bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redox regulation of a guard cell SNF1-related protein kinase in Brassica napus, an oilseed crop
Authors: Zhu Mengmeng , Zhang Tong , Ji Wei , Silva-Sanchez Cecilia , Song Wen-yuan , Assmann Sarah M. , Harmon Alice C. , Chen Sixue
Published: June 2017

Kinase-mediated phosphorylation is a pivotal regulatory process in stomatal responses to stresses. Through a redox proteomics study, a sucrose non-fermenting 1-related protein kinase (SnRK2.4) was identified to be redox-regulated in Brassica napus guard cells upon abscisic acid treatment. There are six genes encoding SnRK2.4 paralogs in B. napus. Here, we show that recombinant BnSnRK2.4-1C exhibited autophosphorylation activity and preferentially phosphorylated the N-terminal region of B. napus slow anion channel (BnSLAC1-NT) over generic substrates. The in vitro activity of BnSnRK2.4-1C requires the presence of manganese (Mn2+). Phosphorylation sites of autophosphorylated BnSnRK2.4-1C were mapped, including serine and threonine residues in the activation loop. In vitro BnSnRK2.4-1C autophosphorylation activity was inhibited by oxidants such as H2O2 and recovered by active thioredoxin isoforms, indicating redox regulation of BnSnRK2.4-1C. Thiol-specific isotope tagging followed by mass spectrometry analysis revealed specific cysteine residues responsive to oxidant treatments. The in vivo activity of BnSnRK2.4-1C is inhibited by 15 min of H2O2 treatment. Taken together, these data indicate that BnSnRK2.4-1C, an SnRK preferentially expressed in guard cells, is redox-regulated with potential roles in guard cell signal transduction.
Reconstruction of a helical prominence in 3D from IRIS spectra and images
Authors: Schmieder B. , Zapiór M. , López Ariste A. , Levens P. , Labrosse N. , Gravet R.
Published: June 2017

Context. Movies of prominences obtained by space instruments e.g. the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) aboard the Hinode satellite and the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) with high temporal and spatial resolution revealed the tremendous dynamical nature of prominences. Knots of plasma belonging to prominences appear to travel along both vertical and horizontal thread-like loops, with highly dynamical nature.

Aims. The aim of the paper is to reconstruct the 3D shape of a helical prominence observed over two and a half hours by IRIS.

Methods. From the IRIS Mg ii k spectra we compute Doppler shifts of the plasma inside the prominence and from the slit-jaw images (SJI) we derive the transverse field in the plane of the sky. Finally we obtain the velocity vector field of the knots in 3D.

Results.We reconstruct the real trajectories of nine knots travelling along ellipses.

Conclusions. The spiral-like structure of the prominence observed in the plane of the sky is mainly due to the projection effect of long arches of threads (up to 8 × 104 km). Knots run along more or less horizontal threads with velocities reaching 65 km s-1. The dominant driving force is the gas pressure.
Fluage et relaxation par indentation d’aciers au chrome
Authors: Nogning Kamta P. , Chicot D. , Roudet F. , Touzin M. , Louis G.
Published: June 2017

L’étude du comportement en fluage et en relaxation de matériaux soumis à des conditions sévères en termes de température, de contrainte et de déformation est nécessaire mais parfois coûteuse avec les essais classiques. En effet, ces essais, particulièrement celui du fluage, sont très consommateurs de temps, ils peuvent durer plus d’une année. Pour ramener cette durée d’essais à quelques minutes, nous proposons d’utiliser l’indentation instrumentée qui, avec l’évolution des conditions d’application de la charge et du déplacement de l’indenteur, permet de solliciter le matériau dans des conditions de chargement proches de celles imposées dans les essais classiques. Dans cette étude, nous proposons d’étudier le comportement de deux aciers au chrome utilisés pour la fabrication d’appareils sous pression. Il s’agit des aciers à 9 % de chrome (T91) et à 2,5 % de chrome (T22), l’objectif étant de classer les matériaux selon leur sensibilité au fluage et à la relaxation. Dans ce travail, nous nous limitons à l’indentation à température ambiante pour étudier l’applicabilité de la technique d’indentation. En fluage, nous déterminons le coefficient de sensibilité à la contrainte et en relaxation le coefficient d’homothétie défini dans la théorie de Hart. L’intérêt de ces deux coefficients est qu’ils sont liés, l’un est l’inverse de l’autre, ce qui permet de comparer les deux modes de sollicitation.
Paralytischer Ileus mit Todesfolge unter Psychopharmakotherapie
Authors: Runte Ingo , Hamberger Ulrich
Published: June 2017

Innerhalb eines Zeitraums von rund zwei Jahren kam es in der Region Bielefeld zu einer auffälligen Häufung von vier Todesfällen als Folge eines paralytischen Ileus. Alle vier Patienten litten unter einer psychotischen Störung und hatten langjährig stark wirksame Psychopharmaka eingenommen. Nach Ausschluss anderer Ursachen muss die anticholinerge Wirkung der Psychopharmaka als Todesursache angesehen werden. Neben einer Literaturübersicht ähnlicher Fälle werden pharmakologische Rezeptorbindungsprofile anticholinerg wirksamer Substanzen dargestellt und therapeutische Konsequenzen für die Praxis aufgezeigt, um weitere Todesfälle zu verhindern.
ADHS im Erwachsenenalter und substanzbezogene Störungen – Prävalenz, Diagnostik und integrierte Behandlungskonzepte
Authors: Dirks Henrike , Scherbaum Norbert , Kis Bernhard , Mette Christian
Published: June 2017

