bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of observed of behavior of Sidi El Barrak Dam (Tunisia)
Authors: Karoui Hatem , Bouassida Mounir
Published: November 2016

Sidi El Barrak is a Tunisian earth dam of height 28 m; it was built in 1999 on a heterogeneous foundation that has a strong dominance of sandy formations. This dam covers an area of 896 km2 and receives about 260 Millions cubic meters of water per year. The foundation of the Sidi El Barrak dam was treated by vibro-compaction over the first 10 meters, to improve the relative density of upper sand layer against the liquefaction risk. Monitoring the behavior of the dam was assured against the hydraulic behavior and topographic auscultation. The recorded peak settlement at the crest level since July 3rd, 2003 until August 2015 was about 18.7 cm. In order to reproduce the behavior of the dam in terms of consolidation, a plane strain numerical model of the dam and soil foundation has been proposed. The simulation of dam behavior using the Mohr–Coulomb model for the material of dike and the sandy layer and by adopting the Soft Soil Model for clay layer led to predicted settlement almost in agreement with measured values. Three options of numerical computation were performed by adopting three constitutive laws of the constitutive materials of the dam and its foundation. The observed behavior of the dam during 15 years (up to date) was successfully predicted by the conducted numerical investigation.
A pulse size estimation method for reduced-order models
Authors: Griffiths L.M. , Gaitonde A.L. , Jones D.P. , Friswell M.I.
Published: November 2016

Model-Order Reduction (MOR) is an important technique that allows Reduced-Order Models (ROMs) of physical systems to be generated that can capture the dominant dynamics, but at lower cost than the full order system. One approach to MOR that has been successfully implemented in fluid dynamics is the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA). This method requires only minimal changes to the inputs and outputs of a CFD code so that the linear responses of the system to unit impulses on each input channel can be extracted. One of the challenges with the method is to specify the size of the input pulse. An inappropriate size may cause a failure of the code to converge due to non-physical behaviour arising during the solution process. This paper addresses this issue by using piston theory to estimate the appropriate input pulse size.
RISK REDISTRIBUTION GAMES WITH DUAL UTILITIES
Authors: Boonen Tim J.
Published: November 2016

This paper studies optimal risk redistribution between firms, such as institutional investors, banks or insurance companies. We consider the case where every firm uses dual utility (also called a distortion risk measure) to evaluate risk. We characterize optimal risk redistributions via four properties that need to be satisfied jointly. The characterized risk redistribution is unique under three conditions. Whereas we characterize risk redistributions by means of properties, we can also use some results to study competitive equilibria. We characterize uniqueness of the competitive equilibrium in markets with dual utilities. Finally, we identify two conditions that are jointly necessary and sufficient for the case that there exists a trade that is welfare-improving for all firms.
Extending Cognitive-Behavioural Theory and Therapy to Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Long-Term Physical Conditions: A Hybrid Transdiagnostic/Problem Specific Approach
Authors: Salkovskis Paul M. , Gregory James D. , Sedgwick-Taylor Alison , White Julie , Opher Simon , Ólafsdóttir Sigrún
Published: November 2016

Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are not only common and distressing, but are also typically poorly managed in general medical settings. Those suffering from these problems tend to incur significantly higher health costs than the general population. There are many effective treatments for different MUS; these are almost entirely based on cognitive-behavioural approaches. However, the wide range of treatment protocols tend to be ‘syndrome specific’. As such, they do not generalise well in terms of training and application, making them expensive and difficult to disseminate, suggesting the desirability of developing a transdiagnostic approach. The general basis of such a CBT grounded transdiagnostic approach is considered, and the particular need to incorporate cognitive elements of both anxiety or health anxiety (threat) and depression (loss) is highlighted. Key empirically grounded and evidence-based processes (both specific and general) previously identified as underpinning the maintenance of MUS are delineated. The way in which these can be combined in a transdiagnostic model that accounts for most MUS presentations is presented and linked to a formulation-driven transdiagnostic treatment strategy, which is described. However, the need to take more syndrome-specific issues into account in treatment is identified, suggesting that the optimum treatment may be a hybrid transdiagnostic/specific approach with formulation, shared understanding, belief change strategies, and behavioural experiments at its heart. The generalisation of such approaches to psychological problems occurring in the context of ‘long-term conditions’ is identified as a further important development that is now within reach.
The role of the people in the characterization of populism. Evidence from the press coverage of the 2014 European Parliament election campaign in Italy
Authors: De Luca Marino , Ciaglia Antonio
Published: November 2016

Populism is being increasingly studied by political and social scientists. This article pays particular attention to the way in which ‘people’ can be approached and appealed to by their leaders. In particular, by undertaking a content analysis of the two most read daily newspapers in Italy, and by relying on the technique of correspondence analysis, this article shows that to fully understand the phenomenon of populism, the way in which ‘the people’ are approached by their leaders cannot be left aside. In doing so, this article empirically analyses and discusses three dimension of populism and contributes to a more granular understanding of this phenomenon in established democracies.
Multi-fidelity modelling of mixed convection based on experimental correlations and numerical simulations
Authors: Babaee H. , Perdikaris P. , Chryssostomidis C. , Karniadakis G. E.
Published: November 2016

