompanied by ordering of the local Bi displacements and reorientation of the nanoscale ferroelectric domains. For BaTiO3 and SrTiO3, the local/nanoscale structural changes observed in the PDFs are dominated by piezoelectric lattice strain and ionic polarizability, respectively.