bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Client personal recovery and recovery orientation of an Irish suicide intervention charity
Authors: Conway C. , Surgenor P. W. G. , Thekiso T. B. , Moore A. , Campion A. , Tormey A. , Rush G.
Published: August 2017

Background

Recovery is a key goal for individuals, and services’ recovery orientation can facilitate this process. The independent mental health sector is increasingly important in Ireland, particularly in counselling and suicide prevention. We aimed to evaluate Pieta House as a recovery-oriented service through clients’ self-rated recovery; and clients’ and therapists’ evaluation of the service.

Methods

Clients completing therapy over a 3-month period were invited to complete the Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Recovery Self Assessment-Revised (RSA-R). Therapists completed the RSA-R staff version.

Results

Response rate was 36.7% for clients (n=88), 98% for therapists (n=49). Personal recovery was endorsed by 73.8% of clients, with highest agreement for factors ‘Willingness to Ask for Help’ (84.5%), and ‘Reliance on Others’ (82.1%). A smaller number agreed with factors ‘Personal Confidence and Hope’ (61.3%) and ‘No Domination by Symptoms’ (66.6%). Clients’ and therapists’ evaluation of the service showed high levels of agreement with factors of ‘Choice’ (90.9% clients, 100% therapists); ‘Life Goals’ (84.1% clients, 98% therapists) and ‘Individually Tailored Services’ (80.6% clients, 79.6% therapists). Client involvement in service management had the lowest level of agreement (36.4% clients, 30.6% therapists). Clients’ self-rated recovery correlated with their rating of the service (correlation value 0.993,p=0.01).

Conclusions

Clients’ self-rated recovery and the recovery orientation of Pieta House were rated highly, with areas for improvement in service user involvement, peer support and advocacy. The correlation of personal recovery and recovery orientation of the service may merit further study.
Dictatorship revisited: consensus, coercion, and strategies of survival
Authors: Corner Paul
Published: August 2017

The article examines certain of the more recent perspectives on twentieth- century dictatorship, looking in particular at the complex relationship between the dictator and the people. Extending its range beyond that of the ‘classic’ totalitarianisms, the paper argues for a more nuanced approach to the question of popular support for or resistance to regimes and suggests that many of the old binaries concerning popular attitudes need to be revised, with a consequent readjustment of the roles often attributed to violence, to ideology and other cultural factors, and to the varied seductive attractions of mass mobilisation. While pointing to the difficulties of reaching any very definite conclusions in an area characterised by ambivalence and ambiguity, the paper attempts to suggest certain variables related to popular behaviour that may have determined the degree to which regimes were able to impose domination.
A ~6000 yr diatom record of mid- to late Holocene fluctuations in the level of Lago Wiñaymarca, Lake Titicaca (Peru/Bolivia)
Authors: Weide D. Marie , Fritz Sherilyn C. , Hastorf Christine A. , Bruno Maria C. , Baker Paul A. , Guedron Stephane , Salenbien Wout
Published: August 2017

A multidecadal-scale lake-level reconstruction for Lago Wiñaymarca, the southern basin of Lake Titicaca, has been generated from diatom species abundance data. These data suggest that ~6500 cal yr BP Lago Wiñaymarca was dry, as indicated by a sediment unconformity. At ~4400 cal yr BP, the basin began to fill, as indicated by the dominance of shallow epiphytic species. It remained somewhat saline with extensive wetlands and abundant aquatic plants until ~3800 cal yr BP, when epiphytic species were replaced by planktic saline-indifferent species, suggesting a saline shallow lake. Wiñaymarca remained a relatively shallow lake that fluctuated on a multidecadal scale until ~1250 cal yr BP, when freshwater planktic species increased, suggesting a rise in lake level with a concomitant decrease in salinity. The lake became gradually fresher, dominated by deep, freshwater species from ~850 cal yr BP. By ~80 cal yr BP, saline-tolerant species were rare, and the lake was dominated by freshwater planktic diatoms, resembling the fresh and deep lake of today. These results reveal a more dynamic and chronologically specific record of lake-level fluctuations and associated ecological conditions that provide important new data for paleoclimatologists and archaeologists, to better understand human-environmental dynamics during the mid- to late Holocene.
Early Jurassic adakitic rocks in the southern Lhasa sub-terrane, southern Tibet: petrogenesis and geodynamic implications
Authors: SHUI XINFANG , HE ZHENYU , KLEMD REINER , ZHANG ZEMING , LU TIANYU , YAN LILI
Published: August 2017

