bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon isotope alteration during the thermal maturation of non‐flowering plant species representative of those found within the geological record
Authors: Smith Andrew C. , Kendrick Christopher P. , Moss‐Hayes Vicky L. , Vane Christopher H. , Leng Melanie J.
Published: October 2016

Rationale

The carbon isotope (δ13C value) composition of fossil plant material is routinely used as a proxy of past climate and environment change. However, palaeoclimate interpretation requires assumptions about the stability of δ13C values in plant material during its decomposition and incorporation into sediments. Previous work on modern angiosperm species shows δ13C changes of several per mille during simulated decomposition experiments. However, no such tests have been undertaken on non‐flowering plants, which are found extensively within the geological record. These plants have distinctly different cellulose‐to‐lignin ratios from those of their angiosperm counterparts, potentially creating hitherto unknown variations in the original to fossil δ13C signatures.

Methods

To test the extent of δ13C change during decomposition we have subjected a number of plants, representing more basal, non‐flowering plant lineages (cycads, ferns, horsetails and dawn redwood), to artificial decay using a hydrothermal maturation technique at two temperatures over periods of up to 273 hours. Subsamples were extracted every 12–16 hours and analysed for their δ13C and %C values using a Carlo Erba 1500 elemental analyser, and VG TripleTrap and Optima mass spectrometers.

Results

The %C values increased for all samples through the maturation process at both temperatures with the largest increases observed within the first 24 hours. Decreases in δ13C values were observed for all plants at 300°C and for two of the species at the lower temperature (200°C). The maximum shift in the δ13C value related to experimental decomposition was −0.90‰ (horsetail), indicating a preferential loss of 13C during thermal maturation.

Conclusions

The reduction in the δ13C value potentially suggests a preferential loss of isotopically heavier cellulose in relation to the isotopically lighter lignin component during maturation. The isotopic offset observed here (<0.9‰) means that palaeoclimatic interpretation of δ13C values from non‐flowering plant material within the geological record remains robust, but only where interpretations are based on variations in δ13C values greater than 1‰. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia following heat‐not‐burn cigarette smoking
Authors: Kamada Takahiro , Yamashita Yosuke , Tomioka Hiromi
Published: October 2016

A 20‐year‐old man was admitted with acute respiratory failure. He had started smoking 20 heat‐not‐burn cigarettes (HC) per day 6 months previously, then purchased a second device for smoking HC to increase smoking to 40 cigarettes per day 2 weeks before hospitalization. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) was diagnosed based on medical history, chest high‐resolution computed tomographic findings, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. On starting treatment with prednisolone, the patient exhibited complete recovery. A relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP has been suggested. HC were released in September 2015 in Japan, Italy, and Switzerland. HC attract attention as a cigarette generating less harmful substances than a conventional cigarette. We herein report the first case of AEP caused by smoking HC. HC are expected to spread around the world. In the same way as a conventional cigarette, HC should be recognized as a potential cause of AEP.
The “New Normal” Continues to Affect Institutions
Authors: Hector Gerald
Published: October 2016

The higher education industry continues to go through changes that it has to manage in very purposeful ways. Several factors have converged to create an almost perfect storm that has taken some colleges and universities by surprise, despite the fact that there have been warning signs for years. Stagnant economic opportunities for families to afford the cost of college, the changing demographics of the nation as a whole, stretched resources, and ineffective funding models for some colleges and universities have created an interesting dynamic in the industry. Higher education institutions are resilient organizations that have weathered challenges before, but the convergence of these factors in a present day context has challenged a number of institutions to reevaluate how they continue to extend the legacies of their institutions. In the summer of 2014, the white paper, “Navigating the New Normal: Financial Imperatives for MSI Effectiveness, and Avoiding Financial Exigency” was published by the Southern Education Foundation. This article is a checkup on the themes noted in that paper to see if anything has changed. This article posits that changes are afoot, but not at a pace that would make boards of trustees and senior leaders feel any relief. The issue of race and diversity has joined the debate as well, and it can no longer be ignored. It is into this milieu that enrollment professionals have to operate, and there are perspectives they have to keep in mind. This article attempts to take the complex and break it down into the simple, to provide a context around which all campus constituents and stakeholders will have to contend in the weeks, months and years to come.
Revisiting inference of coefficient of variation: nuisances parameters
Authors: Amiri Saeid
Published: October 2016

This paper studies the problem of the statistical inference of coefficient of variation from a different point of view. While the coefficient of variation is well recognized as being pertinent to the interpretation of variability, its application in statistical inference is nevertheless difficult. This work shows that using the estimates of kurtosis and skewness can draw more accurate inference, even under the condition of known distribution. This work investigates a new type of estimator based on an indirect estimate; it is shown when the estimate of the mean in the denominator approaches zero the plug‐in estimate overestimates in instances where the coefficient of variation is larger than one, but the indirect estimate provides a more accurate estimate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Biot model for anisotropic poro‐elastic media
Authors: Gilbert Robert P. , Hsiao George C. , Shoushani Michael
Published: October 2016

