bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacterial colonization stimulates a complex physiological response in the immature human intestinal epithelium
Authors: Hill David R. , Huang Sha , Nagy Melinda S. , Yadagiri Veda K. , Fields Courtney , Mukherjee Dishari , Bons Brooke , Dedhia Priya H. , Chin Alana M. , Tsai Yu-Hwai , Thodla Shrikar , Schmidt Thomas M. , Walk Seth , Young Vincent B. , Spence Jason R.
Published: June 2017

The human gastrointestinal tract is immature at birth, yet must adapt to dramatic changes such as oral nutrition and microbial colonization. The confluence of these factors can lead to severe inflammatory disease in premature infants; however, investigating complex environment-host interactions is diZcult due to limited access to immature human tissue. Here, we demonstrate that the epithelium of human pluripotent stem cell-derived human intestinal organoids is globally similar to the immature human epithelium and we utilize HIOs to investigate complex host-microbe interactions in this naïve epithelium. Our findings demonstrate that the immature epithelium is intrinsically capable of establishing a stable host-microbe symbiosis. Microbial colonization leads to complex contact and hypoxia driven responses resulting in increased antimicrobial peptide production, maturation of the mucus layer, and improved barrier function. These studies lay the groundwork for an improved mechanistic understanding of how colonization influences development of the immature human intestine.
Why human papillomavirus acute infections matter
Authors: Alizon Samuel , Murall Carmen Lía , Bravo Ignacio G.
Published: June 2017

Most infections by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are ‘acute’, that is non-persistent. Yet, for HPVs, as for many other oncoviruses, there is a striking gap between our detailed understanding of chronic infections and our limited data on the early stages of infection. Here we argue that studying HPV acute infections is necessary and timely. Focusing on early interactions will help explain why certain infections are cleared while others become chronic or latent. From a molecular perspective, descriptions of immune effectors and pro-inflammatory pathways during the initial stages of infections have the potential to lead to novel treatments or to improved handling algorithms. From a dynamical perspective, adopting concepts from spatial ecology, such as meta-populations or meta-communities, can help explain why HPV acute infections sometimes last for years. Furthermore, cervical cancer screening and vaccines impose novel iatrogenic pressures on HPVs, implying that anticipating any viral evolutionary response remain essential. Finally, hints at the associations between HPV acute infections and fertility deserve further investigation given their high worldwide prevalence. Overall, understanding asymptomatic and benign infections may be instrumental in reducing HPV virulence.
Biogeography & environmental conditions shape bacteriophage-bacteria networks across the human microbiome
Authors: Hannigan Geoffrey D , Duhaime Melissa B , Koutra Danai , Schloss Patrick D
Published: June 2017

Viruses and bacteria are critical components of the human microbiome and play important roles in health and disease. Most previous work has relied on studying bacteria and viruses independently, thereby reducing them to two separate communities. Such approaches are unable to capture how these microbial communities interact, such as through processes that maintain community robustness or allow phage-host populations to co-evolve. We implemented a network-based analytical approach to describe phage-bacteria network diversity throughout the human body. We built these community networks using a machine learning algorithm to predict which phages could infect which bacteria in a given microbiome. Our algorithm was applied to paired viral and bacterial metagenomic sequence sets from three previously published human cohorts. We organized the predicted interactions into networks that allowed us to evaluate phage-bacteria connectedness across the human body. We observed evidence that gut and skin network structures were person-specific and not conserved among cohabitating family members. High-fat diets appeared to be associated with less connected networks. Network structure differed between skin sites, with those exposed to the external environment being less connected and likely more susceptible to network degradation by microbial extinction events. This study quantified and contrasted the diversity of virome-microbiome networks across the human body and illustrated how environmental factors may influence phage-bacteria interactive dynamics. This work provides a baseline for future studies to better understand system perturbations, such as disease states, through ecological networks.

Author Summary

The human microbiome, the collection of microbial communities that colonize the human body, is a crucial component to health and disease. Two major components of the human microbiome are the bacterial and viral communities. These communities have primarily been studied separately using metrics of community composition and diversity. These approaches have failed to capture the complex dynamics of interacting bacteria and phage communities, which frequently share genetic information and work together to maintain ecosystem homestatsis (e.g. kill-the-winner dynamics). Removal of bacteria or phage can disrupt or even collapse those ecosystems. Relationship-based network approaches allow us to capture this interaction information. Using this network-based approach with three independent human cohorts, we were able to present an initial understanding of how phage-bacteria networks differ throughout the human body, so as to provide a baseline for future studies of how and why microbiome networks differ in disease states.
Is there a future for topological analysis in experimental charge-density research?
Authors: Dittrich Birger
Published: June 2017

