bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotropic turbulence in compact space
Authors: Gravanis Elias , Akylas Evangelos
Published: June 2017

Isotropic turbulence is typically studied numerically through direct numerical simulations (DNS). The DNS flows are described by the Navier–Stokes equation in a ‘box’, defined through periodic boundary conditions. Ideal isotropic turbulence lives in infinite space. The DNS flows live in a compact space and they are not isotropic in their large scales. Hence, the investigation of important phenomena of isotropic turbulence, such as anomalous scaling, through DNS is affected by large-scale effects in the currently available Reynolds numbers. In this work, we put isotropic turbulence – or better, the associated formal theory – in a ‘box’, by imposing periodicity at the level of the correlation functions. This is an attempt to offer a framework where one may investigate isotropic theories/models through the data of DNS in a manner as consistent with them as possible. We work at the lowest level of the hierarchy, which involves the two-point correlation functions and the Karman–Howarth equation. Periodicity immediately gives us the discrete wavenumber space of the theory. The wavenumbers start from 1.835, 2.896, 3.923, and progressively approach integer values, in an interesting correspondence with the DNS wavenumber shells. Unlike the Navier–Stokes equation, infinitely smooth periodicity is obstructed in this theory, a fact expressed by a sequence of relations obeyed by the normal modes of the Karman–Howarth equation at the endpoints of a unit period interval. Similar relations are imparted to the two-point functions under the condition that the energy spectrum and energy transfer function are realizable. Hence, these relations are necessary conditions for realizability in this theory. Naturally constructed closure schemes for the Karman–Howarth equation do not conform to such relations, thereby destroying realizability. A closure can be made to conform to a finite number of them by adding corrective terms, in a procedure that possesses certain analogies with the renormalization of quantum field theory. Perhaps the most important one is that we can let the spectrum be unphysical (through sign-changing oscillations of decreasing amplitude) for the infinitely large wavenumbers, as long as we can controllably extend the regime where the spectrum remains physical, deep enough in the dissipation subrange so as to be realistically adequate. Indeed, we show that one or two such ‘regularity relations’ are needed at most for comparisons of the predictions of the theory with the current resolution level results of the DNS. For the implementation of our arguments, we use a simple closure scheme previously proposed by Oberlack and Peters. The applicability of our ideas to more complex closures is also discussed.
An ellipsoidal particle in tube Poiseuille flow
Authors: Huang Haibo , Lu Xi-Yun
Published: June 2017

A suspended ellipsoidal particle inside a Poiseuille flow with Reynolds number up to 360 is studied numerically. The effects of tube diameter ($D$), inertia of the particle and the flow, and the particle geometry (both prolate and oblate ellipsoids) are considered. When a prolate particle with $a/b=2$ is inside a wider tube (e.g. $D/A>1.9$), where $A=2a$ is the length of the major axis of the particle, the terminal stable state is tumbling. When the prolate particle is inside a narrower tube ($1.0<D/A<1.9$), log-rolling or kayaking modes may appear. Which mode occurs depends on the competition between fluid and particle inertia. When the fluid inertia is dominant, the log-rolling mode appears, otherwise, the kayaking mode appears. Inclined and spiral modes may appear when $D/A<1$ and $D/A=1$, respectively. For a prolate ellipsoid with $a/b=4$, if $1<D/A<1.9$, there is only the kayaking mode and the log-rolling mode is not observed. When an oblate particle is inside a wider tube (e.g. $D/A>3.5$), it may adopt the log-rolling mode. Inclined and intermediate modes are firstly identified in narrower tubes. The phase diagram of the modes is also provided. The modes in the phase diagrams were not found to be affected by the initial state of the particle based on limited observation.
Whose Support Matters? Support of Friends (but Not Family) May Predict Affect and Wellbeing of Adults Faced With Negative Life Events
Authors: Secor Scott P. , Limke-McLean Alicia , Wright Ronald W.
Published: June 2017

Research on resilience has shown that resilient individuals possess a variety of internal characteristics (e.g., hardiness and reflectiveness) and a mixture of external characteristics (e.g., social contact and relationship recruiting) that interact to promote resilience. This research examined the relationship between social support of friends, social support of family, and resiliency to further understand the impact of social contact on psychological health and wellbeing. Study 1 showed that in the face of self-reported difficult life circumstances, friend support (but not family support) predicts most aspects of psychological wellbeing. Similarly, Study 2 found that previous reports of friend (but not family) support predicted positive affect for participants in a simulated achievement rejection experimental condition. Taken together, these studies suggest that among adults, perceived social support from friends may be more impactful than social support from family.
LATTICE STRUCTURE OF TORSION CLASSES FOR HEREDITARY ARTIN ALGEBRAS
Authors: RINGEL CLAUS MICHAEL
Published: June 2017

Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ be a connected hereditary artin algebra. We show that the set of functorially finite torsion classes of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$-modules is a lattice if and only if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ is either representation-finite (thus a Dynkin algebra) or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ has only two simple modules. For the case of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6EC}$ being the path algebra of a quiver, this result has recently been established by Iyama–Reiten–Thomas–Todorov and our proof follows closely some of their considerations.
ON -DIVISIBLE GROUPS WITH SATURATED NEWTON POLYGONS
Authors: HARASHITA SHUSHI
Published: June 2017

