bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Species of Blindsnakes (Squamata: Gerrhopilidae) from the offshore islands of Papua New Guinea
Authors: KRAUS FRED
Published: July 2017

I describe four new species of blindsnake of the genus Gerrhopilus from islands off the southeastern tip of New Guinea and from New Ireland to the northeast. All have ventral keels on the rostral scale, and most have previously been assigned in their respective museum collections to the species G. depressiceps. Examination of available specimens shows G. depressiceps to be a composite of species, and I emend the diagnosis of that species based on the holotype and one additional specimen from northeastern New Guinea. The species described as new here differ from G. depressiceps and from each other in a series of features, including shape of the snout, shape of the rostral scale, numbers of mid-dorsal scale rows, reduction patterns in longitudinal scale rows, body mass, degree of eye development, and color pattern. The new species all inhabit islands remote from the known range of G. depressiceps on New Guinea and have likely been separated from that species for millions of years.
Improved Tropical Modes of Variability in the NCEP Climate Forecast System (Version 2) via a Stochastic Multicloud Model
Authors: Goswami B. B. , Khouider B. , Phani R. , Mukhopadhyay P. , Majda A. J.
Published: July 2017

A stochastic multicloud model (SMCM) convective parameterization, which mimics the interactions at subgrid scales of multiple cloud types, is incorporated into the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), model (CFSsmcm) in lieu of the preexisting simplified Arakawa–Schubert (SAS) cumulus scheme. A detailed analysis of the tropical intraseasonal variability (TISV) and convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEW) in comparison with the original (control) model and with observations is presented here. The last 10 years of a 15-yr-long climate simulation are analyzed. Significant improvements are seen in the simulation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and most of the CCEWs as well as the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) intraseasonal oscillation (MISO). These improvements appear in the form of improved morphology and physical features of these waves. This can be regarded as a validation of the central idea behind the SMCM according to which organized tropical convection is based on three cloud types, namely, the congestus, deep, and stratiform cloud decks, that interact with each other and form a building block for multiscale convective systems. An adequate accounting of the dynamical interactions of this cloud hierarchy thus constitutes an important requirement for cumulus parameterizations to succeed in representing atmospheric tropical variability. SAS fails to fulfill this requirement, which is evident in the unrealistic physical structures of the major intraseasonal modes simulated by CFSv2 as documented here.
Improved Prediction of the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode by Use of Subsurface Ocean Observations
Authors: Doi Takeshi , Storto Andrea , Behera Swadhin K. , Navarra Antonio , Yamagata Toshio
Published: July 2017

The numerical seasonal prediction system using the Scale Interaction Experiment–Frontier version 1 (SINTEX-F) ocean–atmosphere coupled model has so far demonstrated a good performance for prediction of the Indian Ocean dipole mode (IOD) despite the fact that the system adopts a relatively simple initialization scheme based on nudging only the sea surface temperature (SST). However, it is to be expected that the system is not sufficient to capture in detail the subsurface oceanic precondition. Therefore, the authors have introduced a new three-dimensional variational ocean data assimilation (3DVAR) method that takes three-dimensional observed ocean temperature and salinity into account. Since the new system has successfully improved IOD predictions, the present study is showing that the ocean observational efforts in the tropical Indian Ocean are decisive for improvement of the IOD predictions and may have a large impact on important socioeconomic activities, particularly in the Indian Ocean rim countries.
Ocean Surface Wave Spectra inside Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Hwang Paul A. , Fan Yalin , Ocampo-Torres Francisco J. , García-Nava Héctor
Published: July 2017

Directional wave spectra acquired in hurricane reconnaissance missions are compared with wind-wave spectral models. The comparison result is quantified with two indices of model–measurement spectral agreement. In the main region of hurricane coverage, the indices vary sinusoidally with the azimuth angle referenced to the hurricane heading while showing a weak dependence on the radial distance from the hurricane center. The measured spectra agree well with three models evaluated in the back and right quarters, and they are underdeveloped in the front and left quarters. The local wind and wave directions also show a weak radial dependence and sinusoidal variation along the azimuth. The wind and wave vectors are almost collinear in the back and right quarters; they diverge azimuthally and become almost perpendicular in the left quarter. The azimuthally cyclical correlation between the indices of spectral agreement and the wind-wave directional difference is well described by the sinusoidal variations. Also discussed is the wide range of the spectral slopes observed in both hurricane and nonhurricane field data. It is unlikely that the observed spectral slope variation is caused by Doppler frequency shift from background currents. No clear correlation is found between spectral slope and various wind and wave parameters. The result suggests that the spectral slope needs to be treated as a stochastic random variable. Complementing the existing wind-wave spectral models that prescribe a fixed spectral slope of either −4 or −5, a general spectral model with its spectral parameters accommodating a variable spectral slope is introduced.
Parallel Direct Solution of the Ensemble Square Root Kalman Filter Equations with Observation Principal Components
Authors: Steward Jeffrey L. , Aksoy Altuǧ , Haddad Ziad S.
Published: July 2017

