bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and electrochemical performance of a polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide/boron nitride nanotube composite
Authors: Abass M. A. , Syed A. A. , Gervais C. , Singh G.
Published: April 2017

Synthesis of a new type of composite consisting of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) filler in polymer-derived ceramic silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) for electrochemical applications is demonstrated.
Fe-Doped SnO2catalysts with both BA and LA sites: facile preparation and biomass carbohydrates conversion to methyl lactate MLA
Authors: Zhao Xiaoli , Wen Tao , Zhang Junjie , Ye Jianfeng , Ma Zhonghua , Yuan Hong , Ye Xiaozhou , Wang Yun
Published: April 2017

The catalyst preparation process is convenient, green and has favorable catalytic performance and good reusability.
Iminoboronate-based dual-responsive micelles via subcomponent self-assembly for hydrophilic 1,2-diol-containing drug delivery
Authors: Ma Rujiang , Zhang Chuan , Liu Yong , Li Chang , Xu Yanling , Li Baoxin , Zhang Yunliang , An Yingli , Shi Linqi
Published: April 2017

Iminoboronate-based dual-responsive micelles were fabricated via simple subcomponent self-assembly for delivery of hydrophilic 1,2-diol-containing drugs.
Melatonin enhances the anti-tumor effect of sorafenib via AKT/p27-mediated cell cycle arrest in hepatocarcinoma cell lines
Authors: Long Fei , Dong Chengyong , Jiang Keqiu , Xu Yakun , Chi Xinming , Sun Deguang , Liang Rui , Gao Zhenming , Shao Shujuan , Wang Liming
Published: April 2017

Proposed model elucidating the role of MT in regulating the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells treated with sorafenib.
Anisotropic polydopamine capsules with an ellipsoidal shape that can tolerate harsh conditions: efficient adsorbents for organic dyes and precursors for ellipsoidal hollow carbon particles
Authors: Yang Lu , Wang Cong , Ye Zihan , Zhang Pengjiao , Wu Songhai , Jia Shaoyi , Li Zhanyong , Zhang Zhenkun
Published: April 2017

Ellipsoidal PDA capsules with enhanced mechanical rigidity can be directly carbonized into ellipsoidal carbon capsules and used as efficient adsorbents for organic dyes in water.
Enhanced saccharification of cellulose and sugarcane bagasse by Clostridium thermocellum cultures with Triton X-100 and β-glucosidase/Cellic®CTec2 supplementation
Authors: Qu Xiao-Su , Hu Bin-Bin , Zhu Ming-Jun
Published: April 2017

Increased saccharification and utilization of biomass directly byC. thermocellumcultures with Triton X-100 and β-glucosidase supplementation.
Micrometre and nanometre scale patterning of binary polymer brushes, supported lipid bilayers and proteins
Authors: Johnson Alexander , Madsen Jeppe , Chapman Paul , Alswieleh Abdullah , Al-Jaf Omed , Bao Peng , Hurley Claire R. , Cartron Michaël L. , Evans Stephen D. , Hobbs Jamie K. , Hunter C. Neil , Armes Steven P. , Leggett Graham J.
Published: April 2017

Binary polymer brush patterns were fabricated using aminosilanes with photo-cleavable protecting groups.
Predicting oligomer/polymer compatibility and the impact on nanoscale segregation in thin films
Authors: Sabattié Elise F. D. , Tasche Jos , Wilson Mark R. , Skoda Maximilian W. A. , Hughes Arwel , Lindner Torsten , Thompson Richard L.
Published: April 2017

Oligomer segregation is acutely sensitive to tiny changes in compatibility or volume of mixing.
CNT-threaded N-doped porous carbon film as binder-free electrode for high-capacity supercapacitor and Li–S battery
Authors: Liu Yazhi , Li Gaoran , Chen Zhongwei , Peng Xinsheng
Published: April 2017

Free-standing, conductive CNT-threaded nitrogen-doped porous carbon film demonstrates nice good performance for in binder-free supercapacitor and Li–S battery.
Film morphology of solution-processed regioregular ternary conjugated polymer solar cells under processing additive stress
Authors: Yuan Jianyu , Ford Michael J. , Ma Wanli , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: April 2017

In comparison with many reported high-efficiency polymer solar cells, only 0.5% (v/v) additive is necessary to optimize a polymer/fullerene (PSFSiF/PC71BM) system, and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) was boosted from 2.4% to 8.0%.
Synergistic effects of an alkylthieno[3,2-b]thiophene π-bridging backbone extension on the photovoltaic performances of donor–acceptor copolymers
Authors: Hwang Hyeongjin , Sin Dong Hun , Kulshreshtha Chandramouli , Moon Byungho , Son Jiwon , Lee Jaewon , Kim Heung Gyu , Shin Jisoo , Joo Taiha , Cho Kilwon
Published: April 2017

Synergistic effects of a thiophene-based π-bridging backbone extension on the photovoltaic properties of the conjugated copolymers were systematically studied.
Comparison of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emission Waveforms and Latencies Between Nonlinear Measurement Techniques
Authors: Lewis James D.
Published: April 2017

