bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny, historical biogeography and characters evolution of the drought resistant fern Pyrrosia Mirbel (Polypodiaceae) inferred from plastid and nuclear markers
Authors: Wei Xueping , Qi Yaodong , Zhang Xianchun , Luo Li , Shang Hui , Wei Ran , Liu Haitao , Zhang Bengang
Published: October 2017

Pyrrosias.l. comprises ca. 60 species with a disjunct Africa/Asia and Australia distribution. The infrageneric classification ofPyrrosias.l. is controversial based on the phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast markers and morphology. Based on the expanded taxon sampling ofPyrrosias.l. (51 species), we investigated its phylogeny, biogeography, character evolution and environmental adaptation by employing five chloroplastid markers (rbcL,matK,psbA-trnH, andrps4 + rps4-trnS) and one single (low)-copy nuclear gene,LEAFY.Pyrrosias.l. was divided into six major clades and eight subclades. Reticulate evolution was revealed both among clades and among species inPyrrosias.l. Ancestral character state optimization revealed high levels of homoplastic evolution of the diagnostic characters inPyrrosias.l., while the crassulacean acid metabolism pathway seems to have an independent origin. Molecular dating and biogeographic diversification analyses suggested thatPyrrosias.l. originated no later than the Oligocene and the main clades diversified during the Oligocene and Miocene, with southern Asia, the Indo-China Peninsula and southwestern and southern China as the most likely ancestral areas. Transoceanic long-distance dispersal, rather than vicariance, contributed to the intercontinental disjunction. Diversification scenarios ofPyrrosias.l. under geological movements and climate fluctuation are also discussed.
Process reveals structure: How a network is traversed mediates expectations about its architecture
Authors: Karuza Elisabeth A. , Kahn Ari E. , Thompson-Schill Sharon L. , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: October 2017

Network science has emerged as a powerful tool through which we can study the higher-order architectural properties of the world around us. How human learners exploit this information remains an essential question. Here, we focus on the temporal constraints that govern such a process. Participants viewed a continuous sequence of images generated by three distinct walks on a modular network. Walks varied along two critical dimensions: their predictability and the density with which they sampled from communities of images. Learners exposed to walks that richly sampled from each community exhibited a sharp increase in processing time upon entry into a new community. This effect was eliminated in a highly regular walk that sampled exhaustively from images in short, successive cycles (i.e., that increasingly minimized uncertainty about the nature of upcoming stimuli). These results demonstrate that temporal organization plays an essential role in learners’ sensitivity to the network architecture underlying sensory input.
Pterostilbene, a natural phenolic compound, synergizes the antineoplastic effects of megestrol acetate in endometrial cancer
Authors: Wen Wei , Lowe Gina , Roberts Cai M. , Finlay James , Han Ernest S. , Glackin Carlotta A. , Dellinger Thanh H.
Published: October 2017

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and its incidence and mortality has been rising over the past decade. Few treatment options are available for patients with advanced and recurring endometrial cancers. Novel therapies, which are frequently toxic, are difficult to establish in this patient population which tends to be older and plagued by comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Therefore, novel, non-toxic therapies are urgently needed. Megestrol acetate is a frequently used drug in endometrial cancer patients. However, its response rate is only 20–30%. To enhance the activity of megestrol acetate in endometrial cancer patients, we explored the potential of combining natural supplements with megestrol acetate and found that the addition of the natural phenolic compound, pterostilbene, to megestrol acetate resulted in a synergistic inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro and an enhanced reduction of tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. In addition, dual treatment led to attenuation of signaling pathways, as well as cell cycle and survival pathways. Our results demonstrated for the first time that the anti-tumor activity of megestrol acetate can be enhanced by combining with pterostilbene, providing an insight into the potential application of pterostilbene and megestrol acetate combination for the treatment of endometrial cancer.
Parvalbumin-expressing interneurons can act solo while somatostatin-expressing interneurons act in chorus in most cases on cortical pyramidal cells
Authors: Safari Mir-Shahram , Mirnajafi-Zadeh Javad , Hioki Hiroyuki , Tsumoto Tadaharu
Published: October 2017

Neural circuits in the cerebral cortex consist primarily of excitatory pyramidal (Pyr) cells and inhibitory interneurons. Interneurons are divided into several subtypes, in which the two major groups are those expressing parvalbumin (PV) or somatostatin (SOM). These subtypes of interneurons are reported to play distinct roles in tuning and/or gain of visual response of pyramidal cells in the visual cortex. It remains unclear whether there is any quantitative and functional difference between the PV → Pyr and SOM → Pyr connections. We compared unitary inhibitory postsynaptic currents (uIPSCs) evoked by electrophysiological activation of single presynaptic interneurons with population IPSCs evoked by photo-activation of a mass of interneurons in vivo and in vitro in transgenic mice in which PV or SOM neurons expressed channelrhodopsin-2, and found that at least about 14 PV neurons made strong connections with a postsynaptic Pyr cell while a much larger number of SOM neurons made weak connections. Activation or suppression of single PV neurons modified visual responses of postsynaptic Pyr cells in 6 of 7 pairs whereas that of single SOM neurons showed no significant modification in 8 of 11 pairs, suggesting that PV neurons can act solo whereas most of SOM neurons may act in chorus on Pyr cells.
Impact of sequencing depth and read length on single cell RNA sequencing data of T cells
Authors: Rizzetto Simone , Eltahla Auda A. , Lin Peijie , Bull Rowena , Lloyd Andrew R. , Ho Joshua W. K. , Venturi Vanessa , Luciani Fabio
Published: October 2017

Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides great potential in measuring the gene expression profiles of heterogeneous cell populations. In immunology, scRNA-seq allowed the characterisation of transcript sequence diversity of functionally relevant T cell subsets, and the identification of the full length T cell receptor (TCRαβ), which defines the specificity against cognate antigens. Several factors, e.g. RNA library capture, cell quality, and sequencing output affect the quality of scRNA-seq data. We studied the effects of read length and sequencing depth on the quality of gene expression profiles, cell type identification, and TCRαβ reconstruction, utilising 1,305 single cells from 8 publically available scRNA-seq datasets, and simulation-based analyses. Gene expression was characterised by an increased number of unique genes identified with short read lengths (<50 bp), but these featured higher technical variability compared to profiles from longer reads. Successful TCRαβ reconstruction was achieved for 6 datasets (81% − 100%) with at least 0.25 millions (PE) reads of length >50 bp, while it failed for datasets with <30 bp reads. Sufficient read length and sequencing depth can control technical noise to enable accurate identification of TCRαβ and gene expression profiles from scRNA-seq data of T cells.
The drinking water contaminant dibromoacetonitrile delays G1-S transition and suppresses Chk1 activation at broken replication forks
Authors: Caspari Thomas , Dyer James , Fenner Nathalie , Dunn Christian , Freeman Chris
Published: October 2017

Chlorination of drinking water protects humans from water-born pathogens, but it also produces low concentrations of dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN), a common disinfectant by-product found in many water supply systems. DBAN is not mutagenic but causes DNA breaks and elevates sister chromatid exchange in mammalian cells. The WHO issued guidelines for DBAN after it was linked with cancer of the liver and stomach in rodents. How this haloacetonitrile promotes malignant cell transformation is unknown. Using fission yeast as a model, we report here that DBAN delays G1-S transition. DBAN does not hinder ongoing DNA replication, but specifically blocks the serine 345 phosphorylation of the DNA damage checkpoint kinase Chk1 by Rad3 (ATR) at broken replication forks. DBAN is particularly damaging for cells with defects in the lagging-strand DNA polymerase delta. This sensitivity can be explained by the dependency of pol delta mutants on Chk1 activation for survival. We conclude that DBAN targets a process or protein that acts at the start of S phase and is required for Chk1 phosphorylation. Taken together, DBAN may precipitate cancer by perturbing S phase and by blocking the Chk1-dependent response to replication fork damage.
DNA metabarcoding and morphological macroinvertebrate metrics reveal the same changes in boreal watersheds across an environmental gradient
Authors: Emilson Caroline E. , Thompson Dean G. , Venier Lisa A. , Porter Teresita M. , Swystun Tom , Chartrand Derek , Capell Scott , Hajibabaei Mehrdad
Published: October 2017

Cost-effective, ecologically relevant, sensitive, and standardized indicators are requisites of biomonitoring. DNA metabarcoding of macroinvertebrate communities is a potentially transformative biomonitoring technique that can reduce cost and time constraints while providing information-rich, high resolution taxonomic data for the assessment of watershed condition. Here, we assess the utility of DNA metabarcoding to provide aquatic indicator data for evaluation of forested watershed condition across Canadian eastern boreal watersheds, subject to natural variation and low-intensity harvest management. We do this by comparing the similarity of DNA metabarcoding and morphologically derived macroinvertebrate metrics (i.e. richness, % Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera, % chironomid), and the ability of DNA metabarcoding and morphological metrics to detect key gradients in stream condition linked to forested watershed features. Our results show consistency between methods, where common DNA metabarcoding and morphological macroinvertebrate metrics are positively correlated and indicate the same key gradients in stream condition (i.e. dissolved oxygen, and dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen and conductivity) linked to watershed size and shifts in forest composition across watersheds. Our study demonstrates the potential usefulness of macroinvertebrate DNA metabarcoding to future application in broad-scale biomonitoring of watershed condition across environmental gradients.
Iron hydroxyphosphate and Sn-incorporated iron hydroxyphosphate: efficient and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Mani V. , Anantharaj S. , Mishra Soumyaranjan , Kalaiselvi N. , Kundu Subrata
Published: October 2017

New, iron-based, nanocrystals of Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3·2H2O and Sn-incorporated Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3·2H2O were synthesized and their electrocatalytic OERs were enhanced because of the presence of PO43−ligands and the Sn incorporation.
Enhanced charge separation and photoactivity in heterostructured g-C3N4: a synergistic interaction in environmental friendly CaO/g-C3N4
Authors: Ramacharyulu P. V. R. K. , Abbas Sk Jahir , Ke Shyue-Chu
Published: October 2017

