bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic inequalities in duration of untreated psychosis: evidence from administrative data in England
Authors: Reichert A. , Jacobs R.
Published: August 2017

Background

Duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) is an important measure of access to care as it predicts prognosis and treatment outcomes. Little is known about potential socioeconomic inequalities in DUP. The aim of this study was to investigate inequalities in DUP associated with socioeconomic deprivation in a national cohort in England.

Method

We analysed a cohort of 887 patients with a first-episode in psychosis using the administrative Mental Health Services Dataset in England for 2012/13-2014/15. We used a Generalised Linear Model to account for non-linearity in DUP and looked at inequalities across the whole distribution of DUP using quantile regression.

Results

The median DUP was 22 days (mean = 74 days) with considerable variations between and within the 31 hospital providers. We found evidence of significant inequalities regarding the level of socioeconomic deprivation. Patients living in the second, third and fourth deprived neighbourhood quintiles faced a 36, 24 and 31 day longer DUP than patients from the least deprived neighbourhoods. Inequalities were more prevalent in higher quantiles of the DUP distribution. Unemployment prolonged DUP by 40 days. Having been in contact with mental health care services prior to the psychosis start significantly reduced the DUP by up to 53 days.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic deprivation is an important factor in explaining inequalities in DUP. Policies to improve equitable access to care should particularly focus on preventing very long delays in treatment and target unemployed patients as well as people that have not been in contact with any mental health professional in the past.
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN CENTRAL, EASTERN, AND SOUTH EUROPEAN COUNTRIES: CROATIA
Authors: Huic Mirjana , Tandara Hacek Romana , Svajger Ivan
Published: August 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide a brief, 7-year history of health technology assessment (HTA) implementation in Croatia through national and international activities.

Methods: We used retrospective descriptive analysis of key documents related to the legal framework, process of decision making, and HTA. Analysis of the Agency's plan for and experience with the implementation of a transparent HTA process in Croatia was performed by addressing seven key components of the HTA implementation scorecard framework. The main challenges and facilitating factors were also assessed.

Results: HTA is not yet fully implemented in Croatia. The main challenges are the insufficient legal framework, limited human and financial resources, and limited stakeholder involvement. Facilitating factors are active international collaboration and education through EUnetHTA and the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research and production of national and international HTA reports.

Conclusions: The HTA process is not yet sustainable in Croatia and HTA reports are still not mandatory for reimbursement/investment or disinvestment decision processes. There are still barriers to overcome.
FinnFN 1.0: The Finnish frame semantic database
Authors: Lindén Krister , Haltia Heidi , Luukkonen Juha , Laine Antti O. , Roivainen Henri , Väisänen Niina
Published: August 2017

The article describes the process of creating a Finnish language FrameNet or FinnFN, based on the original English language FrameNet hosted at the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California. We outline the goals and results relating to the FinnFN project and especially to the creation of the FinnFrame corpus. The main aim of the project was to test the universal applicability of frame semantics by annotating real Finnish using the same frames and annotation conventions as in the original Berkeley FrameNet project. From Finnish newspaper corpora, 40,721 sentences were automatically retrieved and manually annotated as example sentences evoking certain frames. This became the FinnFrame corpus. Applying the Berkeley FrameNet annotation conventions to the Finnish language required some modifications due to Finnish morphology, and a convention for annotating individual morphemes within words was introduced for phenomena such as compounding, comparatives and case endings. Various questions about cultural salience across the two languages arose during the project, but problematic situations occurred only in a few examples, which we also discuss in the article. The article shows that, barring a few minor instances, the universality hypothesis of frames is largely confirmed for languages as different as Finnish and English.
Hospitalisation for lower respiratory tract infection in children in the province of Quebec, Canada, before and during the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era
Authors: ANDERSON G. , DECEUNINCK G. , ZHOU Z. , BOUCHER F. D. , BONNIER VIGER Y. , GILCA R. , DE WALS P.
Published: August 2017

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis an important cause of community-acquired pneumonia and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) may reduce this burden. This study's goal was to analyse trends in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) hospitalisations before and during a routine vaccination programme targeting all newborns with PCV was started in the province of Quebec, Canada in December 2004. The study population included hospital admissions with a main diagnosis of LRTI among 6–59 month-old Quebec residents from April 2000 to December 2014. Trends in proportions and rates were analysed using Cochran-Armitage tests and Poisson regression models. We observed a general downward trend in all LTRI hospitalisations rate: from 11·55/1000 person-years in 2000–2001 to 9·59/1000 in 2013–2014, a 17·0% reduction, which started before the introduction of PCV vaccination. Downward trends in hospitalisation rates were more pronounced for all-cause of pneumonia (minus 17·8%) than for bronchiolitis (minus 15·4%). There was also a decrease in the mean duration of hospital stay. There was little evidence that all-cause pneumonia decreased over the study period due mainly to the introduction of PCVs. Trends may be related to changes in clinical practice. This study casts doubt on the interpretation of ecological analyses of the implementation of PCV vaccination programmes.
Association between wetland presence and incidence ofSalmonella entericaserotype Javiana infections in selected US sites, 2005–2011
Authors: HUANG J. Y. , PATRICK M. E. , MANNERS J. , SAPKOTA A. R. , SCHERZINGER K. J. , TOBIN-D'ANGELO M. , HENAO O. L. , COLE D. J. , VIEIRA A. R.
Published: August 2017

