bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les Transports en 1935
Authors: van Criekinge Henry
Published: August 2016

Introduction. L’amélioration sensible de l’activité économique enregistrée depuis le début du deuxième trimestre a eu des répercussions favorables sur les différents modes des transports,sans qu’il soit déjà possible de préciser partout dans quelle mesure une branche déterminée en a profité. Ajoutons que la reprise de 1935, malgré l’amélioration mondiale sous-jacente, a été surtout, en Belgique, d’ordre intérieur.

I. LE RAIL

A. La Société Nationale des chemins de fer belges.

I. Trafic et matériel.

Les chemins de fer ont été aus prises dans le monde avec des difficultés d’ordres très différents, les unes structurelles, les autres conjoncturelles; les manifestations en sont pourtant liées. Ce mode de transport a perdu, déjà depuis longtemps, son caractère de combinaison nouvelle et des branches concurrentes assez récentes, notamment l’automobile et l’aviation, ont une tendance à lui disputer certains de ses débouchés. De par sa nature, l’entreprise de chemin de fer ne peut adapter librement ses fournitures de services selon la demande variable; son énorme ontillage moderne est une quantité élevée d’unités de production à affectation très spéciale, dont on ignore précisément au moment de leur acquisition ou renouvellement, sitoutes seront coutinuellement demandées; la prédominance des salaires dans le prix de revient et la rigidité des effectifs constituent une autre cause de cristallisation et d’affaiblissement.
La Conjoncture économique de la Belgique et du Luxembourg
Authors: Dupriez Léon H.
Published: August 2016

Le mouvement de grèves qui s’abattit sur le pays au cours du mois de juin et parvint à obtenir pour les populations ouvrières des hausses substantielles de salaires, a affiecté soudainement l’équilibre des forces agissant sur la conjoncture économique. L’avenir seul nous permettra de mesurer exactement les conséquences de ce fait nouveau; il importe cependant que nous cherchions à en apprécier, avant tout examen de la conjoncture économique, les répercussions possibles et probables, à la lumière des enseignements de l’histoire et de la doctrine économique. C’est ce que nous essayerons de faire aussi brièvement que possible.

L’analyse nous oblige à faire une distinction très nette entre les moyens utilisés en l’occurrence et les résultats acquis. Pour apprécier la conjoncture économique immédiate, ces derniers doivent être étudiés en eux-mêmes, sans que cela nous dispense de dire un mot des premiers, qui jettent l’incertitude dans les prévisions industrielles; la facilité des conquêtes peut, en effet, amener les bénéficiaires à nourrir de nouveaux espoirs, jusqu’au moment où les faits auront pu infliger des démentis à des réformes radicales qui ont été acceptées inconsidérément dans certains autres pays.

Il convient, par conséquent, de déplorer hautement que les hausses de salaires aient été accordées à la suite de mouvements de grèves nés en dehors des organisations syndicales, et à l’instar de mouvements de mécontentement social suscités en France par la poursuite de la déflation. En Belgique on eût pu s’attendre à mieux qu’à des cahiers de revendications dressés hâtivement au cours des événements. Même si l’on a pu, cette fois, éviter les promesses les plus graves de conséquences, il reste vrai que de pareils événements ne pourraient se renouveler sans troubler profondément le redressement économique du pays. Ils aboutiraient fatalement à des excès et à des contradictions dans la politique de redressement économique.
La Conjoncture économique de la Belgique et du Luxembourg
Authors: Dupriez Léon-H.
Published: August 2016

En commençant notre chronique du mois d’août, nous constations que la conjoncture économique des pays étrangers ne manifestait plus la même clarté et la même concordance que précédemment. Aujourd’hui les menaces, qui s’esquissaient de divers côtés, se sont précisées; il s’en faut cependant que toutes les indications recueillies soient uniformes. Mais la variété même des réactions montre que le monde est sorti d’une phase d’expansion générale pour entrer dans une phase de tension. Quelles sont les tensions actuelles et que présagent-elles pour l’avenir? Voilà ce qu’il nous faut considérer en ce moment.

La Grande-Bretagne est certes, parmi les pays importants de cette partie du monde, le pays où la reprise s’est opérée le plus méthodiquement, atteignant des niveaux d’activité supérieurs à ceux de 1929 et réduisant le chômage à des proportions presque inespérées, grâce à cinq années d’expansion ininterrompue. Aussi ne peut-on être étonné d’y trouver certains signes de tension: le fléchissement du cours des rentes depuis novembre 1936, celui du cours des actions depuis avril 1937, enfin un arrêt dans l’expansion de la production. Mais la situation de crédit paraît toujours satisfaisante et le réarmement soutient l’activité.
Les Finances Belges en 1937
Authors: Baudhuin Fernand
Published: August 2016

La situation financière de la Belgique, telle qu’elle apparaissait à la fin de 1937, pouvait être considérée comme bonne, mais de sérieuses inquiétudes devaient être conçues pour un très prochain avenir.

D’après les données disponibles actuellement, les exercices précédents ont donné des résultats sensiblement meilleurs que ceux auxquels on s’attendait, et l’exercice 1937 en dépit de la suppression brutale d’un impôt important, la Contribution Nationale de Crise, semble devoir se clore en équilibre. Mais 1938 exigera un supplément d’impôt que l’on fixe entre 500 millions et un milliard.

Etant donné les ajustements qui surviennent toujours sur le tard, il importe de parler tout d’abord des exercices antérieurs, dont la physionomie, nous venons de le dire, s’est sensiblement améliorée.

