bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of opioid treatment on regional gastrointestinal transit
Authors: Jørgensen D. , Poulsen J.L. , Olesen A.E. , Brock C. , Sandberg T.H. , Krogh K. , Drewes A.M.
Published: July 2016

Aims

To employ a human experimental model of opioid-induced bowel dysfunction (OIBD) in healthy volunteers, and evaluate the impact of opioid treatment compared to placebo on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and motility, assessed by questionnaires and regional GI transit times.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy males were randomly assigned to oxycodone or placebo for five days in a double-blind, crossover design. Adverse GI effects were measured with bowel function index, gastrointestinal symptom rating scale, patient assessment of constipation symptoms questionnaire, and bristol stool form scale. Regional GI transit times were determined using the 3D-Transit system and segmental colonic transit times were determined using a custom Matlab® graphical user interface.

Results

GI symptom scores increased significantly across all applied questionnaires during opioid treatment. Oxycodone increased median total GI transit time from 22.2 to 43.9 h (P< 0.01), segmental transit times in the cecum and ascending colon from 5.7 to 9.9 h (P<0.05), rectosigmoid transit time from 2.7 to 9.0 h (P<0.05), and colorectal transit time from 18.6 to 38.6 h (P<0.01). No association between questionnaire scores and segmental transit times were detected.

Conclusions

Self-assessed adverse GI effects and increased GI transit times in different segments were induced during oxycodone treatment. This detailed information about segmental changes in motility has great potential for future interventional head-to-head trials of different laxative regimes for prevention and treatment of OIBD.
Myopic Changes in a Climber after Taking Acetazolamide and the Use of Corrective Lenses to Temporize Symptoms: A Case Report from Mount Kilimanjaro
Authors: Hill Adam D.
Published: July 2016

When performing detailed tasks related to climbing or hiking, accurate vision is important for safety. Acetazolamide is a medication commonly used to prevent acute mountain sickness, but it has an uncommon side effect of transient myopia. Reports of this side effect are mainly associated with its use in obstetrics, where it is often prescribed in higher doses than used in acute mountain sickness prophylaxis. We describe the case of a climber taking low-dose acetazolamide who developed transient myopia. We further describe potential mechanisms of this rare side effect as well as a novel approach of field management utilizing possible materials at hand.
Recent German Contributions to Aerodynamics and Flight Dynamics
Authors: Blenk Hermann
Published: July 2016

Last year the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Luftfahrt agreed to organise lectures in honour of Osborne Reynolds and Ludwig PrandtI, to be given every two years, and alternating between Great Britain and Germany. The purpose of these lectures will be to show how closely English and German aeronautical research is related, and to recall the great scientific work of Osborne Reynolds and Ludwig Prandtl for the benefit of the younger generation. Without their contributions our scientific and technical achievements in aeronautics today would hardly have been possible.

Today I have the great honour to present the first Reynolds-Prandtl Lecture, and I wish to thank the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Luftfahrt for this high distinction.
EDITORIAL FOREWORD
Authors: Khater Akram , Culang Jeffrey
Published: July 2016

This issue examines the power of categories, both historically and in contemporary scholarly and public discourse. Whether focused on medicine in colonial Algeria, the varied meanings of the word “mamluk” in Ottoman Tunisia, discursive constructions of the “Jewish refugee,” gender as an analytical category in academic writing, or another topic, our article and roundtable authors push us to consider how categories have shaped modes of life and politics, and how they shape our scholarship.
EXPRESSING ENTITLEMENT IN COLONIAL ALGERIA: VILLAGERS, MEDICAL DOCTORS, AND THE STATE IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Authors: Clark Hannah-Louise
Published: July 2016

This article expands our understanding of state–society interactions in rural Algeria under French colonial rule, focusing specifically on villages in the eastern department of Constantine. I analyze previously unstudied administrative records, newspapers, petitions, and complaints to show how sanitary regulations and medical expertise came to shape relationships among villagers, local elites, and the colonial state from the early 20th century. Villagers responded to state-led medicalization by seeking the protection of medical doctors, not only from disease but also from the state itself. In particular, they sought to avoid heavy-handed treatment by qaʾids and local elites who applied disease control measures without appropriate medical knowledge. Furthermore, close examination of petitions sent during World War I suggests that hardships experienced by rural communities during the war accentuated nascent feelings of entitlement across demographic, ethnic, and religious communal boundaries toward state medical treatment.
Secondary Surveillance Radar and Airborne Transponder System
Authors: Roberts G. G.
Published: July 2016

The use of primary pulsed radar as a surveillance instrument in Air Traffic Control is familiar to most, and is a direct development of the various ground radars current in the last war. The wavelengths generally employed are 10 cms. for more local control, and 50 cms. for long range and high coverage. The primary radar depends for its information on reflection from the target aircraft of sequences of pulses of electromagnetic energy radiated by the aerial, and displays this information as a “paint” on a P.P.I. (Plan-Position Indicator) cathode ray tube giving range and bearing relative to the radar site. The radar beam is fan-shaped, narrow in the horizontal plane to a few degrees, and wide in the vertical plane to provide adequate vertical cover. The beam is made to scan through the target by a rotation of the aerial about a vertical axis up to a rate of 14 r.p.m. The beam width in the horizontal plane is necessarily kept narrow to provide adequate discrimination between targets at the same range but different bearings. The primary radar is frequently associated with a height-finding radar in which the beam shape is reversed, having a narrow angular cross section in the vertical plane. In this case the aerial is made to nod up and down along an appropriate azimuth selected by the controller, and the height of an aircraft is displayed on a height-range cathode ray tube.
The Influence of Aircraft Characteristics on A.T.C. Problems
Authors: Tomlinson B. N.
Published: July 2016