We prove an existence theorem for the anisotropic, time‐harmonic poro‐elastic boundary value problem by using the Gårding inequality.
Allogenic Blood Transfusion is Associated with Poor Perioperative and Long‐Term Outcome in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Reeh Matthias , Ghadban Tarik , Dedow Josephine , Vettorazzi Eik , Uzunoglu Faik G. , Nentwich Michael , Kluge Stefan , Izbicki Jakob R. , Vashist Yogesh K.
Published: October 2016

Background

Esophageal resection for cancer (EC) is still associated with considerable mortality and morbidity rates. Allogenic blood transfusion (aBT) is associated with poor short‐term and long‐term outcome in surgical oncology. We aimed to evaluate the effect of aBT in a homogeneous population of EC patients undergoing esophagectomy without perioperative treatment.

Methods

We analyzed 565 esophagectomies performed due to EC. Allogenic blood transfusion was correlated to clinicopathological parameters, perioperative mortality and morbidity as well as the long‐term outcome. Results are presented as adjusted odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI).

Results

Patients receiving aBT (aBT(+)) had no higher tumor stages or higher rates of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.65 and 0.17, respectively) compared to patients without aBT (aBT(−)). Allogenic blood transfusion was strongly associated with perioperative morbidity (OR 1.9, 95 % CI 1.1–3.5, P = 0.02) and mortality (OR 2.9, 95 % CI 1.0–8.6, P = 0.04). Tumor recurrence rate was significantly higher in aBT(+) patients (P = 0.001). The disease‐free and overall survival were significantly longer in aBT(−) compared to aBT(+) patients (P = 0.016 and <0.001, respectively). Patients receiving aBT had almost doubled risk for tumor recurrence (HR 1.8, 95 % CI 1.2–2.5, P = 0.001) and death (HR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.5–3.2, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Allogenic blood transfusion has a significant impact on the natural course of EC after complete resection. The poor short‐term and long‐term outcome warrants further evaluation of the underlying molecular mechanisms induced by allogenic blood transfusion in cancer patients.
Acute Appendicitis During Pregnancy: Different from the Nonpregnant State?
Authors: Segev L. , Segev Y. , Rayman S. , Nissan A. , Sadot E.
Published: October 2016

Background

Acute appendicitis is the most common nonobstetric indication for surgical intervention during pregnancy. However, the current literature is scarce and composed of relatively small case series. We aimed to compare the presentation, management, and surgical outcomes of presumed acute appendicitis between a contemporary cohort of pregnant women and nonpregnant women of reproductive age.

Methods

The study group included 92 pregnant patients who underwent appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis at a single tertiary medical center in 2000–2014. Preoperative, operative, and postoperative clinical data were derived from medical records and compared to data for 494 nonpregnant patients of reproductive age who underwent appendectomy in 2004–2007 at the same institution.

Results

Median age was 28 years (range 25–33) in the study group and 26 years (range 20–34) in the control group (P = 0.1). There were no between‐group differences in mean white blood cell count, patient interval, hospital interval, or operative time. Preoperative abdominal ultrasound was used in a significantly higher proportion of patients in the pregnant group than in the nonpregnant group (73 and 27 %, respectively, P < 0.001) and computed tomography, in a significantly lower proportion of patients (1 vs. 16 %, respectively, P < 0.001). The two groups had similar rates of negative appendectomy (23 and 22 %, P = 0.9), complicated appendicitis (12 and 11 %, P = 0.9), and overall postoperative complications (15 and 12 %, P = 0.3).

Conclusions

The clinical presentation and outcome of presumed acute appendicitis are similar in pregnant women and nonpregnant women of reproductive age. Therefore, similar perioperative management algorithms may be applied in both patient populations.
Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction, Impact and Disability‐Free Survival After a Surgical Mission in Madagascar: A Pilot Survey
Authors: White Michelle , Alcorn Dennis , Randall Kirsten , Duncan Stephanie , Klassen Heather , Shrime Mark
Published: October 2016

Background

Billions of people worldwide lack access to safe affordable surgery. Surgical missions and non‐governmental organisations (NGO) are vital in meeting this need, but long‐term outcomes are rarely reported. Mercy Ships is a surgical NGO, and we aimed to measure disability‐free survival, impact and patient satisfaction in Madagascar after a 7‐month mission.

Method

We aimed to evaluate 346 patients. Primary outcome measure was the World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0); secondary outcomes were residual pain; changes in perception of shame and acceptance by society; and overall satisfaction with surgery. Linear regression used to determine association between covariates and each outcome measure.

