bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urbanization and English Romantic Poetry
Authors: Tedeschi Stephen
Published: September 2017

Through an incisive analysis of the emerging debates surrounding urbanization in the Romantic period, together with close readings of poets including William Blake, William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Stephen Tedeschi explores the notion that the Romantic poets criticized the historical form that the process of urbanization had taken, rather than urbanization itself. The works of the Romantic poets are popularly considered in a rural context and often understood as hostile to urbanization - one of the most profound social transformations of the era. By focusing on the urban aspects of such writing Tedeschi re-orientates the relationship between urbanization and English Romantic poetry to deliver a study that discovers how the Romantic poets examined not only the influence of urbanization on poetry but also how poetry might help to reshape the form that urbanization could take.
Sovereignty, International Law, and the French Revolution
Authors: Kolla Edward James
Published: September 2017

The advent of the principle of popular sovereignty during the French Revolution inspired an unintended but momentous change in international law. Edward James Kolla explains that between 1789 and 1799, the idea that peoples ought to determine their fates in international affairs, just as they were taking power domestically in France, inspired a series of new and interconnected claims to territory. Drawing on case studies from Avignon, Belgium, the Rhineland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy, Kolla traces how French revolutionary diplomats and leaders gradually applied principles derived from new domestic political philosophy and law to the international stage. Instead of obtaining land via dynastic inheritance or conquest in war, the will of the people would now determine the title and status of territory. However, the principle of popular sovereignty also opened up new justifications for aggressive conquest, and this history foreshadowed some of the most controversial questions in international relations today.
ON THE COMPOUND POISSON RISK MODEL WITH PERIODIC CAPITAL INJECTIONS
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Cheung Eric C.K. , Yang Hailiang
Published: September 2017

The analysis of capital injection strategy in the literature of insurance risk models (e.g. Pafumi, 1998; Dickson and Waters, 2004) typically assumes that whenever the surplus becomes negative, the amount of shortfall is injected so that the company can continue its business forever. Recently, Nie et al. (2011) has proposed an alternative model in which capital is immediately injected to restore the surplus level to a positive level b when the surplus falls between zero and b, and the insurer is still subject to a positive ruin probability. Inspired by the idea of randomized observations in Albrecher et al. (2011b), in this paper, we further generalize Nie et al. (2011)'s model by assuming that capital injections are only allowed at a sequence of time points with inter-capital-injection times being Erlang distributed (so that deterministic time intervals can be approximated using the Erlangization technique in Asmussen et al. (2002)). When the claim amount is distributed as a combination of exponentials, explicit formulas for the Gerber–Shiu expected discounted penalty function (Gerber and Shiu, 1998) and the expected total discounted cost of capital injections before ruin are obtained. The derivations rely on a resolvent density associated with an Erlang random variable, which is shown to admit an explicit expression that is of independent interest as well. We shall provide numerical examples, including an application in pricing a perpetual reinsurance contract that makes the capital injections and demonstration of how to minimize the ruin probability via reinsurance. Minimization of the expected discounted capital injections plus a penalty applied at ruin with respect to the frequency of injections and the critical level b will also be illustrated numerically.
Massive Migrations? The Impact of Recent aDNA Studies on our View of Third Millennium Europe
Authors: Furholt Martin
Published: September 2017

New human aDNA studies have once again brought to the forefront the role of mobility and migration in shaping social phenomena in European prehistory, processes that recent theoretical frameworks in archaeology have downplayed as an outdated explanatory notion linked to traditional culture history. While these new genetic data have provided new insights into the population history of prehistoric Europe, they are frequently interpreted and presented in a manner that recalls aspects of traditional culture-historical archaeology that were rightly criticized through the 1970s to the 1990s. They include the idea that shared material culture indicates shared participation in the same social group, or culture, and that these cultures constitute one-dimensional, homogeneous, and clearly bounded social entities. Since the new aDNA data are used to create vivid narratives describing ‘massive migrations’, the so-called cultural groups are once again likened to human populations and in turn revitalized as external drivers for socio-cultural change. Here, I argue for a more nuanced consideration of molecular data that more explicitly incorporates anthropologically informed mobility and migration models.
Recurrence, rigidity, and popular differences
Authors: GRIESMER JOHN T.
Published: September 2017

We construct a set of integers$S$such that every translate of$S$is a set of recurrence and a set of rigidity for a weak mixing measure preserving system. Here ‘set of rigidity’ means that enumerating$S$as$(s_{n})_{n\in \mathbb{N}}$produces a rigidity sequence. This construction generalizes or strengthens results of Katznelson, Saeki (on equidistribution and the Bohr topology), Forrest (on sets of recurrence and strong recurrence), and Fayad and Kanigowski (on rigidity sequences). The construction also provides a density analogue of Julia Wolf’s results on popular differences in finite abelian groups.
Large-Scale Chemical Control of Smooth Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) in Willapa Bay, WA: Towards Eradication and Ecological Restoration
Authors: Patten Kim , O’Casey Carol , Metzger Chase
Published: September 2017