This paper concerns the classification of isogeny classes of$p$-divisible groups with saturated Newton polygons. Let$S$be a normal Noetherian scheme in positive characteristic$p$with a prime Weil divisor$D$. Let${\mathcal{X}}$be a$p$-divisible group over$S$whose geometric fibers over$S\setminus D$(resp. over$D$) have the same Newton polygon. Assume that the Newton polygon of${\mathcal{X}}_{D}$is saturated in that of${\mathcal{X}}_{S\setminus D}$. Our main result (Corollary 1.1) says that${\mathcal{X}}$is isogenous to a$p$-divisible group over$S$whose geometric fibers are all minimal. As an application, we give a geometric proof of the unpolarized analogue of Oort’s conjecture (Oort, J. Amer. Math. Soc.17(2) (2004), 267–296; 6.9).
Cultural effects on neurodevelopmental testing in children from six European countries: an analysis of NUTRIMENTHE Global Database
Authors: Pérez-García Miguel , Luna Juan de Dios , Torres-Espínola Francisco J. , Martínez-Zaldívar Cristina , Anjos Tania , Steenweg-de Graaff Jolien , Weber Martina , Grote Veit , Gruszfeld Dariusz , Verduci Elvira , Poncelet Pascale , Escribano Joaquín , Tiemeier Henning , Koletzko Berthold , Campoy Cristina
Published: June 2017

Cultural background is an important variable influencing neuropsychological performance. Multinational projects usually involve gathering data from participants from different countries and/or different cultures. Little is known about the influence of culture on neuropsychological testing results in children and especially in European children. The objectives of this study were to compare neuropsychological performance of children from six European countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and Spain) using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and to apply a statistical procedure to reduce the influence of country/cultural differences in neuropsychological performance. As expected, the results demonstrated differences in neuropsychological performance among children of the six countries involved. Cultural differences remained after adjusting for other confounders related to neuropsychological execution, such as sex, type of delivery, maternal age, gestational age and maternal educational level. Differences between countries disappeared and influence of culture was considerably reduced when standardised scores by country and sex were used. These results highlight the need for developing specific procedures to compare neuropsychological performance among children from different cultures to be used in multicentre studies.
Christian Difference. A Review Essay
Authors: Tomlinson Matt
Published: June 2017

The discipline called the “anthropology of Christianity” began to gain traction in the early to mid-2000s when interested scholars focused on Christianity as an object of collaborative and comparative cross-cultural analysis. Along with several landmark works of Joel Robbins, one foundational text is Fenella Cannell's edited volume The Anthropology of Christianity, published in 2006. In her introductory essay, Cannell poses a pointed question for the volume and the discipline itself: “What difference does Christianity make?” Bracketing the question of whether “difference” can or should be defined (Green 2014), several anthropologists have taken inspiration from Cannell, including Naomi Haynes (2014) in the concluding essay to a recent special issue of Current Anthropology, and myself and Debra McDougall (2013) in an edited volume on Christian politics in Oceania. Difference, as the criterion by which continuity and transformation are evaluated, is arguably the key concept for an effective anthropological engagement with Christianity.
Application of network methods for understanding mental disorders: pitfalls and promise
Authors: Guloksuz S. , Pries L-K. , van Os J.
Published: June 2017

Galvanized with the availability of sophisticated statistical techniques and large datasets, network medicine has emerged as an active area of investigation. Following this trend, network methods have been utilized to understand the interplay between symptoms of mental disorders. This realistic approach that may provide an improved framework into understanding mental conditions and underlying mechanisms is certainly to be welcomed. However, we have noticed that symptom network studies tend to lose sight of the fundamentals, overlook major limitations embedded in study designs, and make inferences that are difficult to justify with current findings. There is concern that disregarding these flaws may halt the progress of the network approach in psychiatry. Therefore, in this paper, we first attempt to identify the pitfalls: (1) a reductionist understanding of medicine and psychiatry, thereby inadvertently reintroducing the dichotomy of medicine (lung cancer) and psychiatry (depression), (2) a shortsighted view of signs and symptoms, (3) overlooking the limitations of available datasets based on scales with embedded latent class structures, (4) overestimating the importance of the current findings beyond what is supported by the study design. By addressing current issues, the hope is to navigate this rapidly growing field to a more methodologically sound and reproducible path that will contribute to our understanding of mental disorders and its underlying mechanisms.
Diverging Solidarity
Authors: Ibsen Christian Lyhne , Thelen Kathleen
Published: June 2017

The transition from Fordist manufacturing to the so-called knowledge economy confronts organized labor across the advanced market economies with a new and more difficult landscape. Many scholars have suggested that the future of egalitarian capitalism depends on forging new political coalitions that bridge the interests of workers in the “new” and “old” economies. This article explores current trajectories of change in Denmark and Sweden, two countries that are still seen as embodying a more egalitarian model of capitalism. The authors show that labor unions in these countries are pursuing two quite different strategies for achieving social solidarity—the Danish aimed at equality of opportunity and the Swedish aimed at equality of outcomes. The article examines the origins of these different strategic paths and explores the distinctive distributional outcomes they have produced. The conclusion draws out the broad lessons these cases hold for the choices currently confronting labor movements throughout the advanced industrial world.
USING THE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT TOOLBOX TO FACILITATE PROCUREMENT: THE CASE OF SMART PUMPS IN A CANADIAN HOSPITAL
Authors: Poder Thomas G.
Published: June 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the experience of a Canadian hospital-based health technology assessment (HTA) unit that performed the traditional functions of the HTA process along with many other activities to facilitate the choice of smart pumps.

