bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Damming on Long‐Term Development of Fluvial Islands, Elbe River (N Czechia)
Authors: Raška P. , Dolejš M. , Hofmanová M.
Published: October 2016

Damming and water impoundment have fundamental influences on the geomorphology and ecological processes of lotic systems. Although these engineering projects affect all segments of the river channel, fluvial (mid‐channel, river) islands are among the most threatened features because of their link to both hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effects of damming. In this study, we used historical maps (1843, 1852) and aerial photos (1954, 2014), as well as other written and iconographic documentary sources, to document the long‐term development of the fluvial islands and channel planform in the Lower Labe (Elbe) River area (Northern Czechia) over the past ~170 years. Our results indicate the decrease of fluvial islands from 16 (1843), resp. 20 (1852) in the mid‐19th century to eight in 1954, and finally to five in 2014. Most islands have disappeared because of the construction of dams and lock chambers for the purpose of river navigation in the first half of the 20th century. The possible processes responsible for island extinction in individual river segments include sediment starvation (downstream of the dam), erosion by overflow (near upstream of the dam) and decreased flow in inter‐island branches (far upstream of the dam). The islands most susceptible to extinction are those with a smaller size and elliptical or irregular shape. Based on visual evaluation of historical photos and survey of present day temporary islands, the medium and fine sedimentary fraction and absence of a vegetation cover seem to be another predictor of island extinction. Finally, we stress the relevance of our findings for the current discussion on the construction of new lock chambers downstream of the study area. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spanning structures and universality in sparse hypergraphs
Authors: Parczyk Olaf , Person Yury
Published: October 2016

In this paper the problem of finding various spanning structures in random hypergraphs is studied. We notice that a general result of Riordan [Combin Probab Comput 9 (2000), 125–148] can be adapted from random graphs to random r‐uniform hypergraphs and provide sufficient conditions when a random r‐uniform hypergraph contains a given spanning structure a.a.s. We also discuss several spanning structures such as cube‐hypergraphs, lattices, spheres, and Hamilton cycles in hypergraphs. Moreover, we study universality, i.e. when does an r‐uniform hypergraph contain any hypergraph on n vertices and with maximum vertex degree bounded by Δ? For it is shown that this holds for a.a.s. by combining approaches taken by Dellamonica, Kohayakawa, Rödl and Ruciński [Random Struct Algorithms 46 (2015), 274–299] and of Ferber, Nenadov and Peter [Random Struct Algorithms 48 (2016), 546–564] and of Kim and Lee [SIAM J Discrete Math 28 (2014), 1467–1478]. Furthermore it is shown that the random graph G(n, p) for appropriate p and explicit constructions of universal graphs due to Alon, Capalbo, Kohayakawa, Rödl, Ruciński and Szemerédi [Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci., Vol. 2129, Springer, Berlin, 2001, pp. 170–180] and Alon and Capalbo [Random Struct Algorithms 31 (2007), 123–133; Proceedings of the 9th Annual ACM‐SIAM Symposium Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2008, pp. 373–378] yield constructions of universal hypergraphs that are sparser than the random hypergraph with © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 49, 819–844, 2016
Random effects meta‐analysis: Coverage performance of 95% confidence and prediction intervals following REML estimation
Authors: Partlett Christopher , Riley Richard D.
Published: October 2016

A random effects meta‐analysis combines the results of several independent studies to summarise the evidence about a particular measure of interest, such as a treatment effect. The approach allows for unexplained between‐study heterogeneity in the true treatment effect by incorporating random study effects about the overall mean. The variance of the mean effect estimate is conventionally calculated by assuming that the between study variance is known; however, it has been demonstrated that this approach may be inappropriate, especially when there are few studies. Alternative methods that aim to account for this uncertainty, such as Hartung–Knapp, Sidik–Jonkman and Kenward–Roger, have been proposed and shown to improve upon the conventional approach in some situations. In this paper, we use a simulation study to examine the performance of several of these methods in terms of the coverage of the 95% confidence and prediction intervals derived from a random effects meta‐analysis estimated using restricted maximum likelihood. We show that, in terms of the confidence intervals, the Hartung–Knapp correction performs well across a wide‐range of scenarios and outperforms other methods when heterogeneity was large and/or study sizes were similar. However, the coverage of the Hartung–Knapp method is slightly too low when the heterogeneity is low (I2 < 30%) and the study sizes are quite varied. In terms of prediction intervals, the conventional approach is only valid when heterogeneity is large (I2 > 30%) and study sizes are similar. In other situations, especially when heterogeneity is small and the study sizes are quite varied, the coverage is far too low and could not be consistently improved by either increasing the number of studies, altering the degrees of freedom or using variance inflation methods. Therefore, researchers should be cautious in deriving 95% prediction intervals following a frequentist random‐effects meta‐analysis until a more reliable solution is identified. © 2016 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The use of repeated blood pressure measures for cardiovascular risk prediction: a comparison of statistical models in the ARIC study
Authors: Sweeting Michael J. , Barrett Jessica K. , Thompson Simon G. , Wood Angela M.
Published: October 2016