Salmonellacauses an estimated 1·2 million illnesses annually in the USA.Salmonella entericaserotype Javiana (serotype Javiana) is the fourth most common serotype isolated from humans, with the majority of illnesses occurring in southeastern states. The percentage of wetland cover by wetland type and the average incidence rates of serotype Javiana infection in selected counties of the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) were examined. This analysis explored the relationship between wetland environments and incidence in order to assess whether regional differences in environmental habitats may be associated with observed variations in incidence. Findings suggest that environmental habitats may support reservoirs or contribute to the persistence of serotype Javiana, and may frequently contribute to the transmission of infection compared with otherSalmonellaserotypes.
Computational phonology today
Authors: Heinz Jeffrey , Idsardi William J.
Published: August 2017

This thematic issue almost did not happen. One of us (JH) was almost killed two days after the deadline for article submissions. As a pedestrian on a sidewalk minding his own business, he was struck by a car that ran a red light and lost control after a collision. So when we write that we are delighted to be writing this introduction, over one year later, we both really mean it.
The power of locality domains in phonology
Authors: Graf Thomas
Published: August 2017

Domains play an integral role in linguistic theories. This paper combines locality domains with current models of the computational complexity of phonology. The first result is that if a specific formalism – strictly piecewise grammars – is supplemented with a mechanism to enforce first-order definable domain restrictions, its power increases so much that it subsumes almost the full hierarchy of subregular languages. However, if domain restrictions are based on linguistically natural intervals, we instead obtain an empirically more adequate model. On the one hand, this model subsumes only those subregular classes that have been argued to be relevant for phonotactic generalisations. On the other hand, it excludes unnatural generalisations that involve counting or elaborate conditionals. It is also shown that strictly piecewise grammars with interval-based domains are theoretically learnable, unlike those with arbitrary, first-order domains.
Early Australian Anthropomorphs: Jabiluka's Dynamic Figure Rock Paintings
Authors: May Sally K. , Johnston Iain G. , Taçon Paul S.C. , Domingo Sanz Inés , Goldhahn Joakim
Published: August 2017

Early depictions of anthropomorphs in rock art provide unique insights into life during the deep past. This includes human engagements with the environment, socio-cultural practices, gender and uses of material culture. In Australia, the Dynamic Figure rock paintings of Arnhem Land are recognized as the earliest style in the region where humans are explicitly depicted. Important questions, such as the nature and significance of body adornment in rock art and society, can be explored, given the detailed nature of the human figurative art and the sheer number of scenes depicted. In this paper, we make a case for Dynamic Figure rock art having some of the earliest and most extensive depictions of complex anthropomorph scenes found anywhere in the world.
Generalized Majority Colourings of Digraphs
Authors: GIRÃO ANTÓNIO , KITTIPASSORN TEERADEJ , POPIELARZ KAMIL
Published: August 2017

We almost completely solve a number of problems related to a concept called majority colouring recently studied by Kreutzer, Oum, Seymour, van der Zypen and Wood. They raised the problem of determining, for a natural numberk, the smallest numberm=m(k) such that every digraph can be coloured withmcolours where each vertex has the same colour as at most a 1/kproportion of its out-neighbours. We show thatm(k) ∈ {2k− 1,2k}. We also prove a result supporting the conjecture thatm(2) = 3. Moreover, we prove similar results for a more general concept called majority choosability.
Miniaturized tri-band filtering-response power divider with short- and open-stub-loaded resonators
Authors: He Zongrui , Song Kaijun , Zeng Bo , Zhu Yu , Fan Yong
Published: August 2017

A miniaturized tri-passband power divider integrating a power divider with two tri-band bandpass filters is presented. The short- and open-stub-loaded resonators are used in this presented power divider to implement the bandpass-filtering response. Then, the presented power divider has not only the power-dividing/combining function, but also the tri-passband filtering response. When the central frequency of the second passband is fixed, the other two passband central frequencies of the tri-band power divider can be flexibly controlled by changing the lengths of the stubs. The even- and odd-mode equivalent circuits of the proposed tri-band power divider are analyzed, and the design equations are derived, which can be used to guide the design of the presented miniaturized tri-passband power divider. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Effect of Plastic Mulch Type on Fomesafen Dissipation in Florida Vegetable Production Systems
Authors: Reed Thomas V. , Boyd Nathan S. , Wilson P. Christopher , Dittmar Peter J.
Published: August 2017