L’exercice 1935 menaçait de laisser, lorsque la dévaluation fut opérée, un déficit de un milliard. A l’heure présente, il se solde par un boni de 73 millions, alors qu’on lui a fait supporter des charges exceptionnelles qui n’auraient pas dû figurer au budget ordinaire.
La métallurgie en 1937
Authors: Strycker Robert De
Published: August 2016

Au cours de l’année écoulée, la production de notre industrie sidérurgique marque une nouvelle et sensible augmentation. Le progrès est d’environ 20 % pour les produits bruts, il est un peu plus faible pour les produits finis. Cet écart s’explique par les exportations importantes de demi-produits que nous avons faites, particulièrement vers l’Angleterre.

L’histoire de la production pendant 1937 se résume en quelques mots: une augmentation continue de la demande au cours des premiers mois de l’année a permis de faire travailler à forte allure les installations déjà en service, puis de remettre en marche des appareils qui n’étaient plus utilisés depuis 1930; la demande s’étant fortement ralentie vers la fin du printemps la production put cependant se maintenir plusieurs mois, grâce à l’importance des commandes en carnet. Lorsque ces dernières s’épuisèrent en novembre, l’activité tomba brusquement et cette chute exceptionnellement rapide se poursuit d’ailleurs actuellement.

La production moyenne journalière d’un haut fourneau se relève encore cette année. Dans notre chronique consacrée à 1936 nous avions fait remarquer que le chiffre de 209 tonnes qui résultait des opérations mathématiques habituelles devait être corrigé pour tenir compte des effets des grèves de juin 1936 et porté à 216 tonnes. Pour 1937 l’indice est de 224 tonnes, niveau qui n’avait pas encore été atteint jusqu’ici. Si l’on assimile l’année 1937 à 1929, en ce qui concerne sa position dans un cycle économique, on constate une augmentation de 26 tonnes pour la production journalière moyenne d’un haut fourneau, soit environ 13 % en huit ans. Cette progression est un des éléments qui permettent de mesurer le perfectionnement de notre outillage. Il n’y a, en effet, qu’une différence relativement faible entre la production mensuelle moyenne de ces deux années de sorte qu’on ne peut objecter que l’augmentation de cet indice est due exclusivement au sélectionnement des hauts fourneaux, seuls les appareils à haute production étant maintenus en activité.
La Conjoncture économique de la Belgique et du Luxembourg
Authors: Dupriez Léon-H.
Published: August 2016

L’image de la conjoncture économique belge, qui nous donnait, voici trois mois, des signes nombreux d’un revirement en cours, s’est particulièrement précisée au cours de ces derniers temps. En se développant, le recul prend, de plus en plus, tous les aspects classiques, à l’exception des événements sensationnels qui marquent le début de la plupart des crises. L’aisance avec laquelle l’on est passé du progrès au recul contraste singulièrement avec les errements de la crise de 1929. Il faut dire que la prospérité antécédente a été de plus courte durée et n’a pas permis les mêmes exagérations; au surplus, la récession surprend un monde éminemment plus averti du problème des crises et plus prompt à accorder ses attitudes aux nécessités. Ceci nous paraît important, malgré le désarroi qui règne toujours en matière monétaire.

Le recul de la conjoncture belge se situe dans la cadre d’une récession internationale, qui a atteint en tout premier lieu les grands produits des marchés internationaux, n’intéressant directement l’industrie belge que dans une faible mesure. Il apparaît donc comme provoqué par des circonstances extérieures, tout en se développant suivant un schéma classique à l’intérieur. A quelle partie du monde extérieur allions-nous emboîter le pas, en un moment où les évolutions sont fort différentes d’un pays à l’autre? Fort heureusement, les événements paraissent suggérer que notre guide principal est l’économie britannique, la plus stable en dehors des pays autarchiques. Cependant, la dépendance de la Belgique à l’égard de l’exportation rend son.économie plus sensible aux chocs de l’extérieur: aussi sa production fléchit-elle plus rapidement.
Le mouvement social en 1938
Authors: Velge Henri
Published: August 2016

Nous avons, à différentes reprises, signalé la corrélation existant entre le développement de nouvelles réformes sociales et l’amélioration de la situation économique. Ce dernier phénomène n’a certes pas été constaté dans le courant de l’année 1938; notre économie a subi une régression incontestable; cependant, certaines réformes sociales nouvelles, dont certaines ne sont pas sans importance, ont vu le jour.

D’une manière générale, toutefois, le Gouvernement a désiré s’en tenir exclusivement à deux points importants signalés dans sa déclaration ministérielle : la révision de la loi sur les congés payés et l’organisation légale de l’assurance contre le chômage involontaire.
La raison d’être et l’évolution du crédit fluvial de 1926 à 1938
Authors: Criekinge Henry Van
Published: August 2016

Les difficultés passagères et relativement bénignes que la batellerie rencontra au cours de la crise mondiale, qui fut si fertile en faillites dans d’autres domaines, eurent un écho démesuré dans certains milieux très attentifs aux récriminations des défenseurs du rail.

La réduction d’autorité des charges financières de la batellerie fit douter des capacités de résistance de la voie d’eau. Or, la résorption de la crise de la batellerie hypothéquée put se faire dans des conditions inattendues pour les non avertis, au cours des années 1935 et suivantes. La portée générale de ce probleme mérite d’être examinée.

