bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An asymptomatic case of a single coronary artery in a 7-year-old girl
Authors: Yaoita Hisao , Kimura Masato , Kure Shigeo
Published: June 2016

We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl with a single coronary artery. The coronary artery passed between the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery, and an aberrant vessel ran anterior to the latter.
Use of Amplatzer Vascular Plugs for the treatment of combined extralobar and intralobar pulmonary sequestration in a 5-year-old child
Authors: Herbert Carrie E. , Reddy Surendranath R. Veeram , Lemler Matthew S.
Published: June 2016

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare congenital anomaly that can be asymptomatic or present with recurrent infections, respiratory symptoms, or rarely heart failure. Sequestration is classified as intralobar or extralobar on the basis of whether there is separation from normal lung tissue by its own visceral pleura. Classically, patients are treated with surgical resection. We present a case of multivessel, combined intralobar and extralobar pulmonary sequestration treated with transcatheter embolisation.
Psychosis of epilepsy: a multifaceted neuropsychiatric disorder
Authors: Kanner Andres M. , Rivas-Grajales Ana Maria
Published: June 2016

Psychosis of epilepsy (POE) is a term applied to a group of psychotic disorders with a distinct phenomenology in which potential etiopathogenic mechanisms are believed to be closely related to a seizure disorder. POE can present as interictal psychotic episodes, which may often differ semiologically from primary schizophrenic disorder. They may present as ictal or postictal psychotic episodes and may be the expression of an iatrogenic process to pharmacologic and/or surgical interventions.Epilepsy and POE have a complex and bidirectional relation, as not only are patients with epilepsy at greater risk of developing a psychotic disorder, but patients with a primary psychotic disorder are also at greater risk of developing epilepsy. The prevalence of POE is more than 7 times higher than the frequency of primary schizophreniform disorders in the general population. While POE has been associated with focal epilepsy of temporal and frontal lobe origin, its etiology and pathophysiology of POE have yet to be established.The treatment of all forms of POE, with the exception of ictal psychotic episodes, requires the use of antipsychotic drugs, preferably the atypical antipsychotic agents with a very low or negligible potential to lower the seizure threshold (eg, risperidone, apiprazole), starting at a low dose with stepwise increments.
Eating disorders
Authors: Erzegovesi Stefano , Bellodi Laura
Published: June 2016

Twenty years have passed from the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and, in the meanwhile, a lot of research data about eating disorders has been published. This article reviews the main modifications to the classification of eating disorders reported in the “Feeding and Eating Disorders” chapter of the DSM-5, and compares them with the ICD-10 diagnostic guidelines. Particularly, we will show that DSM-5 criteria widened the diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia nervosa to less severe forms (so decreasing the frequency of Eating Disorders, Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) diagnoses), introduced the new category of Binge Eating Disorder, and incorporated several feeding disorders that were first diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence. On the whole, the DSM-5 revision should allow the clinician to make more reliable and timely diagnoses for eating disorders.
HOW LOAN MODIFICATIONS INFLUENCE THE PREVALENCE OF MORTGAGE DEFAULTS
Authors: Kim Jiseob
Published: June 2016

How much can government-driven mortgage modification programs reduce the mortgage default rate? I compare an economy without a modification option to one with easy modifications, and evaluate the impact of these loan modifications on the foreclosure rate. Through loan modification, mortgage servicers can mitigate their losses and households can improve their financial positions without having to walk away from their homes. When modifying loan contracts is prohibitively costly, the default rate increases 1.5 percentage points in response to a 2007-style unexpected drop in housing prices of 30%. I calibrate the cost of modification after the financial crisis to match the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) modification rate of 0.68%. My quantitative exercises show that current government efforts to promote mortgage modifications reduce the mortgage default rate by 0.63 percentage points.
DEEP-ROOTED DETERMINANTS OF THE FERTILITY TRANSITION ACROSS COUNTRIES
Authors: Basso Alberto , Cuberes David
Published: June 2016

This paper documents a positive correlation between the genetic distance to the world technological frontier (United Kingdom, United States) and the year of the onset of the fertility transition across countries. This result is robust to controlling for a large set of geographical, climatic, historical, and institutional variables. Two main mechanisms could explain this reduced-form relationship. First, genetic distance to the world technological frontier can affect the onset of the fertility transition through its impact on the timing and intensity of technology adoption. Second, genetic distance to the technological frontier can capture other cultural differences and the process of diffusion of cultural norms that are related to fertility but not through technology adoption. We find suggestive evidence supporting both mechanisms.
Activation and Active Ageing? Mature-Age Jobseekers' Experience of Employment Services
Authors: Bowman Dina , McGann Michael , Kimberley Helen , Biggs Simon
Published: June 2016

