bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FROMREQUÊTETO PETITION: PETITIONING THE MONARCH BETWEEN EMPIRES
Authors: MULLER HANNAH WEISS
Published: October 2016

This article uncovers a transimperial culture of petitioning that eased the transition for subjects who moved between the French and British empires. Although the petition was hailed as the birthright of Britons, and has consistently drawn attention from historians of Britain and its empire, this did not mean that petitioning was unknown elsewhere. Indeed, Quebec, which was transferred from France to Britain at the close of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) and experienced lengthy periods of both French and British rule, provides an ideal site through which to document written traditions of expressing grievance. This article reveals not only that French subjects were familiar with addressing the monarch well before the British conquest, but also suggests an important continuity of form that transcended differences of language, shifting regimes, and imperial rivalries. The analysis of petitions from Quebec both before and after 1759 testifies to an identifiable commensurability in the lived experiences of inhabitants across the French and British empires, just as it underscores the petition's similar function in the overseas colonies more broadly. The petition's value to both subjects and sovereigns – its role in mediating relations between them across the globe – helps to explain its continued relevance in these two monarchical empires.
Dalit cosmopolitans: Institutionally developmental global citizenship in struggles against caste discrimination
Authors: Cabrera Luis
Published: October 2016

Besides stating that global or cosmopolitan citizenship is an incoherent concept in the absence of a global state, some critics assert that it represents a form of Western-centric moral neoimperialism. This article develops some responses to such objections through examining the efforts of Indian activists who have undertaken intensive international engagement in their struggles against caste discrimination. The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights has sought to close domestic rights-implementation gaps for Dalits (formerly called untouchables) in part through vertical outreach to United Nations human rights bodies. This mode of outreach is shown to represent an important practice of global citizenship, and to challenge a view of South agent as primarily passive recipients of moral goods within a global citizenship frame. Further, the Dalit activists’ global citizenship practice is shown to be significantly ‘institutionally developmental’, in that it highlights implementation gaps in the global human rights regime and can contribute to pressures for suprastate institutional transformation and development to address them. NCDHR actions are, for example, highly salient to the recently renewed dialogue on creating a World Court of Human Rights.
Towards a Principled Justification for the Mixed Composition of Hybrid International Criminal Tribunals
Authors: HOBBS HARRY
Published: October 2016

The justification for a majority of international judges sitting on hybrid international criminal tribunals is tremendously undertheorized. At present, policymakers must rely on base pragmatic considerations that allege that local judges are either too incapable or too corrupt. This may or may not be true. It is, however, certainly unattractive and inadequate as an argument. In this article, I sketch out a principled theoretical argument defending internationalization of hybrid tribunals. Drawing on debates in municipal jurisdictions on the principle of fair reflection, my principled justification centres on institutional and sociological legitimacy. As international crimes strike at two societies – the local and the global – hybrid tribunals should be composed of both international and local judges. In principle, the severity of international crimes dictates that international judges should predominate. However, peculiar contextual factors may suggest moderating the principle of fair reflection in appropriate circumstances.
Community review of Southern Ocean satellite data needs
Authors: Pope A. , Wagner P. , Johnson R. , Shutler J.D. , Baeseman J. , Newman L.
Published: October 2016

This review represents the Southern Ocean community’s satellite data needs for the coming decade. Developed through widespread engagement and incorporating perspectives from a range of stakeholders (both research and operational), it is designed as an important community-driven strategy paper that provides the rationale and information required for future planning and investment. The Southern Ocean is vast but globally connected, and the communities that require satellite-derived data in the region are diverse. This review includes many observable variables, including sea ice properties, sea surface temperature, sea surface height, atmospheric parameters, marine biology (both micro and macro) and related activities, terrestrial cryospheric connections, sea surface salinity, and a discussion of coincident andin situdata collection. Recommendations include commitment to data continuity, increases in particular capabilities (sensor types, spatial, temporal), improvements in dissemination of data/products/uncertainties, and innovation in calibration/validation capabilities. Full recommendations are detailed by variable as well as summarized. This review provides a starting point for scientists to understand more about Southern Ocean processes and their global roles, for funders to understand the desires of the community, for commercial operators to safely conduct their activities in the Southern Ocean, and for space agencies to gain greater impact from Southern Ocean-related acquisitions and missions.
Imagining a Complex Maya Political Economy: Counting Tokens and Currencies in Image, Text and the Archaeological Record
Authors: Freidel David A. , Masson Marilyn A. , Rich Michelle
Published: October 2016

