bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetries abound: Ideological differences in emotion, partisanship, motivated reasoning, social network structure, and political trust
Authors: Jost John T.
Published: August 2017

This article is a response to Rao (2017), Krishna and Sokolova (2017), and Oyserman and Schwarz (2017), all of whom provided extremely thoughtful commentaries on a target article in which I summarized several lines of research in political psychology on liberal‐conservative differences in personality, cognition, motivation, values, and neurological structures and functions (Jost, 2017a). I begin by correcting a possible misconception, namely that the theory of political ideology as motivated social cognition cannot explain dynamic shifts in ideological affinities; on the contrary, we have demonstrated that “top‐down” situational—as well as “bottom‐up” dispositional—processes work in conjunction to produce ideological outcomes, and this is why tailored forms of political persuasion can be highly effective in producing change. Next I describe additional evidence (including previously unpublished evidence) bearing on ideological symmetries and asymmetries with respect to emotion, partisanship, social identification, motivated reasoning, social network structure, and political trust. I end by asking consumer psychologists for their continued collaboration in addressing profound challenges associated with understanding and reconciling sources of ideological divergence—not only for the sake of research in behavioral science but also for the smooth functioning of democratic society.
Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Language
Authors: McNally Thomas
Published: August 2017

Throughout his philosophical development, Wittgenstein was more concerned with language than with any other topic. No other philosopher has been as influential on our understanding of the deep problems surrounding language, and yet the true significance of his writing on the subject is difficult to assess, since most of the current debates regarding language tend to overlook his work. In this book, Thomas McNally shows that philosophers of language still have much to learn from Wittgenstein's later writings. The book examines the finer details of his arguments while also clarifying their importance for debates outside the field of Wittgenstein studies. Presenting the issues thematically (as they relate to questions of reference, scepticism about meaning, and the social dimension of language, among others), the book explores how the arguments in the Philosophical Investigations remain relevant, compelling us to reflect in novel and challenging ways on the nature of language.
Midwives’ Professional Competencies for Preventing Maternal Mortality in Disasters: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran
Authors: Taghizadeh Ziba , Khoshnam Rad Mahsa , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan
Published: August 2017

Objective

Maternal mortality may increase after a disaster. Because midwives are at the frontline of offering reproductive health care services in disasters, they should be competent.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out in 2015 in Tehran. The sample consisted of 361 midwives selected by use of a cluster random sampling method. Data were collected by using a questionnaire on professional competency for preventing maternal mortality in disasters.

Results

The midwives’ mean professional competency score was 177.74±31, which was an average level of professional competency. The level of knowledge and skills of the midwives was reported as inadequate for most items, particularly for the items of “managing mothers affected by chronic diseases,” “physical trauma,” “recognizing patients who needed to be referred,” and “stabilizing mothers when referring them.” Statistically significant relationships were observed between the midwives’ competencies and age (P=0.001), work experience (P=0.054), educational level (P= 0.043), previous experience in a disaster (P=0.014), and workplace (P=0.006). These data were drawn by using Spearman’s correlation, t-test, and ANOVA, respectively.

Conclusions

Given the average scores for midwives’ professional competency in disasters and the inadequacy of prior training courses, extra educational programs for midwives are recommended. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 305–311)
RICHARD L. CHAMBERS: A LIFE IN TURKISH STUDIES
Authors: Darling Linda T.
Published: August 2017

Richard L. Chambers was a professor of Turkish language and history at the University of Chicago. Finding material for this essay on his life was extraordinarily difficult; for a long time it was impossible even to find a copy of his CV. He never published his own book, that advertisement for scholarship that is characteristic of academics. There is not even a gravestone, as he declined to be buried in the family cemetery plot, nor was there a memorial service. He used to complain that he received no recognition for what he had done, but he did not seek recognition or parade his accomplishments. Yet his life and academic career parallel and intertwine with the development of Middle Eastern and Turkish studies in America, to which he made important contributions. This essay was put together through Google searches, speeches that he himself gave on the development of Turkish Studies, contributions from those who knew him, and at long last, a rather skimpy CV. The result is only a sketch, a mere outline, of his many activities and contributions.
Exact Lagrangian submanifolds, Lagrangian spectral invariants and Aubry–Mather theory
Authors: AMORIM LINO , OH YONG–GEUN , OLIVEIRA DOS SANTOS JOANA
Published: August 2017

We construct graph selectors for compact exact Lagrangians in the cotangent bundle of an orientable, closed manifold. The construction combines Lagrangian spectral invariants, developed by Oh, and results, by Abouzaid, about the Fukaya category of a cotangent bundle. We also introduce the notion of Lipschitz-exact Lagrangians and prove that these admit an appropriate generalisation of graph selector. We then, following Bernard–Oliveira dos Santos, use these results to give a new characterisation of the Aubry and Mañé sets of a Tonelli Hamiltonian and to generalise a result of Arnaud on Lagrangians invariant under the flow of such Hamiltonians.
Introduction
Authors: ROVIRA MÓNICA GARCÍA-SALMONES , AMOROSA PAOLO
Published: August 2017