Topological analysis using Bader and co-worker'sAtoms in Moleculestheory has seen many applications in theoretical chemistry and experimental charge-density research. A brief overview of successful early developments, establishing topological analysis as a research tool for characterizing intramolecular chemical bonding, is provided. A lack of vision in many `descriptive but not predictive' subsequent studies is discussed. Limitations of topology for providing accurate energetic estimates of intermolecular interaction energies are put into perspective. It is recommended that topological analyses of well understood bonding situations are phased out and are only reported for unusual bonding. Descriptive studies of intermolecular interactions should have a clear research focus.
The effect of industrial competition on employment
Authors: Mendoza-Velazquez Alfonso
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study investigates the existence of Marshall, Jacob and Porter’s type of externalities in Mexico. We measure the impact of industrial specialization, competition and diversity on employment growth for the period 2004 to 2008.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on data from 41 highly dynamic industrial clusters originally obtained by applying Porter’s (1998) methodology. We use a cross-section specification estimated via instrumental variables and two-stage least square estimation (2SLS) to control for endogeneity.

Findings

On average, we find that industrial specialization exerts a negative impact on employment growth within states and within clusters, indicating that traded industries in Mexico carry very little innovation, operate in early stages of the life cycle, face high costs of employment reassignation or exhibit low adaptability. A negative impact of specialization on employment conforms with Jacobs (1969) type of externalities and confirms what other studies have found in France (Combes, 2000), Korea (Leeet al., 2005) and the USA (Delgadoet al., 2014). The authors also find that competition generates more employment.

Research limitations/implications

Industrial data at the sub-branch level were obtained from the Economic Census (EC) of the National Institute of Geography and Statistics (INEGI). The EC information for 2004 was still not fully compatible with the North America Industry Classification System (NAICS), with 262 of the 309 data at the fourth-digit level aligned to the USA. In addition, industrial information from the EC is recorded every four years, which prevents this study to use panel data techniques and it makes it impossible to use time series methods.

Practical implications

Policymakers can clearly identify competition forces having a significant impact on employment growth. This can orient policymakers to implement measures to encourage the development of some of these clusters, as well as to identify some of the sources that drive specialization, competition and diversity.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the debate on the existence of Marshallian (MAR), Jacobian and Porter externalities. This is the first study using the definition of traded clusters in Mexico, which allows the authors to identify how specialization, competition and diversity forces drive the dynamics of regional employment growth.
Exploring the role of leadership in territorial strategies for competitiveness
Authors: Larrea José Luis , Aranguren Mari Jose , Valdaliso Jesús M.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the role of leadership in the design and implementation of territorial strategies for competitiveness. It attempts to address two research questions: first, how leadership is influenced by theory and the other way around, how theory is transformed through leadership; and second, what characteristics of leadership are most important to successfully implement territorial strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a case study of the life experience of an individual who has worked in positions of high responsibility in the government, the private sector and at the university. It is based on first-person action research combined with the contrast of two other co-authors.

Findings

Three findings may be highlighted from this case study. First, the importance of having leaders learning from their own process of leadership and co-evolving with the need for transformation which requires territorial strategies at every moment. Second, the necessity of having leaders whose objectives are aligned with those of the territory. Third, that individual leadership must have three characteristics to implement successfully territorial strategies: a balance between the individual and the collective objectives, a systemic vision and a consciousness of one’s own role in the system and a multi-level dimension.

Originality/value

Although territorial strategies are becoming increasingly popular both in the academia and in the policy arena, one of their critical elements, the role of individuals and that of leadership in general have not been addressed neither by scholars nor by practitioners. This paper attempts to explore the role of leadership through a case study based on the life experience of an outstanding individual in one of the regions with the longest tradition on territorial strategies for competitiveness.
Enhancement of heat transfer in a square channel by roughened surfaces in rib-elements and turbulent flow manipulation
Authors: Liu Jian , Xie Gongnan , Sunden Bengt Ake , Wang Lei , Andersson Martin
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to augment heat transfer rates of traditional rib-elements with minimal pressure drop penalties.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel geometries in the present research are conventional cylindrical ribs with rounded transitions to the adjacent flat surfaces and with modifications at their bases. All turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer results are presented using computation fluid dynamics with a validated v2f turbulence closure model. Turbulent flow characteristics and heat transfer performances in square channels with improved ribbed structures are numerically analyzed in this research work.

Findings

Based on the results, it is found that rounded transition cylindrical ribs have a large advantage over the conventional ribs in both enhancing heat transfer and reducing pressure loss penalty. In addition, cylindrical ribs increase the flow impingement at the upstream of the ribs, which will effectively increase the high heat transfer areas. The design of rounded transition cylindrical ribs and grooves will be an effective way to improve heat transfer enhancement and overall thermal performance of internal channels within blade cooling.