To provide a basis for discussion of air traffic control problems some of the operating characteristics of long haul subsonic and supersonic jet transport aircraft are examined. Two trans-Atlantic aircraft are compared, one designed to cruise at 500 knots (Mach 0·85) and the other at 1,250 knots (Mach 2·2).
Reconnaissance Orbits Normal to the Ecliptic Plane
Authors: Greenwood S. W.
Published: July 2016

The ecliptic plane is the plane of the orbit of the Earth round the Sun. In a previous note the velocity requirements were examined for conventional rocket vehicles to enter reconnaissance orbits around the Sun in this plane.

Departure from the ecliptic plane obviously involves an increase in the velocity requirement. To some extent, all interplanetry voyages necessitate such motion, as the planets lie in planes inclined to the ecliptic. In this note, the extreme case of entry into orbits normal to the ecliptic will be considered.
Advanced Air-Breathing Engines
Authors: Jamison R. R.
Published: July 2016

If we look at contemporary space vehicles which start their journeys from the surface of this planet, there is no doubt that the propulsion plant is the dominant feature. Physically it represents a major proportion of the total vehicle weight while the technical effort in attaining the necessary standards of performance and reliability has been of commensurate magnitude. It is clear also that the rocket motor has, at present, an unchallenged position as the chosen form of power unit. The question may well be asked in these circumstances what place there could be for an air-breathing power unit in such vehicles specifically intended to travel for most of their journey through the empty regions of space. Clearly the answer must be that such air-breathing units must function during the boost phase of space missions when there is air for them to breath so that the engines can add their quota of energy (kinetic plus potential) which is to be given to the vehicle in fulfilment of its task.
A Comment on the Approximate Calculation of Eigenvalues for Certain Second-Order Linear Differential Equations
Authors: Squire William
Published: July 2016

In a note by Goodey on the combined use of the WKB solution and Rayleigh's principle to estimate the lowest eigenvalue of a second-order linear differential equation, a numerical error concealed an interesting aspect of the result. The exact value λ = 2·062 corresponds to 0·6564π; and not 0·654π as stated. The approximate value 0·6559π is therefore lower than the exact value.

The possibility of approximate evaluation of the integral in a variational expression affecting the direction of approach to the exact value was pointed out by the author in a recent paper on the application of quadrature by differentiation. The application of the method described there to the example considered by Goodey may be of some interest as it gives the eigenvalue to within 1/2 per cent by the solution of a quadratic equation.
The Hawker P.1127 V/STOL Strike Fighter
Authors: Bedford A. W.
Published: July 2016

The aim of this paper is to give an outline of the background, development and V/STOL flying techniques of the Hawker P.1127. For security reasons it is not possible to release information on performance or numerical details of the control characteristics and hence it has been necessary to confine the material to a qualitative nature.

Vertical and short take-off and landing (V/STOL) ability of operational aircraft from unprepared areas enables air power to be concentrated at long range with a minimum reliance, on overseas bases. In the past such operations have been possible because of the existence of well-equipped overseas bases and long lines of communications.
The Aerodynamics of Sails, with Particular Reference to Dinghies
Authors: Millward A.
Published: July 2016

The earliest known boats were propelled by oars. Sails were soon discovered, probably in Egypt, where a light, but steady, north wind blows up the Nile. The Egyptians found that by stretching a large mat across the ship they could proceed up the river. However, sails remained an auxiliary source of power until about 300 A.D. because they could be used only with a following wind. Fig. 1 shows an Egyptian ship of about 1600 B.C.

The next improvement came in China, where the square sail was turned fore and aft, enabling the boat to be sailed at an angle to the wind. Unfortunately the Chinese made no further improvements, and the junk, Fig. 2, has remained basically unchanged for about two thousand years.
The Operator’s Year
Authors: Hatfield P. R.
Published: July 2016

My Company is a small firm, situated near Colchester, Essex, operating only in the United Kingdom. It is entering its sixth year of operation, and owns seven aircraft, all Tiger Moths, five Agricultural and two Club aircraft of which, generally, only four are serviceable, the remainder being on maintenance or repair— of which more later.

Our experience is probably quite different from other operators’ as a season can vary enormously from area to area, and just a few weeks of working to capacity on something that occurs locally can make all the difference between a good year and a bad one. But although differing substantially in detail, the overall pattern is probably similar.
Agricultural Aircraft for the Future—The Helicopter
Authors: Summerlee J.
Published: July 2016

The future helicopter brings to mind a vast multi-engined aircraft capable of speed in excess of 150 knots, and of payloads of 8,000 lb. or more. This is not the aircraft for agriculture.

