bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leadership Competency Expectations of Employers and the Expanding Mission of Career Centers
Authors: Cruzvergara Christine Y. , Testani Joseph A. , Smith Kelli K.
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes the expectations of employers for recent college graduates within the current state of higher education, the resulting career readiness competencies developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, and the increasing shift for colleges and universities to recognize career readiness as an institutional priority.
Mapping Career‐Ready Skills Through Student Leadership Programs
Authors: Peck Adam
Published: February 2018

This chapter discusses connecting learning outcomes already pursued in many leadership development programs with the skills that are most in‐demand by employers. Additionally, the need to holistically map and integrate the career skills gained in both curricular and cocurricular contexts is explored, with models provided for implementing this approach.
Promoting Learning, Career Readiness, and Leadership in Student Employment
Authors: Hansen Sarah L. , Hoag Beth A.
Published: February 2018

Creating a learning‐centric environment for student employees enables work to contribute to student success, leadership development, and career readiness. Lessons from the IOWA GROW® and Illinois Leadership® Center programs are featured.
Organizational Alignment to Promote Leadership Development for Career Readiness in College Settings
Authors: Jaunarajs Imants , McGarry Eileen
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes how three higher education institutions aligned leadership development and career readiness. Best practices for the strategic integration of leadership development with career development that promote college student career readiness are included.
Computation of Fisher–Gale Equilibrium by Auction
Authors: Nesterov Yurii , Shikhman Vladimir
Published: February 2018

We study the Fisher model of a competitive market from the algorithmic perspective. For that, the related convex optimization problem due to Gale and Eisenberg (Ann Math Stat 30(1):165–168, 1959) is used. The latter problem is known to yield a Fisher equilibrium under some structural assumptions on consumers’ utilities, e.g., homogeneity of degree 1, homotheticity. Our goal is to examine applicability of the convex optimization framework by departing from these traditional assumptions. We just assume the concavity of consumers’ utility functions. For this case, we suggest a novel concept of Fisher–Gale equilibrium by using consumers’ utility prices. The prices of utility transfer the utility of consumption bundle to a common numéraire. We develop a subgradient-type algorithm from Convex Analysis to compute a Fisher–Gale equilibrium via Gale’s approach. In order to decentralize prices, we additionally implement the auction design, i.e., consumers settle and update their individual prices and producers sell at the highest offer price. Our price adjustment is based on a tatonnement procedure, i.e., the prices change proportionally to consumers’ individual excess supplies. Historical averages of consumption are shown to clear the market of goods. Our algorithm is justified by a global rate of convergence. In the worst case, the number of price updates needed to achieve an $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-tolerance is proportional to $$\frac{1}{\varepsilon ^2}$$

1

ε
2

.
Post–Vacuum-Assisted Stereotactic Core Biopsy Clip Displacement: A Comparison between Commercially Available Clips and Surgical Clip
Authors: Yen Peggy , Dumas Sandra , Albert Arianne , Gordon Paula
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The placement of localization clips following percutaneous biopsy is a standard practice for a variety of situations. Subsequent clip displacement creates challenges for imaging surveillance and surgical planning, and may cause confusion amongst radiologists and between surgeons and radiologists. Many causes have been attributed for this phenomenon including the commonly accepted “accordion effect.” Herein, we investigate the performance of a low cost surgical clip system against 4 commercially available clips.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 2112 patients who underwent stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy followed by clip placement between January 2013 and June 2016. The primary performance parameter compared was displacement >10 mm following vacuum-assisted stereotactic core biopsy. Within the group of clips that had displaced, the magnitude of displacement was compared.

Results

There was a significant difference in displacement among the clip types ( P < .0001) with significant pairwise comparisons between pediatric surgical clips and SecureMark (38% vs 28%; P = .001) and SenoMark (38% vs 27%; P = .0001) in the proportion displaced. The surgical clips showed a significant magnitude of displacement of approximately 25% greater average distance displaced.

Conclusions

As a whole, the commercial clips performed better than the surgical clip after stereotactic vacuum-assisted core biopsy suggesting the surrounding outer component acts to anchor the central clip and minimizes clip displacement. The same should apply to tomosynthesis-guided biopsy.
The Accuracy of Colorectal Cancer Detection by Computed Tomography in the Unprepared Large Bowel in a Community-Based Hospital
Authors: Mangat Suneet , Kozoriz Michael G. , Bicknell Simon , Spielmann Audrey
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This retrospective study examined the performance of general radiologists in a community-based hospital in detecting colorectal cancer (CRC) with computed tomography (CT) in the unprepared large bowel.

Methods

The pathology database at a community hospital over the past 7 years (2009–2015) was retrospectively analysed for pathologically proven CRC (924 cases). The provincial hospital information profile for these patients was reviewed to determine if they had an abdominal CT for any reason in the year prior to biopsy. Metrics such as age, sex, time between the CT and biopsy or surgery, whether CRC was initially detected by the radiologist, and if this was an emergency presentation was evaluated. In the cases where CRC was not identified, the CT scans were reanalysed to determine if the CRC was identifiable in retrospect. The sensitivity of detecting CRC by CT scan in the unprepared large bowel was calculated.