Aussi l’objet de cette étude est de pénétrer cette réalité vivante qu’est le crédit fluvial, en tant qu’instrument à la fois économique et social à la disposition de la population batelière, et aussi comme manifestation de ce crédit industriel dont le rôle s’étend à mesure que l’« Umwegproduktion » se développe.
Bcl-xL is an oncogenic driver in colorectal cancer
Authors: Scherr Anna-Lena , Gdynia Georg , Salou Mariam , Radhakrishnan Praveen , Duglova Katarina , Heller Anette , Keim Sophia , Kautz Nicole , Jassowicz Adam , Elssner Christin , He You-Wen , Jaeger Dirk , Heikenwalder Mathias , Schneider Martin , Weber Achim , Roth Wilfried , Schulze-Bergkamen Henning , Koehler Bruno Christian
Published: August 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignant neoplasia in women and men worldwide. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein family is mainly known for its pivotal role in the regulation of the mitochondrial death pathway. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins may provide survival benefits and induce therapy resistance in cancer cells. Among anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins, we found solely Bcl-xL strongly upregulated in human CRC specimens. In order to study protein function in the context of tumor initiation and progression in vivo, we generated a mouse model lacking Bcl-xL in intestinal epithelial cells (Bcl-xLIEC-KO). If challenged in an inflammation-driven tumor model, Bcl-xLIEC-KO mice showed a significantly reduced tumor burden with lower tumor numbers per animal and decreased tumor sizes. Analysis of cell death events by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting revealed a striking increase of apoptosis in Bcl-xL-negative tumors. qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry excluded changes in proliferative capacity and immune cell infiltration as reasons for the reduced tumor load and thereby identify apoptosis as key mechanism. Human CRC tissue was cultured ex vivo and treated with the small molecule compound ABT-737, which inhibits Bcl-xL and Bcl-2. Under ABT-737 treatment, the amount of apoptotic tumor cells significantly increased compared with controls, whereas proliferation levels remained unaltered. In summary, our findings identify Bcl-xL as a driver in colorectal tumorigenesis and cancer progression, making it a valuable target for clinical application.
Novel gene function revealed by mouse mutagenesis screens for models of age-related disease
Authors: Potter Paul K. , Bowl Michael R. , Jeyarajan Prashanthini , Wisby Laura , Blease Andrew , Goldsworthy Michelle E. , Simon Michelle M. , Greenaway Simon , Michel Vincent , Barnard Alun , Aguilar Carlos , Agnew Thomas , Banks Gareth , Blake Andrew , Chessum Lauren , Dorning Joanne , Falcone Sara , Goosey Laurence , Harris Shelley , Haynes Andy , Heise Ines , Hillier Rosie , Hough Tertius , Hoslin Angela , Hutchison Marie , King Ruairidh , Kumar Saumya , Lad Heena V. , Law Gemma , MacLaren Robert E. , Morse Susan , Nicol Thomas , Parker Andrew , Pickford Karen , Sethi Siddharth , Starbuck Becky , Stelma Femke , Cheeseman Michael , Cross Sally H. , Foster Russell G. , Jackson Ian J. , Peirson Stuart N. , Thakker Rajesh V. , Vincent Tonia , Scudamore Cheryl , Wells Sara , El-Amraoui Aziz , Petit Christine , Acevedo-Arozena Abraham , Nolan Patrick M. , Cox Roger , Mallon Anne-Marie , Brown Steve D. M.
Published: August 2016

Determining the genetic bases of age-related disease remains a major challenge requiring a spectrum of approaches from human and clinical genetics to the utilization of model organism studies. Here we report a large-scale genetic screen in mice employing a phenotype-driven discovery platform to identify mutations resulting in age-related disease, both late-onset and progressive. We have utilizedN-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis to generate pedigrees of mutagenized mice that were subject to recurrent screens for mutant phenotypes as the mice aged. In total, we identify 105 distinct mutant lines from 157 pedigrees analysed, out of which 27 are late-onset phenotypes across a range of physiological systems. Using whole-genome sequencing we uncover the underlying genes for 44 of these mutant phenotypes, including 12 late-onset phenotypes. These genes reveal a number of novel pathways involved with age-related disease. We illustrate our findings by the recovery and characterization of a novel mouse model of age-related hearing loss.
A keystone mutualism underpins resilience of a coastal ecosystem to drought
Authors: Angelini Christine , Griffin John N. , van de Koppel Johan , Lamers Leon P. M. , Smolders Alfons J. P. , Derksen-Hooijberg Marlous , van der Heide Tjisse , Silliman Brian R.
Published: August 2016

Droughts are increasing in severity and frequency, yet the mechanisms that strengthen ecosystem resilience to this stress remain poorly understood. Here, we test whether positive interactions in the form of a mutualism between mussels and dominant cordgrass in salt marshes enhance ecosystem resistance to and recovery from drought. Surveys spanning 250 km of southeastern US coastline reveal spatially dispersed mussel mounds increased cordgrass survival during severe drought by 5- to 25-times. Surveys and mussel addition experiments indicate this positive effect of mussels on cordgrass was due to mounds enhancing water storage and reducing soil salinity stress. Observations and models then demonstrate that surviving cordgrass patches associated with mussels function as nuclei for vegetative re-growth and, despite covering only 0.1–12% of die-offs, markedly shorten marsh recovery periods. These results indicate that mutualisms, in supporting stress-resistant patches, can play a disproportionately large, keystone role in enhancing ecosystem resilience to climatic extremes.
Per capita interactions and stress tolerance drive stress-induced changes in biodiversity effects on ecosystem functions
Authors: Baert Jan M. , Janssen Colin R. , Sabbe Koen , De Laender Frederik
Published: August 2016