For thermal mixed-convection flows, the Nusselt number is a function of Reynolds number, Grashof number and the angle between the forced- and natural-convection directions. We consider flow over a heated cylinder for which there is no universal correlation that accurately predicts Nusselt number as a function of these parameters, especially in opposing-convection flows, where the natural convection is against the forced convection. Here, we revisit this classical problem by employing modern tools from machine learning to develop a general multi-fidelity framework for constructing a stochastic response surface for the Nusselt number. In particular, we combine previously developed experimental correlations (low-fidelity model) with direct numerical simulations (high-fidelity model) using Gaussian process regression and autoregressive stochastic schemes. In this framework the high-fidelity model is sampled only a few times, while the inexpensive empirical correlation is sampled at a very high rate. We obtain the mean Nusselt number directly from the stochastic multi-fidelity response surface, and we also propose an improved correlation. This new correlation seems to be consistent with the physics of this problem as we correct the vectorial addition of forced and natural convection with a pre-factor that weighs differently the forced convection. This, in turn, results in a new definition of the effective Reynolds number, hence accounting for the ‘incomplete similarity’ between mixed convection and forced convection. In addition, due to the probabilistic construction, we can quantify the uncertainty associated with the predictions. This information-fusion framework is useful for elucidating the physics of the flow, especially in cases where anomalous transport or interesting dynamics may be revealed by contrasting the variable fidelity across the models. While in this paper we focus on the thermal mixed convection, the multi-fidelity framework provides a new paradigm that could be used in many different contexts in fluid mechanics including heat and mass transport, but also in combining various levels of fidelity of models of turbulent flows.
Towards an Understanding of Interest Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools
Authors: Lynch Raymond
Published: November 2016

Many studies have examined the psychology of interest and interest development, with these studies spanning various fields such as educational psychology, personality development, and vocational guidance. However, the pragmatic benefit of being able to accurately measure interests has often overshadowed the broader potential benefits of research into interest development. Drawing from research across different fields, this article summarises the historical evolution of research into interest development, culminating with the four-phase model of interest development as advanced by Hidi and Renninger ( 2006 ). It proceeds to examine the impact of this research on the work of psychologists and counsellors in schools. Finally, this article concludes by problematising the current dominance of assessment services and the use of interest inventories, while exploring potential opportunities to better support student engagement through a broader understanding of interest development.
IITAKA CONJECTURE FOR 3-FOLDS OVER FINITE FIELDS
Authors: BIRKAR CAUCHER , CHEN YIFEI , ZHANG LEI
Published: November 2016

We prove Iitaka $C_{n,m}$ conjecture for $3$-folds over the algebraic closure of finite fields. Along the way we prove some results on the birational geometry of log surfaces over nonclosed fields and apply these to existence of relative good minimal models of $3$-folds.
Impact of low pH/high pCO2 on the physiological response and fatty acid content in diatom Skeletonema pseudocostatum
Authors: Jacob Bárbara G. , von Dassow Peter , Salisbury Joe E. , Navarro Jorge M. , Vargas Cristian A.
Published: November 2016

pCO2/pH perturbation experiments were carried out under two different pCO2 levels to evaluate effects of CO2-driven ocean acidification on semi-continuous cultures of the marine diatom Skeletonema pseudocostatum CSA48. Under higher pCO2/lowered pH conditions, our results showed that CO2-driven acidification had no significant impact on growth rate, chlorophyll-a, cellular abundance, gross photosynthesis, dark respiration, particulate organic carbon and particulate organic nitrogen between CO2-treatments, suggesting that S. pseudocostatum is adapted to tolerate changes of ~0.5 units of pH under high pCO2 conditions. However, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and DOC/POC ratio were significantly higher at high pCO2, indicating that a greater partitioning of organic carbon into the DOC pool was stimulated by high CO2/low pH conditions. Total fatty acids (FAs) were significantly higher under low pCO2 conditions. The composition of FAs changed from low to high pCO2, with an increase in the concentration of saturated and a reduction of monounsaturated FAs. Polyunsaturated FAs did not show significant differences between pCO2 treatments. Our results lead to the conclusion that the balance between negative or null effect on S. pseudocostatum ecophysiology upon low pH/high pCO2 conditions constitute an important factor to be considered in order to evaluate the global effect of rising atmospheric CO2 on primary productivity in coastal ocean. We found a significant decrease in total FAs, however no indications were found for a detrimental effect of ocean acidification on the nutritional quality in terms of essential fatty acids.
Why calpain inhibitors are interesting leading compounds to search for new therapeutic options to treat leishmaniasis?
Authors: ENNES-VIDAL VITOR , MENNA-BARRETO RUBEM FIGUEIREDO SADOCK , BRANQUINHA MARTA HELENA , DOS SANTOS ANDRÉ LUIS SOUZA , D'AVILA-LEVY CLAUDIA MASINI
Published: November 2016