Methods: A rapid literature review was initiated, but little evidence was found. Moreover, the evidence provided was too far from our hospital context. To help our decision makers, we offered them a list of various services based on the skills of our HTA unit staff.

Results: To involve our HTA unit in the choice of the new smart pumps led to a strong collaboration between hospital services. After a rapid review on smart pumps, we proceeded to establish the clinical needs, followed by an evaluation of technical features. To ascertain clinical needs, we participated in the establishment of a conformity list for the tender, a failure and mode-effect analysis, an audit on the use of actual smart pumps, and simulation exercises with nurses and doctors to evaluate the ease of use and ergonomics. With regard to technical tests, these were mainly conducted to identify potential dysfunction and to assess the efficiency of the pump. This experience with smart pumps was useful for evidence-based procurement and led to the formulation of a nine-step process to guide future work.

Conclusions: HTA units and agencies are faced with rapid development of new technologies that may not be supported by sufficient amount of pertinent published evidence. Under these circumstances, approaches other than evidence-based selection might provide useful information. Because these activities may be different from those related to classic HTA, this widens the scope of what can be done in HTA to support decision making.
HOSPITAL-BASED HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR THE ADOPTION OF INNOVATIVE MEDICAL DEVICES WITHIN FRENCH HOSPITALS: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR INDUSTRY
Authors: Dutot Camille , Mercier Grégoire , Borget Isabelle , de Sauvebeuf Côme , Martelli Nicolas
Published: June 2017

Objectives:Within French university hospitals, some internal committees are in charge of conducting hospital-based health technology assessment (Hb-HTA) to support managerial decisions regarding the adoption of innovations. For manufacturers, hospitals are usually the entry point for new and innovative medical devices, which cannot be accessed without the Hb-HTA committees' approval. Thus, the main objective of this pilot survey was to explore manufacturers’ insights into Hb-HTA processes.

Methods:A two-step pilot survey was conducted in 2014. First, semi-structured phone interviews were carried out to capture manufacturers' feedback on the Hb-HTA procedure. Second, a prospective and iterative questionnaire designed to explore manufacturers’ market access strategies was administered.

Results:Eight manufacturers from the medical device industry completed the retrospective phone interviews, and five of them participated in the prospective survey. According to the overall feedback, the Hb-HTA process timeline and transparency are major issues, and the expectations of internal committees, especially in terms of clinical evidence, remain difficult to understand. However, despite this and due to the complexity of reimbursement processes at the national level, manufacturers are increasingly considering hospital adoption through Hb-HTA submission as a viable market access and coverage opportunity.

Conclusions:Our study reaffirms the primary role of hospitals in the diffusion of innovative medical devices. However, to ensure efficient and broad access to innovation, cooperation between local and national HTA bodies is critical and should be promoted.
THROUGHPUT AND BOTTLENECK ANALYSIS OF TANDEM QUEUES WITH NESTED SESSIONS
Authors: Hristov A. , Bosman J.W. , van der Mei R.D. , Bhulai S.
Published: June 2017

Various types of systems across a broad range of disciplines contain tandem queues with nested sessions. Strong dependence between the servers has proved to make such networks complicated and difficult to study. Exact analysis is in most of the cases intractable. Moreover, even when performance metrics such as the saturation throughput and the utilization rates of the servers are known, determining the limiting factor of such a network can be far from trivial. In our work, we present a simple, tractable and nevertheless relatively accurate method for approximating the above mentioned performance measurements for any server in a given network. In addition, we propose an extension to the intuitive “slowest server rule” for identification of the bottleneck, and show through extensive numerical experiments that this method works very well.
Nanocrystalline and stacking-disordered β-cristobalite AlPO4 chemically stabilized at room temperature: synthesis, physical characterization, and X-ray powder diffraction data
Authors: Peplinski B. , Adamczyk B. , Formanek P. , Meyer C. , Krüger O. , Scharf H. , Reinsch S. , Ostermann M. , Nofz M. , Jäger C. , Adam C. , Emmerling F.
Published: June 2017

This paper reports the first successful synthesis and the structural characterization of nanocrystalline and stacking-disordered β-cristobalite AlPO4 that is chemically stabilized down to room temperature and free of crystalline impurity phases. Several batches of the title compound were synthesized and thoroughly characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping in SEM, solid-state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy including the TRAPDOR method, differential thermal analysis (DTA), gas-sorption methods, optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and ion chromatography. Parameters that are critical for the synthesis were identified and optimized. The synthesis procedure yields reproducible results and is well documented. A high-quality XRD pattern of the title compound is presented, which was collected with monochromatic copper radiation at room temperature in a wide 2θ range of 5°–100°.
Newton series, coinductively: a comparative study of composition
Authors: BASOLD HENNING , HANSEN HELLE HVID , PIN JEAN-ÉRIC , RUTTEN JAN
Published: June 2017