Many prediction models have been developed for the risk assessment and the prevention of cardiovascular disease in primary care. Recent efforts have focused on improving the accuracy of these prediction models by adding novel biomarkers to a common set of baseline risk predictors. Few have considered incorporating repeated measures of the common risk predictors. Through application to the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study and simulations, we compare models that use simple summary measures of the repeat information on systolic blood pressure, such as (i) baseline only; (ii) last observation carried forward; and (iii) cumulative mean, against more complex methods that model the repeat information using (iv) ordinary regression calibration; (v) risk‐set regression calibration; and (vi) joint longitudinal and survival models. In comparison with the baseline‐only model, we observed modest improvements in discrimination and calibration using the cumulative mean of systolic blood pressure, but little further improvement from any of the complex methods. © 2016 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Lower cortisol response in high‐resilient caregivers of people with autism: the role of anger
Authors: Ruiz‐Robledillo N. , Romero‐Martínez A. , Moya‐Albiol L.
Published: October 2016

Caring for an offspring with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been related to high stress levels and health disturbances. However, a protective effect against these negative health outcomes has been described in high‐resilient caregivers. In this context, the main aim of the present study was to assess the association between resilient coping and cortisol response to acute stress in caregivers of people with ASD. Furthermore, the study aimed to explore the mediating role of anger in this association. We exposed 40 caregivers of people with ASD to an acute psychosocial stressor in the laboratory. Salivary cortisol samples were obtained before, during, and after the stressor. Resilient coping, anger, and socio‐demographic variables were also assessed. Resilient coping was negatively correlated with cortisol response. Specifically, cortisol release was lower in high‐resilient than low‐resilient caregivers. Anger was positively correlated with cortisol response, mediating the association with resilient coping. The observed associations of resilient coping and anger with cortisol response indicate that these variables may affect health outcomes, resilience being protective and anger harmful. Psychotherapeutic interventions focused on strengthening resilience and anger management could benefit caregivers, improving their health status and quality of life.
Optimal distinctiveness: Broadening the interface between institutional theory and strategic management
Authors: Zhao Eric Yanfei , Fisher Greg , Lounsbury Michael , Miller Danny
Published: October 2016

Research summary: Attaining optimal distinctiveness—positive stakeholder perceptions about a firm's strategic position that reconciles competing demands for differentiation and conformity—has been an important focal point for scholarship at the interface of strategic management and institutional theory. We provide a comprehensive review of this literature and situate studies on optimal distinctiveness in the broader scholarly effort to integrate institutional theory into strategic management. Our review finds that much extant research on firm‐level optimal distinctiveness is grounded in the strategic balance perspective that conceptualizes conformity and competitive differentiation as a trade‐off along a single organizational attribute. We argue for a renewed research agenda that draws on recent developments in institutional theory to conceptualize organizational environments as more multiplex, fragmented, and dynamic, and discuss its implications for core strategic management topics.

Managerial summary: This article aims to provide managers with a more comprehensive and contemporary view of how firms can become optimally distinct—being different enough from peer firms to be competitive, but similar enough to peers to be recognizable. We aim to equip managers with an understanding of firms as complex, multidimensional entities, and encourage them to identify and orchestrate various types of strategic resources to reconcile conformity versus differentiation tensions, address the multiplicity of stakeholder expectations, and aptly modify their positioning strategies in order to succeed in dynamic environments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superlyophilicity‐Facilitated Synthesis Reaction at the Microscale: Ordered Graphdiyne Stripe Arrays
Authors: Wang Sha‐Sha , Liu Hui‐Biao , Kan Xiao‐Nan , Wang Li , Chen Yan‐Huan , Su Bin , Li Yu‐Liang , Jiang Lei
Published: October 2016

As a new member of carbon allotropes, graphdiyne is a promising material with excellent electronic performance and high elasticity, indicating the possibility of graphdiyne to serve as the building blocks in flexible electronics. However, precise positioning/patterning of graphdiyne is still a challenge for the realization of large‐area and flexible organic electronic devices and circuits. Here, the direct in situ synthesis of patterning graphdiyne stripe arrays dominated by the superlyophilic grooved templates is reported, whereas the superlyophilicity of grooved templates plays a key role in allowing continuous mass transport of raw reactants into the microscale spacing. After the completion of cross‐coupling reaction procedure, precisely patterned graphdiyne stripes can be generated accordingly. The size of graphdiyne stripe arrays is depending on the silicon substrate size (1 cm × 1.5 cm), and the layer thickness can be manipulated from just several nanometers to hundreds of nanometers by varying the primary concentration of hexaethynylbenzene monomers. As a proof‐of‐principle demonstration, a stretchable sensor based on the graphdiyne stripe arrays is performed to monitor the human finger motion. It is expected that this wettability‐facilitated strategy will provide new insights into the controlled synthesis of graphdiyne toward promising flexible electronics and other optoelectronic applications.
Effects of Patent Protection on Optimal Corporate Income and Consumption Taxes in an R&D‐Based Growth Model
Authors: Iwaisako Tatsuro
Published: October 2016

Does reducing the corporate income tax accompanied by an increase in the consumption tax to meet the government's budget constraint improve welfare? To respond, we examine the welfare‐maximizing corporate income tax and consumption tax rates in an R&D‐based growth model under the constraint that the government's budget is balanced at each point of time. Further, we consider how welfare‐maximizing tax rates change as patent protection becomes stronger, as seen in many countries. The results show that as patent protection becomes stronger, the corporate income tax rate should be higher and the consumption tax rate should be lower. This implies that under stronger patent protection, recovering production at the expense of innovation by raising corporate income tax and reducing consumption tax improves welfare.
Efficient Generation of β-Globin-Expressing Erythroid Cells Using Stromal Cell-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Uchida Naoya , Haro-Mora Juan J. , Fujita Atsushi , Lee Duck-Yeon , Winkler Thomas , Hsieh Matthew M. , Tisdale John F.
Published: October 2016

