bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late flowering time enhances insect pollination of turnip rape
Authors: Toivonen Marjaana , Herzon Irina , Rajanen Hanne , Toikkanen Jenni , Kuussaari Mikko
Published: February 2019

Ecological intensification has been proposed as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of conventional intensive land use on pollinators and insect pollination. However, research has concentrated on the effects of land management on pollinator abundance and diversity, while studies directly measuring pollination services are still lacking for many crops and regions.

This study examines the effects of landscape heterogeneity, pesticide use intensity and flowering time on insect pollination of turnip rape Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera, a major oil crop at high latitudes. The field experiment included monitoring pollinator visits on turnip rape flowers and measuring yield in 34 spring‐sown turnip rape fields in Southern Finland. The fields were situated in two landscape types that differed in the cover of arable land and represented independent gradients of pesticide use intensity and flowering time.

Based on flower visits and number of seeds per silique, turnip rape was best pollinated in fields with late flowering time. The result suggests a temporal mismatch between crop flowering and the availability of pollination service in early sown fields. The increase in flower visits during summer was steeper among fields with low than high pesticide use, possibly due to a faster colony growth of important bee pollinators.

Pollinator community in turnip rape fields was more diverse in heterogeneous landscapes with less arable land than in homogeneous field‐dominated landscapes, suggesting higher stability of pollination services in diverse landscapes.

Total yield per plant was positively related to pesticide use intensity. The relationship between insect pollination and total yield was weakened by high compensation capacity of turnip rape, the plants producing more flowers under poor pollination.

Synthesis and applications. Crop pollination can be enhanced by shifting sowing time to better match crop flowering to the peak availability of the most important pollinators. Reduced pesticide use may also enhance pollination services but can lead to the total yield reduction due to pests. This highlights the need for pollinator‐friendly pest control methods to maintain turnip rape yields while conserving pollination services.
Counter‐lineages within the history of anthropology: On disciplinary ancestors’ activism
Authors: PRICE DAVID
Published: February 2019

Anthropologists frequently conceive of their disciplinary history in terms of intellectual lineages linked to ‘schools’ of anthropological theory. This article considers the importance of what might be called ‘counter‐lineages’ – intellectual lineages which have tended to be eclipsed from our intellectual history due to interference by the secret state. One such significant counter‐lineage is found in the lives and works of American anti‐fascist anthropologists during the mid‐20th century. During World War II, anthropologists’ findings had tended to support racial equality and anti‐fascism. This motivated many to contribute to the war effort. During the post‐war period, however, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and loyalty committees actively targeted anthropologists speaking out against racism in America. The history of how these counter‐lineages of public anthropologists eventually ended up marginalized within the discipline is easily forgotten. However, their study can help to inform anthropologists as we face our current crises.
‘Third‐class’ Slovak Roma and inclusion: Bricoleurs vs social engineers
Authors: Scheffel David Z. , Mušinka Alexander
Published: February 2019

This article addresses social inclusion/integration with reference to peripheral Slovak Roma. Based on ethnographic data, it argues that even in communities of so‐called ‘unadaptables’, integration has progressed considerably, but not necessarily along the lines envisioned by the agencies which are propelling ‘Roma inclusion’ as a pan‐European project. The article considers early motherhood, juvenile prostitution and unconventional municipal politicians as examples of bottom‐up inclusion efforts that don’t threaten traditional notions of cultural and political autonomy.
In Vitro Bioaccessibility of Tart Cherry Anthocyanins in a Health Supplement Mix Containing Mineral Clay
Authors: Singh Anika , Kitts David D.
Published: February 2019

The study reports on the in vitro bioaccessibility of anthocyanins present in tart cherry extracts formulated with a mineral clay to produce a novel natural health product. Results show that tart cherry anthocyanins are stable and bioaccessible after gastric digestion but were largely transformed or degraded (>70%) after duodenal digestion. This contrasted the fact that total antioxidant capacity of tart cherry extract using oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay increased almost two‐fold after GI digestion. There was no significant difference between anthocyanin recovery when present the mineral clay formulation, compared to control, thus the presence of the cationic‐based mineral clay was not a factor in reducing anthocyanin bioaccessibility, or increasing antioxidant capacity. In vitro digestion of foods or natural health products should be included in protocols that aim to assess overall bioaccessibility and bioactivity of those anthocyanins present in tart cherry.

Practical Application

This research investigates the impact of having a mineral clay–based matrix on bioaccessiblity of tart cherry anthocyanins. This study describes the anthocyanin composition of tart cherry and the effect of cations present in mineral clay on final total bioavailability following in vitro simulation of human gastrointestinal digestion.
The Informativeness of Relative Performance Information and Its Effect on Effort Allocation in a Multitask Environment
Authors: Hannan R. Lynn , McPhee Gregory P. , Newman Andrew H. , Tafkov Ivo D. , Kachelmeier Steven J.
Published: February 2019