Mulches used in plasticulture systems could decrease dissipation of fomesafen, a protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitor, and dissuade producers from using the herbicide for fear of crop injury in subsequent growing seasons. Field experiments were conducted in Balm, FL, in 2015 and 2016 to investigate the effect of different plastic mulches on fomesafen dissipation, squash tolerance, and efficacy on purple nutsedge. Squash was injured less than 5% from fomesafen applications. The use of plastic mulches reduced purple nutsedge density at transplant by 60% compared with the no-mulch treatment. At transplant, treatments with low-density polyethylene mulch (LDPE), virtually impermeable film (VIF), and totally impermeable film (TIF) mulch had greater than 2-fold the fomesafen concentrations than treatments with clear or no mulch. At harvest in 2015, LDPE, VIF, and TIF treatments had greater fomesafen concentrations than clear and no-mulch treatments; however, concentrations in 2016 were similar for all treatments. Fomesafen can persist at high concentrations throughout the growing season in Florida plasticulture possibly limiting producer options for crop rotation and the use of cover crops.
Correction: Corrigendum: Photothermally triggered actuation of hybrid materials as a new platform for in vitro cell manipulation
Authors: Sutton Amy , Shirman Tanya , Timonen Jaakko V.I. , England Grant T , Kim Philseok , Kolle Mathias , Ferrante Thomas , Zarzar Lauren D , Strong Elizabeth , Aizenberg Joanna
Published: August 2017

Nature Communications 8 Article: 14700 (2017); Published 13 March 2017; Updated 14 August 2017 The financial support for this Article was not properly acknowledged. The acknowledgements should include a reference to support, ‘by the ONR under award number N00014-16-1-3169 (Designing a Dynamic Platform that Provides Multiple Defense Mechanisms against Fouling)’ instead of ‘ONR under award number N00014-15-1-2157 (cell manipulation)’.
Tunable two-dimensional interfacial coupling in molecular heterostructures
Authors: Xu Beibei , Chakraborty Himanshu , Yadav Vivek K. , Zhang Zhuolei , Klein Michael L. , Ren Shenqiang
Published: August 2017

Two-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures are of considerable interest for the next generation nanoelectronics because of their unique interlayer coupling and optoelectronic properties. Here, we report a modified Langmuir–Blodgett method to organize two-dimensional molecular charge transfer crystals into arbitrarily and vertically stacked heterostructures, consisting of bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT–TTF)/C60and poly(3-dodecylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3DDT)/C60nanosheets. A strong and anisotropic interfacial coupling between the charge transfer pairs is demonstrated. The van der Waals heterostructures exhibit pressure dependent sensitivity with a high piezoresistance coefficient of −4.4 × 10−6 Pa−1, and conductance and capacitance tunable by external stimuli (ferroelectric field and magnetic field). Density functional theory calculations confirm charge transfer between then-orbitals of the S atoms in BEDT–TTF of the BEDT–TTF/C60layer and the π* orbitals of C atoms in C60of the P3DDT/C60layer contribute to the inter-complex CT. The two-dimensional molecular van der Waals heterostructures with tunable optical–electronic–magnetic coupling properties are promising for flexible electronic applications.
Synthesis of quenchable amorphous diamond
Authors: Zeng Zhidan , Yang Liuxiang , Zeng Qiaoshi , Lou Hongbo , Sheng Hongwei , Wen Jianguo , Miller Dean J. , Meng Yue , Yang Wenge , Mao Wendy L. , Mao Ho-kwang
Published: August 2017

Diamond owes its unique mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical, chemical, and biocompatible materials properties to its complete sp3-carbon network bonding. Crystallinity is another major controlling factor for materials properties. Although other Group-14 elements silicon and germanium have complementary crystalline and amorphous forms consisting of purely sp3 bonds, purely sp3-bonded tetrahedral amorphous carbon has not yet been obtained. In this letter, we combine high pressure and in situ laser heating techniques to convert glassy carbon into “quenchable amorphous diamond”, and recover it to ambient conditions. Our X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy experiments on the recovered sample and computer simulations confirm its tetrahedral amorphous structure and complete sp3 bonding. This transparent quenchable amorphous diamond has, to our knowledge, the highest density among amorphous carbon materials, and shows incompressibility comparable to crystalline diamond.
SIRT7 antagonizes TGF-β signaling and inhibits breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Tang Xiaolong , Shi Lei , Xie Ni , Liu Zuojun , Qian Minxian , Meng Fanbiao , Xu Qingyang , Zhou Mingyan , Cao Xinyue , Zhu Wei-Guo , Liu Baohua
Published: August 2017

Distant metastasis is the main cause of breast cancer-related death; however, effective therapeutic strategies targeting metastasis are still scarce. This is largely attributable to the spatiotemporal intratumor heterogeneity during metastasis. Here we show that protein deacetylase SIRT7 is significantly downregulated in breast cancer lung metastases in human and mice, and predicts metastasis-free survival. SIRT7 deficiency promotes breast cancer cell metastasis, while temporal expression of Sirt7 inhibits metastasis in polyomavirus middle T antigen breast cancer model. Mechanistically, SIRT7 deacetylates and promotes SMAD4 degradation mediated by β-TrCP1, and SIRT7 deficiency activates transforming growth factor-β signaling and enhances epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Significantly, resveratrol activates SIRT7 deacetylase activity, inhibits breast cancer lung metastases, and increases survival. Our data highlight SIRT7 as a modulator of transforming growth factor-β signaling and suppressor of breast cancer metastasis, meanwhile providing an effective anti-metastatic therapeutic strategy.
Computational prediction of new auxetic materials
Authors: Dagdelen John , Montoya Joseph , de Jong Maarten , Persson Kristin
Published: August 2017