Originality/value

The novel geometries in this research are conventional cylindrical ribs with rounded transitions to the adjacent flat surfaces and with modifications at their bases. The combination of cylindrical ribs and grooves to manipulate the turbulent flow.
New types of chirped soliton solutions for the Fokas–Lenells equation
Authors: Triki Houria , Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a reliable treatment of the Fokas–Lenells equation, an integrable generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The authors use a special complex envelope traveling-wave solution to carry out the analysis. The study confirms the accuracy and efficiency of the used method.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed technique, namely, the trial equation method, as presented in this work has been shown to be very efficient for solving nonlinear equations with spatio-temporal dispersion.

Findings

A class of chirped soliton-like solutions including bright, dark and kink solitons is derived. The associated chirp, including linear and nonlinear contributions, is also determined for each of these optical pulses. Parametric conditions for the existence of chirped soliton solutions are presented.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a new efficient algorithm for handling an integrable generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation.

Practical/implications

The authors present a useful algorithm to handle nonlinear equations with spatial-temporal dispersion. The method is an effective method with promising results.

Social/implications

This is a newly examined model. A useful method is presented to offer a reliable treatment.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new efficient algorithm for handling an integrable generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation.
Community resilience through entrepreneurship: the role of gender
Authors: Bakas Fiona Eva
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to entrepreneurship theorising by highlighting the salience of feminine caring positions in creating novel entrepreneurial roles and investigating how these roles contribute to community resilience. Using a critical feminist economics lens, alternative conceptualisations of the economy are expanded upon to reveal how an economic externality influences entrepreneurial discourse, gender roles and community resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

In this interpretive approach, empirical evidence is drawn from six months of intensive ethnographic research with 20 tourism handicraft micro-entrepreneurs in Crete and Epirus, Greece, in 2012 and hence in the context of a macroeconomic crisis. Ethnographic interviewing and participant observation are used as the methods to achieve the research objectives.

Findings

Thematic analysis is used to investigate how gender roles and entrepreneurial roles interact and how this interaction influences community resilience to an economic crisis. Using the critical theory to critique neoclassical economics interpretations of entrepreneurship, it becomes evident that politico-economic structures perpetuating feminised responsibility for social reproduction configure feminine entrepreneurial roles, and these roles have a positive effect on increasing community resilience. By conceptualising entrepreneurial involvement as being primarily for community gain, participants highlight how feminine entrepreneurial discourse differs from the neoclassical economics entrepreneurial discourse of entrepreneurial involvement being primarily for individual gain.

Social implications

This paper contributes to theoretical advancements on the role of gender in entrepreneurship and community resilience by investigating the entrepreneurs’ gendered responses to an exogenous shock. Providing insight into the role gender has in entrepreneurial adaptation and sustainable business practices means that new policies to combat social exclusion and promote rural development can be formulated.

Originality/value

The theoretical interplay between gender and entrepreneurship is investigated from a novel angle, that of critical feminist economics. The relationship between feminised interpretations of entrepreneurship and community resilience is brought to light, providing a unique insight into entrepreneurial resilience.
Entrepreneurship and resilient communities – introduction to the special issue
Authors: McNaughton Rod B. , Gray Brendan
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on links between entrepreneurship and resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss some key themes in this emerging area of research and reflect on how the papers in the issue contribute to debates in the literature on resilience.

Findings

While the papers in the special issue make important contributions, there is still scope for more research.

Originality/value

This is one of the first issues of a journal devoted to investigating this topic.
Team structure, skill mix and clinical outcomes
Authors: Merrick Eamon , Fry Margaret , Busby Grant Janie
Published: June 2017

The majority of presentations to Australian EDs are for semi‐urgent and non‐urgent complaints in the older adult. For these patient's treatment and care is typically delivered by loosely organised teams of professionals. While substantial research has examined the clearly defined, hierarchical team structures used during resuscitation events, little is known about the composition and functioning of teams involved in non‐urgent patient care in ED. Investigation of these team dynamics can identify personal and professional factors involved in the delivery of this care and enable the design of teams that enhance patient outcomes.
Structure and expression of sulfatase and sulfatase modifying factor genes in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Ma Xiao‐Li , He Wei‐Yi , Chen Wei , Xu Xue‐Jiao , Qi Wei‐Ping , Zou Ming‐Min , You Yan‐Chun , Baxter Simon W. , Wang Ping , You Min‐Sheng
Published: June 2017