Environmental stress changes the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functions, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Because species interactions shape biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, changes in per capita interactions under stress (as predicted by the stress gradient hypothesis) can be an important driver of stress-induced changes in these relationships. To test this hypothesis, we measure productivity in microalgae communities along a diversity and herbicide gradient. On the basis of additive partitioning and a mechanistic community model, we demonstrate that changes in per capita interactions do not explain effects of herbicide stress on the biodiversity–productivity relationship. Instead, assuming that the per capita interactions remain unaffected by stress, causing species densities to only change through differences in stress tolerance, suffices to predict the stress-induced changes in the biodiversity–productivity relationship and community composition. We discuss how our findings set the stage for developing theory on how environmental stress changes biodiversity effects on ecosystem functions.
CsPAO4 of Citrus sinensis functions in polyamine terminal catabolism and inhibits plant growth under salt stress
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Ji-Hong
Published: August 2016

Polyamine oxidase (PAO) is a key enzyme catalyzing polyamine catabolism leading to H2O2 production. We previously demonstrated that Citrus sinensis contains six putative PAO genes, but their functions are not well understood. In this work, we reported functional elucidation of CsPAO4 in polyamine catabolism and salt stress response. CsPAO4 was localized to the apoplast and used both spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) as substrates for terminal catabolism. Transgenic plants overexpressing CsPAO4 displayed prominent increase in PAO activity, concurrent with marked decrease of Spm and Spd and elevation of H2O2. Seeds of transgenic lines displayed better germination when compared with wild type (WT) under salt stress. However, both vegetative growth and root elongation of the transgenic lines were prominently inhibited under salt stress, accompanied by higher level of H2O2 and more conspicuous programmed cell death (PCD). Exogenous supply of catalase (CAT), a H2O2 scavenger, partially recovered the vegetative growth and root elongation. In addition, spermine inhibited root growth of transgenic plants. Taken together, these data demonstrated that CsPAO4 accounts for production of H2O2 causing oxidative damages under salt stress and that down-regulation of a PAO gene involved in polyamine terminal catabolism may be an alternative approach for improving salt stress tolerance.
Multi-scale structure and topological anomaly detection via a new network statistic: The onion decomposition
Authors: Hébert-Dufresne Laurent , Grochow Joshua A. , Allard Antoine
Published: August 2016

We introduce a network statistic that measures structural properties at the micro-, meso-, and macroscopic scales, while still being easy to compute and interpretable at a glance. Our statistic,the onion spectrum, is based on theonion decomposition, which refines thek-core decomposition, a standard network fingerprinting method. The onion spectrum is exactly as easy to compute as thek-cores: It is based on the stages at which each vertex gets removed from a graph in the standard algorithm for computing thek-cores. Yet, the onion spectrum reveals much more information about a network, and at multiple scales; for example, it can be used to quantify node heterogeneity, degree correlations, centrality, and tree- or lattice-likeness. Furthermore, unlike thek-core decomposition, the combined degree-onion spectrum immediately gives a clear local picture of the network around each node which allows the detection of interesting subgraphs whose topological structure differs from the global network organization. This local description can also be leveraged to easily generate samples from the ensemble of networks with a given joint degree-onion distribution. We demonstrate the utility of the onion spectrum for understanding both static and dynamic properties on several standard graph models and on many real-world networks.
Enhancement of superconductivity under pressure and the magnetic phase diagram of tantalum disulfide single crystals
Authors: Abdel-Hafiez M. , Zhao X.-M. , Kordyuk A. A. , Fang Y.-W. , Pan B. , He Z. , Duan C.-G. , Zhao J. , Chen X.-J.
Published: August 2016

In low-dimensional electron systems, charge density waves (CDW) and superconductivity are two of the most fundamental collective quantum phenomena. For all known quasi-two-dimensional superconductors, the origin and exact boundary of the electronic orderings and superconductivity are still attractive problems. Through transport and thermodynamic measurements, we report on the field-temperature phase diagram in 2H-TaS2 single crystals. We show that the superconducting transition temperature (Tc) increases by one order of magnitude from temperatures at 0.98 K up to 9.15 K at 8.7 GPa when the Tc becomes very sharp. Additionally, the effects of 8.7 GPa illustrate a suppression of the CDW ground state, with critically small Fermi surfaces. Below the Tc the lattice of magnetic flux lines melts from a solid-like state to a broad vortex liquid phase region. Our measurements indicate an unconventional s-wave-like picture with two energy gaps evidencing its multi-band nature.
Simple steatosis sensitizes cholestatic rats to liver injury and dysregulates bile salt synthesis and transport
Authors: Lionarons Daniël A. , Heger Michal , van Golen Rowan F. , Alles Lindy K. , van der Mark Vincent A. , Kloek Jaap J. , de Waart Dirk R. , Marsman Hendrik A. , Rusch Henny , Verheij Joanne , Beuers Ulrich , Paulusma Coen C. , van Gulik Thomas M.
Published: August 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder. It is uncertain if simple steatosis, the initial and prevailing form of NAFLD, sensitizes the liver to cholestasis. Here, we compared the effects of obstructive cholestasis in rats with a normal liver versus rats with simple steatosis induced by a methionine/choline-deficient diet. We found that plasma liver enzymes were higher and hepatic neutrophil influx, inflammation, and fibrosis were more pronounced in animals with combined steatosis and cholestasis compared to cholestasis alone. Circulating bile salt levels were markedly increased and hepatic bile salt composition shifted from hydrophilic tauro-β-muricholate to hydrophobic taurocholate. This shift was cytotoxic for HepG2 hepatoma cells. Gene expression analysis revealed induction of the rate-limiting enzyme in bile salt synthesis, cytochrome P450 7a1 (CYP7A1), and modulation of the hepatic bile salt transport system. In conclusion, simple steatosis sensitizes the liver to cholestatic injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in part due to a cytotoxic shift in bile salt composition. Plasma bile salt levels were elevated, linked to dysregulation of bile salt synthesis and enhanced trafficking of bile salts from the liver to the systemic circulation.
Monocular and Binocular Contributions to Oculomotor Plasticity
Authors: Maiello Guido , Harrison William J. , Bex Peter J.
Published: August 2016