The ensemble square root Kalman filter (ESRF) is a variant of the ensemble Kalman filter used with deterministic observations that includes a matrix square root to account for the uncertainty of the unperturbed ensemble observations. Because of the difficulties in solving this equation, a serial approach is often used where observations are assimilated sequentially one after another. As previously demonstrated, in implementations to date the serial approach for the ESRF is suboptimal when used in conjunction with covariance localization, as the Schur product used in the localization does not commute with assimilation. In this work, a new algorithm is presented for the direct solution of the ESRF equations based on finding the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a sparse, square, and symmetric positive semidefinite matrix with dimensions of the number of observations to be assimilated. This is amenable to direct computation using dedicated, massively parallel, and mature libraries. These libraries make it relatively simple to assemble and compute the observation principal components and to solve the ESRF without using the serial approach. They also provide the eigenspectrum of the forward observation covariance matrix. The parallel direct approach described in this paper neglects the near-zero eigenvalues, which regularizes the ESRF problem. Numerical results show this approach is a highly scalable parallel method.
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Palate Development
Authors: Li C. , Lan Y. , Jiang R.
Published: July 2017

Development of the mammalian secondary palate involves highly dynamic morphogenetic processes, including outgrowth of palatal shelves from the oral side of the embryonic maxillary prominences, elevation of the initially vertically oriented palatal shelves to the horizontal position above the embryonic tongue, and subsequently adhesion and fusion of the paired palatal shelves at the midline to separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Perturbation of any of these processes could cause cleft palate, a common birth defect that significantly affects patients’ quality of life even after surgical treatment. In addition to identifying a large number of genes required for palate development, recent studies have begun to unravel the extensive cross-regulation of multiple signaling pathways, including Sonic hedgehog, bone morphogenetic protein, fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor β, and Wnt signaling, and multiple transcription factors during palatal shelf growth and patterning. Multiple studies also provide new insights into the gene regulatory networks and/or dynamic cellular processes underlying palatal shelf elevation, adhesion, and fusion. Here we summarize major recent advances and integrate the genes and molecular pathways with the cellular and morphogenetic processes of palatal shelf growth, patterning, elevation, adhesion, and fusion.
A Prospective Comparison of Discontinuous Euroficoll and Eurodextran Gradients for Islet Purification
Authors: Lakey Jonathan R.T. , Cavanagh Thomas J. , Zieger Michael A.J.
Published: July 2017

Density gradient separation of islets from exocrine tissue is usually performed with Ficoll. However, this reagent adds significantly to the cost of the isolation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Dextran as a potential low-cost substitute for Ficoll and to evaluate the effects of cold storage of the pancreatic digest prior to purification. Pancreases were procured from mongrel dogs, loaded with collagenase and mechanically dissociated. Washed pancreatic digest was collected and divided into two fractions that were purified using discontinuous gradients on the Cobe 2991 processor using identically prepared EuroFicoll (EF) or EuroDextran (ED) gradients. Alternate groups were suspended in EC and stored on ice, while the other fraction were resuspended in the 1.108-g/mL gradient layer (either EF or ED) and loaded into the COBE. This tissue layer was overlaid with layers of densities 1.096 and 1.037 g/mL and a HBSS cap, and centrifuged for 5 min at 800 × g. Purified islets were collected from the interface between the 1.037 and 1.096 layers and islet recovery, purity, and function were assessed. From a series of eight isolations, 72.9 ± 8.2% (mean ± SEM) of the islets were recovered from the EF purified gradients compared with 62.6 ± 8.3% from ED gradients ( p = NS, paired t-test). Gradients of ED that were run following hypothermic storage of the digest in cold EC solution (stored ED) had reduced islet recovery when compared with islet recovery from gradients prepared in EF(stored EF) (51.6 ± 9.6% for ED stored vs. 72.9 ± 11.9 for EF stored, p < 0.05). Islet recovery from EF gradients was equivalent between the stored and nonstored groups. The purity of preparations from the stored ED gradients was also reduced (71.3 ± 4.3%) when compared with islets that were immediately purified after dissociation (82.5 ± 4.8%, p < 0.05). Static glucose stimulation assay showed equivalence between the islets from ED and EF gradients. The stimulation index (SI) was 9.3 ± 0.9 for EF islets compared with 7.9 ± 1.4 for ED islets for digest purified immediately. However, if the digest was hypothermically stored in EC solution, a decrease in functional viability was observed in both the EF and the ED groups (7.7 ± 1.4 and 5.9 ± 0.8, respectively). Out of five alloxan-induced diabetic nude mice transplanted under the kidney capsule with 2000 islets isolated from the nonstored groups, three remained euglycemic >50 days posttrans-plant with either EF or ED islets. These experiments demonstrate effective recovery of equivalent numbers of canine islets using discontinuous gradients of ED or EF immediately following enzymatic digestion. However, following storage of the digest in cold EC solution results in a reduction in both islet recovery and function when gradients of ED are utilized. © 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.
A strontium isotope and trace element geochemical study of dolomite-bearing bentonite deposits in Bavaria (Germany)
Authors: Köster Mathias H. , Hölzl Stefan , Gilg H. Albert
Published: July 2017