Prior research documents that providing relative performance information (RPI) motivates employees to increase effort; however, a potential downside of RPI is that it also motivates employees to distort their effort allocations between tasks such that it can be detrimental to overall firm performance. This study investigates via an experiment how the informativeness of RPI affects employees' effort allocations and performance in a multitask environment. We investigate the informativeness of two RPI design choices that are observed in practice: detail level and temporal aggregation. Regarding detail level, firms may provide each employee's performance ranking on tasks, which is less informative than providing the actual performance score of each employee. Regarding temporal aggregation, firms may provide RPI that is reset each period, which is less informative than RPI that is based on cumulative performance. We find RPI detail level and temporal aggregation interact to influence effort distortion. Specifically, we find that, compared to reset RPI, cumulative RPI leads to greater distortion of effort away from firm‐preferred allocations and that this effect is magnified when RPI provides actual performance scores rather than performance rankings. Finally, high levels of effort distortion hurt overall performance, thereby demonstrating the potentially detrimental effect of effort distortion on performance. Results of our study enhance our understanding of how firms can use their control over the design of RPI to enhance its usefulness in directing employees' effort in multitask environments by highlighting the role that informativeness of information can have on employee behavior.
Extranuclear DNA accumulates in aged cells and contributes to senescence and inflammation
Authors: Lan Yuk Yuen , Heather James M. , Eisenhaure Thomas , Garris Christopher Stuart , Lieb David , Raychowdhury Raktima , Hacohen Nir
Published: February 2019

Systemic inflammation is central to aging‐related conditions. However, the intrinsic factors that induce inflammation are not well understood. We previously identified a cell‐autonomous pathway through which damaged nuclear DNA is trafficked to the cytosol where it activates innate cytosolic DNA sensors that trigger inflammation. These results led us to hypothesize that DNA released after cumulative damage contributes to persistent inflammation in aging cells through a similar mechanism. Consistent with this notion, we found that older cells harbored higher levels of extranuclear DNA compared to younger cells. Extranuclear DNA was exported by a leptomycin B‐sensitive process, degraded through the autophagosome–lysosomal pathway and triggered innate immune responses through the DNA‐sensing cGAS‐STING pathway. Patient cells from the aging diseases ataxia and progeria also displayed extranuclear DNA accumulation, increased pIRF3 and pTBK1, and STING‐dependent p16 expression. Removing extranuclear DNA in old cells using DNASE2A reduced innate immune responses and senescence‐associated (SA) β‐gal enzyme activity. Cells and tissues of Dnase2a−/− mice with defective DNA degradation exhibited slower growth, higher activity of β‐gal, or increased expression of HP‐1β and p16 proteins, while Dnase2a−/−;Sting−/− cells and tissues were rescued from these phenotypes, supporting a role for extranuclear DNA in senescence. We hypothesize a direct role for excess DNA in aging‐related inflammation and in replicative senescence, and propose DNA degradation as a therapeutic approach to remove intrinsic DNA and revert inflammation associated with aging.
Evaluating metronidazole as a novel, safe CYP2A6 phenotyping probe in healthy adults
Authors: Stancil Stephani L. , Pearce Robin E. , Tyndale Rachel F. , Kearns Gregory L. , Vyhlidal Carrie A. , Leeder J. Steven , Abdel‐Rahman Susan
Published: February 2019

Aims

CYP2A6 is a genetically polymorphic enzyme resulting in differential substrate metabolism and health behaviours. Current phenotyping probes for CYP2A6 exhibit limitations related to procurement (deuterated cotinine), toxicity (coumarin), specificity (caffeine) and age‐appropriate administration (nicotine, NIC). In vitro, CYP2A6 selectively forms 2‐hydroxymetronidazole (2HM) from metronidazole (MTZ). The purpose of this study was to evaluate MTZ as a CYP2A6 phenotyping probe drug in healthy adults against the well‐established method of measuring trans‐3‐hydroxycotinine (3HC)/cotinine (COT).

Methods

A randomized, cross‐over, pharmacokinetic study was completed in 16 healthy, nonsmoking adults. Separated by a washout period of at least 2 weeks, MTZ 500 mg and NIC gum 2 mg were administered and plasma was sampled over 48 hours and 8 hours, respectively. Correlations of plasma metabolite/parent ratios (2HM/MTZ; 3HC/COT) were assessed by Pearson coefficient. CYP2A6 genotyping was conducted and incorporated as a variable of plasma ratio response.

Results

Correlations between the plasma ratio 2HM/MTZ and 3HC/COT were ≥ 0.9 at multiple time points (P < 0.001), demonstrating a wide window during which 2HM/MTZ can be queried post‐MTZ dose. CYP2A6 genotype had significant impacts on both MTZ and NIC phenotyping ratios with decreased activity predicted phenotypes demonstrating 2HM/MTZ ratios ≤58% and 3HC/COT ratios ≤56% compared with extensive activity predicted phenotypes at all time points examined in the study (P < 0.05). No adverse events were reported in the MTZ arm while 38% (n = 6) of participants reported mild adverse events in the NIC arm.

Conclusions

Metronidazole via 2HM/MTZ performed well as a novel, safe phenotyping probe for CYP2A6 in healthy adults.
Blockage of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 2 attenuates allergic asthma in mice
Authors: Park Soo‐Jin , Im Dong‐Soon
Published: February 2019

Background and Purpose

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate 2 (S1P2) receptors have been implicated in degranulation of mast cells. However, functions of S1P2 receptors have not been investigated in an in vivo model of allergic asthma.