Cretaceous–Miocene adakitic rocks in the southern Lhasa sub-terrane have been intensively investigated, while possible Early Jurassic adakitic rocks in this area have been largely neglected. Petrological and geochemical studies revealed adakitic affinities of an Early Jurassic quartz diorite intrusion with mafic enclaves and three tonalite bodies from the Jiacha area in the southern Lhasa sub-terrane. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb dating suggests crystallization ages of 199–179 Ma for these rocks. Both quartz diorites and tonalites have typical adakitic geochemical characteristics such as high Al2O3 (15.14–18.22 wt.%) and Sr (363–530 ppm) contents, low Y (4.46–15.9 ppm) and Yb (0.51–1.74 ppm) contents and high Sr/Y ratios of 27–106. The adakitic quartz diorites are further characterized by high MgO (2.63–3.46 wt.%), Mg# (48–54) and εHf(t) (6.6–13.4) values, which were probably produced by partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab with a mantle contribution. The adakitic tonalites have very low abundances of compatible elements and relatively low εHf(t) values (3.5–10.3), and are interpreted to have formed by partial melting of Neoproterozoic mafic lower crust. Upwelling asthenosphere, triggered by rollback of the subducting Bangong–Nujiang (Meso-Tethys) oceanic plate, provided the necessary heat for slab and lower crust melting, resulting in the geochemical diversity of the coexisting felsic intrusive rocks. Contrary to other models, this study further demonstrates that the Bangong–Nujiang oceanic plate was subducted southward beneath the Lhasa terrane during the Early Jurassic.
Testing the early Late Ordovician cool-water hypothesis with oxygen isotopes from conodont apatite
Authors: QUINTON PAGE C. , LAW STACEY , MACLEOD KENNETH G. , HERRMANN ACHIM D. , HAYNES JOHN T. , LESLIE STEPHEN A.
Published: August 2017

Latest Sandbian to early Katian sequences across Laurentia's epicontinental sea exhibit a transition from lithologies characterized as ‘warm-water’ carbonates to those characterized as ‘cool-water'carbonates. This shift occurs across the regionally recognized M4/M5 sequence stratigraphic boundary and has been attributed to climatic cooling and glaciation, basin reorganization and upwelling of open ocean water, and/or increased water turbidity and terrigenous input associated with the Taconic tectophase. Documentation of oxygen isotopic trends across the M4/M5 and through bracketing strata provides a potential means of distinguishing among these alternative scenarios; however, oxygen isotopic records generated to date have failed to settle the debate. This lack of resolution is because δ18O records are open to multiple interpretations and potentially confounding factors related to local environmental conditions have not been tested by examining the critical interval in multiple areas and different depositional settings. To begin to address this shortcoming, we present new species-specific and mixed assemblage conodont δ18O values in samples spanning the M4/M5 boundary from the Upper Mississippi Valley, Alabama, and Virginia. The new results are combined with previous studies, providing a record of δ18O variability across SE Laurentia. The combined dataset allows us to test for regional trends at a resolution not previously available. Our results document a ~1.5‰ decrease in values across Laurentia instead of increasing δ18O values across the M4/M5 as predicted in various ‘cool-water’ scenarios. In short, these results do not support a shift to ‘cool-water’ conditions as an explanation for changes in early Katian carbonates across the M4/M5.
Colonial State Formation Without Integration: Tax Capacity and Labour Regimes in Portuguese Mozambique (1890s–1970s)
Authors: Alexopoulou Kleoniki , Juif Dácil
Published: August 2017

Samir Amin (1972) divided the African continent into three “macro-regions of colonial influence” with distinct socio-economic systems and labour practices: Africa of the colonial trade or peasant economy, Africa of the concession-owning companies, and Africa of the labour reserves. We argue that Mozambique encompassed all three different “macro-regions” in a single colony. We reconstruct government revenue (direct/indirect taxes) raised at a district level between 1930 and 1973 and find persisting differences in the “tax capacity” of the three regions throughout the colonial period. The tax systems, we claim, developed in response to existing local geographic and economic conditions, particularly to labour practices. Portuguese colonial rule adapted to and promoted labour practices such as migration and forced labour to maximize revenue. The extent to which the lack of integration played a role in the post-colonial state and fiscal failure should be studied further.
Parallels with the hate speech debate: the pros and cons of criminalising harmful securitising requests
Authors: Floyd Rita
Published: August 2017

This article argues that public expressions of Islamophobia are best understood assecuritising requests(that is, calls on powerful figures/bodies to treat an issue in security mode so that extraordinary measures can be used to combat it), especially in those cases where Muslims are feared and disliked because of the perception that Islamic people are prone to terrorism. This article argues that harmful and derogatory securitising requests targeting racial, ethnic, or religious minorities are on par with hate speech and it highlights the fact that many contemporary societies are now seeking legal protections against such security speech (expressed most notably in the desire to ban Islamophobia). It is from this perspective that this article poses an important research question: With a view to protecting those adversely affected, are legal protections against harmful and offensive securitising requests justified? The research question can be answered by drawing parallels to the existing hate speech debate in legal and political theory. The research reveals that, although the case against legal protections of harmful and defamatory security speech is ultimately more convincing, security speech alone can be so damaging that it should be informed by a number of ethical considerations. This article goes on to suggest three criteria for governing the ethics of requesting securitisation. As such this article fills a lacuna in the ‘positive/negative debate’ on the ethics of security that has engaged with securitisation, but that has failed to consider the ethics of speaking security.
An image processing application for quantitative cross-correlative microscopy for large cell-populations: a gold nanoparticle radiosensitisation study
Authors: Turnbull Tyron , Douglass Michael , Bezak Eva , Thierry Benjamin , Kempson Ivan
Published: August 2017