CaO/g-C3N4, an eco-friendly heterostructure to unreveal the mechanism for enhanced charge separation and photocatalysis. The picture illustrates electron density on CaO/g-C3N4.
Seed-induced and additive-free synthesis of oriented nanorod-assembled meso/macroporous zeolites: toward efficient and cost-effective catalysts for the MTA reaction
Authors: Shen Kui , Wang Ning , Chen Xiaodong , Chen Zhaohui , Li Yingwei , Chen Junying , Qian Weizhong , Wei Fei
Published: October 2017

A general seed-induced strategy is reported for the synthesis of meso/macroporous zeolites with high catalytic efficiencies for the MTA reaction.
A novel bifunctional Pd–ZIF-8/rGO catalyst with spatially separated active sites for the tandem Knoevenagel condensation–reduction reaction
Authors: Wang Hefang , Wang Yansu , Jia Aizhong , Wang Cunyue , Wu Luming , Yang Yongfang , Wang Yanji
Published: October 2017

A novel bifunctional catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation–reduction tandem reaction was prepared by immobilizing ZIF-8 and Pd on GO, respectively.
Conductive layer protected and oxide catalyst-coated thin-film silicon solar cell as an efficient photoanode
Authors: Wang Ning , Liu Min , Liang Junhui , Li Tiantian , Tan Hairen , Liu Bofei , Zhang Qixing , Wei Changchun , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: October 2017

Photovoltaic–photoelectrochemical (PV-PEC) water splitting based on silicon (Si) is very promising because of its broad visible light absorption, earth abundance and high carrier mobility.
Structural convergence properties of amorphous InGaZnO4from simulated liquid-quench methods
Authors: Buchanan Jacob C. , Fast Dylan B. , Hanken Benjamin E. , Mustard Thomas J. L. , Laurita Geneva , Chiang Tsung-Han , Keszler Douglas A. , Subramanian Mas A. , Wager John F. , Dolgos Michelle R. , Rustad James R. , Cheong Paul Ha-Yeon
Published: October 2017

Fast, refined models of amorphous IGZO are made possible by new pair potentials, convergence tests and X-ray total scattering show.
The mixed-ligand strategy to assemble a microporous anionic metal–organic framework: Ln3+ post-functionalization, sensors and selective adsorption of dyes
Authors: Guo Mingming , Liu Sixu , Guo Huadong , Sun Yingying , Guo Xianmin , Deng Ruiping
Published: October 2017

A microporous anionic metal–organic framework has been synthesized, which can be used as potential sensor to organic molecules and selective adsorbent to dyes.
Recovered spinel MnCo2O4from spent lithium-ion batteries for enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution in alkaline medium
Authors: Natarajan Subramanian , Anantharaj S. , Tayade Rajesh J. , Bajaj Hari C. , Kundu Subrata
Published: October 2017

The recovery of spinel MnCo2O4from spent LIBs was achieved by a set of physical and chemical treatments, their employment for water oxidation in alkaline conditions was studied, and it was found that the recovered spinel MnCo2O4were more effective than recovered monometallic oxides.
Efficient orange-red electroluminescence of iridium complexes with 1-(2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-yl)isoquinoline and 4-(2,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-yl)quinazoline ligands
Authors: Han Hua-Bo , Cui Rong-Zhen , Lu Guang-Zhao , Wu Zheng-Guang , Zheng You-Xuan , Zhou Liang , Zhang Hongjie
Published: October 2017

Two iridium complexes were applied in OLEDs showing a maximum current efficiency of 59.09 cd A−1 with low efficiency roll-off.
Self-sustainable, high-power-density bio-solar cells for lab-on-a-chip applications
Authors: Liu Lin , Choi Seokheun
Published: October 2017

A microscale microfluidic biological solar cell can attain high electrical power and long-term operational capability, which will provide a practical and sustainable power supply for lab-on-a-chip applications.
MBE growth of Al/InAs and Nb/InAs superconducting hybrid nanowire structures
Authors: Güsken Nicholas A. , Rieger Torsten , Zellekens Patrick , Bennemann Benjamin , Neumann Elmar , Lepsa Mihail I. , Schäpers Thomas , Grützmacher Detlev
Published: October 2017

High-quality Al/InAs and Nb/InAs superconducting hybrid structure interfaces on catalyst free InAs nanowires.
A drug-self-gated and tumor microenvironment-responsive mesoporous silica vehicle: “four-in-one” versatile nanomedicine for targeted multidrug-resistant cancer therapy
Authors: Cheng Wei , Liang Chaoyu , Wang Xusheng , Tsai Hsiang-i , Liu Gan , Peng Yunmei , Nie Junpeng , Huang Laiqiang , Mei Lin , Zeng Xiaowei
Published: October 2017

A smart nanoplatform which co-delivers doxorubicin and P-gp siRNA exhibited an excellent synergistic effect for targeted multidrug-resistant cancer therapy.
Wafer-scale reliable switching memory based on 2-dimensional layered organic–inorganic halide perovskite
Authors: Seo Ja-Young , Choi Jaeho , Kim Huo-Seon , Kim Jaegyeom , Yang June-Mo , Cuhadar Can , Han Ji Su , Kim Seung-Joo , Lee Donghwa , Jang Ho Won , Park Nam-Gyu
Published: October 2017