Results

Of the 924 biopsy proven CRC cases, 22% (207 of 924) of the patients had a CT prior to biopsy. Of these cases, 47% (97 of 207) presented on an emergency basis. Of the cases with imaging in the year prior, about 60% (125 of 207) had cancer prospectively detected by the radiologist. Upon re-examination of the cases in which CRC was not initially detected, 59% were visualized in retrospect.

Conclusions

Community general radiologists can successfully detect CRC with a high degree of accuracy. Reformatted images, bowel wall thickening when regional nodes are prominent, and minimizing oral contrast were helpful in improving detection.
Free water determines diffusion alterations and clinical status in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Duering Marco , Finsterwalder Sofia , Baykara Ebru , Tuladhar Anil Man , Gesierich Benno , Konieczny Marek J. , Malik Rainer , Franzmeier Nicolai , Ewers Michael , Jouvent Eric , Biessels Geert Jan , Schmidt Reinhold , de Leeuw Frank‐Erik , Pasternak Ofer , Dichgans Martin
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Diffusion tensor imaging detects early tissue alterations in Alzheimer's disease and cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). However, the origin of diffusion alterations in SVD is largely unknown.

Methods

To gain further insight, we applied free water (FW) imaging to patients with genetically defined SVD (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy [CADASIL], n = 57), sporadic SVD (n = 444), and healthy controls (n = 28). We modeled freely diffusing water in the extracellular space (FW) and measures reflecting fiber structure (tissue compartment). We tested associations between these measures and clinical status (processing speed and disability).

Results

Diffusion alterations in SVD were mostly driven by increased FW and less by tissue compartment alterations. Among imaging markers, FW showed the strongest association with clinical status (R2 up to 34%, P < .0001). Findings were consistent across patients with CADASIL and sporadic SVD.

Discussion

Diffusion alterations and clinical status in SVD are largely determined by extracellular fluid increase rather than alterations of white matter fiber organization.
Incidencia del duelo en la ruptura amorosa en estudiantes universitarios en un Centro de Crisis, Emergencias y Atención al Suicidio (CREAS)
Authors: Espinosa Sierra Violeta , Salinas Rodríguez Jorge Luis , Santillán Torres-Torija Carolina
Published: February 2018

La pareja amorosa es la unión de dos seres que viven pasos entrelazados a través del tiempo, mismos que determinan el grado de intimidad y acercamiento. Esta relación se verá afectada por las experiencias previas de cada uno y por las expectativas que se tengan acerca de la relación (Collins & Gillath, 2012). Por tratarse de interacción entre dos individuos con diferentes características personales existe la posibilidad de que esta, entre en conflicto y se fracture, rompiéndose el vínculo amoroso, creándose en ellos sufrimiento. El objetivo es determinar la incidencia de motivos de consulta relacionados con la pérdida por separación amorosa en el CREAS en estudiantes de diversas carreras y sugerir técnicas que deberían utilizar los terapeutas que atienden a los usuarios en crisis que solicitan el servicio. Los resultados son: el 59.615% estudiantes reportaron rompimiento de pareja, de este total el 46.923% corresponde a mujeres y el 12. 692 % a los hombres. El 66.538% pertenece a la carrera de psicología, esto puede estar relacionado a que los estudiantes presentan mayor sensibilidad para resolver sus problemas. Se sugiere hacer énfasis en un entrenamiento en estilos de afrontamiento y solución de problemas desde el modelo cognitivo-conductual.
Incentivizing supplier participation in buyer innovation: Experimental evidence of non‐optimal contractual behaviors
Authors: Yan Tingting , Ribbink Dina , Pun Hubert
Published: February 2018

Original equipment manufacturers increasingly involve suppliers in new product development (NPD) projects. How companies design a contract to motivate supplier participation is an important but under‐examined empirical question. Analytical studies have started to examine the optimal contract that aligns buyer‐supplier incentives in joint NPD projects, but empirical evidence is scarce about the actual contracts offered by buying companies. Bridging the analytical and empirical literature, this paper compares optimal contracting derived from a parsimonious analytical model with actual behaviors observed in an experiment. In particular, we focus on how project uncertainty, buying company effort share, and buyer risk aversion influence three contractual decisions: total investment level, revenue share and fixed fee. Our results indicate significant differences between the optimal and actual behaviors. We identify various types of non‐optimal contractual behaviors, which we explain from a risk aversion as well as a bounded rationality perspective. Overall, our findings contribute to the literature by showing that (1) the actual contractual behaviors could differ significantly from the optimal ones, (2) the actual contract design is sensitive to changes in project uncertainty and buying company effort share, and (3) the significant roles of risk aversion and bounded rationality in explaining the non‐optimal contractual behaviors.
Alzheimer's disease Archimedes condition‐event simulator: Development and validation
Authors: Kansal Anuraag R. , Tafazzoli Ali , Ishak K. Jack , Krotneva Stanmira ,   ADNI Collaboration
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Several advances have been made in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) modeling, however, there remains a need for a simulator that represents the full scope of disease progression and can be used to study new disease‐modifying treatments for early‐stage and even prodromal AD.