Exploring the long-term use of accounting practices and currencies by literate and numerate authorities contributes new information regarding the complexity of the political economy of ancient Maya society. Two forms of indirect, yet compelling, lines of evidence for accounting practices and currencies are presented in this article. First, we identify potential accounting devices (counting sticks and tokens) found in the tombs of royal scribes and nobles, based on the contextual associations and depicted uses of similar objects in Maya art such as polychrome vases and murals. Second, we argue that the long-term use and significant standardization of specific shell objects suggests their role as all-purpose monies, in addition to their complementary status as counting devices or numerical symbols. This paper addresses the intricate relationships between symbolism, value and multiple modes of exchange that have long been of interest to cross-cultural studies in anthropology.
Prevalence of anxiety disorders in community dwelling older adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Fung Ada Wai Tung , Chan Wai-Chi , Wong Corine Sau-Man , Chen Eric Yu-Hai , Ng Roger Man-Kin , Lee Edwin Ho-Ming , Chang Wing-Chung , Hung Se-Fong , Cheung Eric Fuk-Chi , Sham Pak-Chung , Chiu Helen Fung-Kum , Lam Ming , Chiang Tin-Po , van Os Jim , Lau Joseph Tak-Fai , Lewis Glyn , Bebbington Paul , Lam Linda Chiu Wa ,   The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey Team
Published: October 2016

Background:

Anxiety disorders are prevalent yet under-recognized in late life. We examined the prevalence of anxiety disorders in a representative sample of community dwelling older adults in Hong Kong.

Method:

Data on 1,158 non-demented respondents aged 60–75 years were extracted from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity survey (HKMMS). Anxiety was assessed with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R).

Result:

One hundred and thirty-seven respondents (11.9%, 95% CI = 10–13.7%) had common mental disorders with a CIS-R score of 12 or above. 8% (95% CI = 6.5–9.6%) had anxiety, 2.2% (95% CI = 1.3–3%) had an anxiety disorder comorbid with depressive disorder, and 1.7% (95% CI = 1–2.5%) had depression. Anxious individuals were more likely to be females (χ2 = 25.3, p < 0.001), had higher chronic physical burden (t = −9.3, p < 0.001), lower SF-12 physical functioning score (t = 9.2, p < 0.001), and poorer delayed recall (t = 2.3, p = 0.022). The risk of anxiety was higher for females (OR 2.8, 95% C.I. 1.7–4.6, p < 0.001) and those with physical illnesses (OR 1.4, 95% C.I. 1.3–1.6, p < 0.001). The risk of anxiety disorders increased in those with disorders of cardiovascular (OR 1.9, 95% C.I. 1.2–2.9, p = 0.003), musculoskeletal (OR 2.0, 95% C.I. 1.5–2.7, p < 0.001), and genitourinary system (OR 2.0, 95% C.I. 1.3–3.2, p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of anxiety disorders in Hong Kong older population was 8%. Female gender and those with poor physical health were at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders. Our findings also suggested potential risk for early sign of memory impairment in cognitively healthy individuals with anxiety disorders.
Anchoring Innovation: A Classical Research Agenda
Authors: Sluiter Ineke
Published: October 2016

Several periods in classical (Greco-Roman) antiquity provide an intriguing mix of being ‘in the grip of the past’ and profoundly innovative in all societal domains at the same time. A new research agenda of the Dutch classicists investigates this combination, under the hypothesis that the two are connected. Successful innovations must somehow be ‘anchored’ for the relevant social group(s). This paper explores the new concept of ‘anchoring’, and some of the ways in which ‘the new’ and ‘the old’ are evaluated and used in classical antiquity and our own times. Its examples range from a piece of ancient theatrical equipment to the history of the revolving door, from an ornamental feature of Greek temples to the design of electric cars, and from the Delphic oracle to the role of the American constitution.
Forest and trees: Shade management, forest proximity and pollinator communities in southern Costa Rica coffee agriculture
Authors: Caudill S. Amanda , Brokaw Julia N. , Doublet Dejeanne , Rice Robert A.
Published: October 2016