Experience has shown that once the all-up weight of the helicopter gets beyond 3,000, 4,000 lb., its manoeuvrability is reduced to such an extent that the characteristics which make it the most ideal vehicle for aerial agriculture are lost.
INTERSECTIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Authors: Brown Nadia E. , Gershon Sarah Allen
Published: July 2016

In recent decades the number of women and minorities elected to public office has increased significantly, prompting a wealth of studies examining the ways these different gender and racial identities shape elected officials’ appeals to constituents. However, much previous research focuses on representational differences among either men and womenorAnglos and minorities, neglecting the intersection of race and gender. We seek to fill this void by examining differences in presentation styles among Latina and African American congresswomen, their Anglo female counterparts, and minority male peers. Relying on a detailed content analysis of the biographical pages available on U.S. Representatives’ websites, we conduct an exploratory examination of the differences in representatives’ presentation of self. Utilizing both quantitative and qualitative analysis, this paper identifies the unique ways minority congresswomen present themselves and issue positions to constituents. We conclude by considering the implications of our results for minority women holding and seeking public office.
A TEST OF THE AFRO CARIBBEAN MODEL MINORITY HYPOTHESIS
Authors: Ifatunji Mosi Adesina
Published: July 2016

Throughout the twentieth century, Black immigrants from the Caribbean attained greater socioeconomic status than African Americans. Although Black immigrants remain an understudied population, recent studies show that Afro Caribbeans continue to outperform African Americans in the labor market. Given that these groups share a set of racialized physical features, some contend that this gap highlights the role of cultural attributes in the manufacture of Black ethnic and Black-White racial disparities. In this study, I investigate the degree to which cultural attributes associated with a specific form of themodel minority hypothesisare responsible for disparities between African Americans and Afro Caribbeans. I use data from theNational Survey of American Lifein order to test for the relative roles of work ethic, economic autonomy, oppositionality, family structure and function, and racial attitudes in the manufacture of disparate labor market outcomes between African Americans and Afro Caribbeans. I find mixed support for the idea that Afro Caribbeans constitute a model minority vis-à-vis African Americans and that differences in model minority attributes are only partially responsible for these labor market disparities. My findings suggest that racial inequality will not be undone if the racially stigmatized and marginalized simply work harder and complain less about race and racism in the United States.
DIVERSITY AND MEANING IN THE STUDY OF BLACK FATHERHOOD
Authors: Johnson Maria S. , Young Alford A.
Published: July 2016

For the past several decades, numerous studies have focused on the so-called “crisis of Black fatherhood”—that is, the many ways in which Black fathers struggle to fulfill traditional paternal roles and duties. Given major shifts in both the structural conditions and cultural expectations of fatherhood in general over the past century, we argue that it is necessary to reestablish not only what Black fatherhood looks like today—in particular, the internal diversity and dynamism of this category—but also how Black men (as well as other members of Black families and communities) make sense of these changes and meaningfully negotiate their implications. We outline a two-pronged research agenda that: first, identifies gaps in the existing literature that limit our knowledge of the full range of Black fathering practices and experiences; and second, reclaims and repurposes “cultural analysis,” not to pathologize “what’s wrong with Black families and fathers,” but to shed much needed light on the ways in which Black fathers themselves process and make meaning of their roles and realities.
Zöliakie beim Erwachsenen
Authors: Many Natalie , Biedermann Luc
Published: July 2016

Zusammenfassung. Unter Zöliakie versteht man eine immunvermittelte und durch Gluteneinnahme getriggerte Enteropathie bei genetisch prädisponierten Individuen. Klinisch kann sich die Zöliakie sehr mannigfaltig mit intestinalen sowie extraintestinalen Symptomen manifestieren. Daneben gibt es jedoch auch zunehmend asymptomatische Betroffene, bei welchen die Diagnosestellung aufgrund möglicher Langzeitkomplikationen genauso essenziell ist. Die Diagnostik besteht in der Bestimmung der Gewebs-Transglutaminase-Antikörper mit anschliessender Diagnoseverifizierung mittels Duodenalbiopsie. Auch heute noch besteht die einzige Therapieoption in einer strikten glutenfreien Diät. Neuere Therapieansätze sind aktuell in Erprobung.
Mehrdimensionale Förderplanung bei Lernstörungen mit dem GRID-Modell
Authors: Lauth-Lebens Morena , Hammes-Schmitz Edeltraud , Ramacher-Faasen Nicole , Lauth Gerhard W.
Published: July 2016