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent an ideal source for in vitro modeling of erythropoiesis and a potential alternative source for red blood cell transfusions. However, iPS cell-derived erythroid cells predominantly produce ε- and γ-globin without β-globin production. We recently demonstrated that ES cell-derived sacs (ES sacs), known to express hemangioblast markers, allow for efficient erythroid cell generation with β-globin production. In this study, we generated several iPS cell lines derived from bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and peripheral blood erythroid progenitors (EPs) from sickle cell disease patients, and evaluated hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) generation after iPS sac induction as well as subsequent erythroid differentiation. MSC-derived iPS sacs yielded greater amounts of immature hematopoietic progenitors (VEGFR2 + GPA−), definitive HSPCs (CD34 + CD45+), and megakaryoerythroid progenitors (GPA + CD41a+), as compared to EP-derived iPS sacs. Erythroid differentiation from MSC-derived iPS sacs resulted in greater amounts of erythroid cells (GPA+) and higher β-globin (and βS-globin) expression, comparable to ES sac-derived cells. These data demonstrate that human MSC-derived iPS sacs allow for more efficient erythroid cell generation with higher β-globin production, likely due to heightened emergence of immature progenitors. Our findings should be important for iPS cell-derived erythroid cell generation.
Effect of lamotrigine on epilepsy‐induced cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in pentylenetetrazole‐kindled animal model
Authors: Zhang Bing , Zhang Jia‐Wei , Wang Wei‐Ping , Dong Rui‐Fang , Tian Shuang , Zhang Chao
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Lamotrigine (LTG) is a broad‐spectrum antiepileptic drug that is widely used in clinic. However, the effect of LTG on cognition and neurodegeneration during epilepsy treatment remains controversial. In this study, we compared the cognitive effects of LTG and sodium valproate in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)‐kindled animal model, and the dose dependency was tested for LTG.

Methods

PTZ‐kindled animals were divided into the following treatment groups: control group, treated with 3.5 mL/kg of 0.9% sodium chloride; low‐dose LTG group, treated with 12.5 mg/kg of LTG; middle‐dose LTG group, treated with 25 mg/kg of LTG; high‐dose LTG group, treated with 50 mg/kg of LTG; VPA group, treated with 300 mg/kg of VPA. The Morris Water Maze (MWM) test commenced from the 10th day of treatment. Hippocampal cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining after two weeks of treatment.

Results

Compared to the vehicle‐treated control group, escape latency was significantly reduced in the middle‐ and high‐dose LTG‐ and VPA‐treated groups on the 3rd and 4th day of the MWM test (p < .05), and spatial probe frequency was significantly improved in the middle‐ and high‐dose LTG‐ and VPA‐treated groups (p < .05). Furthermore, the immunohistochemical score of TUNEL positive cells significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region in the middle‐ and high‐dose LTG‐ and VPA‐treated groups (p < .05).

Conclusion

Our data suggests that LTG may ameliorate epilepsy‐induced cognitive impairment and neuronal cell apoptosis during epilepsy treatment. LTG may ameliorate cognitive impairment and neuronal cell apoptosis during epilepsy treatment.
Longitudinal study of vascular structure and function during normal pregnancy
Authors: Iacobaeus C. , Andolf E. , Thorsell M. , Bremme K. , Jörneskog G. , Östlund E. , Kahan T.
Published: October 2016

Objective

To examine alterations in maternal vascular structure and function during normal pregnancy.

Methods

We assessed brachial and central blood pressure, pulse‐wave velocity and augmentation index (by pulse‐wave analysis and applanation tonometry), common carotid artery structure (by ultrasonography) and endothelial function in the brachial artery (by postischemic hyperemia‐induced flow‐mediated vasodilatation by glyceryl trinitrate) and in the forearm skin microcirculation (by laser Doppler perfusion imaging during iontophoretic administration of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside) in 52 healthy nulliparous women at 14, 24 and 34 weeks' gestation, and at 9 months postpartum.

Results

During pregnancy, brachial and central systolic and diastolic blood pressures initially decreased but subsequently increased (all P < 0.05). Flow‐mediated vasodilatation in the brachial artery increased during early pregnancy (P < 0.05), whereas non‐specific vasodilatation by glyceryl trinitrate decreased (P < 0.01), indicating improved endothelial function. Thus, endothelial function index (forearm blood flow/glyceryl trinitrate) increased during pregnancy (0.30 ± 0.18 in the non‐pregnant state at 9 months postpartum and 0.51 ± 0.19, 0.61 ± 0.39 and 0.49 ± 0.30 in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively) (P < 0.001). Endothelium‐dependent skin microvascular reactivity to acetylcholine also increased (P < 0.01). Carotid–femoral pulse‐wave velocity decreased during pregnancy (5.88 ± 0.91 m/s in the non‐pregnant state and 5.55 ± 0.67, 5.12 ± 0.66 and 5.62 ± 0.74 m/s in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