The nonlinear differential technique is commonly used to remove stimulus artifact when measuring transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). However, to ensure removal of stimulus artifact, the initial 2.5-ms of the sound pressure recording must be discarded. Discarding this portion of the response precludes measurement of TEOAE energy above approximately 5 kHz and may limit measurement of shorter-latency TEOAE components below 5 kHz. The contribution from short-latency components influences the overall latency of the emission, including its dependence on frequency and stimulus level. The double source, double-evoked technique provides an alternative means to eliminate stimulus energy from the TEOAE and permits retention of the entire response. This study describes the effect of measurement technique on TEOAE waveforms and latencies. TEOAEs were measured in 26 normal hearing subjects using the nonlinear differential and double source, double-evoked techniques. The nonlinear differential technique limited measurement of short-latency TEOAE components at frequencies as low as ~3 kHz. Loss of these components biased TEOAE latencies to later moments in time and reduced the dependence of latency on stimulus level and frequency. In studies investigating TEOAE latency, the double source, double-evoked technique is recommended as it permits measurement of the both long- and short-latency components of the TEOAE.
Transmit diversity technique based on joint slow‐time coding with circulating code
Authors: Li Shengyuan , Zhang Linrang , Liu Nan , Zhang Juan , Tang Shiyang
Published: April 2017

Circulating code provides a simple way to achieve transmit diversity with stable gain along wide angular coverage, whereas this property is at a cost of degraded range resolution. In this study, a novel transmit diversity technique referred to as joint slow‐time coding with circulating code (STCC) is proposed and investigated to solve the above problem. The STCC can be regarded as a coded pulse sequence of circulating code which achieves full bandwidth after synthesising the frequency band of each pulse. It improves the range resolution while maintaining stable gain property of circulating code. At the analysis stage, the transmit ambiguity function (AF) is used to assess the angle‐range property of STCC. Based on the transmit AF, a general processing procedure at receive side is derived. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out using simulated data. The performance assessment shows that the proposed technique is superior to circulating code in range resolution and interfering signal suppression.
Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Synthesis of Spirolactones
Authors: Mostinski Yelena , Lankri David , Tsvelikhovsky Dmitry
Published: April 2017

Spiranoid lactone structures can frequently be observed as scaffold segments of various biochemical compounds and drugs of natural origin. Examples of these structures have been identified among terpenoids, alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, and many other natural products. Such a broad natural diversity and biological activity allows a wide spectrum of these systems to be attractive targets for synthetic and medicinal chemists. Covering a broad spectrum of recognized approaches toward the design of spirolactones established over the past several decades, this review focuses on transition-metal-catalyzed synthesis, which is the most prominent methodology reported to date.

1 Introduction

2 Patterned Approaches

2.1 Cyclocarbonylation

2.2 Hydroalkylation/Arylation of Hydroxy α,β-Acetylenic Esters

2.3 [2+2+2]-Cyclotrimerization: Rapid Access to Spirobenzofuranone Scaffolds

2.4 Cyclization of Allenoic Acids/Allenoates

2.5 Cycloisomerization–Oxidation of Homopropargyl Alcohols

2.6 Hydroalkoxylation of Alkynoic or Alkenoic Acids

2.7 C–H Carbonylation: Access to Spirobenzofuranone and Spiroisochromanone Derivatives

2.8 Alkylative Spirolactonization of α,β-Unsaturated Esters

2.9 Olefin Ring-Closing Metathesis

2.10 Reductive Opening of Epoxides

2.11 Intramolecular C–H Insertion

3 Nonpatterned Approaches

3.1 Azomethine Ylide Cycloaddition

3.2 Hydrohydroxyalkylation of Vicinal Diols

3.3 Photoredox Catalysis: C-Alkylation of Alcohols

3.4 Carbonylative Spirolactonization of Hydroxycyclopropanols

3.5 Copper-Catalyzed Alkylation of β-Keto Esters

4 Conclusion
Iatrogenic Great Cardiac Vein Anastomosis during Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Bagherli Alireza , Bews Hilary , Vo Minh , Ducas John , Jassal Davinder , Ravandi Amir
Published: April 2017

Inadvertent anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) or a saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the great cardiac vein (GCV) is a rare complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We present two cases with a LIMA to GCV and a SVG to GCV anastomosis, respectively, resulting in angina and dyspnea in the postoperative state. As an alternative to repeat CABG, both patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with percutaneous coil embolization or implantation of an Amplatzer vascular plug within the bypass graft to GCV conduit. This report highlights that percutaneous options exist for the relief of ischemic symptoms in this rare clinical setting.
Pediatric Motor Stereotypies: An Updated Review
Authors: Subki Ahmed , Alsallum Mohammed , Alnefaie Majed , Alkahtani Abdulaziz , Almagamsi Sameer , Alshehri Zaher , Kinsara Rayyan , Jan Mohammed
Published: April 2017