Zusammenfassung. Mit der gegenwärtigen Inklusionsbewegung gewinnt die Förderplanung in schulischen und außerschulischen Lernumgebungen an Bedeutung. Daher sind pädagogische und lerntherapeutisch geschulte Fachkräfte gefragt, die störungswertige ebenso wie subklinische Lernprobleme aufklären, Förderschwerpunkte festlegen und diese mithilfe geeigneter Interventionen adressieren. Übereinstimmend mit dem mehrdimensionalen Bedingungsmodell von Lernstörungen wird ein multimodales Vorgehen nahegelegt, wobei die verschiedenen auslösenden und aufrechterhaltenden Personen- und Umgebungsbedingungen interventionsbezogen abzuklären und zu berücksichtigen sind. Zur Planung und Evaluation solcher Mehrebeneninterventionen liegen bislang kaum praxisbezogene und mehrdimensionale Ausführungshilfen vor. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird deshalb ein bedingungsanalytisch unterfüttertes Ordnungssystem für diagnostische Informationen vorgeschlagen und dessen pädagogische und lerntherapeutische Anwendung diskutiert. Dabei werden die zentralen Bedingungskomponenten für Lernstörungen erfasst und in einem graphischen Gittersystem zusammengeführt; die Darstellung verdeutlicht «auf einen Blick» den vorhandenen Förderbedarf. Pädagogische und lerntherapeutische Fachkräfte gelangen zu einer umfassenden Analyse der Lernausgangslage, die ihnen eine flexible und zielgerichtete Förderung erlaubt. Allerdings steht die Bestimmung von Validität, Reliabilität und Objektivität noch aus. Vorbehaltlich einer erfolgreichen testtheoretischen Absicherung kann das GRID-Modell auf breiterer Ebene eingesetzt und evaluiert werden.
Signal transduction controls heterogeneous NF-κB dynamics and target gene expression through cytokine-specific refractory states
Authors: Adamson Antony , Boddington Christopher , Downton Polly , Rowe William , Bagnall James , Lam Connie , Maya-Mendoza Apolinar , Schmidt Lorraine , Harper Claire V. , Spiller David G. , Rand David A. , Jackson Dean A. , White Michael R. H. , Paszek Pawel
Published: July 2016

Cells respond dynamically to pulsatile cytokine stimulation. Here we report that single, or well-spaced pulses of TNFα (>100 min apart) give a high probability of NF-κB activation. However, fewer cells respond to shorter pulse intervals (<100 min) suggesting a heterogeneous refractory state. This refractory state is established in the signal transduction network downstream of TNFR and upstream of IKK, and depends on the level of the NF-κB system negative feedback protein A20. If a second pulse within the refractory phase is IL-1β instead of TNFα, all of the cells respond. This suggests a mechanism by which two cytokines can synergistically activate an inflammatory response. Gene expression analyses show strong correlation between the cellular dynamic response and NF-κB-dependent target gene activation. These data suggest that refractory states in the NF-κB system constitute an inherent design motif of the inflammatory response and we suggest that this may avoid harmful homogenous cellular activation.
The Arabidopsis Golgi-localized GDP-L-fucose transporter is required for plant development
Authors: Rautengarten Carsten , Ebert Berit , Liu Lifeng , Stonebloom Solomon , Smith-Moritz Andreia M. , Pauly Markus , Orellana Ariel , Scheller Henrik Vibe , Heazlewood Joshua L.
Published: July 2016

Nucleotide sugar transport across Golgi membranes is essential for the luminal biosynthesis of glycan structures. Here we identify GDP-fucose transporter 1 (GFT1), anArabidopsisnucleotide sugar transporter that translocates GDP-L-fucose into the Golgi lumen. Using proteo-liposome-based transport assays, we show that GFT preferentially transports GDP-L-fucose over other nucleotide sugarsin vitro, whileGFT1-silenced plants are almost devoid ofL-fucose in cell wall-derived xyloglucan and rhamnogalacturonan II. Furthermore, these lines display reducedL-fucose content inN-glycan structures accompanied by severe developmental growth defects. We conclude that GFT1 is the major nucleotide sugar transporter for import of GDP-L-fucose into the Golgi and is required for proper plant growth and development.
Piggyback-the-Winner in host-associated microbial communities
Authors: Silveira Cynthia B , Rohwer Forest L
Published: July 2016

Phages can exploit their bacterial hosts by lytic infection, when many viral particles are released at cell lysis, or by lysogeny, when phages integrate into the host’s genome. We recently proposed a new dynamic model of bacteria–phage interactions in which lysogeny predominates at high microbial abundance and growth rates. This model, named Piggyback-the-Winner (PtW), contrasts to current accepted models on the frequency of lysis and lysogeny and predicts that phages integrate into their hosts’ genomes as prophages when microbial abundances and growth rates are high. According to PtW, switching to the temperate life cycle reduces phage predation control on bacterial abundance and confers superinfection exclusion, preventing that a closely-related phage infects the same bacterial cell. Here we examine how PtW is important for metazoans. Specifically, we postulate that PtW and the recently described bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model are strongly interrelated and have an important role in the development of the microbiome. In BAM, phage produced by the microbiome attach to mucins and protect underlying epithelial cells from invading bacteria. Spatial structuring of the mucus creates a gradient of phage replication strategies consistent with PtW. We predict that lysogeny is favored at the top mucosal layer and lytic predation predominates in the bacteria-sparse intermediary layers. The lysogeny confers competitive advantage to commensals against niche invasion and the lytic infection eliminates potential pathogens from deeper mucus layers.
Oral treatment with Eubacterium hallii improves insulin sensitivity in db/db mice
Authors: Udayappan Shanthadevi , Manneras-Holm Louise , Chaplin-Scott Alice , Belzer Clara , Herrema Hilde , Dallinga-Thie Geesje M , Duncan Silvia H , Stroes Erik S G , Groen Albert K , Flint Harry J , Backhed Fredrik , de Vos Willem M , Nieuwdorp Max
Published: July 2016