The Landshut bentonites that formed from Ca- and Mg-poor rhyolitic tuffs in a fluviatile-lacustrine depositional environment of the Miocene Upper Freshwater Molasse, southern Germany, contain abundant palustrine, pedogenic and groundwater carbonates. Geochemical analyses of dolomites, calcites and smectites from bentonites of various environments by X-ray diffraction, thermal ionization mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and handheld X-ray fluorescence yield new insights into the compositions of fluids and sources of imported components involved in carbonate formation and bentonitization, as well as the timing of bentonite formation. Evaporated, Sr-rich brackish surface water with a molar Mg/Ca ratio of 2–5, derived mostly from the weathering of detrital carbonates, was involved in dolomite and bentonite formation in palustrine and some pedogenic environments. However, Sr-poor groundwater with a molar Mg/Ca ratio of ∼ 1 and a stronger silicate weathering component caused bentonite and calcite formation in strictly pedogenic and groundwater settings. The 87Sr/86Sr and molar Mg/Ca in the smectite interlayers indicate later cation exchange with water having more radiogenic Sr sources and smaller molar Mg/Ca ratios. The Rb-Sr data indicate the common presence of detrital illitic phases in the <0.2 μm fractions of the bentonites. Cogenetic palustrine dolomite and a single smectite residue sample which lacks this detrital illitic phase provide an age constraint for bentonitization at 14.7 ± 4.1 Ma identical to primary ash deposition. Thus a rapid onset of bentonitization of accumulated ash and dolomite formation in evaporation-driven wetland environments is indicated for the genesis of the Landshut bentonites.
Mineralogical and physico-chemical properties of Heu-type zeolitic rocks SE of Ankara, central Turkey
Authors: Karakaya Muazzez Çelik , Karakaya Necati , Yavuz Fuat
Published: July 2017

This study focused on the mineralogical and physico-chemical properties of heulandite/clinoptilolite (Heu/Cpt)-rich zeolitic tuffs SE of Ankara (Turkey) and evaluated their potential for use as adsorbents. The main Heu/Cpt minerals correspond to the intermediate type and the Cpt-type of the heulandite series. Minor chabazite, erionite and rarely analcime and accessory feldspars, mica, smectite, and quartz were also detected. Three types of Heu were recognized according to their thermal behaviour. Cpt (type-III Heu) was thermally stable at 600°C, whereas type-I Heu collapsed and type-II Heu partially collapsed. The Si/Al ratios of the Hul/Cpt ranged from 3.54 to 5.03, the Γ parameter (Γ = Ca/Al + 0.115*Al) varied between 0.78 and 1.85 and Al + Fe3+varied between 6.27 and 8.00. The Na, K and Ca contents of Heu/Cpt varied widely and the Heu had an intermediate composition between types II and III. The Mg + Ca content is greater than the Na + K content in Heu-type II and smaller in Heu-type III zeolites. The BET surface area and the pore-size of the samples varied between 10.15 and 194.27 m2/g, and between 1.41 and 12.42 nm, respectively. The N2adsorption and desorption isotherms were comparable, but the adsorption/desorption capacity is greater in type III than in type II Heu zeolites. The cation exchange capacities of the Heu/Cpt-rich samples ranged from 185 to 280 meq/100 g.
Mineralogy of the Vattikod lamproite dykes, Ramadugu lamproite field, Nalgonda District, Telangana: A possible expression of ancient subduction-related alkaline magmatism along Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, India
Authors: Kaur Gurmeet , Mitchell Roger H. , Ahmed Suhel
Published: July 2017