A robust analysis script was developed in MATLAB for cross-correlative quantification of internalised gold nanoparticle (AuNP) uptake in a large number of individual cells with the corresponding number of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the same cells. The correlation of inorganic NP content with a biological marker at the single-cell level will aid in the elucidation of mechanisms of NP radiosensitisation. PC-3 cells were co-cultured with AuNPs and irradiated using an iridium-192 source. AuNP uptake was measured using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and DSBs imaged via confocal microscopy. MATLAB 2016a was used to develop a script to cross-correlate the two imaging modalities and quantify both DSBs and internalised AuNP content in the same cell. Various user-defined options written into the script give a high degree of versatility, which can account for a large number of variables in experimental parameters and data acquisition. The analysis procedure is flexible and robust, which gives consistent consideration to the wide spectrum of potential input image/data sets. Quantitative correlative microscopy was achieved with a custom MATLAB script used to correlate γH2AX foci (a marker of DNA DSBs) from confocal microscopy with AuNP content acquired using synchrotron XRF at the single-cell level. The script can be extended to a broad range of multi-modality imaging spectroscopies.
Purinergic modulation of frog electroretinographic responses: The role of the ionotropic receptor P2X7
Authors: KUPENOVA PETIA , POPOVA ELKA , VITANOVA LILIYA
Published: August 2017

The contribution of the purinergic receptors P2X7 (P2X7Rs) to the electroretinographic (ERG) responses was studied by testing the effects of the selective P2X7R antagonist A438079 and the selective P2X7R agonist Bz-ATP on the electroretinograms obtained in perfused frog (Rana ridibunda) eyecup preparations under a variety of stimulation conditions. The P2X7R blockade by 200 µM A438079 diminished the amplitude of the photoreceptor components: the a-wave and the pharmacologically isolated mass receptor potential. In the pure rod-driven and pure cone-driven responses, the amplitude of the postreceptoral ON (b-wave) and OFF (d-wave) components was also diminished. The OFF responses were affected to a greater extent compared to the ON responses. In the mixed rod- and cone-driven responses, obtained in the mesopic intensity range, the b-wave amplitude was increased, while the d-wave amplitude was decreased. The amplitude of the oscillatory potentials was diminished. The relative amplitude changes produced by the P2X7R blockade were greater in the dark-adapted compared to the light-adapted eyes. The application of 100 µM Bz-ATP produced small effects opposite to those of the antagonist, while a prolonged (>20 min) treatment with 1 mM Bz-ATP resulted in a significant amplitude reduction or even abolishment of b- and d-waves. Our results show that endogenous ATP through its P2X7Rs exerts significant, mostly potentiating effects on the ERG photoreceptor and postreceptoral responses. There is a clear ON/OFF asymmetry of the effects on the ERG postreceptoral responses favoring OFF responses: they are always strongly potentiated, while the ON responses are either less potentiated (in the rod-driven and most of the cone-driven responses) or even inhibited (in the mixed rod- and cone-driven responses). The overstimulation of P2X7Rs can produce acute pathological changes, that is, a decrease or abolishment of the ERG responses.
Expectations and limitations of ovarian tissue transplantation
Authors: Donfack N.J. , Alves K.A. , Araújo V.R. , Cordova A. , Figueiredo J.R. , Smitz J. , Rodrigues A.P.R.
Published: August 2017

Constant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer disease has increased the number and prognosis of cancer survivors. However, the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on ovarian function have resulted in premature ovarian failure. Patients are, therefore, still expecting methods to be developed to preserve their fertility successfully. Several potential options are available to preserve fertility in patients who face premature ovarian failure, including immature or mature oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. However, for children or prepubertal women needing immediate chemotherapy, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is the only alternative. The ultimate aim of this strategy is to implant ovarian tissue into the pelvic cavity (orthotopic site) or in a heterotopic site once oncological treatment is completed and the patient is disease free. Transplantation of ovarian tissue with sufficiently large numbers of follicles could potentially restore endocrine function and allow multiple cycles for conception. However, the success of ovarian tissue transplantation still has multiple challenges, such as the low number of follicles in the graft that may affect their longevity as well as the survival of the tissue during ex vivo processing and subsequent transplantation. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the achievements of ovary grafting and the potential techniques that have been developed to improve ovarian graft survival.
Comparative Environmental Federalism: Subsidiarity and Central Regulation in the United States and China
Authors: Zhao Huiyu , Percival Robert
Published: August 2017

The proper division of responsibility for environmental protection between national and state governments has long been the subject of fierce debate. During the 1970s the United States Congress decided to shift the most important environmental responsibilities from state governments to the federal government. The main reason for this decision was to prevent a ‘race to the bottom’ in that states competing for industries could otherwise be lax in implementing and enforcing federal environmental standards. Yet, some scholars have argued that there could just as easily be a ‘race to the top’ among states as they compete to attract people and businesses concerned with environmental protection. China, in turn, is plagued with severe air and water pollution and soil contamination, which is attributed largely to ineffective enforcement of its national environmental laws. This article investigates whether China’s experience confirms the race-to-the-bottom theory. It demonstrates that devolution of responsibility for environmental protection to lower levels of government tends to result in lax implementation and enforcement of national environmental laws, particularly where national governments also create strong incentives for economic growth. It concludes that China’s highly devolved system of environmental governance is consistent with this theory, even if it does not provide conclusive evidence of its correctness.
Erratum: Long-term treatment of phenylketonuria with a new medical food containing large neutral amino acids
Authors: Concolino D , Mascaro I , Moricca M T , Bonapace G , Matalon K , Trapasso J , Radhakrishnan G , Ferrara C , Matalon R , Strisciuglio P
Published: August 2017