An altered intestinal microbiota composition is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We previously identified increased intestinal levels of Eubacterium hallii, an anaerobic bacterium belonging to the butyrate-producing Lachnospiraceae family, in metabolic syndrome subjects who received a faecal transplant from a lean donor. To further assess the effects of E. hallii on insulin sensitivity, we orally treated obese and diabetic db/db mice with alive E. hallii and glycerol or heat-inactive E. hallii as control. Insulin tolerance tests and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp experiments revealed that alive E. hallii treatment improved insulin sensitivity compared control treatment. In addition, E. hallii treatment increased energy expenditure in db/db mice. Active E. hallii treatment was found to increase faecal butyrate concentrations and to modify bile acid metabolism compared with heat-inactivated controls. Our data suggest that E. hallii administration potentially alters the function of the intestinal microbiome and that microbial metabolites may contribute to the improved metabolic phenotype.
Prognostic Impact of the Signet Ring Cell Type in Node-Negative Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kong Pengfei , Wu Ruiyan , Yang Chenlu , Geng Qirong , Liu Jianjun , Chen Shangxiang , Liu Xuechao , Ye Minting , He Wenzhuo , Yang Qiong , Xia Liangping , Xu Dazhi
Published: July 2016

Little is known regarding the prognostic impact of the signet ring cell (SRC) histotype on negative lymph nodes (LNs) in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the differences between SRC and non-SRC GC patients without LN metastasis. The medical records of patients with GC who underwent gastrectomy at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Centre from 1996 to 2012 were reviewed to analyse the clinicopathologic characteristics associated with survival. A total of 480 cases of GC patients without LN metastasis were identified, which included 90 SRC GC patients and 390 non-SRC GC patients. Between the two groups, there were a host of significant differences in the American Joint Committee on Cancer, 7th edition (AJCC) stage. We found that SRC histology was correlated with a poor prognosis in terms of recurrence in node-negative GC patients and that SRC histologic analysis combined with AJCC staging maybe an effectual method for prediction of the recurrence rate. Additionally, we found that SRC GC presents a more dismal overall prognosis in patients with perineural or vascular invasion.
Locomotor preferences in terrestrial vertebrates: An online crowdsourcing approach to data collection
Authors: Lees John , Gardiner James , Usherwood James , Nudds Robert
Published: July 2016

Understanding how animals move within their environment is a burgeoning field of research. Despite this, relatively basic data, such as the locomotor speeds that animals choose to walk at in the wild, are sparse. If animals choose to walk with dynamic similarity, they will move at equal dimensionless speeds, represented by Froude number (Fr). Fr may be interpreted from simple limb kinematics obtained from video data. Here, using Internet videos, limb kinematics were measured in 112 bird and mammal species weighing between 0.61 and 5400 kg. This novel method of data collection enabled the determination of kinematics for animals walking at their self-selected speeds without the need for exhaustive fieldwork. At larger sizes, both birds and mammals prefer to walk at slower relative speeds and relative stride frequencies, as preferred Fr decreased in larger species, indicating that Fr may not be a good predictor of preferred locomotor speeds. This may result from the observation that the minimum cost of transport is approached at lower Fr in larger species. Birds walk with higher duty factors, lower stride frequencies and longer stance times compared to mammals at self-selected speeds. The trend towards lower preferred Fr is also apparent in extinct vertebrate species.
Neural activity in the medial parietal area V6A while grasping with or without visual feedback
Authors: Breveglieri Rossella , Bosco Annalisa , Galletti Claudio , Passarelli Lauretta , Fattori Patrizia
Published: July 2016

Recent works have reported that grasping movements are controlled not only by the dorsolateral visual stream, as generally thought, but also by the dorsomedial visual stream, and in particular by the medial posterior parietal area V6A. To date, the grasping activity of V6A neurons has been studied only in darkness. Here we studied the effect of visual feedback on grasp-related discharges of V6A neurons while the monkey was preparing and executing the grasping of a handle. We found that V6A grasping activity could be excited or inhibited by visual information. The neural population was divided into Visual, Motor, and Visuomotor cells. The majority of Visual and Visuomotor neurons did not respond to passive observation of the handle, suggesting that vision of action, rather than object vision, is the most effective factor. The present findings highlight the role of the dorsomedial visual stream in integrating visual and motor signals to monitor and correct grasping.
Widespread detection of highly pathogenic H5 influenza viruses in wild birds from the Pacific Flyway of the United States
Authors: Bevins S. N. , Dusek R. J. , White C. L. , Gidlewski T. , Bodenstein B. , Mansfield K. G. , DeBruyn P. , Kraege D. , Rowan E. , Gillin C. , Thomas B. , Chandler S. , Baroch J. , Schmit B. , Grady M. J. , Miller R. S. , Drew M. L. , Stopak S. , Zscheile B. , Bennett J. , Sengl J. , Brady Caroline , Ip H. S. , Spackman E. , Killian M. L. , Torchetti M. K. , Sleeman J. M. , Deliberto T. J.
Published: July 2016