Results

One hundred patients were uncontactable and 98 failed to attend, leaving 148 for final evaluation at a median duration of 8 months. Median WHODAS 2.0 was 2.1 % (range 0–25 %); 1 patient had a score of 25 % defined as disability. 32/148 had residual pain; average pain score of 1.8/5. Overall patient satisfaction was 4.7/5 (94 %). Median patient shame scores fell from 2.9/5 (58 %) to 0.3/5 (6 %) and median acceptance scores rose from 3.3/5 (66 %) to 4.8/5 (96 %) (both p ≤ 0.001) postoperatively. WHODAS 2.0 significantly correlated with gender and postoperative pain (both p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Surgical missions have a duty‐of‐care to evaluate outcomes, and WHODAS 2.0 is a quick, reliable method to ensure surgeries do no harm. Measurements of perception of shame, acceptance by society, patient expectation and satisfaction can also be reliably measured and should not be forgotten by surgical NGOs.
Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy Might Improve the Prognosis of Patients with Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Nagasaki Toshiya , Akiyoshi Takashi , Fujimoto Yoshiya , Konishi Tsuyoshi , Nagayama Satoshi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Ueno Masashi
Published: October 2016

Background

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard treatment for locally advanced low rectal cancer (LALRC). However, the prognostic significance of CRT in patients with lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) is unknown. The present study aimed to examine the prognostic impact of preoperative CRT in patients with LALRC and LLNM.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data for 73 patients with LALRC and LLNM who underwent total mesorectal excision and lateral lymph node dissection from 1985 to 2012. The patient population was divided into a CRT group (n = 30) who received preoperative CRT and a surgery alone group (n = 43) who were treated without CRT.

Results

The 5‐year overall survival (OS), 5‐year relapse‐free survival (RFS), and 5‐year local recurrence (LR) rates were significantly better in the CRT group (78.2, 72.1, and 3.5 %, respectively) compared with the surgery alone group (41.1, 25.4, and 39.6 %, respectively). There were fewer total, mesorectal, and LLNMs in the CRT group compared with the surgery alone group. Multivariate analysis showed that surgery without CRT was an independent predictor of poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.513, p = 0.004), RFS (HR 2.696, p = 0.021), and LR rates (HR 11.094, p = 0.001). A total number of lymph node metastases ≥4 were also an independent predictor of poorer OS and RFS.

Conclusions

Preoperative CRT might have a significant prognostic impact on patients with LALRC with LLNM treated with total mesorectal excision and lateral lymph node dissection.
Parathyroid Autotransplantation During Thyroid Surgery: A Novel Technique Using a Cell Culture Nutrient Solution
Authors: Famà Fausto , Cicciù Marco , Polito Francesca , Cascio Antonio , Gioffré‐Florio Maria , Piquard Arnaud , Saint‐Marc Olivier , Sindoni Alessandro
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Parathyroid autotransplantation is an easy procedure with a low complication rate. We adopted the transplantation into the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which allows an easier and time‐saving surgical procedure using the same surgical incision.

Methods

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 396 consecutive patients, who underwent total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease. In all cases in which a parathyroid was damaged or inadvertently removed, the gland was transplanted; before the autotransplantation, the parathyroid tissue was put in a cell culture nutrient solution for 5 min, afterward fragmented, and then was transplanted in the sternocleidomastoid muscle. To demonstrate a beneficial effect of the cell nutrient solution step, we compared data of transplanted patients with a control group of cases (n = 190) undergoing a standard immediate autotransplantation.

Results

We divided patients in two main groups: group A (n = 160) including subjects that underwent one or more parathyroid gland autotransplantation using the cell nutrient solution, and group B (n = 236) concerning those who were not transplanted. Among patients, 62 hypocalcemias occurred, 40 in the group A and 22 in the group B (P < 0.001): 91.9 % were transient and 8.1 % (5 patients) definitive, all pertaining to the group B. Among controls (group C), 42 hypocalcemias occurred (P = 0.616 vs. group A and P = 0.002 vs. group B) and 3/42 became definitive (P = 0.096 vs. group A and P = 0.121 vs. group B). All differences concerning pre‐ and postoperative calcium values were statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We recommend the routine parathyroid autotransplantation, when a vascular damage is certain or suspected, in order to reduce the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism, using a cell culture nutrient solution before gland transplantation.
Short‐term incorporation of freshly fixed plant carbon into the soil animal food web: field study in a spruce forest
Authors: Goncharov Anton A. , Tsurikov Sergey M. , Potapov Anton M. , Tiunov Alexei V.
Published: October 2016

We analyzed the dynamics of the short‐term incorporation of recently fixed carbon into the below‐ground food web in a boreal forest. Five young spruce trees (Picea abies) were pulse‐labeled with13CO2and the isotopic label was traced in soil invertebrates during 5 weeks. The freshly fixed plant carbon quickly entered both litter‐located and soil‐located compartments of the detrital food web. Among invertebrates inhabiting the mineral soil layers, a trophic link to the root‐derived C was most pronounced in species with higherδ15N values, suggesting this energy source to be more important in deeper mineral soil horizons. The label appeared faster in saprophagous animals than in predators (the median time lag after labeling was 6 and 12 days, respectively), but the difference was not significant. The label was recovered in 15 of 38 species of saprophagous animals and in 20 of 63 species of predators. Among saprophages, the frequency and intensity of the label was relatively high in endogeic collembolans and in bibionid larvae, but earthworms and enchytraeids were not labeled. Several groups of predators, lithobiid centipedes in particular, quickly acquired the root‐derived carbon, possibly indicating the feeding on live roots or mycorrhizal mycelium. In total, only 35 % of species or genera examined acquired the label. This suggests that majority of invertebrate taxa in the decomposer food web are unlikely to depend heavily on freshly fixed plant carbon provided by roots and root‐associated microorganisms.
Equivalent Clinical Outcomes Following Favored Treatments of Chronic Scapholunate Ligament Tear
Authors: Wang Pengcheng , Stepan Jeffrey G. , An Tonya , Osei Daniel A.
Published: October 2016