Sustained pollinator services within coffee farms depend substantially on a diverse bee community. While studies have been conducted to understand the impacts of forest proximity and farm level management on pollinators, few have examined the interaction between these two spatial scales. We surveyed pollinator communities within 18 sites on a large organic farm surrounded by native forest in southern Costa Rica. We selected sites 0, 50 and 150 m from the forest edge within shaded and sparsely-shaded (sun) portions of the farm to quantify the influence of both shade management and distance to contiguous forest on pollinator communities. Contrary to similar studies, native bees dominated the composition of pollinators on this farm. Overall, pollinator diversity and activity did not differ significantly neither between the shade management types nor among the sites 0, 50 or 150 m from the forest edge. However, pollinator diversity was found to be significantly higher at sun sites near forest (0 m) compared with further away, whereas the diversity was the same for the shade sites regardless of forest proximity. We found that greater numbers of coffee flowers within each site increased bee abundance and flower visitation frequency. Bee abundance was greater in sites with less ground cover and bee diversity and visitation frequencies were higher in sites with greater amounts of shade canopy cover and trees in flower. Based on our results, we suggest including flowering shade trees that provide high levels of canopy cover, maintaining or re-establishing forested areas within or surrounding farms, and eliminating or reducing agrochemical use to increase native pollinator activity and diversity within coffee farms.
Zeitliche Entwicklungen im Substanzkonsum in der deutschen Allgemeinbevölkerung
Authors: Kraus Ludwig , Piontek Daniela , Atzendorf Josefine , Matos Elena Gomes de
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Ziel der Studie ist die Analyse von Trends des (klinisch relevanten) Konsums von Tabak, Alkohol, Cannabis und anderen illegalen Drogen sowie der Einnahme von Medikamenten zwischen 1995 und 2015. Methodik: Datengrundlage bilden acht Erhebungswellen des Epidemiologischen Suchtsurveys (ESA) aus den Jahren 1995 bis 2015. Die Befragungen erfolgten schriftlich, telefonisch oder online. Eine einheitliche Darstellung zeitlicher Trends ist für den Altersbereich 18 bis 59 Jahre möglich. Ergebnisse: Der Tabakkonsum hat in den letzten 20 Jahren abgenommen. Trenddaten des Alkoholkonsums zeigen sinkende Konsumwerte für Männer und stabile Werte für Frauen. Die Prävalenz des Rauschtrinkens ist bei Frauen seit dem Jahr 2009 angestiegen. Der Cannabiskonsum hat zwischen 2012 und 2015 bei beiden Geschlechtern zugenommen. Der wöchentliche Gebrauch von Schmerzmitteln ist angestiegen, während bei Schlaf-/Beruhigungsmitteln ein Rückgang zu verzeichnen ist. Indikatoren eines klinisch relevanten Konsums zeigen für Cannabis keine Änderungen, für Tabak einen Rückgang und für Medikamente einen Anstieg. Hinweise auf klinisch relevanten Alkoholkonsum sind bei Männern konstant geblieben und bei Frauen angestiegen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die weite Verbreitung insbesondere der legalen Substanzen legt einen dringenden Handlungsbedarf für Prävention und Intervention nahe. Als besondere Zielgruppe wurden Frauen identifiziert, bei denen der klinisch relevante Konsum von Alkohol und Medikamenten zugenommen hat.
Persönlichkeitsstörungen – unterdiagostiziert bei Patienten des Maßregelvollzugs gemäß § 64 StGB?1
Authors: Schalast Norbert , Frey Melanie , Boateng Shari , Demmerling Rita , Haar Michael von der
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Prüfung der Validität von Persönlichkeitsstörungsdiagnosen (PS-Diagnosen) bei Patienten der forensischen Entziehungsanstalten. Methodik: Drei Datenquellen werden herangezogen. (1) Die Entwicklung der Vergabe von Diagnosen und weitere Behandlungsparameter über einen Zeitraum von 20 Jahren werden anhand der jährlichen § 64-Stichtagserhebung beschrieben. (2) Diagnostische Einschätzungen durch Behandler und externe Untersucherinnen werden für eine Stichprobe von 109 alkoholabhängigen Patienten gegenübergestellt. (3) Auf der Basis von Daten einer laufenden Evaluationsstudie (n = 315) wird die Aussagekraft der Klinikdiagnosen mit einer dimensionalen Einschätzung der Patienten verglichen. Ergebnisse: (1) Ein enormer Rückgang der PS-Diagnosen in der Praxis korrespondiert nicht mit anderen Parametern wie dem Anteil negativer Behandlungsverläufe. (2) Die Übereinstimmung von Behandlern und externen Untersucherinnen hinsichtlich PS-Diagnosen ist kaum besser als nach Zufall zu erwarten. (3) Die PS-Diagnosen der Behandler haben praktisch kein prognostisches Gewicht. Dagegen leistet die kurze dimensionale Einschätzung einen signifikanten Beitrag zur Vorhersage des Outcomes (insbesondere: Entlassung in die Freiheit nach günstigem Verlauf vs. „Erledigung“ der Unterbringung mangels Erfolgsaussicht). Schlussfolgerung: Die Aussagekraft der in der Praxis gestellten kategorialen PS-Diagnosen ist gering. Der Rückgang von PS-Diagnosen scheint vor allem Folge einer Stabilisierung des Vollzugs selbst zu sein. Wohlverhalten und Stabilität im Stationsalltag sollten jedoch nicht den primären Maßstab für diagnostische Einschätzungen bilden.
Girona Receives 2016 Natural Hazards Focus Group Award for Graduate Research
Authors:   AGU
Published: October 2016

Társilo Girona will be awarded the Natural Hazards Focus Group Award for Graduate Research. He will be formally presented with the award at the 2016 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, to be held 12–16 December in San Francisco, Calif. This award recognizes a promising young scientist engaged in studies of natural hazards and risks and is given in recognition of outstanding contributions achieved during their Ph.D. (or highest equivalent terminal degree) research.
Entanglement and manipulation of the magnetic and spin–orbit order in multiferroic Rashba semiconductors
Authors: Krempaský J. , Muff S. , Bisti F. , Fanciulli M. , Volfová H. , Weber A. P. , Pilet N. , Warnicke P. , Ebert H. , Braun J. , Bertran F. , Volobuev V. V. , Minár J. , Springholz G. , Dil J. H. , Strocov V. N.
Published: October 2016