During normal pregnancy, the blood volume expansion necessary for sufficient fetal growth is accommodated by early and marked changes in the matvascular system. This seems to be dependent on normal adaptive endothelial and vascular function. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Kältemittel‐Schnüffler
Authors: Jitschin Wolfgang
Published: October 2016

Zur technischen Erzeugung von Kälte werden typisch Maschinen eingesetzt, bei denen ein Kältemittel einen geschlossenen thermodynamischen Kreislauf durchläuft. Als Kältemittel sind halogenierte Kohlenwasserstoffe weit verbreitet, weil sie gute thermodynamische Eigenschaften besitzen. Leider sind diese schädlich für die Atmosphäre, da die Halogene die Ozonschicht zerstören. Deshalb ist es notwendig, dass die Maschinen dicht sind und kein Kältemittel entweicht. Zum Aufspüren von Leckagen werden mobile Leckschnüffler eingesetzt. Deren Funktion und Nachweisgrenze werden zuverlässig mittels Prüflecks überwacht.
A proposed enhanced scheme for the dynamic frequency hopping performance in the IEEE 802.22 standard
Authors: Dimogiorgi Aikaterini , Hamouda Walaa
Published: October 2016

This paper presents an integrated scheme for the dynamic‐frequency‐hopping (DFH) technique provided in literature for the IEEE 802.22 standard supporting wireless regional area networks (WRANs). The performance of DFH is analyzed thoroughly for various channel models and for a multiple‐input multiple‐output systems. The core of this research is based on the coexistence of digital terrestrial TV broadcasting and the WRANs in the TV white space. The proposed technique aims at protecting the incumbent users from interfering with the cognitive broadband access in the TV spectrum. In order to achieve this, spectrum sensing is performed in the intended working channel in DFH while spectrum monitoring with an energy‐ratio (ER) algorithm is applied during the WRAN data transmission in the working channel. Hence, in the DFH‐ER algorithm, the reappearance of a digital terrestrial TV signal in a band occupied by the WRANs would be detected immediately. This will provide interference free performance for the licensed signal as well as reliable data transmission for the unlicensed ones. Both analyses and simulation results of the proposed DFH‐ER technique compared with the conventional DFH scenario exemplify the enhancement of the WRAN data transmission while protecting the digital terrestrial TV users. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pyroxene–Cr-spinel exsolution in mantle lherzolites of the Syum-Keu ophiolite massif (Arctic Urals)
Authors: Savelieva G.N. , Batanova V.G. , Sobolev A.V.
Published: October 2016

We consider the composition and microstructures of pyroxene–Cr-spinel exsolution products from lherzolites of the deep mantle section of the Syum-Keu ophiolite massif in the Arctic Urals. Enstatite and diopside from the lherzolites contain lamellae and diverse micron segregations of Cr-spinel. We have first determined the composition of Cr-spinel lamellae and the composition trend of pyroxenes undergoing exsolution. The zonal inhomogeneity of their composition is expressed as a decrease in the contents of Cr2O3, Al2O3, and Na2O from the core of coarse grains free of exsolution structures to the sites with Cr-spinel segregations. The Cr/(Cr + Al) value in the Cr-spinel lamellae varies from 0.23 to 0.33, and the Mg/(Mg + Fe) value, from 0.61 to 0.67. The degree of iron oxidation in the formed Cr-spinel is low (0.10–0.19) and virtually does not depend on the Cr content in this mineral. We calculated the temperature and pressure of the beginning and completion of pyroxene–Cr-spinel exsolution for the equilibrium enstatite–diopside (of different generations) pairs and established the participation of H2O fluid in the exsolution. During the exsolution, the temperature decreases from 970 to 650–700 °C and the pressure grows from 0.9 to 1.3 GPa. The exsolution of pyroxene and migration of elements proceeded under high-temperature solid-plastic flow of mantle material, probably in the local zones where peridotites were subjected to strong shearing strains caused by the above high-velocity flow. The zone with these processes was located in the lithospheric mantle (mantle wedge) above the subduction zone. Migration of ore components from silicates and formation of new Cr-spinel grains contributed to the formation of chromite segregations.
Modeling cosmic void statistics
Authors: Hamaus Nico , Sutter P. M. , Wandelt Benjamin D.
Published: October 2016

Understanding the internal structure and spatial distribution of cosmic voids is crucial when considering them as probes of cosmology. We present recent advances in modeling void density- and velocity-profiles in real space, as well as void two-point statistics in redshift space, by examining voids identified via the watershed transform in state-of-the-art ΛCDM n-body simulations and mock galaxy catalogs. The simple and universal characteristics that emerge from these statistics indicate the self-similarity of large-scale structure and suggest cosmic voids to be among the most pristine objects to consider for future studies on the nature of dark energy, dark matter and modified gravity.
Suicidal Ideation Among Heroin-Abusing Mothers in Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Sarid Orly , Isralowitz Richard , Yehudai Mor , Reznik Alexander
Published: October 2016