Motor stereotypies are repetitive, purposeless movements that cannot be categorized into any of the known pathological movement disorders. They can be “primary,” occurring in normal children as a normal physiological variation or “secondary,” occurring in children with autism, intellectual disability, or other developmental disorders. Observation and videotaping are crucial for excluding seizures and other pathological movement disorders. They usually last for seconds to minutes and can occur spontaneously or be triggered by fatigue, excitement, or stress. Another key feature is the ability to suppress these movements by distraction or sensory stimulation. In this article, we aim to present an updated review of this topic and highlight important diagnostic tips and management pitfalls. Recognition of such movements is critical to prevent unnecessary investigations or treatments.
Stability and combustion of metal nano-particles and their additive impact with diesel and biodiesel on engine efficiency: A comprehensive study
Authors: Abdalla S. , AL-Wafi Reem , Pizzi A.
Published: April 2017

Nano-fluids are described as a relatively new kind of colloidal solution with a particle size smaller than one billionth of a meter (1–100 nm) suspended in the base fluid so as to enhance the thermo-physical properties, which makes them an obvious choice for use in a number of commercial applications, including engineering, medical sciences, biotechnology, agriculture technology, and transportation. With the advancement in nanotechnology during the past few years, the scientific community focuses on improvising the combustion behavior, stability aspects, various engine performance parameters, and emission characteristics of conventional diesel engines using nano-particle laden diesel biodiesel fuel blends. Most recently, a few experimental works on the above issues using nano-sized metallic, non-metallic, organic, and mixed particles in the base liquid fuel for diesel engines have appeared in the open literature. The results obtained are very encouraging due to multifold enhancement in the thermo-physical and chemical properties of modified fuels, such as high surface to volume ratio, high reactive medium for combustion, enhanced heat and mass transport properties due to high thermal conductivity, and improvement in the flash point, fire point, pour point, etc., depending on the type of nano-particles used and their particle size and concentration with base fuels. Despite having all superiorities, somewhat unclear and contradictory results are found in the literature. Further, the experimental results of different researchers are not generalized so far as to reach a common consensus about this new approach of fuel modification. Keeping all these facts in mind, a serious attempt has been made to summarize important published work on combustion and stability aspects of nano-particle laden diesel, biodiesel fuels, and their blends and their overall effects on fuel and engine characteristics with the objective to provide a pathway to conduct further research in this area for utilizing the maximum potential of nano-particle fuel emulsion technology and to provide a promising future fuel for diesel engines.

At the request of the Editor-in-Chief and AIP Publishing this article is being retracted. The article had a high degree of overlap with an article published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. The article is retracted from the scientific record effective 27 June 2017.
Note: Development of a new Bridgman-type high pressure cell for accurate dielectric measurements
Authors: Yamane R. , Komatsu K. , Kagi H.
Published: April 2017

We developed a new high pressure cell which allows us to perform accurate dielectric measurements above 3 GPa. The developed cell is based on Bridgman type opposed anvil cells with electrodes immersed into holes in the anvils in order to make the electrode area constant under compression. As a feasibility experiment, dielectric measurements for H2O were conducted up to 6.6 GPa and obtained dielectric constants are well consistent with previous studies.
Open-circuit voltage loss in annealed P3HT:perylene diimide bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Solak S. , Ricciardulli A. G. , Lenz T. , Crăciun N. I. , Blom P. W. M. , Wetzelaer G. A. H.
Published: April 2017

Solar cells based on blends of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) as a donor and a commercial perylene diimide derivative as a acceptor are investigated. Thermal annealing of the devices results in increased photocurrent generation but is simultaneously accompanied by a loss in open-circuit voltage. It is shown that the decreased open-circuit voltage is caused by the formation of a cathode barrier, as evidenced by injection-limited electron currents, a reduced built-in voltage, and a weaker light-intensity dependence of the open-circuit voltage. Device simulations show that the increased photocurrent after annealing is the result of an increased electron mobility.
Quantum electronic transport in polarization-engineered GaN/InGaN/GaN tunnel junctions
Authors: Cavassilas Nicolas , Claveau Yann , Bescond Marc , Michelini Fabienne
Published: April 2017

We theoretically investigate GaN/InGaN/GaN tunnel junctions grown along the wurtzite c-axis. We developed a dedicated quantum electronic transport model based on an 8-band k.p Hamiltonian coupled to the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism. We first show that the transmission is dominated by quantum states localized at the heterojunction. We also confirm that, for a thin InGaN layer, current strongly increases with doping. On the other hand, for thick InGaN layers (>8 nm), our results show an unexpected low impact of doping on current. In this latter case, the spontaneous and the piezoelectric polarizations reduce the tunnel-barrier width to the InGaN layer thickness. We conclude that quantum electronic transport in such tunnel junctions is mainly controlled by interfaces with both polarizations and localized states.
Controlled energy deposition and void-like modification inside transparent solids by two-color tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Potemkin Fedor , Mareev Evgeniy , Bezsudnova Yulia , Platonenko Victor , Bravy Boris , Gordienko Vyacheslav
Published: April 2017