Substanzbezogene Störungen (SUD) sind nach Angst- und affektiven Störungen die psychischen Störungen mit der höchsten Prävalenz in der erwachsenen Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) zählt zu den häufigsten psychischen Störungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen und persistiert bei einem Teil der Patienten bis in das Erwachsenenalter. Das Vorliegen von ADHS im Kindes- und Jugendalter ist zudem ein stabiler Prädiktor für den Konsum von Tabak, Alkohol und illegalen Suchtmitteln im Erwachsenenalter. Die Problematik einer integrierten Therapie von erwachsenen Patienten mit der Komorbidität ADHS und SUD zählt zu den zentralen Herausforderungen in der klinischen Versorgung dieser Patientengruppe. Das Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit sind die Darstellung und Diskussion der Komorbidität von ADHS und SUD bei erwachsenen Patienten anhand der aktuellen Literatur sowie die Ableitung der Implikationen für eine adäquate Diagnostik und Therapie. Des Weiteren werden die Prävalenzen komorbider Störungen, die Herausforderungen der (Differenzial-)Diagnostik durch Symptomüberschneidungen und Ausblicke für eine integrierte psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutische Behandlung von ADHS und substanzbezogenen Störungen dargestellt.
Knochenzemente für die Behandlung osteoporotischer Frakturen
Authors: Hofmann-Fliri Ladina , Windolf Markus
Published: June 2017

Die Versorgung osteoporotischer Frakturen mittels metallischer Implantate erreicht zunehmend ihre Grenzen. Eine mögliche Lösung, um eine ausreichende Verankerung des Implantats sicherzustellen, ist die Verstärkung der geschwächten Knochenstruktur mit Knochenzement, die sog. Implantataugmentation. Hierfür kommen meist Acrylate (PMMA) oder resorbierbare Kalziumphosphatzemente (CaP) zum Einsatz. PMMA-Zemente besitzen ausgewogene mechanische Eigenschaften, sind einfach zu handhaben und lassen sich gut und sicher injizieren. Allerdings geht die Aushärtung von PMMA mit Entstehung von Wärme einher. Es konnte aber gezeigt werden, dass die für die Implantataugmentation benötigten kleinen Mengen an PMMA nicht zu kritischen Temperaturen im umliegenden Gewebe führen. CaP-Zemente besitzen eine sehr gute Biokompatibilität, erwärmen sich bei der Aushärtung nicht und sind resorbierbar. Wegen der verminderten mechanischen Eigenschaften wird jedoch oft geraten, die derzeit verfügbaren CaP-Zemente eher an nicht oder wenig belasteten Stellen anzuwenden. Neuere Entwicklungen deuten jedoch darauf hin, dass in Zukunft deutlich bessere Eigenschaften von CaP-Zementen zu erwarten sind. Mit der kurz- bis mittelfristig klaren Zunahme von Altersfrakturen bildet die Implantataugmentation mit CaP oder Acrylat eine interessante Möglichkeit, um den kommenden Problemen zu begegnen.
Epidemiologie der Parkinsonerkrankung und aktuelle ambulante Versorgungskonzepte in Deutschland
Authors: Tönges Lars , Ehret Reinhard , Lorrain Michael , Riederer Peter , Müngersdorf Martina
Published: June 2017

Die ambulante Versorgung von Parkinsonpatienten in Deutschland ist seit Langem etabliert. Da die Prävalenz der Parkinsonerkrankung kontinuierlich zunimmt, erhält der ambulante neurologische Sektor eine zunehmende Bedeutung und muss sich aktuellen Erfordernissen anpassen. Dies umfasst eine Optimierung der Versorgungsstrukturen für Parkinsonpatienten sowie adäquate Konzepte für die Durchführung einer (Differenzial-)Diagnostik und Therapie. Viele Patienten werden von nicht spezialisierten neurologischen Facharztpraxen oder auch von Allgemeinmedizinern versorgt, ohne dass ein Austausch mit auf Bewegungsstörungen spezialisierten Neurologen oder spezialisierten universitären Ambulanzen besteht. Ein Bindeglied zwischen diesen Versorgungsstrukturen kann eine Parkinsonschwerpunktpraxis bieten, deren Idee und Konzeption in diesem Artikel vorgestellt werden soll. Neben der Notwendigkeit und dem Nutzen einer solchen Institution sollen auch strukturelle Voraussetzungen und grundlegende Bausteine einer stadiengerechten Behandlung von Parkinsonpatienten in einer solchen Praxis vorgestellt und derzeitige Limitationen des Konzepts aufgezeigt werden. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden die Ergebnisse eines Expertenworkshops zur Parkinsonerkrankung vorgestellt, der am 21. November 2015 in Frankfurt am Main stattgefunden hat.
Die augmentierte iliosakrale Schraube bei Beckenfrakturen im Alter
Authors: Grüneweller Niklas , Fuchs Thomas , Wähnert Dirk , Raschke Michael
Published: June 2017