2D halide perovskite is promising material for reliable waferscale resistive memory even working at high temperature of 87 °C.
Acetylenic scaffolding with subphthalocyanines – synthetic scope and elucidation of electronic interactions in dimeric structures
Authors: Gotfredsen Henrik , Broløs Line , Holmstrøm Thomas , Sørensen Jacob , Viñas Muñoz Alberto , Kilde Martin Drøhse , Skov Anders B. , Santella Marco , Hammerich Ole , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: October 2017

Acetylenic building blocks of the subphthalocyanine chromophore have been developed and employed for acetylenic scaffolding at axial and peripheral positions.
Flexible inorganic light emitting diodes based on semiconductor nanowires
Authors: Guan Nan , Dai Xing , Babichev Andrey V. , Julien François H. , Tchernycheva Maria
Published: October 2017

The fabrication technologies and the performance of flexible nanowire light emitting diodes (LEDs) are reviewed with a special focus on nitride materials.
De novo identification of lipid II binding lipopeptides with antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant bacteria
Authors: 't Hart Peter , Wood Thomas M. , Tehrani Kamaleddin Haj Mohammad Ebrahim , van Harten Roel M. , Śleszyńska Małgorzata , Rentero Rebollo Inmaculada , Hendrickx Antoni P. A. , Willems Rob J. L. , Breukink Eefjan , Martin Nathaniel I.
Published: October 2017

Lipid II binding lipopeptides discovered via bicyclic peptide phage display exhibit promising antibacterial activity.
Hydrodynamic interactions between a self-rotation rotator and passive particles
Authors: Ouyang Zhenyu , Lin Jian-Zhong , Ku Xiaoke
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we numerically investigate the hydrodynamic interaction between a self-rotation rotator and passive particles in a two-dimensional confined cavity at two typical Reynolds numbers according to the different flow features. Both the fluid-particle interaction and particle-particle interaction through fluid media are taken into consideration. The results show that from the case of a rotator and one passive particle to the case of a rotator and two passive particles, the system becomes much more complex because the relative displacement between the rotator and the passive particles and the velocity of passive particles are strongly dependent on the Reynolds number and the initial position of passive particles. For the system of two particles, the passive particle gradually departs from the rotator although its relative displacement to the rotator exhibits a periodic oscillation at the lower Reynolds number. Furthermore, the relative distance between the two particles and the rotator’s rotational frequency are responsible for the oscillation amplitude and frequency of the passive particle’s velocity. For the system of three particles, the passive particle’s velocities exhibit a superposition of a large amplitude oscillation and a small amplitude oscillation at the lower Reynolds number, and the large amplitude oscillation will disappear at the higher Reynolds number. The change of the included angle of the two passive particles is dependent on the initial positions of the passive particles at the lower Reynolds number, whereas the included angle of the two passive particles finally approaches a fixed value at the higher Reynolds number. It is interesting that the two passive particles periodically approach and depart from each other when the included angle is not equal to π, while all the three particles (including the rotator) keep the positions in a straight line when the included angle is equal to π because the interference between two passive particles disappears. In addition, the passive particle rotates not only around the rotator but also around its own axis, and the rotation speed of the former is far greater than that of the latter.
New neuro-fuzzy system-based holey polymer fibers drawing process
Authors: Mohammed Salim Omar Nameer
Published: October 2017

Furnace temperature (T), draw tension (TE), and draw ratio (Dr) are the main parameters that could directly affect holey polymer fiber (HPF) production during the drawing stage. Therefore, a suitable mechanism to control (T), (TE), and (Dr) is required to enhance the HPF production process. The conventional approaches, such as observation and tuning technique, experience many difficulties in realizing the accurate values of (T), (TE), and (Dr) in addition to being expensive and time consuming. Therefore, an artificial intelligence model using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy system (ANFIS) method is proposed as an effective solution to achieve an accurate value of the main parameters that affect HPF drawing. Three ANFIS models are developed and tested to determine which one has the best performance for emulating the operation of HPF drawing tower. The ANFIS model with a gbell MF provides a better performance than Gaussian MF ANFIS model and triangular MF ANFIS model in terms of lower mean absolute error and mean square error. Furthermore, the proposed gbell MF model achieved the highest Q–Q response, which indicates the excellent performance of this model.
Doping process of p-type GaN nanowires: A first principle study
Authors: Xia Sihao , Liu Lei , Diao Yu , Feng Shu
Published: October 2017

The process of p-type doping for GaN nanowires is investigated using calculations starting from first principles. The influence of different doping elements, sites, types, and concentrations is discussed. Results suggest that Mg is an optimal dopant when compared to Be and Zn due to its stronger stability, whereas Be atoms are more inclined to exist in the interspace of a nanowire. Interstitially-doped GaN nanowires show notable n-type conductivity, and thus, Be is not a suitable dopant, which is to be expected since systems with inner substitutional dopants are more favorable than those with surface substitutions. Both interstitial and substitutional doping affect the atomic structure near dopants and induce charge transfer between the dopants and adjacent atoms. By altering doping sites and concentrations, nanowire atomic structures remain nearly constant. Substitutional doping models show p-type conductivity, and Mg-doped nanowires with doping concentrations of 4% showing the strongest p-type conductivity. All doping configurations are direct bandgap semiconductors. This study is expected to direct the preparation of high-quality GaN nanowires.
The pros and cons of GM crops
Authors: Thomson Jennifer A.
Published: October 2017