Abstract. Background: There is a dearth of information about mothers in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), their parental stress, and suicidal ideation. Aim: To evaluate parenting stress and suicidal ideation among heroin-dependent mothers in MMT. Method: The study was conducted at an MMT center. Inclusion criteria were mothers with at least one child between 6–12 years of age. Mothers (n = 41) were interviewed about their background characteristics, drug use, parenting stress, and suicide ideation. Results: The mothers' median age was 44 (27–63 years), 35% were single, 20% married or with a partner, 45% separated or divorced, 83% were Jewish, and about one-third completed elementary school only. Among the study participants, 52% reported ever thinking about suicide, 28% reported past-year ideation, and 15% indicated they were likely to complete suicide someday. Mothers who have used heroin and cannabis reported high levels of parenting stress. Mothers with high parenting stress levels were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Country of origin status did not differentiate those interviewed. Conclusion: This study provides insight into a hard-to-reach population of mothers needing treatment, parental skills training, and mental stress reduction. Further research is needed to generalize the findings for treatment, education, and training purposes.
Flood Response Using Earth Observation Data and Products
Authors: Schumann Guy
Published: October 2016

NASA Flood Response Workshop; Greenbelt, Maryland, 14–16 June 2016
Why Do People Believe What They Do? A Functionalist Perspective
Authors: Boden Matthew Tyler , Berenbaum Howard , Gross James J.
Published: October 2016

Why do people believe what they do? Scholars and laypeople alike tend to answer this question by focusing on the representational functions of beliefs (i.e., representing the world accurately). However, a growing body of theory and research indicates that beliefs also can serve important hedonic functions (i.e., decreasing/increasing negative or positive emotional states). In this article, we describe: (a) the features of belief; (b) the functions served by beliefs, with a focus on the hedonic function; (c) an integrative framework highlighting the hedonic function and contrasting it with the representational function; and (d) the implications of our framework, and related future research directions for individual differences in belief, belief change, and the ways in which beliefs contribute to adaptive versus maladaptive psychological functioning.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Increased survival and cell cycle progression pathways are required for EWS/FLI1-induced malignant transformation
Authors: Javaheri Tahereh , Kazemi Zahra , Pencik Jan , Pham Ha TT , Kauer Maximilian , Noorizadeh Rahil , Sax Barbara , Nivarthi Harini , Schlederer Michaela , Maurer Barbara , Hofbauer Maximillian , Aryee Dave NT , Wiedner Marc , Tomazou Eleni M , Logan Malcolm , Hartmann Christine , Tuckermann Jan P , Kenner Lukas , Mikula Mario , Dolznig Helmut , Üren Aykut , Richter Günther H , Grebien Florian , Kovar Heinrich , Moriggl Richard
Published: October 2016

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most frequent childhood bone cancer driven by the EWS/FLI1 (EF) fusion protein. Genetically defined ES models are needed to understand how EF expression changes bone precursor cell differentiation, how ES arises and through which mechanisms of inhibition it can be targeted. We used mesenchymal Prx1-directed conditional EF expression in mice to study bone development and to establish a reliable sarcoma model. EF expression arrested early chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation due to changed signaling pathways such as hedgehog, WNT or growth factor signaling. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expressing EF showed high self-renewal capacity and maintained an undifferentiated state despite high apoptosis. Blocking apoptosis through enforced BCL2 family member expression in MSCs promoted efficient and rapid sarcoma formation when transplanted to immunocompromised mice. Mechanistically, high BCL2 family member and CDK4, but low P53 and INK4A protein expression synergized in Ewing-like sarcoma development. Functionally, knockdown of Mcl1 or Cdk4 or their combined pharmacologic inhibition resulted in growth arrest and apoptosis in both established human ES cell lines and EF-transformed mouse MSCs. Combinatorial targeting of survival and cell cycle progression pathways could counteract this aggressive childhood cancer.
TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) inhibits human adipocyte differentiation via caspase-mediated downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors
Authors: Zoller Verena , Funcke Jan-Bernd , Keuper Michaela , Abd El Hay Muad , Debatin Klaus-Michael , Wabitsch Martin , Fischer-Posovszky Pamela
Published: October 2016

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and other ligands of the TNF superfamily are potent regulators of adipose tissue metabolism and play a crucial role in the obesity-induced inflammation of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue expression levels of TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) and its receptor were shown to be upregulated by overfeeding and decreased by fasting in mice. In the present study we aimed to elucidate the impact of TRAIL on adipogenesis. To this end, human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) preadipocytes as well as stromal-vascular cells isolated from human white adipose tissue were used as model systems. Human recombinant TRAIL inhibited adipogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. It activated the cleavage of caspase-8 and -3, which in turn resulted in a downregulation of the key adipogenic transcription factors C/EBPα, C/EBPδ, and PPARγ. The effect was completely blocked by pharmacological or genetic inhibition of caspases. Taken together we discovered a so far unrecognized function of TRAIL in the regulation of adipogenesis. Targeting the TRAIL/TRAIL receptor system might provide a novel strategy to interfere with adipose tissue homeostasis.
Macrophage-derived extracellular vesicle-packaged WNTs rescue intestinal stem cells and enhance survival after radiation injury
Authors: Saha Subhrajit , Aranda Evelyn , Hayakawa Yoku , Bhanja Payel , Atay Safinur , Brodin N Patrik , Li Jiufeng , Asfaha Samuel , Liu Laibin , Tailor Yagnesh , Zhang Jinghang , Godwin Andrew K. , Tome Wolfgang A. , Wang Timothy C. , Guha Chandan , Pollard Jeffrey W.
Published: October 2016