Methods

We developed AD Archimedes condition‐event simulator, a patient‐level simulator with a focus on simulating the effects of early interventions through changes in biomarkers of AD. The simulator incorporates interconnected predictive equations derived from longitudinal data sets.

Results

The results of external validations on AD Archimedes condition‐event simulator showed that it provides reasonable estimates once compared to literature results on transition to dementia AD, institutionalization, and mortality. A case study comparing a disease‐modifying treatment and a symptomatic treatment also showcases the benefits of early treatment.

Discussion

The AD Archimedes condition‐event simulator is designed to perform economic evaluation on various interventions through close tracking of disease progression and the related clinical outcomes.
Effects of Disaster Damage and Working Conditions on Mental Health Among Public Servants 16 Months After the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Fukasawa Maiko , Suzuki Yuriko , Obara Akiko , Kim Yoshiharu
Published: February 2018

Objective

To explore whether stressors after a disaster have later effects on the mental health of public servants who engage in disaster response and to estimate the proportion of those experiencing persistent mental distress.

Methods

We analyzed the data of health surveys conducted in Miyagi Prefecture for all prefectural public servants at 2, 7, and 16 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake (n=3174). We investigated relationships between mental distress (defined as K6≥10) at 16 months after the earthquake and earthquake damage and working conditions at 2 months. We also calculated the proportion of participants who scored K6≥10 on all 3 surveys.

Results

The experience of living someplace other than one’s own home was significantly related with mental distress at 16 months after the earthquake. Few participants consistently scored K6≥10 throughout all 3 surveys.

Conclusions

The effects of stressors in the aftermath of a disaster could remain for a long time. Few public servants experienced persistent mental distress.Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:622–630
Séries sémantiques et niveaux stylistiques
Authors: Vinay Jean-Paul
Published: February 2018

Le récent colloque de linguistique française, tenu au Centre international d’études pédagogiques de Sèvres du 20 au 22 décembre dernier, soulignait fort à propos l’unité profonde de la langue, dans laquelle l’analyste découpe des tranches et des niveaux avec l’insouciance d’un chirurgien en salle de dissection. Or, en fait, ces unités et ces niveaux avec lesquels nous opérons sont si bien entremêlés que, pour mieux les voir, nous risquons de détruire la matière même que nous prétendons connaître.
Some remarks on deixis
Authors: Bursill-Hall G. L.
Published: February 2018

This paper is concerned with so-called demonstratives. Languages use various devices to point out or indicate things; the demonstratives are but one of these devices. Much that has been written on this problem of deixis is confused and misleading because the criteria traditionally used in describing the different devices for pointing out or indicating have been for the most part notional or mentalistic; it behoves the theoretical linguist to seek for formal linguistic criteria to describe this feature, and these notes seek to outline some of the problems which are concerned with a satisfactory linguistic explanation of the grammatical category known as the “demonstratives.” In view of the title of this article, it might also be pointed out en passant (though the author has no wish to involve himself here in a terminological wrangle) that “deixis” may well be a more suitable term for this feature in view of the fact that languages possess other demonstrative devices or indicators in addition to those referred to traditionally as “demonstratives,” not to mention the quasi-linguistic feature of gesture.
Chaucer’s use of function words with substantives
Authors: Dean Christopher
Published: February 2018

Charles Carpenter Fries stressed two points of methodology in his American English Grammar. First, his conclusions about modern American usage were not based upon impressions of the language but upon a statistical investigation that showed the relative frequency, and hence the importance, of each phenomenon noted. Such an investigation necessitated the sifting of an enormous bulk of clearly-defined and classified source material. Second, Fries was more interested in studying the structural relationships of one syntactical unit to another than in studying their lexical meanings.
Grammar, meaning, and the study of language
Authors: Robins R. H.
Published: February 2018

General linguistics, like any other academic subject, is always moving. But in recent years there have been more signs of fundamental change than for some time before, at least as far as may be gathered from published literature, necessarily the main source of information on contemporary trends on the part of most of one’s colleagues the world over. The earlier undercurrents and movements in linguistic thinking and discussion can only be known by those in personal contact with their prime movers.
Le Conditionnel, tiroir uniquement modal
Authors: Tassie James
Published: February 2018

La Question de la valeur essentielle du conditionnel continue à exciter la curiosité des grammairiens; c’est que le conditionnel est né et qu’il vit sous le signe de l’ambiguïté, circonstance qui a engendré des méprises répétées sur son essence à travers les âges. C’est un tiroir tout indiqué pour exercer l’ingéniosité des historiens et des théoriciens de la langue. On ne s’étonne donc pas que les solutions trouvées jusqu’ici ne s’accordent pas. Les uns concluent que le conditionnel possède un aspect-temps et un aspect-mode; les autres prétendent qu’il se place carrément au-dedans de l’indicatif; d’aucuns admettent qu’il accuse des valeurs modales tout en restant fondamentalement un temps du verbe. Peu nombreux sont ceux qui osent envisager que le conditionnel soit essentiellement un mode avec, bien entendu, des restes de valeur temporelle; c’est pourtant le point de vue que nous proposons ici.
ECONOMIC DYNAMICS AND THE CALCULUS OF VARIATIONS IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD
Authors: Pomini Mario
Published: February 2018