Entanglement of the spin–orbit and magnetic order in multiferroic materials bears a strong potential for engineering novel electronic and spintronic devices. Here, we explore the electron and spin structure of ferroelectric α-GeTe thin films doped with ferromagnetic Mn impurities to achieve its multiferroic functionality. We use bulk-sensitive soft-X-ray angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (SX-ARPES) to follow hybridization of the GeTe valence band with the Mn dopants. We observe a gradual opening of the Zeeman gap in the bulk Rashba bands around the Dirac point with increase of the Mn concentration, indicative of the ferromagnetic order, at persistent Rashba splitting. Furthermore, subtle details regarding the spin–orbit and magnetic order entanglement are deduced from spin-resolved ARPES measurements. We identify antiparallel orientation of the ferroelectric and ferromagnetic polarization, and altering of the Rashba-type spin helicity by magnetic switching. Our experimental results are supported by first-principles calculations of the electron and spin structure.
Real-space imaging of a topologically protected edge state with ultracold atoms in an amplitude-chirped optical lattice
Authors: Leder Martin , Grossert Christopher , Sitta Lukas , Genske Maximilian , Rosch Achim , Weitz Martin
Published: October 2016

To describe a mobile defect in polyacetylene chains, Su, Schrieffer and Heeger formulated a model assuming two degenerate energy configurations that are characterized by two different topological phases. An immediate consequence was the emergence of a soliton-type edge state located at the boundary between two regions of different configurations. Besides giving first insights in the electrical properties of polyacetylene materials, interest in this effect also stems from its close connection to states with fractional charge from relativistic field theory. Here, using a one-dimensional optical lattice for cold rubidium atoms with a spatially chirped amplitude, we experimentally realize an interface between two spatial regions of different topological order in an atomic physics system. We directly observe atoms confined in the edge state at the intersection by optical real-space imaging and characterize the state as well as the size of the associated energy gap. Our findings hold prospects for the spectroscopy of surface states in topological matter and for the quantum simulation of interacting Dirac systems.
Optimal bioenergy power generation for climate change mitigation with or without carbon sequestration
Authors: Woolf Dominic , Lehmann Johannes , Lee David R.
Published: October 2016

Restricting global warming below 2 °C to avoid catastrophic climate change will require atmospheric carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Current integrated assessment models (IAMs) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scenarios assume that CDR within the energy sector would be delivered using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS). Although bioenergy-biochar systems (BEBCS) can also deliver CDR, they are not included in any IPCC scenario. Here we show that despite BECCS offering twice the carbon sequestration and bioenergy per unit biomass, BEBCS may allow earlier deployment of CDR at lower carbon prices when long-term improvements in soil fertility offset biochar production costs. At carbon prices above $1,000 Mg−1 C, BECCS is most frequently (P>0.45, calculated as the fraction of Monte Carlo simulations in which BECCS is the most cost effective) the most economic biomass technology for climate-change mitigation. At carbon prices below $1,000 Mg−1 C, BEBCS is the most cost-effective technology only where biochar significantly improves agricultural yields, with pure bioenergy systems being otherwise preferred.
Platinum recycling going green via induced surface potential alteration enabling fast and efficient dissolution
Authors: Hodnik Nejc , Baldizzone Claudio , Polymeros George , Geiger Simon , Grote Jan-Philipp , Cherevko Serhiy , Mingers Andrea , Zeradjanin Aleksandar , Mayrhofer Karl J. J.
Published: October 2016

The recycling of precious metals, for example, platinum, is an essential aspect of sustainability for the modern industry and energy sectors. However, due to its resistance to corrosion, platinum-leaching techniques rely on high reagent consumption and hazardous processes, for example, boiling aqua regia; a mixture of concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acid. Here we demonstrate that complete dissolution of metallic platinum can be achieved by induced surface potential alteration, an ‘electrode-less’ process utilizing alternatively oxidative and reductive gases. This concept for platinum recycling exploits the so-called transient dissolution mechanism, triggered by a repetitive change in platinum surface oxidation state, without using any external electric current or electrodes. The effective performance in non-toxic low-concentrated acid and at room temperature is a strong benefit of this approach, potentially rendering recycling of industrial catalysts, including but not limited to platinum-based systems, more sustainable.
Softening of phonon spectra in metallic glasses
Authors: Mahjoub Reza , Hamilton Nicholas E , Laws Kevin J , Ferry Michael
Published: October 2016

The vibrational spectra of a series of MgZnCa amorphous alloys were computed using density functional theory and implementing the small displacement method. The atomic structures of the alloys were obtained by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The vibrational thermodynamic properties were calculated as a function of temperature and, in particular, the specific heat at low temperature was approximated by temperature cubed based on the Debye model. We computed the contribution of Mg vibrations to the specific heat and investigated the softening of Mg phonon spectra, where the maximum allowed vibrational frequency is lowered and highly collective diffusion processes are promoted. The statistical correlation between the reported critical casting thickness of the alloys and softening of Mg phonons was obtained. Similar calculations were performed for two distinctively different amorphous ZrTiCuAl alloys with large and small reported critical casting thickness, respectively. The findings were consistent with those of the MgZnCa alloys.
Continuous Force Decoding from Local Field Potentials of the Primary Motor Cortex in Freely Moving Rats
Authors: Khorasani Abed , Heydari Beni Nargess , Shalchyan Vahid , Daliri Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2016