We report a bulk void-like micromodification of fused silica using two-color μJ-energy level tightly focused (NA = 0.5) co-propagating seeding (visible, 0.62 μm) and heating (near-IR, 1.24 μm) femtosecond laser pulses with online third harmonic diagnostics of created microplasmas as well as subsequent laser-induced void-like defects. It has been shown experimentally and theoretically that production of seeding electrons through multiphoton ionization by visible laser pulses paves the way for controllability of the energy deposition and laser-induced micromodification via carrier heating by delayed infrared laser pulses inside the material. Experimental results demonstrate wide possibilities to increase the density of energy deposited up to 6 kJ cm−3 inside the dielectric by tight focusing of two color fs-laser pulses and elliptical polarization for infrared heating fs-laser pulses. The developed theoretical approach predicts the enhancement of deposited energy density up to 9 kJ cm−3 using longer (mid-IR) wavelengths for heating laser pulses.
Electrical signalling in Nitellopsis obtusa: potential biomarkers of biologically active compounds
Authors: Kisnieriene Vilma , Lapeikaite Indre , Pupkis Vilmantas
Published: April 2017

The Nitellopsis obtusa (N.A.Desvaux) J.Groves cell provides a model system for complex investigation of instantaneous effects of various biologically active compounds (BC) on the generation of plant bioelectrical signals in vivo. Experimental evidence using multiple electrical signals as biomarkers of the effects of BC (acetylcholine, asparagine, glutamate, nicotine, aluminium, nickel and cadmium ions) is provided. The effect of BC on membrane transport systems involved in the cell excitability were tested by current clamp, voltage clamp and patch clamp methods. Membrane potential (MP) alterations and action potential (AP) patterns in response to BC were shown to represent the cell state. High discretisation frequency allows precise, high time resolution analysis of real-time processes measuring changes in excitation threshold, AP amplitude and velocity of repolarisation values after application of BC indicating the effect on ion channels involved in AP generation. Application of voltage clamp revealed that changes in AP peak value were caused not only by increment in averaged maximum amplitude of the Cl– current, but in prolonged Cl– channels’ opening time also. The cytoplasmic droplet can serve as a model system in which the effects of BC on single tonoplast ion channel can be studied by patch clamping. Investigation of electrical cell-to-cell communication revealed evidence on the electrical signal transduction through plasmodesmata.
SNAT7 is the primary lysosomal glutamine exporter required for extracellular protein-dependent growth of cancer cells
Authors: Verdon Quentin , Boonen Marielle , Ribes Christopher , Jadot Michel , Gasnier Bruno , Sagné Corinne
Published: April 2017

Significance

Lysosomes are degradative intracellular organelles essential to cell maintenance and homeostasis. Although their degradative function is well documented, the proteins responsible for the efflux, and reuse, of lysosomal degradation products remain largely unknown. In this study, we identify the transporter responsible for lysosomal efflux of glutamine, an amino acid central to several key metabolic pathways. This central role of glutamine is exploited by several types of cancer cells with increased consumption of glutamine. Interestingly, genetic inactivation of the transporter impairs their growth under conditions of limited glutamine availability when internalized extracellular proteins are used as an alternative source of amino acids, suggesting novel approaches for anticancer therapies.
Immunomodulation-accelerated neuronal regeneration following selective rod photoreceptor cell ablation in the zebrafish retina
Authors: White David T. , Sengupta Sumitra , Saxena Meera T. , Xu Qingguo , Hanes Justin , Ding Ding , Ji Hongkai , Mumm Jeff S.
Published: April 2017

Significance

Recent evidence suggests human retinal Müller glia retain a potential for neuronal regeneration. Defining the mechanisms governing retinal repair in robustly regenerative species may provide insights for harnessing this potential therapeutically. Here, we investigated roles of the innate immune system during rod photoreceptor regeneration in zebrafish. Our data establish a role for retinal microglia, the tissue-resident macrophage of the retina, in regulating retinal Müller glia responsiveness to cell death, and thereby controlling photoreceptor regeneration kinetics. Further, we show that immunosuppression can either inhibit or accelerate photoreceptor regeneration kinetics depending on the timing of treatment. We conclude that modulation of immune cell responses to retinal neuron cell death stands as a promising strategy for promoting repair of the human eye.
Computational modeling of epiphany learning
Authors: Chen Wei James , Krajbich Ian
Published: April 2017

Significance

Epiphany learning (EL) occurs when organisms seem to suddenly and dramatically alter their behavior. Although EL has been documented before, this paper proposes a model of EL and reports both subjects’ behavioral and eye-tracking data while they repeatedly played a game that has an optimal strategy. We find clear behavioral evidence for EL in this game and additionally find patterns of eye movements and pupil dilation that correspond to features of the model. In the process, we also identify distinct patterns for subjects who did not discover the optimal strategy. Our model and findings provide a framework for future research on EL.
Bistable metamaterial for switching and cascading elastic vibrations
Authors: Bilal Osama R. , Foehr André , Daraio Chiara
Published: April 2017

Significance

One of the challenges in materials physics today is the realization of phononic transistors, devices able to manipulate phonons (elastic vibrations) with phonons. We present a realization of a transistor-like device, controlled by magnetic coupling, which can gate, switch, and cascade phonons without resorting to frequency conversion. We demonstrate all logic operations for information processing. Because our system operates at a single frequency, we use it to realize experimentally a phonon-based mechanical calculator. Our device can have a broad impact in advanced acoustic devices, sensors, and programmable materials.
Intensifying postfire weather and biological invasion drive species loss in a Mediterranean-type biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Slingsby Jasper A. , Merow Cory , Aiello-Lammens Matthew , Allsopp Nicky , Hall Stuart , Kilroy Mollmann Hayley , Turner Ross , Wilson Adam M. , Silander John A.
Published: April 2017

