bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Free the Spirit? Motivation and Engagement of Indigenous Students
Authors: Munns Geoff , Martin Andrew , Craven Rhonda
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This article directly responds to issues impacting on
the social and academic outcomes of Indigenous students
that were identified in the recent review of Aboriginal
Education conducted by the New South Wales Department of
Education and Training (NSW DET) in partnership with New
South Wales Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSW
AECG). Not surprisingly, a common theme emerging from the
review was the importance of student motivation and
engagement for Indigenous students of all ages. The article
reports on current research into the motivation, engagement
and classroom pedagogies for a sample of senior primary
Indigenous students. What is of particular interest is the
cultural interplay of the lived experiences of these
Indigenous students with schools, teachers and classroom
pedagogies. Important questions arise from an analysis of
this interplay about what might “free the spirit” for these
and other Indigenous students.
Experiences of Codeine Use, Misuse and Dependence: Application of Liese and Franz's Cognitive Developmental Model of Substance Abuse
Authors: Van Hout Marie Claire , Norman Ian , Rich Eileen , Bergin Michael
Published: February 2017

Background: Misuse of codeine-containing medicines is an emerging public health issue.Aims: We present the application of Liese and Franz's (1996) cognitive developmental model of substance abuse to the trajectory from legitimate codeine use for pain, towards that of therapeutic and other forms of misuse, and physical and psychological dependence. It illustrates a cognitive behavioural analysis of the experiences of codeine misusers – which ‘surfaces’ the specific beliefs, thoughts, emotions and behaviours of this group of hidden codeine dependent individuals, who are distinct and unique from other opioid-dependent cohorts.Method: In-depth one-to-one interviews with codeine misusers and dependent individuals in Ireland (n= 21) and South Africa (n= 25) are analysed and applied to Liese and Franz's (1996) cognitive developmental model of substance abuse.Results: Misuse and dependence pathways are maintained by the interplay between physiological determinants relating to pain, withdrawal and tolerance, and psychological influences such as therapeutic need, pre-empting of anticipated physical pain, pleasure from the dreamy sedative opiate effect of codeine and relief of emotional distress. Progression towards habitual use and misuse for therapeutic and intoxication purposes appears to be mediated by external environmental triggers pertaining to availability, internal meta-cognitions around physical pain and emotional distress, and increasing importance of codeine in the life of the user.Conclusion: The concept mapping of codeine misuse and dependence presented here could provide psychological therapists working with individuals experiencing problems with codeine, misusing codeine and those with iatrogenic dependence, with an enhanced understanding of the key concepts involved in misuse and recovery pathways.
The Figures of Kōho and Li-mi-i, and the Origins of the Case for a Christian Missionary Presence in Tenpyō Era Japan
Authors: MORRIS JAMES HARRY
Published: February 2017

In 1916 P.Y. Saeki devoted a page of his book “The Nestorian Monument in China,” to a short thought experiment which linked a Persian by the name of Li-mi-i 李密翳 who was present in Emperor Shōmu's 聖武天皇 court and whose arrival was mentioned in the Shoku Nihongi 続日本紀 with a priest named on the Nestorian Stele. Since that first suggestion, several scholars have expounded the idea that Li-mi-i and another figure who arrived alongside him, Kōho Tōchō 皇甫東朝, were Christians and/or missionaries. In this paper I assess these claims, returning to the Shoku Nihongi in order to suggest that there is a lack of data to establish them as true. I then seek to explore the origins of this theory situating it within the joint context of Japan's imperial expansion and her modernization. Whilst the latter cannot be conclusive, I hope that it may shed light on the significance of the theory which can be seen as a search to discover Japanese history, a statement of the equality between Japanese and Western histories, or an attempt to justify imperial aims in China academically.
Analysis and design of a high-gain 100–180-GHz differential power amplifier in 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS
Authors: Ahmed Faisal , Furqan Muhammad , Aufinger Klaus , Stelzer Andreas
Published: February 2017