The number of mature-age Australians registered with employment services is growing, with mature-age jobseekers spending longer unemployed and on income support than younger jobseekers. However, the role of employment services in extending working lives has so far received little attention in policy discourses on ageing and employment. This article examines the effectiveness of Australia's employment services system in supporting mature-age jobseekers, drawing upon interviews conducted as part of wider research on unemployment and underemployment in mature-age. We find that the overriding experience among mature-age jobseekers’ is of a system that exudes ‘carelessness’. We situate mature-age jobseekers’ experiences of systemic carelessness within the context of wider welfare reforms that have contributed to the de-professionalisation and routinisation of employment services’ delivery.
Enhancing the prospects for palliative care at the end of life: A statewide educational demonstration project to improve advance care planning
Authors: Litzelman Debra K. , Cottingham Ann H. , Griffin Wilma , Inui Thomas S. , Ivy Steven S.
Published: June 2016

Objective:

Although patients want to participate in discussions and decisions about their end-of-life care, studies show that providers frequently fail to invite them to explore advanced care preferences or goals for living. The purpose of our demonstration project was to provide education and coaching to individuals, health providers, and organizations across the state of Indiana intended to facilitate these conversations, documenting and honoring individuals' life goals and preferences for care during the final stages of life.

Method:

Education and training engaged community members as well as healthcare providers to: (1) improve participant comfort and facility discussing end-of-life issues; (2) improve knowledge of healthcare choices, including palliative and hospice care; and (3) prepare all participants to explore and document personal values, life goals, and priorities as well as goals of care.

Results:

Between January of 2013 and June of 2015, the team educated close to 5,000 participants. Participants' ratings of the quality and perceived usefulness of the educational events ranged from 4 to 5 (using a 5-point scale, with 5 = most effective). Participant comments were overwhelmingly favorable and indicated an intention to put the advance care planning resources, communication skills, knowledge of palliative and hospice care, and personal renewal techniques into practice.

Significance of Results:

Participant motivation to foster advance care planning, discussions of palliative care, and end-of-life conversations was facilitated by the reframing of these conversations as identifying goals of care and priorities for living well during an important stage of life. Successful strategies included helping providers and patients to adopt a broader meaning for “sustaining hope” (not for cure, but for engaging in highly valued activities), developing provider communication skills and comfort in initiating potentially difficult discussions, engaging a new community health workforce who will develop trusting relationships with patients in home-based services, and fostering self-awareness and self-care among palliative care providers.
Documenting presence: A descriptive study of chaplain notes in the intensive care unit
Authors: Lee Brittany M. , Curlin Farr A. , Choi Philip J.
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To clarify and record their role in the care of patients, hospital chaplains are increasingly called on to document their work in the medical record. Chaplains' documentation, however, varies widely, even within single institutions. Little has been known, however, about the forms that documentation takes in different settings or about how clinicians interpret chaplain documentation. This study aims to examine how chaplains record their encounters in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Method:

We performed a retrospective chart review of the chaplain notes filed on patients in the adult ICUs at a major academic medical center over a six-month period. We used an iterative process of qualitative textual analysis to code and analyze chaplains' free-text entries for emergent themes.

Results:

Four primary themes emerged from chaplain documentation. First, chaplains frequently used “code language,” such as “compassionate presence,” to recapitulate interventions already documented elsewhere in a checklist of ministry interventions. Second, chaplains typically described what they observed rather than interpreting its clinical significance. Third, chaplains indicated passive follow-up plans, waiting for patients or family members to request further interaction. Fourth, chaplains sometimes provided insights into particular relationship dynamics.

Significance of results:

As members of the patient care team, chaplains access the medical record to communicate clinically relevant information. The present study suggests that recent emphasis on evidence-based practice may be leading chaplains, at least in the medical center we studied, to use a reduced, mechanical language insufficient for illuminating patients' individual stories. We hope that our study will promote further consideration of how chaplain documentation can enhance patient care and convey the unique value that chaplains add to the clinical team.
Complementary logics of target-setting: hierarchist and experimentalist governance in the Scottish National Health Service
Authors: Schang Laura , Morton Alec
Published: June 2016

Where policy ends are contested and means for change are ambiguous, imposing central targets on local organisations – what we call hierarchist governance – is problematic. The concept of experimentalist governance suggests that target-setting should rather be a learning process between central regulators and local organisations. However, the relationship between experimentalist and hierarchist governance remains unclear. Existing literature suggests that the learning-oriented experimentalist logic is hard to reconcile with a hierarchist logic focussed on accountability for results. We examine whether complementary use of hierarchist and experimentalist ideas is possible. Drawing on experiences from Scotland, we find that experimentalist and hierarchist logics can co-exist in the same performance management system. Each logic served distinct roles with respect to target-setting, implementation and accountability. The emphasis on experimentalism was stronger where ends and means were contested (the case of shifting the balance of care for older people) than where both ends and means seemed obvious initially (the case of health care-associated infections, where target-setting followed a more hierarchist logic). However, governance drifted towards experimentalism when rising rates of community-acquired infections decreased clarity about effective interventions. The nature of policy issues and changes therein over time appear to be important conditions for synergies between governance logics.
Re-Paying Attention to Visitor Behavior: A Re-Analysis using Meta-Analytic Techniques
Authors: Castro Yone , Botella Juan , Asensio Mikel
Published: June 2016