Background

Optimal treatment of chronic scapholunate (SL) instability remains controversial. Many surgical techniques have been proposed with varied results in subsequent case series; however, there is limited evidence demonstrating the relative effectiveness of the different treatment options.

Questions/Purposes

We conducted a systematic review of the English literature to compare outcomes from capsulodesis and ligament reconstruction for treatment of chronic scapholunate instability.

Methods

An electronic database search using keywords associated with scapholunate ligament instability was performed. A total of 511 studies were identified. All studies with scapholunate ligament tears >4 weeks after the initial injury were included in the review. Data extracted included patient demographics, wrist range of motion, and radiographic outcome measures.

Results

A total of 308 patients from 11 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The average time to surgery from initial injury was 11 months. There was no significant difference in wrist flexion or extension after capsulodesis or reconstruction. The weighted mean for postoperative wrist extension/flexion was 56°/45.6° in the capsulodesis group and 40.9°/47.3° in the reconstruction group. Pooled means of SL angle and SL gap were 60.3° and 3.44 mm after capsulodesis and 56.5 and 2.72 mm after reconstruction, respectively.

Conclusions

This systematic review failed to demonstrate any significant difference in outcomes from capsulodesis or reconstruction for treatment of chronic scapholunate instability. However, the retrospective studies examined were notably heterogeneous in design with high estimates of variance. Further prospective trials are necessary to determine an ideal treatment strategy.
OPERATIONALIZING AN INNOVATION PLATFORM APPROACH FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH ON CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE IN BURKINA FASO
Authors: DABIRE DER , ANDRIEU NADINE , DJAMEN PATRICE , COULIBALY KALIFA , POSTHUMUS HELENA , DIALLO AMADOU MOHAMADOUN , KARAMBIRI MEDINA , DOUZET JEAN-MARIE , TRIOMPHE BERNARD
Published: October 2016

Numerous innovation platforms have been implemented to encourage the adoption of agricultural innovations and stakeholder interactions within a value chain. Yet little research has been undertaken on the design and implementation of innovation platforms focussing on issues other than market access and aiming to encourage agro-ecological intensification. This is the case for the development of Conservation Agriculture (CA) in West Africa, which due to its complex nature calls for technical, organizational and institutional changes at the level of both production systems and village territories. This article analyses the design and implementation process of platforms in three villages in Burkina Faso aiming to develop CA technical references with local stakeholders, and to renew rules of interaction between stakeholders within a territory. The platforms enabled farmers in the three villages to actively participate in the identification of the cropping systems that were tested and to improve their knowledge and mastery of CA. They furthermore promoted networking among producers and facilitated the development of new rules for crop residue use. The platforms thus appear to be relevant mechanisms, enabling complex innovations to be addressed. Diverse modifications and improvements are discussed that would ensure the sustainability of the platforms and the evolution of their objectives and activities beyond those of the project under which they were launched.
Socially engaged architecture in a Chinese rural village: Xihe Village Community Centre, 2014
Authors: Ren Xiang
Published: October 2016

This paper attempts to explore the social production of architecture in contemporary Chinese rural villages through a case study on the Community Centre in Xihe Village. This community project, designed and built in 2014, exemplifies a lesser-known type of Chinese architectural practice engaging in a local and specific context, which suddenly gave participation a dramatic image in current breakneck Chinese rural-urban transition of large scale and rapid speed. By looking at this highly specific case through a detailed description and critical evaluation, this paper takes this participatory architectural project as the very first critical example of the socially-engaged architecture in China; as presenting an alternative architecture of resistance in response to the top-down guiding principle ‘Construction of A New Socialist Countryside’ launched by the government in 2005. Source material was collected through fieldwork in the village, including observational study, photographic documentation, and intensive formal and informal interviews with practitioners, authorities, and villagers. The analysis emphasizes the social process and consequences of different stages of this building, in order to explore hidden potentials and methodologies tailoring the architectural design and construction to the site-specificity. The social consequence of the building process is much more important than the object produced. By investigating the architectural version within a broader framework combining anthropology and activism, the paper attempts to introduce a more socially resilient way of making architecture in the current Chinese rural-urban transition. On the one hand it addresses the contingencies in working with underprivileged village communities in inner rural China, which have scarce resources and fragile identities; on the other hand it cuts through the surface of rural vernacular China to expose the undercurrent of silent issues in architecture that constitute the indigenous, the everyday, resistance, transition, and resilience.
Hall, Jakob, Maloney, Scaife, and Van den Heever Receive 2016 Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2016