This paper presents the design and measurement results of a high-gain D-band broadband power amplifier (PA) implemented in a 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The topology of the PA is based on four differential cascode stages with interstage matching networks. A detailed analysis of the frequency behavior of the transimpedance-gain of the common-base stage of the cascode is presented by means of small-signal equivalent circuits, when the proposed four-reactance wideband matching network is used for output matching to the subsequent stage. The effect of the size of the active devices, in achieving a desired gain, bandwidth, and output power, is investigated. The fabricated D-band amplifier is characterized on-wafer demonstrating a peak differential gain and output power of about 25 dB and 11 dBm, respectively, while utilizing a DC power of 262 mW from a 2.7 V supply. The 3-dB small-signal bandwidth of the PA spans from 100 to 180 GHz (limited by the measurement setup), making it the first SiGe-based PA to cover the entire D-band frequency range. The PA achieves a state-of-the-art differential gain-bandwidth product of around 1.4 THz and the highest GBW/PDCratio of 5.2 GHz/mW among all D-Band Si-based PAs.
Compact tri-band bandpass filter using asymmetric stub-loaded stepped-impedance resonator with multiple transmission zeros
Authors: Liu Hai-Wen , Liu Fan , Ren Bao-Ping , Yao Ai-Ping , Xiao Xiang , Yang Yun-Xiu , Guan Xue-Hui
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a tri-band bandpass filter (BPF) using asymmetric stub-loaded stepped-impedance resonator (SL-SIR) is presented. The asymmetric characteristic of SL-SIR broadens degrees of freedom for three controllable modes design. Also, the coupling coefficients (Mij) and the external quality factors (Qei) at each passband of the filter can be independently adjusted by the proposed mixed-type feedline structure. Besides, multi-transmission zeros are produced to improve the isolation and selectivity of the passbands. Finally, a tri-band BPF is operated at 1.9 GHz (time division long term evolution – TD-LTE band), 3.2 GHz (worldwide interoperability for microwave access – WiMAX band), and 5.8 GHz (wireless local area networks – WLAN band) and their insertion loss are 1.03, 0.94, and 1.27 dB, respectively. The measured results of the fabricated tri-band BPF exhibit good agreement with simulated results.
Miniaturized dual-band filter with return loss bandwidth and transmission zero control
Authors: Lu Di , Barker N. Scott , Tang Xiao-Hong
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a compact dual-band bandpass filter (DB-BPF) using new dual-mode resonator-loaded resonators (DM-RLRs) is presented and investigated to simultaneously achieve controllable return loss (RL), bandwidth (BW) and transmission zeros (TZs), and the simple strategy for this type of filter design is proposed. The DB-BPF consists of two high-flexibility DM-RLRs with separated electric and magnetic coupling (SEMC). Specifically, the proposed DM-RLR provides the DB-BPF with center frequency control as well as RL control, and SEMC is utilized for the BW and TZ control. To facilitate the design, a simple optimization-based design strategy is proposed and employed, resulting in an example layout. Finally, the example filter, with center frequencies of 1.57 GHz (channel 1 for GPS) and 3.5 GHz (channel 2 for WiMAX), is fabricated and measured. The measurement insertion loss and RL are 0.9/0.9 and 17/20 dB. The fabricated DB-BPF also exhibits a compact size of 0.12λg × 0.08λg at 1.57 GHz.
Prognostic significance of social network, social support and loneliness for course of major depressive disorder in adulthood and old age
Authors: van den Brink R. H. S. , Schutter N. , Hanssen D. J. C. , Elzinga B. M. , Rabeling-Keus I. M. , Stek M. L. , Comijs H. C. , Penninx B. W. J. H. , Oude Voshaar R. C.
Published: February 2017

Aims.

Poor recovery from depressive disorder has been shown to be related to low perceived social support and loneliness, but not to social network size or frequency of social interactions. Some studies suggest that the significance of social relationships for depression course may be greater in younger than in older patients, and may differ between men and women. None of the studies examined to what extent the different aspects of social relationships have unique or overlapping predictive values for depression course. It is the aim of the present study to examine the differential predictive values of social network characteristics, social support and loneliness for the course of depressive disorder, and to test whether these predictive associations are modified by gender or age.

Methods.

Two naturalistic cohort studies with the same design and overlapping instruments were combined to obtain a study sample of 1474 patients with a major depressive disorder, of whom 1181 (80.1%) could be studied over a 2-year period. Social relational variables were assessed at baseline. Two aspects of depression course were studied: remission at 2-year follow-up and change in depression severity over the follow-up period. By means of logistic regression and random coefficient analysis, the individual and combined predictive values of the different social relational variables for depression course were studied, controlling for potential confounders and checking for effect modification by age (below 60 v. 60 years or older) and gender.

Results.

Multiple aspects of the social network, social support and loneliness were related to depression course, independent of potential confounders – including depression severity – but when combined, their predictive values were found to overlap to a large extent. Only the social network characteristic of living in a larger household, the social support characteristic of few negative experiences with the support from a partner or close friend, and limited feelings of loneliness proved to have unique predictive value for a favourable course of depression. Little evidence was found for effect modification by gender or age.

Conclusions.

If depressed persons experience difficulties in their social relationships, this may impede their recovery. Special attention for interpersonal problems, social isolation and feelings of loneliness seems warranted in depression treatment and relapse prevention. It will be of great interest to test whether social relational interventions can contribute to better recovery and relapse prevention of depressive disorder.
Employability and Temporary Workers’ Affective Commitment: the Moderating Role of Voluntariness
Authors: Espada Mafalda , Chambel Maria José
Published: February 2017