The present study describes a meta-analytic review of museum visitors’ behavior. Although there is a large number of visitor studies available, their cumulative importance has not been determined due to the lack of rigorous methods to determine common causes of visitors’ behaviors. We analyzed Serrell’s (1998) database of 110 studies, defining a number of variables that measure visitors’ behaviors in exhibition spaces which exceeded the most typical and obvious ones. We defined four indexes of effect size and obtained their combined estimates:average time per feature[ATF●= 0.43 (0.49; 0.37)],percentage of diligent visitors[dv●= 30% (0.39; 0.23)],inverse of velocity[Iv●= 4.07 min/100m2 (4.55; 3.59)], andstops per feature[SF●= 0.35 (0.38; 0.33)], and we analyzed the role of relevant moderating variables. Key findings indicate, for example, that the visiting time for each display element relates to the size of the exhibition and its newness, and visitor walking speed is higher in large exhibit areas. The indexes obtained in this study can be understood as references to be used for comparison with new evaluations. They may help to predict people’s behavior and appreciation of new exhibitions, identifying important problems in museum designs, and providing new research tools for this field.
Rumination in Adolescence: the Distinctive Impact of Brooding and Reflection on Psychopathology
Authors: Xavier Ana , Cunha Marina , Pinto-Gouveia José
Published: June 2016

Rumination has a crucial role in the onset, severity and maintenance of depression in adolescent and adult populations. The Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) is the most widely self-report instrument used to assess individual differences in the tendency to engage in ruminative responses style. This paper aims to test the factor structure of the 10-item RRS and the gender-based measurement invariance, in a community sample of adolescents, using a Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Participants were 542 adolescents (53% females) with a mean age of 14 years old (SD = 1.75) from middle and secondary schools (years of education’s mean = 9.46, SD = 1.60) in Portugal. Results confirm the two-factor structure of the RRS composed by brooding and reflection dimensions (GFI = .93, CFI = .90, TLI = .87, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .11, 90% C.I. [0.092 to 0.121]) and the invariance across gender (GFI = .91, CFI = .89, TLI = .85, RMSEA = .08, 90% C.I. [0.069 to 0.090], p < .001). RRS and their dimensions presented a good internal reliability (Brooding: α = .80; Reflection: α = .75; RRS total: α = .85). Brooding and reflection dimensions revealed moderate correlations with depression, anxiety and stress symptoms (p < .001). Multiple Regression Analysis through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) showed that brooding is significantly and strongly associated with internalizing symptoms (p < .001). Female adolescents reported more levels of rumination than male adolescents. Overall, these findings support the usefulness of the Portuguese version of RRS and suggest that this short version is an economical, valid and reliable measure to assess ruminative response styles in adolescence.
Perinatal Outcome of Discordant Anomalous Twins: A Single-Center Experience in a Developing Country
Authors: Fernandes Tatiana R. M. M. , Carvalho Paulo R. N. , Flosi Fernanda B. , Baião Ana Elisa R. , Junior Sant Claire G.
Published: June 2016

A dramatic increase in twin pregnancies has been observed in the past few decades, primarily related to assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and increased average maternal age during pregnancy. Multiple pregnancies, compared to singleton pregnancies, are associated with greater perinatal morbidity and mortality. The present study evaluated the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies with discordant anomalous twins in a tertiary maternity ward in a developing country. Data were retrospectively collected from the Instituto Fernandes Figueira/FIOCRUZ, Brazil between January 2002 and December 2014. We identified 74 twin pregnancies with discordant anomalous twins. Final data analysis was based on 40 pregnancies. Congenital defects were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases: ICD-10: the digestive system was responsible in 27 (34%) cases; the central nervous system was responsible in 18 (22%) cases; the urinary tract was responsible in 14 (17%) cases; and the circulatory system was responsible in 14 (17%) cases. A total of 19 deaths occurred during the study period, and delivery before 30.4 weeks was a significant prediction of fetal death (p = .01). The presence of hydrops in the affected fetus was related to a higher number of deaths in healthy fetuses and contributed to a worse prognosis. The presence of this condition was the cause of 12 (55.6%) deaths in healthy fetuses. A 10 times higher risk of death of a normal co-twin was observed in cases of death of the anomalous twin (p = .002, OR 10.55, 95% CI: 1.9–58.52).
Race and Responsiveness: An Experiment with South African Politicians
Authors: McClendon Gwyneth H.
Published: June 2016