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease, which needs improvements in drug development, mainly due to the toxicity, parasite resistance and low compliance of patients to treatment. Therefore, the development of new chemotherapeutic compounds is an urgent need. This opinion article will briefly highlight the feasible use of calpain inhibitors as leading compounds to search for new therapeutic options to treat leishmaniasis. The milestone of this approach is to take advantage on the myriad of inhibitors developed against calpains, some of which are in advanced clinical trials. The deregulated activity of these enzymes is associated with several pathologies, such as strokes, diabetes and Parkinson's disease, to name a few. InLeishmania, calpain upregulation has been associated to drug resistance and virulence. Whereas the difficulties in developing new drugs for neglected diseases are more economical than biotechnological, repurposing approach with compounds already approved for clinical use by the regulatory agencies can be an interesting shortcut to a successful chemotherapeutic treatment for leishmaniasis.
Evaluating drug resistance in visceral leishmaniasis: the challenges
Authors: HENDRICKX S , GUERIN PJ , CALJON G , CROFT SL , MAES L
Published: November 2016

For decades antimonials were the drugs of choice for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but the recent emergence of resistance has made them redundant as first-line therapy in the endemic VL region in the Indian subcontinent. The application of other drugs has been limited due to adverse effects, perceived high cost, need for parenteral administration and increasing rate of treatment failures. Liposomal amphotericin B (AmB) and miltefosine (MIL) have been positioned as the effective first-line treatments; however, the number of monotherapy MIL-failures has increased after a decade of use. Since no validated molecular resistance markers are yet available, monitoring and surveillance of changes in drug sensitivity and resistance still depends on standard phenotypicin vitropromastigote or amastigote susceptibility assays. Clinical isolates displaying defined MIL- or AmB-resistance are still fairly scarce and fundamental and applied research on resistance mechanisms and dynamics remains largely dependent on laboratory-generated drug resistant strains. This review addresses the various challenges associated with drug susceptibility and -resistance monitoring in VL, with particular emphasis on the choice of strains, susceptibility model selection and standardization of procedures with specific read-out parameters and well-defined threshold criteria. The latter are essential to support surveillance systems and safeguard the limited number of currently available antileishmanial drugs.
Relationship of amotivation to neurocognition, self-efficacy and functioning in first-episode psychosis: a structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Chang W. C. , Kwong V. W. Y. , Hui C. L. M. , Chan S. K. W. , Lee E. H. M. , Chen E. Y. H.
Published: November 2016

Background

Better understanding of the complex interplay among key determinants of functional outcome is crucial to promoting recovery in psychotic disorders. However, this is understudied in the early course of illness. We aimed to examine the relationships among negative symptoms, neurocognition, general self-efficacy and global functioning in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Method

Three hundred and twenty-one Chinese patients aged 26–55 years presenting with FEP to an early intervention program in Hong Kong were recruited. Assessments encompassing symptom profiles, functioning, perceived general self-efficacy and a battery of neurocognitive tests were conducted. Negative symptom measurement was subdivided into amotivation and diminished expression (DE) domain scores based on the ratings in the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms.

Results

An initial SEM model showed no significant association between functioning and DE which was removed from further analysis. A final trimmed model yielded very good model fit (χ2= 15.48,p= 0.63; comparative fit index = 1.00; root mean square error of approximation <0.001) and demonstrated that amotivation, neurocognition and general self-efficacy had a direct effect on global functioning. Amotivation was also found to mediate a significant indirect effect of neurocognition and general self-efficacy on functioning. Neurocognition was not significantly related to general self-efficacy.

Conclusion

Our results indicate a critical intermediary role of amotivation in linking neurocognitive impairment to functioning in FEP. General self-efficacy may represent a promising treatment target for improvement of motivational deficits and functional outcome in the early illness stage.
Structural priming during sentence comprehension in Chinese–English bilinguals
Authors: HSIEH YUFEN
Published: November 2016

Cross-linguistic priming in comprehension is understudied, and it remains unclear whether bilinguals have shared abstract syntactic representations during sentence comprehension. This article reports a self-paced reading experiment investigating the influence of Chinese passive relative clauses on the interpretation of English sentences that are temporarily ambiguous between an active main clause and a passive reduced relative (dispreferred) structure. The results showed that reading Chinese passive relative primes reduced processing difficulty in English targets at the dispreferred disambiguation. Chinese-to-English priming in comprehension occurred without lexical and word-order equivalence between primes and targets. In addition, translation-equivalent verbs did not boost cross-linguistic structural priming. The findings support an account under which bilingual sentence processing involves abstract, unordered syntactic representations that are integrated between languages.
Public Goods and Regime Support in Urban China
Authors: Dickson Bruce J. , Landry Pierre F. , Shen Mingming , Yan Jie
Published: November 2016