We present a comparative study of four product operators on weighted languages: (i) the convolution, (ii) the shuffle, (iii) the infiltration and (iv) the Hadamard product. Exploiting the fact that the set of weighted languages is a final coalgebra, we use coinduction to prove that an operator of the classical difference calculus, the Newton transform, generalises from infinite sequences to weighted languages. We show that the Newton transform is an isomorphism of rings that transforms the Hadamard product of two weighted languages into their infiltration product, and we develop various representations for the Newton transform of a language, together with concrete calculation rules for computing them.
Physiological importance of polyamines
Authors: Lenis Yasser Y. , Elmetwally Mohammed A. , Maldonado-Estrada Juan G. , Bazer Fuller W.
Published: June 2017

Polyamines are polycationic molecules that contain two or more amino groups (–NH3+) and are present in all eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Polyamines are synthesized from arginine, ornithine, and proline, and from methionine as the methyl-group donor. In the traditional pathway for polyamine synthesis, arginase converts arginine into ornithine, which is decarboxylated by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC1) to generate putrescine. The latter is converted to spermidine and spermine. Recent studies have indicated the existence of ‘non-classical pathways’ for the generation of putrescine from arginine and proline in animal cells. Specifically, arginine decarboxylase (ADC) catalyzes the conversion of arginine into agmatine, which is hydrolyzed by agmatinase (AGMAT) to form putrescine. Additionally, proline is oxidized by proline oxidase to yield pyrroline-5-carboxylate, which undergoes transamination with glutamate to produce ornithine for decarboxylation by ODC1. Intracellular production of polyamines is controlled by antizymes binding to and inactivating ODC1. Polyamines exert effects that include stimulation of cell division and proliferation, gene expression for the survival of cells, DNA and protein synthesis, regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and cell–cell communication activity. Accordingly, polyamines are essential for early embryonic development and successful pregnancy outcome in mammals. In this paper the main concepts on the history, structure and molecular pathways of polyamines as well as their physiological role on angiogenesis, and reproductive physiology are reviewed.
Exploring the influence of local food environments on food behaviours: a systematic review of qualitative literature
Authors: Pitt Erin , Gallegos Danielle , Comans Tracy , Cameron Cate , Thornton Lukar
Published: June 2017

Objective

Systematic reviews investigating associations between objective measures of the food environment and dietary behaviours or health outcomes have not established a consistent evidence base. The present paper aims to synthesise qualitative evidence regarding the influence of local food environments on food and purchasing behaviours.

Design

A systematic review in the form of a qualitative thematic synthesis.

Setting

Urban localities.

Subjects

Adults.

Results

Four analytic themes were identified from the review including community and consumer nutrition environments, other environmental factors and individual coping strategies for shopping and purchasing decisions. Availability, accessibility and affordability were consistently identified as key determinants of store choice and purchasing behaviours that often result in less healthy food choices within community nutrition environments. Food availability, quality and food store characteristics within consumer nutrition environments also greatly influenced in-store purchases. Individuals used a range of coping strategies in both the community and consumer nutrition environments to make optimal purchasing decisions, often within the context of financial constraints.

Conclusions

Findings from the current review add depth and scope to quantitative literature and can guide ongoing theory, interventions and policy development in food environment research. There is a need to investigate contextual influences within food environments as well as individual and household socio-economic characteristics that contribute to the differing use of and views towards local food environments. Greater emphasis on how individual and environmental factors interact in the food environment field will be key to developing stronger understanding of how environments can support and promote healthier food choices.
Association between gestational diabetes and perinatal depressive symptoms: evidence from a Greek cohort study
Authors: Varela Pinelopi , Spyropoulou Areti C. , Kalogerakis Zacharias , Vousoura Eleni , Moraitou Martha , Zervas Iannis M.
Published: June 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to assess the association of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with prenatal and postnatal depressive symptoms in a sample of pregnant women in Greece.

Background

Earlier research supports a relationship between depression and diabetes, but only a few studies have examined the relationship between GDM and perinatal depressive symptomatology.

Methods

A total of 117 women in their third trimester of pregnancy participated in the study. Demographic and obstetric history data were recorded during women’s third trimester of pregnancy. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the validated Greek version of the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at two time points: on the third trimester of pregnancy and on the first week postpartum.