Local field potential (LFP) signals recorded by intracortical microelectrodes implanted in primary motor cortex can be used as a high informative input for decoding of motor functions. Recent studies show that different kinematic parameters such as position and velocity can be inferred from multiple LFP signals as precisely as spiking activities, however, continuous decoding of the force magnitude from the LFP signals in freely moving animals has remained an open problem. Here, we trained three rats to press a force sensor for getting a drop of water as a reward. A 16-channel micro-wire array was implanted in the primary motor cortex of each trained rat, and obtained LFP signals were used for decoding of the continuous values recorded by the force sensor. Average coefficient of correlation and the coefficient of determination between decoded and actual force signals were r = 0.66 and R2 = 0.42, respectively. We found that LFP signal on gamma frequency bands (30–120 Hz) had the most contribution in the trained decoding model. This study suggests the feasibility of using low number of LFP channels for the continuous force decoding in freely moving animals resembling BMI systems in real life applications.
Early warning signals for critical transitions in a thermoacoustic system
Authors: Gopalakrishnan E. A. , Sharma Yogita , John Tony , Dutta Partha Sharathi , Sujith R. I.
Published: October 2016

Dynamical systems can undergo critical transitions where the system suddenly shifts from one stable state to another at a critical threshold called the tipping point. The decrease in recovery rate to equilibrium (critical slowing down) as the system approaches the tipping point can be used to identify the proximity to a critical transition. Several measures have been adopted to provide early indications of critical transitions that happen in a variety of complex systems. In this study, we use early warning indicators to predict subcritical Hopf bifurcation occurring in a thermoacoustic system by analyzing the observables from experiments and from a theoretical model. We find that the early warning measures perform as robust indicators in the presence and absence of external noise. Thus, we illustrate the applicability of these indicators in an engineering system depicting critical transitions.
Label-free in vivo analysis of intracellular lipid droplets in the oleaginous microalga Monoraphidium neglectum by coherent Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Jaeger Daniel , Pilger Christian , Hachmeister Henning , Oberländer Elina , Wördenweber Robin , Wichmann Julian , Mussgnug Jan H. , Huser Thomas , Kruse Olaf
Published: October 2016

Oleaginous photosynthetic microalgae hold great promise as non-food feedstocks for the sustainable production of bio-commodities. The algal lipid quality can be analysed by Raman micro-spectroscopy, and the lipid content can be imaged in vivo in a label-free and non-destructive manner by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. In this study, both techniques were applied to the oleaginous microalga Monoraphidium neglectum, a biotechnologically promising microalga resistant to commonly applied lipid staining techniques. The lipid-specific CARS signal was successfully separated from the interfering two-photon excited fluorescence of chlorophyll and for the first time, lipid droplet formation during nitrogen starvation could directly be analysed. We found that the neutral lipid content deduced from CARS image analysis strongly correlated with the neutral lipid content measured gravimetrically and furthermore, that the relative degree of unsaturation of fatty acids stored in lipid droplets remained similar. Interestingly, the lipid profile during cellular adaption to nitrogen starvation showed a two-phase characteristic with initially fatty acid recycling and subsequent de novo lipid synthesis. This works demonstrates the potential of quantitative CARS microscopy as a label-free lipid analysis technique for any microalgal species, which is highly relevant for future biotechnological applications and to elucidate the process of microalgal lipid accumulation.
Differentially expressed circulating LncRNAs and mRNA identified by microarray analysis in obese patients
Authors: Sun Jia , Ruan Yuting , Wang Ming , Chen Rongping , Yu Na , Sun Lei , Liu Tiemin , Chen Hong
Published: October 2016

Circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as valuable biomarkers in a number of human diseases. However, lncRNA biomarkers have yet to be identified in obesity. We aim to characterize circulating lncRNA expression in obese and non-obese human subjects. First, we assessed the genome-wide circulating lncRNA expression profiles in blood from 3 obese and 3 non-obese human subjects. We found a significant decrease in circulating levels of three lncRNAs (lncRNA-p5549, lncRNA-p21015 and lncRNA-p19461) in obese human subjects only. Next, using RT-PCR we measured the expression levels of these three lncRNAs in 33 obese and 33 non-obese human subjects and found similar differences. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between circulating levels of these three lncRNAs and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and fasting insulin. There was also a significant negative correlation between expression of lncRNA-p19461 and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance. Finally, we tested the circulating levels of these three lncRNAs in 8 obese human subjects after a 12-week diet-induced weight loss program. We found that only lncRNA-p19461 expression level significantly increased. In summary, circulating lncRNAs are deregulated in obesity. Weight loss–induced changes in this profile support this observation and suggest a potential mechanistic relevance.
Both the anti- and pro-apoptotic functions of villin regulate cell turnover and intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Wang Yaohong , George Sudeep P. , Roy Swati , Pham Eric , Esmaeilniakooshkghazi Amin , Khurana Seema
Published: October 2016