Why do authoritarian regimes try to improve the quality of their governance? In the absence of democratic institutions to monitor, reward and punish their performance, authoritarian politicians are normally expected to seek their self-interest through corruption and rewards to cronies, rather than providing for the public welfare. However, the Chinese state has actively promoted improved governance in recent years, with greater attention to quality of life issues to balance the primary focus on sustaining rapid economic growth. This paper analyses intra-national variation in the provision of public goods in urban China and the impact of public goods on regime support. Does better governance lead to higher levels of public support for the regime, even in the absence of democratic elections? Our evidence suggests that it does, with a greater impact for the local level than for the centre.
Brucellosis as a neglected disease in a neglected population: a seroepidemiological study of migratory nomads in the Fars province of Iran
Authors: HONARVAR B. , MOGHADAMI M. , LANKARANI K. B. , DAVARPANAH M. A. , ATAOLAHI M. , FARBOD A. , ESKANDARI E. , PANAHI M. , GHORBANI A. , ZAHIRI Z. , TABRIZI R. , POURJAFAR M. , HEIDARI S. M. M.
Published: November 2016

This study assessed the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its risk factors in migratory nomads in the Fars province of Iran. Active brucellosis was defined as the combination of clinical symptoms, including fever, chills, night sweats, headache, low back pain, arthralgia, or myalgia, and positive laboratory testing, including either a serum agglutination test (SAT) ⩾1:80 with a 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) test ⩾1:40, or a SAT <1:80 combined with a positive Coombs Wright test (CWT) at a titre of at least threefold higher than SAT titre results. For the 536 participants, the female (316, 59%) to male (220, 41%) ratio was 1·4 and the participants' mean age was 32·4 ± 18·9 (range 1–96) years. Of all participants, 325 (60·6%) showed clinical symptoms; in symptomatic participants, the Rose Bengal plate test was positive in 33 (6·1%) cases, the SAT was positive in 18 (3·3%) cases, and the 2-ME test was positive in 30 (5·5%) cases. Positive SAT and 2-ME results were seen in 18 (3·3%) cases, but a negative SAT and a positive CWT were found in 36 (6·7%) cases. As a result, active brucellosis was detected in 54 cases, indicating a prevalence of 10% (95% confidence interval 8–12). In conclusion, we determined that brucellosis is a prevalent yet neglected disease in this nomadic population. Brucellosis control is not possible as long as these high-risk populations remain neglected.
The true concurrency of differential interaction nets
Authors: MAZZA DAMIANO
Published: November 2016

We analyse the reduction of differential interaction nets from the point of view of so-called ‘true concurrency,’ that is, employing a non-interleaving model of parallelism. More precisely, we associate with each differential interaction net an event structure describing its reduction. We show how differential interaction nets are only able to generate confusion-free event structures, and we argue that this is a serious limitation in terms of the concurrent behaviours they may express. In fact, confusion is an extremely elementary phenomenon in concurrency (for example, it already appears in CCS with just prefixing and parallel composition) and we show how its presence is preserved by any encoding respecting the degree of distribution and the reduction semantics. We thus infer that no reasonably expressive process calculus may be satisfactorily encoded in differential interaction nets. We conclude with an analysis of one such encoding proposed by Ehrhard and Laurent, and argue that it does not contradict our claims, but rather supports them.
Altering management decisions with gained anatomical insight from a 3D printed model of a complex ventricular septal defect
Authors: Bhatla Puneet , Mosca Ralph S. , Tretter Justin T.
Published: November 2016

Rapid prototyping is quickly gaining utility in various complex forms of CHD. In properly selected cases, these printed models provide detailed anatomical understanding that help guide potential surgical and cardiac catheterisation interventions. We present a case of a tunnel-like ventricular septal defect referred for surgical repair, where the decision to obtain a three-dimensional printed model helped in better understanding of the anatomy, leading to delaying, and hopefully avoiding altogether, surgical repair.
Relationship between the home environment and fruit and vegetable consumption in children aged 6–12 years: a systematic review
Authors: Ong Jia Xin , Ullah Shahid , Magarey Anthea , Miller Jacqueline , Leslie Eva
Published: November 2016

Objective

As numerous factors in the home environment have been related to children’s fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption as a component of a healthy diet, the purpose of the present systematic review was to examine these factors specifically for children aged 6–12 years.

Design

Relevant observational studies published in English between January 2007 and December 2015 were obtained through electronic database searches. Studies were included if the researchers reported on a potentially modifiable measure of the home physical, political and sociocultural environment related to child F&V consumption.

Results

Of the thirty-three articles reviewed, overall methodological quality was poor with twenty studies rated as weak, mainly due to cross-sectional design (majority of studies), selection bias, convenience sampling and voluntary participation. Half of the studies had strong–moderate ratings for using valid and/or reliable tools while for the other half, psychometric properties were either not reported or weak. The most consistent evidence for children’s combined F&V consumption was found for availability and accessibility of F&V, parental role modelling of F&V and maternal intake of F&V.