Auxetics comprise a rare family of materials that manifest negative Poisson’s ratio, which causes an expansion instead of contraction under tension. Most known homogeneously auxetic materials are porous foams or artificial macrostructures and there are few examples of inorganic materials that exhibit this behavior as polycrystalline solids. It is now possible to accelerate the discovery of materials with target properties, such as auxetics, using high-throughput computations, open databases, and efficient search algorithms. Candidates exhibiting features correlating with auxetic behavior were chosen from the set of more than 67 000 materials in the Materials Project database. Poisson’s ratios were derived from the calculated elastic tensor of each material in this reduced set of compounds. We report that this strategy results in the prediction of three previously unidentified homogeneously auxetic materials as well as a number of compounds with a near-zero homogeneous Poisson’s ratio, which are here denoted “anepirretic materials”.
Layered van der Waals crystals with hyperbolic light dispersion
Authors: Gjerding M. N. , Petersen R. , Pedersen T. G. , Mortensen N. A. , Thygesen K. S.
Published: August 2017

Compared to artificially structured hyperbolic metamaterials, whose performance is limited by the finite size of the metallic components, the sparse number of naturally hyperbolic materials recently discovered are promising candidates for the next generation of hyperbolic materials. Using first-principles calculations, we extend the number of known naturally hyperbolic materials to the broad class of layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). The diverse electronic properties of the transition metal dichalcogenides result in a large variation of the hyperbolic frequency regimes ranging from the near-infrared to the ultraviolet. Combined with the emerging field of van der Waals heterostructuring, we demonstrate how the hyperbolic properties can be further controlled by stacking different two-dimensional crystals opening new perspectives for atomic-scale design of photonic metamaterials. As an application, we identify candidates for Purcell factor control of emission from diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers.
The switching of strong spin wave beams in patterned garnet films
Authors: Gieniusz R. , Gruszecki P. , Krawczyk M. , Guzowska U. , Stognij A. , Maziewski A.
Published: August 2017

The application of spin waves in communication with information encoded in amplitude and phase could replace or enhance existing microelectronic and microwave devices with significantly decreased energy consumption. Spin waves (SW) are usually transported in a magnetic material shaped to act as a waveguide. However, the implementation of SW transport and switching in plane homogeneous magnetic films and running as a narrow beam with a small divergence angle still present a challenge. We propose a realization of a strong SW switchers based on a patterned yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film that could serve as a magnonic fundamental building block. Our concept relies on the creation of a narrow beam of relatively short-wavelength SW by effect of a total non-reflection, found to be tied to refraction on the decreasing internal magnetic field, near a line of antidots at YIG. Nonreciprocal SW excitation by a microstrip antenna is used for controlling the direction of the signal flow. We demonstrate unique features of the propagation of microwave-excited SW beams, provide insight into their physics and discuss their potential applications in high-frequency devices.
Evaluating the Causal Relation of ApoA-IV with Disease-Related Traits - A Bidirectional Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Mack Salome , Coassin Stefan , Vaucher Julien , Kronenberg Florian , Lamina Claudia ,   ApoA-IV-GWAS Consortium, Rueedi Rico , Yousri Noha A. , Seppälä Ilkka , Gieger Christian , Schönherr Sebastian , Forer Lukas , Erhart Gertraud , Kollerits Barbara , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Waeber Gerard , Bergmann Sven , Dähnhardt Doreen , Stöckl Andrea , Kiechl Stefan , Raitakari Olli T. , Kähönen Mika , Willeit Johann , Kedenko Ludmilla , Paulweber Bernhard , Peters Annette , Meitinger Thomas , Strauch Konstantin , Lehtimäki Terho , Hunt Steven C. , Vollenweider Peter
Published: August 2017

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) has been observed to be associated with lipids, kidney function, adiposity- and diabetes-related parameters. To assess the causal relationship of apoA-IV with these phenotypes, we conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using publicly available summary-level datasets from GWAS consortia on apoA-IV concentrations (n = 13,813), kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), n = 133,413), lipid traits (HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, n = 188,577), adiposity-related traits (body-mass-index (n = 322,206), waist-hip-ratio (n = 210,088)) and fasting glucose (n = 133,010). Main analyses consisted in inverse-variance weighted and multivariable MR, whereas MR-Egger regression and weighted median estimation were used as sensitivity analyses. We found that eGFR is likely to be causal on apoA-IV concentrations (53 SNPs; causal effect estimate per 1-SD increase in eGFR = −0.39; 95% CI = [−0.54, −0.24]; p-value = 2.4e-07). Triglyceride concentrations were also causally associated with apoA-IV concentrations (40 SNPs; causal effect estimate per 1-SD increase in triglycerides = −0.06; 95% CI = [−0.08, −0.04]; p-value = 4.8e-07), independently of HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations (causal effect estimate from multivariable MR = −0.06; 95% CI = [−0.10, −0.02]; p-value = 0.0014). Evaluating the inverse direction of causality revealed a possible causal association of apoA-IV on HDL-cholesterol (2 SNPs; causal effect estimate per one percent increase in apoA-IV = −0.40; 95% CI = [−0.60, −0.21]; p-value = 5.5e-05).
ROCK-1 mediates diabetes-induced retinal pigment epithelial and endothelial cell blebbing: Contribution to diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Rothschild Pierre-Raphaël , Salah Sawsen , Berdugo Marianne , Gélizé Emmanuelle , Delaunay Kimberley , Naud Marie-Christine , Klein Christophe , Moulin Alexandre , Savoldelli Michèle , Bergin Ciara , Jeanny Jean-Claude , Jonet Laurent , Arsenijevic Yvan , Behar-Cohen Francine , Crisanti Patricia
Published: August 2017