In the small intestine, epithelial cells are derived from stem cells in the crypts, migrate up the villus as they differentiate and are ultimately shed from the villus tips. This process of proliferation and shedding is tightly regulated to maintain the intestinal architecture and tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis regulates both the number of stem cells in the crypts as well as the sloughing of cells from the villus tips. Previously, we have shown that villin, an epithelial cell-specific actin-binding protein functions as an anti-apoptotic protein in the gastrointestinal epithelium. The expression of villin is highest in the apoptosis-resistant villus cells and lowest in the apoptosis-sensitive crypts. In this study we report that villin is cleaved in the intestinal mucosa to generate a pro-apoptotic fragment that is spatially restricted to the villus tips. This cleaved villin fragment severs actin in an unregulated fashion to initiate the extrusion and subsequent apoptosis of effete cells from the villus tips. Using villin knockout mice, we validate the physiological role of villin in apoptosis and cell extrusion from the gastrointestinal epithelium. Our study also highlights the potential role of villin’s pro-apoptotic function in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia-reperfusion injury, enteroinvasive bacterial and parasitic infections.
Alteration of blood clot structures by interleukin-1 beta in association with bone defects healing
Authors: Wang Xin , Friis Thor E. , Masci Paul P. , Crawford Ross W. , Liao Wenbo , Xiao Yin
Published: October 2016

The quality of hematomas are crucial for successful early bone defect healing, as the structure of fibrin clots can significantly influence the infiltration of cells, necessary for bone regeneration, from adjacent tissues into the fibrin network. This study investigated if there were structural differences between hematomas from normal and delayed healing bone defects and whether such differences were linked to changes in the expression of IL-1β. Using a bone defect model in rats, we found that the hematomas in the delayed healing model had thinner fibers and denser clot structures. Moreover, IL-1β protein levels were significantly higher in the delayed healing hematomas. The effects of IL-1β on the structural properties of human whole blood clots were evaluated by thrombelastograph (TEG), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), compressive study, and thrombolytic assays. S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) was applied to modulate de novo hematoma structure and the impact on bone healing was evaluated in the delayed healing model. We found that GSNO produced more porous hematomas with thicker fibers and resulted in significantly enhanced bone healing. This study demonstrated that IL-1β and GSNO had opposing effects on clot architecture, the structure of which plays a pivotal role in early bone healing.
Wireless inertial measurement of head kinematics in freely-moving rats
Authors: Pasquet Matthieu O. , Tihy Matthieu , Gourgeon Aurélie , Pompili Marco N. , Godsil Bill P. , Léna Clément , Dugué Guillaume P.
Published: October 2016

While miniature inertial sensors offer a promising means for precisely detecting, quantifying and classifying animal behaviors, versatile inertial sensing devices adapted for small, freely-moving laboratory animals are still lacking. We developed a standalone and cost-effective platform for performing high-rate wireless inertial measurements of head movements in rats. Our system is designed to enable real-time bidirectional communication between the headborne inertial sensing device and third party systems, which can be used for precise data timestamping and low-latency motion-triggered applications. We illustrate the usefulness of our system in diverse experimental situations. We show that our system can be used for precisely quantifying motor responses evoked by external stimuli, for characterizing head kinematics during normal behavior and for monitoring head posture under normal and pathological conditions obtained using unilateral vestibular lesions. We also introduce and validate a novel method for automatically quantifying behavioral freezing during Pavlovian fear conditioning experiments, which offers superior performance in terms of precision, temporal resolution and efficiency. Thus, this system precisely acquires movement information in freely-moving animals, and can enable objective and quantitative behavioral scoring methods in a wide variety of experimental situations.
Non-negligible Contributions to Thermal Conductivity From Localized Modes in Amorphous Silicon Dioxide
Authors: Lv Wei , Henry Asegun
Published: October 2016

Thermal conductivity is important for almost all applications involving heat transfer. The theory and modeling of crystalline materials is in some sense a solved problem, where one can now calculate their thermal conductivity from first principles using expressions based on the phonon gas model (PGM). However, modeling of amorphous materials still has many open questions, because the PGM itself becomes questionable when one cannot rigorously define the phonon velocities. In this report, we used our recently developed Green-Kubo modal analysis (GKMA) method to study amorphous silicon dioxide (a-SiO2). The predicted thermal conductivities exhibit excellent agreement with experiments and anharmonic effects are included in the thermal conductivity calculation for all the modes in a-SiO2 for the first time. Previously, localized modes (locons) have been thought to have a negligible contribution to thermal conductivity, due to their highly localized nature. However, in a-SiO2 our results indicate that locons contribute more than 10% to the total thermal conductivity from 400 K to 800 K and they are largely responsible for the increase in thermal conductivity of a-SiO2 above room temperature. This is an effect that cannot be explained by previous methods and therefore offers new insight into the nature of phonon transport in amorphous/glassy materials.
An analog of photon-assisted tunneling in a periodically modulated waveguide array
Authors: Li Liping , Luo Xiaobing , Yang Xiaoxue , Wang Mei , Lü Xinyou , Wu Ying
Published: October 2016