Conclusions

A vast array of home environment components and their influence on children’s consumption of fruits and/or vegetables have been studied in recent years. Specific components of the home environment may have more influence than others, but more compelling evidence is needed to draw strong conclusions. Recommendations are made for future studies to be based upon conceptual/theoretical models to provide consistency in defining the home environment and investigation of potential moderators, such as personal or contextual factors.
Natural or Artificial? Multi-Analytical Study of a Scagliola from Estoi Palace Simulating Imperial Red Porphyry
Authors: Freire Maria Teresa , Santos Silva António , Veiga Maria do Rosário , Brito Jorge de , Schlütter Frank
Published: November 2016

In this paper the characterization of a gypsum plaster sample from the end of the 19th century simulating imperial red porphyry using a multi-analytical approach is presented and discussed. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), physical and mechanical properties are summarized. In order to have further insight into the microstructure, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS), and micro Raman spectroscopy analyzes were also made. They helped to clarify the main issues raised by the other complementary analytical techniques and allowed the establishment of interrelations between the different properties, providing important information about the materials, the skills, and the technological development involved in the art of imitating noble stones with gypsum pastes. This study also contributes to our knowledge concerning the preservation of these types of elements that are important in the context of European decorative arts and rarely reported in the literature.
COMPACT SPACES OF THE FIRST BAIRE CLASS THAT HAVE OPEN FINITE DEGREE
Authors: Avilés Antonio , Todorcevic Stevo
Published: November 2016

We introduce the open degree of a compact space, and we show that for every natural number $n$, the separable Rosenthal compact spaces of degree $n$have a finite basis.
PROVING UNPROVABILITY
Authors: WHITTLE BRUNO
Published: November 2016

This paper addresses the question: given some theoryTthat we accept, is there some natural, generally applicable way of extendingTto a theorySthat can prove a range of things about what it itself (i.e.,S) can prove, including a range of things about what it cannot prove, such as claims to the effect that it cannot prove certain particular sentences (e.g., 0 = 1), or the claim that it is consistent? Typical characterizations of Gödel’s second incompleteness theorem, and its significance, would lead us to believe that the answer is ‘no’. But the present paper explores a positive answer. The general approach is to follow the lead of recent (and not so recent) approaches to truth and the Liar paradox.
The continuous expansion of citizen participation: a new taxonomy
Authors: Theocharis Yannis , van Deth Jan W.
Published: November 2016

The repertoire of political participation in democratic societies is expanding rapidly and covers such different activities as voting, demonstrating, volunteering, boycotting, blogging, and flash mobs. Relying on a new method for conceptualizing forms and modes of participation we show that a large variety of creative, expressive, individualized, and digitally enabled forms of participation can be classified as parts of the repertoire of political participation. Results from an innovative survey with a representative sample of the German population demonstrate that old and new forms are systematically integrated into a multi-dimensional taxonomy covering (1) voting, (2) digitally networked participation, (3) institutionalized participation, (4) protest, (5) civic participation, and (6) consumerist participation. Furthermore, the antecedents of consumerist, civic, and digitally networked participation, are very similar to those of older modes of participation such as protest and institutionalized participation. Whereas creative, expressive, and individualized modes appear to be expansions of protest activities, digitally networked forms clearly establish a new and distinct mode of political participation that fits in the general repertoire of political participation.
Vitamin D2, Ergosterol, and Vitamin B2 Content in Commercially Dried Mushrooms Marketed in China and Increased Vitamin D2 Content Following UV-C Irradiation
Authors: Huang Guocheng , Cai Weixi , Xu Baojun
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Mushrooms are a great source of vitamin D and vitamin B2; however, the content of these vitamins in dried mushrooms has not fully been investigated. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the contents of vitamin D2, ergosterol, and vitamin B2 in commercially dried edible mushrooms in China and to investigate the effect of UV-C irradiation on fresh mushrooms. Among the 35 species of dried mushrooms considered for this study, the average ergosterol content was 1.98 mg/g, while the average vitamin D2 content was 16.88 µg/g. The average vitamin B2 content in dried mushrooms was 12.68 µg/g. Fresh shaggy ink caps and oyster mushrooms, when exposed to UV-C at 254 nm at a dose of 0.25 J/cm2 for 10, 30, and 60 min, showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased vitamin D2 content (229.7 and 67.0 µg/g, respectively) as compared to its fresh counterparts. The conversion of ergosterol to vitamin D2 induced by UV-C irradiation at 0.25 J/cm2 was significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dried commercial mushrooms have higher contents of ergosterol and vitamin D2 than fresh mushrooms. UV-C radiation can be used to increase vitamin D2 content in mushrooms.
Testing a Model of Functional Impairment in Telephone Crisis Support Workers
Authors: Kitchingman Taneile A. , Wilson Coralie J. , Caputi Peter , Wilson Ian , Woodward Alan
Published: November 2016