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), uses sulfatases (SULF) to counteract the glucosinolate–myrosinase defensive system that cruciferous plants have evolved to deter insect feeding. Sulfatase activity is regulated by post‐translational modification of a cysteine residue by sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1). We identified 12 SULF genes (PxylSulfs) and two SUMF1 genes (PxylSumf1s) in the P. xylostella genome. Phylogenetic analysis of SULFs and SUMFs from P. xylostella, Bombyx mori, Manduca sexta, Heliconius melpomene, Danaus plexippus, Drosophila melanogaster, Tetranychus urticae and Homo sapiens showed that the SULFs were clustered into five groups, and the SUMFs could be divided into two groups. Profiling of the expression of PxylSulfs and PxylSumfs by RNA‐seq and by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that two glucosinolate sulfatase genes (GSS), PxylSulf2 and PxylSulf3, were primarily expressed in the midgut of 3rd‐ and 4th‐instar larvae. Moreover, expression of sulfatases PxylSulf2, PxylSulf3 and PxylSulf4 were correlated with expression of the sulfatases modifying factor PxylSumf1a. The findings from this study provide new insights into the structure and expression of SUMF1 and PxylSulf genes that are considered to be key factors for the evolutionary success of P. xylostella as a specialist herbivore of cruciferous plants.
The replicative lifespan‐extending deletion of SGF73 results in altered ribosomal gene expression in yeast
Authors: Mason Amanda G. , Garza Renee M. , McCormick Mark A. , Patel Bhumil , Kennedy Brian K. , Pillus Lorraine , La Spada Albert R.
Published: June 2017

Sgf73, a core component of SAGA, is the yeast orthologue of ataxin‐7, which undergoes CAG–polyglutamine repeat expansion leading to the human neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7). Deletion of SGF73 dramatically extends replicative lifespan (RLS) in yeast. To further define the basis for Sgf73‐mediated RLS extension, we performed ChIP‐Seq, identified 388 unique genomic regions occupied by Sgf73, and noted enrichment in promoters of ribosomal protein (RP)‐encoding genes. Of 388 Sgf73 binding sites, 33 correspond to 5′ regions of genes implicated in RLS extension, including 20 genes encoding RPs. Furthermore, half of Sgf73‐occupied, RLS‐linked RP genes displayed significantly reduced expression in sgf73Δ mutants, and double null strains lacking SGF73 and a Sgf73‐regulated, RLS‐linked RP gene exhibited no further increase in replicative lifespan. We also found that sgf73Δ mutants display altered acetylation of Ifh1, an important regulator of RP gene transcription. These findings implicate altered ribosomal protein expression in sgf73Δ yeast RLS and highlight altered acetylation as a pathway of relevance for SCA7 neurodegeneration.
Building More Inclusive Solidarities for Socio‐Environmental Change: Lessons in Resistance from Southern Appalachia
Authors: Rice Jennifer L. , Burke Brian J.
Published: June 2017

It is increasingly recognized that socio‐environmental justice will not be achieved through liberal and cosmopolitical forms of activism alone. Instead, more diverse and inclusive solidarities must be achieved across political ideologies for transformative change. By engaging with one constituency often overlooked by mainstream environmentalists—rural, conservative Americans—we argue for a situated solidarity that can be forged among people whose views of nature, community, and politics differ significantly. This framework rejects totalizing expressions of global ambition that erase important place‐based differences. To explore this ethic, we examine a localized anti‐fracking campaign in western North Carolina to determine how place‐based forms of environmental resistance can be brought in closer connection with the cosmopolitical movement for climate and energy justice. This requires that cosmopolitical movements make room for more customary forms of cultural politics, while conservative movements look beyond their own place‐based struggles to resist mutually experienced forms of oppression.
ANOVA and the variance homogeneity assumption: Exploring a better gatekeeper
Authors: Kim Yoosun Jamie , Cribbie Robert A.
Published: June 2017

Valid use of the traditional independent samples ANOVA procedure requires that the population variances are equal. Previous research has investigated whether variance homogeneity tests, such as Levene's test, are satisfactory as gatekeepers for identifying when to use or not to use the ANOVA procedure. This research focuses on a novel homogeneity of variance test that incorporates an equivalence testing approach. Instead of testing the null hypothesis that the variances are equal against an alternative hypothesis that the variances are not equal, the equivalence‐based test evaluates the null hypothesis that the difference in the variances falls outside or on the border of a predetermined interval against an alternative hypothesis that the difference in the variances falls within the predetermined interval. Thus, with the equivalence‐based procedure, the alternative hypothesis is aligned with the research hypothesis (variance equality). A simulation study demonstrated that the equivalence‐based test of population variance homogeneity is a better gatekeeper for the ANOVA than traditional homogeneity of variance tests.
Labour Regime Transformation in Myanmar: Constitutive Processes of Contestation
Authors: Arnold Dennis , Campbell Stephen
Published: June 2017