Do politicians engage in ethnic and racial favoritism when conducting constituency service? This article presents results from a replication field experiment with local South African politicians that tested for racial bias in responsiveness to requests about public goods provision. The experiment represents an adaptation of similar experiments conducted in the United States, extending the design to a different institutional environment, albeit one with a similar racially-charged history. Although one might suppose that politicians in South Africa would seek to avoid racial bias given the recent transition to full democracy, I find that South African politicians—both black and white—are more responsive to same-race constituents than to other-race constituents. Same-race bias is evident in both the dominant and the main opposition political parties. Moreover, politicians are not particularly responsive to anyone. Implications for the further study of democratic responsiveness are discussed.
The Role of Test Anticipation in the Link Between Performance-Approach Goals and Academic Achievement
Authors: Crouzevialle Marie , Butera Fabrizio
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Performance-approach goals (i.e., the desire to outperform others) have been found to be positive predictors of test performance, but research has also revealed that they predict surface learning strategies. The present research investigates whether the high academic performance of students who strongly adopt performance-approach goals stems from test anticipation and preparation, which most educational settings render possible since examinations are often scheduled in advance. We set up a longitudinal design for an experiment conducted in high-school classrooms within the context of two science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, namely, physics and chemistry. First, we measured performance-approach goals. Then we asked students to take a test that had either been announced a week in advance (enabling strategic preparation) or not. The expected interaction between performance-approach goal endorsement and test anticipation was moderated by the students’ initial level: The interaction appeared only among low achievers for whom the pursuit of performance-approach goals predicted greater performance – but only when the test had been scheduled. Conversely, high achievers appeared to have adopted a regular and steady process of course content learning whatever their normative goal endorsement. This suggests that normative strivings differentially influence the study strategies of low and high achievers.
The Impact of Visual Stereotypes on Judgments about Rape
Authors: Busching Robert , Lutz Johannes
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Legally irrelevant information like facial features is used to form judgments about rape cases. Using a reverse-correlation technique, it is possible to visualize criminal stereotypes and test whether these representations influence judgments. In the first step, images of the stereotypical faces of a rapist, a thief, and a lifesaver were generated. These images showed a clear distinction between the lifesaver and the two criminal representations, but the criminal representations were rather similar. In the next step, the images were presented together with rape scenarios, and participants (N = 153) indicated the defendant’s level of liability. Participants with high rape myth acceptance scores attributed a lower level of liability to a defendant who resembled a stereotypical lifesaver. However, no specific effects of the image of the stereotypical rapist compared to the stereotypical thief were found. We discuss the findings with respect to the influence of visual stereotypes on legal judgments and the nature of these mental representations.
Mapping Emotion Terms into Affective Space
Authors: Gillioz Christelle , Fontaine Johnny R. J. , Soriano Cristina , Scherer Klaus R.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Recent empirical work on the semantics of emotion terms across many different cultures and languages, using a theoretical componential approach, suggested that four dimensions are needed to parsimoniously describe the semantic space of the emotion domain as reflected in emotion terms ( Fontaine, Scherer, Roesch, & Ellsworth, 2007 ; Fontaine, Scherer, & Soriano, 2013 ). In addition to valence, power, and arousal, a novelty dimension was discovered that mostly differentiated surprise from other emotions. Here, we further explore the existence and nature of the fourth dimension in semantic emotion space using a much larger and much more representative set of emotion terms. A group of 156 participants each rated 10 out of a set of 80 French emotion terms with respect to semantic meaning. The meaning of an emotion term was evaluated with respect to 68 emotion features representing the appraisal, action tendency, bodily reaction, expression, and feeling components of the emotion process. A principal component analysis confirmed the four-dimensional valence, power, arousal, and novelty structure. Moreover, this larger and much more representative set of emotion terms revealed that the novelty dimension not only differentiates surprise terms from other emotion terms, but also identifies substantial variation within the fear and joy emotion families.
Modeling Likert Scale Outcomes With Trend-Proportional Odds With and	Without Cluster Data
Authors: Capuano Ana W. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , Ramirez Marizen R. , Wilson Robert S. , Barnes Lisa L. , Field R. William
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Likert scales are commonly used in epidemiological studies employing surveys. In this tutorial we demonstrate how the proportional odds model and the trend odds model can be applied simultaneously to data measured in Likert scales, allowing for random cluster effects. We use two datasets as examples: an epidemiological study on aging and cognition among community-dwelling Black persons, and a clustered large survey data from 28,882 students in 81 middle schools. The first example models the Likert outcome from the question: “People act as if they think you are dishonest.” The trend-proportional odds model indicates that Black men have higher odds than Black women of reporting being perceived as dishonest. The second example models the Likert outcome from the question: “How often have you been beaten up at school?”. The trend-proportional odds model indicates that children with disability have a higher odds of severe violence than other children. For both examples, the cumulative odds ratio increases by more than 60% at the higher Likert levels.
Inconsistencies in Reportedp-Values in Spanish Journals of Psychology
Authors: Caperos José Manuel , Olmos Ricardo , Pardo Antonio
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Correlation analysis is one of the most widely used methods to test hypotheses in social and health sciences; however, its use is not completely error free. We have explored the frequency of inconsistencies between reported p-values and the associated test statistics in 186 papers published in four Spanish journals of psychology (1,950 correlation tests); we have also collected information about the use of one- versus two-tailed tests in the presence of directional hypotheses, and about the use of some kind of adjustment to control Type I errors due to simultaneous inference. Reported correlation tests (83.8%) are incomplete and 92.5% include an inexact p-value. Gross inconsistencies, which are liable to alter the statistical conclusions, appear in 4% of the reviewed tests, and 26.9% of the inconsistencies found were large enough to bias the results of a meta-analysis. The election of one-tailed tests and the use of adjustments to control the Type I error rate are negligible. We therefore urge authors, reviewers, and editorial boards to pay particular attention to this in order to prevent inconsistencies in statistical reports.
The Effects of Interviewers on the Collection of Reasons for Refusals	in Face-to-Face Surveys
Authors: Menold Natalja , Zuell Cornelia
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Paradata related to reasons for refusals in face-to-face surveys can be useful for research on refusers and on refusal rates. This article addresses the measurement quality of reasons for refusals. Multilevel multinomial models were used to examine the effects of interviewers on the collection of reasons for refusals in a survey on the German population, the General German Social Survey (ALLBUS 2008). In this survey, reasons for refusals were collected by interviewers, predominantly in an open-ended answer format. We categorized reasons for refusals – our dependent variable – through content analysis. The results of the subsequent multilevel analysis show that interviewers’ gender, age, and workload are related to the collection of some reasons for refusals. At the same time, we obtained high unexplained interviewer variance, which indicates that interviewers tend to report certain reasons for refusals. Further research should investigate how to reduce the effects of interviewers on collection of paradata.
Normality and Sample Size Do Not Matter for the Selection of an	Appropriate Statistical Test for Two-Group Comparisons
Authors: Poncet Antoine , Courvoisier Delphine S. , Combescure Christophe , Perneger Thomas V.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Many applied researchers are taught to use the t-test when distributions appear normal and/or sample sizes are large and non-parametric tests otherwise, and fear inflated error rates if the “wrong” test is used. In a simulation study (four tests: t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Robust t-test, Permutation test; seven sample sizes between 2 × 10 and 2 × 500; four distributions: normal, uniform, log-normal, bimodal; under the null and alternate hypotheses), we show that type 1 errors are well controlled in all conditions. The t-test is most powerful under the normal and the uniform distributions, the Mann-Whitney test under the lognormal distribution, and the robust t-test under the bimodal distribution. Importantly, even the t-test was more powerful under asymmetric distributions than under the normal distribution for the same effect size. It appears that normality and sample size do not matter for the selection of a test to compare two groups of same size and variance. The researcher can opt for the test that fits the scientific hypothesis the best, without fear of poor test performance.
KRT14 marks a subpopulation of bladder basal cells with pivotal role in regeneration and tumorigenesis
Authors: Papafotiou George , Paraskevopoulou Varvara , Vasilaki Eleni , Kanaki Zoi , Paschalidis Nikolaos , Klinakis Apostolos
Published: June 2016