In diabetic retinopathy, the exact mechanisms leading to retinal capillary closure and to retinal barriers breakdown remain imperfectly understood. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), an effector of the small GTPase Rho, involved in cytoskeleton dynamic regulation and cell polarity is activated by hyperglycemia. In one year-old Goto Kakizaki (GK) type 2 diabetic rats retina, ROCK-1 activation was assessed by its cellular distribution and by phosphorylation of its substrates, MYPT1 and MLC. In both GK rat and in human type 2 diabetic retinas, ROCK-1 is activated and associated with non-apoptotic membrane blebbing in retinal vessels and in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) that respectively form the inner and the outer barriers. Activation of ROCK-1 induces focal vascular constrictions, endoluminal blebbing and subsequent retinal hypoxia. In RPE cells, actin cytoskeleton remodeling and membrane blebs in RPE cells contributes to outer barrier breakdown. Intraocular injection of fasudil, significantly reduces both retinal hypoxia and RPE barrier breakdown. Diabetes-induced cell blebbing may contribute to ischemic maculopathy and represent an intervention target.
Evaluation of the safe use and dietary risk of beta-cypermethrin, pyriproxyfen, avermectin, diflubenzuron and chlorothalonil in button mushroom
Authors: Du Pengqiang , Wu Xiaohu , He Hairong , Zhang Ying , Xu Jun , Dong Fengshou , Zheng Yongquan , Liu Xingang
Published: August 2017

In this study, the residues of beta-cypermethrin, pyriproxyfen, avermectin, diflubenzuron and chlorothalonil in button mushrooms were investigated. The dietary risks of ingesting button mushrooms that have had these pesticides applied by two different methods under normal plant conditions were evaluated. The dissipation of these pesticides into the soil was also studied. According to the maximum residue limits (MRLs) and acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), the final residues of beta-cypermethrin, pyriproxyfen, avermectin, diflubenzuron, and chlorothalonil were safe for human consumption after these pesticides were applied by spraying 2 times at the dosages of 900, 750, 540, 562.5, and 540 g a.i.ha−1. The dissipation experiment results demonstrated that these pesticides dissipated rapidly after spraying, and there were no residues that could be detected at harvest time when the pesticides were mixed with substrates. According to this work, the application methods of spraying and incorporation with these pesticides at 1 and 1.5 times of the recommended dosage are safe and proper in cultivating button mushrooms.
Green Brönsted acid ionic liquids as novel corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in acidic medium
Authors: Cao Shuyun , Liu Dan , Zhang Peng , Yang Lixia , Yang Peng , Lu Hui , Gui Jianzhou
Published: August 2017

New ionic liquids with multiple Brönsted acid sites were synthesized in ≥98% yield, and their inhibiting properties for the corrosion of carbon steel in 0.5 M HCl solution had been evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization and weight loss method, finally the possible inhibiting mechanism was proposed according to UV–visible spectroscopic measurements and surface analysis including SEM and XPS techniques. The designed cation structure of Brönsted acid ionic liquids (BAILs), with one phenyl and two imidazolium rings, makes them good mixed-type inhibitors via the adsorption of BAILs on the steel surface to suppress both anodic and cathodic processes, obeying Langmuir adsorption isotherm. As potential acid catalysts, BAILs show nice corrosion inhibiting performance in acidic medium regardless of their Brönsted acidity, which is of great significance to enlarge the industry applications of BAILs.
Identification of bacterial biofilm and the Staphylococcus aureus derived protease, staphopain, on the skin surface of patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Sonesson Andreas , Przybyszewska Kornelia , Eriksson Sigrid , Mörgelin Matthias , Kjellström Sven , Davies Julia , Potempa Jan , Schmidtchen Artur
Published: August 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by an impaired epidermal barrier, dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity, and a high susceptibility to bacterial colonization and infection. In the present study, bacterial biofilm was visualized by electron microscopy at the surface of AD skin. Correspondingly,Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) isolates from lesional skin of patients with AD, produced a substantial amount of biofilmin vitro.S.aureusbiofilms showed less susceptibility to killing by the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 when compared with results obtained using planktonic cells. Confocal microscopy analysis showed that LL-37 binds to theS.aureusbiofilms. Immuno-gold staining ofS.aureusbiofilm of AD skin detected theS.aureusderived protease staphopain adjacent to the bacteria.In vitro, staphopain B degraded LL-37 into shorter peptide fragments. Further, LL-37 significantly inhibitedS.aureusbiofilm formation, but no such effects were observed for the degradation products. The data presented here provide novel information on staphopains present inS.aureusbiofilmsin vivo, and illustrate the complex interplay between biofilm and LL-37 in skin of AD patients, possibly leading to a disturbed host defense, which facilitates bacterial persistence.
Combining ε-Near-Zero Behavior and Stopped Light Energy Bands for Ultra-Low Reflection and Reduced Dispersion of Slow Light
Authors: Bello Frank , Page A. Freddie , Pusch Andreas , Hamm Joachim M. , Donegan John F. , Hess Ortwin
Published: August 2017