This article studies the case of a workers’ strike in Myanmar's ready‐made garment sector to illustrate how differently‐situated actors have engaged at multiple scales to influence emerging forms of labour regulation in the country. The analysis is drawn out through the historicization of domestic regulatory transformation. As a hegemonic project targeting industrial peace for purposes of capital accumulation, Myanmar's labour regime has been shaped by various actors outside of government circles, including International Labour Organization (ILO) personnel, Myanmar trade unionists, foreign governments, transnational corporations, domestic capitalists and Myanmar workers. Proposing a multi‐scalar reading of labour regime transformation attentive to constitutive processes of contestation, the study analyses ways in which varied, and at times unofficial, relations coalesce to shape labour regulation.
The Persistence of Opportunistic Insider Trading
Authors: Cline Brandon N. , Gokkaya Sinan , Liu Xi
Published: June 2017

We study the drivers of persistent insider trading profitability by examining the trades of insiders whose past trades have been profitable. We find that the current transactions of these persistently profitable (PP) insiders better predict firm performance than those of other insiders. The relative abnormal performance is more pronounced for trades of insiders who are managers rather than large shareholders or unaffiliated insiders and for trades in firms with weaker governance and greater information asymmetry. The trades of PP insiders also better predict earnings surprises, major corporate news, and analyst revisions. Collectively, these results indicate that PP insider transactions provide valid signals regarding future firm performance and that persistence in profitability is driven by informational advantages.
Effect of resin infiltration on the color and microhardness of bleached white‐spot lesions in bovine enamel (an in vitro study)
Authors: Horuztepe Sidika Aynur , Baseren Meserret
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate both the effect of resin infiltration on the color and microhardness of white spot lesions (WSLs) that treated with bleaching and to analyze the penetration of the infiltrant.

Materials and Methods

In each of 135 bovine enamel specimens, WSLs were produced. The samples were then randomly divided into three groups (n = 45): group I, bleached; group II, resin‐infiltrated; group III, bleached and resin‐infiltrated. The specimens were subjected to a pH‐cycling regime for four weeks. The color and microhardness were measured at the baseline, after production of WSLs, after the treatments. The color alteration (ΔE*) and the percentage of surface microhardness recovery (SMHR) were calculated. The penetration of the infiltrant was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Results were analyzed with analysis of variance, Shapiro–Wilk, Tukey's, Kruskal–Wallis and Conover–Dunn tests (P = .05).

Results

The SMHR% in resin infiltration groups was significantly higher than that of the bleached group only (P < .05). Bleaching treatment prior to resin infiltration produced no significant change in the microhardness (P > .05). Using a bleaching treatment prior to resin infiltration produced significant color alteration (P < .05). The penetration of the resin infiltrant was deepest in‐group II.

Conclusions

The resin infiltration enhanced the microhardness of the WSLs regardless of whether or not a bleaching treatment was used. Using a bleaching treatment before resin infiltration resulted in color alteration, and it was also found to negatively influence the penetration of the infiltrant.
An Ecological Examination of Factors That Impact Well‐Being Among Developmentally‐Disabled Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
Authors: Crosby Shantel D. , Algood Carl L. , Sayles Brittany , Cubbage Jayne
Published: June 2017

Youth with developmental disabilities make up a large proportion of those in the juvenile justice system, and experience various unique and intricate threats to their well‐being. This review examines the complexity of these challenges, exploring the multiple levels of contextual factors that influence youth's well‐being as they experience adjudication. Using an ecological framework, this paper reviews findings on the individual socio‐demographic characteristics, as well as the micro, meso, exo, and macro factors that impact their development and functioning. Specific policy and practice implications are provided to address improving outcomes of youth in this population at each ecological level.
EXPLOITING CLOSED‐END FUND DISCOUNTS: A SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF ALPHAS
Authors: Patro Dilip , Piccotti Louis R. , Wu Yangru
Published: June 2017

We systematically study the value of the information contained in closed‐end fund (CEF) premiums. We parametrically estimate CEF expected returns as a function of the history of CEF premiums, in addition to the current premium, and buy the quintile of funds with the highest expected returns and sell the quintile of funds with the lowest expected returns. The return on this portfolio suggests that previous studies, which examine the information in current premiums only, have understated the value of the information in premiums. Our strategy values the information in the history of CEF premiums at an annualized return of 18.2%.
Role of Social Environmental Protective Factors on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Among Midwestern Homeless Youth
Authors: Tyler Kimberly A. , Schmitz Rachel M. , Ray Colleen M.
Published: June 2017

We employ a social stress framework, which examines the influence of multiple stressors (e.g., physical abuse, foster care placement) on an individual's ability to function (e.g., mental well‐being), to longitudinally examine the effects of stressful life events on mental health and the role of the social environment in this process among 150 homeless youth. Results revealed that numerous stressors, such as physical abuse and running away from home more frequently, were associated with greater depressive symptoms and elevated anxiety. Having mentors and family and friends from home that youth can rely on resulted in more positive social support, which subsequently lowered the risk for depressive symptoms and anxiety at wave 2.
The Effectiveness of Extensive Versus Intensive Recasts for Learning L2 Grammar
Authors: Nassaji Hossein
Published: June 2017