Abstract. Background: It is well known that helping professionals experience functional impairment related to elevated symptoms of psychological distress as a result of frequent empathic engagement with distressed others. Whether telephone crisis support workers are impacted in a similar way is not currently reported in the literature. Aims: The purpose of this study was to test a hypothesized model of factors contributing to functional impairment in telephone crisis support workers. Method: A national sample of 210 telephone crisis support workers completed an online survey including measures of emotion regulation, symptoms of general psychological distress and suicidal ideation, intentions to seek help for symptoms, and functional impairment. Structural equation modeling was used to test the fit of the data to the hypothesized model. Results: Goodness-of-fit indices were adequate and supported the interactive effects of emotion regulation, general psychological distress, suicidal ideation, and intentions to seek help for ideation on functional impairment. Conclusion: These results warrant the deliberate management of telephone crisis support workers' impairment through service selection, training, supervision, and professional development strategies. Future research replicating and extending this model will further inform the modification and/or development of strategies to optimize telephone crisis support workers' well-being and delivery of support to callers.
De-novo protein function prediction using DNA binding and RNA binding proteins as a test case
Authors: Peled Sapir , Leiderman Olga , Charar Rotem , Efroni Gilat , Shav-Tal Yaron , Ofran Yanay
Published: November 2016

Of the currently identified protein sequences, 99.6% have never been observed in the laboratory as proteins and their molecular function has not been established experimentally. Predicting the function of such proteins relies mostly on annotated homologs. However, this has resulted in some erroneous annotations, and many proteins have no annotated homologs. Here we propose ade-novofunction prediction approach based on identifying biophysical features that underlie function. Using our approach, we discover DNA and RNA binding proteins that cannot be identified based on homology and validate these predictions experimentally. For example, FGF14, which belongs to a family of secreted growth factors was predicted to bind DNA. We verify this experimentally and also show that FGF14 is localized to the nucleus. Mutating the predicted binding site on FGF14 abrogated DNA binding. These results demonstrate the feasibility of automatedde-novofunction prediction based on identifying function-related biophysical features.
Dynamic structure of active nematic shells
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhou Ye , Rahimi Mohammad , de Pablo Juan J.
Published: November 2016

When a thin film of active, nematic microtubules and kinesin motor clusters is confined on the surface of a vesicle, four +1/2 topological defects oscillate in a periodic manner between tetrahedral and planar arrangements. Here a theoretical description of nematics, coupled to the relevant hydrodynamic equations, is presented here to explain the dynamics of active nematic shells. In extensile microtubule systems, the defects repel each other due to elasticity, and their collective motion leads to closed trajectories along the edges of a cube. That motion is accompanied by oscillations of their velocities, and the emergence and annihilation of vortices. When the activity increases, the system enters a chaotic regime. In contrast, for contractile systems, which are representative of some bacterial suspensions, a hitherto unknown static structure is predicted, where pairs of defects attract each other and flows arise spontaneously.
Autophagy controls centrosome number by degrading Cep63
Authors: Watanabe Yuichiro , Honda Shinya , Konishi Akimitsu , Arakawa Satoko , Murohashi Michiko , Yamaguchi Hirofumi , Torii Satoru , Tanabe Minoru , Tanaka Shinji , Warabi Eiji , Shimizu Shigeomi
Published: November 2016

Centrosome number is associated with the chromosome segregation and genomic stability. The ubiquitin–proteasome system is considered to be the main regulator of centrosome number. However, here we show that autophagy also regulates the number of centrosomes. Autophagy-deficient cells carry extra centrosomes. The autophagic regulation of centrosome number is dependent on a centrosomal protein of 63 (Cep63) given that cells lacking autophagy contain multiple Cep63 dots that are engulfed and digested by autophagy in wild-type cells, and that the upregulation of Cep63 increases centrosome number. Cep63 is recruited to autophagosomes via interaction with p62, a molecule crucial for selective autophagy. In vivo, hematopoietic cells from autophagy-deficient and p62−/− mice also contained multiple centrosomes. These results indicate that autophagy controls centrosome number by degrading Cep63.
Cerebral vascular amyloid seeds drive amyloid β-protein fibril assembly with a distinct anti-parallel structure
Authors: Xu Feng , Fu Ziao , Dass Sharmila , Kotarba AnnMarie E. , Davis Judianne , Smith Steven O. , Van Nostrand William E.
Published: November 2016

Cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), a condition known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), is a common pathological feature of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Familial Aβ mutations, such as Dutch-E22Q and Iowa-D23N, can cause severe cerebrovascular accumulation of amyloid that serves as a potent driver of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. The distinctive features of vascular amyloid that underlie its unique pathological properties remain unknown. Here, we use transgenic mouse models producing CAA mutants (Tg-SwDI) or overproducing human wild-type Aβ (Tg2576) to demonstrate that CAA-mutant vascular amyloid influences wild-type Aβ deposition in brain. We also show isolated microvascular amyloid seeds from Tg-SwDI mice drive assembly of human wild-type Aβ into distinct anti-parallel β-sheet fibrils. These findings indicate that cerebrovascular amyloid can serve as an effective scaffold to promote rapid assembly and strong deposition of Aβ into a unique structure that likely contributes to its distinctive pathology.
Suppression of Rac1 Signaling by Influenza A Virus NS1 Facilitates Viral Replication
Authors: Jiang Wei , Sheng Chunjie , Gu Xiuling , Liu Dong , Yao Chen , Gao Shijuan , Chen Shuai , Huang Yinghui , Huang Wenlin , Fang Min
Published: November 2016