Correction to: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017); 71 (1); 51-55; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.166; published online 14th September 2016 Since the publication of the article, the authors have noticed an error in Table 1. The corrected table can be found below. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused by this error.
Zhamanshin astrobleme provides evidence for carbonaceous chondrite and post-impact exchange between ejecta and Earth’s atmosphere
Authors: Magna Tomáš , Žák Karel , Pack Andreas , Moynier Frédéric , Mougel Bérengère , Peters Stefan , Skála Roman , Jonášová Šárka , Mizera Jiří , Řanda Zdeněk
Published: August 2017

Chemical fingerprints of impacts are usually compromised by extreme conditions in the impact plume, and the contribution of projectile matter to impactites does not often exceed a fraction of per cent. Here we use chromium and oxygen isotopes to identify the impactor and impact-plume processes for Zhamanshin astrobleme, Kazakhstan. ε54Cr values up to 1.54 in irghizites, part of the fallback ejecta, represent the54Cr-rich extremity of the Solar System range and suggest a CI-like chondrite impactor. Δ17O values as low as −0.22‰ in irghizites, however, are incompatible with a CI-like impactor. We suggest that the observed17O depletion in irghizites relative to the terrestrial range is caused by partial isotope exchange with atmospheric oxygen (Δ17O = −0.47‰) following material ejection. In contrast, combined Δ17O–ε54Cr data for central European tektites (distal ejecta) fall into the terrestrial range and neither impactor fingerprint nor oxygen isotope exchange with the atmosphere are indicated.
Living GenoChemetics by hyphenating synthetic biology and synthetic chemistry in vivo
Authors: Sharma Sunil V. , Tong Xiaoxue , Pubill-Ulldemolins Cristina , Cartmell Christopher , Bogosyan Emma J. A. , Rackham Emma J. , Marelli Enrico , Hamed Refaat B. , Goss Rebecca J. M.
Published: August 2017

Marrying synthetic biology with synthetic chemistry provides a powerful approach toward natural product diversification, combining the best of both worlds: expediency and synthetic capability of biogenic pathways and chemical diversity enabled by organic synthesis. Biosynthetic pathway engineering can be employed to insert a chemically orthogonal tag into a complex natural scaffold affording the possibility of site-selective modification without employing protecting group strategies. Here we show that, by installing a sufficiently reactive handle (e.g., a C–Br bond) and developing compatible mild aqueous chemistries, synchronous biosynthesis of the tagged metabolite and its subsequent chemical modification in living culture can be achieved. This approach can potentially enable many new applications: for example, assay of directed evolution of enzymes catalyzing halo-metabolite biosynthesis in living cells or generating and following the fate of tagged metabolites and biomolecules in living systems. We report synthetic biological access to new-to-nature bromo-metabolites and the concomitant biorthogonal cross-coupling of halo-metabolites in living cultures.
The non-coding RNA landscape of human hematopoiesis and leukemia
Authors: Schwarzer Adrian , Emmrich Stephan , Schmidt Franziska , Beck Dominik , Ng Michelle , Reimer Christina , Adams Felix Ferdinand , Grasedieck Sarah , Witte Damian , Käbler Sebastian , Wong Jason W. H. , Shah Anushi , Huang Yizhou , Jammal Razan , Maroz Aliaksandra , Jongen-Lavrencic Mojca , Schambach Axel , Kuchenbauer Florian , Pimanda John E. , Reinhardt Dirk , Heckl Dirk , Klusmann Jan-Henning
Published: August 2017

Non-coding RNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression and cell fate decisions. However, their expression patterns and regulatory functions during normal and malignant human hematopoiesis are incompletely understood. Here we present a comprehensive resource defining the non-coding RNA landscape of the human hematopoietic system. Based on highly specific non-coding RNA expression portraits per blood cell population, we identify unique fingerprint non-coding RNAs—such as LINC00173 in granulocytes—and assign these to critical regulatory circuits involved in blood homeostasis. Following the incorporation of acute myeloid leukemia samples into the landscape, we further uncover prognostically relevant non-coding RNA stem cell signatures shared between acute myeloid leukemia blasts and healthy hematopoietic stem cells. Our findings highlight the importance of the non-coding transcriptome in the formation and maintenance of the human blood hierarchy.
Single-cell analyses identify bioengineered niches for enhanced maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Roch Aline , Giger Sonja , Girotra Mukul , Campos Vasco , Vannini Nicola , Naveiras Olaia , Gobaa Samy , Lutolf Matthias P.
Published: August 2017