Most eye movements in the real-world redirect the foveae to objects at a new depth and thus require the co-ordination of monocular saccade amplitudes and binocular vergence eye movements. Additionally to maintain the accuracy of these oculomotor control processes across the lifespan, ongoing calibration is required to compensate for errors in foveal landing positions. Such oculomotor plasticity has generally been studied under conditions in which both eyes receive a common error signal, which cannot resolve the long-standing debate regarding whether both eyes are innervated by a common cortical signal or by a separate signal for each eye. Here we examine oculomotor plasticity when error signals are independently manipulated in each eye, which can occur naturally owing to aging changes in each eye’s orbit and extra-ocular muscles, or in oculomotor dysfunctions. We find that both rapid saccades and slow vergence eye movements are continuously recalibrated independently of one another and corrections can occur in opposite directions in each eye. Whereas existing models assume a single cortical representation of space employed for the control of both eyes, our findings provide evidence for independent monoculomotor and binoculomotor plasticities and dissociable spatial mapping for each eye.
Isolation and characterization of vesicular and non-vesicular microRNAs circulating in sera of partially hepatectomized rats
Authors: Castoldi Mirco , Kordes Claus , Sawitza Iris , Häussinger Dieter
Published: August 2016

Circulating microRNAs are protected from degradation by their association with either vesicles or components of the RNAi machinery. Although increasing evidence indicates that cell-free microRNAs are transported in body fluids by different types of vesicles, current research mainly focuses on the characterization of exosome-associated microRNAs. However, as isolation and characterization of exosomes is challenging, it is yet unclear whether exosomes or other vesicular elements circulating in serum are the most reliable source for discovering disease-associated biomarkers. In this study, circulating microRNAs associated to the vesicular and non-vesicular fraction of sera isolated from partially hepatectomized rats were measured. Here we show that independently from their origin, levels of miR-122, miR-192, miR-194 and Let-7a are up-regulated two days after partial hepatectomy. The inflammation-associated miR-150 and miR-155 are up-regulated in the vesicular-fraction only, while the regeneration-associated miR-21 and miR-33 are up-regulated in the vesicular- and down-regulated in the non-vesicular fraction. Our study shows for the first time the modulation of non-vesicular microRNAs in animals recovering from partial hepatectomy, suggesting that, in the search for novel disease-associated biomarkers, the profiling of either vesicular or non-vesicular microRNAs may be more relevant than the analysis of microRNAs isolated from unfractionated serum.
The modulation of MiR-155 and MiR-23a manipulates Klebsiella pneumoniae Adhesion on Human pulmonary Epithelial cells via Integrin α5β1 Signaling
Authors: Teng Yan , Miao Junming , Shen Xiaofei , Yang Xiaolong , Wang Xinyuan , Ren Laibin , Wang Xiaoying , Chen Junli , Li Jingyu , Chen Shanze , Wang Yi , Huang Ning
Published: August 2016

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) critically regulate several host defense mechanisms, but their roles in the bacteria-epithelium interplay remain unclear. Our results displayed that the expression of miR-155 and miR-23a were down-regulated in K. pneumoniae-infected pulmonary epithelial cells. The elevated bacterial adhesion on A549 cells followed the enhancement of the cellular levels of these two miRNAs. Meanwhile, a mechanistic study demonstrated that miR-155 promoted integrin α5β1 function and resulted in the increased actin polymerization. Moreover, a non-histone nuclear protein, high mobility group nucleosomal-binding domain 2 (HMGN2) served as the potential target of miR-155 and miR-23a to regulate the integrin α5β1 expression and K. pneumoniae adhesion. Furthermore, the expression of a known integrin transcription suppressor-Nuclear Factor-I (NFI) was also repressed by miR-155, which paralleled with its chromatin location in the promoter regions of integrin α5 and β1. These results uncover novel links between miRNAs and integrin function to regulate bacterial adhesion, indicating a potential mechanism of host cell autonomous immune response to K. pneumoniae infection.
Increasing returns to scale: The solution to the second-order social dilemma
Authors: Ye Hang , Chen Shu , Luo Jun , Tan Fei , Jia Yongmin , Chen Yefeng
Published: August 2016