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major human pathogen with the potential to become pandemic. IAV contains only eight RNA segments; thus, the virus must fully exploit the host cellular machinery to facilitate its own replication. In an effort to comprehensively characterize the host machinery taken over by IAV in mammalian cells, we generated stable A549 cell lines with over-expression of the viral non-structural protein (NS1) to investigate the potential host factors that might be modulated by the NS1 protein. We found that the viral NS1 protein directly interacted with cellular Rac1 and facilitated viral replication. Further research revealed that NS1 down-regulated Rac1 activity via post-translational modifications. Therefore, our results demonstrated that IAV blocked Rac1-mediated host cell signal transduction through the NS1 protein to facilitate its own replication. Our findings provide a novel insight into the mechanism of IAV replication and indicate new avenues for the development of potential therapeutic targets.
No effect of natural transformation on the evolution of resistance to bacteriophages in the Acinetobacter baylyi model system
Authors: McLeman Amy , Sierocinski Pawel , Hesse Elze , Buckling Angus , Perron Gabriel , Hülter Nils , Johnsen Pål Jarle , Vos Michiel
Published: November 2016

The adaptive benefits of natural transformation, the active uptake of free DNA molecules from the environment followed by incorporation of this DNA into the genome, may be the improved response to selection resulting from increased genetic variation. Drawing analogies with sexual reproduction, transformation may be particularly beneficial when selection rapidly fluctuates during coevolution with virulent parasites (‘the Red Queen Hypothesis’). Here we test this hypothesis by experimentally evolving the naturally transformable and recombinogenic species Acinetobacter baylyi with a cocktail of lytic phages. No increased levels of resistance to phage were found in the wild type compared to a recombination deficient ΔdprA strain after five days of evolution. When exposed to A. baylyi DNA and phage, naturally transformable cells show greater levels of phage resistance. However, increased resistance arose regardless of whether they were exposed to DNA from phage-sensitive or –resistant A. baylyi, suggesting resistance was not the result of transformation, but was related to other benefits of competence. Subsequent evolution in the absence of phages did not show that recombination could alleviate the cost of resistance. Within this study system we found no support for transformation-mediated recombination being an advantage to bacteria exposed to parasitic phages.
Assessing SABU (Serum Anti Bisa Ular), the sole Indonesian antivenom: A proteomic analysis and neutralization efficacy study
Authors: Tan Choo Hock , Liew Jia Lee , Tan Kae Yi , Tan Nget Hong
Published: November 2016

Serum Anti Ular Bisa (SABU) is the only snake antivenom produced locally in Indonesia; however, its effectiveness has not been rigorously evaluated. This study aimed to assess the protein composition and neutralization efficacy of SABU. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, size-exclusion liquid chromatography and shotgun proteomics revealed that SABU consists of F(ab’)2 but a significant amount of dimers, protein aggregates and contaminant albumins. SABU moderately neutralized Calloselasma rhodostoma venom (potency of 12.7 mg venom neutralized per ml antivenom, or 121.8 mg venom per g antivenom protein) and Bungarus fasciatus venom (0.9 mg/ml; 8.5 mg/g) but it was weak against the venoms of Naja sputatrix (0.3 mg/ml; 2.9 mg/g), Naja sumatrana (0.2 mg/ml; 1.8 mg/g) and Bungarus candidus (0.1 mg/ml; 1.0 mg/g). In comparison, NPAV, the Thai Neuro Polyvalent Antivenom, outperformed SABU with greater potencies against the venoms of N. sputatrix (0.6 mg/ml; 8.3 mg/g), N. sumatrana (0.5 mg/ml; 7.1 mg/g) and B. candidus (1.7 mg/ml; 23.2 mg/g). The inferior efficacy of SABU implies that a large antivenom dose is required clinically for effective treatment. Besides, the antivenom contains numerous impurities e.g., albumins that greatly increase the risk of hypersensitivity. Together, the findings indicate that the production of SABU warrants further improvement.
Natural ageing process accelerates the release of Ag from functional textile in various exposure scenarios
Authors: Ding Dahu , Chen Lulu , Dong Shaowei , Cai Hao , Chen Jifei , Jiang Canlan , Cai Tianming
Published: November 2016