The mineralogy of nine recently discovered dykes (VL1:VL8 and VL10) in the vicinity of Vattikod village, Nalgonda district in Telangana State is described. The mineral assemblage present and their compositions are comparable to those of bona fide lamproites in terms of the presence of phlogopite (Ti-rich, Al-poor phlogopite and tetraferriphlogopite); amphiboles (potassic-arfvedsonite, potassic-richterite, potassic-ferro-richterite, potassic-katophorite, Ti-rich potassic-katophorite, Ti-rich potassic-magnesio-katophorite); Al-poor clinopyroxenes; feldspars (K-feldspar, Ba-K-feldspar and Na-feldspar) and spinels (chromite-magnetite and qandilite-ulvöspinel-franklinite). These dykes have undergone diverse and significant degrees of deuteric alteration as shown by the formation of secondary phases such as: titanite, allanite, hydro-zircon, calcite, chlorite, quartz and cryptocrystalline SiO2. On the basis of their respective mineralogy: the VL4 and VL5 dykes are classified as pseudoleucite-phlogopite lamproite; VL2 and VL3 dykes as pseudoleucite-amphibole-lamproite; and VL6, VL7 and VL8 as pseudoleucite-phlogopite-amphibole-lamproite. VL10 is extensively altered but contains fresh euhedral apatite microphenocrysts together with pseudomorphs after leucite and is classified as a pseudoleucite-apatite-(phlogopite?) lamproite. The mineralogy of the Vattikod lamproite dykes is compared with that of the Ramadugu, Somavarigudem and Yacharam lamproite dykes which also occur in the Ramadugu lamproite field. The lamproites from the Eastern Dharwar Craton are considered as being possible expressions of ancient subduction-related alkaline magmatism along the Eastern Ghats mobile belt.
Twinfilin 2a regulates platelet reactivity and turnover in mice
Authors: Stritt Simon , Beck Sarah , Becker Isabelle C. , Vögtle Timo , Hakala Markku , Heinze Katrin G. , Du Xiaoping , Bender Markus , Braun Attila , Lappalainen Pekka , Nieswandt Bernhard
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Deficiency in twinfilin 2a causes macrothrombocytopenia and hyperreactivity of platelets in mice. We provide the first in vivo evidence for an inhibitory function of twinfilin 2a in platelet actin dynamics.
HLA-mismatched unrelated donor transplantation using TLI-ATG conditioning has a low risk of GVHD and potent antitumor activity
Authors: Spinner Michael A. , Fernández-Viña Marcelo , Creary Lisa E. , Quinn Olivia , Elder Linda , Arai Sally , Johnston Laura J. , Meyer Everett H. , Miklos David B. , Muffly Lori S. , Negrin Robert S. , Shizuru Judith A. , Weng Wen-Kai , Laport Ginna G. , Strober Samuel , Lowsky Robert , Rezvani Andrew R.
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Nine of 10 MMUD HCTs have at least equivalent outcomes as 10 of 10 MUD HCTs using TLI-ATG with low rates of GVHD and nonrelapse mortality. MMUD HCT using TLI-ATG is well suited for patients with lymphoid malignancies given the low relapse rates without increased GVHD.
Intestinal hephaestin potentiates iron absorption in weanling, adult, and pregnant mice under physiological conditions
Authors: Doguer Caglar , Ha Jung-Heun , Gulec Sukru , Vulpe Chris D. , Anderson Gregory J. , Collins James F.
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Intestinal Heph may be required to potentiate iron absorption during rapid growth and pregnancy, or when hypoxia stimulates erythropoiesis. Here, the physiological conditions in which Heph is required are defined and other, complementary, intestinal ferroxidases are identified.
Hypoglycemic effects of Acacia nilotica in type II diabetes: a research proposal
Authors: Roozbeh Nasibeh , Darvish Leili , Abdi Fatemeh
Published: July 2017

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder throughout the world which can negatively affect the function of various body organs. Due to their availability and few side effects, herbal medicines have been proposed as suitable alternatives in the management of diabetes. Previous studies have confirmed the anti diabetic properties ofAcacia nilotica. The hypoglycemic effects of this plant have been attributed to its role in stimulating the islets of Langerhans to produce more insulin. The present paper describes a systematic review protocol for the assessment of the hypoglycemic effects ofA. nilotica.

Main texts

Randomized and non-randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, performed during 1999–2016 will be included. The outcomes will be measured through FBS, GCT, GTT, and OGTT in all of studies and in addition to these tests, will be measured 2HPP and HbA1c level in human study. Well-known databases will be searched for selected key termsA. nilotica, type II diabetes and hypoglycemia. The quality assessment of the selected papers will be evaluated based on SYRCLE and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. We believe that our findings will provide details about difficulties researchers face during the design of protocols or implementation of scientific studies. Ultimately, the publication of our findings will facilitate the development of effective treatment strategies to promote the health of people with type II DM.

PROSPERO registrationCRD42016053141
‘On the grammar of death’: the construal of death and killing in Colombian newspapers
Authors: García Marrugo Alexandra
Published: July 2017

The aims of this paper are twofold. First, following Halliday’s 1998 paper ‘On the grammar of pain’, this study maps the lexicogrammatical resources available to Spanish speakers in the register of hard news to construe death and killing. Based primarily on a 250,000+ corpus of news reports of violent actions by illegal armed groups in the internal conflict from four major Colombian newspapers, it distinguishes between congruent and metaphorical construals of death, accounting for the different roles of the participants involved in these different types of constructions. In addition, it offers a topological perspective of the intersection of the more delicate distinction of process types and the system of Agency. The second objective is to apply these findings to contrast the construal of violence by the actors in the conflict, Marxist guerrillas and right wing paramilitaries. The results of the analysis show how the deployment of lexicogrammatical resources construes different semiotic spaces, highlighting the role of one group while diminishing the responsibility of the other.
Modelling low velocity impact induced damage in composite laminates
Authors: Shi Yu , Soutis Constantinos
Published: July 2017

The paper presents recent progress on modelling low velocity impact induced damage in fibre reinforced composite laminates. It is important to understand the mechanisms of barely visible impact damage (BVID) and how it affects structural performance. To reduce labour intensive testing, the development of finite element (FE) techniques for simulating impact damage becomes essential and recent effort by the composites research community is reviewed in this work. The FE predicted damage initiation and propagation can be validated by Non Destructive Techniques (NDT) that gives confidence to the developed numerical damage models. A reliable damage simulation can assist the design process to optimise laminate configurations, reduce weight and improve performance of components and structures used in aircraft construction.
A key role for foxQ2 in anterior head and central brain patterning in insects
Authors: Kitzmann Peter , Weißkopf Matthias , Schacht Magdalena Ines , Bucher Gregor
Published: July 2017