Humans benefit from extensive cooperation; however, the existence of free-riders may cause cooperation to collapse. This is called the social dilemma. It has been shown that punishing free-riders is an effective way of resolving this problem. Because punishment is costly, this gives rise to the second-order social dilemma. Without exception, existing solutions rely on some stringent assumptions. This paper proposes, under very mild conditions, a simple model of a public goods game featuring increasing returns to scale. We find that punishers stand out and even dominate the population provided that the degree of increasing returns to scale is large enough; consequently, the second-order social dilemma dissipates. Historical evidence shows that people are more willing to cooperate with others and punish defectors when they suffer from either internal or external menaces. During the prehistoric age, the abundance of contributors was decisive in joint endeavours such as fighting floods, defending territory, and hunting. These situations serve as favourable examples of public goods games in which the degrees of increasing returns to scale are undoubtedly very large. Our findings show that natural selection has endowed human kind with a tendency to pursue justice and punish defection that deviates from social norms.
Statistical clumped isotope signatures
Authors: Röckmann T. , Popa M. E. , Krol M. C. , Hofmann M. E. G.
Published: August 2016

High precision measurements of molecules containing more than one heavy isotope may provide novel constraints on element cycles in nature. These so-called clumped isotope signatures are reported relative to the random (stochastic) distribution of heavy isotopes over all available isotopocules of a molecule, which is the conventional reference. When multiple indistinguishable atoms of the same element are present in a molecule, this reference is calculated from the bulk (≈average) isotopic composition of the involved atoms. We show here that this referencing convention leads to apparent negative clumped isotope anomalies (anti-clumping) when the indistinguishable atoms originate from isotopically different populations. Such statistical clumped isotope anomalies must occur in any system where two or more indistinguishable atoms of the same element, but with different isotopic composition, combine in a molecule. The size of the anti-clumping signal is closely related to the difference of the initial isotope ratios of the indistinguishable atoms that have combined. Therefore, a measured statistical clumped isotope anomaly, relative to an expected (e.g. thermodynamical) clumped isotope composition, may allow assessment of the heterogeneity of the isotopic pools of atoms that are the substrate for formation of molecules.
Probing the Fractal Pattern of Heartbeats in Drosophila Pupae by Visible Optical Recording System
Authors: Lin Chen , Chang Yi-Chung , Cheng Ya-Chen , Lai Po-Jung , Yeh Chien-Hung , Hsieh Wan-Hsin , Hu Kun , Wu June-Tai , Lee Hsiu-Hsiang , Lo Men-Tzung , Ho Yi-Lwun
Published: August 2016

Judiciously tuning heart rates is critical for regular cardiovascular function. The fractal pattern of heartbeats — a multiscale regulation in instantaneous fluctuations — is well known for vertebrates. The most primitive heart system of the Drosophila provides a useful model to understand the evolutional origin of such a fractal pattern as well as the alterations of fractal pattern during diseased statuses. We developed a non-invasive visible optical heart rate recording system especially suitable for long-term recording by using principal component analysis (PCA) instead of fluorescence recording system to avoid the confounding effect from intense light irradiation. To deplete intracellular Ca2+ levels, the expression of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) was tissue-specifically knocked down. The SERCA group shows longer heart beat intervals (Mean ± SD: 1009.7 ± 151.6 ms) as compared to the control group (545.5 ± 45.4 ms, p < 0.001). The multiscale correlation of SERCA group (scaling exponent: 0.77 ± 0.07), on the other hand, is weaker than that of the control Drosophila (scaling exponent: 0.85 ± 0.03) (p = 0.016).
The Q-rich/PST domain of the AHR regulates both ligand-induced nuclear transport and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling
Authors: Tkachenko Anna , Henkler Frank , Brinkmann Joep , Sowada Juliane , Genkinger Doris , Kern Christian , Tralau Tewes , Luch Andreas
Published: August 2016

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) shuttles continuously between cytoplasm and nucleus, unless ligand-binding triggers association with the AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and subsequent binding to cognate DNA motifs. We have now identified Val 647 as mandatory residue for export from the nucleus and AHR-function. This residue prevents inactivation of the receptor as a consequence of nuclear sequestration via constitutive import. Concomitantly mutants lacking this residue are exclusively localised in the nucleus. Although ligands accelerate nuclear import transiently, stable nuclear transition depends on a motif adjacent to Val 647 that comprises residues 650–661. Together, this defined region within the Q-rich domain regulates intracellular trafficking of the AHR in context of both nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and receptor activation. Nuclear export therefore depends on the previously characterised N-terminal NES and the newly identified motif that includes V647. Nucleocytoplasmic distribution of full-length human AHR is further affected by a section of the PST domain that shows sequence similarities with nuclear export signals. In concert, these motifs maintain a predominant cytoplasmic compartmentalisation, receptive for ligand binding.
Specific polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate lipid delivery and oocyte development in C. elegans revealed by molecular-selective label-free imaging
Authors: Chen Wei-Wen , Yi Yung-Hsiang , Chien Cheng-Hao , Hsiung Kuei-Ching , Ma Tian-Hsiang , Lin Yi-Chun , Lo Szecheng J. , Chang Ta-Chau
Published: August 2016

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exhibit critical functions in biological systems and their importance during animal oocyte maturation has been increasingly recognized. However, the detailed mechanism of lipid transportation for oocyte development remains largely unknown. In this study, the transportation of yolk lipoprotein (lipid carrier) and the rate of lipid delivery into oocytes in liveC. eleganswere examined for the first time by using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. The accumulation of secreted yolk lipoprotein in the pseudocoelom of liveC. eleganscan be detected by CARS microscopy at both protein (~1665 cm−1) and lipid (~2845 cm−1) Raman bands. In addition, an image analysis protocol was established to quantitatively measure the levels of secreted yolk lipoprotein aberrantly accumulated in PUFA-deficientfatmutants (fat-1,fat-2,fat-3,fat-4) and PUFA-supplementedfat-2worms (the PUFA add-back experiments). Our results revealed that the omega-6 PUFAs, not omega-3 PUFAs, play a critical role in modulating lipid/yolk level in the oocytes and regulating reproductive efficiency ofC. elegans. This work demonstrates the value of using CARS microscopy as a molecular-selective label-free imaging technique for the study of PUFA regulation and oocyte development inC. elegans.
Direct visualization of both DNA and RNA quadruplexes in human cells via an uncommon spectroscopic method
Authors: Laguerre Aurélien , Wong Judy M. Y. , Monchaud David
Published: August 2016