We theoretically report an analog of photon-assisted tunneling (PAT) originated from dark Floquet state in a periodically driven lattice array without a static biased potential by studying a three-channel waveguide system in a non-high-frequency regime. This analog of PAT can be achieved by only periodically modulating the top waveguide and adjusting the distance between the bottom and its adjacent waveguide. It is numerically shown that the PAT resonances also exist in the five-channel waveguide system and probably exist in the waveguide arrays with other odd numbers of waveguides, but they will become weak as the number of waveguides increases. With origin different from traditional PAT, this type of PAT found in our work is closely linked to the existence of the zero-energy (dark) Floquet states. It is readily observable under currently accessible experimental conditions and may be useful for controlling light propagation in waveguide arrays.
Euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 regulates cortical neuronal network development
Authors: Martens Marijn Bart , Frega Monica , Classen Jessica , Epping Lisa , Bijvank Elske , Benevento Marco , van Bokhoven Hans , Tiesinga Paul , Schubert Dirk , Nadif Kasri Nael
Published: October 2016

Heterozygous mutations or deletions in the human Euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) gene cause Kleefstra syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by autistic-like features and severe intellectual disability (ID). Neurodevelopmental disorders including ID and autism may be related to deficits in activity-dependent wiring of brain circuits during development. Although Kleefstra syndrome has been associated with dendritic and synaptic defects in mice andDrosophila, little is known about the role of EHMT1 in the development of cortical neuronal networks. Here we used micro-electrode arrays and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings to investigate the impact of EHMT1 deficiency at the network and single cell level. We show that EHMT1 deficiency impaired neural network activity during the transition from uncorrelated background action potential firing to synchronized network bursting. Spontaneous bursting and excitatory synaptic currents were transiently reduced, whereas miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents were not affected. Finally, we show that loss of function of EHMT1 ultimately resulted in less regular network bursting patterns later in development. These data suggest that the developmental impairments observed in EHMT1-deficient networks may result in a temporal misalignment between activity-dependent developmental processes thereby contributing to the pathophysiology of Kleefstra syndrome.
Process and Microstructure to Achieve Ultra-high Dielectric Constant in Ceramic-Polymer Composites
Authors: Zhang Lin , Shan Xiaobing , Bass Patrick , Tong Yang , Rolin Terry D. , Hill Curtis W. , Brewer Jeffrey C. , Tucker Dennis S. , Cheng Z.-Y.
Published: October 2016

Influences of process conditions on microstructure and dielectric properties of ceramic-polymer composites are systematically studied using CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) as filler and P(VDF-TrFE) 55/45 mol.% copolymer as the matrix by combining solution-cast and hot-pressing processes. It is found that the dielectric constant of the composites can be significantly enhanced–up to about 10 times – by using proper processing conditions. The dielectric constant of the composites can reach more than 1,000 over a wide temperature range with a low loss (tan δ ~ 10−1). It is concluded that besides the dense structure of composites, the uniform distribution of the CCTO particles in the matrix plays a key role on the dielectric enhancement. Due to the influence of the CCTO on the microstructure of the polymer matrix, the composites exhibit a weaker temperature dependence of the dielectric constant than the polymer matrix. Based on the results, it is also found that the loss of the composites at low temperatures, including room temperature, is determined by the real dielectric relaxation processes including the relaxation process induced by the mixing.
Genome engineering in the yeast pathogen Candida glabrata using the CRISPR-Cas9 system
Authors: Enkler Ludovic , Richer Delphine , Marchand Anthony L. , Ferrandon Dominique , Jossinet Fabrice
Published: October 2016

AmongCandidaspecies, the opportunistic fungal pathogenCandida glabratahas become the second most common causative agent of candidiasis in the world and a major public health concern. Yet, few molecular tools and resources are available to explore the biology ofC. glabrataand to better understand its virulence during infection. In this study, we describe a robust experimental strategy to generate loss-of-function mutants inC. glabrata. The procedure is based on the development of three main tools: (i) a recombinant strain ofC. glabrataconstitutively expressing the CRISPR-Cas9 system, (ii) an online program facilitating the selection of the most efficient guide RNAs for a givenC. glabratagene, and (iii) the identification of mutant strains by the Surveyor technique and sequencing. As a proof-of-concept, we have tested the virulence of some mutantsin vivoin aDrosophila melanogasterinfection model. Our results suggest thatyps11and a previously uncharacterized serine/threonine kinase are involved, directly or indirectly, in the ability of the pathogenic yeast to infect this model host organism.
FAIM-L regulation of XIAP degradation modulates Synaptic Long-Term Depression and Axon Degeneration
Authors: Martínez-Mármol Ramón , Barneda-Zahonero Bruna , Soto David , Andrés Rosa Maria , Coccia Elena , Gasull Xavier , Planells-Ferrer Laura , Moubarak Rana S. , Soriano Eduardo , Comella Joan X.
Published: October 2016

Caspases have recently emerged as key regulators of axonal pruning and degeneration and of long-term depression (LTD), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism underlying these functions remains unclear. In this context, XIAP has been shown to modulate these processes. The neuron-specific form of FAIM protein (FAIM-L) is a death receptor antagonist that stabilizes XIAP protein levels, thus preventing death receptor-induced neuronal apoptosis. Here we show that FAIM-L modulates synaptic transmission, prevents chemical-LTD induction in hippocampal neurons, and thwarts axon degeneration after nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. Additionally, we demonstrate that the participation of FAIM-L in these two processes is dependent on its capacity to stabilize XIAP protein levels. Our data reveal FAIM-L as a regulator of axonal degeneration and synaptic plasticity.
The first oviraptorosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) bonebed: evidence of gregarious behaviour in a maniraptoran theropod
Authors: Funston Gregory F. , Currie Philip J. , Eberth David A. , Ryan Michael J. , Chinzorig Tsogtbaatar , Badamgarav Demchig , Longrich Nicholas R.
Published: October 2016