A novel highly pathogenic avian influenza virus belonging to the H5 clade 2.3.4.4 variant viruses was detected in North America in late 2014. Motivated by the identification of these viruses in domestic poultry in Canada, an intensive study was initiated to conduct highly pathogenic avian influenza surveillance in wild birds in the Pacific Flyway of the United States. A total of 4,729 hunter-harvested wild birds were sampled and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in 1.3% (n = 63). Three H5 clade 2.3.4.4 subtypes were isolated from wild birds, H5N2, H5N8, and H5N1, representing the wholly Eurasian lineage H5N8 and two novel reassortant viruses. Testing of 150 additional wild birds during avian morbidity and mortality investigations in Washington yielded 10 (6.7%) additional highly pathogenic avian influenza isolates (H5N8 = 3 and H5N2 = 7). The geographically widespread detection of these viruses in apparently healthy wild waterfowl suggest that the H5 clade 2.3.4.4 variant viruses may behave similarly in this taxonomic group whereby many waterfowl species are susceptible to infection but do not demonstrate obvious clinical disease. Despite these findings in wild waterfowl, mortality has been documented for some wild bird species and losses in US domestic poultry during the first half of 2015 were unprecedented.
Nonlinear wave interactions between short pulses of different spatio-temporal extents
Authors: Sivan Y. , Rozenberg S. , Halstuch A. , Ishaaya A. A.
Published: July 2016

We study the nonlinear wave interactions between short pulses of different spatio-temporal extents. Unlike the well-understood mixing of quasi-monochromatic waves, this configuration is highly non-intuitive due to the complex coupling between the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom of the interacting pulses. We illustrate the process intuitively with transitions between different branches of the dispersion curves and interpret it in terms of spectral exchange between the interacting pulses. We verify our interpretation with an example whereby a spectrally-narrow pulse “inherits” the wide spectrum of a pump pulse centered at a different wavelength, using exact numerical simulations, as well as a simplified coupled mode analysis and an asymptotic analytical solution. The latter also provides a simple and intuitive quantitative interpretation. The complex wave mixing process studied here may enable flexible spatio-temporal shaping of short pulses and is the starting point of the study of more complicated systems.
Polarization domain wall pulses in a microfiber-based topological insulator fiber laser
Authors: Liu Jingmin , Li Xingliang , Zhang Shumin , Zhang Han , Yan Peiguang , Han Mengmeng , Pang Zhaoguang , Yang Zhenjun
Published: July 2016

Topological insulators (TIs), are novel two-dimension materials, which can act as effective saturable absorbers (SAs) in a fiber laser. Moreover, based on the evanescent wave interaction, deposition of the TI on microfiber would create an effective SA, which has combined advantages from the strong nonlinear optical response in TI material together with the sufficiently-long-range interaction length in fiber taper. By using this type of TI SA, various scalar solitons have been obtained in fiber lasers. However, a single mode fiber always exhibits birefringence and hence can support two orthogonal degenerate modes. Here we investigate experimentally the vector characters of a TI SA fiber laser. Using the saturated absorption and the high nonlinearity of the TI SA, a rich variety of dynamic states, including polarization-locked dark pulses and their harmonic mode locked counterparts, polarization-locked noise-like pulses and their harmonic mode locked counterparts, incoherently coupled polarization domain wall pulses, including bright square pulses, bright-dark pulse pairs, dark pulses and bright square pulse-dark pulse pairs are all observed with different pump powers and polarization states.
Multicenter study on caries risk assessment in adults using survival Classification and Regression Trees
Authors: Arino Masumi , Ito Ataru , Fujiki Shozo , Sugiyama Seiichi , Hayashi Mikako
Published: July 2016

Dental caries is an important public health problem worldwide. This study aims to prove how preventive therapies reduce the onset of caries in adult patients and to identify patients with high or low risk of caries by using Classification and Regression Trees based survival analysis (survival CART). A clinical data set of 732 patients aged 20 to 64 years in nine Japanese general practices was analyzed with the following parameters: age, DMFT, number of mutans streptococci (SM) and Lactobacilli (LB), secretion rate and buffer capacity of saliva and compliance with a preventive program. Results showed the incidence of primary carious lesion was affected by SM, LB and compliance with a preventive program; secondary carious lesion was affected by DMFT, SM and LB. Survival CART identified high-risk patients for primary carious lesion according to their poor compliance with a preventive program and SM (≥106 CFU/ml) with a hazard ratio of 3.66 (p = 0.0002). In the case of secondary caries, patients with LB (≥105 CFU/ml) and DMFT (>15) were identified as high risk with a hazard ratio of 3.50 (p < 0.0001). We conclude that preventive programs can be effective in limiting the incidence of primary carious lesion.
Cationic lipid-nanoceria hybrids, a novel nonviral vector-mediated gene delivery into mammalian cells: investigation of the cellular uptake mechanism
Authors: Das Joydeep , Han Jae Woong , Choi Yun-Jung , Song Hyuk , Cho Ssang-Goo , Park Chankyu , Seo Han Geuk , Kim Jin-Hoi
Published: July 2016

Gene therapy is a promising technique for the treatment of various diseases. The development of minimally toxic and highly efficient non-viral gene delivery vectors is the most challenging undertaking in the field of gene therapy. Here, we developed dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (DODAB)–nanoceria (CeO2) hybrids as a new class of non-viral gene delivery vectors. These DODAB-modified CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2/DODAB) could effectively compact the pDNA, allowing for highly efficient gene transfection into the selected cell lines. The CeO2/DODAB nanovectors were also found to be non-toxic and did not induce ROS formation as well as any stress responsive and pro-survival signaling pathways. The overall vector performance of CeO2/DODAB nanohybrids was comparable with lipofectamine and DOTAP and higher than calcium phosphate and DEAE-dextran for transfecting small plasmids. The increased cellular uptake of the nanovector/DNA complexes through clathrin- and caveolae-mediated endocytosis and subsequent release from the endosomes further support the increased gene transfection efficiency of the CeO2/DODAB vectors. Besides, CeO2/DODAB nanovectors could transfect genes in vivo without any sign of toxicity. Taken together, this new nano-vector has the potential to be used for gene delivery in biomedical applications.
New insight into the dynamical system of αB-crystallin oligomers
Authors: Inoue Rintaro , Takata Takumi , Fujii Norihiko , Ishii Kentaro , Uchiyama Susumu , Sato Nobuhiro , Oba Yojiro , Wood Kathleen , Kato Koichi , Fujii Noriko , Sugiyama Masaaki
Published: July 2016