Analogies with rational mechanics played a pivotal role in the search for formal models in economics. In the period between the two world wars, a small group of mathematical economists tried to extend this view from statics to dynamics. The main result was the extensive application of calculus of variations to obtain a dynamic representation of economic variables. This approach began with the contributions put forward by Griffith C. Evans, a mathematician who, in the first phase of his scientific career, published widely in economics. Evans’s research was further developed by his student Charles Roos. At the international level, this dynamic approach found its main followers in Italy, within the Paretian tradition. During the 1930s, Luigi Amoroso, the leading exponent of the Paretian School, made major contributions, along with his student Giulio La Volpe, that anticipated the concept of temporary equilibrium. The analysis of the application of the calculus of variations to economic dynamics in the interwar period raises a set of questions on the application of mathematics designed to study mechanics and physics to economics.
TheSouth China Sea Award: How Should We Read the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea?
Authors: GUILFOYLE Douglas
Published: February 2018

The conventional wisdom has been that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] Part XV dispute settlement system is narrowly restricted and this reflects the drafters’ intent. Thus, tribunals should cautiously interpret Part XV, giving broad effect to its jurisdictional limitations. The unanimous award inSouth China Seadeals this approach a blow. Indeed, it assumes a fundamentally different orientation to interpreting UNCLOS: one which implicitly takes the foremost principle of Part XV as being its compulsory and comprehensive character. This approach is rooted in a very different understanding of UNCLOS as a “package deal” and the consensus it reflects. Indeed, I argue that any interpretation of ambiguous provisions of UNLCOS is necessarily coloured by one’s view of the struggles involved in its negotiation. Further evidence of this difference of approach inSouth China Seais found, in particular, in its treatment of the regime of islands.
Merits Award Relating to Historic Rights in the South China Sea Arbitration: An Appraisal
Authors: MA Xinmin
Published: February 2018

This paper provides an assessment of the Tribunal’s Award on the merits relating to the Philippines’ Submissions No. 1 and 2. First, it argues that the Convention is not the sole legal source of maritime rights. Second, the Tribunal erroneously infers from Article 311 that the Convention prevails over customary international law. Meanwhile, Article 293 does not terminate rules of general international law that are incompatible with the Convention. Third, the Tribunal, by deciding that historic rights under general international law have been superseded by the regimes of exclusive economic zone and continental shelf established under the Convention, fails to draw a distinction between the two separate legal regimes, namely the Convention and general international law. Fourth, as one of the “matters not regulated by the Convention”, historic rights should be governed by, and have been well established in, general international law.
Social-Scientific Research Competency
Authors: Gess Christopher , Geiger Christoph , Ziegler Matthias
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Although the development of research competency is an important goal of higher education in social sciences, instruments to measure this outcome often depend on the students’ self-ratings. To provide empirical evidence for the utility of a newly developed instrument for the objective measurement of social-scientific research competency, two validation studies across two independent samples were conducted. Study 1 ( n = 675) provided evidence for unidimensionality, expected differences in test scores between differently advanced groups of students as well as incremental validities over and above self-perceived research self-efficacy. In Study 2 ( n = 82) it was demonstrated that the competency measured indeed is social-scientific and relations to facets of fluid and crystallized intelligence were analyzed. Overall, the results indicate that the test scores reflected a trainable, social-scientific, knowledge-related construct relevant to research performance. These are promising results for the application of the instrument in the evaluation of research education courses in higher education.
The Psychobiosocial States (PBS-S) Scale
Authors: Ruiz Montse C. , Robazza Claudio , Tolvanen Asko , Hanin Juri
Published: February 2018

Abstract. This study examined the factor structure and reliability of the Psychobiosocial States (PBS-S) scale in the assessment of situational performance-related experiences. We administered the scale to 483 Finnish athletes before a practice session to assess the intensity and perceived impact of their performance-related feeling states. The hypothesized two-factor structure indicating functional effects (10 items) and dysfunctional effects (10 items) toward performance was examined via exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Regarding the intensity and perceived impact dimensions of reported states, ESEM and CFA showed a good fit for a two-factor solution of a 14-item PBS-S scale (seven functional and seven dysfunctional items). For both intensity and impact ratings, core state functional modalities were bodily, cognitive, and volitional, while core state dysfunctional modalities were volitional, operational, and anxiety. Findings support the use of a 14-item PBS-S scale to measure a range of preperformance states.
Scientific Row over Renewables Leads to Free Speech Legal Fight
Authors: Loomis Ilima
Published: February 2018

A Stanford University climate researcher’s $10 million defamation suit could test a First Amendment defense in science litigation.
NIT1 suppresses tumour proliferation by activating the TGFβ1–Smad2/3 signalling pathway in colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Chun , Zhang Jianming , Lu Yanxia , Li Xiaomin , Zhang Wenjuan , Zhang Wei , Lin Weihao , Zheng Lin , Li Xuenong
Published: February 2018