Significance

Changing interactions between climate and fire are impacting biodiversity. We examined the longest vegetation survey record in the Fynbos, South Africa, a fire-prone Mediterranean-type ecosystem and Global Biodiversity Hotspot, finding significant impacts of prolonged hot and dry postfire weather and invasive plants on species diversity. Graminoids, herbs, and species that sprout after fire declined in diversity, whereas the climatic niches of species unique to each survey showed a 0.5 °C increase in maximum temperature. The consequences of these changes for the structure and function of this ecosystem are largely unknown. This interaction between fire and changing climate is cause for concern in fire-prone ecosystems subject to severe summer droughts and temperature extremes, such as southern Australia, California, and South Africa.
Selective in vivo removal of pathogenic anti-MAG autoantibodies, an antigen-specific treatment option for anti-MAG neuropathy
Authors: Herrendorff Ruben , Hänggi Pascal , Pfister Hélène , Yang Fan , Demeestere Delphine , Hunziker Fabienne , Frey Samuel , Schaeren-Wiemers Nicole , Steck Andreas J. , Ernst Beat
Published: April 2017

Significance

Anti-MAG (myelin-associated glycoprotein) neuropathy is a rare but disabling autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. The pathogenicity of anti-MAG IgM autoantibodies that target the HNK-1 glycoepitope is well established. Current therapies are mostly immunosuppressive but so far are neither approved nor sufficiently effective. Therefore we designed a glycopolymer that acts as an autoantibody scavenger by mimicking the natural HNK-1 glycoepitope and demonstrated that the glycopolymer neutralizes disease-causing antibodies in patient sera. Moreover, pathogenic antibodies were removed efficiently in an immunological mouse model of anti-MAG neuropathy. Because clinical improvement of patients’ neuropathic symptoms correlates with reduced serum levels of anti-MAG antibodies, the glycopolymer represents a promising antigen-specific therapeutic option for the treatment of this neuropathy.
Three-dimensional stable lithium metal anode with nanoscale lithium islands embedded in ionically conductive solid matrix
Authors: Lin Dingchang , Zhao Jie , Sun Jie , Yao Hongbin , Liu Yayuan , Yan Kai , Cui Yi
Published: April 2017

Significance

Lithium metal anode holds great promises for next-generation high-energy lithium battery systems. This work introduces an electrolyte-proof design of three-dimensional lithium metal anode where most of the lithium domains are embedded in a lithium-ion conductive matrix. In this architecture, the lithium-ion conductive matrix can isolate the embedded lithium domains from liquid electrolyte and thus prevent severe initial side reactions, while the matrix can simultaneously transport lithium ion and maintain the electrochemical activity of the embedded lithium. The design principle enables highly stable, high-power, and safe lithium metal anodes with minimal side reactions and negligible volume variation during cycling, which paves the way for viable lithium metal batteries in the future.
Sensorimotor-independent development of hands and tools selectivity in the visual cortex
Authors: Striem-Amit Ella , Vannuscorps Gilles , Caramazza Alfonso
Published: April 2017

Significance

To what extent is brain organization driven by innate genetic constraints, and how dependent is it on individual experience during early development? We show that an area of the visual system that processes both hands and tools can develop without sensorimotor experience in manipulating tools with one’s hands. People born without hands show typical hand–tool conjoined activity, in a region connected to the action network. Taken with findings from studies with people born blind, who also show intact hand and tool specialization in the visual system, these findings suggest that no specific sensory or motor experience is crucial for domain-specific organization of visual cortex. Instead, the results suggest that functional brain organization is largely innately determined.
IP
3
-mediated gating mechanism of the IP
3
receptor revealed by mutagenesis and X-ray crystallography
Authors: Hamada Kozo , Miyatake Hideyuki , Terauchi Akiko , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko
Published: April 2017

Significance

Cells use chemical signals for intracellular communication in our bodies. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP
3
) is a chemical signal that binds to the IP
3
receptor (IP
3
R) to release calcium ions from the endoplasmic reticulum. The distance from ligand-binding sites to the channel within IP
3
R is the longest among known ligand-gated ion channels, and the fundamental question of how IP
3
-binding physically opens the channel remains unanswered. Here, we solved IP
3
-bound and unbound structures of large cytosolic domains of the IP
3
R by X-ray crystallography and clarified the IP
3
-dependent gating mechanism through a unique leaflet structure. These findings reveal a principle of long-range allosteric coupling in ligand-gated ion channels and provide drug targets for IP
3
R-regulated events, including autophagy, apoptosis, cancers, and brain disorders.
Inducing protein aggregation by extensional flow
Authors: Dobson John , Kumar Amit , Willis Leon F. , Tuma Roman , Higazi Daniel R. , Turner Richard , Lowe David C. , Ashcroft Alison E. , Radford Sheena E. , Kapur Nikil , Brockwell David J.
Published: April 2017