The in vitro expansion of long-term hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) remains a substantial challenge, largely because of our limited understanding of the mechanisms that control HSC fate choices. Using single-cell multigene expression analysis and time-lapse microscopy, here we define gene expression signatures and cell cycle hallmarks of murine HSCs and the earliest multipotent progenitors (MPPs), and analyze systematically single HSC fate choices in culture. Our analysis revealed twelve differentially expressed genes marking the quiescent HSC state, including four genes encoding cell–cell interaction signals in the niche. Under basal culture conditions, most HSCs rapidly commit to become early MPPs. In contrast, when we present ligands of the identified niche components such as JamC or Esam within artificial niches, HSC cycling is reduced and long-term multipotency in vivo is maintained. Our approach to bioengineer artificial niches should be useful in other stem cell systems.
Fourteen sequence variants that associate with multiple sclerosis discovered by meta-analysis informed by genetic correlations
Authors: Olafsson Sigurgeir , Stridh Pernilla , Bos Steffan Daniël , Ingason Andres , Euesden Jack , Sulem Patrick , Thorleifsson Gudmar , Gustafsson Omar , Johannesson Ari , Geirsson Arni J. , Thorsson Arni V. , Sigurgeirsson Bardur , Ludviksson Bjorn Runar , Olafsson Elias , Kristjansdottir Helga , Jonasson Jon G. , Olafsson Jon Hjaltalin , Orvar Kjartan B. , Benediktsson Rafn , Bjarnason Ragnar , Kristjansdottir Sjofn , Gislason Thorarinn , Valdimarsson Trausti , Mikaelsdottir Evgenia , Sigurdsson Snaevar , Jonsson Stefan , Rafnar Thorunn , Aarsland Dag , Djurovic Srdjan , Fladby Tormod , Knudsen Gun Peggy , Celius Elisabeth G. , Myhr Kjell-Morten , Grondal Gerdur , Steinsson Kristjan , Valdimarsson Helgi , Bjornsson Sigurdur , Bjornsdottir Unnur S. , Bjornsson Einar S , Nilsson Bjorn , Andreassen Ole A. , Alfredsson Lars , Hillert Jan , Kockum Ingrid Skelton , Masson Gisli , Thorsteinsdottir Unnur , Gudbjartsson Daniel F. , Stefansson Hreinn , Hjaltason Haukur , Harbo Hanne F. , Olsson Tomas , Jonsdottir Ingileif , Stefansson Kari
Published: August 2017

A meta-analysis of publicly available summary statistics on multiple sclerosis combined with three Nordic multiple sclerosis cohorts (21,079 cases, 371,198 controls) revealed seven sequence variants associating with multiple sclerosis, not reported previously. Using polygenic risk scores based on public summary statistics of variants outside the major histocompatibility complex region we quantified genetic overlap between common autoimmune diseases in Icelanders and identified disease clusters characterized by autoantibody presence/absence. As multiple sclerosis-polygenic risk scores captures the risk of primary biliary cirrhosis and vice versa (P = 1.6 × 10−7, 4.3 × 10−9) we used primary biliary cirrhosis as a proxy-phenotype for multiple sclerosis, the idea being that variants conferring risk of primary biliary cirrhosis have a prior probability of conferring risk of multiple sclerosis. We tested 255 variants forming the primary biliary cirrhosis-polygenic risk score and found seven multiple sclerosis-associating variants not correlated with any previously established multiple sclerosis variants. Most of the variants discovered are close to or within immune-related genes. One is a low-frequency missense variant in TYK2, another is a missense variant in MTHFR that reduces the function of the encoded enzyme affecting methionine metabolism, reported to be dysregulated in multiple sclerosis brain.
Interface strength and degradation of adhesively bonded porous aluminum oxides
Authors: Abrahami Shoshan T. , de Kok John M. M. , Gudla Visweswara C. , Ambat Rajan , Terryn Herman , Mol Johannes M. C.
Published: August 2017

For more than six decades, chromic acid anodizing has been the main step in the surface treatment of aluminum for adhesively bonded aircraft structures. Soon this process, known for producing a readily adherent oxide with an excellent corrosion resistance, will be banned by strict international environmental and health regulations. Replacing this traditional process in a high-demanding and high-risk industry such as aircraft construction requires an in-depth understanding of the underlying adhesion and degradation mechanisms at the oxide/resin interface resulting from alternative processes. The relationship between the anodizing conditions in sulfuric and mixtures of sulfuric and phosphoric acid electrolytes and the formation and durability of bonding under various environmental conditions was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to characterize the oxide features. Selected specimens were studied with transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to measure resin concentration within structurally different porous anodic oxide layers as a function of depth. Results show that there are two critical morphological aspects for strong and durable bonding. First, a minimum pore size is pivotal for the formation of a stable interface, as reflected by the initial peel strengths. Second, the increased surface roughness of the oxide/resin interface caused by extended chemical dissolution at higher temperature and higher phosphoric acid concentration is crucial to assure bond durability under water ingress. There is, however, an upper limit to the beneficial amount of anodic dissolution above which bonds are prone for corrosive degradation. Morphology is, however, not the only prerequisite for good bonding and bond performance also depends on the oxides’ chemical composition.
Prognostic value from integrative analysis of transcription factors c-Jun and Fra-1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Xu Hao , Jin Xin , Yuan Yao , Deng Peng , Jiang Lu , Zeng Xin , Li Xiao-Song , Wang Zhi-Yong , Chen Qian-Ming
Published: August 2017