Findings

Prevalence of GDM was 14.5%. Probable diagnosis of depression occurred for 12% of the sample during the antenatal assessment and 15.1% in the postpartum assessment. In the first week postpartum, women with GDM had significantly higher postpartum (but no antenatal) EPDS scores compared with the non-GDM cohort. In conclusion, GDM appears to be associated with depressive symptoms in the first week postpartum. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed, emphasizing the importance of closely monitoring women with GDM who seem more vulnerable to developing depressive symptomatology during the postnatal period.
A General Procedure for Testing Inequality Constrained Hypotheses in	SEM
Authors: Vanbrabant Leonard , Van de Schoot Rens , Van Loey Nancy , Rosseel Yves
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Researchers in the social and behavioral sciences often have clear expectations about the order and/or the sign of the parameters in their statistical model. For example, a researcher might expect that regression coefficient β1 is larger than regression coefficients β2 and β3. To test such a constrained hypothesis special methods have been developed. However, the existing methods for structural equation models (SEM) are complex, computationally demanding, and a software routine is lacking. Therefore, in this paper we describe a general procedure for testing order/inequality constrained hypotheses in SEM using the R package lavaan. We use the likelihood ratio (LR) statistic to test constrained hypotheses and the resulting plug-in p value is computed by either parametric or Bollen-Stine bootstrapping. Since the obtained plug-in p value can be biased, a double bootstrap approach is available. The procedure is illustrated by a real-life example about the psychosocial functioning in patients with facial burn wounds.
Loss of Parkinson’s disease-associated protein CHCHD2 affects mitochondrial crista structure and destabilizes cytochrome c
Authors: Meng Hongrui , Yamashita Chikara , Shiba-Fukushima Kahori , Inoshita Tsuyoshi , Funayama Manabu , Sato Shigeto , Hatta Tomohisa , Natsume Tohru , Umitsu Masataka , Takagi Junichi , Imai Yuzuru , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: June 2017

Mutations in CHCHD2 have been identified in some Parkinson’s disease (PD) cases. To understand the physiological and pathological roles of CHCHD2, we manipulated the expression of CHCHD2 in Drosophila and mammalian cells. The loss of CHCHD2 in Drosophila causes abnormal matrix structures and impaired oxygen respiration in mitochondria, leading to oxidative stress, dopaminergic neuron loss and motor dysfunction with age. These PD-associated phenotypes are rescued by the overexpression of the translation inhibitor 4E-BP and by the introduction of human CHCHD2 but not its PD-associated mutants. CHCHD2 is upregulated by various mitochondrial stresses, including the destabilization of mitochondrial genomes and unfolded protein stress, in Drosophila. CHCHD2 binds to cytochrome c along with a member of the Bax inhibitor-1 superfamily, MICS1, and modulated cell death signalling, suggesting that CHCHD2 dynamically regulates the functions of cytochrome c in both oxidative phosphorylation and cell death in response to mitochondrial stress.
Nanoimaging of resonating hyperbolic polaritons in linear boron nitride antennas
Authors: Alfaro-Mozaz F. J. , Alonso-González P. , Vélez S. , Dolado I. , Autore M. , Mastel S. , Casanova F. , Hueso L. E. , Li P. , Nikitin A. Y. , Hillenbrand R.
Published: June 2017

Polaritons in layered materials—including van der Waals materials—exhibit hyperbolic dispersion and strong field confinement, which makes them highly attractive for applications including optical nanofocusing, sensing and control of spontaneous emission. Here we report a near-field study of polaritonic Fabry–Perot resonances in linear antennas made of a hyperbolic material. Specifically, we study hyperbolic phonon–polaritons in rectangular waveguide antennas made of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN, a prototypical van der Waals crystal). Infrared nanospectroscopy and nanoimaging experiments reveal sharp resonances with large quality factors around 100, exhibiting atypical modal near-field patterns that have no analogue in conventional linear antennas. By performing a detailed mode analysis, we can assign the antenna resonances to a single waveguide mode originating from the hybridization of hyperbolic surface phonon–polaritons (Dyakonov polaritons) that propagate along the edges of the h-BN waveguide. Our work establishes the basis for the understanding and design of linear waveguides, resonators, sensors and metasurface elements based on hyperbolic materials and metamaterials.
Inhomogeneous spatial distribution of the magnetic transition in an iron-rhodium thin film
Authors: Gatel C. , Warot-Fonrose B. , Biziere N. , Rodríguez L.A. , Reyes D. , Cours R. , Castiella M. , Casanove M.J.
Published: June 2017