Guanine-rich DNA or RNA sequences can fold into higher-order, four-stranded structures termed quadruplexes that are suspected to play pivotal roles in cellular mechanisms including the control of the genome integrity and gene expression. However, the biological relevance of quadruplexes is still a matter of debate owing to the paucity of unbiased evidences of their existence in cells. Recent reports on quadruplex-specific antibodies and small-molecule fluorescent probes help dispel reservations and accumulating evidences now pointing towards the cellular relevance of quadruplexes. To better assess and comprehend their biology, developing new versatile tools to detect both DNA and RNA quadruplexes in cells is essential. We report here a smart fluorescent probe that allows for the simple detection of quadruplexes thanks to an uncommon spectroscopic mechanism known as the red-edge effect (REE). We demonstrate that this effect could open avenues to greatly enhance the ability to visualize both DNA and RNA quadruplexes in human cells, using simple protocols and fluorescence detection facilities.
Differences in the performance of PCL-based vascular grafts as abdominal aorta substitutes in healthy and diabetic rats
Authors: Wang Zhihong , Zheng Wenting , Wu Yifan , Wang Jianing , Zhang Xiuyuan , Wang Kai , Zhao Qiang , Kong Deling , Ke Tingyu , Li Chen
Published: August 2016

Diabetes exacerbates the regeneration process after in vivo implantation of vascular graft.
Multivalent effect of glycopolypeptide based nanoparticles for galectin binding
Authors: Bonduelle Colin , Oliveira Hugo , Gauche Cony , Huang Jin , Heise Andreas , Lecommandoux Sébastien
Published: August 2016

Synthetic glycopolypeptides are versatile polymers used to conceive bioinspired nanoassemblies able to bind galectins.
Ab initio study of hydrogen chemisorption in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Correa Julian David , Florez Elizabeth , Mora-Ramos Miguel Eduardo
Published: August 2016

The electronic structure of single walled nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes is calculated by first principles using density functional theory within the supercell approach with periodic boundary conditions.
Chiral recognition by fullerenes: CHFClBr enantiomers in the C82cage
Authors: Dodziuk Helena , Ruud Kenneth , Korona Tatiana , Demissie Taye B.
Published: August 2016

Theoretical studies of complexes of the enantiomers of CHFClBr with C82-3 show that the too large guests are stabilized in the C82cage by electrostatic interactions. The sign of v(CH) stretching vibration of S-CHFClBr@C82-3 in the VCD spectrum is reversed as compared to that of the free guest. Spectra of the complexes exhibit differences.
1H-NMR based metabolomics study for the detection of the human urine metabolic profile effects of Origanum dictamnus tea ingestion
Authors: Takis Panteleimon G. , Oraiopoulou Mariam-Eleni , Konidaris Constantinos , Troganis Anastassios N.
Published: August 2016

NMR based metabolomics clarify theOriganum dictamnustea effect upon the human urine metabolome.
Fructose production via extraction-assisted isomerization of glucose catalyzed by phosphates
Authors: Delidovich Irina , Palkovits Regina
Published: August 2016

Fructose presents a highly attractive substrate for future biorefineries for production of biofuels as well as bulk and fine chemicals.
Pd-Catalyzed C(sp3)–C(sp2) cross-coupling of Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 with vinyl bromides and triflates
Authors: Cai Guilong , Zhou Zhibing , Wu Wenchao , Yao Bo , Zhang Shaowen , Li Xiaofang
Published: August 2016

The Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling with the Hosomi–Sakurai reaction led to a novel three-component reaction using Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 as a nucleophilic one-carbon synthon.
Facile solvothermal synthesis and superior lithium storage capability of Co3O4 nanoflowers with multi-scale dimensions
Authors: Wang Bin , Lu Xiao-Ying , Wong King Yan , Tang Yuanyuan
Published: August 2016

Co3O4 nanoflowers have been successfully synthesized by a solvothermal process and exhibited superior lithium storage capability compared with microflowers and micro-/nanoparticles.
Biofilm formation in total hip arthroplasty: prevention and treatment
Authors: García-Gareta Elena , Davidson Christopher , Levin Alexandra , Coathup Melanie J. , Blunn Gordon W.
Published: August 2016

This review assesses the current knowledge on treatments, pathogenesis and the prevention of infections associated with orthopaedic implants, with a focus on total hip arthroplasty.
Composition effect on the aggregate/solution interface of a nematic lyotropic liquid crystal
Authors: Ruiz-Fernández A. R. , López-Cascales J. J. , Giner-Casares J. J. , Araya-Maturana R. , Díaz-Baños F. G. , Weiss-López B. E.
Published: August 2016