Die demografische Entwicklung hat in den letzten Jahren zu einer Zunahme an älteren multimorbiden Patienten mit Beckenringfraktur geführt. Dabei stellen Diagnose, Therapie sowie peri- und postoperatives Patientenmanagement eine große Herausforderung dar. Für eine optimale Patientenversorgung ist ein interdisziplinärer Behandlungsansatz notwendig. In der Altersgruppe der > 65-jähringen Patienten sind Beckenringverletzung häufig durch Niedrigenergietraumen verursacht und mit einer reduzierten Knochenqualität vergesellschaftet. Die therapeutischen Optionen reichen von konservativen bis hin zu verschiedenen operativen Maßnahmen. Allerdings wird auch die operative Therapie durch altersbedingte Komorbiditäten beeinflusst. Daher werden hierfür minimalinvasive und schonende OP-Methoden favorisiert. Die mit zunehmendem Alter reduzierte Knochenqualität erschwert jedoch die knöcherne Verankerung von unfallchirurgischen Implantaten erheblich. Im Folgenden stellen wir ein minimalinvasiv durchführbares Verfahren, die Zementaugmentation von iliosakralen Schrauben, vor. Dieses kann bei therapierefraktären Beschwerden und immobilisierenden Schmerzen zur Behandlung der hinteren Beckenringfraktur bei reduzierter Knochenqualität durchgeführt werden. Die Schraubenaugmentation trägt hier zu einer deutlichen Verbesserung der Implantatverankerung bei. Das Augmentationsverfahren kann ohne wesentliche Erweiterung des Zugangswegs und der chirurgischen Morbidität durchgeführt werden. Kanülierte und spitzenperforierte Schraubensysteme werden nach der gewohnten perkutanen Implantation bei reduziertem Eindrehmoment mittels Knochenzement im Bereich der Schraubenspitze augmentiert. Ziel dieser Therapie ist eine suffiziente Schmerzreduktion und die sofortige Mobilisation unter Vollbelastung, um Komplikationen und Folgeschäden durch Immobilisation für den geriatrischen Patienten zu vermeiden.
Efficacy and safety of cold snare resection in preventive screening colonoscopy
Authors: Schett B. , Wallner J. , Weingart V. , Ayvaz A. , Richter U. , Stahl J. , Allescher H.-D.
Published: June 2017

Background and aim Removal of polyps during colonoscopy effectively prevents the development of colorectal cancer. So far, snare resection with high frequency current with or without prior submucosal saline injection is the method of choice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcome of cold snare resection during routine endoscopy.

Methods In this prospective study, 522 patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy were included. Cold snare resection for diminutive (< 6 mm), small (6 – 9 mm), and larger polyps (> 9 – 15 mm) was performed using a dedicated cold snare device (Exacto®) without prior submucosal injection. Outcome parameters included bleeding rate, perforation rate, procedure time, histologic evaluation of polyp margins, and success rates. The data were compared to a group of patients undergoing hot snare resection.

Results Overall, 1233 polyps were removed using cold snare resection with an overall success rate of 99.4 %. All failures of cold snare resection occurred in the cecum (8/82, failure rate 9.8 %). In the remaining colon, the success rate was 100 %. Immediate post-polypectomy bleeding occurred in 0.49 % of all patients and was most frequently seen in polyps larger than 9 mm. The procedure time was significantly shorter using cold snare resection compared with hot snare resection (27.6 min vs. 35.7 min, P < 0.01).

Conclusion Cold snare resection can be performed safely in outpatients for removal of small polyps in screening colonoscopy. It does not require prior saline injection and reduces procedure time without an increased risk of bleeding.
Does the presence of a trainee compromise success of biliary cannulation at ERCP?
Authors: Frost John , Kurup Arun , Shetty Sharan , Fisher Neil
Published: June 2017

Background and study aims Findings in the literature are conflicting on whether trainee involvement in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures is detrimental to cannulation success rates. We addressed this in a prospective study, where cannulation success with or without trainee presence was the primary outcome measure.

Patients and methods We prospectively recorded data on 2 senior endoscopists and their trainees over an 18-month period for ERCPs in patients with a virgin ampulla. Presence or absence of a trainee at ERCP procedures was pragmatic, reflecting their other service or training commitments or annual leave. For trainee presence, the training protocol allowed them 6 minutes of supervised time in which to achieve biliary cannulation after reaching the ampulla. Study outcome measures included cannulation success, time to cannulation, technique, whether this was achieved independently by the trainee, and complications.

Results There were 219 procedures recorded and analyzed (134 with a trainee, 85 without). Three trainees were involved. Selective biliary cannulation was achieved in 201 (92 %) of cases. When a trainee was present, cannulation was successful in 122/134 procedures (91 %), compared to 79/85 (93 %) with a senior endoscopist alone (P = 0.8, Fisher’s exact test). Mean time to biliary cannulation with a trainee present was 7 minutes, compared with 5 minutes with no trainee. Mean time for successful independent cannulation by the trainee was 4 minutes, and 9 minutes for a consultant following a trainee’s attempt. There were no serious adverse events.