Experimental Approach

Using an ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced asthma model, the function of S1P2 receptors was evaluated in S1P2‐deficient mice or in mice treated with JTE‐013, a selective S1P2 antagonist. Bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were used to investigate the roles of S1P2 receptors in dendritic cell maturation and migration.

Key Results

Eosinophil accumulation and elevated Th2 cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and inflamed lung tissues were strongly inhibited by administration of JTE‐013 before OVA sensitization, before OVA challenge, and before both events. In S1P2‐deficient mice, allergic responses were significantly lower than in wild‐type mice. LPS‐ and OVA‐induced maturation of BMDCs was significantly blunted in dendritic cells from S1P2‐deficient mice and by treatment with JTE‐013. Migrations of immature and mature BMDCs were also dependent on S1P2 receptors. It was found that OVA‐challenged mice into which in vitro OVA primed BMDCs from S1P2‐deficient mice were adoptively transferred, had less severe asthma responses than OVA‐challenged mice into which OVA‐primed BMDCs from wild‐type mice were adoptively transferred.

Conclusions and Implications

Pro‐allergic functions of S1P2 receptors were elucidated in a murine asthma model. S1P2 receptors were involved not only in maturation and migration of dendritic cells in the sensitization phase but also in mast cell degranulation in the challenge phase. These results suggest S1P2 receptor as a therapeutic target for allergic asthma.
Prolongation of tumour volume doubling time (midDT) is associated with improvement in disease‐specific survival in patients with rapidly progressive radioactive iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer selected for molecular targeted therapy
Authors: Sabra Mona M. , Sherman Eric , Tuttle Robert Michael
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To assess molecular targeted therapy (MTT)’s ability to affect tumour volume doubling time (TVDT) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) in patients presenting with lung metastasis from radioactive iodine refractory progressive thyroid cancer.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we examined the clinical characteristics, average tumour volume doubling times of lung metastasis and disease‐specific survival of patients with lung metastasis from differentiated thyroid cancer who were treated with MTT.

Results

The 5‐year DSS from the distant metastasis (DM) diagnosis was 72% with median survival of 8 years (95% CI: 6.6‐9.5). The median survival was 2.9 years after MTT start (95% CI: 2.1‐3.6). On MTT, lung average tumour volume doubling time (midDT) was prolonged to midDT ≥3 years in 75% of patients with baseline midDT ≤1 year and 100% of patients with midDT 1‐3 years. In patients with rapidly progressive thyroid cancer (midDT ≤1 year at baseline), the median survival was 4.5 years in those with MTT‐achieved midDT ≥3 years (95% CI: 2.9‐6.2), as opposed to 2.3 years (95% CI: 0.3‐4.3) and 0.7 years (95% CI: 0.2‐1.3) in those with MTT‐achieved midDT of 1‐3 years and MTT‐achieved midDT ≤1 year, respectively (log rank P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Lung midDT is a useful and important clinical marker of disease‐specific survival for patients with progressive radioactive iodine refractory (RAIR) metastatic thyroid cancer. In patients with rapidly progressive metastatic RAIR thyroid cancer, molecular targeted therapy prolongs lung tumour volume doubling time and is associated with improved disease‐specific survival.
Targeting RNA: A Transformative Therapeutic Strategy
Authors: Yin Wei , Rogge Mark
Published: February 2019

The therapeutic pathways that modulate transcription mechanisms currently include gene knockdown and splicing modulation. However, additional mechanisms may come into play as more understanding of molecular biology and disease etiology emerge. Building on advances in chemistry and delivery technology, oligonucleotide therapeutics is emerging as an established, validated class of drugs that can modulate a multitude of genetic targets. These targets include over 10,000 proteins in the human genome that have hitherto been considered undruggable by small molecules and protein therapeutics. The approval of five oligonucleotides within the last 2 years elicited unprecedented excitement in the field. However, there are remaining challenges to overcome and significant room for future innovation to fully realize the potential of oligonucleotide therapeutics. In this review, we focus on the translational strategies encompassing preclinical evaluation and clinical development in the context of approved oligonucleotide therapeutics. Translational approaches with respect to pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, cardiac safety evaluation, and dose selection that are specific to this class of drugs are reviewed with examples. The mechanism of action, chemical evolution, and intracellular delivery of oligonucleotide therapies are only briefly reviewed to provide a general background for this class of drugs.
Short Research Report: high level of soil carbon addition causes possible manganese and aluminium phytotoxicity
Authors: Morris Edward Charles , Gibson‐Roy Paul
Published: February 2019