The urothelium is a specialized epithelium that lines the urinary tract. It consists of three different cell types, namely, basal, intermediate and superficial cells arranged in relatively distinct cell layers. Normally, quiescent, it regenerates fast upon injury, but the regeneration process is not fully understood. Although several reports have indicated the existence of progenitors, their identity and exact topology, as well as their role in key processes such as tissue regeneration and carcinogenesis have not been clarified. Here we show that a minor subpopulation of basal cells, characterized by the expression of keratin 14, possesses self-renewal capacity and also gives rise to all cell types of the urothelium during natural and injury-induced regeneration. Moreover, these cells represent cells of origin of urothelial cancer. Our findings support the hypothesis of basally located progenitors with profound roles in urothelial homoeostasis.
One-dimensional Magnus-type platinum double salts
Authors: Hendon Christopher H. , Walsh Aron , Akiyama Norinobu , Konno Yosuke , Kajiwara Takashi , Ito Tasuku , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Sakai Ken
Published: June 2016

Interest in platinum-chain complexes arose from their unusual oxidation states and physical properties. Despite their compositional diversity, isolation of crystalline chains has remained challenging. Here we report a simple crystallization technique that yields a series of dimer-based 1D platinum chains. The colour of the Pt2+ compounds can be switched between yellow, orange and blue. Spontaneous oxidation in air is used to form black Pt2.33+ needles. The loss of one electron per double salt results in a metallic "Equation missing" state, as supported by quantum chemical calculations, and displays conductivity of 11 S cm−1 at room temperature. This behaviour may open up a new avenue for controllable platinum chemistry.
Crystallization of spin superlattices with pressure and field in the layered magnet SrCu2(BO3)2
Authors: Haravifard S. , Graf D. , Feiguin A. E. , Batista C. D. , Lang J. C. , Silevitch D. M. , Srajer G. , Gaulin B. D. , Dabkowska H. A. , Rosenbaum T. F.
Published: June 2016

An exact mapping between quantum spins and boson gases provides fresh approaches to the creation of quantum condensates and crystals. Here we report on magnetization measurements on the dimerized quantum magnet SrCu2(BO3)2 at cryogenic temperatures and through a quantum-phase transition that demonstrate the emergence of fractionally filled bosonic crystals in mesoscopic patterns, specified by a sequence of magnetization plateaus. We apply tens of Teslas of magnetic field to tune the density of bosons and gigapascals of hydrostatic pressure to regulate the underlying interactions. Simulations help parse the balance between energy and geometry in the emergent spin superlattices. The magnetic crystallites are the end result of a progression from a direct product of singlet states in each short dimer at zero field to preferred filling fractions of spin-triplet bosons in each dimer at large magnetic field, enriching the known possibilities for collective states in both quantum spin and atomic systems.
CRF-like receptor SEB-3 in sex-common interneurons potentiates stress handling and reproductive drive in C. elegans
Authors: Jee Changhoon , Goncalves Jimmy F. , LeBoeuf Brigitte , Garcia L. Rene
Published: June 2016