The development of either internal or external employability of temporary workers has been considered a mechanism of protection since it ensures that employment can be maintained. According to the social exchange theory and the norm of reciprocity, when temporary workers perceive that the training promoted by the organization furthers employability, they are inclined to feel obligated to reciprocate with positive attitudes toward the organization. With a sample of temporary agency workers from three distinct industry organizations (N= 279), the current study investigated the relationship between training that promotes both internal and external employability and affective commitment as well as the role of voluntariness as a moderator of these relationships. The hypotheses were tested by using regression analysis. The results indicated that the perception held by temporary workers that the training they received is a promoter of their internal employability is positively correlated with their affective commitment towards the organization. Furthermore, the data revealed that this relationship is weaker for the group of temporary workers with high voluntariness. On the other hand, there was not a significant relationship between the training that promotes external employability and the affective commitment of temporary workers. Likewise, voluntariness did not moderate this relationship.
Representations and Antinomies: Rural and City Social Objects in a Brazilian Peasant Community
Authors: Bonomo Mariana , de Souza Lídio , Trindade Zeidi Araujo , Menandro Maria Cristina Smith
Published: February 2017

The present work is part of a series of studies that primarily focus on social representations of rural and city objects in the process of constructing a social identity of the countryside. Using social representation theory, this study aimed to investigate the representational field linked to the rural and city objects for the members of a peasant community. A total of 200 members of a Brazilian rural community from four generational groups, of both sexes and aged between 7 and 81 years, participated in this study. We conducted individual interviews with semi-structured scripts. The datacorpora, processed using EVOCsoftware, consisted of free associations of the rural and city inductor terms. In constitutive terms, the results allow for the identification of antinomies between the objects discussed; in functional terms, they indicate that the process of constructing social identity is based on the symbolic field, which acts as a reference system for the preparation of the rural identity shared by the participants.
Retiring from Elite Sports in Greece and Spain
Authors: Dimoula Fani , Torregrosa Miquel , Psychountaki Maria , Fernandez Maria Dolores Gonzalez
Published: February 2017

The main objective of the present study was to compare the athletic retirement of elite Greek and Spanish athletes in terms of (a) pre-conditions of retirement, (b) transitional period, and (c) consequences of the transition. For this purpose, elite athletes from Greece (n= 76) and Spain (n= 57) described in retrospect their experience leaving competitive sports through the Retirement from Sports Survey (Alfermann, Stambulova, & Zemaityte, 2004). Separate one-way ANOVAs and chi-square tests revealed differences and similarities between the transitional processes of athletes from the two countries. More similarities than differences were detected in the retirement of Greek and Spanish athletes. Based on these commonalities, we proposed a Southern European perspective on the topic. According to the present results the main characteristics of this pattern could be the lack of retirement planning, high athletic identity after the sports career, and predominance of relocation in the sports world after retirement.
Unpredictability and Context Conditioning: Does the Nature of the US Matter?
Authors: Meulders Ann , Boddez Yannick , Vansteenwegen Debora , Baeyens Frank
Published: February 2017

Using a conditioned suppression task, we examined the minimal conditions to establish context conditioning as induced by unpredictability of an unconditioned stimulus (US). We investigated whether a biologically significant US is necessary to produce such context conditioning effects. In this between-subjects experiment, we manipulated the nature of the US and US-unpredictability. In the Paired condition, the conditioned stimulus (CS) was always followed by the US, whereas in the Unpaired condition, the CS and the US were presented explicitly unpaired, that is, the CS was never followed by the US. Half of the participants received an aversive, biologically significant human scream, and the other half received a more neutral, biologically non-significant sound as US. Results show more contextual suppression in the Unpaired condition than in the Paired condition. We conclude that in an expectancy-based conditioning task, US-unpredictability, but not a biologically potent US, is crucial to establish context conditioning.
Perceptions of the Self and most People’s Reactions towards Innocent and Noninnocent Victims
Authors: Alves Hélder , Correia Isabel
Published: February 2017

Research has shown that: individuals positively distinguish themselves from most other people; being consistent is positively valued; injunctive and descriptive norms are perceived to protect victims. Joining these findings, we argue that individuals present themselves as following injunctive and descriptive norms towards victims to a higher extent and more consistently than most people. In an experimental study 273 university students of both sexes indicated what they and most other people would approve of (injunctive norm) or typically do (descriptive norm) regarding various reactions towards either an innocent or a noninnocent victim. The reactions involved secondary victimization (devaluation/derogation, avoidance, suffering minimization, blaming the victim) and non secondary victimization (valuation, contact, suffering acknowledgment, not blaming the victim). Participants perceived themselves and most people as approving of more non secondary than secondary victimization reactions, except for blaming the noninnocent victim. Participants indicated they approved of most of the normative reactions to a higher extent than most people, which is interpreted as a new instance of the Primus Inter Pares effect. Participants also indicated they would show more consistency between their injunctive and descriptive norms, especially towards the innocent victim. Results suggest that individuals perceive themselves as more immune to perverse norms than most people.
Latin American Students and Language Learning in Catalonia: What does the Linguistic Interdependence Hypothesis show us?
Authors: Huguet Ángel
Published: February 2017