A restoration trial of grassy woodland on former agricultural land applied carbon at a standard rate (840 g C/m2/year) and at a high rate (4,200 g C/m2/year), to test whether further benefits to native plants and suppression of exotics would emerge. Carbon addition at the high rate reduced plant cover further than the standard rate but led to severe loss of plant species; it also reduced soil pH. Soil Al, Fe and Mn levels increased across the gradient of C addition, which would be consistent with the reduction in soil pH for Al and Mn, and a decrease in soil redox potential for Mn and Fe. Nutrient analysis of leaf tissue confirmed that uptake of Fe and Mn increased over the range of C addition, with the concentration of Mn in the high carbon treatment exceeding the threshold for toxicity for a range of species. The soil and plant tissue data are consistent with the induction of increased soil acidity and of stronger reducing conditions in the soil by high level of carbon addition and localised soil flooding. Plant uptake of Mn to toxic levels occurred subsequently, leading to negative effects on plants; aluminium phytotoxicity may also have occurred.
Competence, competition and collaboration: Perceived challenges among Swedish community pharmacists engaging in pharmaceutical services provision and research
Authors: Frisk Pia , Holtendal Clary , Bastholm-Rahmner Pia , Sporrong Sofia Kälvemark
Published: February 2019

Background

Creating evidence of effectiveness is an important part of service development. In an ongoing research project Swedish community pharmacists participate in services research by recruiting patients initiated on statins to an adherence-promoting cognitive pharmaceutical service, jointly run by nurses and pharmacists.

Aims

To explore the pharmacists’ experiences of providing part of the service and their views regarding future participation in practice research aiming at developing cognitive pharmaceutical services.

Methods

Focus group interviews were conducted with community pharmacists from pharmacies participating in the project. A semi-structured interview guide was developed, based on the aim and earlier research.

Results

The domains identified were the service itself, operative conditions, the pharmacists’ role/profession and stakeholders. The research project was thought to promote the local pharmacy to customers, increase job satisfaction and contribute to service development. However, a perceived lack of competence among pharmacists affected both patient communication and project involvement. Additional resources and strengthened collaboration with other local healthcare were requested. Competition among pharmacy chains was identified as a barrier to patient-centred service provision and research.

Conclusion

The current operative conditions in Swedish community pharmacies were perceived by pharmacists as hampering cognitive pharmaceutical services provision and research. Additional resources, improved communication skills and research competence, and increased collaboration with other healthcare and across pharmacy chains are necessary changes. A stronger patient-centred perspective among all stakeholders is required.
The effects of a multidisciplinary high‐throughput skin clinic on healthcare costs of organ transplant recipients
Authors: Gordon L.G. , Rodriguez‐Acevedo A.J. , Papier K. , Khosrotehrani K. , Isbel N. , Campbell S. , Griffin A. , Green A.C.
Published: February 2019

Background

A long‐term complication among organ transplant recipients (OTRs) is skin malignancies which are associated with level and duration of immunosuppressive treatment, sun exposure and age. Dermatological surveillance is recommended for OTRs at high risk of skin malignancies, but evidence is lacking on the benefits of such services.

Objective

To examine the economic impact on patients and on the hospital service of a multidisciplinary high‐throughput skin cancer clinic in Brisbane, Australia, dedicated to dermatological and surgical care of high‐risk OTRs.

Methods

In a pre/postdesign, hospital admission and cost data were obtained for 101 consecutively enrolled study participants from 12 months prior to the introduction of the clinic (to February 2016), the 3‐month ‘run‐in’ period (March to May 2016) and 12 months subsequent (to June 2017). Differences between pre‐ and post‐clinic hospital costs were tested using non‐parametric bootstrapping and interrupted time series analysis. A survey of patient out‐of‐pocket costs and perceived financial burden was also undertaken during the clinic.

Results

Overall hospital costs were higher after the clinic but 3‐monthly hospital costs for skin procedures trended downwards. Despite 3‐monthly mean, hospital visits increasing from 85 to 314, mean 3‐monthly costs reduced by AU$1491 (P < 0.001) indicating greater cost efficiency. Total patient out‐of‐pocket costs were AU$18 377 over 3 months.

Conclusion

Clinical costing data revealed higher, more rapid throughput and significantly lower per patient costs pre‐ and postestablishment of a multidisciplinary skin cancer clinic for OTRs.
Optimization of preconditioning process of pressure parboiled brown rice (unpolished) for microwave puffing and its comparison with hot sand bed puffing
Authors: Swarnakar Ajay Kumar , Srivastav Prem Prakash , Das Susanta Kumar
Published: February 2019

Puffing of pre‐conditioned brown rice using microwave energy replacing the traditional puffing of preconditioned polished rice on hot‐sand‐bed has higher nutritive value and produce required amount of puffed rice as per consumer's wish. Preconditioning temperatures (60, 70, 80, 90 °C) and salt contents (0, 2, 4, 6% [w/w]) have been chosen to puff brown rice using microwave energy, and quality aspects have been evaluated and compared with those obtained with hot‐sand‐bed puffing. Optimization of processing variables was carried out for maximizing puffing percentage, expansion ratio, whiteness index, overall sensory score, and minimizing the bulk density and hardness of puffed brown rice. The sensory analysis for the product was carried out using fuzzy logic technique to obtain overall sensory score. Optimum preconditioning temperature and salt content were found to be 76.74 C and 3.74% (w/w) in microwave and 76.16 C and 2.76% (w/w) in hot‐sand‐bed puffing, respectively.