α-Crystallin possesses a dynamic quaternary structure mediated by its subunit dynamics. Elucidation of a mechanism of subunit dynamics in homo-oligomers of αB-crystallin was tackled through deuteration-assisted small-angle neutron scattering (DA-SANS) and electrospray ionization (ESI) native mass spectrometry (nMS). The existence of subunit exchange was confirmed with DA-SANS and monomers liberated from the oligomers were observed with nMS. With increasing temperature, an increase in both the exchange rate and monomer population was observed despite the absence of oligomer collapse. It is proposed that transiently liberated subunits, namely, “traveling subunits,” play a role in subunit exchange. Moreover, we propose that protein function is regulated by these traveling subunits.
Defined enzyme cocktail from the anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain C1A effectively releases sugars from pretreated corn stover and switchgrass
Authors: Morrison Jessica M. , Elshahed Mostafa S. , Youssef Noha H.
Published: July 2016

The anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces strain C1A is capable of growth on various types of lignocellulosic substrates, and harbors an impressive reservoir of carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes). Using a minimum enzyme cocktail strategy, we constituted a four-component lignocellulolytic cocktail derived from highly transcribed C1A, and evaluated its efficacy against pretreated corn stover and switchgrass. Hydrolysis yields ranged between 65–77.4%, depending on the lignocellulosic substrate and pretreatment applied. Addition of a highly expressed anaerobic fungal swollenin improved hydrolysis yields by up to 7%. Compared to the commercial cocktail CTec2, these anaerobic fungal cocktails provided comparable or slightly lower hydrolysis yields. Further, the differences in efficacy between commercial and anaerobic cocktails were often only realized after extended (168 hr) incubations. Under certain conditions, the hydrolysis yields of the anaerobic fungal cocktail was slightly superior to that realized by CTec2. We attribute the observed high hydrolysis yields to the high specific activity and affinity of the individual enzymes of the cocktail, as well as the high level of synergy and multi-functionality observed in multiple components. Collectively, this effort provides a novel platform for constructing highly effective enzymes for biofuel production and represents the first lignocellulolytic enzyme cocktail created from anaerobic fungal enzymes.
Limbic areas are functionally decoupled and visual cortex takes a more central role during fear conditioning in humans
Authors: Lithari Chrysa , Moratti Stephan , Weisz Nathan
Published: July 2016

Going beyond the focus on isolated brain regions (e.g. amygdala), recent neuroimaging studies on fear conditioning point to the relevance of a network of mutually interacting brain regions. In the present MEG study we used Graph Theory to uncover changes in the architecture of the brain functional network shaped by fear conditioning. Firstly, induced power analysis revealed differences in local cortical excitability (lower alpha and beta power) between CS+ and CS− localized to somatosensory cortex and insula. What is more striking however is that the graph theoretical measures unveiled a re-organization of brain functional connections, not evident using conventional power analysis. Subcortical fear-related structures exhibited reduced connectivity with temporal and frontal areas rendering the overall brain functional network more sparse during fear conditioning. At the same time, the calcarine took on a more central role in the network. Interestingly, the more the connectivity of limbic areas is reduced, the more central the role of the occipital cortex becomes. We speculated that both, the reduced coupling in some regions and the emerging centrality of others, contribute to the efficient processing of fear-relevant information during fear learning.
The stability of aluminium oxide monolayer and its interface with two-dimensional materials
Authors: Song Ting Ting , Yang Ming , Chai Jian Wei , Callsen Martin , Zhou Jun , Yang Tong , Zhang Zheng , Pan Ji Sheng , Chi Dong Zhi , Feng Yuan Ping , Wang Shi Jie
Published: July 2016

The miniaturization of future electronic devices requires the knowledge of interfacial properties between two-dimensional channel materials and high-κ dielectrics in the limit of one atomic layer thickness. In this report, by combining particle-swarm optimization method with first-principles calculations, we present a detailed study of structural, electronic, mechanical, and dielectric properties of Al2O3 monolayer. We predict that planar Al2O3 monolayer is globally stable with a direct band gap of 5.99 eV and thermal stability up to 1100 K. The stability of this high-κ oxide monolayer can be enhanced by substrates such as graphene, for which the interfacial interaction is found to be weak. The band offsets between the Al2O3 monolayer and graphene are large enough for electronic applications. Our results not only predict a stable high-κ oxide monolayer, but also improve the understanding of interfacial properties between a high-κ dielectric monolayer and two-dimensional material.
Effect of water presence on choline chloride-2urea ionic liquid and coating platings from the hydrated ionic liquid
Authors: Du Cuiling , Zhao Binyuan , Chen Xiao-Bo , Birbilis Nick , Yang Haiyan
Published: July 2016