The massive arrival in Spain of students of immigrant origin has visibly altered the traditional configuration of schools, where ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity is becoming increasingly manifest. This situation is worth being mentioned insofar as it affects all the different autonomous communities in the country, even more clearly Catalonia, where the educational system is organized under the parameters of bilingual education. One of the theoretical constructs supporting this educational model is the Linguistic Interdependence Hypothesis, developed by Jim Cummins at the beginning of the 1980s. According to the author, whenever the instruction in a given language (Lx) takes place under certain conditions, competence acquired in this language can be transferred onto another (Ly). Bearing this theoretical construct in mind, our study focuses on a sample of 237 Spanish-speaking subjects (123 native and 114 immigrant students) who completed a series of parallel tests evaluating their skills in Catalan and Spanish. Drawing on the data analyzed we can conclude that the Hypothesis accounts for the results in both native and immigrant students with the same L1.
Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes in Iranian Subjects: No Association with Observed SNPs
Authors: Shab-Bidar Sakineh , Neyestani Tirang R. , Djazayery Abolghassem
Published: February 2017

Abstract.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the associations between metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes and the presence of single nucleotide polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene in Iranian subjects with type 2 diabetes. Subjects and methods: Overall, 730 Iranian subjects (372 patients and 358 controls) were enrolled in this case-control study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene (FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) were genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The statistical difference in genotype distribution among the groups was assessed by χ2 test. Logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios for the association of the genotype frequencies in different groups with the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Results: The most common genotypes for BsmI, ApaI, TaqI, and FokI were Bb, Aa, TT, and FF, respectively. Adjusted χ2 test revealed that there was no difference between the groups in the genotypes frequencies of 4 vitamin D receptor polymorphisms in type 2 diabetes subjects. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes subjects with Tt genotype presented a signifi cantly higher fasting blood glucose than those with TT and tt genotypes in TaqI polymorphisms (p = 0.009). Logistic regression showed no association between metabolic syndrome risk and vitamin D receptor genotypes. Conclusion: We found no evidence for the association between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and the risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome in Iranian subjects. Further examinations using genome-wide association in large prospective cohort studies are warranted.
Bioactivity of Carotenoids - Chasms of Knowledge
Authors: Bohn Torsten
Published: February 2017

Abstract.Carotenoid dietary intake, especially within fruits/vegetables and their plasma levels have been associated in many epidemiological studies with a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, several types of cancer, and agerelated macular degeneration. However, intervention trials with isolated carotenoids (as supplements) have fallen short of fulfi lling the hopes that were placed in these lipophilic pigments, often producing no positive or even adverse effects, such as increased lung cancer rate or total mortality. More recent studies have suggested that certain metabolites, and not necessarily the native compounds may be (the most) biologically active ones, such as certain apocarotenals (originating following enzymatic cleavage) and other more polar compounds, acting as more suitable electrophiles to react with transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-KB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). In addition, it appears that questions of dosing are likewise crucial, as may be interactions of non-provitamin A carotenoids and their derivatives with retinoic acid receptors (RAR) or retinoid X receptors (RXR). Furthermore, our picture on carotenoid metabolism may be incomplete, as our knowledge on e. g. the interaction with the microbiota is virtually nil. In this position article, it is aimed to highlight some of the discrepancies that appear to trouble carotenoid-related research, and point out some of the existing gaps in our knowledge.
Fingerprinting the Source of Fore-Arc Fluids
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: February 2017

A new model tracks boron and other tracers in fluids expelled from subducting slabs to help identify the fluids' source regions and migration routes.
Pharmacoeconomic analysis of antibiotic therapy in maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Orzechowska-Wylęgała Bogusława , Wylęgała Adam , Buliński Michał , Niedzielska Iwona , Madej Andrzej
Published: February 2017

Objectives/Aims:

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial cultures collected in the years 2013–2014 at the craniomaxillofacial department and outpatient clinic to analyse optimisation of the treatment cost of the bacterial infections and present the results.

Design and setting:

We analysed 485 cultures from 263 patients, of which 77.28% consisted of Gram-positive bacteria. On the basis of the antibiotic efficacy, antibiotic price and the cost of entire treatment during hospitalisation, the most useful antimicrobial agents for the most common pathogens were selected.

Results:

The most frequently collected material was pus. The most common pathogens were found to be theStaphylococcus epidermidis(18%),Streptococcus mitisandStr. oralis(14%) andS. aureus(6.5%).

Discussion:

The most frequently isolated bacteria in other studies were theStreptococcusstrain. Other authors showed that ceftriaxone is the most cost efficient agent. The use of postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis remains controversial.