NIT1 protein has been reported to be a potential tumour suppressor in tumour progression. However, little is known about the specific role of NIT1 in tumour development and progression. In this study, we confirmed the specific effects of NIT1 in the regulation of colorectal carcinoma cell proliferation. Here, we showed that NIT1 was significantly downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. The decreased expression of NIT1 was significantly correlated with poor differentiation and more serosal invasion. Functional experiments showed that NIT1 inhibited CRC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. NIT1 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, NIT1 recruited Smad2/3 to the TGFβ receptor and activated the TGFβ–Smad2/3 pathway by interacting with SARA and SMAD2/3 in CRC. Further study has shown that SMAD3 directly binds to the promoter regions of NIT1 and enhances the transcription of NIT1. Together, our findings indicate that NIT1 suppresses CRC proliferation through a positive feedback loop between NIT1 and activation of the TGFβ–Smad signalling pathway. This study might provide a new promising strategy for CRC.
Ocean submesoscales as a key component of the global heat budget
Authors: Su Zhan , Wang Jinbo , Klein Patrice , Thompson Andrew F. , Menemenlis Dimitris
Published: February 2018

Recent studies highlight that oceanic motions associated with horizontal scales smaller than 50 km, defined here as submesoscales, lead to anomalous vertical heat fluxes from colder to warmer waters. This unique transport property is not captured in climate models that have insufficient resolution to simulate these submesoscale dynamics. Here, we use an ocean model with an unprecedented resolution that, for the first time, globally resolves submesoscale heat transport. Upper-ocean submesoscale turbulence produces a systematically-upward heat transport that is five times larger than mesoscale heat transport, with winter-time averages up to 100 W/m2 for mid-latitudes. Compared to a lower-resolution model, submesoscale heat transport warms the sea surface up to 0.3 °C and produces an upward annual-mean air–sea heat flux anomaly of 4–10 W/m2 at mid-latitudes. These results indicate that submesoscale dynamics are critical to the transport of heat between the ocean interior and the atmosphere, and are thus a key component of the Earth’s climate.
Programmed hierarchical patterning of bacterial populations
Authors: Boehm Christian R. , Grant Paul K. , Haseloff Jim
Published: February 2018

Modern genetic tools allow the dissection and emulation of fundamental mechanisms shaping morphogenesis in multicellular organisms. Several synthetic genetic circuits for control of multicellular patterning have been reported to date. However, hierarchical induction of gene expression domains has received little attention from synthetic biologists, despite its importance in biological self-organization. Here we report a synthetic genetic system implementing population-based AND-logic for programmed autonomous induction of bacterial gene expression domains. We develop a ratiometric assay for bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase activity and use it to systematically characterize different intact and split enzyme variants. We then utilize the best-performing variant to build a three-color patterning system responsive to two different homoserine lactones. We validate the AND gate-like behavior of this system both in cell suspension and in surface culture. Finally, we use the synthetic circuit in a membrane-based spatial assay to demonstrate programmed hierarchical patterning of gene expression across bacterial populations.
Periosteum contains skeletal stem cells with high bone regenerative potential controlled by Periostin
Authors: Duchamp de Lageneste Oriane , Julien Anaïs , Abou-Khalil Rana , Frangi Giulia , Carvalho Caroline , Cagnard Nicolas , Cordier Corinne , Conway Simon J. , Colnot Céline
Published: February 2018

Bone regeneration relies on the activation of skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that still remain poorly characterized. Here, we show that periosteum contains SSCs with high bone regenerative potential compared to bone marrow stromal cells/skeletal stem cells (BMSCs) in mice. Although periosteal cells (PCs) and BMSCs are derived from a common embryonic mesenchymal lineage, postnatally PCs exhibit greater clonogenicity, growth and differentiation capacity than BMSCs. During bone repair, PCs can efficiently contribute to cartilage and bone, and integrate long-term after transplantation. Molecular profiling uncovers genes encoding Periostin and other extracellular matrix molecules associated with the enhanced response to injury of PCs. Periostin gene deletion impairs PC functions and fracture consolidation. Periostin-deficient periosteum cannot reconstitute a pool of PCs after injury demonstrating the presence of SSCs within periosteum and the requirement of Periostin in maintaining this pool. Overall our results highlight the importance of analyzing periosteum and PCs to understand bone phenotypes.
scNMT-seq enables joint profiling of chromatin accessibility DNA methylation and transcription in single cells
Authors: Clark Stephen J. , Argelaguet Ricard , Kapourani Chantriolnt-Andreas , Stubbs Thomas M. , Lee Heather J. , Alda-Catalinas Celia , Krueger Felix , Sanguinetti Guido , Kelsey Gavin , Marioni John C. , Stegle Oliver , Reik Wolf
Published: February 2018

Parallel single-cell sequencing protocols represent powerful methods for investigating regulatory relationships, including epigenome-transcriptome interactions. Here, we report a single-cell method for parallel chromatin accessibility, DNA methylation and transcriptome profiling. scNMT-seq (single-cell nucleosome, methylation and transcription sequencing) uses a GpC methyltransferase to label open chromatin followed by bisulfite and RNA sequencing. We validate scNMT-seq by applying it to differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells, finding links between all three molecular layers and revealing dynamic coupling between epigenomic layers during differentiation.
A non-invasive method to directly quantify surface heterogeneity of porous materials
Authors: Chiang Wei-Shan , Georgi Daniel , Yildirim Taner , Chen Jin-Hong , Liu Yun
Published: February 2018