In the present study, hygroscopicity of the choline chloride-urea (ChCl-2Urea) ionic liquid (IL) was confirmed through Karl-Fisher titration examination, indicating that the water content in the hydrated ChCl-2Urea IL was exposure-time dependent and could be tailored by simple heating treatment. The impact of the absorbed water on the properties of ChCl-2Urea IL, including viscosity, electrical conductivity, electrochemical window and chemical structure was investigated. The results show that water was able to dramatically reduce the viscosity and improve the conductivity, however, a broad electrochemical window could be persisted when the water content was below ~6 wt.%. These characteristics were beneficial for producing dense and compact coatings. Nickel (Ni) coatings plating from hydrated ChCl-2Urea IL, which was selected as an example to show the effect of water on the electroplating, displayed that a compact and corrosion-resistant Ni coating was plated from ChCl-2Urea IL containing 6 wt.% water doped with 400 mg/L NA at a moderate temperature. As verified by FTIR analysis, the intrinsic reason could be ascribed that water was likely linked with urea through strong hydrogen bond so that the water decomposition was suppressed during plating. Present study may provide a reference to prepare some similar water-stable ILs for plating.
Telomere Visualization in Tissue Sections using Pyrrole–Imidazole Polyamide Probes
Authors: Sasaki Asuka , Ide Satoru , Kawamoto Yusuke , Bando Toshikazu , Murata Yukinori , Shimura Mari , Yamada Kazuhiko , Hirata Akiyoshi , Nokihara Kiyoshi , Hirata Tatsumi , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Maeshima Kazuhiro
Published: July 2016

Pyrrole–Imidazole (PI) polyamides bind to specific DNA sequences in the minor groove with high affinity. Specific DNA labeling by PI polyamides does not require DNA denaturation with harsh treatments of heat and formamide and has the advantages of rapid and less disruptive processing. Previously, we developed tandem hairpin PI polyamide probes (TH59 series), which label telomeres in cultured cell lines more efficiently than conventional methods, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Here, we demonstrate that a TH59 derivative, HPTH59-b, along with immunostaining for specifying cell types in the tissues, visualizes telomeres in mouse and human tissue sections. Quantitative measurements of telomere length with single-cell resolution suggested shorter telomeres in the proliferating cell fractions of tumor than in non-tumor tissues. Thus, PI polyamides are a promising alternative for telomere labeling in clinical research, as well as in cell biology.
Impaired neurodevelopment by the low complexity domain of CPEB4 reveals a convergent pathway with neurodegeneration
Authors: Shin Jihae , Salameh Johnny S. , Richter Joel D.
Published: July 2016

CPEB4 is an RNA binding protein expressed in neuronal tissues including brain and spinal cord. CPEB4 has two domains: one that is structured for RNA binding and one that is unstructured and low complexity that has no known function. Unstructured low complexity domains (LCDs) in proteins are often found in RNA-binding proteins and have been implicated in motor neuron degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, indicating that these regions mediate normal RNA processing as well as pathological events. While CPEB4 null knockout mice are normal, animals expressing only the CPEB4 LCD are neonatal lethal with impaired mobility that display defects in neuronal development such as reduced motor axon branching and abnormal neuromuscular junction formation. Although full-length CPEB4 is nearly exclusively cytoplasmic, the CPEB4 LCD forms nucleolar aggregates and CPEB4 LCD-expressing animals have altered ribosomal RNA biogenesis, ribosomal protein gene expression, and elevated levels of stress response genes such as the actin-bundling protein DRR1, which impedes neurite outgrowth. Some of these features share similarities with other LCD-related neurodegenerative disease. Most strikingly, DRR1 appears to be a common focus of several neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Our study reveals a possible molecular convergence between a neurodevelopmental defect and neurodegeneration mediated by LCDs.
A novel strain of Bacteroides fragilis enhances phagocytosis and polarises M1 macrophages
Authors: Deng Huimin , Li Zhengchao , Tan Yafang , Guo Zhaobiao , Liu Yangyang , Wang Ye , Yuan Yuan , Yang Ruifu , Bi Yujing , Bai Yang , Zhi Fachao
Published: July 2016

Commensal Bacteroides fragilis possesses immune-regulatory characteristics. Consequently, it has been proposed as a potential novel probiotic because of its therapeutic effects on immune imbalance, mental disorders and inflammatory diseases. Macrophages play a central role in the immune response, developing either a classical-M1 or an alternative-M2 phenotype after stimulation with various signals. The interactions between macrophages and B. fragilis, however, remain to be defined. Here, a new isolate of B. fragilis, ZY-312, was shown to possess admirable properties, including tolerance to simulated gastric fluid, intestinal fluid and ox bile and good safety (MOI = 100, 200) and adherent ability (MOI = 100) to LoVo cells. Isolate ZY-312 cell lysate promoted phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres and pathogenic bacteria in bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) cells. Gene expression of IL-12, iNOS and IL-1β in BMDM cells was increased after treatment with ZY-312, indicating the induction of M1 macrophages, consistent with enhanced secretion of NO. Cell surface expression of CD80 and CD86 was also increased. This study is the first to demonstrate that B. fragilis enhances the phagocytic functions of macrophages, polarising them to an M1 phenotype. Our findings provide insight into the close relationship between B. fragilis and the innate immune system.