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that the most useful antibiotics for therapy, from the perspective of the cost minimisation, were gentamycin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin.
MASTL is essential for anaphase entry of proliferating primordial germ cells and establishment of female germ cells in mice
Authors: Risal Sanjiv , Zhang Jingjing , Adhikari Deepak , Liu Xiaoman , Shao Jingchen , Hu Mengwen , Busayavalasa Kiran , Tu Zhaowei , Chen Zijiang , Kaldis Philipp , Liu Kui
Published: February 2017

In mammals, primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic cell population that serve as germ cell precursors in both females and males. During mouse embryonic development, the majority of PGCs are arrested at the G2 phase when they migrate into the hindgut at 7.75–8.75 dpc (days post coitum). It is after 9.5 dpc that the PGCs undergo proliferation with a doubling time of 12.6 h. The molecular mechanisms underlying PGC proliferation are however not well studied. In this work. Here we studied how MASTL (microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like)/Greatwall kinase regulates the rapid proliferation of PGCs. We generated a mouse model where we specifically deleted Mastl in PGCs and found a significant loss of PGCs before the onset of meiosis in female PGCs. We further revealed that the deletion of Mastl in PGCs did not prevent mitotic entry, but led to a failure of the cells to proceed beyond metaphase-like stage, indicating that MASTL-mediated molecular events are indispensable for anaphase entry in PGCs. These mitotic defects further led to the death of Mastl-null PGCs by 12.5 dpc. Moreover, the defect in mitotic progression observed in the Mastl-null PGCs was rescued by simultaneous deletion of Ppp2r1a (α subunit of PP2A). Thus, our results demonstrate that MASTL, PP2A, and therefore regulated phosphatase activity have a fundamental role in establishing female germ cell population in gonads by controlling PGC proliferation during embryogenesis.
Underlying mechanisms for syntrophic metabolism of essential enzyme cofactors in microbial communities
Authors: Romine Margaret F , Rodionov Dmitry A , Maezato Yukari , Osterman Andrei L , Nelson William C
Published: February 2017

Many microorganisms are unable to synthesize essential B vitamin-related enzyme cofactors de novo. The underlying mechanisms by which such microbes survive in multi-species communities are largely unknown. We previously reported the near-complete genome sequence of two ~18-member unicyanobacterial microbial consortia that maintain stable membership on defined medium lacking vitamins. Here we have used genome analysis and growth studies on isolates derived from the consortia to reconstruct pathways for biogenesis of eight essential cofactors and predict cofactor usage and precursor exchange in these communities. Our analyses revealed that all but the two Halomonas and cyanobacterial community members were auxotrophic for at least one cofactor. We also observed a mosaic distribution of salvage routes for a variety of cofactor precursors, including those produced by photolysis. Potentially bidirectional transporters were observed to be preferentially in prototrophs, suggesting a mechanism for controlled precursor release. Furthermore, we found that Halomonas sp. do not require cobalamin nor control its synthesis, supporting the hypothesis that they overproduce and export vitamins. Collectively, these observations suggest that the consortia rely on syntrophic metabolism of cofactors as a survival strategy for optimization of metabolic exchange within a shared pool of micronutrients.
Bacterial community dynamics are linked to patterns of coral heat tolerance
Authors: Ziegler Maren , Seneca Francois O. , Yum Lauren K. , Palumbi Stephen R. , Voolstra Christian R.
Published: February 2017

Ocean warming threatens corals and the coral reef ecosystem. Nevertheless, corals can be adapted to their thermal environment and inherit heat tolerance across generations. In addition, the diverse microbes that associate with corals have the capacity for more rapid change, potentially aiding the adaptation of long-lived corals. Here, we show that the microbiome of reef corals is different across thermally variable habitats and changes over time when corals are reciprocally transplanted. Exposing these corals to thermal bleaching conditions changes the microbiome for heat-sensitive corals, but not for heat-tolerant corals growing in habitats with natural high heat extremes. Importantly, particular bacterial taxa predict the coral host response in a short-term heat stress experiment. Such associations could result from parallel responses of the coral and the microbial community to living at high natural temperatures. A competing hypothesis is that the microbial community and coral heat tolerance are causally linked.
Conformational changes in intact dengue virus reveal serotype-specific expansion
Authors: Lim Xin-Xiang , Chandramohan Arun , Lim Xin Ying Elisa , Bag Nirmalya , Sharma Kamal Kant , Wirawan Melissa , Wohland Thorsten , Lok Shee-Mei , Anand Ganesh S.
Published: February 2017

Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) alone undergoes structural expansion at 37 °C (associated with host entry), despite high sequence and structural homology among the four known serotypes. The basis for this differential expansion across strains and serotypes is unknown and necessitates mapping of the dynamics of dengue whole viral particles to describe their coordinated motions and conformational changes when exposed to host-like environments. Here we capture the dynamics of intact viral particles of two serotypes, DENV1 and DENV2, by amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDXMS) and time resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer. Our results show temperature-dependent dynamics hotspots on DENV2 and DENV1 particles with DENV1 showing expansion at 40 °C but not at 37 °C. HDXMS measurement of virion dynamics in solution offers a powerful approach to identify potential epitopes, map virus-antibody complex structure and dynamics, and test effects of multiple host-specific perturbations on viruses and virus-antibody complexes.
Topical tacrolimus for the treatment of secondary lymphedema
Authors: Gardenier Jason C. , Kataru Raghu P. , Hespe Geoffrey E. , Savetsky Ira L. , Torrisi Jeremy S. , Nores Gabriela D. García , Jowhar Dawit K. , Nitti Matthew D. , Schofield Ryan C. , Carlow Dean C. , Mehrara Babak J.
Published: February 2017