Conclusion Our study shows that with this training protocol, involvement of a trainee on a routine secondary care ERCP list does not impair biliary cannulation success, and does not prolong a subsequent attempt by the senior endoscopist if initially unsuccessful. These findings support the involvement of trainees in routine ERCP lists with this training protocol.
Die Ronnie Gardiner Methode – Stampfen, klatschen, sprechen
Authors: Nürk Lisa
Published: June 2017

Auf Helene Fischers „Atemlos“ zu stampfen und zu klatschen, motiviert nahezu alle, die das erste Mal mit der Ronnie Gardiner Methode in Berührung kommen. Diese kombiniert den Rhythmus der Musik mit Bewegung und Gesprochenem und stimuliert damit verschiedene Regionen des Gehirns.
Assessments bei Wachkoma – Feine Reaktionen wahrnehmen
Authors: Huber Marion
Published: June 2017

Die Kontaktaufnahme zwischen Physiotherapeuten und Patienten erfolgt normalerweise über Sprache, Mimik und Gestik. Dieser Weg ist bei Menschen im Wachkoma nicht möglich, was besonderer Assessments bedarf.
Sichere und umsetzbare Infektionsprävention
Authors: Metz Rita , Weckenbrock Ralf , Pietsch Michael
Published: June 2017

Leitfaden In der operativen Medizin stellen infektiöse Patienten ein
besonderes Risiko dar, ­insbesondere beim Auftreten multiresistenter Erreger.
Einerseits kann es durch das invasive ­chirurgische und anästhesiologische
Vorgehen zum Freisetzen von Erregern im Operationssaal und im Aufwachraum
kommen, andererseits dürfen die dann erforderlichen Hygienemaßnahmen aber nicht
zu einer relevanten Beeinträchtigung der internen Abläufe führen. Kalkulierte
und mit den Betroffenen abgesprochene Hygienemaßnahmen sollten deshalb im
Hygieneplan eines ­Klinikums festgelegt werden. Die Konsensbildung erleichtert
dann deren Umsetzung.
Risk of perforation in balloon dilation associated with steroid injection for preventing esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Tsujii Yoshiki , Hayashi Yoshito , Kawai Naoki , Yamada Takuya , Yamamoto Katsumi , Hayashi Shiro , Yoshii Shunsuke , Nagai Kengo , Inoue Takuya , Nishida Tsutomu , Iijima Hideki , Mita Eiji , Inoue Atsuo , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: June 2017

Background and study aims Endoscopic local steroid injection (LSI) has been used to prevent esophageal strictures after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LSI therapy.

Patients and methods From May 2007 to September 2014, at four institutions, 40 consecutive patients with SENs were treated with ESD that left a mucosal defect of more than three-quarters of the esophageal circumference. Two patients who underwent esophagectomy after ESD were excluded, and 38 patients were analyzed. The incidence of post-ESD strictures and adverse events associated with LSI were retrospectively investigated.

Results Prophylactic LSI was administered in 28 patients (LSI group), and not administered in 10 patients (Non-prevention group). Post-ESD stricture rates were significantly lower in the LSI group (43 %) than in the Non-prevention group (90 %) (P = 0.012). Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) was conducted in 11 patients (39 %) in the LSI group and in 7 (70 %) in the Non-prevention group. In the LSI group, perforation caused by EBD occurred in five patients, while in the Non-prevention group, it occurred in only one patient who had received subsequent LSI before the perforation. Four patients with perforation successfully recovered after conservative therapy, but the other two patients required surgical treatment. A review of follow-up examinations with endoscopic ultrasonography and narrow-band imaging showed impaired ulcer-healing process after LSI.

Conclusion LSI is useful for preventing post-ESD strictures, but it appears to increase the risk of perforation in cases of EBD.
Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Schmauß Max , Stübner Susanne
Published: June 2017

Arzneimittelsicherheit hat in der Psychiatrie eine außerordentliche Bedeutung. Dies ist sowohl auf historische Entwicklungen wie auch
ethisch-forensische Kontexte zurückzuführen und hat Implikationen auf Klinik und Forschung.
Cross-code gyrokinetic verification and benchmark on the linear collisionless dynamics of the geodesic acoustic mode
Authors: Biancalani A. , Bottino A. , Ehrlacher C. , Grandgirard V. , Merlo G. , Novikau I. , Qiu Z. , Sonnendrücker E. , Garbet X. , Görler T. , Leerink S. , Palermo F. , Zarzoso D.
Published: June 2017

The linear properties of the geodesic acoustic modes (GAMs) in tokamaks are investigated by means of the comparison of analytical theory and gyrokinetic numerical simulations. The dependence on the value of the safety factor, finite-orbit-width of the ions in relation to the radial mode width, magnetic-flux-surface shaping, and electron/ion mass ratio are considered. Nonuniformities in the plasma profiles (such as density, temperature, and safety factor), electro-magnetic effects, collisions, and the presence of minority species are neglected. Also, only linear simulations are considered, focusing on the local dynamics. We use three different gyrokinetic codes: the Lagrangian (particle-in-cell) code ORB5, the Eulerian code GENE, and semi-Lagrangian code GYSELA. One of the main aims of this paper is to provide a detailed comparison of the numerical results and analytical theory, in the regimes where this is possible. This helps understanding better the behavior of the linear GAM dynamics in these different regimes, the behavior of the codes, which is crucial in the view of a future work where more physics is present, and the regimes of validity of each specific analytical dispersion relation.
A globally convergent and closed analytical solution of the Blasius equation with beneficial applications
Authors: Zheng Jun , Han Xinyue , Wang ZhenTao , Li Changfeng , Zhang Jiazhong
Published: June 2017