Transcription factors c-Jun and Fra-1 have been reported to play a role during the initiation and progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, cohort studies are rarely reported. Here is an integrative analysis of their prognostic value in OSCC through a multicenter cohort study.313 OSCC patients were included in this study and received regular follow-up. The survival rate and hazard ratios(HR) were generated by survival analysis. The concordance probability and receiver operating characteristic curve area were chosen to measure the model discrimination. High expressions of c-Jun or Fra-1 were associated with poor prognosis, meanwhile the high expression of Fra-1 meant worse prognosis of patients than the high expression of c-Jun. Besides, the interaction effect of c-Jun and Fra-1 was antagonism, when the expression of c-Jun and Fra-1 was both high, the HR was lower than the hazard ratio when only the Fra-1 was at high expression. c-Jun and Fra-1 were both proved to be high risky predictors of death in OSCC, the antagonistic effect suggested that these biomarkers’ activities could be influenced by each other. It may provide a new sight for the studies of OSCC prognosis and treatment.
Effects of prey of different nutrient quality on elemental nutrient budgets in Noctiluca scintillans
Authors: Zhang Shuwen , Liu Hongbin , Glibert Patricia M. , Guo Cui , Ke Ying
Published: August 2017

Noctiluca scintillans (Noctiluca) is a cosmopolitan red tide forming heterotrophic dinoflagellate. In this study, we investigated its ingestion, elemental growth yield and excretion when supplied with different quality food (nutrient-balanced, N-limited and P-limited). Total cellular elemental ratios of Noctiluca were nearly homeostatic, but the ratio of its intracellular NH4+ and PO43− was weakly regulated. Noctiluca thus seems able to differentially allocate N and P to organic and inorganic pools to maintain overall homeostasis, and it regulated its internal N more strongly and efficiently than P. The latter was substantiated by its comparatively stable C:N ratio and compensatory feeding on N-limited prey. Using both starvation experiments and mass balance models, it was found that excretion of C, N, and P by Noctiluca is highly affected by prey nutritional quality. However, based on modeling results, nutrients seem efficiently retained in actively feeding Noctiluca for reproduction rather than directly released as was shown experimentally in starved cells. Moreover, actively feeding Noctiluca tend to retain P and preferentially release N, highlighting its susceptible to P-limitation. Recycling of N and P by Noctiluca may supply substantial nutrients for phytoplankton growth, especially following bloom senescence.
Transcriptome profiling of mouse brains with qkI-deficient oligodendrocytes reveals major alternative splicing defects including self-splicing
Authors: Darbelli Lama , Choquet Karine , Richard Stéphane , Kleinman Claudia L.
Published: August 2017

The qkI gene encodes a family of RNA binding proteins alternatively spliced at its 3′ end, giving rise to three major spliced isoforms: QKI-5, QKI-6 and QKI-7. Their expression is tightly regulated during brain development with nuclear QKI-5 being the most abundant during embryogenesis followed by QKI-6 and QKI-7 that peak during myelination. Previously, we generated a mouse conditional qkI allele where exon 2 is excised using Olig2-Cre resulting in QKI-deficient oligodendrocytes (OLs). These mice have dysmyelination and die at the third post-natal week. Herein, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of P14 mouse brains of QKI-proficient (QKI
FL/FL;-
) and QKI-deficient (QKI
FL/FL;Olig2-Cre
) OLs. QKI deficiency results in major global changes of gene expression and RNA processing with >1,800 differentially expressed genes with the top categories being axon ensheathment and myelination. Specific downregulated genes included major myelin proteins, suggesting that the QKI proteins are key regulators of RNA metabolism in OLs. We also identify 810 alternatively spliced genes including known QKI targets, MBP and Nfasc. Interestingly, we observe in QKI
FL/FL;Olig2-Cre
a switch in exon 2-deficient qkI mRNAs favoring the expression of the qkI-5 rather than the qkI-6 and qkI-7. These findings define QKI as regulators of alternative splicing in OLs including self-splicing.
Lithium Titanate/Carbon Nanotubes Composites Processed by Ultrasound Irradiation as Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Coelho João , Pokle Anuj , Park Sang-Hoon , McEvoy Niall , Berner Nina C. , Duesberg Georg S. , Nicolosi Valeria
Published: August 2017

In this work, lithium titanate nanoparticles (nLTO)/single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) composite electrodes are prepared by the combination of an ultrasound irradiation and ultrasonic spray deposition methods. It was found that a mass fraction of 15% carbon nanotubes optimizes the electrochemical performance of nLTO electrodes. These present capacities as high as 173, 130, 110 and 70 mAh.g−1at 0.1C, 1C, 10C and 100C, respectively. Moreover, after 1000 cycles at 1C, the nLTO/SWCNT composites present a capacity loss of just 9% and a Coulombic efficiency of 99.8%. Therefore, the presented methodology might be extended to other suitable active materials in order to manufacture binder free electrodes with optimal energy storage capabilities.
Differential impact in young and older individuals of blue-enriched white light on circadian physiology and alertness during sustained wakefulness
Authors: Gabel Virginie , Reichert Carolin F. , Maire Micheline , Schmidt Christina , Schlangen Luc J. M. , Kolodyazhniy Vitaliy , Garbazza Corrado , Cajochen Christian , Viola Antoine U.
Published: August 2017