The grass species Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) is an invasive ecosystem engineer with serious ecological consequences to intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes. The largest infestation in North America was in Willapa Bay, WA, where it occupied ~3,600 solid ha, covering ~27,000 ha of intertidal habitat. An extensive effort by land managers to eradicate S. alterniflora has been in place for over two decades. This article discusses (1) the success of the control and issues that will need to be resolved in order to achieve eradication; (2) post-control succession of affected tidelands to native marsh species, and (3) the impact that S. alterniflora removal has had on shorebird usage of affected tidelands.
Herbivory by Biological Control Agents Improves Herbicidal Control of Waterhyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
Authors: Tipping Philip W. , Gettys Lyn A. , Minteer Carey R. , Foley Jeremiah R. , Sardes Samantha N.
Published: September 2017

Classical biological control of waterhyacinth is difficult to evaluate against the backdrop of active herbicide programs. Two experiments evaluated the additive impact of herbivory by two biological control agents with three different rates of 2,4-D on waterhyacinth growth and development in outdoor concrete mesocosms. The herbicide 2,4-D was applied at three rates: (1) control (no herbicide), (2) reduced (2.1 kg ai ha−1), and (3) operational (4.3 kg ai ha−1). Biomass of waterhyacinth populations was reduced by 16.9% by biological control only, 10.5% by the reduced rate of herbicide alone, 44.6% by the operational rate, and 97.3% and 99.9% by the combination of biological control and the reduced and operational rates of herbicides, respectively. These results quantified the relative contributions of both tactics to waterhyacinth management and posit the question of whether further reductions in 2,4-D rates are possible without sacrificing efficacy.
Understandings and Experiences of Bullying: Impact on Students on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Saggers Beth , Campbell Marilyn , Dillon-Wallace Julie , Ashburner Jill , Hwang Yoon-Suk , Carrington Suzanne , Tones Megan
Published: September 2017

In this qualitative study, we explored the perspectives of 10 adolescents with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their experiences of bullying. Through individual semistructured interviews, they were asked to describe their understandings and experiences of bullying. Details of their experiences are described as well as the perceived impact on the students and their schooling. Data analysis revealed a number of common experiences including high rates of traditional bullying and more specifically verbal bullying, with fewer incidents of cyberbullying reported. In support of literature in the area, the results of the study indicate that bullying can be a significant inhibitor, which may prevent students with ASD from taking full advantage of their schooling. Listening to and reflecting on the voices and personal stories of adolescent students with ASD is critically important for developing more supportive approaches to their education and needs. The reports of bullying by students on the autism spectrum emphasises the need for more effective interventions and management strategies to be implemented in a whole-school approach as well as targeted strategies to prevent bullying experiences for this particular population of students.
A race against time: monitoring the necropolis and the territory of Cyrene and Giarabub through protocols of remote sensing and collaboration with Libyan colleagues
Authors: Menozzi Oliva , Di Valerio Eugenio , Tamburrino Clara , Shariff Abdulrahim Saleh , d'Ercole Vincenzo , Di Antonio Maria Giorgia
Published: September 2017

The core area of Cyrene, despite recent upheavals, benefits from well-managed controls and fences that so far seem to have stopped the looting, although not the vandalism. These fences act mainly as a psychological barrier; for the local people, everything inside the fences is seen as ‘more important’ than what is outside. However, it is impossible to enclose all the monumental tombs, rock-cut sanctuaries and ancient farms and fortifications. The first type of damage we see is due to looting, which is increasing, and acts of vandalism. The lack of regulation and police control as well as increased urbanisation have caused a lot of uncontrolled building, causing the further destruction of large sections of the necropolis. A second type of damage is due to the lack of maintenance. In order to help restore the sites, the Universities of Urbino, Chieti, Roma 3, Naples 2 and the Mission of the MIBACT at Giarabub, in collaboration with the DoA, have organised courses on ‘Rescue restoration in emergency’. Despite the growing number of inspectors and technicians in Cyrene, there are still not enough archaeologists, guards or restorers. This paper explains these general issues and, as a case study, the remote but important area of Giarabub.
THE THEOREM FOR ORDERED GROUPS
Authors: PANDEY PREM PRAKASH
Published: September 2017

Recently, Freiman et al. [‘Small doubling in ordered groups’, J. Aust. Math. Soc. 96(3) (2014), 316–325] proved two ‘structure theorems’ for ordered groups. We give elementary proofs of these two theorems.
Path-Dependence and the Challenges of Institutional Adaptability: The Case of the Niagara Region in Canada
Authors: Conteh Charles , Panter Diana
Published: September 2017

The paper uses the concept of path dependence to explain the challenges and complexities of institutional adaptation at the subnational level. The notion of path dependence is rooted in the well-established research tradition of historical institutionalism, one of the variants of neoinstitutionalism. The academic literature on the new institutionalism, however, has tended to focus on the national level of analysis. But there is a growing recognition of cities and regions as the main engines of socioeconomic change in the current age of seismic global economic perturbation. Their historic and current significance has thus made them arguably more organic units of governance than modern states or supranational regimes. The discussion focuses on the Niagara region in Canada to illustrate the institutional infrastructure of governance underpinning the economic landscape of city-regions and the challenges of reform that such local regions face in an age of unprecedented global socioeconomic change.
A Tradition Co-opted: Participatory Development and Authoritarian Rule in Sudan
Authors: Mahé Anne-Laure
Published: September 2017