Anterior patterning of animals is based on a set of highly conserved transcription factors but the interactions within the protostome anterior gene regulatory network (aGRN) remain enigmatic. Here, we identify the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum ortholog of foxQ2 (Tc-foxQ2) as a novel upstream component of the aGRN. It is required for the development of the labrum and higher order brain structures, namely the central complex and the mushroom bodies. We reveal Tc-foxQ2 interactions by RNAi and heat shock-mediated misexpression. Surprisingly, Tc-foxQ2 and Tc-six3 mutually activate each other, forming a novel regulatory module at the top of the aGRN. Comparisons of our results with those of sea urchins and cnidarians suggest that foxQ2 has acquired more upstream functions in the aGRN during protostome evolution. Our findings expand the knowledge on foxQ2 gene function to include essential roles in epidermal development and central brain patterning.
In vivo genetic cell lineage tracing reveals that oviductal secretory cells self-renew and give rise to ciliated cells
Authors: Ghosh Arnab , Syed Shafiq M. , Tanwar Pradeep S.
Published: July 2017

The epithelial lining of the Fallopian tube is vital for fertility, providing nutrition to gametes, and facilitating their transport. It is composed of two major cell types: secretory cells and ciliated cells. Interestingly, human ovarian cancer precursor lesions are primarily consisting of secretory cells. It is unclear why secretory cells are the dominant cell type in these lesions. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms governing Fallopian tube epithelial homoeostasis are currently unknown. In the present study, we showed that across the different developmental stages of mouse oviduct, secretory cells are the most frequently dividing cells of the oviductal epithelium. In vivo genetic cell lineage tracing showed that secretory cells not only self-renew, but also give rise to ciliated cells. Analysis of a Wnt reporter mouse model and different Wnt target genes showed that the Wnt signaling pathway is involved in oviductal epithelial homoeostasis. By developing two triple transgenic mouse models, we showed that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for self-renewal as well as differentiation of secretory cells. In summary, our results provide mechanistic insight into oviductal epithelial homoeostasis.
Sonic Hedgehog from both nerves and epithelium is a key trophic factor for taste bud maintenance
Authors: Castillo-Azofeifa David , Losacco Justin T. , Salcedo Ernesto , Golden Erin J. , Finger Thomas E. , Barlow Linda A.
Published: July 2017

The integrity of taste buds is intimately dependent on an intact gustatory innervation, yet the molecular nature of this dependency is unknown. Here we show differentiation of new taste bud cells, but not progenitor proliferation, is interrupted in mice treated with a Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitor (HPI), and that gustatory nerves are a source of Shh for taste bud renewal. Additionally, epithelial taste precursor cells express Shh transiently, and are a local supply of Hh ligand supporting taste cell renewal. Taste buds are minimally affected when Shh is lost from either tissue source. However when both the epithelial and neural supply of Shh are removed, taste buds are virtually lost. We conclude Shh supplied by taste nerves and local taste epithelium act in concert to support continued taste bud differentiation. However, while neurally derived Shh is in part responsible for the dependence of taste cell renewal on gustatory innervation, neurotrophic support of taste buds likely involves a complex set of factors.
IP6K1 is essential for chromatoid body formation and temporal regulation of Tnp2 and Prm2 expression in mouse spermatids
Authors: Malla Aushaq Bashir , Bhandari Rashna
Published: July 2017

Inositol hexakisphosphate kinases (IP6Ks) are enzymes that synthesise the inositol pyrophosphate 5-diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate (5-IP7), which is known to regulate several physiological processes. Deletion of IP6K1, but not other IP6K isoforms, causes sterility in male mice. Here, we present a detailed investigation of the specific function of IP6K1 in spermatogenesis. Within the mouse testis, IP6K1 is expressed at high levels in late stage pachytene spermatocytes and in round spermatids. We found IP6K1 to be a novel component of the chromatoid body, a cytoplasmic granule found in round spermatids that is composed of RNA and RNA-binding proteins, and noted that this structure is absent in Ip6k1−/− round spermatids. Furthermore, juvenile spermatids from Ip6k1−/− mice display premature expression of the transition protein TNP2 and the protamine PRM2 due to translational derepression. The aberrant localisation of these key sperm-specific chromatin components, together with the persistence of somatic histones, results in abnormal spermatid elongation, failure to complete spermatid differentiation and azoospermia in these mice. Our study thus identifies IP6K1 as an indispensable factor in the temporal regulation of male germ cell differentiation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Real-time visualization of chromatin modification in isolated nuclei
Authors: Sardo Luca , Lin Angel , Khakhina Svetlana , Beckman Lucas , Ricon Luis , Elbezanti Weam , Jaison Tara , Vishwasrao Harshad , Shroff Hari , Janetopoulos Christopher , Klase Zachary A.
Published: July 2017