Monitoring a magnetic state using thermal or electrical activation is mandatory for the development of new magnetic devices, for instance in heat or electrically assisted magnetic recording or room-temperature memory resistor. Compounds such as FeRh, which undergoes a magnetic transition from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state around 100 °C, are thus highly desirable. However, the mechanisms involved in the transition are still under debate. Here we use in situ heating and cooling electron holography to quantitatively map at the nanometre scale the magnetization of a cross-sectional FeRh thin film through the antiferromagnetic–ferromagnetic transition. Our results provide a direct observation of an inhomogeneous spatial distribution of the transition temperature along the growth direction. Most interestingly, a regular spacing of the ferromagnetic domains nucleated upon monitoring of the transition is also observed. Beyond these findings on the fundamental transition mechanisms, our work also brings insights for in operando analysis of magnetic devices.
DNA vaccination protects mice against Zika virus-induced damage to the testes
Authors: Griffin Bryan D. , Muthumani Kar , Warner Bryce M. , Majer Anna , Hagan Mable , Audet Jonathan , Stein Derek R. , Ranadheera Charlene , Racine Trina , De La Vega Marc-Antoine , Piret Jocelyne , Kucas Stephanie , Tran Kaylie N. , Frost Kathy L. , De Graff Christine , Soule Geoff , Scharikow Leanne , Scott Jennifer , McTavish Gordon , Smid Valerie , Park Young K. , Maslow Joel N. , Sardesai Niranjan Y. , Kim J. Joseph , Yao Xiao-jian , Bello Alexander , Lindsay Robbin , Boivin Guy , Booth Stephanie A. , Kobasa Darwyn , Embury-Hyatt Carissa , Safronetz David , Weiner David B. , Kobinger Gary P.
Published: June 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging pathogen causally associated with serious sequelae in fetuses, inducing fetal microcephaly and other neurodevelopment defects. ZIKV is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, but can persist in human semen and sperm, and sexual transmission has been documented. Moreover, exposure of type-I interferon knockout mice to ZIKV results in severe damage to the testes, epididymis and sperm. Candidate ZIKV vaccines have shown protective efficacy in preclinical studies carried out in animal models, and several vaccines have entered clinical trials. Here, we report that administration of a synthetic DNA vaccine encoding ZIKV pre-membrane and envelope (prME) completely protects mice against ZIKV-associated damage to the testes and sperm and prevents viral persistence in the testes following challenge with a contemporary strain of ZIKV. These data suggest that DNA vaccination merits further investigation as a potential means to reduce ZIKV persistence in the male reproductive tract.
Crystal structures of U6 snRNA-specific terminal uridylyltransferase
Authors: Yamashita Seisuke , Takagi Yuko , Nagaike Takashi , Tomita Kozo
Published: June 2017

The terminal uridylyltransferase, TUT1, builds or repairs the 3′-oligo-uridylylated tail of U6 snRNA. The 3′-oligo-uridylylated tail is the Lsm-binding site for U4/U6 di-snRNP formation and U6 snRNA recycling for pre-mRNA splicing. Here, we report crystallographic and biochemical analyses of human TUT1, which revealed the mechanisms for the specific uridylylation of the 3′-end of U6 snRNA by TUT1. The O2 and O4 atoms of the UTP base form hydrogen bonds with the conserved His and Asn in the catalytic pocket, respectively, and TUT1 preferentially incorporates UMP onto the 3′-end of RNAs. TUT1 recognizes the entire U6 snRNA molecule by its catalytic domains, N-terminal RNA-recognition motifs and a previously unidentified C-terminal RNA-binding domain. Each domain recognizes specific regions within U6 snRNA, and the recognition is coupled with the domain movements and U6 snRNA structural changes. Hence, TUT1 functions as the U6 snRNA-specific terminal uridylyltransferase required for pre-mRNA splicing.
Indium selenide: an insight into electronic band structure and surface excitations
Authors: Politano A. , Campi D. , Cattelan M. , Ben Amara I. , Jaziri S. , Mazzotti A. , Barinov A. , Gürbulak B. , Duman S. , Agnoli S. , Caputi L. S. , Granozzi G. , Cupolillo A.
Published: June 2017

We have investigated the electronic response of single crystals of indium selenide by means of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and density functional theory. The loss spectrum of indium selenide shows the direct free exciton at ~1.3 eV and several other peaks, which do not exhibit dispersion with the momentum. The joint analysis of the experimental band structure and the density of states indicates that spectral features in the loss function are strictly related to single-particle transitions. These excitations cannot be considered as fully coherent plasmons and they are damped even in the optical limit, i.e. for small momenta. The comparison of the calculated symmetry-projected density of states with electron energy loss spectra enables the assignment of the spectral features to transitions between specific electronic states. Furthermore, the effects of ambient gases on the band structure and on the loss function have been probed.
Association of Polymorphisms in Pharmacogenetic Candidate Genes with Propofol Susceptibility
Authors: Zhong Qi , Chen Xiangdong , Zhao Yan , Liu Ru , Yao Shanglong
Published: June 2017

Significant individual susceptibility to intravenous anesthetic propofol exists. The etiology of individual variability in the response to propofol may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms in metabolic and functional pathways. With current pharmacogenetics and modern molecular biology technologies, it is possible to study the influence of genetic polymorphisms on susceptibility to propofol. When inducing general anesthesia with intravenous propofol, high individual susceptibility to propofol was found. Using Sequenom MassARRAY single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, we identified a mutation (rs6313) in the 5HT2A gene that was correlated to individual susceptibility to propofol effect-site concentration (Cep) and onset time of propofol induction. Carriers of the minor allele (G) of 5HT2A rs6313 required less propofol (20% decrease in Cep) and less time (40% decrease in onset time) to induce anesthesia. Moreover, associations were found between the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor SNP rs2279020 and the SCN9A SNP rs6746030 and the susceptibility of bispectral index (BIS) after propofol-induced anesthesia. In addition, dominant mutations in GABAA1 rs2279020, GABAA2 rs11503014, and CHRM2 rs1824024 were putatively associated with cardiovascular susceptibility to propofol anesthesia. No gene-gene interactions were found through a standardized measure of linkage disequilibrium and a multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis. Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms related to mechanisms of propofol anesthesia are involved in propofol susceptibility.
Chlorophyll derivatives enhance invertebrate red-light and ultraviolet phototaxis
Authors: Degl’Innocenti Andrea , Rossi Leonardo , Salvetti Alessandra , Marino Attilio , Meloni Gabriella , Mazzolai Barbara , Ciofani Gianni
Published: June 2017