Alexander D. Hall, Christian Jakob, Eric Maloney, Adam Scaife, and Susan C. van den Heever will receive the 2016 Atmospheric Sciences Ascent Award at the 2016 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 12–16 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "research contributions by exceptional mid-career scientists in the fields of atmospheric and climate sciences."
Rosenlof Receives 2016 Yoram J. Kaufman Unselfish Cooperation in Research Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2016

Karen H. Rosenlof will receive the 2016 Yoram J. Kaufman Unselfish Cooperation in Research Award at the 2016 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 12–16 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes "broad influence in atmospheric science through exceptional creativity, inspiration of younger scientists, mentoring, international collaborations, and unselfish cooperation in research."
Contentment: Perceived Completeness across Cultures and Traditions
Authors: Cordaro Daniel T. , Brackett Marc , Glass Lauren , Anderson Craig L.
Published: October 2016

Over the past 2 decades, a major focus in psychological research has been on pursuing happiness, positivity, and optimal human flourishing. Interestingly, little attention has been paid to contentment, which, according to over 4,000 years of spiritual, philosophical, and theoretical discourse, is an emotion that sits at the deepest core of human wellbeing and is foundational to the experience of fulfillment in life. This article synthesizes etymological, religious, philosophical, and psychological treatments of contentment from multiple languages and traditions. Derived from these perspectives, it also presents a prototype approach to contentment, its core affect features and cross-cultural variations. Finally, it presents theory-grounded hypotheses intended to initiate future research on the topic. We propose a primary appraisal theme that is at the root of all experiences of contentment: perceived completeness, which refers to the perception that the present situation is enough and entire.
Does Feeling Bad, Lead to Feeling Good? Arousal Patterns during Expressive Writing
Authors: Pascual-Leone Antonio , Yeryomenko Nikita , Morrison Orrin-Porter , Arnold Robert , Kramer Ueli
Published: October 2016

Different psychotherapy theories describe process patterns of emotional arousal in contradictory ways. To control both treatment and therapist responsivity, this study sought to test dynamic patterns in the arousal of negative affect using a controlled experimental study of expressive writing. There were 261 participants (78% women; M = 21 years old; 56% White) who suffered unresolved traumas who were randomly assigned to an expressive writing task and asked to write about their deepest thoughts and feelings, or to a writing control. Participants wrote for 15 min on three consecutive days, completing the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale before and after each visit. Data across 6 time points were subjected to hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) and pattern analyses. Session-by-session (24 hr periods), the expressive writing group showed an overall linear decrease in negative affect (β = −2.273, p < .001). However, in pre- to post-session ratings (15 min periods), the expressive writing group also demonstrated increases in negative affect (β = 6.467, p < .001). Neither of these patterns were observed in the control group. Pattern analysis demonstrated 69.8% of cases in the expressive writing group perfectly or almost perfectly followed a predicted zig-zag pattern ( p < .01). No control cases showed this pattern. Findings demonstrate how the habituation/inhibition hypothesis (“it gets easier as one gets over it”) and the meaning-making hypothesis (“it gets worse before it gets better”) can both be supported, each at different scopes of analysis. Implications clarify the role of emotional arousal in change.
Ground-state oxygen holes and the metal–insulator transition in the negative charge-transfer rare-earth nickelates
Authors: Bisogni Valentina , Catalano Sara , Green Robert J. , Gibert Marta , Scherwitzl Raoul , Huang Yaobo , Strocov Vladimir N. , Zubko Pavlo , Balandeh Shadi , Triscone Jean-Marc , Sawatzky George , Schmitt Thorsten
Published: October 2016

The metal–insulator transition and the intriguing physical properties of rare-earth perovskite nickelates have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Nonetheless, a complete understanding of these materials remains elusive. Here we combine X-ray absorption and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) spectroscopies to resolve important aspects of the complex electronic structure of rare-earth nickelates, taking NdNiO3 thin film as representative example. The unusual coexistence of bound and continuum excitations observed in the RIXS spectra provides strong evidence for abundant oxygen holes in the ground state of these materials. Using cluster calculations and Anderson impurity model interpretation, we show that distinct spectral signatures arise from a Ni 3d8 configuration along with holes in the oxygen 2p valence band, confirming suggestions that these materials do not obey a conventional positive charge-transfer picture, but instead exhibit a negative charge-transfer energy in line with recent models interpreting the metal–insulator transition in terms of bond disproportionation.
Spin–torque generator engineered by natural oxidation of Cu
Authors: An Hongyu , Kageyama Yuito , Kanno Yusuke , Enishi Nagisa , Ando Kazuya
Published: October 2016