Secondary lymphedema, a life-long complication of cancer treatment, currently has no cure. Lymphedema patients have decreased quality of life and recurrent infections with treatments limited to palliative measures. Accumulating evidence indicates that T cells play a key role in the pathology of lymphedema by promoting tissue fibrosis and inhibiting lymphangiogenesis. Here using mouse models, we show that topical therapy with tacrolimus, an anti-T-cell immunosuppressive drug, is highly effective in preventing lymphedema development and treating established lymphedema. This intervention markedly decreases swelling, T-cell infiltration and tissue fibrosis while significantly increasing formation of lymphatic collaterals with minimal systemic absorption. Animals treated with tacrolimus have markedly improved lymphatic function with increased collecting vessel contraction frequency and decreased dermal backflow. These results have profound implications for lymphedema treatment as topical tacrolimus is FDA-approved for other chronic skin conditions and has an established record of safety and tolerability.
Adaptation of a difficult-to-manage asthma programme for implementation in the Dutch context: a modified e-Delphi
Authors: Honkoop Persijn J , Pinnock Hilary , Kievits-Smeets Regien M M , Sterk Peter J , Dekhuijzen P N Richard , in ’t Veen Johannes C C M
Published: February 2017

Patients with difficult-to-manage asthma represent a heterogeneous subgroup of asthma patients who require extensive assessment and tailored management. The International Primary Care Respiratory Group approach emphasises the importance of differentiating patients with asthma that is difficult to manage from those with severe disease. Local adaptation of this approach, however, is required to ensure an appropriate strategy for implementation in the Dutch context. We used a modified three-round e-Delphi approach to assess the opinion of all relevant stakeholders (general practitioners, pulmonologists, practice nurses, pulmonary nurses and people with asthma). In the first round, the participants were asked to provide potentially relevant items for a difficult-to-manage asthma programme, which resulted in 67 items. In the second round, we asked participants to rate the relevance of specific items on a seven-point Likert scale, and 46 items were selected as relevant. In the third round, the selected items were categorised and items were ranked within the categories according to relevance. Finally, we created the alphabet acronym for the categories ‘the A–I of difficult-to-manage asthma’ to resonate with an established Dutch ‘A–E acronym for determining asthma control’. This should facilitate implementation of this programme within the existing structure of educational material on asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care, with potential for improving management of difficult-to-manage asthma. Other countries could use a similar approach to create a locally adapted version of such a programme.
Strain Gated Bilayer Molybdenum Disulfide Field Effect Transistor with Edge Contacts
Authors: Chai Yu , Su Shanshan , Yan Dong , Ozkan Mihrimah , Lake Roger , Ozkan Cengiz S.
Published: February 2017

Silicon nitride stress capping layer is an industry proven technique for increasing electron mobility and drive currents in n-channel silicon MOSFETs. Herein, the strain induced by silicon nitride is firstly characterized through the changes in photoluminescence and Raman spectra of a bare bilayer MoS2 (Molybdenum disulfide). To make an analogy of the strain-gated silicon MOSFET, strain is exerted to a bilayer MoS2 field effect transistor (FET) through deposition of a silicon nitride stress liner that warps both the gate and the source-drain area. Helium plasma etched MoS2 layers for edge contacts. Current on/off ratio and other performance metrics are measured and compared as the FETs evolve from back-gated, to top-gated and finally, to strain-gated configurations. While the indirect band gap of bilayer MoS2 at 0% strain is 1.25 eV, the band gap decreases as the tensile strain increases on an average of ~100 meV per 1% tensile strain, and the decrease in band gap is mainly due to lowering the conduction band at K point. Comparing top- and strain-gated structures, we find a 58% increase in electron mobility and 46% increase in on-current magnitude, signalling a benign effect of tensile strain on the carrier transport properties of MoS2.
Locating Temporal Functional Dynamics of Visual Short-Term Memory Binding using Graph Modular Dirichlet Energy
Authors: Smith Keith , Ricaud Benjamin , Shahid Nauman , Rhodes Stephen , Starr John M. , Ibáñez Augustin , Parra Mario A. , Escudero Javier , Vandergheynst Pierre
Published: February 2017

Visual short-term memory binding tasks are a promising early marker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To uncover functional deficits of AD in these tasks it is meaningful to first study unimpaired brain function. Electroencephalogram recordings were obtained from encoding and maintenance periods of tasks performed by healthy young volunteers. We probe the task’s transient physiological underpinnings by contrasting shape only (Shape) and shape-colour binding (Bind) conditions, displayed in the left and right sides of the screen, separately. Particularly, we introduce and implement a novel technique named Modular Dirichlet Energy (MDE) which allows robust and flexible analysis of the functional network with unprecedented temporal precision. We find that connectivity in the Bind condition is less integrated with the global network than in the Shape condition in occipital and frontal modules during the encoding period of the right screen condition. Using MDE we are able to discern driving effects in the occipital module between 100–140 ms, coinciding with the P100 visually evoked potential, followed by a driving effect in the frontal module between 140–180 ms, suggesting that the differences found constitute an information processing difference between these modules. This provides temporally precise information over a heterogeneous population in promising tasks for the detection of AD.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Astragali radix: could it be an adjuvant for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy?
Authors: Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo , Pacini Alessandra , Micheli Laura , Femia Angelo Pietro , Maresca Mario , Zanardelli Matteo , Vannacci Alfredo , Gallo Eugenia , Bilia Anna Rita , Caderni Giovanna , Firenzuoli Fabio , Mugelli Alessandro , Ghelardini Carla
Published: February 2017