The concept of participation is a cornerstone of development and democracy discourses, but studies on participatory development rarely examine the political regimes those policies are embedded in. Yet, in authoritarian contexts, participation is ambiguous, potentially threatening—as it can be connected to democratic ideals—and it also can be used as a resource, a tool for domination. Through an analysis of participatory development projects implemented in Sudan, I explore how power relations are renegotiated at the local level. Relying on data collected during fieldwork in Khartoum and the state of North Kordofan, where the projects are located, I highlight the disconnect between the discourse surrounding the participatory devices, which establishes an horizontal relationship between citizens and the local government, and the actual practices that strengthen the latter's power. In doing so, the article challenges a linear, top-down conception of authoritarian power and reveals the tensions that exist between institutional levels.
Sub-committees of the IPA Council
Authors: Keating Patricia A.
Published: September 2017

The Council of the IPA is establishing committees that will take on some of the tasks of running the Association, and will allow us to expand the kinds of projects that we can undertake.
Toward a model of multiple paths to language learning: Response to commentaries
Authors: PIERCE LARA J. , GENESEE FRED , DELCENSERIE AUDREY , MORGAN GARY
Published: September 2017

Language learning, while seemingly effortless for young learners, is a complex process involving many interacting pieces, both within the child and in their language-learning environments, which can result in unique language learning trajectories and outcomes. How does the brain adjust to or accommodate the myriad variations that occur during this developmental process. How does it adapt and change over time? In our review, we proposed that the timing, quantity, and quality of children's early language experiences, particularly during an early sensitive period for the acquisition of phonology, shape the establishment of neural phonological representations that are used to establish and support phonological working memory (PWM). The efficiency of the PWM system in turn, we argued, influences the acquisition and processing of more complex aspects of language. In brief, we proposed that experience modulates later language outcomes through its early effects on PWM. We supported this claim by reviewing research from several unique groups of language learners who experience delayed exposure to language (children with cochlear implants [CI] or internationally adopted [IA] children, and children with either impoverished [signing deaf children with hearing parents)] or enriched [bilingual] early language experiences). By comparing PWM and language outcomes in these groups, we sought to highlight general patterns in language development that emerge based on variation in early language exposure. Moving forward, we also proposed that the language acquisition patterns in these groups, and others, can be used to understand how variability in early language input might affect the neural systems supporting language development and how this might affect language learning itself.
Ageing and the Body in Archaeology
Authors: Appleby Jo
Published: September 2017

The old are rarely the focus of research in archaeology. Older skeletonized bodies are hard to give a chronological age, and this seems to justify the lack of research focus. In this paper I argue that the old are not naturally invisible to archaeologists, but have been made so by a focus on chronology at the expense of the bodily and by our ambivalence towards the ageing process. I suggest that, rather than applying numbers to skeletons, we should focus our research on understanding the ageing of the body itself in archaeological contexts, and the relationships between processes of continuity and processes of decline. This is achieved through analysis of four aspects of embodied ageing: changes in appearance; in bodily function; in age-related disease; and in skill. The ageing body is not invisible: it is present, variable and a rich resource for future archaeological analyses.
Model structures on categories of models of type theories
Authors: ISAEV VALERY
Published: September 2017

Models of dependent type theories are contextual categories with some additional structure. We prove that if a theory T has enough structure, then the category T-Mod of its models carries the structure of a model category. We also show that if T has Σ-types, then weak equivalences can be characterized in terms of homotopy categories of models.
Gender and Race in Congressional National News Media Appearances in 2008
Authors: Lucas Jennifer C.
Published: September 2017

Media coverage of women and black members of Congress and presidential candidates often relies on gender and racial stereotypes, providing distorted coverage of these members and their agendas. This study analyzes national news media appearances of House members discussing the 2008 presidential election to examine whether the increased salience of race and gender due to the presence of nonwhite male presidential and vice presidential candidates resulted in greater media visibility for female and black representatives. Female and black House members, particularly those Democrats who endorsed a candidate, appeared in the media more often in 2008, driven by the media's interest in connecting their gender and racial identities to evaluations of Clinton, Palin, and Obama. With the national media's attention drawn to conflict, members with perceived conflicts among their intersectional identities drew greater media attention, especially Republican and black women. Overall, the media rendered black and female members as mainly surrogate representatives for black and women voters. The results suggest that black and female sources may secure national media exposure through the strategic use of their perceived raced-gendered expertise but at the risk of reinforcing stereotypes, and female or minority presidential candidates may influence the visibility of these members to voters.
Moving Beyond Measurement: Adapting Audit Studies to Test Bias-Reducing Interventions
Authors: Butler Daniel M. , Crabtree Charles
Published: September 2017