The spin Hall effect is a spin–orbit coupling phenomenon, which enables electric generation and detection of spin currents. This relativistic effect provides a way for realizing efficient spintronic devices based on electric manipulation of magnetization through spin torque. However, it has been believed that heavy metals are indispensable for the spin–torque generation. Here we show that the spin Hall effect in Cu, a light metal with weak spin–orbit coupling, is significantly enhanced through natural oxidation. We demonstrate that the spin–torque generation efficiency of a Cu/Ni81Fe19 bilayer is enhanced by over two orders of magnitude by tuning the surface oxidation, reaching the efficiency of Pt/ferromagnetic metal bilayers. This finding illustrates a crucial role of oxidation in the spin Hall effect, opening a route for engineering the spin–torque generator by oxygen control and manipulating magnetization without using heavy metals.
Human acid sphingomyelinase structures provide insight to molecular basis of Niemann–Pick disease
Authors: Zhou Yan-Feng , Metcalf Matthew C. , Garman Scott C. , Edmunds Tim , Qiu Huawei , Wei Ronnie R.
Published: October 2016

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) hydrolyzes sphingomyelin to ceramide and phosphocholine, essential components of myelin in neurons. Genetic alterations in ASM lead to ASM deficiency (ASMD) and have been linked to Niemann–Pick disease types A and B. Olipudase alfa, a recombinant form of human ASM, is being developed as enzyme replacement therapy to treat the non-neurological manifestations of ASMD. Here we present the human ASM holoenzyme and product bound structures encompassing all of the functional domains. The catalytic domain has a metallophosphatase fold, and two zinc ions and one reaction product phosphocholine are identified in a histidine-rich active site. The structures reveal the underlying catalytic mechanism, in which two zinc ions activate a water molecule for nucleophilic attack of the phosphodiester bond. Docking of sphingomyelin provides a model that allows insight into the selectivity of the enzyme and how the ASM domains collaborate to complete hydrolysis. Mapping of known mutations provides a basic understanding on correlations between enzyme dysfunction and phenotypes observed in ASMD patients.
Optimal control of complex atomic quantum systems
Authors: van Frank S. , Bonneau M. , Schmiedmayer J. , Hild S. , Gross C. , Cheneau M. , Bloch I. , Pichler T. , Negretti A. , Calarco T. , Montangero S.
Published: October 2016

Quantum technologies will ultimately require manipulating many-body quantum systems with high precision. Cold atom experiments represent a stepping stone in that direction: a high degree of control has been achieved on systems of increasing complexity. However, this control is still sub-optimal. In many scenarios, achieving a fast transformation is crucial to fight against decoherence and imperfection effects. Optimal control theory is believed to be the ideal candidate to bridge the gap between early stage proof-of-principle demonstrations and experimental protocols suitable for practical applications. Indeed, it can engineer protocols at the quantum speed limit – the fastest achievable timescale of the transformation. Here, we demonstrate such potential by computing theoretically and verifying experimentally the optimal transformations in two very different interacting systems: the coherent manipulation of motional states of an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate and the crossing of a quantum phase transition in small systems of cold atoms in optical lattices. We also show that such processes are robust with respect to perturbations, including temperature and atom number fluctuations.
Formation of gold nanoparticles by glycolipids of Lactobacillus casei
Authors: Kikuchi Fumiya , Kato Yugo , Furihata Kazuo , Kogure Toshihiro , Imura Yuki , Yoshimura Etsuro , Suzuki Michio
Published: October 2016

Gold nanoparticles have particular properties distinct from those of bulk gold crystals, and such nanoparticles are used in various applications in optics, catalysis, and drug delivery. Many reports on microbial synthesis of gold nanoparticles have appeared. However, the molecular details (reduction and dispersion) of such synthesis remain unclear. In the present study, we studied gold nanoparticle synthesis by Lactobacillus casei. A comparison of L. casei components before and after addition of an auric acid solution showed that the level of unsaturated lipids decreased significantly after addition. NMR and mass spectrum analysis showed that the levels of diglycosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and triglycosyldiacylglycerol (TGDG) bearing unsaturated fatty acids were much reduced after formation of gold nanoparticles. DGDG purified from L. casei induced the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in vitro. These results suggested that glycolipids, such as DGDG, play important roles in reducing Au(III) to Au(0) and in ensuring that the nanoparticles synthesized remain small in size. Our work will lead to the development of novel, efficient methods by which gold nanoparticles may be produced by, and accumulated within, microorganisms.
CD200R/Foxp3-mediated signalling regulates microglial activation
Authors: Yi Min-Hee , Zhang Enji , Kim Jwa-Jin , Baek Hyunjung , Shin Nara , Kim Sena , Kim Sang Ryong , Kim Hang-Rae , Lee Sung Joong , Park Jin Bong , Kim Yonghyun , Kwon O-Yu , Lee Young Ho , Oh Sang-Ha , Kim Dong Woon
Published: October 2016