The deep relation between the colonial past and contemporary international law has been convincingly established. Scholars from diverse backgrounds, employing a variety of approaches, have shown the multifaceted ways in which the colonial enterprise occasioned the birth of doctrines and practices that are still in common use. The conference that occasioned this symposium, the last of the project History of International Law: Between Religion and Empire, directed by Martti Koskenniemi, was held in Helsinki in October 2016 and approached the issue of the colonial legacy of international law from the point of view of specific histories. The ‘techniques of empire’ raised at the conference encompassed colonial governance in the broadest sense, looking at practices, norms and normative systems, doctrines and concepts, and events. The case studies making up the articles featured in the symposium treat subjects as diverse as the experiences of colonialism have been, assuming an array of forms. Even so, from the multiplicity of techniques certain patterns and themes emerge.
MESOAMERICAN FLAT CURVED STICKS: INNOVATIVE “TOLTEC” SHORT SWORD, FENDING STICK, OR OTHER PURPOSE?
Authors: Geib Phil R.
Published: August 2017

Flat and curved sticks with longitudinal facial grooves were dredged from the Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza in the early 1900s. They are similar to specimens recovered from the North American Southwest, where a suggested function was for defense against atlatl darts. By accepting this interpretation, Mesoamerican archaeologists identified such artifacts as fending sticks. Hassig (1992:112–114, 126–127, 2001:810–811) disputes this role, arguing that the sticks were specialized short swords for close fighting. This sword interpretation is not supported by my analysis of the Chichen Itza artifacts or the mural evidence at that site. Defense against atlatl darts is possible but unlikely to have occurred in warfare and, in any case, Maya/Toltec warriors carried shields to protect themselves against darts and other weapons. Fending darts in ritual fights such as an atlatl duel is a plausible scenario, perhaps to prove warrior mettle or as a gladiatorial blood sport. Another possible use is for subduing captives after military victory: a throwing stick to disable humans for later sacrifice.
Marriage Reform and the Constitution of the United Reformed Church
Authors: Pearce Augur
Published: August 2017

Recent reforms to English and Scots marriage law faced the United Reformed Church (URC) with two challenges. Its hybrid structure of church government, entwining Congregational and Presbyterian strands, complicated application of the statutory criterion ‘persons recognised by [the membership] as competent for the purpose of giving consent’. Precedent from earlier decisions on human sexuality explains the ultimate identification of the local church meeting as the competent council of the URC in England, and why the ‘enabling resolution’ passed regarding civil partnership formation was not repeated. The very different focus of Scots marriage law posed different questions, less focused on buildings or the churches using them and allowing willing celebrants to be nominated by the synod, as for opposite-sex marriage.

Advisers differed on whether the denomination possessed any binding doctrine of marriage which would obstruct implementation of the amended law. The General Assembly decision on polity and how it was reached suggest an implicit ruling in the negative. This article defends that outcome, considering the doctrinal foundation of the URC in the light of concessions made at the formative union. Marriage appears as a topic on which no denominational doctrine exists, letting all councils reach theological conclusions necessary to practical decisions within their remit.
Syntone chemistry and prebiotic stage in life evolution 1. Aziridinone, a key compound in formation of the first proteinogenic amino acids and polypeptides
Authors: Surpateanu Gheorghe
Published: August 2017

In this paper is proposed a new theory concerning the formation of the first proteinogenic amino acids and their corresponding polypeptides starting of three syntones: methylene, nitrene and carbon monoxide. First, at low temperature in nitrogen, these three syntones form aziridinone, an asimetric compound in special conditions. Next, by a series of radical chain, izomerization, cyclization, elimination and polymerization reactions, apparently without a well defined transition states are formed a series of precursor syntones. Finally, these more structured syntones at the contract with the components of primary atmosphere, especially with water, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, even with carbon dioxide and methane offer the first proteinogenic amino acids and their first corresponding polypeptides. As a very important aspect, the aziridinone cycle furnish the backbone of proteinogenic amino acids. The formation of each proteinogenic amino acid moiety also as its participation to construction of polypeptide structures were estimated by two parameters: (1) the complex structural factor,Feand (2) the participation coefficient,Cprespectively. Dominantly, the quantitative results given in this paper were acquired by structural, thermodynamical and reactivity studies using DGauss with the B88-LYP GGA energy functional with high integral accuracy. Finally, an experimental assembly for obtention of amino acids and polypeptides is proposed. Brief, the three initial syntones: CH2, NH and CO, in nitrogen form aziridinone. That, in reactions with the same three syntones form, the more structured syntone precursors of proteinogenic amino acids and polypeptides. At the contact with primary atmosphere components are formed the first proteinogenic amino acids and polypeptides. The first polypeptides appear from polypeptide precursors and not from proteinogenic amino acids.
Economic and productivity incentives to produce organically in Brazil: Evidence from strawberry production in the Federal District
Authors: Resende Filho M. A. , Andow D. A. , Carneiro R. G. , Lorena D. R. , Sujii E. R. , Alves R. T.
Published: August 2017