This paper discusses how audit studies can be adapted to test the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing discrimination. We conducted an adapted audit experiment to test whether making officials aware of bias could reduce levels of racial bias. While the limitations of our design make it difficult to assess where information alone can reduce bias, our study makes two important contributions. First, we replicate prior studies by showing that white, local elected officials are less responsive to black constituents. That local officials exhibit biased behavior is particularly worrisome, as local government is often the level that most directly affects citizens’ daily lives. Second, we provide several suggestions for future audit studies that draw from the strengths and weaknesses of our own design. We hope that they will help improve future work on identifying and reducing discrimination.
Direct experimental observation of the molecular J
eff = 3/2 ground state in the lacunar spinel GaTa4Se8
Authors: Jeong Min Yong , Chang Seo Hyoung , Kim Beom Hyun , Sim Jae-Hoon , Said Ayman , Casa Diego , Gog Thomas , Janod Etienne , Cario Laurent , Yunoki Seiji , Han Myung Joon , Kim Jungho
Published: September 2017

Strong spin–orbit coupling lifts the degeneracy of t2g orbitals in 5d transition-metal systems, leaving a Kramers doublet and quartet with effective angular momentum of Jeff = 1/2 and 3/2, respectively. These spin–orbit entangled states can host exotic quantum phases such as topological Mott state, unconventional superconductivity, and quantum spin liquid. The lacunar spinel GaTa4Se8 was theoretically predicted to form the molecular Jeff = 3/2 ground state. Experimental verification of its existence is an important first step to exploring the consequences of the Jeff = 3/2 state. Here, we report direct experimental evidence of the Jeff = 3/2 state in GaTa4Se8 by means of excitation spectra of resonant inelastic X-ray scattering at the Ta L3 and L2 edges. We find that the excitations involving the Jeff = 1/2 molecular orbital are absent only at the Ta L2 edge, manifesting the realization of the molecular Jeff = 3/2 ground state in GaTa4Se8.
Functional role of PPAR-γ on the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Li Xiao-Feng , Sun Ying-Yin , Bao Jing , Chen Xin , Li Yu-Huan , Yang Yang , Zhang Lei , Huang Cheng , Wu Bao-Ming , Meng Xiao-Ming , Li Jun
Published: September 2017

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is involved in both normal physiological processes and pathology of various diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the function and underlying mechanisms of PPAR-γ in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) proliferation and migration. In the present study, we found PPAR-γ expression was remarkably reduced in RA synovium patient compare with OA and normal, as well as it was low-expression in Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). Moreover, inhibition PPAR-γ expression by T0070907 (12.5 μM) or PPAR-γ siRNA could promote FLSs proliferation and expressions of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-1, and MMP-9 in AA FLSs, except for TIPM-1. These date indicate that up-regulation of PPAR-γ may play a critical role in RA FLSs. Interestingly, co-incubation FLSs with Pioditazone (25 μM) and over expression vector with pEGFP-N1-PPAR-γ reduced proliferation and expressions of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, MMP-1, and MMP-9 in AA FLSs, besides TIMP-1. Further study indicates that PPAR-γ may induce activation Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In short, these results indicate that PPAR-γ may play a pivotal role during FLSs activation and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Fatty Acid Surfactant Photochemistry Results in New Particle Formation
Authors: Alpert Peter A. , Ciuraru Raluca , Rossignol Stéphanie , Passananti Monica , Tinel Liselotte , Perrier Sebastien , Dupart Yoan , Steimer Sarah S. , Ammann Markus , Donaldson D. James , George Christian
Published: September 2017

Organic interfaces that exist at the sea surface microlayer or as surfactant coatings on cloud droplets are highly concentrated and chemically distinct from the underlying bulk or overlying gas phase. Therefore, they may be potentially unique locations for chemical or photochemical reactions. Recently, photochemical production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was reported at a nonanoic acid interface however, subsequent secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particle production was incapable of being observed. We investigated SOA particle formation due to photochemical reactions occurring at an air-water interface in presence of model saturated long chain fatty acid and alcohol surfactants, nonanoic acid and nonanol, respectively. Ozonolysis of the gas phase photochemical products in the dark or under continued UV irradiation both resulted in nucleation and growth of SOA particles. Irradiation of nonanol did not yield detectable VOC or SOA production. Organic carbon functionalities of the SOA were probed using X-ray microspectroscopy and compared with other laboratory generated and field collected particles. Carbon-carbon double bonds were identified in the condensed phase which survived ozonolysis during new particle formation and growth. The implications of photochemical processes occurring at organic coated surfaces are discussed in the context of marine SOA particle atmospheric fluxes.
Sex-Dependent Effects of Caloric Restriction on the Ageing of an Ambush Feeding Copepod
Authors: Saiz Enric , Calbet Albert , Griffell Kaiene
Published: September 2017

Planktonic copepods are a very successful group in marine pelagic environments, with a key role in biogeochemical cycles. Among them, the genus Oithona is one of the more abundant and ubiquitous. We report here on the effects of caloric (food) restriction on the ageing patterns of the copepod Oithona davisae. The response of O. davisae to caloric restriction was sex dependent: under food limitation, females have lower age-specific mortality rates and longer lifespans and reproductive periods; male mortality rates and life expectancy were not affected. Males are more active swimmers than females, and given their higher energetic demands presumably generate reactive oxygen species at higher rates. That was confirmed by starvation experiments, which showed that O. davisae males burn through body reserves much faster, resulting in shorter life expectancy. Compared with common, coastal calanoid copepods, the effects of caloric restriction on O. davisae appeared less prominent. We think this difference in the magnitude of the responses is a consequence of the distinct life-history traits associated with the genus Oithona (ambush feeder, egg-carrier), with much lower overall levels of metabolism and reproductive effort.
Adenosine A2A receptor mediates hypnotic effects of ethanol in mice
Authors: Fang Teng , Dong Hui , Xu Xin-Hong , Yuan Xiang-Shan , Chen Ze-Ka , Chen Jiang-Fan , Qu Wei-Min , Huang Zhi-Li
Published: September 2017