For about a century, people have been trying to seek for a globally convergent and closed analytical solution (CAS) of the Blasius Equation (BE). In this paper, we proposed a formally satisfied solution which could be parametrically expressed by two power series. Some analytical results of the laminar boundary layer of a flat plate, that were not analytically given in former studies, e.g. the thickness of the boundary layer and higher order derivatives, could be obtained based on the solution. Besides, the heat transfer in the laminar boundary layer of a flat plate with constant temperature could also be analytically formulated. Especially, the solution of the singular situation with Prandtl number Pr=0, which seems impossible to be analyzed in prior studies, could be given analytically. The method for finding the CAS of Blasius equation was also utilized in the problem of the boundary layer regulation through wall injection and slip velocity on the wall surface.
Accelerating self-consistent field theory of block polymers in a variable unit cell
Authors: Arora Akash , Morse David C. , Bates Frank S. , Dorfman Kevin D.
Published: June 2017

Self-consistent field theory (SCFT) is one of the most widely used tools to study the equilibrium phase behavior of block polymers. We have extended an existing version of the Anderson-mixing iteration scheme to solve the highly nonlinear SCFT equations while simultaneously optimizing the unit-cell dimensions. This improved scheme substantially increases the computational efficiency compared to existing schemes.
Sine-squared shifted pulses for recoupling interactions in solid-state NMR
Authors: Jain Mukul G. , Rajalakshmi G. , Equbal Asif , Mote Kaustubh R. , Agarwal Vipin , Madhu P. K.
Published: June 2017

Rotational-Echo DOuble-Resonance (REDOR) is a versatile experiment for measuring internuclear distance between two heteronuclear spins in solid-state NMR. At slow to intermediate magic-angle spinning (MAS) frequencies, the measurement of distances between strongly coupled spins is challenging due to rapid dephasing of magnetisation. This problem can be remedied by employing the pulse-shifted version of REDOR known as Shifted-REDOR (S-REDOR) that scales down the recoupled dipolar coupling. In this study, we propose a new variant of the REDOR sequence where the positions of the π pulses are determined by a sine-squared function. This new variant has scaling properties similar to S-REDOR. We use theory, numerical simulations, and experiments to compare the dipolar recoupling efficiencies and the experimental robustness of the three REDOR schemes. The proposed variant has advantages in terms of radiofrequency field requirements at fast MAS frequencies.
Time-dependent analysis of the mixed-field orientation of molecules without rotational symmetry
Authors: Thesing Linda V. , Küpper Jochen , González-Férez Rosario
Published: June 2017

We present a theoretical study of the mixed-field orientation of molecules without rotational symmetry. The time-dependent one-dimensional and three-dimensional orientation of a thermal ensemble of 6-chloropyridazine-3-carbonitrile molecules in combined linearly or elliptically polarized laser fields and tilted dc electric fields is computed. The results are in good agreement with recent experimental results of one-dimensional orientation for weak dc electric fields [J. L. Hansen, J. Chem. Phys. 139, 234313 (2013)]. Moreover, they predict that using elliptically polarized laser fields or strong dc fields, three-dimensional orientation is obtained. The field-dressed dynamics of excited rotational states is characterized by highly non-adiabatic effects. We analyze the sources of these non-adiabatic effects and investigate their impact on the mixed-field orientation for different field configurations in mixed-field-orientation experiments.
Evolution of electron phase space holes in inhomogeneous plasmas
Authors: Vasko I. Y. , Kuzichev I. V. , Agapitov O. V. , Mozer F. S. , Artemyev A. V. , Roth I.
Published: June 2017

Electron phase space holes or vortices (EHs) are electrostatic solitary waves with a bipolar parallel (magnetic field-aligned) electric field. They are formed in a nonlinear stage of electron streaming type instabilities and exist due to electrons trapped within the EH electrostatic potential. The background plasma density gradients, characteristic for both space and laboratory plasmas, can affect the evolution of EHs. In this paper, we use a one-dimensional electrostatic Vlasov–Ampère code (ions are immobile) with periodic boundary conditions to study the evolution of a single EH in inhomogeneous plasmas. We find that the EH propagating along a positive (negative) plasma density gradient is accelerated (decelerated) and narrowed (widened). EH propagating along a positive density gradient results in the acceleration of a relatively small population of trapped electrons to suprathermal energies. Interestingly, a decelerating EH is reflected at the point with the plasma density value dependent only on EH parameters, but independent of the average density gradient in the system. We show that the density gradients result in the development of a unipolar parallel electric field in a vicinity of the EH. A theoretical estimate of the corresponding potential drop along the EH is derived. The results are discussed in the light of EH observations in space plasma.
Design and simulation of plasmonic interference-based majority gate
Authors: Doevenspeck Jonas , Zografos Odysseas , Gurunarayanan Surya , Lauwereins R. , Raghavan P. , Sorée B.
Published: June 2017