Practice applications

Puffing of brown rice (unpolished rice) using microwave oven provides an option in obtaining nutritious, fresh and hygienic puffed product on instant demand. Puffing of brown rice eliminates the energy‐intensive polishing step of the rice milling process. Optimization of the process variables can be implemented for making preconditioned brown rice in obtaining desired quality of the puffed rice using microwave energy. The prepacked preconditioned rice can be directly put inside the domestic microwave oven to get required amount of puffed product.
Change in treatment paradigm in people who previously injected drugs with chronic hepatitis C in the era of direct‐acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Loo Ching‐Kong , Hui Yee‐Tak , Fung James Yue‐Yan , Cheung David , Chung Cedric , Chim Angel Mei‐Ling , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun ,   On behalf of the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (HKASLD)
Published: February 2019

Background

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among people who inject drugs but is often undiagnosed. The treatment paradigm for HCV patients has been changing since the availability of direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. We aimed to evaluate the change in treatment paradigm of people who previously injected drugs (ex‐PWID) in Hong Kong before and after the availability of DAA.

Method

Consecutive ex‐PWID referred from various nongovernmental organizations attended education talks at rehabilitation centers and received point‐of‐care rapid test for HCV antibody (anti‐HCV) at the same session. Subjects tested positive for anti‐HCV were invited to undergo further assessment. Afterwards, the patients were referred to the regional hospitals for follow‐up and/or treatment.

Results

Three hundred sixty‐five ex‐PWID received HCV rapid test; 268 (73.4%) were found to be anti‐HCV positive. Among these 268 HCV‐positive ex‐PWID, 234 (87.3%) attended the assessment session (mean age 52 years, 90.2% male, 45.5% genotype 1b, 41.1% genotype 6a, and median liver stiffness 5.9 kPa); 187 (69.8%) attended follow‐up visits at regional hospitals. Seventy‐one patients received antiviral treatment for HCV; 69 first received peginterferon and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV), whereas 10 patients (eight PegIFN/RBV‐treated patients) received DAA treatment. Fifty‐two patients achieved sustained virologic response at 12 or 24 weeks. Treatment uptake rates of PegIFN/RBV and DAA treatment in the pre‐DAA versus post‐DAA era were 22.3% versus 48.5% and 0% versus 15.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Targeted screening in ex‐PWID is effective in identifying patients with HCV infection in the community. To improve treatment uptake, further improvements in the referral system and treatment regimens are needed.
Can leaf net photosynthesis acclimate to rising and more variable temperatures?
Authors: Vico Giulia , Way Danielle A. , Hurry Vaughan , Manzoni Stefano
Published: February 2019

Under future climates, leaf temperature (Tl) will be higher and more variable. This will affect plant carbon (C) balance because photosynthesis and respiration both respond to short‐term (subdaily) fluctuations in Tl and acclimate in the longer term (days to months). This study asks the question: To what extent can the potential and speed of photosynthetic acclimation buffer leaf C gain from rising and increasing variable Tl? We quantified how increases in the mean and variability of growth temperature affect leaf performance (mean net CO2 assimilation rates, Anet; its variability; and time under near‐optimal photosynthetic conditions), as mediated by thermal acclimation. To this aim, the probability distribution of Anet was obtained by combining a probabilistic description of short‐ and long‐term changes in Tl with data on Anet responses to these changes, encompassing 75 genera and 111 species, including both C3 and C4 species. Our results show that (a) expected increases in Tl variability will decrease mean Anet and increase its variability, whereas the effects of higher mean Tl depend on species and initial Tl, and (b) acclimation reduces the effects of leaf warming, maintaining Anet at >80% of its maximum under most thermal regimes.
What can debunking do for us (sceptics and nihilists)?
Authors: Olson Jonas
Published: February 2019

Debunking arguments in metaethics are often presented as particularly challenging for non‐naturalistic versions of moral realism. The first aim of this paper is to explore and defend a response on behalf of non‐naturalism. The second aim of the paper is to argue that although non‐naturalism’s response is satisfactory, this does not mean that debunking arguments are metaethically uninteresting. They have a limited and indirect role to play in the exchange between non‐naturalists and moral error theorists. In the end, debunking arguments can do less for sceptics and nihilists than what is commonly thought, but not nothing.
Glycosylation and glycan interactions can serve as extracellular machinery facilitating clathrin‐independent endocytosis
Authors: Mathew Mohit P. , Donaldson Julie G.
Published: February 2019

In contrast to clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME) which is well characterized and understood, little is known about the regulation and machinery underlying clathrin‐independent endocytosis (CIE). There is also a wide variation in the requirements each individual CIE cargo has for its internalization. Recent studies have shown that CIE is affected by glycosylation and glycan interactions. We briefly review these studies and explore how these studies mesh with one another. We then discuss what this sensitivity to glycan interactions could indicate for the regulation of CIE. We address the spectrum of responses CIE has been shown to have with respect to changes in glycan interactions and attempt to reconcile disparate observations onto a shared conceptual landscape. We focus on the mechanisms by which cells can alter the glycan interactions at the plasma membrane and propose that glycosylation and glycan interactions could provide cells with a tool box with which cells can manipulate CIE. Altered glycosylation is often associated with a number of diseases and we discuss how under different disease settings, glycosylation‐based modulation of CIE could play a role in disease progression.
Relationship between Need for Belongingness and Facebook Addiction: Mediating Role of Number of Friends on Facebook
Authors: Rashid Umme Kulsuma , Ahmed Oli , Hossain Muhammad Alamgir
Published: February 2019