Ethanol has extensive effects on sleep and daytime alertness, causing premature disability and death. Adenosine, as a potent sleep-promoting substance, is involved in many cellular and behavioral responses to ethanol. However, the mechanisms of hypnotic effects of ethanol remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of adenosine in ethanol-induced sleep using C57BL/6Slac mice, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) knockout mice, and their wild-type littermates. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of ethanol (3.0 g/kg) at 21:00 decreased the latency to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and increased the duration of NREM sleep for 5 h. Ethanol dose-dependently increased NREM sleep, which was consistent with decreases in wakefulness in C57BL/6Slac mice compared with their own control. Caffeine (5, 10, or 15 mg/kg), a nonspecific adenosine receptor antagonist, dose-dependently and at high doses completely blocked ethanol-induced NREM sleep when administered 30 min prior to (but not after) ethanol injection. Moreover, ethanol-induced NREM sleep was completely abolished in A2AR knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. These findings strongly indicate that A2AR is a key receptor for the hypnotic effects of ethanol, and pretreatment of caffeine might be a strategy to counter the hypnotic effects of ethanol.
Greenhouse and field evaluation of isoxaflutole for weed control in maize in China
Authors: Zhao Ning , Zuo Lan , Li Wei , Guo Wenlei , Liu Weitang , Wang Jinxin
Published: September 2017

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to provide a reference for pre-emergence (PRE) application of isoxaflutole on maize in China. In greenhouse study, the isoxaflutole PRE application at 30 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1 could effectively control large numbers of weeds, especially some large-seeded broadleaves, tested in this study. The tolerance results indicated 21 maize hybrids showed different responses to isoxaflutole under greenhouse conditions. In 2015 and 2016, field experiments were conducted to determine and compare the weed control efficacy and safety to Zhengdan 958 maize with 6 herbicide treatments. In both years, isoxaflutole PRE at 100 to 250 g a.i. ha−1 was sufficient to provide satisfactory full-season control of the dominant common broadleaf and grass weeds in the field. Temporary injury to maize was observed with isoxaflutole treatments of 125, 150, and 250 g a.i. ha−1 in both years, but plants recovered within 4 to 6 wk. To maximize maize yield and provide satisfactory weed control, a range of 100 to 150 g a.i. ha−1 of isoxaflutole is recommended, depending on the soil characteristics, weather, and weed species present at the experimental site. Based on the results, isoxaflutole PRE has good potential for weed control in maize in China.
The innate immune cell response to bacterial infection in larval zebrafish is light-regulated
Authors: Du Lucia Y. , Darroch Hannah , Keerthisinghe Pramuk , Ashimbayeva Elina , Astin Jonathan W. , Crosier Kathryn E. , Crosier Philip S. , Warman Guy , Cheeseman James , Hall Christopher J.
Published: September 2017

The circadian clock, which evolved to help organisms harmonize physiological responses to external conditions (such as the light/dark cycle, LD), is emerging as an important regulator of the immune response to infection. Gaining a complete understanding of how the circadian clock influences the immune cell response requires animal models that permit direct observation of these processes within an intact host. Here, we investigated the use of larval zebrafish, a powerful live imaging system, as a new model to study the impact of a fundamental zeitgeber, light, on the innate immune cell response to infection. Larvae infected during the light phase of the LD cycle and in constant light condition (LL) demonstrated enhanced survival and bacterial clearance when compared with larvae infected during the dark phase of the LD cycle and in constant dark condition (DD). This increased survival was associated with elevated expression of the zebrafish orthologues of the mammalian pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, Tumour necrosis factor-α, Interleukin-8 and Interferon-γ, and increased neutrophil and macrophage recruitment. This study demonstrates for the first time that the larval zebrafish innate immune response to infection is enhanced during light exposure, suggesting that, similar to mammalian systems, the larval zebrafish response to infection is light-regulated.
Sulforaphane exerts anti-angiogenesis effects against hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibition of STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF signalling
Authors: Liu Peng , Atkinson Samuel J. , Akbareian Sophia E. , Zhou Zhigang , Munsterberg Andrea , Robinson Stephen D. , Bao Yongping
Published: September 2017