Major obstacles in current CMOS technology, such as the interconnect bottleneck and thermal heat management, can be overcome by employing subwavelength-scaled light in plasmonic waveguides and devices. In this work, a plasmonic structure that implements the majority (MAJ) gate function is designed and thoroughly studied through simulations. The structure consists of three merging waveguides, serving as the MAJ gate inputs. The information of the logic signals is encoded in the phase of transmitted surface plasmon polaritons (SPP). SPPs are excited at all three inputs and the phase of the output SPP is determined by the MAJ of the input phases. The operating dimensions are identified and the functionality is verified for all input combinations. This is the first reported simulation of a plasmonic MAJ gate and thus contributes to the field of optical computing at the nanoscale.
Delayed onset of puberty in male offspring from bisphenol A-treated dams is followed by the modulation of gene expression in the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis axis in adulthood
Authors: Oliveira Isabela M. , Romano Renata M. , de Campos Patricia , Cavallin Monica D. , Oliveira Claudio A. , Romano Marco A.
Published: June 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic endocrine-disrupting chemical of high prevalence in the environment, which may affect the function of the hypothalamic–pituitary–testis (HPT) axis in adult rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether exposure to BPA during hypothalamic sexual differentiation at doses below the reproductive no observable adverse effect level of the World Health Organization causes changes in the regulation of the HPT axis. For this, 0.5 or 5 mg kg−1 BPA was injected subcutaneously to the mothers from gestational day 18 to postnatal day (PND) 5. In adulthood (PND90), the mRNA expression of genes related to HPT axis was evaluated in hypothalamus, pituitary and testis. Hypothalamic expression of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gnrh) and estrogen receptor 2 (Esr2) mRNA was increased in both BPA-treated groups compared to control group. In the pituitary, follicle stimulating hormone beta subunit (Fshb) and androgen receptor (Ar) mRNA expression was increased compared to control group in rats treated with 0.5 mg kg−1 of BPA, whereas estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1) mRNA expression was only increased in the group treated with 5 mg kg−1 of BPA, compared to control group. In the testis, there was increased expression of FSH receptor (Fshr) and inhibin beta B subunit (Inhbb) transcripts only in rats treated with 0.5 mg kg−1 of BPA. Serum testosterone and LH concentrations were increased in the group treated with 5 mg kg−1 of BPA. The results of the present study demonstrate for the first time that perinatal exposure to low doses of BPA during the critical period of hypothalamic sexual differentiation modifies the activity of the HPT axis in the offspring, with consequences for later life in adult rats.
Impact of grazing system on rangeland condition and grazing capacity in Zimbabwe
Authors: Gusha J. , Masocha M. , Mugabe P. H.
Published: June 2017

The influence of different land tenure and rangeland management systems on rangeland condition and livestock grazing capacity in African rangelands is not well documented. A rangeland condition assessment was carried out at 15 sites located in the communal grazing system, small-scale commercial grazing system and the large-scale commercial grazing system in Zimbabwe. Rangeland indicators assessed were: floristic composition, herbaceous biomass yield, shrub stem density and grazing capacity. Grass species composition and forage value were analysed using PROC FREQ procedure of SAS 9.3. Fisher’s exact test was performed to test for independence of the grass variables between grazing systems. A one-way ANOVA was used to test for significant differences (P < 0.05) in floristic composition, shrub stem density, herbaceous biomass yield and grazing capacity among the three grazing systems. It was observed that communal rangelands had significantly high levels of woody species, unpalatable wiry grass species, low biomass yield and were dominated by the invading shrub Helichyrsum kraussii compared with the other rangeland management systems. These results suggest that if control measures are not put in place, livestock production may not be feasible in communal rangelands in the near future because of high levels of rangeland deterioration when compared with the commercially managed rangelands. Furthermore, the observed high stem density of unpalatable woody species and the low grazing capacity of communal rangelands affect livestock production, a primary source of livelihood. This warrants a change in rangeland management system in favour of the rest-rotation grazing system, which is beneficial to both livestock and the range.
Analysis of transmitted HIV drug resistance from 2005 to 2015 in Victoria, Australia: a comparison of the old and the new
Authors: D'Costa Jodie , Gooey Megan , Richards Nicole , Sameer Rizmina , Lee Elaine , Chibo Doris
Published: June 2017

Background Baseline genotyping is part of standard-of-care treatment. It reveals that transmitted drug resistance (TDR) continues to be important for the management of HIV infection. Attention is typically focused on determining whether resistance to the protease inhibitors (PI) and reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) occurs. However, the increasing use of integrase inhibitors (INIs) raises a concern that TDR to this class of antiretroviral drug may also occur. Methods: PI and RTI drug resistance genotyping was performed on blood samples collected between 2005 and 2015 from 772 treatment-naïve Victorian patients infected with HIV within the previous 12 months. Integrase genotyping was performed on 461 of the 485 patient samples collected between 2010 and 2015. Results: In the period 2005–10, 39 of 343 patients (11.4%) had at least one PI- or RTI-associated mutation, compared with 34 of 429 (7.9%) during the period 2011–15. Compared with 2005–10, during 2011–15 there was a significant decline in the prevalence of the non-nucleoside-associated mutation K103N and the nucleoside-associated mutations at codons M41 and T215. One patient was detected with a major INI resistance mutation, namely G118R. However, this mutation is rare and its effect on susceptibility is unclear. A small number of patients (n = 12) was infected with HIV containing accessory resistance mutations in the integrase gene. Conclusions: The lack of transmitted resistance to INIs is consistent with a low level of resistance to this class of drugs in the treated population. However, continued surveillance in the newly infected population is warranted as the use of INIs increases.
Empirical model for mineralisation of manure nitrogen in soil
Authors: Sørensen Peter , Thomsen Ingrid K. , Schröder Jaap J.
Published: June 2017

A simple empirical model was developed for estimation of net mineralisation of pig and cattle slurry nitrogen (N) in arable soils under cool and moist climate conditions during the initial 5 years after spring application. The model is based on a Danish 3-year field experiment with measurements of N uptake in spring barley and ryegrass catch crops, supplemented with data from the literature on the temporal release of organic residues in soil. The model estimates a faster mineralisation rate for organic N in pig slurry compared with cattle slurry, and the description includes an initial N immobilisation phase for both manure types. The model estimates a cumulated net mineralisation of 71% and 51% of organic N in pig and cattle slurry respectively after 5 years. These estimates are in accordance with some other mineralisation studies and studies of the effects of manure residual N in other North European countries.
Representations of Eastern Europeans in the UK in reader comments of two British online newspapers
Authors: Paprota Małgorzata
Published: June 2017