Chlorophyll derivatives are known to enhance vision in vertebrates. They are thought to bind visual pigments (i.e., opsins apoproteins bound to retinal chromophores) directly within the retina. Consistent with previous findings in vertebrates, here we show that chlorin e6 — a chlorophyll derivative — enhances photophobicity in a flatworm (Dugesia japonica), specifically when exposed to UV radiation (λ = 405 nm) or red light (λ = 660 nm). This is the first report of chlorophyll derivatives acting as modulators of invertebrate phototaxis, and in general the first account demonstrating that they can artificially alter animal response to light at a behavioral level. Our findings show that the interaction between chlorophyll derivatives and opsins virtually concerns the vast majority of bilaterian animals, and also occurs in visual systems based on rhabdomeric (rather than ciliary) opsins.
Safety of Acupuncture: Overview of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Chan Malcolm W. C. , Wu Xin Yin , Wu Justin C. Y. , Wong Samuel Y. S. , Chung Vincent C. H.
Published: June 2017

Acupuncture is increasingly used worldwide. It is becoming more accepted by both patients and healthcare providers. However, the current understanding of its adverse events (AEs) is fragmented. We conducted this overview to collect all systematic reviews (SRs) on the AEs of acupuncture and related therapies. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from inception to December 2015. Methodological quality of included reviews was assessed with a validated instrument. Evidence was narratively reported. Seventeen SRs covering various types of acupuncture were included. Methodological quality of the reviews was overall mediocre. Four major categories of AEs were identified, which are organ or tissue injuries (13 reviews, median: 36 cases, median deaths: 4), infections (11 reviews, median: 17 cases, median deaths: 0.5), local AEs or reactions (12 reviews, median: 8.5 cases, no deaths were reported), and other complications such as dizziness or syncope (11 reviews, median: 21 cases, no deaths were reported). Minor and serious AEs can occur during the use of acupuncture and related modalities, contrary to the common impression that acupuncture is harmless. Serious AEs are rare, but need significant attention as mortality can be associated with them. Referrals should consider acupuncturists’ training credibility, and patient safety should be a core part of acupuncture education.
Identification of a gene cluster for telomestatin biosynthesis and heterologous expression using a specific promoter in a clean host
Authors: Amagai Keita , Ikeda Haruo , Hashimoto Junko , Kozone Ikuko , Izumikawa Miho , Kudo Fumitaka , Eguchi Tadashi , Nakamura Takemichi , Osada Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shunji , Shin-ya Kazuo
Published: June 2017

Telomestatin, a strong telomerase inhibitor with G-quadruplex stabilizing activity, is a potential therapeutic agent for treating cancers. Difficulties in isolating telomestatin from microbial cultures and in chemical synthesis are bottlenecks impeding the wider use. Therefore, improvement in telomestatin production and structural diversification are required for further utilization and application. Here, we discovered the gene cluster responsible for telomestatin biosynthesis, and achieved production of telomestatin by heterologous expression of this cluster in the engineered Streptomyces avermitilis SUKA strain. Utilization of an optimal promoter was essential for successful production. Gene disruption studies revealed that the tlsB, tlsC, and tlsO–T genes play key roles in telomestatin biosynthesis. Moreover, exchanging TlsC core peptide sequences resulted in the production of novel telomestatin derivatives. This study sheds light on the expansion of chemical diversity of natural peptide products for drug development.
Improved efficacy of an arthropod toxin expressing fungus against insecticide-resistant malaria-vector mosquitoes
Authors: Bilgo Etienne , Lovett Brian , Fang Weiguo , Bende Niraj , King Glenn F. , Diabate Abdoulaye , St. Leger Raymond J.
Published: June 2017

The continued success of malaria control efforts requires the development, study and implementation of new technologies that circumvent insecticide resistance. We previously demonstrated that fungal pathogens can provide an effective delivery system for mosquitocidal or malariacidal biomolecules. Here we compared genes from arthropod predators encoding insect specific sodium, potassium and calcium channel blockers for their ability to improve the efficacy of Metarhizium against wild-caught, insecticide-resistant anophelines. Toxins expressed under control of a hemolymph-specific promoter increased fungal lethality to mosquitoes at spore dosages as low as one conidium per mosquito. One of the most potent, the EPA approved Hybrid (Ca++/K+ channel blocker), was studied for pre-lethal effects. These included reduced blood feeding behavior, with almost 100% of insects infected with ~6 spores unable to transmit malaria within 5 days post-infection, surpassing the World Health Organization threshold for successful vector control agents. Furthermore, recombinant strains co-expressing Hybrid toxin and AaIT (Na+ channel blocker) produced synergistic effects, requiring 45% fewer spores to kill half of the mosquitoes in 5 days as single toxin strains. Our results identify a repertoire of toxins with different modes of action that improve the utility of entomopathogens as a technology that is compatible with existing insecticide-based control methods.
Radioiodination of BODIPY and its application to a nuclear and optical dual functional labeling agent for proteins and peptides
Authors: Ono Masahiro , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Ikehata Yuki , Ding Ning , Yoshimura Masashi , Sano Kohei , Saji Hideo
Published: June 2017