WNT/β-catenin signalling is crucial for intestinal homoeostasis. The intestinal epithelium and stroma are the major source of WNT ligands but their origin and role in intestinal stem cell (ISC) and epithelial repair remains unknown. Macrophages are a major constituent of the intestinal stroma. Here, we analyse the role of macrophage-derived WNT in intestinal repair in mice by inhibiting their release using a macrophage-restricted ablation of Porcupine, a gene essential for WNT synthesis. Such Porcn-depleted mice have normal intestinal morphology but are hypersensitive to radiation injury in the intestine compared with wild-type (WT) littermates. Porcn-null mice are rescued from radiation lethality by treatment with WT but not Porcn-null bone marrow macrophage-conditioned medium (CM). Depletion of extracellular vesicles (EV) from the macrophage CM removes WNT function and its ability to rescue ISCs from radiation lethality. Therefore macrophage-derived EV-packaged WNTs are essential for regenerative response of intestine against radiation.
Respiratory constraints during activities in daily life and the impact on health status in patients with early-stage COPD: a cross-sectional study
Authors: van Helvoort Hanneke AC , Willems Laura M , Dekhuijzen PN Richard , van Hees Hieronymus WH , Heijdra Yvonne F
Published: October 2016

In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exercise capacity is reduced, resulting over time in physical inactivity and worsened health status. It is unknown whether ventilatory constraints occur during activities of daily life (ADL) in early stages of COPD. The aim of this study was to assess respiratory mechanics during ADL and to study its consequences on dyspnoea, physical activity and health status in early-stage COPD compared with healthy controls. In this cross-sectional study, 39 early-stage COPD patients (mean FEV1 88±s.d. 12% predicted) and 20 controls performed 3 ADL: climbing stairs, vacuum cleaning and displacing groceries in a cupboard. Respiratory mechanics were measured during ADL. Physical activity was measured with accelerometry. Health status was assessed by the Nijmegen Clinical Screening Instrument. Compared with controls, COPD patients had greater ventilatory inefficiency and higher ventilatory requirements during ADL (P<0.05). Dyspnoea scores were increased in COPD compared with controls (P<0.001). During ADL, >50% of the patients developed dynamic hyperinflation in contrast to 10–35% of the controls. Higher dyspnoea was scored by patients with dynamic hyperinflation. Physical activity was low but comparable between both groups. From the patients, 55–84% experienced mild-to-severe problems in health status compared with 5–25% of the controls. Significant ventilatory constraints already occur in early-stage COPD patients during common ADL and result in increased dyspnoea. Physical activity level is not yet reduced, but many patients already experience limitations in health status. These findings reinforce the importance of early diagnosis of COPD and assessment of more than just spirometry.
Cellulose effects on morphology and elasticity
of Vibrio fischeri biofilms
Authors: Ziemba Christopher , Shabtai Yael , Piatkovsky Maria , Herzberg Moshe
Published: October 2016

Cellulose effects on Vibrio fischeri biofilm morphology were tested for the wild-type and two of its isogenic mutants that either exhibit increased cellulose production or do not produce cellulose at all. Confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging of each biofilm revealed that total sessile volume increases with cellulose expression, but the size of colonies formed with cellulose was smaller, creating a more diffuse biofilm. These morphological differences were not attributed to variations in bacterial deposition, extracellular polymeric substances affinity to the surface or bacterial growth. A positive correlation was found between cellulose expression, Young’s (elastic) modulus of the biofilm analyzed with atomic force microscope and shear modulus of the related extracellular polymeric substances layers analyzed with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. Cellulose production also correlated positively with concentrations of extracellular DNA. A significant negative correlation was observed between cellulose expression and rates of diffusion through the extracellular polymeric substances. The difference observed in biofilm morphology is suggested as a combined result of cellulose and likely extracellular DNA (i) increasing biofilm Young’s modulus, making shear removal more difficult, and (ii) decreased diffusion rate of nutrients and wastes into and out of the biofilm, which effectively limits colony size.
Active tunable plasmonically induced polarization conversion in the THz regime
Authors: Ling Furi , Yao Gang , Yao Jianquan
Published: October 2016

A plasmon-induced polarization conversion (PIPC) structure based on periodically patterned graphene was demonstrated in the THz regime. By varying the Fermi level of two connected T-shape graphene strips through the electrostatic gating, the peak frequency and the group index in the transparency window can be tuned, which is good agreement with the coupled Lorentz oscillator model. Due to interference between two polarization selective graphene plasmonic resonances coexisting in the planar metamaterial, polarization conversion can be achieved. The linearly polarized THz wave can be converted to elliptically and right circularly polarized THz wave through varying the relaxation time of electrons in graphene. This novel chip-scale active terahertz device promises essential application opportunities in terahertz sensing and terahertz communications.
A Study of Electrochemical Machining of Ti-6Al-4V in NaNO3 solution
Authors: Li Hansong , Gao Chuanping , Wang Guoqian , Qu Ningsong , Zhu Di
Published: October 2016

The titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V is used in many industries including aviation, automobile manufacturing, and medical equipment, because of its low density, extraordinary corrosion resistance and high specific strength. Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a non-traditional machining method that allows applications to all kinds of metallic materials in regardless of their mechanical properties. It is widely applied to the machining of Ti-6Al-4V components, which usually takes place in a multicomponent electrolyte solution. In this study, a 10% NaNO3 solution was used to make multiple holes in Ti-6Al-4V sheets by through-mask electrochemical machining (TMECM). The polarization curve and current efficiency curve of this alloy were measured to understand the electrical properties of Ti-6Al-4V in a 10% NaNO3 solution. The measurements show that in a 10% NaNO3 solution, when the current density was above 6.56 A·cm−2, the current efficiency exceeded 100%. According to polarization curve and current efficiency curve, an orthogonal TMECM experiment was conducted on Ti-6Al-4V. The experimental results suggest that with appropriate process parameters, high-quality holes can be obtained in a 10% NaNO3 solution. Using the optimized process parameters, an array of micro-holes with an aperture of 2.52 mm to 2.57 mm and maximum roundness of 9 μm were produced using TMECM.
Depletion of ribosomal protein S19 causes a reduction of rRNA synthesis
Authors: Juli Giada , Gismondi Angelo , Monteleone Valentina , Caldarola Sara , Iadevaia Valentina , Aspesi Anna , Dianzani Irma , Proud Christopher G. , Loreni Fabrizio
Published: October 2016

Ribosome biogenesis plays key roles in cell growth by providing increased capacity for protein synthesis. It requires coordinated production of ribosomal proteins (RP) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), including the processing of the latter. Here, we show that, the depletion of RPS19 causes a reduction of rRNA synthesis in cell lines of both erythroid and non-erythroid origin. A similar effect is observed upon depletion of RPS6 or RPL11. The deficiency of RPS19 does not alter the stability of rRNA, but instead leads to an inhibition of RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) activity. In fact, results of nuclear run-on assays and ChIP experiments show that association of Pol I with the rRNA gene is reduced in RPS19-depleted cells. The phosphorylation of three known regulators of Pol I, CDK2, AKT and AMPK, is altered during ribosomal stress and could be involved in the observed downregulation. Finally, RNA from patients with Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), shows, on average, a lower level of 47S precursor. This indicates that inhibition of rRNA synthesis could be one of the molecular alterations at the basis of DBA.
Time-Lagging Interplay Effect and Excess Risk of Meteorological/Mosquito Parameters and Petrochemical Gas Explosion on Dengue Incidence
Authors: Chang Ko , Chen Chaur-Dong , Shih Chien-Ming , Lee Tzu-Chi , Wu Ming-Tsang , Wu Deng-Chyang , Chen Yen-Hsu , Hung Chih-Hsing , Wu Meng-Chieh , Huang Chun-Chi , Lee Chien-Hung , Ho Chi-Kung
Published: October 2016

In Kaohsiung, a metropolitan city in Taiwan at high risk of dengue epidemic, weather factors combined with an accidental petrochemical gas explosion (PGE) may affect mosquito‒human dynamics in 2014. Generalized estimating equations with lagged-time Poisson regression analyses were used to evaluate the effect of meteorological/mosquito parameters and PGE on dengue incidences (2000–2014) in Kaohsiung. Increased minimum temperatures rendered a 2- and 3-month lagging interactive effect on higher dengue risks, and higher rainfall exhibited a 1- and 2-month lagging interplay effect on lower risks (interaction, P ≤ 0.001). The dengue risk was significantly higher than that in a large-scale outbreak year (2002) from week 5 after PGE accident in 2014 (2.9‒8.3-fold for weeks 5‒22). The greatest cross-correlation of dengue incidences in the PGE-affected and PGE-neighboring districts was identified at weeks 1 after the PGE (rs = 0.956, P < 0.001). Compared with the reference years, the combined effect of minimum temperature, rainfall, and PGE accounted for 75.1% of excess dengue risk in 2014. In conclusion, time-lagging interplay effects from minimum temperature and rainfall may be respectively associated with early and near environments facilitating dengue transmission. Events that interact with weather and influence mosquito‒human dynamics, such as PGEs, should not be ignored in dengue prevention and control.
The Photovoltaic Heat Island Effect: Larger solar power plants increase local temperatures
Authors: Barron-Gafford Greg A. , Minor Rebecca L. , Allen Nathan A. , Cronin Alex D. , Brooks Adria E. , Pavao-Zuckerman Mitchell A.
Published: October 2016

While photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy production has surged, concerns remain about whether or not PV power plants induce a “heat island” (PVHI) effect, much like the increase in ambient temperatures relative to wildlands generates an Urban Heat Island effect in cities. Transitions to PV plants alter the way that incoming energy is reflected back to the atmosphere or absorbed, stored, and reradiated because PV plants change the albedo, vegetation, and structure of the terrain. Prior work on the PVHI has been mostly theoretical or based upon simulated models. Furthermore, past empirical work has been limited in scope to a single biome. Because there are still large uncertainties surrounding the potential for a PHVI effect, we examined the PVHI empirically with experiments that spanned three biomes. We found temperatures over a PV plant were regularly 3–4 °C warmer than wildlands at night, which is in direct contrast to other studies based on models that suggested that PV systems should decrease ambient temperatures. Deducing the underlying cause and scale of the PVHI effect and identifying mitigation strategies are key in supporting decision-making regarding PV development, particularly in semiarid landscapes, which are among the most likely for large-scale PV installations.
Construction of 1D SnO2-coated ZnO nanowire heterojunction for their improved n-butylamine sensing performances
Authors: Wang Liwei , Li Jintao , Wang Yinghui , Yu Kefu , Tang Xingying , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Shaopeng , Wei Chaoshuai
Published: October 2016