It is extremely challenging to measure the variation of pore surface properties in complex porous systems even though many porous materials have widely differing pore surface properties at microscopic levels. The surface heterogeneity results in different adsorption/desorption behaviors and storage capacity of guest molecules in pores. Built upon the conventional Porod’s law scattering theory applicable mainly to porous materials with relatively homogeneous matrices, here we develop a generalized Porod’s scattering law method (GPSLM) to study heterogeneous porous materials and directly obtain the variation of scattering length density (SLD) of pore surfaces. As SLD is a function of the chemical formula and density of the matrix, the non-invasive GPSLM provides a way to probe surface compositional heterogeneity, and can be applied to a wide range of heterogeneous materials especially, but not limited to, porous media and colloids, using either neutron or X-ray scattering techniques.
Painting with light-powered bacteria
Authors: Arlt Jochen , Martinez Vincent A. , Dawson Angela , Pilizota Teuta , Poon Wilson C. K.
Published: February 2018

Self-assembly is a promising route for micro- and nano-fabrication with potential to revolutionise many areas of technology, including personalised medicine. Here we demonstrate that external control of the swimming speed of microswimmers can be used to self assemble reconfigurable designer structures in situ. We implement such ‘smart templated active self assembly’ in a fluid environment by using spatially patterned light fields to control photon-powered strains of motile Escherichia coli bacteria. The physics and biology governing the sharpness and formation speed of patterns is investigated using a bespoke strain designed to respond quickly to changes in light intensity. Our protocol provides a distinct paradigm for self-assembly of structures on the 10 μm to mm scale.
Kinetics of lithium peroxide oxidation by redox mediators and consequences for the lithium–oxygen cell
Authors: Chen Yuhui , Gao Xiangwen , Johnson Lee R. , Bruce Peter G.
Published: February 2018

Lithium–oxygen cells, in which lithium peroxide forms in solution rather than on the electrode surface, can sustain relatively high cycling rates but require redox mediators to charge. The mediators are oxidised at the electrode surface and then oxidise lithium peroxide stored in the cathode. The kinetics of lithium peroxide oxidation has received almost no attention and yet is crucial for the operation of the lithium–oxygen cell. It is essential that the molecules oxidise lithium peroxide sufficiently rapidly to sustain fast charging. Here, we investigate the kinetics of lithium peroxide oxidation by several different classes of redox mediators. We show that the reaction is not a simple outer-sphere electron transfer and that the steric structure of the mediator molecule plays an important role. The fastest mediator studied could sustain a charging current of up to 1.9 A cm–2, based on a model for a porous electrode described here.
Quantum phase transitions in highly crystalline two-dimensional superconductors
Authors: Saito Yu , Nojima Tsutomu , Iwasa Yoshihiro
Published: February 2018

Superconductor–insulator transition is one of the remarkable phenomena driven by quantum fluctuation in two-dimensional (2D) systems. Such a quantum phase transition (QPT) was investigated predominantly on highly disordered thin films with amorphous or granular structures using scaling law with constant exponents. Here, we provide a totally different view of QPT in highly crystalline 2D superconductors. According to the magneto-transport measurements in 2D superconducting ZrNCl and MoS2, we found that the quantum metallic state commonly observed at low magnetic fields is converted via the quantum Griffiths state to the weakly localized metal at high magnetic fields. The scaling behavior, characterized by the diverging dynamical critical exponent (Griffiths singularity), indicates that the quantum fluctuation manifests itself as superconducting puddles, in marked contrast to the thermal fluctuation. We suggest that an evolution from the quantum metallic to the quantum Griffiths state is generic nature in highly crystalline 2D superconductors with weak pinning potentials.
Micro-pharmacokinetics: Quantifying local drug concentration at live cell membranes
Authors: Gherbi Karolina , Briddon Stephen J. , Charlton Steven J.
Published: February 2018

Fundamental equations for determining pharmacological parameters, such as the binding affinity of a ligand for its target receptor, assume a homogeneous distribution of ligand, with concentrations in the immediate vicinity of the receptor being the same as those in the bulk aqueous phase. It is, however, known that drugs are able to interact directly with the plasma membrane, potentially increasing local ligand concentrations around the receptor. We have previously reported an influence of ligand-phospholipid interactions on ligand binding kinetics at the β2-adrenoceptor, which resulted in distinct “micro-pharmacokinetic” ligand profiles. Here, we directly quantified the local concentration of BODIPY630/650-PEG8-S-propranolol (BY-propranolol), a fluorescent derivative of the classical β-blocker propranolol, at various distances above membranes of single living cells using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. We show for the first time a significantly increased ligand concentration immediately adjacent to the cell membrane compared to the bulk aqueous phase. We further show a clear role of both the cell membrane and the β2-adrenoceptor in determining high local BY-propranolol concentrations at the cell surface. These data suggest that the true binding affinity of BY-propranolol for the β2-adrenoceptor is likely far lower than previously reported and highlights the critical importance of understanding the “micro-pharmacokinetic” profiles of ligands for membrane-associated proteins.
Citalopram inhibits platelet function independently of SERT-mediated 5-HT transport
Authors: Roweth Harvey G. , Yan Ruoling , Bedwani Nader H. , Chauhan Alisha , Fowler Nicole , Watson Alice H. , Malcor Jean-Daniel , Sage Stewart O. , Jarvis Gavin E.
Published: February 2018