Neurotoxicity is a major side effect of platinum derivatives both during and after treatment. In the absence of effective pharmacological compounds, the opportunity to identify safe adjuvant treatments among medicinal plants seems appropriate. Astragali radix is an adaptogenic herbal product recently analyzed in platinum-treated cancer patients. With the aim of evaluating the anti-neuropathic profile of Astragali radix, a previously characterized aqueous (Aqu) and two hydroalcoholic (20%HA and 50%HA) extracts were tested in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Repeated administrations significantly reduced oxaliplatin-dependent hypersensitivity with 50%HA, the most effective, fully preventing mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Ex vivo, 50%HA reduced morphometric and molecular alterations induced by oxaliplatin in peripheral nerve and dorsal-root-ganglia. In the spinal cord and in brain areas, 50%HA significantly decreased activation of microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, 50%HA prevented the nephro- and hepato-toxicity induced by the anticancer drug. The protective effect of 50%HA did not alter oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis in colon tumors of Pirc rats, an Apc-driven model of colon carcinogenesis. The hydroalcoholic extract (50%HA) of Astragali radix relieves pain and promotes the rescue mechanisms that protect nervous tissue from the damages triggering chronic pain. A safe profile strongly suggests the usefulness of this natural product in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.
Stability, structural and functional properties of a monomeric, calcium–loaded adenylate cyclase toxin, CyaA, from Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Cannella Sara E. , Ntsogo Enguéné Véronique Yvette , Davi Marilyne , Malosse Christian , Sotomayor Pérez Ana Cristina , Chamot-Rooke Julia , Vachette Patrice , Durand Dominique , Ladant Daniel , Chenal Alexandre
Published: February 2017

Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, secretes an adenylate cyclase toxin, CyaA, which invades eukaryotic cells and alters their physiology by cAMP overproduction. Calcium is an essential cofactor of CyaA, as it is the case for most members of the Repeat-in-ToXins (RTX) family. We show that the calcium-bound, monomeric form of CyaA, hCyaAm, conserves its permeabilization and haemolytic activities, even in a fully calcium-free environment. In contrast, hCyaAm requires sub-millimolar calcium in solution for cell invasion, indicating that free calcium in solution is involved in the CyaA toxin translocation process. We further report the first in solution structural characterization of hCyaAm, as deduced from SAXS, mass spectrometry and hydrodynamic studies. We show that hCyaAm adopts a compact and stable state that can transiently conserve its conformation even in a fully calcium-free environment. Our results therefore suggest that in hCyaAm, the C-terminal RTX-domain is stabilized in a high-affinity calcium-binding state by the N-terminal domains while, conversely, calcium binding to the C-terminal RTX-domain strongly stabilizes the N-terminal regions. Hence, the different regions of hCyaAm appear tightly connected, leading to stabilization effects between domains. The hysteretic behaviour of CyaA in response to calcium is likely shared by other RTX cytolysins.
Measurement of absolute frequency of continuous-wave terahertz radiation in real time using a free-running, dual-wavelength mode-locked, erbium-doped fibre laser
Authors: Hu Guoqing , Mizuguchi Tatsuya , Zhao Xin , Minamikawa Takeo , Mizuno Takahiko , Yang Yuli , Li Cui , Bai Ming , Zheng Zheng , Yasui Takeshi
Published: February 2017

A single, free-running, dual-wavelength mode-locked, erbium-doped fibre laser was exploited to measure the absolute frequency of continuous-wave terahertz (CW-THz) radiation in real time using dual THz combs of photo-carriers (dual PC-THz combs). Two independent mode-locked laser beams with different wavelengths and different repetition frequencies were generated from this laser and were used to generate dual PC-THz combs having different frequency spacings in photoconductive antennae. Based on the dual PC-THz combs, the absolute frequency of CW-THz radiation was determined with a relative precision of 1.2 × 10−9 and a relative accuracy of 1.4 × 10−9 at a sampling rate of 100 Hz. Real-time determination of the absolute frequency of CW-THz radiation varying over a few tens of GHz was also demonstrated. Use of a single dual-wavelength mode-locked fibre laser, in place of dual mode-locked lasers, greatly reduced the size, complexity, and cost of the measurement system while maintaining the real-time capability and high measurement precision.
Blubber transcriptome response to acute stress axis activation involves transient changes in adipogenesis and lipolysis in a fasting-adapted marine mammal
Authors: Khudyakov J. I. , Champagne C. D. , Meneghetti L. M. , Crocker D. E.
Published: February 2017