As humans, we need to connect with one another, our friends and families, our culture and country. Present age is the era of information and technology and social media. College and University students spend significant amount of time on Social Networking Sites like Facebook etc. The present study was conducted to explore role of number of friends on Facebook on the relationship between individual’s need for belongingness and Facebook addiction. A sample of 180 university students was selected as sample through the non-probability sampling technique. Findings suggested that male Facebook users had significantly higher number of friends on Facebook than female Facebook users. Findings also explored significant positive correlation among need for belongingness, number friends on Facebook, and Facebook addiction. The relationship between need for belongingness and Facebook addiction was partially mediated by number of friends on Facebook. The study findings would be helpful to mental health practitioners to effectively deal with emerging problem of Facebook addiction.
Effect of Whole Body Vibration Training on Depression Level
Authors: Aksoy Duygu
Published: February 2019

Recently, the Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training has been introduced as an alternative method of exercise or as a type of physical exercise in health and fitness centers. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training applied for 12 weeks on depression level. A total of 53 healthy young male individuals participated in this study. Volunteers were randomly divided into two groups as the Whole Body Vibration Training Group (n=27) and the Control Group (n=26). WBV group did training 3 times a week for 12 weeks. The Control Group did not do any trainings. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied to both groups before and after the 12-week WBV training. When the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores of the WBV training group and Control groups were compared, it was determined that there were no significant differences in the pre-test Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores of the WBVT and Control Group according to the Mann-Whitney U-Test.However, the post-test scores of the WBV training and Control groups was significant at a statistical level (p=.013). According to the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, the difference between the pre- and post-test scores of the WBV training group was significant at a statistical level (p=.014); and the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the Control Group was not statistically significant (p=.596). The effect of the Whole Body Vibration training on depression is positive and decreases the depression level.
Cardiomyocyte substructure reverts to an immature phenotype during heart failure
Authors: Lipsett D. B. , Frisk M. , Aronsen J. M. , Nordén E. S. , Buonarati O. R. , Cataliotti A. , Hell J. W. , Sjaastad I. , Christensen G. , Louch W. E.
Published: February 2019

Key points

As reactivation of the fetal gene program has been implicated in pathological remodelling during heart failure (HF), we examined whether cardiomyocyte subcellular structure and function revert to an immature phenotype during this disease.

Surface and internal membrane structures appeared gradually during development, and returned to a juvenile state during HF. Similarly, dyadic junctions between the cell membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum were progressively ‘packed’ with L‐type Ca2+ channels and ryanodine receptors during development, and ‘unpacked’ during HF.

Despite similarities in subcellular structure, dyads were observed to be functional from early developmental stages, but exhibited an impaired ability to release Ca2+ in failing cardiomyocytes.

Thus, while immature and failing cardiomyocytes share similarities in subcellular structure, these do not fully account for the marked impairment of Ca2+ homeostasis observed in HF.

Reactivation of the fetal gene programme has been implicated as a driver of pathological cardiac remodelling. Here we examined whether pathological remodelling of cardiomyocyte substructure and function during heart failure (HF) reflects a reversion to an immature phenotype. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed that Z‐grooves and t‐tubule openings at the cell surface appeared gradually during cardiac development, and disappeared during HF. Confocal and super‐resolution imaging within the cell interior revealed similar structural parallels; disorganization of t‐tubules in failing cells was strikingly reminiscent of the late stages of postnatal development, with fewer transverse elements and a high proportion of longitudinal tubules. Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) were observed to be laid down in advance of developing t‐tubules and similarly ‘orphaned’ in HF, although RyR distribution along Z‐lines was relatively sparse. Indeed, nanoscale imaging revealed coordinated packing of L‐type Ca2+ channels and RyRs into dyadic junctions during development, and orderly unpacking during HF. These findings support a ‘last in, first out’ paradigm, as the latest stages of dyadic structural development are reversed during disease. Paired imaging of t‐tubules and Ca2+ showed that the disorganized arrangement of dyads in immature and failing cells promoted desynchronized and slowed Ca2+ release in these two states. However, while developing cells exhibited efficient triggering of Ca2+ release at newly formed dyads, dyadic function was impaired in failing cells despite similar organization of Ca2+ handling proteins. Thus, pathologically deficient Ca2+ homeostasis during HF is only partly linked to the re‐emergence of immature subcellular structure, and additionally reflects lost dyadic functionality.
Maskless production of neural-recording graphene microelectrode arrays
Authors: Gomes Vanessa Pereira , Pascon Aline Maria , Panepucci Roberto Ricardo , Swart Jacobus Willibrordus
Published: February 2019