Brazil has the largest market for organic products in Latin America, but only 1.04% of its agricultural land is utilized for organic production (OP). We compared organic and conventional production (CP) in economic and productivity terms using data from a randomized survey of 86 organic and conventional strawberry growers (response rate 85.2%) in Brazlândia, Federal District, Brazil. Probit model selection estimates showed that the use of technical assistance from rural extension and producer gender had no effect, but growers with greater age, higher indebtedness, smaller strawberry production area, more education and less experience on growing strawberries were more likely to produce organically. For growers with more than 5.6 years of education and less than 13.54 years of experience, more education and experience make them less likely to produce strawberry organically. Thus, we expect growers’ probabilities of conversion for strawberry OP will remain about the same over time in the study area. The average treatment effect for the treated (ATT) was estimated using nearest neighbor/propensity score matching and endogenous switching regression (ESR). These showed that producing strawberry organically had no effect on productivity or total cost per box, but increased revenue and profit per box, probably as a result of the price premium for organic strawberries. As only 4.8% of farmers had converted to organic production, conversion costs and non-economic factors, such as psychological factors and social capital, may be barriers to conversion.
International institutions: weak commitments and costly signals
Authors: Martin Lisa L.
Published: August 2017

As commitment devices, international institutions encourage cooperation by imposing costs on members who do not live up to their commitments. However, the costs that institutions can impose are limited, so that their commitment capacity is weak. Institutions can also impose costs as a condition of membership, allowing them to serve as costly signals. A model of weak commitment and costly signaling leads to a number of hypotheses about patterns of cooperation, institutional membership, and states’ preferences over institutional design. For example, existing members of an institution should impose higherex antecosts when a potential new member could either gain significant benefits from reneging on their commitments in the future, and when the new member expects to gain high benefits from future cooperation. These results are consistent with empirical work on institutions including peacekeeping and the World Trade Organization.
Three Steps to Successful Collaboration with Data Scientists
Authors: Ebert-Uphoff Imme , Deng Yi
Published: August 2017

A step-by-step cartoon guide to efficient, effective collaboration between Earth scientists and data scientists.
Panama Study: Tallest Tropical Trees Died Mostly from Lightning
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: August 2017

On Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal, scientists map lightning strikes and find that they kill mainly the loftiest trees, likely disturbing the forest ecology.
Common microRNA–mRNA interactions exist among distinct porcine iPSC lines independent of their metastable pluripotent states
Authors: Zhang Shiqiang , Xie Youlong , Cao Hongxia , Wang Huayan
Published: August 2017

Previous evidences have proved that porcine-induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) could be induced to distinctive metastable pluripotent states. This raises the issue of whether there is a common transcriptomic profile existing among the piPSC lines at distinctive state. In this study, we performed conjoint analysis of small RNA-seq and mRNA-seq for three piPSC lines which represent LIF dependence, FGF2 dependence and LFB2i dependence, respectively. Interestingly, we found there are 16 common microRNAs which potentially target 13 common mRNAs among the three piPSC lines. Dual-luciferase reporter assay validated that miR-370, one of the 16 common microRNAs, could directly target the 3′UTR of LIN28A. When the differentiation occurred, miR-370 could be activated in piPSCs and switched off the expression of LIN28A. Ectopic expression of miR-370 in piPSCs could reduce LIN28A expression, decrease the alkaline phosphatase activity, slow down the proliferation, and further cause the downregulation of downstream pluripotent genes (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, SALL4 and ESRRB) and upregulation of differentiation relevant genes (SOX9, JARID2 and JMJD4). Moreover, these phenotypes caused by miR-370 could be rescued by overexpressing LIN28A. Collectively, our findings suggest that a set of common miRNA–mRNA interactions exist among the distinct piPSC lines, which orchestrate the self-renewal and differentiation of piPSCs independent of their metastable pluripotent states.
Alkaline earth metal vanadates as sodium-ion battery anodes
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Niu Chaojiang , Duan Manyi , Wang Xuanpeng , Huang Lei , Wang Junhui , Pu Liting , Ren Wenhao , Shi Changwei , Meng Jiasheng , Song Bo , Mai Liqiang
Published: August 2017

The abundance of sodium resources indicates the potential of sodium-ion batteries as emerging energy storage devices. However, the practical application of sodium-ion batteries is hindered by the limited electrochemical performance of electrode materials, especially at the anode side. Here, we identify alkaline earth metal vanadates as promising anodes for sodium-ion batteries. The prepared calcium vanadate nanowires possess intrinsically high electronic conductivity (> 100 S cm−1), small volume change (< 10%), and a self-preserving effect, which results in a superior cycling and rate performance and an applicable reversible capacity (> 300 mAh g−1), with an average voltage of ∼1.0 V. The specific sodium-storage mechanism, beyond the conventional intercalation or conversion reaction, is demonstrated through in situ and ex situ characterizations and theoretical calculations. This work explores alkaline earth metal vanadates for sodium-ion battery anodes and may open a direction for energy storage.
Ultrafast isomerization in acetylene dication after carbon K-shell ionization
Authors: Li Zheng , Inhester Ludger , Liekhus-Schmaltz Chelsea , Curchod Basile F. E. , Snyder James W. , Medvedev Nikita , Cryan James , Osipov Timur , Pabst Stefan , Vendrell Oriol , Bucksbaum Phil , Martinez Todd J.
Published: August 2017