Angiogenesis plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the inhibition of which is explored for cancer prevention and treatment. The dietary phytochemical sulforaphane (SFN) is known for its anti-cancer properties in vitro and in vivo; but until now, no study has focused on the role of SFN in HCC tumor angiogenesis. In the present study, in vitro cell models using a HCC cell line, HepG2, and human endothelial cells, HUVECs, as well as ex vivo and in vivo models have been used to investigate the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effect of SFN. The results showed that SFN decreased HUVEC cell viability, migration and tube formation, all of which are important steps in angiogenesis. More importantly, SFN markedly supressed HepG2-stimulated HUVEC migration, adhesion and tube formation; which may be due to its inhibition on STAT3/HIF-1α/VEGF signalling in HepG2 cells. In addition, SFN significantly reduced HepG2 tumor growth in a modified chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, associated with a decrease of HIF-1α and VEGF expression within tumors. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the inhibitory effect of SFN on HCC tumor angiogenesis as well as tumor growth, and indicate that SFN has potential for the prevention and treatment of HCC.
Age-related neurodegenerative disease associated pathways identified in retinal and vitreous proteome from human glaucoma eyes
Authors: Mirzaei Mehdi , Gupta Veer B. , Chick Joel M. , Greco Todd M. , Wu Yunqi , Chitranshi Nitin , Wall Roshana Vander , Hone Eugene , Deng Liting , Dheer Yogita , Abbasi Mojdeh , Rezaeian Mahdie , Braidy Nady , You Yuyi , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini , Haynes Paul A. , Molloy Mark P. , Martins Ralph , Cristea Ileana M. , Gygi Steven P. , Graham Stuart L. , Gupta Vivek K.
Published: September 2017

Abstarct

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that shares many similarities with other neurodegenerative disorders of the central nervous system. This study was designed to evaluate the association between glaucoma and other neurodegenerative disorders by investigating glaucoma-associated protein changes in the retina and vitreous humour. The multiplexed Tandem Mass Tag based proteomics (TMT-MS3) was carried out on retinal tissue and vitreous humour fluid collected from glaucoma patients and age-matched controls followed by functional pathway and protein network interaction analysis. About 5000 proteins were quantified from retinal tissue and vitreous fluid of glaucoma and control eyes. Of the differentially regulated proteins, 122 were found linked with pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Pathway analyses of differentially regulated proteins indicate defects in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation machinery. The classical complement pathway associated proteins were activated in the glaucoma samples suggesting an innate inflammatory response. The majority of common differentially regulated proteins in both tissues were members of functional protein networks associated brain changes in AD and other chronic degenerative conditions. Identification of previously reported and novel pathways in glaucoma that overlap with other CNS neurodegenerative disorders promises to provide renewed understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of age related neurodegenerative diseases.
Non-neutralizing Antibodies Targeting the V1V2 Domain of HIV Exhibit Strong Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Mayr Luzia M. , Decoville Thomas , Schmidt Sylvie , Laumond Géraldine , Klingler Jéromine , Ducloy Camille , Bahram Seiamak , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Moog Christiane
Published: September 2017

The development of an effective vaccine against HIV-1 has proven to be challenging. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), whilst exhibiting neutralization breadth and potency, are elicited only in a small subset of infected individuals and have yet to be induced by vaccination. Case-control studies of RV144 identified an inverse correlation of HIV-1 infection risk with antibodies (Abs) to the V1V2 region of gp120 with high antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity. The neutralizing activity of Abs was not found to contribute to this protective outcome. Using primary effector and target cells and primary virus isolates, we studied the ADCC profile of different monoclonal Abs targeting the V1V2 loop of gp120 that had low or no neutralizing activity. We compared their ADCC activity to some bNAbs targeting different regions of gp120. We found that mAbs targeting the V1V2 domain induce up to 60% NK cell mediated lysis of HIV-1 infected PBMCs in a physiologically relevant ADCC model, highlighting the interest in inducing such Abs in future HIV vaccine trials. Our data also suggest that in addition to neutralization, lysis of infected cells by Abs can effectively participate in HIV protection, as suggested by the RV144 immune correlate analysis.
AMPK is not required for the effect of metformin on the inhibition of BMP6-induced hepcidin gene expression in hepatocytes
Authors: Deschemin Jean-Christophe , Foretz Marc , Viollet Benoit , Vaulont Sophie
Published: September 2017

The biguanide metformin is used for its antidiabetic effect for many years but how metformin acts remains poorly understood and controversial. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a protein kinase that plays a key role in maintaining energy homeostasis, is assumed to be one of the prime targets of metformin. However, since our demonstration that AMPK is not required for the beneficial effects of metformin on the control of glycemia, the list of AMPK-independent actions of metformin is rapidly increasing. Given the conflicting results on the effects of metformin we sought, using our genetic mouse models deficient in the catalytic subunits of AMPK, to determine whether this kinase is involved in the effects of metformin on the expression of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin, as recently proposed. Here we demonstrate, using different approaches, either isolated hepatocytes that lack AMPK, or direct AMPK activators, that, AMPK activation is not necessary for metformin to inhibit BMP6-induced hepcidin gene expression. These results may shed new lights on the increasingly recognized AMPK-independent metformin’s molecular action, an important area of current research.
Noninvasive Continuous Glucose Monitoring Using a Multisensor-Based Glucometer and Time Series Analysis
Authors: Geng Zhanxiao , Tang Fei , Ding Yadong , Li Shuzhe , Wang Xiaohao
Published: September 2017