Significance

Proteins are inherently sensitive to environmental factors that include hydrodynamic flow. Flow-induced protein remodeling is used in vivo and can also trigger the aggregation of therapeutic proteins during manufacture. Currently, the relative importance of shear and extensional hydrodynamic flow fields to aggregation remains unclear. Here we develop a flow device that subjects proteins to a defined and quantified flow field that is dominated by extensional flow. We show that extensional flow is crucial to induce the aggregation of globular proteins and that flow-induced aggregation is dependent on both protein structure and sequence. These observations rationalize the diverse effects of hydrodynamic flow on protein structure and aggregation propensity seen in both Nature and in protein manufacture.
Development of tense/aspect in Semitic in the context of Afro-Asiatic languages
Authors: Bubenik Vit
Published: April 2017

The author applies the comparative method for the reconstruction of earlier aspectual systems in the Afro-Asiatic phylum of languages. Moving ‘upstream’ from the documented systems of Semitic, Berber and Old Cushitic the state of affairs during the common stage of Proto-Semito-Berbero-Cushitic is reconstructed. With the addition of Egyptian and Chadic data important conclusions regarding the elusive Proto-Afro-Asiatic are reached. Moving ‘downstream’ the trajectory of individual aspectual systems through their later stages is analyzed. A central piece of the monograph is the reconstruction of intermediate stages reflecting the long-term developments of aspectual and temporal categories of individual languages from the Old towards their Middle periods. The continuity and innovation in the aspectual systems towards the contemporary state of affairs in analytic (serial) constructions of Modern Aramaic and Arabic vernacular languages is explicated. The author demonstrates that it is imperative to work in a larger typological framework and that in the field of Afro-Asiatic linguistics valuable insights can be gained from the study of parallel phenomena in Indo-European languages. At the same time, Indo-Europeanists will profit from the study of typologically earlier aspect-prominent systems of Afro-Asiatic languages. The monograph offers important contributions to our understanding of universals and to the typology and diachrony of tense and aspect.
Names, Grades, and Metamorphosis: A Small-Scale Socio-onomastic Investigation into the Effects of Ethnicity and Gender-Marked Personal Names on the Pedagogical Assessments of a Grade School Essay
Authors: Nick I. M.
Published: April 2017

In this small-scale, mixed-method investigation, the potential presence of school teacher and teacher trainees’ name-based biases in reaction to schoolchildren’s first names was investigated in two experiments. In the first, German school teachers were asked to qualitatively and quantitatively assess an authentic literary essay written by a monolingual native-speaking German schoolchild. To test for possible name biases, three nearly identical versions of the essay were prepared. The only difference between them was the first names of the child listed as having authored the essay (Uwe, Achilleas, and Mustafa). In the second experiment, the set of personal names was expanded to include female first names (i.e. Heike, Athena, and Fatma) and the study participants were volunteer teacher trainees. In both experiments, evidence for covert name biases was identified. On the basis of these and other findings, the article concludes with concrete suggestions for future research. Chief among these recommendations is a call for more collaborative action research between university faculty and students.
Short-Term Passive Integrated Transponder Tag Retention in Wild Populations of Bluehead and Flannelmouth Suckers
Authors: Hooley-Underwood Zachary E. , Stevens Summer B. , Thompson Kevin G.
Published: April 2017

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, commonly used to individually identify fish, are assumed to not hinder survival or alter the behavior of the fish and to be retained throughout the duration of the study. While these assumptions have been verified for many species, other species have exhibited poor retention or survival, or altered behavior. In this study, we evaluated short-term PIT tag retention and recapturability of PIT-tagged fish in wild populations of migrating and spawning Bluehead Sucker Catostomus discobolus and Flannelmouth Sucker C. latipinnis. We trapped fish as they entered a spawning tributary of the Gunnison River near Delta, Colorado, USA. We abdominally injected 12.5 × 2.1 mm PIT tags and externally marked 2,645 fish; another 2,660 fish were given an alternative external mark but were not PIT-tagged. When we recaptured fish as they exited the tributary, we found a PIT tag retention rate >99% and recaptured a greater proportion of PIT-tagged fish than of control fish for both species. We did not identify any tag loss in females, suggesting that tags were not expelled with eggs while spawning. Abdominally injected PIT tags are an effective way of marking these species.

Received November 22, 2016; accepted February 26, 2017 Published online April 18, 2017
Ultrasonic-assisted fluxless reactive bonding of Mg/Al dissimilar alloy using Zn–Al solder in air
Authors: Lai Zhiwei , Pan Chuan , Du Huiqiao , Chen Xiaoguang , Xie Ruishan , Liu Lei , Long Weimin , Zou Guisheng
Published: April 2017

An ultrasonic-assisted reactive brazing method, without flux and conducted in air, was developed to braze Mg/Al dissimilar alloys. By using pre-coated Zn–Al solders on the Al sheet and a short-time ultrasonic (3 s) assistance, the Mg/Al dissimilar sheets were successfully brazed at a low temperature (340°C). The effect of Al content of the solder on the shear strength was investigated based on the analysis of the microstructure and the fracture behaviour of the brazed joint. The results indicated that the microstructure and the shear strength of the ultrasonic-assisted brazed joint were significantly affected by Al content in Zn–Al solders. Increasing Al content in Zn–Al solder prevented the joint from forming the continuous brittle MgZn2 layer. The maximum shear strength of 110.5 MPa was obtained when Zn–15Al solder was used, because the joint possessed the optimum microstructure of the soft (Al, Zn) eutectoid matrix with the MgZn2 dispersed particles.
On the obsolescence of human beings in sustainable development
Authors: Ehgartner Ulrike , Gould Patrick , Hudson Marc
Published: April 2017