Ultrafast proton migration and isomerization are key processes for acetylene and its ions. However, the mechanism for ultrafast isomerization of acetylene [HCCH]2+ to vinylidene [H2CC]2+ dication remains nebulous. Theoretical studies show a large potential barrier ( > 2 eV) for isomerization on low-lying dicationic states, implying picosecond or longer isomerization timescales. However, a recent experiment at a femtosecond X-ray free-electron laser suggests sub-100 fs isomerization. Here we address this contradiction with a complete theoretical study of the dynamics of acetylene dication produced by Auger decay after X-ray photoionization of the carbon atom K shell. We find no sub-100 fs isomerization, while reproducing the salient features of the time-resolved Coulomb imaging experiment. This work resolves the seeming contradiction between experiment and theory and also calls for careful interpretation of structural information from the widely applied Coulomb momentum imaging method.
Towards designer organelles by subverting the peroxisomal import pathway
Authors: Cross Laura L. , Paudyal Rupesh , Kamisugi Yasuko , Berry Alan , Cuming Andrew C. , Baker Alison , Warriner Stuart L.
Published: August 2017

The development of ‘designer’ organelles could be a key strategy to enable foreign pathways to be efficiently controlled within eukaryotic biotechnology. A fundamental component of any such system will be the implementation of a bespoke protein import pathway that can selectively deliver constituent proteins to the new compartment in the presence of existing endogenous trafficking systems. Here we show that the protein–protein interactions that control the peroxisomal protein import pathway can be manipulated to create a pair of interacting partners that still support protein import in moss cells, but are orthogonal to the naturally occurring pathways. In addition to providing a valuable experimental tool to give new insights into peroxisomal protein import, the variant receptor-signal sequence pair forms the basis of a system in which normal peroxisomal function is downregulated and replaced with an alternative pathway, an essential first step in the creation of a designer organelle.
Enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 regulates mTOR signaling and apoptosis by sensing nutrients
Authors: Zhang Ya-Kun , Qu Yuan-Yuan , Lin Yan , Wu Xiao-Hui , Chen Hou-Zao , Wang Xu , Zhou Kai-Qiang , Wei Yun , Guo Fushen , Yao Cui-Fang , He Xia-Di , Liu Li-Xia , Yang Chen , Guan Zong-Yuan , Wang Shi-Dong , Zhao Jianyuan , Liu De-Pei , Zhao Shi-Min , Xu Wei
Published: August 2017

The oncogenic mechanisms of overnutrition, a confirmed independent cancer risk factor, remain poorly understood. Herein, we report that enoyl-CoA hydratase-1 (ECHS1), the enzyme involved in the oxidation of fatty acids (FAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), senses nutrients and promotes mTOR activation and apoptotic resistance. Nutrients-promoted acetylation of lys101 of ECHS1 impedes ECHS1 activity by impairing enoyl-CoA binding, promoting ECHS1 degradation and blocking its mitochondrial translocation through inducing ubiquitination. As a result, nutrients induce the accumulation of BCAAs and FAs that activate mTOR signaling and stimulate apoptosis, respectively. The latter was overcome by selection of BCL-2 overexpressing cells under overnutrition conditions. The oncogenic effects of nutrients were reversed by SIRT3, which deacetylates lys101 acetylation. Severely decreased ECHS1, accumulation of BCAAs and FAs, activation of mTOR and overexpression of BCL-2 were observed in cancer tissues from metabolic organs. Our results identified ECHS1, a nutrients-sensing protein that transforms nutrient signals into oncogenic signals.
APOBEC3A is an oral cancer prognostic biomarker in Taiwanese carriers of an APOBEC deletion polymorphism
Authors: Chen Ting-Wen , Lee Chi-Ching , Liu Hsuan , Wu Chi-Sheng , Pickering Curtis R. , Huang Po-Jung , Wang Jing , Chang Ian Yi-Feng , Yeh Yuan-Ming , Chen Chih-De , Li Hsin-Pai , Luo Ji-Dung , Tan Bertrand Chin-Ming , Chan Timothy En Haw , Hsueh Chuen , Chu Lichieh Julie , Chen Yi-Ting , Zhang Bing , Yang Chia-Yu , Wu Chih-Ching , Hsu Chia-Wei , See Lai-Chu , Tang Petrus , Yu Jau-Song , Liao Wei-Chao , Chiang Wei-Fan , Rodriguez Henry , Myers Jeffrey N. , Chang Kai-Ping , Chang Yu-Sun
Published: August 2017

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a prominent cancer worldwide, particularly in Taiwan. By integrating omics analyses in 50 matched samples, we uncover in Taiwanese patients a predominant mutation signature associated with cytidine deaminase APOBEC, which correlates with the upregulation of APOBEC3A expression in the APOBEC3 gene cluster at 22q13. APOBEC3A expression is significantly higher in tumors carrying APOBEC3B-deletion allele(s). High-level APOBEC3A expression is associated with better overall survival, especially among patients carrying APOBEC3B-deletion alleles, as examined in a second cohort (n = 188; p = 0.004). The frequency of APOBEC3B-deletion alleles is ~50% in 143 genotyped oral squamous cell carcinoma -Taiwan samples (27A3B−/−:89A3B+/−:27A3B+/+), compared to the 5.8% found in 314 OSCC-TCGA samples. We thus report a frequent APOBEC mutational profile, which relates to a APOBEC3B-deletion germline polymorphism in Taiwanese oral squamous cell carcinoma that impacts expression of APOBEC3A, and is shown to be of clinical prognostic relevance. Our finding might be recapitulated by genomic studies in other cancer types.
Assay to visualize specific protein oxidation reveals spatio-temporal regulation of SHP2
Authors: Tsutsumi Ryouhei , Harizanova Jana , Stockert Rabea , Schröder Katrin , Bastiaens Philippe I. H. , Neel Benjamin G.
Published: August 2017