In molecular imaging research, the development of multimodal imaging probes has recently attracted much attention. In the present study, we prepared radioiodinated BODIPY and applied it as a nuclear and optical dual functional labeling agent for proteins and peptides. We designed and synthesized [125I]BODIPY with a N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester, and evaluated its utility as a nuclear and fluorescent dual labeling agent for proteins and peptides. In the radioiodination reaction of BODIPY-NHS with [125I]NaI, [125I]BODIPY-NHS was obtained at a 48% radiochemical yield. When we carried out the conjugation reaction of [125I]BODIPY-NHS with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide as a model protein and peptide, respectively, [125I]BODIPY-BSA and [125I]BODIPY-RGD peptide were successfully prepared at 98 and 82% radiochemical yields, respectively. Furthermore, we prepared [123I]BODIPY-trastuzumab by this conjugation reaction and successfully applied it to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging studies using tumor-bearing mice, suggesting that radioiodinated BODIPY-NHS serves as a dual functional labeling agent for proteins and peptides. Since iodine has various radioisotopes that can be used for SPECT and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, biological research, and radiotherapy, the radioiodinated BODIPY may be extensively applicable from basic to clinical research.
Dressmakers show enhanced stereoscopic vision
Authors: Chopin Adrien , Levi Dennis M. , Bavelier Daphné
Published: June 2017

The ability to estimate the distance of objects from one’s self and from each other is fundamental to a variety of behaviours from grasping objects to navigating. The main cue to distance, stereopsis, relies on the slight offsets between the images derived from our left and right eyes, also termed disparities. Here we ask whether the precision of stereopsis varies with professional experience with precise manual tasks. We measured stereo-acuities of dressmakers and non-dressmakers for both absolute and relative disparities. We used a stereoscope and a computerized test removing monocular cues. We also measured vergence noise and bias using the Nonius line technique. We demonstrate that dressmakers’ stereoscopic acuities are better than those of non-dressmakers, for both absolute and relative disparities. In contrast, vergence noise and bias were comparable in the two groups. Two non-exclusive mechanisms may be at the source of the group difference we document: (i) self-selection or the fact that stereo-vision is functionally important to become a dressmaker, and (ii) plasticity, or the fact that training on demanding stereovision tasks improves stereo-acuity.
Targeted sequencing of both DNA strands barcoded and captured individually by RNA probes to identify genome-wide ultra-rare mutations
Authors: Wang Qing , Wang Xu , Tang Pheobe S. , O’leary Grace M. , Zhang Ming
Published: June 2017

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has been widely implemented in biological research and has made a profound impact on patient care. One of the essential NGS applications is to identify disease-causing sequence variants, where high coverage and accuracy are needed. Here, we reported a novel NGS pipeline, termed a Sequencing System of Digitalized Barcode Encrypted Single-stranded Library from Extremely Low (quality and quantity) DNA Input with Probe-based DNA Enrichment by RNA probes targeting DNA duplex (DEEPER-Seq). This method combines an ultra-sensitive single-stranded library construction with barcoding error correction, termed DEEPER-Library; and a DNA capture approach using RNA probes targeting both DNA strands, termed DEEPER-Capture. DEEPER-Seq can create NGS libraries from as little as 20 pg DNA with PCR error correcting capabilities, and capture target sequences at an average ratio of 29.2% by targeting both DNA strands simultaneously with an over 98.6% coverage. Our method tags and sequences each of the two strands of a DNA duplex independently and only scores mutations that are found at the same position in both strands, which allows us to identify mutations with allelic fractions down to 0.03% in a whole exome sequencing (WES) study with a background error rate of one artificial error per 4.8 × 109 nucleotides.
Discovery of a novel conformational equilibrium in urokinase-type plasminogen activator
Authors: Kromann-Hansen Tobias , Louise Lange Eva , Peter Sørensen Hans , Hassanzadeh-Ghassabeh Gholamreza , Huang Mingdong , Jensen Jan K. , Muyldermans Serge , Declerck Paul J. , Komives Elizabeth A. , Andreasen Peter A.
Published: June 2017

Although trypsin-like serine proteases have flexible surface-exposed loops and are known to adopt higher and lower activity conformations, structural determinants for the different conformations have remained largely obscure. The trypsin-like serine protease, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), is central in tissue remodeling processes and also strongly implicated in tumor metastasis. We solved five X-ray crystal structures of murine uPA (muPA) in the absence and presence of allosteric molecules and/or substrate-like molecules. The structure of unbound muPA revealed an unsuspected non-chymotrypsin-like protease conformation in which two β-strands in the core of the protease domain undergoes a major antiparallel-to-parallel conformational transition. We next isolated two anti-muPA nanobodies; an active-site binding nanobody and an allosteric nanobody. Crystal structures of the muPA:nanobody complexes and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry revealed molecular insights about molecular factors controlling the antiparallel-to-parallel equilibrium in muPA. Together with muPA activity assays, the data provide valuable insights into regulatory mechanisms and conformational flexibility of uPA and trypsin-like serine proteases in general.