We tested the effect of different lights as a countermeasure against sleep-loss decrements in alertness, melatonin and cortisol profile, skin temperature and wrist motor activity in healthy young and older volunteers under extendend wakefulness. 26 young [mean (SE): 25.0 (0.6) y)] and 12 older participants [(mean (SE): 63.6 (1.3) y)] underwent 40-h of sustained wakefulness during 3 balanced crossover segments, once under dim light (DL: 8 lx), and once under either white light (WL: 250 lx, 2,800 K) or blue-enriched white light (BL: 250 lx, 9,000 K) exposure. Subjective sleepiness, melatonin and cortisol were assessed hourly. Skin temperature and wrist motor activity were continuously recorded. WL and BL induced an alerting response in both the older (p = 0.005) and the young participants (p = 0.021). The evening rise in melatonin was attentuated under both WL and BL only in the young. Cortisol levels were increased and activity levels decreased in the older compared to the young only under BL (p = 0.0003). Compared to the young, both proximal and distal skin temperatures were lower in older participants under all lighting conditions. Thus the color temperature of normal intensity lighting may have differential effects on circadian physiology in young and older individuals.
3D printed personalized titanium plates improve clinical outcome in microwave ablation of bone tumors around the knee
Authors: Ma Limin , Zhou Ye , Zhu Ye , Lin Zefeng , Chen Lingling , Zhang Yu , Xia Hong , Mao Chuanbin
Published: August 2017

Microwave ablation has been widely accepted in treating bone tumor. However, its procedure is time-consuming and usually results in postoperative fractures. To solve this problem, we designed and fabricated titanium plates customized to the patients’ bone structures. The personalized titanium plates were then used for fixation after the removal of tumorous tissue. Specifically, 3D models of tumor-bearing bone segments were constructed by using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 3D models were used to design the personalized titanium plates. The plate model was transferred into a numerical control machine for manufacturing the personalized titanium plates by 3D printing. The plates were then surgically implanted for reconstruction assistance following microwave-induced hyperthermia to remove the bone tumor. Implementation parameters and knee functions were then evaluated. No postoperative fractures, implant failures or loosening problems occurred; mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 27.17 from the latest follow-up. Mean maximum flexion of affected knees was 114.08°. The results of knee gait analysis were comparable with normal population data. Our work suggests that personalized titanium plates can significantly improve the clinical outcomes in the surgical removal of bone tumor. This study represents the first-time effort in using personalized titanium plates for such surgery.
Novel animal model defines genetic contributions for neuron-to-neuron transfer of α-synuclein
Authors: Tyson Trevor , Senchuk Megan , Cooper Jason F. , George Sonia , Van Raamsdonk Jeremy M. , Brundin Patrik
Published: August 2017

Cell-to-cell spreading of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) is suggested to contribute to the progression of neuropathology in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Compelling evidence supports the hypothesis that misfolded α-syn transmits from neuron-to-neuron and seeds aggregation of the protein in the recipient cells. Furthermore, α-syn frequently appears to propagate in the brains of PD patients following a stereotypic pattern consistent with progressive spreading along anatomical pathways. We have generated a C. elegans model that mirrors this progression and allows us to monitor α-syn neuron-to-neuron transmission in a live animal over its lifespan. We found that modulation of autophagy or exo/endocytosis, affects α-syn transfer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that silencing C. elegans orthologs of PD-related genes also increases the accumulation of α-syn. This novel worm model is ideal for screening molecules and genes to identify those that modulate prion-like spreading of α-syn in order to target novel strategies for disease modification in PD and other synucleinopathies.
CODA: Integrating multi-level context-oriented directed associations for analysis of drug effects
Authors: Yu Hasun , Jung Jinmyung , Yoon Seyeol , Kwon Mijin , Bae Sunghwa , Yim Soorin , Lee Jaehyun , Kim Seunghyun , Kang Yeeok , Lee Doheon
Published: August 2017

In silico network-based methods have shown promising results in the field of drug development. Yet, most of networks used in the previous research have not included context information even though biological associations actually do appear in the specific contexts. Here, we reconstruct an anatomical context-specific network by assigning contexts to biological associations using protein expression data and scientific literature. Furthermore, we employ the context-specific network for the analysis of drug effects with a proximity measure between drug targets and diseases. Distinct from previous context-specific networks, intercellular associations and phenomic level entities such as biological processes are included in our network to represent the human body. It is observed that performances in inferring drug-disease associations are increased by adding context information and phenomic level entities. In particular, hypertension, a disease related to multiple organs and associated with several phenomic level entities, is analyzed in detail to investigate how our network facilitates the inference of drug-disease associations. Our results indicate that the inclusion of context information, intercellular associations, and phenomic level entities can contribute towards a better prediction of drug-disease associations and provide detailed insight into understanding of how drugs affect diseases in the human body.
N-representability of the Jastrow wave function pair density of the lowest-order
Authors: Higuchi Katsuhiko , Higuchi Masahiko
Published: August 2017

Conditions for the N-representability of the pair density (PD) are needed for the development of the PD functional theory. We derive sufficient conditions for the N-representability of the PD that is calculated from the Jastrow wave function within the lowest order. These conditions are used as the constraints on the correlation function of the Jastrow wave function. A concrete procedure to search the suitable correlation function is also presented.
Effect of extra cysteine residue of new mutant 1Ax1 subunit on the functional properties of common wheat
Authors: Li Miao , Wang Yaqiong , Ma Fengyun , Zeng Jian , Chang Junli , Chen Mingjie , Li Kexiu , Yang Guangxiao , Wang Yuesheng , He Guangyuan
Published: August 2017