We investigate media which exhibits epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) behavior while simultaneously sustaining stopped light energy bands which contain multiple points of zero group velocity (ZGV). This allows the merging of state-of-the-art phenomena that was hitherto attainable in media that demonstrated these traits separately. Specifically, we demonstrate the existence of Ferrell-Berreman (FB) modes within frequency bands bounded by points of ZGV with the goal to improve the coupling efficiency and localization of light in the media. The FB mode is formed within a double layer, thin-film stack where at subwavelength thicknesses the structure exhibits a very low reflection due to ENZ behavior. In addition, the structure is engineered to promote a flattened frequency dispersion with a negative permittivity able to induce multiple points of ZGV. For proof-of-concept, we propose an oxide-semiconductor-oxide-insulator stack and discuss the useful optical properties that arise from combining both phenomena. A transfer matrix (TM) treatment is used to derive the reflectivity profile and dispersion curves. Results show the ability to reduce reflection below 0.05% in accordance with recent experimental data while simultaneously exciting a polariton mode exhibiting both reduced group velocity and group velocity dispersion (GVD).
Directly monitor protein rearrangement on a nanosecond-to-millisecond time-scale
Authors: Chen Eric H.-L. , Lu Tony T.-Y. , Hsu Jack C.-C. , Tseng Yufeng Jane , Lim T.-S. , Chen Rita P.-Y.
Published: August 2017

In order to directly observe the refolding kinetics from a partially misfolded state to a native state in the bottom of the protein-folding funnel, we used a “caging” strategy to trap the β-sheet structure of ubiquitin in a misfolded conformation. We used molecular dynamics simulation to generate the cage-induced, misfolded structure and compared the structure of the misfolded ubiquitin with native ubiquitin. Using laser flash irradiation, the cage can be cleaved from the misfolded structure within one nanosecond, and we monitored the refolding kinetics of ubiquitin from this misfolded state to the native state by photoacoustic calorimetry and photothermal beam deflection techniques on nanosecond to millisecond timescales. Our results showed two refolding events in this refolding process. The fast event is shorter than 20 ns and corresponds to the instant collapse of ubiquitin upon cage release initiated by laser irradiation. The slow event is ~60 μs, derived from a structural rearrangement in β-sheet refolding. The event lasts 10 times longer than the timescale of β-hairpin formation for short peptides as monitored by temperature jump, suggesting that rearrangement of a β-sheet structure from a misfolded state to its native state requires more time than ab initio folding of a β-sheet.
Hybrid Nitric Oxide Donor and its Carrier for the Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Authors: Le Duong Q. , Kuriakose Aneetta E. , Nguyen Dat X. , Nguyen Kytai T. , Acharya Suchismita
Published: August 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) has been known to promote physiological angiogenesis to treat peripheral arterial diseases (PAD) by increasing the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in endothelial cells (ECs) and preventing platelet adherence and leukocyte chemotaxis. However, the ongoing ischemic event during peripheral ischemia produces superoxide and diminishes the NO bioavailability by forming toxic peroxynitrite anion. Here we disclose an efficacious hybrid molecule 4-(5-Amino-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-yl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinol (SA-2) containing both antioxidant and NO donor functionalities that provide a therapeutic level of NO necessary to promote angiogenesis and to protect ECs against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Compound SA-2 scavenged reactive oxygen species, inhibited proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and promoted the tube formation from ECs. Copolymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with SA-2 provided a sustained release of NO over days, improved aqueous stability in serum, protected ECs against oxidative stress, and enhanced angiogenesis under stress conditions as compared to that of the control in the in vitro matrigel tube formation assay. These results indicated the potential use of SA-2 nanoparticles as an alternative therapy to treat PAD.
Cherenkov Radiation Control via Self-accelerating Wave-packets
Authors: Hu Yi , Li Zhili , Wetzel Benjamin , Morandotti Roberto , Chen Zhigang , Xu Jingjun
Published: August 2017

Cherenkov radiation is a ubiquitous phenomenon in nature. It describes electromagnetic radiation from a charged particle moving in a medium with a uniform velocity larger than the phase velocity of light in the same medium. Such a picture is typically adopted in the investigation of traditional Cherenkov radiation as well as its counterparts in different branches of physics, including nonlinear optics, spintronics and plasmonics. In these cases, the radiation emitted spreads along a “cone”, making it impractical for most applications. Here, we employ a self-accelerating optical pump wave-packet to demonstrate controlled shaping of one type of generalized Cherenkov radiation - dispersive waves in optical fibers. We show that, by tuning the parameters of the wave-packet, the emitted waves can be judiciously compressed and focused at desired locations, paving the way to such control in any physical system.
Effects of emotional valence on sense of agency require a predictive model
Authors: Yoshie Michiko , Haggard Patrick
Published: August 2017