The year 2015 marked the 20th year of the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) crops. During the period from 1996 to 2014, the global hectarage of these crops increased 100-fold, making it the fastest adopted crop technology in recent times. The overall economic gains from these crops have been estimated to be USD133.4 billion over the period from 1996 to 2013, and have been divided roughly 50% each to farmers in developed and developing countries. The environmental benefits include contributing to the practice of minimal till agriculture and a decrease in the use of pesticides. But what are the downsides of this technology? In this review I look at some of the problems related to weeds becoming resistant to glyphosate (the main ingredient that is used on herbicide tolerant crops), how these can be overcome and whether glyphosate can cause cancer. I also discuss the problem of insects becoming resistant to the toxins that are used in insect resistant crops and how these are being addressed. I look at what scientists around the world are saying on this topic and then consider GM crops that are in the pipeline of benefit to developing countries and whether any of these are likely to be commercialised in the foreseeable future.
Effects of 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on Aβ processing in human neuroblastoma and mouse hippocampal neuronal cells
Authors: Park Jeongyeon , Kwon Jong Hwa , Kim Nam , Song Kiwon
Published: October 2017

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive loss of memory and other cognitive functions. One of the well-known pathological markers of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein (Aβ), and its plaques, in the brain. Recent studies using Tg-5XFAD mice as a model of AD have reported that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) from cellular phones reduced Aβ plaques in the brain and showed beneficial effects on AD. In this study, we examined whether exposure to 1950 MHz RF-EMF affects Aβ processing in neural cells. We exposed HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells to RF-EMF (SAR 6 W/kg) for 2 h per day for 3 days, and analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of the key genes related to Aβ processing. When exposed to RF-EMF, mRNA levels of APP, BACE1, ADAM10 and PSEN1 were decreased in HT22, but the mRNA level of APP was not changed in SH-SY5Y cells. The protein expression of APP and BACE1, as well as the secreted Aβ peptide, was not significantly different between RF-EMF–exposed 7w-PSML, HT22 and SH-SY5Y cells and the unexposed controls. These observations suggest that RF-EMF exposure may not have a significant physiological effect on Aβ processing of neural cells in the short term. However, considering that we only exposed HT22 and SH-SY5Y cells to RF-EMF for 2 h per day for 3 days, we cannot exclude the possibility that 1950 MHz RF-EMF induces physiological change in Aβ processing with long-term and continuous exposure.
On Backreaction in Newtonian cosmology
Authors: Buchert Thomas
Published: October 2017

We clarify that a result recently stated by Kaiser is contained in a theorem of Buchert and Ehlers that is widely known for its main result: that there is no global kinematical backreaction in Newtonian cosmology. Kaiser cites this paper, re-derives parts of the theorem, but incompletely restates its content. He makes further claims, which cannot be proven beyond the limited context of Newtonian cosmology. We also discuss recent papers of Rácz et al. and Roukema, who claim the existence of global backreaction within the Newtonian framework.
Descemet Membrane Endothelial Transfer: Ultimate Outcome
Authors: Birbal Rénuka S. , Parker Jack , Dirisamer Martin , Janićijević Ana , Baydoun Lamis , Dapena Isabel , Melles Gerrit R. J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcome of 16 eyes undergoing Descemet membrane endothelial transfer (DMET).

Methods:

In this retrospective cohort study, a consecutive series of 16 eyes from 16 patients was evaluated after subtotal detachment of the Descemet graft after a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty procedure (n = 8) or intended DMET (n = 8) for either Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (n = 10) or bullous keratopathy (BK; n = 6).

Results:

All 8 Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty procedures were complicated by subtotal detachment of the donor graft. The remaining 8 eyes that underwent a DMET procedure were uneventful and no postoperative complications occurred, except 1 eye with BK that experienced a postoperative wound leak. Throughout all postoperative time points, the partially attached status of all Descemet grafts was maintained. Although all eyes operated on for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy showed initial central corneal clearance, no eye operated for BK demonstrated any degree of corneal deturgescence. Ultimately, all 16 corneas decompensated and 15 of the 16 patients elected retransplantation, while 1 patient declined further surgery for health reasons. Retransplantation was performed on average 10.3 (±7.4) months (range, 3–31 mo) postoperatively.

Conclusions:

Ultimately, regardless of the etiology of endothelial dysfunction, DMET fails to provide satisfactory results in the long term; durable corneal clearance may therefore require the presence of a nearly completely attached Descemet graft.
Zika Virus
Authors: Blanco Ashley , Chen Lei
Published: October 2017

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne Flavivirus. It has emerged as an important infectious agent in the recent past, mainly because of its teratogenic effects on the fetus. This review highlights the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this emerging infection.
Drying characteristics and quality evaluation of dehydrated catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Authors: Otolowo Dupe Temilade , Olapade Abiodun Adekunle , Oladele Samouel Olugbenga , Egbuna Felix
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Fresh catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is highly perishable. This paper aims to investigate the drying characteristics and quality of body-mass dehydrated catfish to determine the effective dehydration parameters for preservation.