Citalopram prevents serotonin (5-HT) uptake into platelets by blocking the serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT). Although some clinical data suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may affect haemostasis and thrombosis, these poorly-characterised effects are not well understood mechanistically and useful in vitro data is limited. We sought to determine whether the inhibitory effects of citalopram on platelets are mediated via its pharmacological inhibition of 5-HT transport. We quantified the inhibitory potency of (RS)-, (R)- and (S)-citalopram on platelet function. If SERT blockade is the primary mechanism for citalopram-mediated platelet inhibition, these potencies should show quantitative congruence with inhibition of 5-HT uptake. Our data show that citalopram inhibits platelet aggregation, adhesion and thromboxane production with no difference in potency between (R)- and (S)-isomers. By contrast, citalopram had a eudysmic ratio of approximately 17 (S > R) for SERT blockade. Furthermore, nanomolar concentrations of citalopram inhibited 5-HT uptake into platelets but had no effect on other platelet functions, which were inhibited by micromolar concentrations. Our data indicate that citalopram-induced inhibition of platelets in vitro is not mediated by blockade of 5-HT transport. This raises a new question for future investigation: by what mechanism(s) does citalopram inhibit platelets?
Enhancement of methane production from Cotton Stalk using different pretreatment techniques
Authors: Zhang Han , Ning Zhifang , Khalid Habiba , Zhang Ruihong , Liu Guangqing , Chen Chang
Published: February 2018

China produces large amount of cotton stalk (CS) residues as agricultural biomass, which are incinerated on-site, causing air pollution. The high organic content of CS could be utilized for biogas production, but the direct digestion without pretreatment always leads to a low methane yield and biodegradability, due to the complicated structure of lignocellulose. In order to search best fitting pretreatment methods in effective anaerobic digestion (AD) of CS, effects of various pretreatments including KOH, NaOH, Ca(OH)2, alkali hydrogen peroxide (AHP), H2SO4, H3PO4and steam explosion (SE) were studied. It was seen that all treatments resulted in varying methane yields. Among all the pretreatments, acid pretreatment is not suitable for AD of CS. The results showed that the highest cumulative methane yield (CMY) of 192.4 mL·gVS−1was obtained after 3% AHP pretreatment of CS, and the methane yield improved by 254.3% than the untreated CS. Therefore, AHP treatment was proven to be an efficient pretreatment technique. XRD and FTIR analyses had shown that pretreated CS had favorable structural changes. This research is beneficial in developing environment friendly and cost-effective pretreatment technologies to utilize CS for methane production in future application.
HPV-transformed cells exhibit altered HMGB1-TLR4/MyD88-SARM1 signaling axis
Authors: Morale Mirian Galliote , da Silva Abjaude Walason , Silva Aline Montenegro , Villa Luisa Lina , Boccardo Enrique
Published: February 2018

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women worldwide. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types is the main risk factor for the development of cervical cancer precursor lesions. HPV persistence and tumor development is usually characterized by innate immune system evasion. Alterations in Toll-like receptors (TLR) expression and activation may be important for the control of HPV infections and could play a role in the progression of lesions and tumors. In the present study, we analyzed the mRNA expression of 84 genes involved in TLR signaling pathways. We observed that 80% of the differentially expressed genes were downregulated in cervical cancer cell lines relative to normal keratinocytes. Major alterations were detected in genes coding for several proteins of the TLR signaling axis, including TLR adaptor molecules and genes associated with MAPK pathway, NFκB activation and antiviral immune response. In particular, we observed major alterations in the HMGB1-TLR4 signaling axis. Functional analysis also showed that HMGB1 expression is important for the proliferative and tumorigenic potential of cervical cancer cell lines. Taken together, these data indicate that alterations in TLR signaling pathways may play a role in the oncogenic potential of cells expressing HPV oncogenes.
Wavelength Assignment in Hybrid Quantum-Classical Networks
Authors: Bahrani Sima , Razavi Mohsen , Salehi Jawad A.
Published: February 2018