Reactive oxygen species are produced transiently in response to cell stimuli, and function as second messengers that oxidize target proteins. Protein-tyrosine phosphatases are important reactive oxygen species targets, whose oxidation results in rapid, reversible, catalytic inactivation. Despite increasing evidence for the importance of protein-tyrosine phosphatase oxidation in signal transduction, the cell biological details of reactive oxygen species-catalyzed protein-tyrosine phosphatase inactivation have remained largely unclear, due to our inability to visualize protein-tyrosine phosphatase oxidation in cells. By combining proximity ligation assay with chemical labeling of cysteine residues in the sulfenic acid state, we visualize oxidized Src homology 2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP2). We find that platelet-derived growth factor evokes transient oxidation on or close to RAB5+/ early endosome antigen 1− endosomes. SHP2 oxidation requires NADPH oxidases (NOXs), and oxidized SHP2 co-localizes with platelet-derived growth factor receptor and NOX1/4. Our data demonstrate spatially and temporally limited protein oxidation within cells, and suggest that platelet-derived growth factor-dependent “redoxosomes,” contribute to proper signal transduction.
Erratum: Localization of Laplacian eigenvectors on random networks
Authors: Hata Shigefumi , Nakao Hiroya
Published: August 2017

A correction to this Article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Tilt-less 3-D electron imaging and reconstruction of complex curvilinear structures
Authors: Oveisi Emad , Letouzey Antoine , Alexander Duncan T. L. , Jeangros Quentin , Schäublin Robin , Lucas Guillaume , Fua Pascal , Hébert Cécile
Published: August 2017

The ability to obtain three-dimensional (3-D) information about morphologies of nanostructures elucidates many interesting properties of materials in both physical and biological sciences. Here we demonstrate a novel method in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) that gives a fast and reliable assessment of the 3-D configuration of curvilinear nano﻿structures, all without needing to tilt the sample through an arc. Using one-dimensional crystalline defects known as dislocations as a prototypical example of a complex curvilinear object, we demonstrate their 3-D reconstruction two orders of magnitude faster than by standard tilt-arc TEM tomographic techniques, from data recorded by selecting different ray paths of the convergent STEM probe. Due to its speed and immunity to problems associated with a tilt arc, the tilt-less 3-D imaging offers important advantages for investigations of radiation-sensitive, polycrystalline, or magnetic materials. Further, by using a segmented detector, the total electron dose is reduced to a single STEM raster scan acquisition; our tilt-less approach will therefore open new avenues for real-time 3-D electron imaging of dynamic processes.
Erratum: Solitonic conduction of electrotonic signals in neuronal branchlets with polarized microstructure
Authors: Poznanski R. R. , Cacha L. A. , Al-Wesabi Y. M. S. , Ali J. , Bahadoran M. , Yupapin P. P. , Yunus J.
Published: August 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Lack of Evidence for Vasoactive and Inflammatory Mediators in the Promotion of Macular Edema Associated with Epiretinal Membranes
Authors: Applewhite Brooks P. , Babapoor-Farrokhran Savalan , Poon David , Hassan Syed Junaid , Wellmann Elizabeth , Ying Howard S. , Semenza Gregg L. , Montaner Silvia , Sodhi Akrit
Published: August 2017

The development of symptoms in patients with epiretinal membranes (ERMs) often corresponds with the accumulation of interstitial fluid in the retina [i.e., the development of macular edema, (ME)]. To explore the potential value of pharmacologic therapeutic options to treat ME in patients with ERMs, we examine here the expression of vasoactive and inflammatory mediators in the vitreous of patients with idiopathic ERMs. We observed that vitreous concentrations of classic vasoactive factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor) were similar in ERM patients with ME compared to controls. Using an array assessing the expression of 102 inflammatory cytokines we similarly did not observe a marked difference in cytokine expression in the vitreous of most ERM patients with ME compared to control patients. While the array data did implicate a group of inflammatory cytokines that were elevated in a subset of ERM patients who had severe ME (central subfield thickness ≥450 μm on spectral domain optical coherence tomography), expression of 3 of these inflammatory cytokines, all previously implicated in the promotion of ME in ischemic retinal disease, were not elevated by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We conclude that therapies modulating vasoactive mediators or inflammatory cytokines may not affect ME in ERM patients.
Increased TCR signal strength in DN thymocytes promotes development of gut TCRαβ(+)CD8αα(+) intraepithelial lymphocytes
Authors: Grandjean Capucine L. , Sumaria Nital , Martin Stefania , Pennington Daniel J.
Published: August 2017