Daily continuous glucose monitoring is very helpful in the control of glucose levels for people with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. In this study, a multisensor-based, noninvasive continuous glucometer was developed, which can continuously estimate glucose levels via monitoring of physiological parameter changes such as impedance spectroscopy at low and high frequency, optical properties, temperature and humidity. Thirty-three experiments were conducted for six healthy volunteers and three volunteers with diabetes. Results showed that the average correlation coefficient between the estimated glucose profiles and reference glucose profiles reached 0.8314, with a normalized root mean squared error (NRMSE) of 14.6064. The peak time of postprandial glucose was extracted from the glucose profile, and its estimated value had a correlation coefficient of 0.9449 with the reference value, wherein the root mean square error (RMSE) was 6.8958 min. Using Clarke error grid (CEG) analysis, 100% of the estimated glucose values fell in the clinically acceptable zones A and B, and 92.86% fell in zone A. The application of a multisensor-based, noninvasive continuous glucometer and time series analysis can endure the time delay between human physiological parameters and glucose level changes, so as to potentially accomplish noninvasive daily continuous glucose monitoring.
A machine-learning heuristic to improve gene score prediction of polygenic traits
Authors: Paré Guillaume , Mao Shihong , Deng Wei Q.
Published: September 2017

Machine-learning techniques have helped solve a broad range of prediction problems, yet are not widely used to build polygenic risk scores for the prediction of complex traits. We propose a novel heuristic based on machine-learning techniques (GraBLD) to boost the predictive performance of polygenic risk scores. Gradient boosted regression trees were first used to optimize the weights of SNPs included in the score, followed by a novel regional adjustment for linkage disequilibrium. A calibration set with sample size of ~200 individuals was sufficient for optimal performance. GraBLD yielded prediction R2 of 0.239 and 0.082 using GIANT summary association statistics for height and BMI in the UK Biobank study (N = 130 K; 1.98 M SNPs), explaining 46.9% and 32.7% of the overall polygenic variance, respectively. For diabetes status, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.602 in the UK Biobank study using summary-level association statistics from the DIAGRAM consortium. GraBLD outperformed other polygenic score heuristics for the prediction of height (p < 2.2 × 10−16) and BMI (p < 1.57 × 10−4), and was equivalent to LDpred for diabetes. Results were independently validated in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 8,292; 688,398 SNPs). Our report demonstrates the use of machine-learning techniques, coupled with summary-level data from large genome-wide meta-analyses to improve the prediction of polygenic traits.
An archaeal RNA binding protein, FAU-1, is a novel ribonuclease related to rRNA stability in Pyrococcus and Thermococcus
Authors: Ikeda Yoshiki , Okada Yasuhiro , Sato Asako , Kanai Tamotsu , Tomita Masaru , Atomi Haruyuki , Kanai Akio
Published: September 2017

Ribosome biogenesis and turnover are processes necessary for cell viability and proliferation, and many kinds of proteins are known to regulate these processes. However, many questions still remain, especially in the Archaea. Generally, several ribonucleases are required to process precursor rRNAs to their mature forms, and to degrade rRNAs for quality control. Here, we found that FAU-1, which is known to be an RNA binding protein, possesses an RNase activity against precursor 5S rRNA derived from P. furiosus and T. kodakarensis in the order Thermococcales in vitro. An in vitro analysis revealed that UA sequences in the upstream of 5S rRNA were preferentially degraded by addition of FAU-1. Moreover, a fau-1 gene deletion mutant of T. kodakarensis showed a delay of exponential phase, reduction of maximum cell number and significant changes in the nucleotide sequence lengths of its 5S, 16S, and 23S rRNAs in early exponential phase. Our results suggest that FAU-1 is a potential RNase involved in rRNA stability through maturation and/or degradation processes.
Gender Disparities in Lipid Goal Attainment among Type 2 Diabetes Outpatients with Coronary Heart Disease: Results from the CCMR-3B Study
Authors: Zhang Xiaomei , Ji Linong , Ran Xingwu , Su Benli , Ji Qiuhe , Hu Dayi
Published: September 2017

Our study was aimed to investigate the gender disparities in lipid goal attainment among type 2 diabetes outpatients with concomitant coronary heart disease (CHD) and explore potential risk factors. We performed the present analysis using data from a nationally representative epidemiologic study. The therapeutic goal was defined as achieving a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <1.8 mmol/L. A total of 1721 male and 2072 female type 2 diabetes outpatients with established CHD were identified. Compared with men, women had higher levels of total cholesterol (4.98 vs. 4.46 mmol/L; p < 0.001), LDL-C (2.82 vs. 2.54 mmol/L; p < 0.001), and triglycerides (2.02 vs. 1.79 mmol/L; p < 0.001), but not hemoglobin A1c (7.47% vs. 7.50%; p = 0.597). The proportion of women received lipid-lowering therapy was lower (38.1% vs. 48.2%; p < 0.001). The percentages of patients who achieved the LDL-C goal were higher among men. Multivariable regression analysis indicated that the odds ratio for lipid goal attainment due to the gender difference was 0.61 after adjusting confounders. The inability to achieve LDL-C goals in women with type 2 diabetes and CHD is apparently greater than that in men. This finding underscores the importance of initiatives to establish a more aggressive lipid management strategy for women to overcome gender imbalances.
A modified molecular framework derived highly efficient Mn–Co–carbon cathode for a flexible Zn–air battery
Authors: Cheng Hui , Chen Jun-Min , Li Qi-Jia , Su Chang-Yuan , Chen An-Na , Zhang Jia-Xuan , Liu Zhao-Qing , Tong Yexiang
Published: September 2017