Environmental conditions can modulate innate behaviours. Although male Caenorhabditis elegans copulation can be perturbed in the presence of stress, the mechanisms underlying its decision to sustain copulation are unclear. Here we describe a mating interference assay, which quantifies the persistence of male C. elegans copulation in noxious blue light. We show that between copulations, the male escapes from blue light illumination at intensities over 370 μW mm−2. This response is attenuated in mutants with constitutive activation of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor family homologue SEB-3. We show that activation of this receptor causes sex-common glutamatergic lumbar ganglion interneurons (LUA) to potentiate downstream male-specific reproduction circuits, allowing copulatory behaviours to partially override the light-induced escape responses in the male. SEB-3 activation in LUA also potentiates copulation during mild starvation. We suggest that SEB-3 activation allows C. elegans to acclimate to the environment and thus continue to execute innate behaviours even under non-optimal conditions.
Water-mediated cation intercalation of open-framework indium hexacyanoferrate with high voltage and fast kinetics
Authors: Chen Liang , Shao Hezhu , Zhou Xufeng , Liu Guoqiang , Jiang Jun , Liu Zhaoping
Published: June 2016

Rechargeable aqueous metal-ion batteries made from non-flammable and low-cost materials offer promising opportunities in large-scale utility grid applications, yet low voltage and energy output, as well as limited cycle life remain critical drawbacks in their electrochemical operation. Here we develop a series of high-voltage aqueous metal-ion batteries based on ‘M+/N+-dual shuttles’ to overcome these drawbacks. They utilize open-framework indium hexacyanoferrates as cathode materials, and TiP2O7 and NaTi2(PO4)3 as anode materials, respectively. All of them possess strong rate capability as ultra-capacitors. Through multiple characterization techniques combined with ab initio calculations, water-mediated cation intercalation of indium hexacyanoferrate is unveiled. Water is supposed to be co-inserted with Li+ or Na+, which evidently raises the intercalation voltage and reduces diffusion kinetics. As for K+, water is not involved in the intercalation because of the channel space limitation.
On-chip coherent conversion of photonic quantum entanglement between different degrees of freedom
Authors: Feng Lan-Tian , Zhang Ming , Zhou Zhi-Yuan , Li Ming , Xiong Xiao , Yu Le , Shi Bao-Sen , Guo Guo-Ping , Dai Dao-Xin , Ren Xi-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: June 2016

In the quantum world, a single particle can have various degrees of freedom to encode quantum information. Controlling multiple degrees of freedom simultaneously is necessary to describe a particle fully and, therefore, to use it more efficiently. Here we introduce the transverse waveguide-mode degree of freedom to quantum photonic integrated circuits, and demonstrate the coherent conversion of a photonic quantum state between path, polarization and transverse waveguide-mode degrees of freedom on a single chip. The preservation of quantum coherence in these conversion processes is proven by single-photon and two-photon quantum interference using a fibre beam splitter or on-chip beam splitters. These results provide us with the ability to control and convert multiple degrees of freedom of photons for quantum photonic integrated circuit-based quantum information process.
CD8+ T cells induce platelet clearance in the liver via platelet desialylation in immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Qiu Jihua , Liu Xuena , Li Xiaoqing , Zhang Xu , Han Panpan , Zhou Hai , Shao Linlin , Hou Yu , Min Yanan , Kong Zhangyuan , Wang Yawen , Wei Yu , Liu Xinguang , Ni Heyu , Peng Jun , Hou Ming
Published: June 2016

In addition to antiplatelet autoantibodies, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an important role in the increased platelet destruction in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Recent studies have highlighted that platelet desialylation leads to platelet clearance via hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPRs). Whether CD8+ T cells induce platelet desialylation in ITP remains unclear. Here, we investigated the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells towards platelets and platelet desialylation in ITP. We found that the desialylation of fresh platelets was significantly higher in ITP patients with positive cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells than those without cytotoxicity and controls. In vitro, CD8+ T cells from ITP patients with positive cytotoxicity induced significant platelet desialylation, neuraminidase-1 expression on the platelet surface, and platelet phagocytosis by hepatocytes. To study platelet survival and clearance in vivo, CD61 knockout mice were immunized and their CD8+ splenocytes were used. Platelets co-cultured with these CD8+ splenocytes demonstrated decreased survival in the circulation and increased phagocytosis in the liver. Both neuraminidase inhibitor and ASGPRs competitor significantly improved platelet survival and abrogated platelet clearance caused by CD8+ splenocytes. These findings suggest that CD8+ T cells induce platelet desialylation and platelet clearance in the liver in ITP, which may be a novel mechanism of ITP.
Reversible proton-switchable fluorescence controlled by conjugation effect in an organically-functionalized polyoxometalate
Authors: Lv Chunlin , Chen Kun , Hu Junjie , Zhang Jin , Khan Rao Naumaan Nasim , Wei Yongge
Published: June 2016