CD4(+)CD8(+)“double positive” (DP) thymocytes differentiate into diverse αβ T cell sub-types using mechanistically distinct programs. For example, conventional αβ T cells develop from DP cells after partial-agonist T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with self-peptide/MHC, whereas unconventional αβ T cells, such as TCRαβ(+)CD8αα(+)intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), require full-agonist TCR interactions. Despite this, DP cells appear homogeneous, and it remains unclear how distinct TCR signalling instructs distinct developmental outcomes. Moreover, whether TCR signals at earlier stages of development, for example in CD4(−)CD8(−)double negative (DN) cells, impact on later fate decisions is presently unknown. Here, we assess four strains of mice that display altered TCR signal strength in DN cells, which correlates with altered generation of unconventional TCRαβ(+)CD8αα(+)IELs. FVB/n mice (compared to C57BL/6 animals) and mice with altered preTCRα (pTα) expression, both displayed weaker TCR signalling in DN cells, an inefficient DN-to-DP transition, and reduced contribution of TCRαβ(+)CD8αα(+)IELs to gut epithelium. Conversely, TCRαβ(+)CD8αα(+)IEL development was favoured in mice with increased TCR signal strength in DN cells. Collectively, these data suggest TCR signal strength in DN cells directly impacts on subsequent DP cell differentiation, fundamentally altering the potential of thymocyte progenitors to adopt conventional versus unconventional T cell fates.
Impact of biology knowledge on the conservation and management of large pelagic sharks
Authors: Yokoi Hiroki , Ijima Hirotaka , Ohshimo Seiji , Yokawa Kotaro
Published: August 2017

Population growth rate, which depends on several biological parameters, is valuable information for the conservation and management of pelagic sharks, such as blue and shortfin mako sharks. However, reported biological parameters for estimating the population growth rates of these sharks differ by sex and display large variability. To estimate the appropriate population growth rate and clarify relationships between growth rate and relevant biological parameters, we developed a two-sex age-structured matrix population model and estimated the population growth rate using combinations of biological parameters. We addressed elasticity analysis and clarified the population growth rate sensitivity. For the blue shark, the estimated median population growth rate was 0.384 with a range of minimum and maximum values of 0.195–0.533, whereas those values of the shortfin mako shark were 0.102 and 0.007–0.318, respectively. The maturity age of male sharks had the largest impact for blue sharks, whereas that of female sharks had the largest impact for shortfin mako sharks. Hypotheses for the survival process of sharks also had a large impact on the population growth rate estimation. Both shark maturity age and survival rate were based on ageing validation data, indicating the importance of validating the quality of these data for the conservation and management of large pelagic sharks.
Association of the resolvin precursor 17-HDHA, but not D- or E- series resolvins, with heat pain sensitivity and osteoarthritis pain in humans
Authors: Valdes Ana M. , Ravipati Srinivasarao , Menni Cristina , Abhishek Abhishek , Metrustry Sarah , Harris Juliette , Nessa Ayrun , Williams Frances M. K. , Spector Tim D. , Doherty Michael , Chapman Victoria , Barrett David A.
Published: August 2017

Resolvins are omega-3 fatty acid derived potent bioactive lipids that resolve inflammation and modulate transient receptor potential channels. Exogenous administration of the resolvin precursor 17-HDHA shows a strong analgesic effect in animal models of osteoarthritis and acute inflammatory pain, but has not been studied in humans. Our aim was to assess the role of 17-HDHA and resolvins in heat pain sensitivity and in osteoarthritis pain in humans. Resolvins D1, D2, D3, D5, E1 and 17-HDHA, were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tested for association with heat pain thresholds in 250 healthy volunteers who had undergone quantitative sensory testing. Resolvins D1, D2 and 17-HDHA were then tested in 62 individuals affected with knee osteoarthritis and 52 age matched controls and tested for association with knee pain. Circulating levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were also measured. Levels of 17-HDHA, but not those of the other 5 resolvins tested, were associated with increased heat pain thresholds (beta = 0.075; 95% CI 0.024, 0.126; p < 0.0046). 17-HDHA was associated with lower pain scores in OA patients (beta −0.41; 95% CI-0.69, −0.12; p < 0.005; adjusted for covariates) but not with radiographic osteoarthritis. The associations of 17-HDHA with heat pain sensitivity and osteoarthritis pain were independent of DHA levels.
Compensated Row-Column Ultrasound Imaging System Using Multilayered Edge Guided Stochastically Fully Connected Random Fields
Authors: Ben Daya Ibrahim , Chen Albert I. H. , Shafiee Mohammad Javad , Wong Alexander , Yeow John T. W.
Published: August 2017

The row-column method received a lot of attention for 3-D ultrasound imaging. By reducing the number of connections required to address the 2-D array and therefore reducing the amount of data to handle, this addressing method allows for real time 3-D imaging. Row-column still has its limitations: the issues of sparsity, speckle noise inherent to ultrasound, the spatially varying point spread function, and the ghosting artifacts inherent to the row-column method must all be taken into account when building a reconstruction framework. In this research, we build on a previously published system and propose an edge-guided, compensated row-column ultrasound imaging system that incorporates multilayered edge-guided stochastically fully connected conditional random fields to address the limitations of the row-column method. Tests carried out on simulated and real row-column ultrasound images show the effectiveness of our proposed system over other published systems. Visual assessment show our proposed system’s potential at preserving edges and reducing speckle. Quantitative analysis shows that our proposed system outperforms previously published systems when evaluated with metrics such as Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Coefficient of Correlation, and Effective Number of Looks. These results show the potential of our proposed system as an effective tool for enhancing 3-D row-column imaging.
Interactive effect of gibberellic acid and NPK fertilizer combinations on ramie yield and bast fibre quality
Authors: Ullah Sana , Anwar Sumera , Rehman Muzammal , Khan Shahbaz , Zafar Sara , Liu Lijun , Peng Dingxiang
Published: August 2017