The heterogeneity of microglial functions have either beneficial or detrimental roles in specific physiological or pathological environments. However, the details of what transcriptional mechanisms induce microglia to take beneficial phenotypes remain unknown. Here, we report that Foxp3 is essential for beneficial outcome of the microglial response and depends upon signalling by the immunoglobulin CD200 through its receptor (CD200R). Foxp3 expression was up-regulated in microglia activated by excitotoxicity-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation. Suppression of CD200R prevented anti-inflammatory phenotype of microglia, but over-expression of Foxp3 enhanced it. Phosphorylation of STAT6, a downstream effector of CD200R, modulated transcription of Foxp3. Finally, CD200R/Foxp3-mediated signalling enhanced hippocampal neuronal viability and conferred a degree of neuroprotection, presumably by counteracting inducible nitric oxide synthase. We conclude that enhancement of Foxp3 through CD200R could be neuroprotective by targeting the microglia.
HIC1 controls cellular- and HIV-1- gene transcription via interactions with CTIP2 and HMGA1
Authors: Le Douce Valentin , Forouzanfar Faezeh , Eilebrecht Sebastian , Van Driessche Benoit , Ait-Ammar Amina , Verdikt Roxane , Kurashige Yoshihito , Marban Céline , Gautier Virginie , Candolfi Ermanno , Benecke Arndt G. , Van Lint Carine , Rohr Olivier , Schwartz Christian
Published: October 2016

Among many cellular transcriptional regulators, Bcl11b/CTIP2 and HGMA1 have been described to control the establishment and the persistence of HIV-1 latency in microglial cells, the main viral reservoir in the brain. In this present work, we identify and characterize a transcription factor i.e. HIC1, which physically interacts with both Bcl11b/CTIP2 and HMGA1 to co-regulate specific subsets of cellular genes and the viral HIV-1 gene. Our results suggest that HIC1 represses Tat dependent HIV-1 transcription. Interestingly, this repression of Tat function is linked to HIC1 K314 acetylation status and to SIRT1 deacetylase activity. Finally, we show that HIC1 interacts and cooperates with HGMA1 to regulate Tat dependent HIV-1 transcription. Our results also suggest that HIC1 repression of Tat function happens in a TAR dependent manner and that this TAR element may serve as HIC1 reservoir at the viral promoter to facilitate HIC1/TAT interaction.
Plasmonic Nanoparticle-based Hybrid Photosensitizers with Broadened Excitation Profile for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Peng , Tang Hong , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2016

Photodynamic therapy combining nanotechnology has shown great potential with improved therapeutic efficacy and fewer side effects. Ideal photosensitizers for cancer treatment should both have good singlet oxygen production capability and be excitable by light illuminations with deep tissue penetration. Here we report a type of hybrid photosensitizers consisting of plasmonic silver nanoparticles and photosensitizing molecules, where strong resonance coupling between the two leads to a broadened excitation profile and exceptionally high singlet oxygen production under both visible light and infrared light excitations. Our results indicate that the hybrid photosensitizers display low cytotoxicity without light illumination yet highly enhanced photodynamic inhibition efficacy against Hela cells under a broad spectrum of light illuminations including the near-infrared light, which has great implication in photodynamic therapy of deep-tissue cancers.
circRNADb: A comprehensive database for human circular RNAs with protein-coding annotations
Authors: Chen Xiaoping , Han Ping , Zhou Tao , Guo Xuejiang , Song Xiaofeng , Li Yan
Published: October 2016

It has been known that circular RNAs are widely expressed in human tissues and cells, and play important regulatory roles in physiological or pathological processes. However, there is lack of comprehensively annotated human circular RNAs database. In this study we established a circRNA database, named as circRNADb, containing 32,914 human exonic circRNAs carefully selected from diversified sources. The detailed information of the circRNA, including genomic information, exon splicing, genome sequence, internal ribosome entry site (IRES), open reading frame (ORF) and references were provided in circRNADb. In addition, circRNAs were found to be able to encode proteins, which have not been reported in any species. 16328 circRNAs were annotated to have ORF longer than 100 amino acids, of which 7170 have IRES elements. 46 circRNAs from 37 genes were found to have their corresponding proteins expressed according mass spectrometry. The database provides the function of data search, browse, download, submit and feedback for the user to study particular circular RNA of interest and update the database continually. circRNADb will be built to be a biological information platform for circRNA molecules and related biological functions in the future. The database can be freely available through the web server at http://reprod.njmu.edu.cn/circrnadb.
Stoichiometry patterns in the androdioecious Acer tegmentosum
Authors: Zhang Xinna , Yao Jie , Fan Chunyu , Tan Lingzhao , Zhang Chunyu , Wang Juan , Zhao Xiuhai , von Gadow Klaus
Published: October 2016