A monodominant bonebed ofAvimimusfrom the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia is the first oviraptorosaur bonebed described and the only recorded maniraptoran bonebed from the Late Cretaceous. Cranial elements recovered from the bonebed provide insights on the anatomy of the facial region, which was formerly unknown inAvimimus. Both adult and subadult material was recovered from the bonebed, but small juveniles are underrepresented. The taphonomic and sedimentological evidence suggests that theAvimimusbonebed represents a perimortem gregarious assemblage. The near absence of juveniles in the bonebed may be evidence of a transient age-segregated herd or ‘flock’, but the behaviour responsible for this assemblage is unclear. Regardless, theAvimimusbonebed is the first evidence of gregarious behaviour in oviraptorosaurs, and highlights a potential trend of increasing gregariousness in dinosaurs towards the end of the Mesozoic.
The 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa highlights no evidence of rapid evolution or adaptation to humans
Authors: Li Xingguang , Zai Junjie , Liu Haizhou , Feng Yi , Li Fan , Wei Jing , Zou Sen , Yuan Zhiming , Shao Yiming
Published: October 2016

Following its immergence in December 2013, the recent Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) outbreak in West Africa has spread and persisted for more than two years, making it the largest EBOV epidemic in both scale and geographical region to date. In this study, a total of 726 glycoprotein (GP) gene sequences of the EBOV full-length genome obtained from West Africa from the 2014 outbreak, combined with 30 from earlier outbreaks between 1976 and 2008 were used to investigate the genetic divergence, evolutionary history, population dynamics, and selection pressure of EBOV among distinct epidemic waves. Results from our dataset showed that no non-synonymous substitutions occurred on the GP gene coding sequences of EBOV that were likely to have affected protein structure or function in any way. Furthermore, the significantly different dN/dS ratios observed between the 2014 West African outbreak and earlier outbreaks were more likely due to the confounding presence of segregating polymorphisms. Our results highlight no robust evidence that the 2014 EBOV outbreak is fast-evolving and adapting to humans. Therefore, the unprecedented nature of the 2014 EBOV outbreak might be more likely related to non-virological elements, such as environmental and sociological factors.
Amorphous titanium-oxide supercapacitors
Authors: Fukuhara Mikio , Kuroda Tomoyuki , Hasegawa Fumihiko
Published: October 2016

The electric capacitance of an amorphous TiO2-x surface increases proportionally to the negative sixth power of the convex diameter d. This occurs because of the van der Waals attraction on the amorphous surface of up to 7 mF/cm2, accompanied by extreme enhanced electron trapping resulting from both the quantum-size effect and an offset effect from positive charges at oxygen-vacancy sites. Here we show that a supercapacitor, constructed with a distributed constant-equipment circuit of large resistance and small capacitance on the amorphous TiO2-x surface, illuminated a red LED for 37 ms after it was charged with 1 mA at 10 V. The fabricated device showed no dielectric breakdown up to 1,100 V. Based on this approach, further advances in the development of amorphous titanium-dioxide supercapacitors might be attained by integrating oxide ribbons with a micro-electro mechanical system.
Oxidative stress dependent microRNA-34a activation via PI3Kα reduces the expression of sirtuin-1 and sirtuin-6 in epithelial cells
Authors: Baker J. R. , Vuppusetty C. , Colley T. , Papaioannou Andriana I. , Fenwick P. , Donnelly Louise , Ito K. , Barnes P. J.
Published: October 2016

Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and SIRT6, NAD+-dependent Class III protein deacetylases, are putative anti-aging enzymes, down-regulated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterized by the accelerated ageing of the lung and associated with increased oxidative stress. Here, we show that oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide) selectively elevates microRNA-34a (miR-34a) but not the related miR-34b/c, with concomitant reduction of SIRT1/-6 in bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS2B), which was also observed in peripheral lung samples from patients with COPD. Over-expression of a miR-34a mimic caused a significant reduction in both mRNA and protein of SIRT1/-6, whereas inhibition of miR-34a (antagomir) increased these sirtuins. Induction of miR-34a expression with H2O2 was phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) dependent as it was associated with PI3Kα activation as well as phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) reduction. Importantly, miR-34a antagomirs increased SIRT1/-6 mRNA levels, whilst decreasing markers of cellular senescence in airway epithelial cells from COPD patients, suggesting that this process is reversible. Other sirtuin isoforms were not affected by miR-34a. Our data indicate that miR-34a is induced by oxidative stress via PI3K signaling, and orchestrates ageing responses under oxidative stress, therefore highlighting miR-34a as a new therapeutic target and biomarker in COPD and other oxidative stress-driven aging diseases.