One-dimensional (1D) SnO2-coated ZnO nanowire (SnO2/ZnO NW) N-N heterojunctions were successfully constructed by an effective solvothermal treatment followed with calcination at 400 °C. The obtained samples were characterized by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, Scanning TEM coupled with EDS and XPS analysis, which confirmed that the outer layers of N-type SnO2 nanoparticles (avg. 4 nm) were uniformly distributed onto our pre-synthesized n-type ZnO nanowire supports (diameter 80~100 nm, length 12~16 μm). Comparisons of the gas sensing performances among pure SnO2, pure ZnO NW and the as-fabricated SnO2/ZnO NW heterojunctions revealed that after modification, SnO2/ZnO NW based sensor exhibited remarkably improved response, fast response and recovery speeds, good selectivity and excellent reproducibility to n-butylamine gas, indicating it can be used as promising candidates for high-performance organic amine sensors. The enhanced gas-sensing behavior should be attributed to the unique 1D wire-like morphology of ZnO support, the small size effect of SnO2 nanoparticles, and the semiconductor depletion layer model induced by the strong interfacial interaction between SnO2 and ZnO of the heterojunctions. The as-prepared SnO2/ZnO NW heterojunctions may also supply other novel applications in the fields like photocatalysis, lithium-ion batteries, waste water purification, and so on.
Multifeature analysis of an ultrasound quantitative diagnostic index for classifying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liao Yin-Yin , Yang Kuen-Cheh , Lee Ming-Ju , Huang Kuo-Chin , Chen Jin-De , Yeh Chih-Kuang
Published: October 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease related to metabolic syndrome. This study applied an integrated analysis based on texture, backscattering, and attenuation features in ultrasound imaging with the aim of assessing the severity of NAFLD. Ultrasound radiofrequency data obtained from 394 clinical cases were analyzed to extract three texture features (autocorrelation, sum average, and sum variance), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the slope of the center-frequency downshift (CFDS slope). The texture, SNR, and CFDS slope were combined to produce a quantitative diagnostic index (QDI) that ranged from 0 to 6. We trained the QDI using training data and then applied it to test data to assess its utility. In training data, the areas (AUCs) under the receiver operating characteristic curves for NAFLD and severe NAFLD were 0.81 and 0.84, respectively. In test data, the AUCs were 0.73 and 0.81 for NAFLD and severe NAFLD, respectively. The QDI was able to distinguish severe NAFLD and a normal liver from mild NAFLD, and it was significantly correlated with metabolic factors. This study explored the potential of using the QDI to supply information on different physical characteristics of liver tissues for advancing the ability to grade NAFLD.
In Silico Evaluation of the Impacts of Quorum Sensing Inhibition (QSI) on Strain Competition and Development of QSI Resistance
Authors: Wei Guopeng , Lo Chieh , Walsh Connor , Hiller N. Luisa , Marculescu Radu
Published: October 2016

As understanding of bacterial regulatory systems and pathogenesis continues to increase, QSI has been a major focus of research. However, recent studies have shown that mechanisms of resistance to quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors (QSIs) exist, calling into question their clinical value. We propose a computational framework that considers bacteria genotypes relative to QS genes and QS-regulated products including private, quasi-public, and public goods according to their impacts on bacterial fitness. Our results show (1) QSI resistance spreads when QS positively regulates the expression of private or quasi-public goods. (2) Resistance to drugs targeting secreted compounds downstream of QS for a mix of private, public, and quasi-public goods also spreads. (3) Changing the micro-environment during treatment with QSIs may decrease the spread of resistance. At fundamental-level, our simulation framework allows us to directly quantify cell-cell interactions and biofilm dynamics. Practically, the model provides a valuable tool for the study of QSI-based therapies, and the simulations reveal experimental paths that may guide QSI-based therapies in a manner that avoids or decreases the spread of QSI resistance.
Ultra-high bandwidth quantum secured data transmission
Authors: Dynes James F. , Tam Winci W-S. , Plews Alan , Fröhlich Bernd , Sharpe Andrew W. , Lucamarini Marco , Yuan Zhiliang , Radig Christian , Straw Andrew , Edwards Tim , Shields Andrew J.
Published: October 2016

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides an attractive means for securing communications in optical fibre networks. However, deployment of the technology has been hampered by the frequent need for dedicated dark fibres to segregate the very weak quantum signals from conventional traffic. Up until now the coexistence of QKD with data has been limited to bandwidths that are orders of magnitude below those commonly employed in fibre optic communication networks. Using an optimised wavelength divisional multiplexing scheme, we transport QKD and the prevalent 100 Gb/s data format in the forward direction over the same fibre for the first time. We show a full quantum encryption system operating with a bandwidth of 200 Gb/s over a 100 km fibre. Exploring the ultimate limits of the technology by experimental measurements of the Raman noise, we demonstrate it is feasible to combine QKD with 10 Tb/s of data over a 50 km link. These results suggest it will be possible to integrate QKD and other quantum photonic technologies into high bandwidth data communication infrastructures, thereby allowing their widespread deployment.