A novel monosubstituted organoimido hexamolybdate containing 6-nitroquinoline moiety has been successfully synthesized. This organically-functionalized polyoxometalate exhibits proton-induced switchable fluorescence property in aqueous acetonitrile solution at room temperature. Experimental and theoretical investigations of this reversible “on” and “off” switching mechanism have been carried out and it is found that the protonation and deprotonation at the heterocyclic nitrogen atom within quinoline fragment leads to the breaking and reformation of the conjugation through strong d-π interaction between the hexamolybdate anionic cluster and the quinoline moiety, resulting in “on” and “off” luminescence signal.
Effect of Cocaine on HIV Infection and Inflammasome Gene Expression Profile in HIV Infected Macrophages
Authors: Atluri Venkata Subba Rao , Pilakka-Kanthikeel Sudheesh , Garcia Gabriella , Jayant Rahul Dev , Sagar Vidya , Samikkannu Thangavel , Yndart Adriana , Nair Madhavan
Published: June 2016

We have observed significantly increased HIV infection in HIV infected macrophages in the presence of cocaine that could be due to the downregulation of BST2 restriction factor in these cells. In human inflammasome PCR array, among different involved in inflammasome formation, in HIV infected macrophages in the presence of cocaine, we have observed significant upregulation of NLRP3, AIM2 genes and downstream genes IL-1β and PTGS2. Whereas negative regulatory gene MEFV was upregulated, CD40LG and PYDC1 were significantly downregulated. Among various NOD like receptors, NOD2 was significantly upregulated in both HIV alone and HIV plus cocaine treated cells. In the downstream genes, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL7 and IL-6 were significantly up regulated in HIV plus cocaine treated macrophages. We have also observed significant ROS production (in HIV and/or cocaine treated cells) which is one of the indirect-activators of inflammasomes formation. Further, we have observed early apoptosis in HIV alone and HIV plus cocaine treated macrophages which may be resultant of inflammasome formation and cspase-1 activation. These results indicate that in case of HIV infected macrophages exposed to cocaine, increased ROS production and IL-1β transcription serve as an activators for the formation of NLRP3 and AIM2 mediated inflammasomes that leads to caspase 1 mediated apoptosis.
Dual-color STED microscopy reveals a sandwich structure of Bassoon and Piccolo in active zones of adult and aged mice
Authors: Nishimune Hiroshi , Badawi Yomna , Mori Shuuichi , Shigemoto Kazuhiro
Published: June 2016

Presynaptic active zones play a pivotal role as synaptic vesicle release sites for synaptic transmission, but the molecular architecture of active zones in mammalian neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) at sub-diffraction limited resolution remains unknown. Bassoon and Piccolo are active zone specific cytosolic proteins essential for active zone assembly in NMJs, ribbon synapses and brain synapses. These proteins are thought to colocalize and share some functions at active zones. Here, we report an unexpected finding of non-overlapping localization of these two proteins in mouse NMJs revealed using dual-color stimulated emission depletion (STED) super resolution microscopy. Piccolo puncta sandwiched Bassoon puncta and aligned in a Piccolo-Bassoon-Piccolo structure in adult NMJs. P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) puncta colocalized with Bassoon puncta. The P/Q-type VGCC and Bassoon protein levels decreased significantly in NMJs from aged mouse. In contrast, the Piccolo levels in NMJs from aged mice were comparable to levels in adult mice. This study revealed the molecular architecture of active zones in mouse NMJs at sub-diffraction limited resolution and described the selective degeneration mechanism of active zone proteins in NMJs from aged mice. Interestingly, the localization pattern of active zone proteins described herein is similar to active zone structures described using electron microscope tomography.
High Area Capacity Lithium-Sulfur Full-cell Battery with Prelitiathed Silicon Nanowire-Carbon Anodes for Long Cycling Stability
Authors: Krause Andreas , Dörfler Susanne , Piwko Markus , Wisser Florian M. , Jaumann Tony , Ahrens Eike , Giebeler Lars , Althues Holger , Schädlich Stefan , Grothe Julia , Jeffery Andrea , Grube Matthias , Brückner Jan , Martin Jan , Eckert Jürgen , Kaskel Stefan , Mikolajick Thomas , Weber Walter M.
Published: June 2016

We show full Li/S cells with the use of balanced and high capacity electrodes to address high power electro-mobile applications. The anode is made of an assembly comprising of silicon nanowires as active material densely and conformally grown on a 3D carbon mesh as a light-weight current collector, offering extremely high areal capacity for reversible Li storage of up to 9 mAh/cm2. The dense growth is guaranteed by a versatile Au precursor developed for homogenous Au layer deposition on 3D substrates. In contrast to metallic Li, the presented system exhibits superior characteristics as an anode in Li/S batteries such as safe operation, long cycle life and easy handling. These anodes are combined with high area density S/C composite cathodes into a Li/S full-cell with an ether- and lithium triflate-based electrolyte for high ionic conductivity. The result is a highly cyclable full-cell with an areal capacity of 2.3 mAh/cm2, a cyclability surpassing 450 cycles and capacity retention of 80% after 150 cycles (capacity loss <0.4% per cycle). A detailed physical and electrochemical investigation of the SiNW Li/S full-cell including in-operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements reveals that the lower degradation is due to a lower self-reduction of polysulfides after continuous charging/discharging.
Circulating Plasma microRNAs can differentiate Human Sepsis and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
Authors: Caserta Stefano , Kern Florian , Cohen Jonathan , Drage Stephen , Newbury Sarah F. , Llewelyn Martin J.
Published: June 2016