Design/methodology/approach

Brine concentration (3-9 per cent), brining time (30-90 min) and drying temperature (90-130°C) interacted using the response surface methodology. Preliminary experiments were conducted to select treatments. Moisture content and ratio and drying rate were determined and fitted into five thin-layer drying models; the goodness of fit was evaluated by average grade ranking of the regression parameters. Proximate compositions and microbial load of dehydrated catfish were determined using standard methods.

Findings

Treatments with 110°C gave initial higher drying rate (0.034-0.043 kg H2O/kg solid/h) and shorter drying time (20-21 h). Drying occurred at two falling rate periods. Midilli model ranked first in fitting the drying data. It explained up to 99.6-99.7 per cent of the total variations in the independent variables with low values of error terms; RMSE was 0.02131-0.01794 and χ2 was 0.00037-0.00043, indicating good predictive quality. Processing parameters positively and significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the proximate compositions of dehydrated catfish. Treatment: 6 per cent brine, 90 min and 110°C presented the most effective dehydration parameters for quality preservation of body-mass catfish.

Practical implications

The dehydration technique used in this study could enhance nutritive quality and storage stability of body-mass dehydrated catfish that could serve as a useful and convenient tool for commercial application.

Social implications

Hygienically processed dehydrated catfish of good quality could be used as a source of nutrients to ameliorate malnutrition and reduce post-harvest losses of catfish.

Originality/value

The effective processing parameters established is an important step to harness the high nutrients and economic values embedded in catfish.
Using enterprise social networks as a knowledge management tool in higher education
Authors: Corcoran Niall , Duane Aidan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The management of organisational knowledge and the promotion of staff knowledge sharing are largely neglected in higher education institutions. The purpose of this study is to examine how enterprise social networks can enable staff knowledge sharing in communities of practice in that context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is framed as an Action Research project, covering three cycles over a 12-month period. During the Diagnosing phase, a conceptual model was developed for empirical testing. Data were collected through 30 semi-structured interviews and a number of focus groups. This was supplemented by content analysis and reflective journaling.

Findings

The findings support the conceptual model and provide insight into the antecedents necessary for the creation of an enterprise social network-enabled knowledge-sharing environment, the motivators for and barriers to participation, and the perceived organisational and individual benefits of increased staff knowledge-sharing activity.

Research limitations/implications

As the study has a higher education focus, all of the findings may not be generalizable to other types of organisation. Further development of the conceptual model and testing in other contextual settings will yield greater generalizability.

Practical implications

A number of findings have practical implications for the management of higher education institutions, such as the evidence of a divide between faculty and other staff. In general, the study findings provide an opportunity for educationalists to better understand the scope and impact of employing social media platforms for knowledge sharing.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the growing body of work on organisational implementations of social media, and should be of interest to practitioners and researchers undertaking similar projects.
A plasmid‐borne Rap‐Phr system regulates sporulation of Bacillus thuringiensis in insect larvae
Authors: Fazion Fernanda , Perchat Stéphane , Buisson Christophe , Vilas‐Bôas Gislayne , Lereclus Didier
Published: October 2017

The entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis species harbours numerous plasmids essentially studied for their involvement in pathogenicity, as Cry‐plasmids. The life cycle of B. thuringiensis in the insect host is regulated by the sequential activation of quorum sensing systems to kill, survive and sporulate. In this study, we characterize a new quorum sensing system belonging to the Rap‐Phr family. The Rap8‐Phr8 system is borne by the pHT8_1 plasmid, a small cryptic plasmid from the B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD73 strain. Our results demonstrate that the Rap8 protein inhibits sporulation and biofilm formation through the Spo0A pathway. The Rap8 activity is inhibited by the mature Phr8 heptapeptide YAHGKDI. The key residues specific for the Rap phosphatase activity are conserved in Rap8 suggesting a common mode of action. Interestingly, we show that the Rap8‐Phr8 system is specifically required for regulating sporulation of B. thuringiensis in insect larvae. This system may allow the bacteria to exert a tight control of the sporulation process in the host cadaver for optimizing the multiplication, the survival and the dissemination of the bacteria. Thus, our results suggest that pHT8_1 provides advantages for adaptation and evolution of B. thuringiensis in its ecological niche.
The Association of Health Reform and Infant Health: Evidence from Massachusetts
Authors: Boudreaux Michel H. , Dagher Rada K. , Lorch Scott A.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To estimate whether the incidence of low birthweight and rates of infant mortality were associated with Massachusetts health reform in the overall population and for subgroups that are at higher risk for poor health outcomes.

Data Sources

Individual‐level data on birthweight were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics detailed natality files, and aggregated county‐level mortality rates were generated from linked birth–death files. We used restricted versions of each file that had intact state and substate geographic identifiers.

Research Design

We employed a quasi‐experimental difference‐in‐differences design.

Principal Results

We found small and statistically nonsignificant associations between the reform and the incidence of low birthweight and infant mortality rates. Results were consistent across a number of subgroups and were robust to alternative comparison groups and alternative modeling assumptions.