We study how the concentration of phospholipids, decanol and NaCl affects the bilayer and the liquid crystal/solution interface structures of lyotropic nematic liquid crystals.
Fabrication of a transparent conducting Ni-nanomesh-embedded film using template-assisted Ni electrodeposition and hot transfer process
Authors: Choi Hak-Jong , Ryu Sang-Woo , Jun Junho , Moon Sungjin , Huh Daihong , Kim Yang Doo , Lee Heon
Published: August 2016

We developed a new method for fabricating Ni nanomeshes for transparent conducting electrodes using template-assisted Ni electrodeposition and a hot transfer process.
Graphene nanosheets/E-glass/epoxy composites with enhanced mechanical and electromagnetic performance
Authors: Yuchang Qing , Jie Wang , Hongyu Wang , Fa Luo , Wancheng Zhou
Published: August 2016

Microwave absorbing composites with superior mechanical properties and electromagnetic absorption characteristics were fabricated using E-glass/epoxy composites containing graphene nanosheets (GNs).
Recent advances in the direct fabrication of millimeter-sized hierarchical porous materials
Authors: Liu Yang , Feng Yi , Yao Jianfeng
Published: August 2016

Recently emerged techniques for the direct preparation of millimeter-sized hierarchical materials are presented. Such porous materials are easy to handle and recover in practical applications, and have no potential safety hazards.
Correction: Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine
Authors: Roviello Giovanni N. , Musumeci Domenica
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Synthetic approaches to nucleopeptides containing all four nucleobases, and nucleic acid-binding studies on a mixed-sequence nucleo-oligolysine’ by Giovanni N. Roviello et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 63578–63585.
Correction: Solid phase synthesis of TyrT, a thymine–tyrosine conjugate with poly(A) RNA-binding ability
Authors: Roviello Giovanni N. , Roviello Valentina , Autiero Ida , Saviano Michele
Published: August 2016

Correction for ‘Solid phase synthesis of TyrT, a thymine–tyrosine conjugate with poly(A) RNA-binding ability’ by Giovanni N. Roviello et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 27607–27613.
Modulating the phases of iron carbide nanoparticles: from a perspective of interfering with the carbon penetration of Fe@Fe3O4 by selectively adsorbed halide ions
Authors: Yang Ziyu , Zhao Tianshan , Huang Xiaoxiao , Chu Xin , Tang Tianyu , Ju Yanmin , Wang Qian , Hou Yanglong , Gao Song
Published: August 2016

The phase controlled synthesis of iron carbide nanoparticles was proposed through a thermodynamical and dynamical manner by introducing hetero-halide ions.
Silk fibroin–carbon nanoparticle composite scaffolds: a cost effective supramolecular ‘turn off’ chemiresistor for nitroaromatic explosive vapours
Authors: Chakravarty Sudesna , Bhardwaj Nandana , Mandal Biman B. , Sen Sarma Neelotpal
Published: August 2016

We report the development of a supramolecular bio-nanocomposite material, based on silk fibroin protein scaffold and carbon nanoparticles, as a sustainable sensing platform for nitroaromatic explosive vapours.
Knockdown of GSK3β increases basal autophagy and AMPK signalling in nutrient-laden human aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Weikel Karen A. , Cacicedo José M. , Ruderman Neil B. , Ido Yasuo
Published: August 2016

High concentrations of glucose and palmitate increase endothelial cell inflammation and apoptosis, events that often precede atherogenesis. They may do so by decreasing basal autophagy and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, although the mechanisms by which this occurs are not clear. Decreased function of the lysosome, an organelle required for autophagy and AMPK, have been associated with hyperactivity of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). To determine whether GSK3β affects nutrient-induced changes in autophagy and AMPK activity, we used a primary human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) model of type 2 diabetes that we had previously characterized with impaired AMPK activity and autophagy [Weikel et al. (2015) Am. J. Phys. Cell Physiol. 308, C249–C263]. Presently, we found that incubation of HAECs with excess nutrients (25 mM glucose and 0.4 mM palmitate) increased GSK3β activity and impaired lysosome acidification. Suppression of GSK3β in these cells by treatment with a chemical inhibitor or overexpression of kinase-dead GSK3β attenuated these lysosomal changes. Under control and excess nutrient conditions, knockdown of GSK3β increased autophagosome formation, forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) activity and AMPK signalling and decreased Akt signalling. Similar changes in autophagy, AMPK and Akt signalling were observed in aortas from mice treated with the GSK3β inhibitor CHIR 99021. Thus, increasing basal autophagy and AMPK activity by inhibiting GSK3β may be an effective strategy in the setting of hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia for restoring endothelial cell health and reducing atherogenesis.
A Tutorial on Expository Discourse: Structure, Development, and Disorders in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Lundine Jennifer P. , McCauley Rebecca J.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

With the adoption of the Common Core State Standards, expository texts gain prominence at all grade levels and for all disciplines. Although the linguistic and cognitive complexities of exposition pose challenges for all children, they may create additional challenges for children and adolescents with language difficulties. Therefore, this tutorial provides background information for clinicians regarding the structure, development, and specific difficulties associated with exposition across the 4 modalities of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This background is intended to help direct the attention of researchers and clinicians to needed advances in knowledge and skill if the profession is to adequately support the population of children and adolescents who struggle with language.

Method

This tutorial is based on an extensive narrative review of articles identified using a systematic search process. Cited research studies are discussed qualitatively, but intervention studies are also characterized in terms of the strength of their research designs. This method is undertaken to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the current state of research on these topics.

Conclusions

Future research needs are proposed to promote discussion among researchers and to prepare clinicians for the kinds of evidence they should be demanding as a basis for their practice.