This study evaluates stoichiometry patterns in the androdioecious Acer tegmentosum, a species characterized by a rare reproductive system where males and hermaphrodites coexist. Altogether 31 hermaphrodites and 29 male plants were harvested and samples of leaves, current-year shoots, branches and coarse roots were analyzed to explore gender differences in biomass, C, N and P concentrations of these four components. The nitrogen to phosphorus relationship of each component was examined using SMA estimates. Males had significantly greater amounts of leaf and coarse root dry matter content than hermaphrodites. C, N and P stoichiometry differed significantly between genders, especially in the newly emerging vegetative components (leaves and shoots). Males had higher C/N and C/P ratios in current-year shoots and lower C/P ratios in leaves and branches. Hermaphrodites had higher N/P ratios in the leaves and branches. Males had higher rates of increase in leaf P content than hermaphrodites. This study suggests that stoichiometry patterns may be significantly affected by gender.
Ring-shaped Racetrack memory based on spin orbit torque driven chiral domain wall motions
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Xueying , Hu Jingtong , Nan Jiang , Zheng Zhenyi , Zhang Zhizhong , Zhang Youguang , Vernier Nicolas , Ravelosona Dafine , Zhao Weisheng
Published: October 2016

Racetrack memory (RM) has sparked enormous interest thanks to its outstanding potential for low-power, high-density and high-speed data storage. However, since it requires bi-directional domain wall (DW) shifting process for outputting data, the mainstream stripe-shaped concept certainly suffers from the data overflow issue. This geometrical restriction leads to increasing complexity of peripheral circuits or programming as well as undesirable reliability issue. In this work, we propose and study ring-shaped RM, which is based on an alternative mechanism, spin orbit torque (SOT) driven chiral DW motions. Micromagnetic simulations have been carried out to validate its functionality and exhibit its performance advantages. The current flowing through the heavy metal instead of ferromagnetic layer realizes the “end to end” circulation of storage data, which remains all the data in the device even if they are shifted. It blazes a promising path for application of RM in practical memory and logic.
Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography with Quantitative Analysis allows Differentiation of Renal Tumor Histotypes
Authors: Sun Di , Wei Cong , Li Yi , Lu Qijie , Zhang Wei , Hu Bing
Published: October 2016

Totally 85 patients with 93 renal lesions who underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) were retrospectively studied with quantitative analysis to evaluate its value in the differential diagnosis of renal tumor histotypes. CEUS characteristics were analysed including the enhancement patterns, peak intensity, homogeneity of enhancement, and pseudocapsule. Quantitative parameters of peak intensity (P) and time to peak (TP) were measured with QontraXt software, and the index “relative enhancement percentage” ΔP% and “difference in TP between tumor and cortex” ΔTP were used to quantify the CEUS features of renal tumors. There are significant difference in CEUS features between the 46 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and other types of renal tumors, including 17 low malignant lesions, 11 urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis, and 19 renal angiomyolipoma. The differences lie in the peak intensity, the homogeneity, the time of wash-in, peak, clearance and presence of pseudocapsule. The ΔTP and ΔP% of the CCRCC is significantly different from other tumors. With “fast to peak + high peak intensity” as the main criterion, assisted with “heterogeneous enhancement” and “fast wash-in” as the secondary criteria, the diagnostic accuracy of CCRCC is 91.4%, demonstrating quantitative CEUS imaging is highly valuable in differentiating CCRCC from other tumors.
Transparency and tunable slow and fast light in a nonlinear optomechanical cavity
Authors: Li Ling , Nie Wenjie , Chen Aixi
Published: October 2016

We investigate theoretically the optical response of the output field and the tunable slow and fast light in a nonlinear optomechanical cavity with a degenerate optical parametric amplifier (OPA) and a higher order excited atomic ensemble. Studies show that the higher-order-excitation atom which is similar to the degenerate OPA that acts as a nonlinear medium, induces an additional dip in absorption spectrum of the probe field. The coherence of the mechanical oscillator leads to split the peak in absorption in the probe field spectrum so that the phenomenon of optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) is generated from the output probe field. In particular, the presence of nonlinearities with the degenerate OPA and the higher order excited atoms can affect significantly the width of the transparency windows, providing an additional flexibility for controlling optical properties. Furthermore, in the presence of the degenerate OPA, the optical-response properties for the probe field become phase-sensitive so that a tunable switch from slow to fast light can be realized.
A Novel Computer-Assisted Approach to evaluate Multicellular Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay
Authors: Cisneros Castillo Liliana R. , Oancea Andrei-Dumitru , Stüllein Christian , Régnier-Vigouroux Anne
Published: October 2016

Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) embedded in a matrix are re-emerging as a powerful alternative to monolayer-based cultures. The primary information gained from a three-dimensional model is the invasiveness of treatment-exposed MCTSs through the acquisition of light microscopy images. The amount and complexity of the acquired data and the bias arisen by their manual analysis are disadvantages calling for an automated, high-throughput analysis. We present a universal algorithm we developed with the scope of being robust enough to handle images of various qualities and various invasion profiles. The novelty and strength of our algorithm lie in: the introduction of a multi-step segmentation flow, where each step is optimized for each specific MCTS area (core, halo, and periphery); the quantification through the density of the two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional object. This latter offers a fine-granular differentiation of invasive profiles, facilitating a quantification independent of cell lines and experimental setups. Progression of density from the core towards the edges influences the resulting density map thus providing a measure no longer dependent on the sole area size of MCTS, but also on its invasiveness. In sum, we propose a new method in which the concept of quantification of MCTS invasion is completely re-thought.