Chromatin modification is traditionally assessed in biochemical assays that provide average measurements of static events given that the analysis requires components from many cells. Microscopy can visualize single cells, but the cell body and organelles can hamper staining and visualization of the nucleus. Normally, chromatin is visualized by immunostaining a fixed sample or by expressing exogenous fluorescently tagged proteins in a live cell. Alternative microscopy tools to observe changes of endogenous chromatin in real-time are needed. Here, we isolated transcriptionally competent nuclei from cells and used antibody staining without fixation to visualize changes in endogenous chromatin. This method allows the real-time addition of drugs and fluorescent probes to one or more nuclei while under microscopy observation. A high-resolution map of 11 endogenous nuclear markers of the histone code, transcription machinery and architecture was obtained in transcriptionally active nuclei by performing confocal and structured illumination microscopy. We detected changes in chromatin modification and localization at the single-nucleus level after inhibition of histone deacetylation. Applications in the study of RNA transcription, viral protein function and nuclear architecture are presented.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Catalytic Nitrogen Fixation via Direct Cleavage of Nitrogen–Nitrogen Triple Bond of Molecular Dinitrogen under Ambient Reaction Conditions
Authors: Arashiba Kazuya , Eizawa Aya , Tanaka Hiromasa , Nakajima Kazunari , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki
Published: July 2017

We have now found that molybdenum–iodide complexes bearing a PNP-pincer ligand have a higher catalytic activity than the so far reported molybdenum–dinitrogen complexes for ammonia formation from nitrogen gas under ambient reaction conditions, up to 830 equiv being produced based on a dinitrogen-bridged dimolybdenum complex (415 equiv of ammonia based on the molybdenum atom). This remarkable catalytic activity is induced by a novel reaction pathway, where the generation of a dinitrogen-bridged dimolybdenum–iodide complex is a key point to promote direct cleavage of the nitrogen–nitrogen triple bond of the bridging dinitrogen ligand in the Mo–N≡N–Mo core.
How Digitization Has Created a Golden Age of Music, Movies, Books, and Television
Authors: Waldfogel Joel
Published: July 2017

Digitization is disrupting a number of copyright-protected media industries, including books, music, radio, television, and movies. Once information is transformed into digital form, it can be copied and distributed at near-zero marginal costs. This change has facilitated piracy in some industries, which in turn has made it difficult for commercial sellers to continue generating the same levels of revenue for bringing products to market in the traditional ways. Yet despite the sharp revenue reductions for recorded music, as well as threats to revenue in some other traditional media industries, other aspects of digitization have had the offsetting effects of reducing the costs of bringing new products to market in music, movies, books, and television. On balance, digitization has increased the number of new products that are created and made available to consumers. Moreover, given the unpredictable nature of product quality, growth in new products has given rise to substantial increases in the quality of the best products. Although there were concerns that consumer welfare from media products would fall, the opposite scenario has emerged—a golden age for consumers who wish to consume media products.
Retrospectives: Friedrich Hayek and the Market Algorithm
Authors: Bowles Samuel , Kirman Alan , Sethi Rajiv
Published: July 2017

Friedrich A. Hayek (1899–1992) is known for his vision of the market economy as an information processing system characterized by spontaneous order: the emergence of coherence through the independent actions of large numbers of individuals, each with limited and local knowledge, coordinated by prices that arise from decentralized processes of competition. Hayek is also known for his advocacy of a broad range of free market policies and, indeed, considered the substantially unregulated market system to be superior to competing alternatives precisely because it made the best use of dispersed knowledge. Our purpose in writing this paper is twofold: First, we believe that Hayek's economic vision and critique of equilibrium theory not only remain relevant, but apply with greater force as information has become ever more central to economic activity and the complexity of the information aggregation process has become increasingly apparent. Second, we wish to call into question Hayek's belief that his advocacy of free market policies follows as a matter of logic from his economic vision. The very usefulness of prices (and other economic variables) as informative messages—which is the centerpiece of Hayek's economics—creates incentives to extract information from signals in ways that can be destabilizing. Markets can promote prosperity but can also generate crises. We will argue, accordingly, that a Hayekian understanding of the economy as an information-processing system does not support the type of policy positions that he favored. Thus, we find considerable lasting value in Hayek's economic analysis while nonetheless questioning the connection of this analysis to his political philosophy.
Test
Authors: Admin Admin
Published: July 2017

Test
Evaluation of machines and equipment
Authors: Федотова  , Fyedotova Marina , Ковалев  , Kovalyev Anatoliy , Кушель  , Kushel' Aleksandr , Королё  , Korole Igor' , Игонин  , Igonin Vasiliy
Published: July 2017

The textbook outlines the theoretical basis and practical methods of valuation of machines and equipment. The methodological principles of evaluation are considered in detail; Purpose of valuation and types of assessed value; Comparative, cost-effective and profitable approaches; Practical methods within each approach; Methods of determining physical wear and obsolescence in the evaluation of machinery and equipment. Examples of cost calculations are presented, as well as typical tasks with analysis of their solutions.
It meets the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Education of the latest generation.
Designed for students studying in the areas of preparation "Economics" and "Management". It is of interest for university lecturers, graduate students, practicing appraisers and property managers.
History and Methodology of Legal Science
Authors: Честнов  , Chestnov Il'ya
Published: July 2017