Understanding the effects of different combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers and the effects of GA3 (gibberellic acid) foliar spray on the fiber quality and yield of ramie are important for maximizing the economic value of these plants. Three pot experiments were conducted using low NPK (140:70:140 kg/ha), normal NPK (280:140:280 kg/ha), and low NPK + GA3 (10 mg/L) treatments. In each experiment, following fertilizers were applied: no fertilizer (control), N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, and NPK. Ramie was harvested three times from each plant; ramie grown without fertilizers had significantly lower biomass and yield than plants grown with fertilizers. At both normal and low fertilization rates, application of NPK resulted in greater growth and yield than application of N, P, K, NP, NK, or PK. Unfertilized plants produced the thinnest fibres (22-24 µm), with lowest elongation rate (3.0–3.1%) and breaking strength (22.7–23.3 cN). Fibre yield and fibre quality were improved by application of GA3 + fertilizers. Maximum fibre yield was obtained at low NPK + GA3 treatment, resulting in 65–81% more yield than low NPK alone. GA3 with low NPK treatment significantly improved fibre diameter, fibre elongation, and breaking strength compared to both NPK alone and control treatment.
Growth of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau by squeezing up of the crust at the boundaries
Authors: Shi Jianyu , Shi Danian , Shen Yang , Zhao Wenjin , Xue Guangqi , Su Heping , Song Yang
Published: August 2017

In classic orogenic models, the mountain range is underlain by a deep crustal root. Here we present the crustal and upper mantle structures along two receiver function profiles across Qilian, an orogen experiencing recent growth at the northern margin of the Tibetan plateau. Opposite to an expected crustal root beneath the orogen, the Moho beneath Qilian is arch-like, shallower beneath the center and deepens by up to 10 km beneath its southern and northern boundaries. Additional velocity interfaces sub-parallel to the Moho are observed in the lower crust of the basins south of Qilian, which we interpret as the top of a mechanically strong lower crust thrusting several tens of kilometers underneath Qilian. In the north, the small lateral offset between the surface and mantle traces of the thrust system reveals a steep boundary, indicating that the North China cratonic crust acts as a strong resistance to the northward growth of the plateau, forcing the development of the left-lateral strike-slip Haiyuan fault south of the northern Qilian suture. The young Qilian orogen thus has been rising and growing progressively from the boundaries to the center, squeezed up by more rigid tectonic blocks in the north and south.
Angiotensin II induces cholesterol accumulation and injury in podocytes
Authors: Yang Yingjie , Yang Qian , Yang Jian , Ma Yiqiong , Ding Guohua
Published: August 2017

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a risk factor for the initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as elevated Ang II levels can lead to podocyte injury. However, there have been no studies on the role of Ang II in lipid metabolism or on podocyte injury caused by lipid dysfunction. Our study showed that Ang II induced lipid droplet (LD) accumulation and expression of the LD marker adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) in podocytes, and the extent of lipid deposition could be alleviated by losartan. Our study also demonstrated that Ang II increased the content of cholesterol in podocytes, which is an LD component, and this change was accompanied by decreased expression of the cholesterol efflux-related molecule ATP-binding cassette transporter-1 (ABCA1) and increased expression of the cholesterol uptake-related molecule LDL receptor (LDLR) and the cholesterol synthesis-related molecules sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1 and SREBP2) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR). Pretreating podocytes with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD), which induces cholesterol efflux, decreased Ang II-mediated cholesterol accumulation and Ang II-induced podocyte apoptosis and maintained the podocyte cytoskeleton and spreading. These results suggested that Ang II induced podocyte cholesterol accumulation by regulating the expression of cholesterol metabolism-related molecules and that the subsequent cholesterol metabolism dysfunction resulted in podocyte injury.
Contactless graphene conductivity mapping on a wide range of substrates with terahertz time-domain reflection spectroscopy
Authors: Lin Hungyen , Braeuninger-Weimer Philipp , Kamboj Varun S. , Jessop David S. , Degl’Innocenti Riccardo , Beere Harvey E. , Ritchie David A. , Zeitler J. Axel , Hofmann Stephan
Published: August 2017

We demonstrate how terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) operating in reflection geometry can be used for quantitative conductivity mapping of large area chemical vapour deposited graphene films on sapphire, silicon dioxide/silicon and germanium. We validate the technique against measurements performed with previously established conventional transmission based THz-TDS and are able to resolve conductivity changes in response to induced back-gate voltages. Compared to the transmission geometry, measurement in reflection mode requires careful alignment and complex analysis, but circumvents the need of a terahertz transparent substrate, potentially enabling fast, contactless, in-line characterisation of graphene films on non-insulating substrates such as germanium.
Enhancement of the productivity of the potent bacteriocin avicin A and improvement of its stability using nanotechnology approaches
Authors: Fahim Hazem A. , Rouby Waleed M. A. El , El-Gendy Ahmed O. , Khairalla Ahmed S. , Naguib Ibrahim A. , Farghali Ahmed A.
Published: August 2017