Advanced Co–Mn bimetallic nanoparticles are decorated on high conductivity nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes to serve as the efficient oxygen-catalyst.
Controlled direct electron transfer kinetics of fructose dehydrogenase at cup-stacked carbon nanofibers
Authors: Komori K. , Huang J. , Mizushima N. , Ko S. , Tatsuma T. , Sakai Y.
Published: September 2017

The direct electron transfer kinetics of fructose dehydrogenase was controlled by its orientation at the surface of cup-stacked carbon nanofibers with different atomic oxygen/carbon ratios.
The role of Tat peptide self-aggregation in membrane pore stabilization: insights from a computational study
Authors: Jan Akhunzada Muhammad , Chandramouli Balasubramanian , Bhattacharjee Nicholus , Macchi Sara , Cardarelli Francesco , Brancato Giuseppe
Published: September 2017

Role of Tat peptide self-aggregation to direct transduction in cells is highlighted in a computational study of dimer versus monomer.
Revealing the electronic character of the positive electrode/electrolyte interface in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zampardi Giorgia , Trocoli Rafael , Schuhmann Wolfgang , La Mantia Fabio
Published: September 2017

It is not blocking! A surface layer formed at the interface of high voltage cathode materials is an apparent SEI.
Temperature dependence of Cu–Al spinel formation and its catalytic performance in methanol steam reforming
Authors: Liu Yajie , Qing Shaojun , Hou Xiaoning , Qin Fajie , Wang Xiang , Gao Zhixian , Xiang Hongwei
Published: September 2017

Synthetic temperature strongly influences the properties of Cu1−3xVxAl2+2xO4. Active Cu generated in situ can be stabilized by defect spinels.
5,5′-Bistriazoles as axially chiral, multidentate ligands: synthesis, configurational stability and catalytic application of their scandium(iii) complexes
Authors: Etayo Pablo , Escudero-Adán Eduardo C. , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: September 2017

The design and development of 5,5′-bistriazoles featuring aminomethyl substituents is discussed.
“Switching on” the single-molecule magnet properties within a series of dinuclear cobalt(iii)–dysprosium(iii) 2-pyridyloximate complexes
Authors: Polyzou C. D. , Koumousi E. S. , Lada Z. G. , Raptopoulou C. P. , Psycharis V. , Rouzières M. , Tsipis A. C. , Mathonière C. , Clérac R. , Perlepes S. P.
Published: September 2017

Single-molecule magnet properties are “switched on” within a family of isostructural dinuclear cobalt(iii)/dysprosium/2-pyridyloximate complexes.
In-line, roll-to-roll morphology analysis of organic solar cell active layers
Authors: Rossander Lea Hildebrandt , Dam Henrik Friis , Carlé Jon Eggert , Helgesen Martin , Rajkovic Ivan , Corazza Michael , Krebs Frederik Christian , Andreasen Jens Wenzel
Published: September 2017

Polymer conformation in solution is more important for R2R solar cell performance than the crystallinity of the final coated film.
Dimethyl carbonate: a versatile reagent for a sustainable valorization of renewables
Authors: Fiorani G. , Perosa A. , Selva M.
Published: September 2017

Green upgrading of renewablesviamethylations and carboxymethylations with non-toxic dimethyl carbonate (DMC).
Molar mass and composition effects on the thermal stability of functional P(S-r-MMA) random copolymers for nanolithographic applications
Authors: Antonioli Diego , Gianotti Valentina , Sparnacci Katia , Laus Michele , Clericuzio Marco , Giammaria Tommaso Jacopo , Seguini Gabriele , Perego Michele
Published: September 2017

The thermal stability of P(S-r-MMA) random copolymers for BCP-based nanolithography is discussed with reference to molar mass and composition.
One new azido bridged dinuclear copper(ii) thiosemicarbazide complex: synthesis, DNA/protein binding, molecular docking study and cytotoxicity activity
Authors: Biswas Niladri , Khanra Sumit , Sarkar Arnab , Bhattacharjee Shamee , Prasad Mandal Deba , Chaudhuri Ankur , Chakraborty Sibani , Roy Choudhury Chirantan
Published: September 2017

Biological potential of a copper(ii) complex found to exhibit in vitro antiproliferative activity towards two cell lines, AGS and A549 cancer cells.
Insights into the growth mechanism of REF3(RE = La–Lu, Y) nanocrystals: hexagonal and/or orthorhombic
Authors: Xie Juan , Gao Ziyu , Zhou Enlong , Cheng Xingwen , Wang Yangbo , Xie Xiaoji , Huang Ling , Huang Wei
Published: September 2017

The synthesis of REF3(RE = La–Lu, Y) nanocrystals with controlled phase structures has so far remained a challenge.
In situ growth of gold nanoparticles on Hg2+-binding M13 phages for mercury sensing
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Yang Ting , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Chen Mingli , Wang Jianhua
Published: September 2017

Mercury-binding phage facilitates the growth of AuNPs, the capture and sensing of mercury.