This study investigated the effects of extensive versus intensive recasts. The focus was on the effect of feedback on learning English articles, which, as nonsalient target structures, have been shown to be difficult for many second language learners. Intensive recasts were operationalized as recasts provided on article errors only, while extensive recasts were provided on any errors including article errors. Forty‐eight adult intermediate learners of English as a second language (ESL) were divided into 3 groups: an intensive recast group, an extensive recast group, and a control group. Learners conducted 2 communicative tasks with a native‐speaker instructor and received feedback on their errors. They were pretested and posttested (immediately and after 2 weeks) using 3 different outcome measures: an oral picture description task, a written grammaticality judgment task, and a written storytelling task. The results revealed that the extensive recast group significantly outperformed the control group on the oral picture description and the grammaticality judgment tasks, whereas the intensive recast group did not. On the written storytelling task, both recast groups outperformed the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. These findings point to the advantage of extensive recasts and challenge the assumption that recasts on single errors are necessarily more effective than recasts on a wide range of errors.
Interpersonal discrimination and markers of adiposity in longitudinal studies: a systematic review
Authors: Bernardo C. de O. , Bastos J. L. , González‐Chica D. A. , Peres M. A. , Paradies Y. C.
Published: June 2017

While the impact of interpersonal discrimination on mental health is well established, its effects on physical health outcomes have not been fully elucidated. This study systematically reviewed the literature on the prospective association between interpersonal discrimination and markers of adiposity. Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, SciELO, LILACS, Google Scholar, Capes/Brazil and ProQuest databases were used to retrieve relevant information in November 2016. The results from the 10 studies that met the inclusion criteria support an association between interpersonal self‐reported discrimination and the outcomes. In general, the most consistent findings were for weight and body mass index (BMI) among women, i.e. high levels of self‐reported discrimination were related to increased weight and BMI. Waist circumference (WC) showed a similar pattern of association with discrimination, in a positive direction, but an inverted U‐shaped association was also found. Despite a few inverse associations between discrimination and markers of adiposity, none of the associations were statistically significant. Overall, markers of adiposity were consistently associated with discrimination, mainly through direct and nonlinear associations. This review provides evidence that self‐reported discrimination can play an important role in weight, BMI and WC changes.
Mucositis Secondary to Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection: Expanding the Mycoplasma pneumoniae–Induced Rash and Mucositis Concept
Authors: Mayor‐Ibarguren Ander , Feito‐Rodriguez Marta , González‐Ramos Jéssica , del Rosal‐Rabes Teresa , González‐Sainz Francisco Javier , Sánchez‐Orta Alba , de Lucas‐Laguna Raul
Published: June 2017

The term Mycoplasma pneumoniae–induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) was recently proposed to identify the mucocutaneous condition secondary to M. pneumoniae infection that had historically been regarded among the more confusing pathologies of erythema multiforme and Stevens–Johnson syndrome. Based on a number of previous reports, these syndromes require differentiation since they have different prognoses and specific treatment requirements. We report a case of oral and genital erosions that strongly resembled MIRM without rash but were found to be secondary to a Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. After a thorough review of the literature on this subject, we propose that C. pneumoniae should also be considered a potential causative agent of MIRM and that this term should be amended to include C. pneumoniae infection.
Low Cryptococcus Antigen Titers as Determined by Lateral Flow Assay Should Be Interpreted Cautiously in Patients without Prior Diagnosis of Cryptococcal Infection
Authors: Dubbels Marie , Granger Dane , Theel Elitza S.
Published: June 2017

Detection of
Cryptococcus
antigen (CrAg) is invaluable for establishing cryptococcal disease. Multiple different methods for CrAg detection are available, including a lateral flow assay (LFA). Despite excellent performance of the CrAg LFA, we have observed multiple cases of low-titer (≤1:5) positive CrAg LFA results in patients for whom cryptococcosis was ultimately excluded. To investigate the accuracy of low-titer positive CrAg LFA results, we performed chart reviews for all patients with positive CrAg LFA results between June 2014 and December 2016. During this period, serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 3,969 patients were tested with the CrAg LFA, and 55 patients (1.5%) tested positive. Thirty-eight of those patients lacked a history of cryptococcal disease and were the focus of this study. Fungal culture or histopathology confirmed
Cryptococcus
infection for 20 patients (52.6%), and CrAg LFA titers in serum and CSF samples ranged from 1:5 to ≥1:2,560. For the 18 patients (47.4%) without culture or histopathological confirmation, the CrAg LFA results were considered true-positive results for 5 patients (titer range, 1:10 to ≥1:2,560), due to clinical improvement with targeted therapy and decreasing CrAg LFA titers. The remaining 13 patients had CrAg LFA titers of 1:2 (
n
= 11) or 1:5 (
n
= 2) and were ultimately diagnosed with an alternative condition (
n
= 11) or began therapy for possible cryptococcosis without improvement (
n
= 2), leading to an overall CrAg LFA false-positive rate of 34%. We recommend careful clinical correlation prior to establishing a diagnosis of cryptococcal infection for patients with first-time positive CrAg LFA titers of 1:2.
Structural Insight into Nucleoprotein Conformation Change Chaperoned by VP35 Peptide in Marburg Virus
Authors: Liu Baocheng , Dong Shishang , Li Guobang , Wang Wenming , Liu Xiang , Wang Yantong , Yang Cheng , Rao Zihe , Guo Yu
Published: June 2017