In the textbook sets out the historical and methodological foundations of legal science. The focus is on post-classical methodology of jurisprudence, the basic paradigm of modern legal science.
Meets the requirements of Federal state educational standard of higher education of the last generation.
The tutorial is intended primarily to graduate students and undergraduates, students at the basic educational program of postgraduate professional education program and master's level of education. Work may also be useful to teachers, students for in-depth study of theory of state and law.
La dimensión territorial de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona en un contexto metropolitano: un análisis documental de los planes directores y el proyecto de Campus de Excelencia Internacional (UAB-CEI)
Authors: Arcos Garrido María Isabel , Miralles-Guasch Carme
Published: July 2017

En el contexto actual de sociedad global y del conocimiento, la universidad ha intensificado su colaboración en el territorio hasta obtener un papel destacado en el desarrollo de las regiones. Actualmente, la universidad contribuye a la internacionalización del territorio en el cual se establece, a partir de la influencia que ésta tiene en los diferentes aspectos de la realidad socioeconómica. Ante este contexto, la universidad forma parte de la sociedad y, como tal, tiene que encontrar y propiciar nuevos espacios emergentes donde se consoliden las relaciones con otras instituciones y organismos. Nuevas relaciones que hacen plantear una nueva tercera misión dirigida al compromiso directo de la universidad con su entorno social y económico. Ante esta nueva lógica territorial, el presente artículo presenta una reflexión de la dimensión territorial de la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona a través del análisis del Plan Director 2010- 2012 y el contexto de Campus de Excelencia Internacional en el que se enmarca. El objetivo es demostrar si la estrategia universitaria de la UAB responde a las nuevas necesidades territorialesque exige el nuevo contexto socioeconómico y, si como resultado, la Universidad es considerada un nodo territorial integrado en la Barcelona metropolitana.
Assessing the impact of a respiratory diagnosis on smoking cessation
Authors: Jones Alexandra
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of respiratory diagnoses on smoking cessation. A total of 229 current and former smokers, with and without respiratory diagnoses completed an anonymous online questionnaire assessing how their smoking habit changed when diagnosed with various respiratory conditions. Among all participants the most common reason for quitting smoking was to reduce the risk of health problems in general. In those with a chronic respiratory diagnosis, this was their most common reason for quitting. Motivation to quit smoking, scored by participants on a scale of 0–10, increased at the time of diagnosis then further increased after diagnosis of a chronic respiratory condition but declined after diagnosis of an acute respiratory condition. The research had a small sample size so further research is required. However, important themes are highlighted with the potential to influence clinical practice. All clinicians should receive training to promote cessation at the time of diagnosing respiratory conditions.
Introduction of a nurse–led intravitreal injection service in ophthalmology
Authors: Gallagher Mary-Josephine
Published: July 2017

Anti-VEGF (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor) agents are useful for a variety of previously untreatable eye conditions; indications for their use are increasing. As this treatment evolved from cutting-edge to mainstream NHS practice, it resulted in a significant increase in appointments for intravitreal (IVT) injections, clinical assessment and follow-up, and hence an increasing challenge to ensure its timely availability to all who needed it. In addressing that challenge, NHS Lothian successfully initiated an advanced nurse practitioner IVT service in addition to its medical IVT service, which has increased its capacity to provide the requisite high-quality care to this patient group.
Sexuality and the older woman
Authors: Tremayne Penny , Norton Wendy
Published: July 2017

Sexual health is a key public health issue. The older woman faces a number of changes to her sexual health, wellbeing and sexuality. These changes result in many older women having to adapt to a series of complex transitions that can be challenging. This article aims to identify and explore some of these changes and how they can have a significant impact on women's quality of life. Nurses play an important role in assessing and helping women to manage normal and pathological age-related changes in order to improve the sexual health of older women and ensure they receive the advice and support needed at this stage of their life.
Improving patient safety and healthcare quality: examples of good practice
Authors: Tingle John
Published: July 2017

John Tingle, Reader in Health Law at Nottingham Trent University, discusses a recent report by the Care Quality Commission that showcases eight NHS trusts that have improved their patient safety and healthcare quality
From staff nurse to nurse consultant: Spiritual care part 4: Christianity
Authors: Fowler John
Published: July 2017

John Fowler, educational consultant and part-time university chaplain, explores the role of clinically based nurses in caring for the spiritual needs of patients who are Christians
Creating workforce transformation
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: July 2017

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, looks at opportunities for continuing professional development, which is key for both recruitment and retention
Closed arterial lab sampling devices: a study of compliance and best practice
Authors: Benedict Ann , Mayer Adam , Craven Heather
Published: July 2017

As the quality of patient care continues to improve, nursing professionals are continuously tasked with researching, implementing, and evaluating best practices. The practice of obtaining blood samples from paediatric patients, using a conventional three-way stopcock method, has been associated with peripheral arterial catheter intraluminal contamination and catheter-related bloodstream infections. A paediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU), in a large medical centre in the USA, set an objective to mitigate the risk of possible contamination by implementing the use of closed arterial lab sampling devices. The project extensively reviewed comparative literature of studies between conventional three-way stopcock methods and closed arterial lab sampling devices. Furthermore, it successfully implemented the recommended best practice with sustained compliance. This article discusses appraising current literature, translating into practice, and evaluating compliance throughout the PCICU over a 2-year period.
How Recognition and Response to a Patient's Body Language and Behaviour can Facilitate Positive Veterinary Visits
Authors: Ryan Linda
Published: July 2017