This paper describes the production of a new version of high-performance microelectrode arrays (MEAs) that can be custom produced and used to explore in vitro neural networks. The MEAs were manufactured using direct write technology and comprised graphene microelectrodes and SU-8 insulation on a glass substrate, where graphene was grown by chemical vapor deposition on copper foil and then transferred to the substrate. The graphene MEAs experimentally exhibited adequate electrical specifications, with the electrode characterized using noise testing, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy. The MEAs herein exhibited improved properties over those previously reported in the literature. The average impedance at 1 kHz for the electrodes herein was 5.2 kΩ, which is compatible with commercial MEAs which present values between 30 and 400 kΩ. Further, the MEA device herein did not show biotoxicity and is thus adequate for cellular potential measurements.
MEMS ion source for ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Grzebyk Tomasz , Szyszka Piotr , Krysztof Michał , Górecka-Drzazga Anna , Dziuban Jan
Published: February 2019

This paper describes a miniature, silicon-glass, electron-impact ion source, in which a field emission carbon nanotube cathode is separated from the external atmosphere by a semitransparent Si3N4 membrane. High vacuum necessary for the proper operation of the ion source is generated on a chip by an integrated micropump. The experiment revealed that it is possible to obtain and maintain high vacuum inside the structure; however, some problems associated with outgassing occurred during field emission measurements. Despite this fact, both the transmission of electrons through the thin membrane and the possibility of gas ionization have been confirmed.
SiO2/Si(001) studied by time-resolved valence band photoemission at MHz repetition rates: Linear and nonlinear excitation of surface photovoltage
Authors: Kamrla Robin , Trützschler Andreas , Huth Michael , Chiang Cheng-Tien , Schumann Frank O. , Widdra Wolf
Published: February 2019

The authors investigate the fluence and doping dependence of the surface photovoltage (SPV) shifts at SiO2/Si(001) interfaces by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. Charge carriers are excited by pumping photon energies of hνpump=1.2 and 2.4 eV and probed by high-order harmonics of hνprobe=22.6 eV at 0.2 and 0.7 MHz repetition rates. The authors observe SPV shifts of the nonbonding O2p state by 240 meV for SiO2/p-Si and by −140 meV for SiO2/n-Si upon pumping with hνpump=1.2 eV, and their decay rate is estimated from time-resolved measurements. Moreover, the authors observe a striking pumping fluence dependence of SPV at these interfaces, which indicates charge carrier generation by both linear and nonlinear optical excitations.
SuperKEKB main ring vacuum system status until the end of Phase-2 commissioning
Authors: Suetsugu Yusuke , Shibata Kyo , Ishibashi Takuya , Shirai Mitsuru , Terui Shinji , Kanazawa Ken-ichi , Hisamatsu Hiromi
Published: February 2019

SuperKEKB is an electron–positron collider with asymmetric energies at KEK aiming at a high luminosity of 8.0 × 1035 cm–2 s–1. The main ring (MR) consists of two rings: a 4 GeV positron ring (low-energy ring, LER) and a 7 GeV electron ring (high-energy ring, HER). During the Phase-1 commissioning of the MR from February to June 2016 and the Phase-2 commissioning from March to July 2018, the vacuum system worked well overall. By the end of Phase-2, the total beam doses (integrated beam currents) were 1113 and 1002 Ah, and the maximum beam currents were approximately 1010 and 870 mA for the LER and HER, respectively. The increase in pressure per unit beam current decreased steadily. The photodesorption coefficients reached approximately 1 × 10−6 and 7 × 10−8 molecules photon−1 with photon doses of 5.88 × 1024 and 9.27 × 1024 photons m−1 for the LER and HER, respectively. The beam lifetime was limited by the Touschek effect in both rings. Various new vacuum components, including those installed after the Phase-1 commissioning, such as the beam pipes for the Belle II particle detector, beam collimators, and so on, have been functioning well so far. The electron cloud effect was observed in the LER during Phase-1, but it was suppressed by additional countermeasures applied before Phase-2. Regarding the pressure bursts accompanied with beam losses, which were frequently observed during Phase-1, the frequency of the pressure bursts drastically decreased during Phase-2, but the longer operation time with lower beam currents during Phase-2 than Phase-1 should be taken into account. Several new problems, such as the heating of stainless-steel beam pipes due to the synchrotron radiation emitted from the final focusing quadrupole magnets at the collision point, were found during Phase-2, and countermeasures are being prepared for the Phase-3 commissioning, which will commence in March 2019. SuperKEKB has been accumulating various data and information that will facilitate the design and operation of the vacuum systems in future high-current accelerators.
Spectro-temporal templates unify the pitch percepts of resolved and unresolved harmonics
Authors: Shamma Shihab , Dutta Kelsey
Published: February 2019

Pitch is a fundamental attribute in auditory perception involved in source identification and segregation, music, and speech understanding. Pitch percepts are intimately related to harmonic resolvability of sound. When harmonics are well-resolved, the induced pitch is usually salient and precise, and several models relying on autocorrelations or harmonic spectral templates can account for these percepts. However, when harmonics are not completely resolved, the pitch percept becomes less salient, poorly discriminated, with upper range limited to a few hundred hertz, and spectral templates fail to convey percept since only temporal cues are available. Here, a biologically-motivated model is presented that combines spectral and temporal cues to account for both percepts. The model explains how temporal analysis to estimate the pitch of the unresolved harmonics is performed by bandpass filters implemented by resonances in dendritic trees of neurons in the early auditory pathway. It is demonstrated that organizing and exploiting such dendritic tuning can occur spontaneously in response to white noise. This paper then shows how temporal cues of unresolved harmonics may be integrated with spectrally resolved harmonics, creating spectro-temporal harmonic templates for all pitch percepts. Finally, the model extends its account of monaural pitch percepts to pitches evoked by dichotic binaural stimuli.
Saving the steppes
Authors: McLaughlin Kathleen
Published: February 2019