Marburg virus (MARV) encodes a nucleoprotein (NP) to encapsidate its genome by oligomerization and form a ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP). According to previous investigation on nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses (nsNSV), the newly synthesized NPs must be prevented from indiscriminately binding to noncognate RNAs. During the viral RNA synthesis process, the RNPs undergo a transition from an RNA-bound form to a template-free form, to open access for the interaction between the viral polymerase and the RNA template. In filoviruses, this transition is regulated by VP35 peptide and other viral components. To further understand the dynamic process of filovirus RNP formation, we report here the structure of MARV NP
core
, both in the apo form and in the VP35 peptide-chaperoned form. These structures reveal a typical bilobed structure, with a positive-charged RNA binding groove between two lobes. In the apo form, the MARV NP exists in an interesting hexameric state formed by the hydrophobic interaction within the long helix of the NP
core
C-terminal region, which shows high structural flexibility among filoviruses and may imply critical function during RNP formation. Moreover, the VP35 peptide-chaperoned NP
core
remains in a monomeric state and completely loses its affinity for single-stranded RNA (ssRNA). The structural comparison reveals that the RNA binding groove undergoes a transition from closed state to open state, chaperoned by VP35 peptide, thus preventing the interaction for viral RNA. Our investigation provides considerable structural insight into the filovirus RNP working mechanism and may support the development of antiviral therapies targeting the RNP formation of filovirus.

IMPORTANCE
Marburg virus is one of the most dangerous viruses, with high morbidity and mortality. A recent outbreak in Angola in 2005 caused the deaths of 272 persons. NP is one of the most essential proteins, as it encapsidates and protects the whole virus genome simultaneously with self-assembly oligomerization. Here we report the structures of MARV NP
core
in two different forms. In the MARV NP apo form, we identify an interesting hexamer formed by hydrophobic interaction within a long helix, which is highly conserved and flexible among filoviruses and may indicate its critical function during the virus RNP formation. Moreover, the structural comparison with the NP-VP35 peptide complex reveals a structural transition chaperoned by VP35, in which the RNA binding groove undergoes a transition from closed state to open state. Finally, we discussed the high conservation and critical role of the VP35 binding pocket and its potential use for therapeutic development.
The role of androgens in the regulation of muscle oxidative capacity following aerobic exercise training
Authors: Rossetti Michael L. , Gordon Bradley S.
Published: June 2017

Reduced production or bioavailability of androgens, termed hypogonadism, occurs in a variety of pathological conditions. While androgens target numerous tissues throughout the body, hypogonadism specifically reduces the ability of skeletal muscle to produce adenosine triphosphate aerobically, i.e., muscle oxidative capacity. This has important implications for overall health as muscle oxidative capacity impacts a number of metabolic processes. Although androgen replacement therapy is effective at restoring muscle oxidative capacity in hypogonadal individuals, this is not a viable therapeutic option for all who are experiencing hypogonadism. While aerobic exercise may be a viable alternative to increase muscle oxidative capacity, it is unknown whether androgen depletion affects this adaptation. To determine this, sham and castrated mice were randomized to remain sedentary or undergo 8 weeks of aerobic treadmill exercise training. All mice were fasted overnight prior to sacrifice. Though exercise increased markers of muscle oxidative capacity independent of castration (cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV and cytochrome c), these measures were lower in castrated mice. This reduction was not due to a difference in peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha protein content, as expression was increased to a similar absolute value in sham and castrated animals following exercise training. However, markers of BCL2/Adenovirus E1B 19 kDa Interacting Protein 3 (BNIP3)-mediated mitophagy were increased by castration independent of exercise. Together, these data show that exercise training can increase markers of muscle oxidative capacity following androgen depletion. However, these values are reduced by androgen depletion likely due in part to elevated BNIP3-mediated mitophagy.
Effects of TiO2sol on the microstructure and properties of Au–Co coatings
Authors: Tay See Leng , Van Vliet Jowin , Wang Yuxin , Hou Fengyan , Xiong Chao , Gao Wei
Published: June 2017