In 1956, the Jewish-German philosopher Günther Anders developed a philosophical anthropology on the technological and moral challenges of his time. Anders suggested the societal changes that arose with the industrial age opened a gap between the capability of individuals to produce machines and their ability to imagine and deal with the consequences caused by this capability. He argues that a ‘Promethean gap’ manifests in academic and scientific thinking and leads to an extensive trivialization of societal issues. In the face of climate change, Anders’ philosophical anthropology contributes substantially to our attempts to fight climate change with innovation. Anders’ description of ‘apocalyptic blindness’ helps us to explain why we cannot help pairing our belief in historical progress and growth with our ideas on social and environmental justice. With that said, this paper contributes to the debate on humanity ‘after sustainability’ by calling to mind Anders’ historical theory on the outdatedness of humankind and his thoughts on our lack of imagination.
Increasing the power of meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to detect heterogeneous effects
Authors: Lee C H , Eskin E , Han B
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Meta-analysis is essential to combine the results of genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Recent large-scale meta-analyses have combined studies of different ethnicities, environments and even studies of different related phenotypes. These differences between studies can manifest as effect size heterogeneity. We previously developed a modified random effects model (RE2) that can achieve higher power to detect heterogeneous effects than the commonly used fixed effects model (FE). However, RE2 cannot perform meta-analysis of correlated statistics, which are found in recent research designs, and the identified variants often overlap with those found by FE.

Results

Here, we propose RE2C, which increases the power of RE2 in two ways. First, we generalized the likelihood model to account for correlations of statistics to achieve optimal power, using an optimization technique based on spectral decomposition for efficient parameter estimation. Second, we designed a novel statistic to focus on the heterogeneous effects that FE cannot detect, thereby, increasing the power to identify new associations. We developed an efficient and accurate p-value approximation procedure using analytical decomposition of the statistic. In simulations, RE2C achieved a dramatic increase in power compared with the decoupling approach (71% vs. 21%) when the statistics were correlated. Even when the statistics are uncorrelated, RE2C achieves a modest increase in power. Applications to real genetic data supported the utility of RE2C. RE2C is highly efficient and can meta-analyze one hundred GWASs in one day.

Availability and implementation

The software is freely available at http://software.buhmhan.com/RE2C.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Image-based spatiotemporal causality inference for protein signaling networks
Authors: Ruan Xiongtao , Wülfing Christoph , Murphy Robert F
Published: April 2017

Motivation

Efforts to model how signaling and regulatory networks work in cells have largely either not considered spatial organization or have used compartmental models with minimal spatial resolution. Fluorescence microscopy provides the ability to monitor the spatiotemporal distribution of many molecules during signaling events, but as of yet no methods have been described for large scale image analysis to learn a complex protein regulatory network. Here we present and evaluate methods for identifying how changes in concentration in one cell region influence concentration of other proteins in other regions.

Results

Using 3D confocal microscope movies of GFP-tagged T cells undergoing costimulation, we learned models containing putative causal relationships among 12 proteins involved in T cell signaling. The models included both relationships consistent with current knowledge and novel predictions deserving further exploration. Further, when these models were applied to the initial frames of movies of T cells that had been only partially stimulated, they predicted the localization of proteins at later times with statistically significant accuracy. The methods, consisting of spatiotemporal alignment, automated region identification, and causal inference, are anticipated to be applicable to a number of biological systems.

Availability and implementation

The source code and data are available as a Reproducible Research Archive at http://murphylab.cbd.cmu.edu/software/2017_TcellCausalModels/
Daily remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: insights from the pooled patient-level data from three randomized controlled trials (IN-TIME, ECOST, TRUST)
Authors: Hindricks Gerhard , Varma Niraj , Kacet Salem , Lewalter Thorsten , Søgaard Peter , Guédon-Moreau Laurence , Proff Jochen , Gerds Thomas A , Anker Stefan D , Torp-Pedersen Christian
Published: April 2017

Aims

Remote monitoring of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators may improve clinical outcome. A recent meta-analysis of three randomized controlled trials (TRUST, ECOST, IN-TIME) using a specific remote monitoring system with daily transmissions [Biotronik Home Monitoring (HM)] demonstrated improved survival. We performed a patient-level analysis to verify this result with appropriate time-to-event statistics and to investigate further clinical endpoints.