This chapter examines a sample of reader comments on parallel articles from two online quality dailies published in the UK at different points in 2014, telegraph.co.uk and theguardian.com, concerning the post-2004 migration from Eastern European countries to the UK. Remaining within critical discourse studies, in particular the discourse-historical approach, it sets out to analyse the representations of Eastern Europeans “below the line,” ie., in reader comments. The chapter finds that while Eastern European immigrants tend to be represented as problematic in what is a predominantly utilitarian frame of reference, these representations intersect with a problematisation of UK’s position in the EU and arguably externalise anxieties caused by the precarious economic situation in the UK.
Othering in Estonian online discussions about refugees
Authors: Laineste Liisi
Published: June 2017

Talking about the Other evokes strong emotions tied to cultural narratives and folkloric motifs that are shared within communities. Following these discussions offers an entry point into practices of othering and their psychological, cultural and folkloric components. The chapter analyses how the Other is described in semi-public media, reflecting on the refugee crisis that intensified in 2015.

The analysis follows online discussions about the 2015 refugee crisis in Estonian public forums. In particular, the focus will be on the incident that triggered much public reverberation, namely setting fire to the refugee centre in Vao, north-eastern Estonia, in early September 2015. The interdisciplinary study is based on insights on othering from the areas of folkloristics and linguistics and relies on the methods offered by digital humanities. It aims to draw conclusions from the news readers’ comments to describe how online forums communicate conflicting emotions and opinions about the Other in the context of conflict. The results suggest that viewpoints become even more polarised in the discussion, othering both the strangers / refugees as well as local Estonian groups for or against accepting immigrants. In the course of heated discussions, folk rhetorics support long-established narratives of cultural trauma.
On the origin of some Northern Songhay mixed languages
Authors: Benítez-Torres Carlos M. , Grant Anthony P.
Published: June 2017

This paper discusses the origins of linguistic elements in three Northern Songhay languages of Niger and Mali: Tadaksahak, Tagdal and Tasawaq. Northern Songhay languages combine elements from Berber languages, principally Tuareg forms, and from Songhay; the latter provides inflectional morphology and much of the basic vocabulary, while the former is the source of most of the rest of the vocabulary, especially less basic elements. Subsets of features of Northern Songhay languages are compared with those of several stable mixed languages and mixed-lexicon creoles, and in accounting for the origin of these languages the kind of language mixing found in Northern Songhay languages is compared with that found in the (Algonquian) Montagnais dialect of Betsiamites, Quebec. The study shows that Tagdal and the other Northern Songhay languages could be construed as mixed languages, although the proportion of Berber and Songhay elements varieties somewhat between these languages, and also indicates that the definition of ‘mixed language’ is labile because different mixed languages combine their components in different ways, so that different kinds of mixed languages need to be recognized. NS languages seem to belong to the category of Core-Periphery languages with respect to the origins of more versus less basic morphemes.
A new window into the history of Chabacano
Authors: Fernández Mauro , Sippola Eeva
Published: June 2017

Theories about the origin of the Spanish-lexified creoles of the Philippines known as Chabacano have been based on scarce historical samples. This article presents two early Chabacano texts that are more than twenty years older than the ones that have been available so far: ‘La Buyera’, from 1859, and ‘Juancho’, from 1860. Based on a comparison with historical and contemporary sources pertaining to Philippine-Spanish contact varieties, the texts are placed in their linguistic and sociohistorical context. A linguistic analysis of the texts reveals a clear pattern of creole features and suggests that there was probably sociolinguistically motivated variation in different settings where the Chabacano varieties emerged. The results of the analysis confirm that Chabacano existed as a crystallized variety by at least the mid-19th century and was not restricted to interactions between servants and Spanish-speaking masters or to commercial contexts. Rather, it was already a language used for social and intimate relations and daily interactions in diverse neighborhoods of Manila.
Language shift, endangerment and prestige
Authors: Ravindranath Abtahian Maya
Published: June 2017

This paper examines a scenario of possible language shift in the multilingual village of Hopkins, where the two most commonly used languages are both ‘minority’ languages: Garifuna, now endangered in many of the communities where it was once spoken, and Belizean Creole (Kriol), an unofficial national lingua franca in Belize. It offers a qualitative examination of beliefs about the three primary languages spoken in the community (Garifuna, Kriol, and English) with data gathered from sociolinguistic interviews and surveys in four rural Garifuna communities in Belize. It situates these findings on the social evaluation of Garifuna and Kriol socio-historically by examining them alongside the recent history of language planning for Garifuna and Kriol in Belize.
Exploring the perceptions of passers-by through the participatory documentary photography tool PhotoVoice
Authors: Hayik Rawia
Published: June 2017