Systemic inflammation in humans may be triggered by infection, termed sepsis, or non-infective processes, termed non-infective systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). MicroRNAs regulate cellular processes including inflammation and may be detected in blood. We aimed to establish definitive proof-of-principle that circulating microRNAs are differentially affected during sepsis and non-infective SIRS. Critically ill patients with severe (n = 21) or non-severe (n = 8) intra-abdominal sepsis; severe (n = 23) or non-severe (n = 21) non-infective SIRS; or no SIRS (n = 16) were studied. Next-generation sequencing and qRT-PCR were used to measure plasma microRNAs. Detectable blood miRNAs (n = 116) were generally up-regulated in SIRS compared to no-SIRS patients. Levels of these ‘circulating inflammation-related microRNAs’ (CIR-miRNAs) were 2.64 (IQR: 2.10–3.29) and 1.52 (IQR: 1.15–1.92) fold higher for non-infective SIRS and sepsis respectively (p < 0.0001), hence CIR-miRNAs appeared less abundant in sepsis than in SIRS. Six CIR-miRNAs (miR-30d-5p, miR-30a-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-26a-5p, miR-23a-5p, miR-191-5p) provided good-to-excellent discrimination of severe sepsis from severe SIRS (0.742–0.917 AUC of ROC curves). CIR-miRNA levels inversely correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6 and others). Thus, among critically ill patients, sepsis and non-infective SIRS are associated with substantial, differential changes in CIR-miRNAs. CIR-miRNAs may be regulators of inflammation and warrant thorough evaluation as diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Transcriptional regulation of heat shock proteins and ascorbate peroxidase by CtHsfA2b from African bermudagrass conferring heat tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Xiuyun , Huang Wanlu , Yang Zhimin , Liu Jun , Huang Bingru
Published: June 2016

Heat stress transcription factor A2s (HsfA2s) are key regulators in plant response to high temperature. Our objectives were to isolate an HsfA2 gene (CtHsfA2b) from a warm-season grass species, African bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) and to determine the physiological functions and transcriptional regulation of HsfA2 for improving heat tolerance. Gene expression analysis revealed that CtHsfA2b was heat-inducible and exhibited rapid response to increasing temperature. Ectopic expression of CtHsfA2b improved heat tolerance in Arabidopsis and restored heat-sensitive defects of Arabidopsis hsfa2 mutant, which was demonstrated by higher survival rate and photosynthetic parameters and lower electrolyte leakage in transgenic plants compared to the WT or hsfa2 mutant. CtHsfA2b transgenic plants showed elevated transcriptional regulation of several downstream genes, including those encoding ascorbate peroxidase (AtApx2) and heat shock proteins [AtHsp18.1-CI, AtHsp22.0-ER, AtHsp25.3-P and AtHsp26.5-P(r), AtHsp70b and AtHsp101-3]. CtHsfA2b was found to bind to the heat shock element (HSE) on the promoter of AtApx2 and enhanced transcriptional activity of AtApx2. These results suggested that CtHsfA2b could play positive roles in heat protection by up-regulating antioxidant defense and chaperoning mechanisms. CtHsfA2b has the potential to be used as a candidate gene to genetically modify cool-season species for improving heat tolerance.
Generating a host range-expanded recombinant baculovirus
Authors: Wu Chunfeng , Deng Zihao , Long Zhao , Cai Yi , Ying Zhongfu , Yin Hanqi , Yuan Meijin , Clem Rollie J. , Yang Kai , Pang Yi
Published: June 2016

As baculoviruses usually have a narrow insecticidal spectrum, knowing the mechanisms by which they control the host-range is prerequisite for improvement of their applications as pesticides. In this study, from supernatant of culture cells transfected with DNAs of an Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) mutant lacking the antiapoptotic gene p35 (vAc∆P35) and a cosmid representing a fragment of Spodoptera exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV), a viral strain was plaque-purified and named vAcRev. vAcRev had a broader host range than either vAc∆P35 or SeMNPV parental virus, being able to infect not only the permissive hosts of its parental viruses but also a nonpermissive host (Spodoptera litura). Genome sequencing indicated that vAcRev comprises a mixture of two viruses with different circular dsDNA genomes. One virus contains a genome similar to vAc∆P35, while in the other viral genome, a 24.4 kbp-fragment containing 10 essential genesis replaced with a 4 kbp-fragment containing three SeMNPV genes including a truncated Se-iap3 gene. RNA interference and ectopic expression assays found that Se-iap3 is responsible for the host range expansion of vAcRev, suggesting that Se-iap3 inhibits the progression of apoptosis initiated by viral infection and promotes viral propagation in hosts both permissive and non-permissive for AcMNPV and SeMNPV.