Subunit pair 1Dx5 + 1Dy10 was recognized as superior subunit combination in wheat and contained an extra repetitive-domain cysteine residue in 1Dx5 that was important for understanding the formation of dough viscoelasticity. In this research, one specific serine codon of the 1Ax1 gene corresponding to the extra cysteine residue of 1Dx5 was substituted by a cysteine codon through site-directed mutagenesis. Four homozygous transgenic lines (T4) expressing the mutant 1Ax1 gene (mut1Ax1) were produced. Their greater dough strength and stability were confirmed by mixograph and were associated with highly increased gluten index, larger amounts of gluten macropolymers, larger size distribution for glutenin macropolymer particles and varied sodium-dodecyl-sulfate sedimentation volumes, compared with those of the one line expressing wild 1Ax1 that had similar expression level of transgene. The contents of β-sheets in dough and disulfide groups in gluten of the mut1Ax1 transgenic lines were significantly increased. The microstructure of dough mixed to peak showed a more continuous gluten matrix in the mutant transgenic lines than the one line mentioned-above. It was concluded that the extra cysteine residue of mutant 1Ax1 subunit plays a positive role in contributing to dough strength and stability of wheat by cross-linking into gluten aggregates through inter-chain disulfide bonds.
Involvement of Insulin Signaling Disturbances in Bisphenol A-Induced Alzheimer’s Disease-like Neurotoxicity
Authors: Wang Tingwei , Xie Cuiwei , Yu Pengfei , Fang Fangfang , Zhu Jingying , Cheng Jie , Gu Aihua , Wang Jun , Xiao Hang
Published: August 2017

Bisphenol A (BPA), a member of the environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs), has recently received increased attention because of its effects on brain insulin resistance. Available data have indicated that brain insulin resistance may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. However, the associated mechanisms that underlie BPA-induced brain-related outcomes remain largely unknown. In the present study, we identified significant insulin signaling disturbances in the SH-SY5Y cell line that were mediated by BPA, including the inhibition of physiological p-IR Tyr1355 tyrosine, p-IRS1 tyrosine 896, p-AKT serine 473 and p-GSK3α/β serine 21/9 phosphorylation, as well as the enhancement of IRS1 Ser307 phosphorylation; these effects were clearly attenuated by insulin and rosiglitazone. Intriguingly, Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated pathological proteins, such as BACE-1, APP, β-CTF, α-CTF, Aβ 1–42 and phosphorylated tau proteins (S199, S396, T205, S214 and S404), were substantially increased after BPA exposure, and these effects were abrogated by insulin and rosiglitazone treatment; these findings underscore the specific roles of insulin signaling in BPA-mediated AD-like neurotoxicity. Thus, an understanding of the regulation of insulin signaling may provide novel insights into potential therapeutic targets for BPA-mediated AD-like neurotoxicity.
Prognostic value of a 25-gene assay in patients with gastric cancer after curative resection
Authors: Wang Xiaohong , Liu Yiqiang , Niu Zhaojian , Fu Runjia , Jia Yongning , Zhang Li , Shao Duanfang , Du Hong , Hu Ying , Xing Xiaofang , Cheng Xiaojing , Li Lin , Guo Ting , Li Ziyu , Ji Qunsheng , Zhang Lianhai , Ji Jiafu
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to develop and validate a practical, reliable assay for prognosis and chemotherapy benefit prediction compared with conventional staging in Gastric cancer (GC). Twenty-three candidate genes with significant correlation between quantitative hybridization and microarray results plus 2 reference genes were selected to form a 25-gene prognostic classifier, which can classify patients into 3 distinct groups of different risk of mortality obtained by analyzing microarray data from 78 frozen tumor specimens. The 25-gene assay was associated with overall survival in both training (P = 0.017) and testing cohort (P = 0.005) (462 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples). The risk prediction in stages I + II is significantly better than that in stages III. Analysis demonstrated that this 25-gene signature is an independent prognostic predictor and show higher prognostic accuracy than conventional TNM staging in early stage patients. Moreover, only high-risk patients in stage I + II were found benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.043), while low-risk patients in stage III were not found benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, our results suggest that this 25-gene assay can reliably identify patients with different risk for mortality after surgery, especially for stage I + II patients, and might be able to predict patients who benefit from chemotherapy.
Strategic tradeoffs in competitor dynamics on adaptive networks
Authors: Hébert-Dufresne Laurent , Allard Antoine , Noël Pierre-André , Young Jean-Gabriel , Libby Eric
Published: August 2017

Recent empirical work highlights the heterogeneity of social competitions such as political campaigns: proponents of some ideologies seek debate and conversation, others create echo chambers. While symmetric and static network structure is typically used as a substrate to study such competitor dynamics, network structure can instead be interpreted as a signature of the competitor strategies, yielding competition dynamics on adaptive networks. Here we demonstrate that tradeoffs between aggressiveness and defensiveness (i.e., targeting adversaries vs. targeting like-minded individuals) creates paradoxical behaviour such as non-transitive dynamics. And while there is an optimal strategy in a two competitor system, three competitor systems have no such solution; the introduction of extreme strategies can easily affect the outcome of a competition, even if the extreme strategies have no chance of winning. Not only are these results reminiscent of classic paradoxical results from evolutionary game theory, but the structure of social networks created by our model can be mapped to particular forms of payoff matrices. Consequently, social structure can act as a measurable metric for social games which in turn allows us to provide a game theoretical perspective on online political debates.