Research in the linguistic landscape (LL) field underscores the need for investigating the passers-by’s perspectives. To explore how the passers-by perceive LLs, researchers often use questionnaires or interviews. This article suggests the use of an innovative research tool named PhotoVoice (Wang, Burris & Xiang, 1996), to shed light on the perception of signs by Israeli-Arab college students in their ideologically-laden area. After familiarizing the students with PhotoVoice and guiding questions for examining LLs, they were asked to capture photos of signs within their localities, analyze the messages embedded within, and write commentaries voicing their reflections. Thus, students themselves became both the data collectors and the analyzers. One of the highlighted categories was the absence of Arabic from commercial signs produced by Arab business owners. Students’ “PhotoVoices” within this category reflected not only the linguistic reality of the commercial signs within Arab localities, but also the ways such space was experienced by them as local inhabitants. Such findings demonstrate how, through PhotoVoice, LLs can become a stimulus for profound cognitive and emotional reflections of passers-by toward the LL.
Hybrid aluminium matrix composites containing boron carbide and quasicrystals: Manufacturing and characterisation
Authors: Khan Mahmood , Zulfaqar Muhammad , Ali Fahad , Subhani Tayyab
Published: June 2017

Hybrid composites of boron carbide (B4C) and Al62.5Cu25Fe12.5 quasicrystals (QCs) were prepared by ball milling and pressureless sintering in aluminium matrix to investigate their individual and hybrid effects on microstructural and mechanical properties. Hybrid composite contained B4C and QCs in 3 wt-% each, making a total of 6 wt-%. For reference, specimens of pure aluminium and two composites containing 6 wt-%B4C and 6 wt-% QCs were prepared. Microstructural characterisation was performed using optical, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, while evaluation of mechanical properties was carried out by hardness and compression tests. Uniform dispersion of reinforcements in composites was observed along with significant increase in the mechanical properties. The composite containing 6 wt-% QCs demonstrated the highest hardness, while the hybrid composite showed better compressive properties.
Temper-treatment development to decompose detrimental martensite–austenite and its effect on linepipe welds
Authors: Huda Nazmul , Ding Yuquan , Gerlich Adrian P.
Published: June 2017

A tempering cycle was developed via heat treatment to study the decomposition of detrimental martensite–austenite (MA). The heat treatment cycle was found to preferentially decompose hard MA with a critical size of ≥1 µm, which decreases the hardness of these microconstituents after tempering at 300°C for 10 min. The dislocation density inside the MA and in the surrounding matrix was also decreased. Tempering of the X80 weldments containing MA reveals a similar decomposition behaviour. During transverse weld tensile testing of welds, a fracture occurred in the heat-affected zone due to void formation at the MA/ferrite interfaces. However, a fracture occurred in base metal with improved strength and ductility after tempering, in comparison to the fracture in the heat-affected zone of as-welded samples.
Regulation of RhoA by STAT3 coordinates glial scar formation
Authors: Renault-Mihara Francois , Mukaino Masahiko , Shinozaki Munehisa , Kumamaru Hiromi , Kawase Satoshi , Baudoux Matthieu , Ishibashi Toshiki , Kawabata Soya , Nishiyama Yuichiro , Sugai Keiko , Yasutake Kaori , Okada Seiji , Nakamura Masaya , Okano Hideyuki
Published: June 2017

Understanding how the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription–3 (STAT3) controls glial scar formation may have important clinical implications. We show that astrocytic STAT3 is associated with greater amounts of secreted MMP2, a crucial protease in scar formation. Moreover, we report that STAT3 inhibits the small GTPase RhoA and thereby controls actomyosin tonus, adhesion turnover, and migration of reactive astrocytes, as well as corralling of leukocytes in vitro. The inhibition of RhoA by STAT3 involves ezrin, the phosphorylation of which is reduced in STAT3-CKO astrocytes. Reduction of phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) levels in STAT3-CKO rescues reactive astrocytes dynamics in vitro. By specific targeting of lesion-proximal, reactive astrocytes in Nestin-Cre mice, we show that reduction of PTEN rescues glial scar formation in Nestin-Stat3+/− mice. These findings reveal novel intracellular signaling mechanisms underlying the contribution of reactive astrocyte dynamics to glial scar formation.
SCooP: an accurate and fast predictor of protein stability curves as a function of temperature
Authors: Pucci Fabrizio , Kwasigroch Jean Marc , Rooman Marianne
Published: June 2017

Motivation

The molecular bases of protein stability remain far from elucidated even though substantial progress has been made through both computational and experimental investigations. One of the most challenging goals is the development of accurate prediction tools of the temperature dependence of the standard folding free energy ΔG(T). Such predictors have an enormous series of potential applications, which range from drug design in the biopharmaceutical sector to the optimization of enzyme activity for biofuel production. There is thus an important demand for novel, reliable and fast predictors.

Results

We present the SCooP algorithm, which is a significant step towards accurate temperature-dependent stability prediction. This automated tool uses the protein structure and the host organism as sole entries and predicts the full T-dependent stability curve of monomeric proteins assumed to follow a two-state folding transition. Equivalently, it predicts all the thermodynamic quantities associated to the folding transition, namely the melting temperature Tm, the standard folding enthalpy ΔHm measured at Tm, and the standard folding heat capacity ΔCp. The cross-validated performances are good, with correlation coefficients between predicted and experimental values equal to [0.80, 0.83, 0.72] for ΔHm, ΔCp and Tm, respectively, which increase up to [0.88, 0.90, 0.78] upon the removal of 10% outliers. Moreover, the stability curve prediction of a target protein is very fast: it takes less than a minute. SCooP can thus potentially be applied on a structurome scale. This opens new perspectives of large-scale analyses of protein stability, which is of considerable interest for protein engineering.

Availability and implementation

The SCooP webserver is freely available at http://babylone.ulb.ac.be/SCooP.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.