Conclusions

We found no evidence that the Massachusetts reform was associated with improvements in individual low birthweights or county‐level infant mortality rates, despite increasing health insurance coverage rates for adult women of child‐bearing age. Because our mortality analysis was ecological, we are not able to draw conclusions about how an individual‐level health insurance intervention for uninsured pregnant women would affect the mortality outcomes of their infants.
The induction of cashmere shedding via cyclophosphamide injection
Authors: Chen Qian , Cong Yu‐yan , Li Xue‐jian , Zhang Rui‐yang
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide (CPA) on cashmere shedding in cashmere goats. Thirty‐two castrated Liaoning cashmere goats were randomly allotted to four groups, with eight replicates in each group. The four groups were injected intravenously with CPA doses of 0, 15, 20 and 25 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Feed intake, body weight, body temperature, and sphygmus were recorded and the erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, hemoglobin content, and cashmere yield and length were determined. CPA has no significant effect on feed intake, body weight, body temperature, or sphygmus of cashmere goats. It was found that CPA significantly decreased the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content in cashmere goats on the days immediately following injection, but the effects on erythrocytes diminished within 6 days, with hemoglobin content returning to normal within 10 days. Cashmere fiber began to shed on about day 10 after injection with CPA. CPA had no significant effect on cashmere length but significantly increased cashmere yield. The results indicate that CPA can induce cashmere shedding and achieve the purpose of concentrated defleecing. A dose of 20 mg/kg body weight is preferable for hair removal and regrowth in cashmere goats.
Chronic treatment with novel nanoformulated micelles of rapamycin, Rapatar, protects diabetic heart against ischaemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Samidurai Arun , Salloum Fadi N , Durrant David , Chernova Olga B , Kukreja Rakesh C , Das Anindita
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose

Enhanced mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes and plays a critical role in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Rapatar is a novel nanoformulated micellar of rapamycin, a putative inhibitor of mTOR that has been rationally designed to increase water solubility of rapamycin to facilitate p.o. administration and enhance bioavailability. We examined the effect of Rapatar on the metabolic status and protection against myocardial I/R injury in type 2 diabetic mice.

Experimental Approach

Adult male db/db mice were treated daily for 10 weeks with Rapatar (0.75 mg·kg−1·day−1, p.o.) or vehicle. Isolated hearts were connected to a Langendorff perfusion system and subjected to global ischaemia (30 min) and reperfusion (1 h).

Key Results

Rapatar reduced fasting plasma glucose and triglyceride levels, prevented the gain in body weight and also improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in db/db mice compared with control. Cardiac function was improved following Rapatar treatment in db/db mice. Myocardial infarct size was reduced in Rapatar‐treated mice with improved post‐ischaemic rate–force product. Western blot analyses demonstrated a significant inhibition of phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (downstream target of mTORC1), but not Akt (Ser473, target of mTORC2) following chronic treatment with Rapatar. Rapatar also induced phosphorylation of AMPK, STAT3, ERK1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase 3β, without interfering with phosphorylation of p38.

Conclusion and implications

Our studies indicate that chronic treatment with Rapatar improves metabolic status and cardiac function with a reduction of infarct size following myocardial I/R injury in diabetic mice.
Link between embryonic stem cell pluripotency and homologous allelic pairing of Oct4 loci
Authors: Asaka Masamitsu N. , Uranishi Kousuke , Suzuki Ayumu , Hirasaki Masataka , Nishimoto Masazumi , Okuda Akihiko
Published: October 2017

The Oct4 gene is a master regulator of the pluripotent properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Recently, Oct4 loci were shown to frequently localize in close proximity to one another during the early stage of cellular differentiation, implicating this event as an important prerequisite step for ESCs to exert their full differentiation potential. Although the differentiation capacity of embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs), such as F9 and P19 ECC lines, is severely restricted compared with ESCs, ECCs bear a highly similar expression profile to that of ESCs including expression of Oct4 and other pluripotency marker genes. Therefore, we examined whether allelic pairing of Oct4 loci also occurs during differentiation of F9 and P19 ECCs. Our data clearly demonstrate that this event is only observed within ESCs, but not ECCs, subjected to induction of differentiation, indicating transient allelic pairing of Oct4 loci as a specific feature of pluripotent ESCs. Moreover, our data revealed that this pairing did not occur broadly across chromosome 17, which carries the Oct4 gene, but occurred locally between Oct4 loci, suggesting that Oct4 loci somehow exert a driving force for their allelic pairing.
Congenital anomalies and the severity of impairments for cerebral palsy
Authors: Jystad Kjersti P , Strand Kristin M , Bjellmo Solveig , Lydersen Stian , Klungsöyr KARI , Stoknes Magne , Skranes Jon , Andersen Guro L , Vik Torstein
Published: October 2017

Aim

To study the prevalence of congenital anomalies among children with cerebral palsy (CP) born at term or late preterm, and if CP subtypes and clinical manifestations differ between children with and without congenital anomalies.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional study using data from the Cerebral Palsy Register of Norway and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. All children with congenital CP born at and later than 34 weeks’ gestation in Norway from 1999 to 2009 were included. Anomalies were classified according to the European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies classification guidelines. Groups were compared using Fisher's exact test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Among 685 children with CP, 169 (25%) had a congenital anomaly; 125 within the central nervous system. Spastic bilateral CP was more prevalent in children with anomalies (42%) than in children without (34%; p=0.011). Children with anomalies less frequently had low Apgar scores (p<0.001), but more often had severe limitations in gross‐ and fine‐motor function, speech impairments, epilepsy, severe vision, and hearing impairments than children without anomalies (p<0.03).