Stress can compromise an animal’s ability to conserve metabolic stores and participate in energy-demanding activities that are critical for fitness. Understanding how wild animals, especially those already experiencing physiological extremes (e.g. fasting), regulate stress responses is critical for evaluating the impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on physiology and fitness, key challenges for conservation. However, studies of stress in wildlife are often limited to baseline endocrine measurements and few have investigated stress effects in fasting-adapted species. We examined downstream molecular consequences of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation by exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in blubber of northern elephant seals due to the ease of blubber sampling and its key role in metabolic regulation in marine mammals. We report the first phocid blubber transcriptome produced by RNAseq, containing over 140,000 annotated transcripts, including metabolic and adipocytokine genes of interest. The acute response of blubber to stress axis activation, measured 2 hours after ACTH administration, involved highly specific, transient (lasting <24 hours) induction of gene networks that promote lipolysis and adipogenesis in mammalian adipocytes. Differentially expressed genes included key adipogenesis factors which can be used as blubber-specific markers of acute stress in marine mammals of concern for which sampling of other tissues is not possible.
Acetate fluxes in Escherichia coli are determined by the thermodynamic control of the Pta-AckA pathway
Authors: Enjalbert Brice , Millard Pierre , Dinclaux Mickael , Portais Jean-Charles , Létisse Fabien
Published: February 2017

Escherichia coli excretes acetate upon growth on fermentable sugars, but the regulation of this production remains elusive. Acetate excretion on excess glucose is thought to be an irreversible process. However, dynamic 13C-metabolic flux analysis revealed a strong bidirectional exchange of acetate between E. coli and its environment. The Pta-AckA pathway was found to be central for both flux directions, while alternative routes (Acs or PoxB) play virtually no role in glucose consumption. Kinetic modelling of the Pta-AckA pathway predicted that its flux is thermodynamically controlled by the extracellular acetate concentration in vivo. Experimental validations confirmed that acetate production can be reduced and even reversed depending solely on its extracellular concentration. Consistently, the Pta-AckA pathway can rapidly switch from acetate production to consumption. Contrary to current knowledge, E. coli is thus able to co-consume glucose and acetate under glucose excess. These metabolic capabilities were confirmed on other glycolytic substrates which support the growth of E. coli in the gut. These findings highlight the dual role of the Pta-AckA pathway in acetate production and consumption during growth on glycolytic substrates, uncover a novel regulatory mechanism that controls its flux in vivo, and significantly expand the metabolic capabilities of E. coli.
A novel ECG analog 4-(S)-(2,4,6-trimethylthiobenzyl)-epigallocatechin gallate selectively induces apoptosis of B16-F10 melanoma via activation of autophagy and ROS
Authors: Xie Jing , Yun Ju-ping , Yang Ya-nan , Hua Fang , Zhang Xiao-wei , Lin Heng , Lv Xiao-xi , Li Ke , Zhang Pei-cheng , Hu Zhuo-wei
Published: February 2017

Autophagy-induced cancer cell death has become a novel strategy for the development of cancer therapeutic drugs. Numerous studies have indicated that green tea polyphenols induce both autophagy and apoptosis in a variety of cancer cells. Here, we synthesized a series of green tea polyphenol analogues, among which JP8 was shown to potently activate autophagy. JP8 treatment had a stronger effect on apoptosis in B16-F10 melanoma cells than that in normal AML-12 hepatocytes. JP8 selectively resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in B16-F10 cells, and this effect was associated with corresponding increases in key components of the ER stress-mediated apoptosis pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of ROS by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) attenuated JP8-induced autophagy and apoptosis, indicating an upstream role of ROS in JP8-induced autophagy. An in vivo study showed that JP8 had significant antitumor effects in a B16-F10 xenograft mouse model. Our results indicate that JP8 is a novel anticancer candidate with both autophagy and ROS induction activities.
The first complete genome sequences of the acI lineage, the most abundant freshwater Actinobacteria, obtained by whole-genome-amplification of dilution-to-extinction cultures
Authors: Kang Ilnam , Kim Suhyun , Islam Md. Rashedul , Cho Jang-Cheon
Published: February 2017

The acI lineage of the phylum Actinobacteria is the most abundant bacterial group in most freshwater lakes. However, due to difficulties in laboratory cultivation, only two mixed cultures and some incomplete single-amplified or metagenome-derived genomes have been reported for the lineage. Here, we report the initial cultivation and complete genome sequences of four novel strains of the acI lineage from the tribes acI-A1, -A4, -A7, and -C1. The acI strains, initially isolated by dilution-to-extinction culturing, eventually failed to be maintained as axenic cultures. However, the first complete genomes of the acI lineage were successfully obtained from these initial cultures through whole genome amplification applied to more than hundreds of cultured acI cells. The genome sequences exhibited features of genome streamlining and showed that the strains are aerobic chemoheterotrophs sharing central metabolic pathways, with some differences among tribes that may underlie niche diversification within the acI lineage. Actinorhodopsin was found in all strains, but retinal biosynthesis was complete in only A1 and A4 tribes.