Natural ageing process occurs throughout the life cycle of textile products, which may possess influences on the release behavior of additives such as silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). In this study, we assessed the releasability of Ag NPs from a Ag NPs functionalized textile in five different exposure scenarios (i.e. tap water (TW), pond water (PW), rain water (RW), artificial sweat (AS), and detergent solution (DS) along with deionized water (DW) as reference), which were very likely to occur throughout the life cycle of the textile. For the pristine textile, although the most remarkable release was found in DW (6–15 μg Ag/g textile), the highest release rate was found in RW (around 7 μg Ag/(g textile·h)). After ageing treatment, the total released Ag could be increased by 75.7~386.0% in DW, AS and DS. Morphological analysis clearly showed that the Ag NPs were isolated from the surface of the textile fibre due to the ageing treatment. This study provides useful information for risk assessment of nano-enhanced textile products.
Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to study post-translational modifications of human transthyretin
Authors: Henze Andrea , Homann Thomas , Rohn Isabelle , Aschner Michael , Link Christopher D. , Kleuser Burkhard , Schweigert Florian J. , Schwerdtle Tanja , Bornhorst Julia
Published: November 2016

The visceral protein transthyretin (TTR) is frequently affected by oxidative post-translational protein modifications (PTPMs) in various diseases. Thus, better insight into structure-function relationships due to oxidative PTPMs of TTR should contribute to the understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms. While the in vivo analysis of TTR in mammalian models is complex, time- and resource-consuming, transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans expressing hTTR provide an optimal model for the in vivo identification and characterization of drug-mediated oxidative PTPMs of hTTR by means of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization – time of flight – mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Herein, we demonstrated that hTTR is expressed in all developmental stages of Caenorhabditis elegans, enabling the analysis of hTTR metabolism during the whole life-cycle. The suitability of the applied model was verified by exposing worms to D-penicillamine and menadione. Both drugs induced substantial changes in the oxidative PTPM pattern of hTTR. Additionally, for the first time a covalent binding of both drugs with hTTR was identified and verified by molecular modelling.
Correction: Corrigendum: SparRec: An effective matrix completion framework of missing data imputation for GWAS
Authors: Jiang Bo , Ma Shiqian , Causey Jason , Qiao Linbo , Hardin Matthew Price , Bitts Ian , Johnson Daniel , Zhang Shuzhong , Huang Xiuzhen
Published: November 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 35534; published online: 20 October 2016; updated: 21 November 2016.
Silver Nanoparticles Impact Biofilm Communities and Mussel Settlement
Authors: Yang Jin-Long , Li Yi-Feng , Liang Xiao , Guo Xing-Pan , Ding De-Wen , Zhang Demin , Zhou Shuxue , Bao Wei-Yang , Bellou Nikoleta , Dobretsov Sergey
Published: November 2016

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) demonstrating good antimicrobial activity are widely used in many fields. However, the impact of AgNPs on the community structures of marine biofilms that drive biogeochemical cycling processes and the recruitment of marine invertebrate larvae remains unknown. Here, we employed MiSeq sequencing technology to evaluate the bacterial communities of 28-day-old marine biofilms formed on glass, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and PDMS filled with AgNPs and subsequently tested the influence of these marine biofilms on plantigrade settlement by the musselMytilus coruscus. AgNP-filled PDMS significantly reduced the dry weight and bacterial density of biofilms compared with the glass and PDMS controls. AgNP incorporation impacted bacterial communities by reducing the relative abundance of Flavobacteriaceae (phylum: Bacteroidetes) and increasing the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae (phylum: Proteobacteria) in 28-day-old biofilms compared to PDMS. The settlement rate ofM. coruscuson 28-day-old biofilms developed on AgNPs was lower by >30% compared to settlement on control biofilms. Thus, the incorporation of AgNPs influences biofilm bacterial communities in the marine environment and subsequently inhibits mussel settlement.
An antibacterial and absorbable silk-based fixation material with impressive mechanical properties and biocompatibility
Authors: Shi Chenglong , Pu Xiaobing , Zheng Guan , Feng Xinglong , Yang Xuan , Zhang Baoliang , Zhang Yu , Yin Qingshui , Xia Hong
Published: November 2016

Implant-associated infections and non-absorbing materials are two important reasons for a second surgical procedure to remove internal fixation devices after an orthopedic internal fixation surgery. The objective of this study was to produce an antibacterial and absorbable fixation screw by adding gentamicin to silk-based materials. The antibacterial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in vitro by plate cultivation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We also investigated the properties, such as the mechanical features, swelling properties, biocompatibility and degradation, of gentamicin-loaded silk-based screws (GSS) in vitro. The GSS showed significant bactericidal effects against S. aureus and E. coli. The antibacterial activity remained high even after 4 weeks of immersion in protease solution. In addition, the GSS maintained the remarkable mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility of pure silk-based screws (PSS). Interestingly, after gentamicin incorporation, the degradation rate and water-absorbing capacity increased and decreased, respectively. These GSS provide both impressive material properties and antibacterial activity and have great potential for use in orthopedic implants to reduce the incidence of second surgeries.