Gold (Au) coatings are widely used for electrical contacts in devices, decoration and jewelry. However, the relatively low hardness and poor wear resistance of pure Au coatings lead to a short service life and limit their application. Ni is frequently used as an alloying element to enhance the hardness but it lowers the conductivity of Au coatings. In this research, Co was co-deposited as an alloying element with Au to improve its mechanical properties while maintaining conductivity. TiO2sol in different concentrations was added to the Au–Co plating bath to further enhance the coating strength. Systematic studies including surface morphology, hardness, wear resistance and electrical conductivity have been carried out. Key results from nanoindentation tests demonstrated that the hardness of Au–Co–TiO2composite coating was increased by 30% when compared to a pure Au–Co coating, while the electrical conductivity has been kept at the same level.
The effect of substrate bias on the characteristics of CrN coatings deposited by DC-superimposed HiPIMS system
Authors: Zuo X. , Xia F. , Zhang D. , Ke P. L. , Wang Q. M. , Wang A. Y.
Published: June 2017

Chromium nitride coatings were prepared by reactive DC-superimposed high-power-impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) system. The influence of substrate bias on the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrN coatings was investigated. XRD and cross-sectional SEM were utilized to characterize the film structures. Mechanical properties were characterized by nanoindentation and Vickers indentation test. The results revealed that the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrN coatings were affected by bias voltage. The CrN coatings exhibited dense and fine columnar grain structure with the hardness of about 18.7 GPa. The fracture toughness of CrN coatings was around 3.16 MPa ⋅ m[Formula: see text]. However, further increase of the bias voltage from −250 V to −300 V led to the degradation of coating properties.
EEG-based functional networks evoked by acupuncture at ST 36: A data-driven thresholding study
Authors: Li Huiyan , Wang Jiang , Yi Guosheng , Deng Bin , Zhou Hexi
Published: June 2017

This paper investigates how acupuncture at ST 36 modulates the brain functional network. 20 channel EEG signals from 15 healthy subjects are respectively recorded before, during and after acupuncture. The correlation between two EEG channels is calculated by using Pearson’s coefficient. A data-driven approach is applied to determine the threshold, which is performed by considering the connected set, connected edge and network connectivity. Based on such thresholding approach, the functional network in each acupuncture period is built with graph theory, and the associated functional connectivity is determined. We show that acupuncturing at ST 36 increases the connectivity of the EEG-based functional network, especially for the long distance ones between two hemispheres. The properties of the functional network in five EEG sub-bands are also characterized. It is found that the delta and gamma bands are affected more obviously by acupuncture than the other sub-bands. These findings highlight the modulatory effects of acupuncture on the EEG-based functional connectivity, which is helpful for us to understand how it participates in the cortical or subcortical activities. Further, the data-driven threshold provides an alternative approach to infer the functional connectivity under other physiological conditions.
Fidelity analysis of cyclic three-level system-based quantum routing
Authors: Lu Hua , Yan Guo-An
Published: June 2017

A quantum router can guide information from one quantum channel to another; thus, it has an increasingly important role in complex quantum networks. Here, we verify that the quantum router proposed by [L. Zhou et al., Phys. Rev. Lett 111, 103604 (2013)] achieves quantum-state high fidelity. When the transition strengths match [Formula: see text], the fidelity of the atom decreases from the maximum value after a period of time and then rises to a maximum value of 1; if the transition strengths do not match, the fidelity will not be able to reach 1.
An Energy-Efficient Switching Scheme for Low-Power SAR ADC Design
Authors: Liang Yuhua , Zhu Zhangming
Published: June 2017

A novel energy-efficient switching scheme for successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADC) is proposed in this paper. The average switching energy of the proposed switching scheme can be reduced by 95.3%, compared with the [Formula: see text]-based scheme. Moreover, the linearity has been also improved significantly. Employing the proposed switching scheme, a 10-bit 100[Formula: see text]kS/s SAR ADC is designed in SMIC 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process. At a 0.6-V supply, the ADC consumes 43.7[Formula: see text]nW. Consequently, the figure-of-merit (FOM) is optimized to 0.58[Formula: see text]fJ/conversion-step.
Quark matter in the perturbation QCD model with a rapidly convergent matching-invariant running coupling
Authors: Xu Jian-Feng , Luo Yan-An , Li Lei , Peng Guang-Xiong
Published: June 2017

The properties of dense quark matter are investigated in the perturbation theory with a rapidly convergent matching-invariant running coupling. The fast convergence is mainly due to the resummation of an infinite number of known logarithmic terms in a compact form. The only parameter in this model, the ratio of the renormalization subtraction point to the chemical potential, is restricted to be about 2.64 according to the Witten–Bodmer conjecture, which gives the maximum mass and the biggest radius of quark stars to be, respectively, two times the solar mass and 11.7[Formula: see text]km.