There are many aspects of care involved in patient-friendly practice. Veterinary professionals may utilise recognition and response to canine and feline body language and behavioural signals to affect patient-friendly practice and improve safety in the context of the veterinary environment. Visits to the veterinary clinic are potentially stress-inducing for many reasons. Stress and distress have potentially problematic physical and emotional impacts on patients, both in health and disease, and therefore recognition and pre-emption of problems could reduce the impact of escalating stress during veterinary interactions.
Norm of nonnegative and positive matrices
Authors: Abu Alroz Alaa
Published: July 2017

The spectral radius r(A) of matrix A is the maximum modulus of the Eigen values. In this paper, the studies about the lower and upper bounds for the spectral radius and the lower bounds for the minimum eigen value of appositive and nonnegative matrices are investigate.The matrix norm, the spectral radius norm,and the column (row) sums of nonnegative and positive matrices are widely used to establish some inequalities for matrices. Then several existing results are improved for these inequalities for nonnegative and positive matrix. Furthermore, the lower and upper bounds of the Perron roots for nonnegative matrices are examined, and some upper bounds are computed.
Bargaining Frictions in Trading Networks
Authors: Polanski Arnold , Vega-Redondo Fernando
Published: July 2017

In the canonical model of frictionless markets, arbitrage is usually taken to force all trades of homogeneous goods to occur at essentially the same price. In the real world, however, arbitrage possibilities are often severely restricted and this may lead to substantial price heterogeneity. Here we focus on frictions that can be modeled as the bargaining constraints induced by an incomplete trading network. In this context, the interplay among the architecture of the trading network, the buyers’ valuations, and the sellers’ costs shapes the effective arbitrage possibilities of the economy. We characterize the configurations that, at an intertemporal bargaining equilibrium, lead to a uniform price. Conceptually, this characterization involves studying how the network positions and valuations/costs of any given set of buyers and sellers affect their collective bargaining power relative to a notional or benchmark situation in which the connectivity is complete. Mathematically, the characterizing conditions can be understood as price-based counterparts of those identified by the celebrated Marriage Theorem in matching theory.
Sharing the Effort Costs in Group Contests
Authors: Vázquez-Sedano Alexis
Published: July 2017

This paper addresses conflicts between two groups when trying to win a group-specific public good prize. We analyze how these contests are affected when groups are led by an organizer with the capacity to impose transfers to share the costs of individual efforts within the group. The technology of conflict that we use is the
The Constitutionalization of International Law and the Challenge of Non-State Actors
Authors: Kassoti Eva
Published: July 2017

The article examines how international constitutionalism has come to grips with the phenomenon of informal law-making by non-State actors. The article identifies two opposing trends within the constitutionalist camp in relation to the question of actor informality. The first strand argues that all normative utterances should be presumed to give rise to law, irrespective of authorship (‘presumptive law thesis’). The presumptive law thesis is discussed and rejected on the ground that it rests on a model of participation in decision-making that dramatically departs from the existing one. The article continues by exploring the second strand of constitutionalism, which advocates in favour of retaining the distinction between direct and indirect participation in international decision-making (’the formal/informal participation model’). It is argued that, while this strand of constitutionalism is convincing at the descriptive level, it does not really add much to our existing knowledge. The last part of the article addresses the meta-question of the added value of analysing the phenomenon of actor informality through the lens of constitutionalism. It is argued that, despite its shortcomings, the constitutionalist project bravely attempts to frame the inherently political debate on global governance in legal terms, thereby attesting to the continuing relevance of international law as a regulatory mechanism in modern international relations.
Constitutional Court of Romania: The Constitutionality of the Citizens’ Initiative for the Revision of Article 48 (1) of the Constitution (‘Family’)
Authors: Safta Marieta
Published: July 2017

The Constitutional Court found that Article 48 of the Constitution of Romania enshrines and guarantees the right to marriage and family relations resulting from marriage, apart from the right to family life/respect for and protection of family life, a concept with a much broader legal content, which is also embodied and protected by Article 26 of the Constitution. Insofar the analysis is limited solely to the scope of the right to marriage, the proposed amendment of Article 48 of the Constitution, ie replacement of the words ‘of the spouses’ with the words ‘between a man and a woman’, constitutes a mere indication as regards the exercise of the fundamental right to marriage, namely the specific determination of the fact that marriage is concluded between partners of different biological sex. The amendment proposed is not likely cause the disappearance, removal, deletion or cancellation of the concept of marriage. Furthermore, the safeguards of the right to marriage, as enshrined in the constitutional text of reference in its original form, remain unchanged. Therefore, the initiative for revision of the Constitution is constitutional in respect of the provisions of Article 152 of the Constitution, as it does not remove the right to marriage or the safeguards thereof and it does not bring into question any other limit on matters of revision.