The exploding demand for cashmere wool is ruining Mongolia's grasslands. Scientists hope they can turn the tide.
Rhomboid distorts lipids to break the viscosity-imposed speed limit of membrane diffusion
Authors: Kreutzberger Alex J. B. , Ji Ming , Aaron Jesse , Mihaljević Ljubica , Urban Siniša
Published: February 2019

How rhomboid proteases act so quickly

How enzymes catalyze reactions in the viscous cell membrane is poorly understood. Kreutzberger
et al.
visualized single molecules of rhomboid intramembrane proteases diffusing in defined nanofabricated membranes and live cells (see the Perspective by Wolfe). They found that the rhomboid protein fold distorts surrounding lipids to reduce local membrane viscosity and enhance enzyme diffusion. The rate of catalysis in cells relies on rapid diffusion, revealing that rhomboid's diffusion has been boosted beyond the normal “speed limit” of the membrane, augmenting the search for substrates.

Science
, this issue p.
eaao0076
; see also p.
453
Quantum reference beacon–guided superresolution optical focusing in complex media
Authors: Kim Donggyu , Englund Dirk R.
Published: February 2019

Quantum beacons for enhanced imaging

Imaging an object is simply a case of collecting the light that is scattered from that object. However, if the object is embedded in or separated by a complex medium (tissue or atmosphere, for example), then the light is scattered, the wavefront of the light is muddled, and the image quality is reduced. Adaptive optics techniques use “guidestars” or “reference beacons” to undo the wavefront mixing and sharpen up the image. Kim and Englund show that nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond can be used as quantum reference beacons to enable superresolution focusing inside a scattering medium. The technique should be useful for quantum enhanced imaging and sensing applications.

Science
, this issue p.
528
A surface gravity traverse on Mars indicates low bedrock density at Gale crater
Authors: Lewis Kevin W. , Peters Stephen , Gonter Kurt , Morrison Shaunna , Schmerr Nicholas , Vasavada Ashwin R. , Gabriel Travis
Published: February 2019

Teaching Curiosity to do gravimetry

Gravimetry—the measurement of tiny changes in gravitational fields—can be used to weigh mountains. Large-scale gravimetric mapping can be done from orbit, but examining small details requires a vehicle on the ground. The Curiosity rover on Mars carries several accelerometers used for routine navigation. Lewis
et al.
recalibrated these accelerometers to allow them to be used for gravimetry. They measured how the local gravitational field changed as the rover moved through Gale crater and began to climb Aeolis Mons (Mount Sharp). The resulting density of material under Gale crater shows that it is relativity porous, disproving a theory that the crater floor was once buried under several kilometers of rock.

Science
, this issue p.
535
Intense threat switches dorsal raphe serotonin neurons to a paradoxical operational mode
Authors: Seo Changwoo , Guru Akash , Jin Michelle , Ito Brendan , Sleezer Brianna J. , Ho Yi-Yun , Wang Elias , Boada Christina , Krupa Nicholas A. , Kullakanda Durgaprasad S. , Shen Cynthia X. , Warden Melissa R.
Published: February 2019

Flipping behavior under threat

Could it be that the brain in a state of emergency or under intense threat operates in a fundamentally different way? Seo
et al.
found that mice paused when serotonin neurons were transiently stimulated in low- or medium-threat environments, but when this same neural population was stimulated in high-threat environments, mice tried to escape. Recordings from these neurons indicated that movement-related neural tuning flipped between environments. Neural activity decreased when movement was initiated in low-threat environments but increased in high-threat environments.

Science
, this issue p.
538
Expanding the anti-TB arsenal
Authors: Mizrahi Valerie , Warner Digby F.
Published: February 2019

A new tuberculosis drug target reveals an additional antimicrobial resistance mechanism
Adipsic diabetes insipidus secondary to craniopharyngioma resection
Authors: Pérez María Alejandra , Millán Henry Augusto , Naranjo Julián Alberto , Flórez Romero Andrés
Published: February 2019

Adipsic diabetes insipidus is an infrequent disease which may be associated with craniopharyngioma. It may be secondary to the tumour’s extension, as well as to resection of the mass. We present the case of a 24-year-old woman with a history of delayed puberty and hypothyroidism, but no prior study reports. She consulted due to a headache with warning signs associated with altered visual acuity. Brain MRI was performed which showed signs of a non-adenomatous lesion with suprasellar and hypothalamic extension. Following transcranial surgery, she developed diabetes insipidus criteria, with absence of thirst documented during the hospitalisation. The histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma. The patient was treated with desmopressin and received recommendations regarding rehydration according to the quantification of losses, with electrolyte stabilisation.