Methods and results

Individual data of the TRUST, ECOST, and IN-TIME patients were pooled to calculate absolute risks of endpoints at 1-year follow-up for HM vs. conventional follow-up. All-cause mortality analysis involved all three trials (2405 patients). Other endpoints involved two trials, ECOST and IN-TIME (1078 patients), in which an independent blinded endpoint committee adjudicated the underlying causes of hospitalizations and deaths. The absolute risk of death at 1 year was reduced by 1.9% in the HM group (95% CI: 0.1–3.8%; P = 0.037), equivalent to a risk ratio of 0.62. Also the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality or hospitalization for worsening heart failure (WHF) was significantly reduced (by 5.6%; P = 0.007; risk ratio 0.64). The composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization tended to be reduced by a similar degree (4.1%; P = 0.13; risk ratio 0.85) but without statistical significance.

Conclusion

In a pooled analysis of the three trials, HM reduced all-cause mortality and the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or WHF hospitalization. The similar magnitudes of absolute risk reductions for WHF and CV endpoints suggest that the benefit of HM is driven by the prevention of heart failure exacerbation.
Clinical use of ring with support pessary for advanced pelvic organ prolapse and predictors of its short-term successful use
Authors: Deng Mou , Ding Jing , Ai Fangfang , Zhu Lan
Published: April 2017

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the success rate, patient satisfaction and adverse events with the use of the ring with support pessary in patients with advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and to identify the factors associated with successful pessary use.

Methods:

In this prospective study, 151 patients with symptomatic advanced POP (POP quantification stage III/IV) came to the Centre of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, for POP treatment between May 2015 and December 2015. In all, 97 patients who chose the ring with support pessaries were included in this study. Successful pessary use was defined as the continuous use of the pessary at a 3-month follow-up visit. Independent-samples t tests, nonparametric tests, chi-square tests, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were used for data analysis.

Results:

In all, 82 patients continued to use the ring with support pessary for 3 months, whereas 15 patients discontinued, corresponding to a success rate of 84.5% (82/97). Most patients (80/82, 97.6%) who achieved success using the ring with support pessary felt satisfied. No severe complications were observed. Size 3 was the most commonly used size in our center (59.8% of the study patients). Predominant anterior wall prolapse was associated with the successful use of ring with support pessary (odds ratio 5.08, 95% confidence interval 1.33-19.43, P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

The ring with support pessary was successfully used for the treatment of advanced POP with high rates of success and satisfaction. A predominant prolapse in the anterior wall may be a potential influence factor for successful pessary use.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FEATURES OF TORPEDO MACULOPATHY
Authors: Giannakaki-Zimmermann Helena , Munk Marion R. , Dysli Chantal , Ebneter Andreas , Wolf Sebastian , Zinkernagel Martin S.
Published: April 2017

Background/Purpose:

To investigate the retinal and choroidal vasculature in patients with torpedo maculopathy with optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A).

Methods:

Retrospective case series of four patients who were examined at the department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Bern. Main Outcome was the lesion size over time in OCT-A and fundus autofluorescence.

Results:

Three patients had Type I and 1 patient had Type II torpedo maculopathy. Torpedo maculopathy lesion size remained stable in all patients over a mean period of observation of three years in OCT-A and fundus autofluorescence. The choriocapillaris network was attenuated focally within the lesion in OCT-A in all four cases. The lesion size in fundus autofluorescence was 2.77 mm2 and therefore comparable with the lesion size in OCT-A of 2.75 mm2.

Conclusion:

OCT-A signal of the choriocapillaris was reduced within the cleft in both types of torpedo maculopathy. Whether the changes represent the primary site of malformation or whether these findings are the consequence of a defect in the retinal pigment epithelium remains speculative.
Randomized Double-blind Trial of Ringer Lactate Versus Normal Saline in Pediatric Acute Severe Diarrheal Dehydration
Authors: Kartha Gayathri Bhuvaneswaran , Rameshkumar Ramachandran , Mahadevan Subramanian
Published: April 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Ringer lactate (RL) versus normal saline (NS) in the correction of pediatric acute severe diarrheal dehydration, as measured by improvement in clinical status and pH (≥7.35).

Methods:

A total of 68 children ages 1 month to 12 years with acute severe diarrheal dehydration (World Health Organization [WHO] classification) were randomized into RL (n = 34) and NS groups (n = 34) and received 100 mL/kg of the assigned intravenous fluid according to WHO PLAN-C for the management of diarrheal dehydration. The primary outcome was an improvement in clinical status and pH (≥7.35) at the end of 6 hours. Secondary outcomes were changes in serum electrolytes, renal and blood gas parameters, the volume of fluid required for dehydration correction excluding the first cycle, time to start oral feeding, hospital stay, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Results:

Primary outcome was achieved in 38% versus 23% (relative risk = 1.63, 95% confidence interval 0.80–3.40) in RL and NS groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in secondary outcomes in electrolytes, renal, and blood gas parameters. None required second cycle of dehydration correction. Median (interquartile range) time to start oral feeding (1.0 [0.19–2.0] vs 1.5 [0.5–2.0] hours) and hospital stay (2.0 [1.0–2.0] vs 2.0 [2.0–2.0] days) was similar. The median total cost was higher in RL than NS group (

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120–

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82], P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion:

In pediatric acute severe diarrheal dehydration, resuscitation with RL and NS was associated with similar clinical improvement and biochemical resolution. Hence, NS is to be considered as the fluid of choice because of the clinical improvement, cost, and availability.