Interpretation

Although children with CP and anomalies had low Apgar scores less frequently, they had more severe limitations in motor function and more associated problems than children with CP without anomalies.

What this paper adds

One in four children with cerebral palsy (CP) born at term or late preterm has a congenital anomaly.

The added value of neuroimaging to detect central nervous system anomalies in children with CP.

Children with anomalies have more severe motor impairments.

More severe clinical manifestations are not explained by perinatal complications as indicated by low Apgar scores.
Sickness and disability policies: Reform paths in OECD countries between 1990 and 2014
Authors: Böheim René , Leoni Thomas
Published: October 2017

We analysed sickness and disability policies for the working‐age population in a number of OECD countries, between the years 1990 and 2014. Existing evidence suggests that there has been a broad shift in focus from passive income maintenance to employment incentives and reintegration policies. We have updated detailed policy scores provided by the OECD to estimate model‐based country clusters. Our results indicate that countries have pursued different types of reforms consisting of a combination of integration and compensation measures. The reforms of recent decades have led to the emergence of a distinct cluster of Northern and Continental European countries characterised by a combination of strong employment‐oriented policies and comparatively high social protection levels. An analysis of recent reforms shows a continued expansion of measures that foster employment as well as instances of retrenchment in the compensation dimension. Diversity of policy settings across country groups, however, remains substantial.
Type 2 diabetes in young adults in Central Auckland: demography and complications
Authors: Beig Junaid , Khanolkar Manish , Cundy Tim
Published: October 2017

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in young adults is associated with a high risk of diabetes complications.

Aims

To investigated the demography and the emergence of complications of young adults with T2D in the central Auckland region where there has been substantial immigration.

Methods

In total, 310 young adults with T2D (<40 years) were registered with the Auckland Diabetes Centre in 2015. We documented demographic, anthropometric and metabolic variables and prevalence and the emergence of complications.

Results

Three demographic groups accounted for 243 participants (78%): 135 (44%) were migrants of Asian or Pacific Island origin, diagnosed a median 9 years after migration at a mean age of 28 ± 6 years; 88 (29%) were New Zealand‐born Pāsifika descent, with a high prevalence of morbid obesity and 37 (12%) had major mental illness or intellectual disability. At diagnosis, the median HbA1c was 80 mmol/mol, and in 28%, it was ≥100 mmol/mol. A median 6 years after diagnosis, 56% had some degree of retinopathy, with the prevalence related both to the duration of diabetes and glycaemic control (P = 0.001). Forty‐four percent of subjects had abnormal albuminuria at diagnosis (12% with macroalbuminuria). Increased albuminuria was strongly associated with obesity (P = 0.002). The development of CKD stages 4–5 was related both to the severity of retinopathy and degree of albuminuria at diagnosis (P = 0.0001). Major cardiovascular events were related to the severity of retinopathy at diagnosis (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

New migrants, New Zealand‐born Pāsifika and patients with mental illness or an intellectual disability comprise the bulk of young onset T2D. The disease is aggressive, and by the age of 40, patients are already developing advanced complications.
Epidemiology of non‐typhoid Salmonella infection in the Australian Capital Territory over a 10‐year period
Authors: Wilson Heather L. , Kennedy Karina J. , Moffatt Cameron R. M.
Published: October 2017

Aim

To describe the epidemiology of non‐typhoid Salmonella (NTS) infection in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), including factors associated with hospitalisation.

Methods

This was a retrospective descriptive and observational study of culture‐confirmed NTS infections using data collected from ACT public health, public pathology and hospital services in the period 2003–2012. Outcome measures include incidence and NTS serotype for total reported and hospitalised cases and focus of infection, complications and antibiotic susceptibility for hospitalised cases.

Results

In total, 1469 cases of NTS infection were reported, with the crude annual incidence increasing from 24.4 to 61.3 cases per 100 000 population; 14% were hospitalised, representing an incidence of 5.9 hospitalisations per 100 000 population, without significant change over time. Hospitalisation incidence peaked at the extremes of age. Comorbid disease and age ≥ 80 years were associated with complications during hospitalisation. Salmonella serotype Typhimurium was the most common serotype, accounting for 64% of NTS. Independent risk factors for invasive disease included non‐S. Typhimurium serotype (aRR 5.46, 95%CI 1.69–17.65 P = 0.005), ischaemic heart disease (aRR 4.18, 95%CI 1.20–14.60 P = 0.025) and haematological malignancy (aRR 6.93, 95%CI 2.54–18.94 P < 0.001). Among hospitalised patients, resistance to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole and quinolones was 9.9%, 0%, 4.4% and 2.5% respectively.

Conclusions

NTS notifications in the ACT have increased over time, with outbreaks of food‐borne disease contributing to this increase. Crude age‐specific incidence is highest in the very young, while rates of hospitalisation are highest in the elderly. Comorbid disease and infection with a non‐S. Typhimurium serotype were associated with complicated NTS disease course. Antimicrobial resistance in NTS is low and has not increased over time.