Herein, enhancements of the yield and antimicrobial activity duration of the bacteriocin avicin A were accomplished using fractional factorial design (FFD) and layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles. Firstly, potential factors affecting bacteriocin production were selected for preliminary study. By a 25-1 FFD, high pH was shown to have a positive effect on avicin A yield, while temperature and duration of incubation, as well as peptone nitrogen sources all had negative effects. The highest bacteriocin production and activity (2560 BU/ml) were observed after 30 h of incubation at 30 °C, with pH adjustment at 7, and in the presence of 2 g mannitol as carbon source and 2.2 g peptone as nitrogen source. Secondly, avicin A nanocomposites with different LDH precursors were tested. Only avicin A-ZnAl-CO3 LDH demonstrated a potent antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus sakei LMGT 2313 that lasted for at least 24 days, as compared to the values of 6 and 15 days observed with the free avicin A that has been stored at room temperature and at 4 °C, respectively. In conclusion, avicin A production and stability can be improved by manipulating the growth conditions and media composition, together with conjugation to LDHs.
Atomic-scale engineering of ferroelectric-ferromagnetic interfaces of epitaxial perovskite films for functional properties
Authors: Hausmann Simon , Ye Jingfan , Aoki Toshihiro , Zheng Jian-Guo , Stahn Jochen , Bern Francis , Chen Binda , Autieri Carmine , Sanyal Biplab , Esquinazi Pablo D. , Böni Peter , Paul Amitesh
Published: August 2017

Besides epitaxial mismatch that can be accommodated by lattice distortions and/or octahedral rotations, ferroelectric-ferromagnetic interfaces are affected by symmetry mismatch and subsequent magnetic ordering. Here, we have investigated La0.67 Sr0.33 MnO3 (LSMO) samples with varying underlying unit cells (uc) of BaTiO3 (BTO) layer on (001) and (110) oriented substrates in order to elucidate the role of symmetry mismatch. Lattice mismatch for 3 uc of BTO and symmetry mismatch for 10 uc of BTO, both associated with local MnO6 octahedral distortions of the (001) LSMO within the first few uc, are revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Interestingly, we find exchange bias along the in-plane [110]/[100] directions only for the (001) oriented samples. Polarized neutron reflectivity measurements confirm the existence of a layer with zero net moment only within (001) oriented samples. First principle density functional calculations show that even though the bulk ground state of LSMO is ferromagnetic, a large lattice constant together with an excess of La can stabilize an antiferromagnetic LaMnO3-type phase at the interface region and explain the experimentally observed exchange bias. Atomic scale tuning of MnO6 octahedra can thus be made possible via symmetry mismatch at heteroepitaxial interfaces. This aspect can act as a vital parameter for structure-driven control of physical properties.
Non-autonomous multi-rogue waves for spin-1 coupled nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii equation and management by external potentials
Authors: Li Li , Yu Fajun
Published: August 2017

We investigate non-autonomous multi-rogue wave solutions in a three-component(spin-1) coupled nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii(GP) equation with varying dispersions, higher nonlinearities, gain/loss and external potentials. The similarity transformation allows us to relate certain class of multi-rogue wave solutions of the spin-1 coupled nonlinear GP equation to the solutions of integrable coupled nonlinear Schrödinger(CNLS) equation. We study the effect of time-dependent quadratic potential on the profile and dynamic of non-autonomous rogue waves. With certain requirement on the backgrounds, some non-autonomous multi-rogue wave solutions exhibit the different shapes with two peaks and dip in bright-dark rogue waves. Then, the managements with external potential and dynamic behaviors of these solutions are investigated analytically. The results could be of interest in such diverse fields as Bose-Einstein condensates, nonlinear fibers and super-fluids.
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Evaluation of Ocular Surface with Graft-Versus-Host Disease-Related Dry Eye Disease
Authors: He Jingliang , Ogawa Yoko , Mukai Shin , Saijo-Ban Yumiko , Kamoi Mizuka , Uchino Miki , Yamane Mio , Ozawa Nobuhiro , Fukui Masaki , Mori Takehiko , Okamoto Shinichiro , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: August 2017

Dry eye disease (DED) is often elicited by graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), an extensive complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To unravel the mechanism of this type of DED, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was used to investigate alterations in the state of the sub-basal nerves, dendritic cells (DCs) and globular immune cells (GICs) in the central cornea and limbal epithelia. In this study, we examined 12 HSCT recipients with GVHD-caused DED and 10 HSCT recipients without GVHD-associated DED and evaluated the clinical parameters in the 2 groups. Analysis of the central cornea and limbal epithelia using IVCM was conducted to investigate the density of the corneal sub-basal nerves, DCs and GICs as well as the tortuosity and branching of the sub-basal nerves. As suggested by our data, the clinical variables in the GVHD group were significantly different from those in the non-GVHD group. Additionally, GVHD-triggered DED conceivably increased the density of DCs and GICs in the central cornea and the density of DCs in limbal epithelia and altered the morphology of the sub-basal nerves. These phenomena are presumably correlated with the degree of inflammation. Thus, our findings may be translated into non-invasive diagnostic methods that indicate the severity of inflammation on the ocular surface in HSCT recipients.