Sense of agency (SoA), a feeling that one’s voluntary actions produce events in the external world, is a key factor behind every goal-directed human behaviour. Recent studies have demonstrated that SoA is reduced when one’s voluntary action causes negative outcomes, compared to when it causes positive outcomes. It is yet unclear whether this emotional modulation of SoA is caused by predicting the outcome valence (prediction hypothesis) or by retrospectively interpreting the outcome (postdiction hypothesis). To address this, we emulated a social situation where one’s voluntary action was followed by either another’s negative emotional vocalisation or positive emotional vocalisation. Crucially, the relation between an action and the emotional valence of its outcome was predictable in some blocks of trials, but unpredictable in other blocks. Quantitative, implicit measures of SoA based on the intentional binding effect supported the prediction hypothesis. Our findings imply that the social-emotional modulation of SoA is based on predicting the emotional valence of action outcomes.
Navigability of Random Geometric Graphs in the Universe and Other Spacetimes
Authors: Cunningham William , Zuev Konstantin , Krioukov Dmitri
Published: August 2017

Random geometric graphs in hyperbolic spaces explain many common structural and dynamical properties of real networks, yet they fail to predict the correct values of the exponents of power-law degree distributions observed in real networks. In that respect, random geometric graphs in asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes, such as the Lorentzian spacetime of our accelerating universe, are more attractive as their predictions are more consistent with observations in real networks. Yet another important property of hyperbolic graphs is their navigability, and it remains unclear if de Sitter graphs are as navigable as hyperbolic ones. Here we study the navigability of random geometric graphs in three Lorentzian manifolds corresponding to universes filled only with dark energy (de Sitter spacetime), only with matter, and with a mixture of dark energy and matter. We find these graphs are navigable only in the manifolds with dark energy. This result implies that, in terms of navigability, random geometric graphs in asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes are as good as random hyperbolic graphs. It also establishes a connection between the presence of dark energy and navigability of the discretized causal structure of spacetime, which provides a basis for a different approach to the dark energy problem in cosmology.
Gender Differences in Infant Mortality and Neonatal Morbidity in Mixed-Gender Twins
Authors: Zhao Dongying , Zou Lile , Lei Xiaoping , Zhang Yongjun
Published: August 2017

In the present study, we aimed to explore gender differences in infant mortality and neonatal morbidity in mixed-gender twin pairs. Data were obtained from the US National Center for Health Statistics Linked Birth-Infant Death Cohort. A total of 108,038 pairs of mixed-gender twins were included in this analysis. Among the mixed-gender twins, no significant difference in the odds of fetal mortality between male twins (1.05%) and female co-twins (1.04%). However, male twins were at increased odds of neonatal mortality (adjusted OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.37, 1.85) and overall infant mortality (adjusted OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.27, 1.61) relative to their female co-twins. Congenital abnormalities (adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.27, 1.50) were identified significantly more frequently in male than female twins. Moreover, increased odds of having low 5-minute Apgar score (<7) (adjusted OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05, 1.26), assistant ventilation >30 minutes (adjusted OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.17, 1.47), and respiratory distress syndrome (adjusted OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.26, 1.66) were identified in male twins relative to their female counterparts. The results of our study indicated that in mixed-gender twin pairs, the odds of infant mortality and neonatal morbidity were higher in male twins than their female co-twins.
Epac1-deficient mice have bleeding phenotype and thrombocytes with decreased GPIbβ expression
Authors: Nygaard Gyrid , Herfindal Lars , Asrud Kathrine S. , Bjørnstad Ronja , Kopperud Reidun K. , Oveland Eystein , Berven Frode S. , Myhren Lene , Hoivik Erling A. , Lunde Turid Helen Felli , Bakke Marit , Døskeland Stein O. , Selheim Frode
Published: August 2017

Epac1 (Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1) limits fluid loss from the circulation by tightening the endothelial barrier. We show here that Epac1−/−mice, but not Epac2−/−mice, have prolonged bleeding time, suggesting that Epac1 may limit fluid loss also by restraining bleeding. The Epac1−/−mice had deficientin vitrosecondary hemostasis. Quantitative comprehensive proteomics analysis revealed that Epac1−/−mouse platelets (thrombocytes) had unbalanced expression of key components of the glycoprotein Ib-IX-V (GPIb-IX-V) complex, with decrease of GP1bβ and no change of GP1bα. This complex is critical for platelet adhesion under arterial shear conditions. Furthermore, Epac1−/−mice have reduced levels of plasma coagulation factors and fibrinogen, increased size of circulating platelets, increased megakaryocytes (the GP1bβ level was decreased also in Epac1−/−bone marrow) and higher abundance of reticulated platelets. Viscoelastic measurement of clotting function revealed Epac1−/−mice with a dysfunction in the clotting process, which corresponds to reduced plasma levels of coagulation factors like factor XIII and fibrinogen. We propose that the observed platelet phenotype is due to deficient Epac1 activity during megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis, and that the defects in blood clotting for Epac1−/−is connected to secondary hemostasis.
Toxicity of Pine Monoterpenes to Mountain Pine Beetle
Authors: Chiu Christine C. , Keeling Christopher I. , Bohlmann Joerg
Published: August 2017

The mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae; MPB) is an eruptive bark beetle species affecting pine forests of western North America. MPB are exposed to volatile monoterpenes, which are important host defense chemicals. We assessed the toxicity of the ten most abundant monoterpenes of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), a major host in the current MPB epidemic, against adult MPB from two locations in British Columbia, Canada. Monoterpenes were tested as individual volatiles and included (−)-β-phellandrene, (+)-3-carene, myrcene, terpinolene, and both enantiomers of α-pinene, β-pinene and limonene. Dose-mortality experiments identified (−)-limonene as the most toxic (LC50: 32 μL/L), and (−)-α-pinene (LC50: 290 μL/L) and terpinolene (LC50: >500 μL/L) as the least toxic. MPB body weight had a significant positive effect on the ability to survive most monoterpene volatiles, while sex did not have a significant effect with most monoterpenes. This study helps to quantitatively define the effects of individual monoterpenes towards MPB mortality, which is critical when assessing the variable monoterpene chemical defense profiles of its host species.
Cathepsin K knockout protects against cardiac dysfunction in diabetic mice
Authors: Guo Rui , Hua Yinan , Rogers Olivia , Brown Travis E. , Ren Jun , Nair Sreejayan
Published: August 2017

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the lysosomal cysteine protease cathepsin K plays a critical role in cardiac pathophysiology. To expand upon our previous findings, we tested the hypothesis that, knockout of cathepsin K protects against diabetes-associated cardiac anomalies. Wild-type and cathepsin K knockout mice were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) injections. Body weight, organ mass, fasting blood glucose, energy expenditure, cardiac geometry and function, cardiac histomorphology, glutathione levels and protein levels of cathepsin K and those associated with Ca2+ handling, calcineurin/NFAT signaling, insulin signaling, cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis were determined. STZ-induced diabetic mice exhibited distinct cardiac dysfunction, dampened intracellular calcium handling, alterations in cardiac morphology, and elevated cardiomyocyte apoptosis, which were mitigated in the cathepsin K knockout mice. Additionally, cathepsin K knockout mice attenuated cardiac oxidative stress and calcineurin/NFAT signaling in diabetic mice. In cultured H9c2 myoblasts, pharmacological inhibition of cathepsin K, or treatment with calcineurin inhibitor rescued cells from high-glucose triggered oxidative stress and apoptosis. Therefore, cathepsin K may represent a potential target in treating diabetes-associated cardiac dysfunction.
Synthesis of pincer-type extractants for selective extraction of palladium from PGMs: An improved liquid-liquid extraction approach to current refining processes
Authors: Rajiv Gandhi Muniyappan , Yamada Manabu , Haga Kazutoshi , Shibayama Atsushi
Published: August 2017

SCS pincer ligands 1–4 were synthesised, and their ability to extract Pd(II) from HCl and HNO3 media was studied. The Pd(II) extraction properties of 1–4 were compared with those of commercial extractants (DOS and LIX®84-I) in kerosene. 1 and 2 showed superior Pd(II) extractability (E% = 99.9) relative to DOS and LIX®84-I from 0.1–8.0 M HCl and to DOS from 0.1–8.0 M HNO3 and mixed HCl + HNO3 media. The Pd(II) extraction rate, acid durability, the most suitable organic/aqueous (O/A) phase ratio, and Pd(II) loading capacity of extractants 1, 2, and DOS were evaluated. 1 and 2 exhibited a greater Pd(II) extraction rate and Pd(II) loading capacity than DOS. 1 was very stable in acid media (HCl and HCl + HNO3), whereas 2 and DOS deteriorated in HCl + HNO3. Selective extraction of Pd(II) by 1 and 2 was achieved from a mixed solution containing Pd, Pt, Rh, rare metals, and base metal ions that simulated the leach liquors of automotive catalysts. The back extraction of Pd(II) and reusability of extractants 1 and 2 were studied. The Pd(II) extraction mechanism of 1–4 was investigated using FT-IR, UV-visible, and NMR spectroscopy.
Longitudinal study of changes in γδ T cells and CD4+ T cells upon asymptomatic malaria infection in Indonesian children
Authors: de Jong Sanne E. , Asscher Vera E. R. , Wammes Linda J. , Wiria Aprilianto E. , Hamid Firdaus , Sartono Erliyani , Supali Taniawati , Smits Hermelijn H. , Luty Adrian J. F. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: August 2017

Both γδ T cells and CD4+ T cells have been implicated in immunity to malaria, but their association with natural gain or loss of infection has not been studied before. Therefore, we followed up asymptomatic children living in an area endemic for malaria in Indonesia for 21 months. The percentage of γδ T cells was related to both current and previous infection, with higher percentages in infected than uninfected children and declining after infections resolve. Infected children also had higher levels of Th1 and Th17 cells, lower levels of CD25Hi FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), but similar levels of Th2 cells as compared to uninfected children. However, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17 cytokine responses to Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells (PfRBCs) were similar, while IL-5 and IL-13 responses were lower in infected children. Furthermore, infected children had more phenotypically exhausted PD-1+ CD4+ T cells, more Tregs expressing TNF-RII, and higher IL-10 responses to PfRBCs, which persisted following resolution of infection. Altogether, this study demonstrates that asymptomatic malaria infection is associated with some long-lasting changes in the frequencies and immunoregulation of circulating innate and adaptive T cells, which might in part explain how pre-exposure to malaria affects responses to subsequent immunological challenges.