Optimal wavelength assignment in dense-wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) systems that integrate both quantum and classical channels is studied. In such systems, weak quantum key distribution (QKD) signals travel alongside intense classical signals on the same fiber, where the former can be masked by the background noise induced by the latter. Here, we investigate how optimal wavelength assignment can mitigate this problem. We consider different DWDM structures and various sources of crosstalk and propose several near-optimal wavelength assignment methods that maximize the total secret key rate of the QKD channels. Our numerical results show that the optimum wavelength assignment pattern is commonly consisted of several interspersed quantum and classical bands. Using our proposed techniques, the total secret key rate of quantum channels can substantially be improved, as compared to conventional assignment methods, in the noise dominated regimes. Alternatively, we can maximize the number of QKD users supported under certain key rate constraints.
Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Features of Telocytes in Placental Villi in Preeclampsia
Authors: Nizyaeva Natalia V. , Sukhacheva Tatiana V. , Serov Roman A. , Kulikova Galina V. , Nagovitsyna Marina N. , Kan Natalia E. , Tyutyunnik Victor L. , Pavlovich Stanislav V. , Poltavtseva Rimma A. , Yarotskaya Ekaterina L. , Shchegolev Aleksandr I. , Sukhikh Gennadiy T.
Published: February 2018

A new cell type, interstitial Cajal-like cell (ICLC), was recently described in different organs. The name was recently changed to telocytes (TCs), and their typical thin, long processes have been named telopodes (Tp). TCs regulate the contractile activity of smooth muscle cells and play a role in regulating vessel contractions. Although the placenta is not an innervated organ, we believe that TCs are present in the placenta. We studied placenta samples from physiological pregnancies and in different variants of preeclampsia (PE). We examined these samples using light microscopy of semi-thin sections, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical examination was performed with primary antibodies to CD34, CD117, SMA, and vimentin, and TMEM16a (DOG-1), the latter was used for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) consisting of TCs. We have identified a heterogenetic population of ТСs in term placentas, as these cell types differed in their localization, immunophenotype and ultrastructural characteristics. We assume TMEM16a could be used as the marker for identification of TCs. In PE we have revealed telocyte-like cells with ultrastructural signs of fibrocytes (significant process thickening and the granular endoplasmic reticulum content was increased) and a loss of TMEM16a immunohistochemical staining.
Antitumor activities of Quercetin and Green Tea in xenografts of human leukemia HL60 cells
Authors: Calgarotto Andrana Karla , Maso Victor , Junior Gilberto Carlos Franchi , Nowill Alexandre Eduardo , Filho Paulo Latuf , Vassallo José , Saad Sara Teresinha Olalla
Published: February 2018

Quercetin is one of the most abundant flavonoids, present in fruits and vegetables and has been shown to have multiple properties capable of reducing cell growth in cancer cells. Green tea is a widely consumed beverage, known for a potential source of free radical scavenging and anti-cancer activities. Herein, we investigate the in vivo antitumor efficacy of quercetin and green tea in human leukemia. Human tumors were xenografted into NOD/SCID mice. Quercetin and green tea reduced tumor growth in HL-60 xenografts accompanied by decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2, BCL-XL and MCL-1 and increased expression of BAX, a pro-apoptotic protein. Moreover, caspase-3 was activated to a greater extent after quercetin and green tea treatment. Quercetin and green tea also mediated G1 phase cell cycle arrest in HL-60 xenografts. Treatment with quercetin and green tea induced conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II as well as activation of autophagy proteins, suggesting that quercetin and green tea initiate the autophagic progression. We have provided evidence that quercetin and green tea induces signaling at the level of apoptosis, cell cycle and autophagy which converge to antigrowth effects in HL-60 xenograft mice suggesting that these compounds may be a compelling ally in cancer treatment.
Detoxification of pulping black liquor with Pleurotus ostreatus or recombinant Pichia pastoris followed by CuO/TiO2/visible photocatalysis
Authors: Rivera-Hoyos Claudia M. , Morales-Álvarez Edwin D. , Abelló-Esparza Juanita , Buitrago-Pérez Daniel F. , Martínez-Aldana Nicolás , Salcedo-Reyes Juan C. , Poutou-Piñales Raúl A. , Pedroza-Rodríguez Aura M.
Published: February 2018

Cellulose-pulping requires chemicals such as Cl2, ClO2, H2O2, and O2. The black liquor (BL) generated exhibits a high chemical oxygen demand (COD), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and chlorophenol content, along with an augmented colour and increased pH. BL is often discharged into water bodies, where it has a negative impact on the environment. Towards that end, laccases are of great interest for bioremediation, since they can degrade aromatic and non-aromatic compounds while reducing O2 to water instead of H2O2. As such, we evaluated Pleurotus ostreatus and Pichia pastoris (which produces rPOXA 1B laccase) in the treatment of synthetic BL (SBL) in an “in vitro” modified Kraft process followed by CuO/TiO2/visible light photocatalysis. Treating SBL with P. ostreatus viable biomass (VB) followed by CuO/TiO2/visible light photocatalysis resulted in 80.3% COD removal and 70.6% decolourisation. Toxic compounds such as 2-methylphenol, 4-methylphenol, and 2-methoxyphenol were eliminated. Post-treated SBL exhibited low phytotoxicity, as evidenced by a Lactuca sativa L seed germination index (GI) > 50%. Likewise, SBL treatment with P. pastoris followed by VB/CuO/TiO2/visible light photocatalysis resulted in 63.7% COD removal and 46% decolourisation. Moreover, this treatment resulted in the elimination of most unwanted compounds, with the exception of 4-chlorophenol. The Lactuca sativa L seed GI of the post-treated SBL was 40%, indicating moderate phytotoxicity.