bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster synchronization of coupled systems with nonidentical linear dynamics
Authors: Liu Zhongchang , Wong Wing Shing , Cheng Hui
Published: March 2017

This paper considers the cluster synchronization problem of generic linear dynamical systems whose system models are distinct in different clusters. These nonidentical linear models render control design and coupling conditions highly correlated if static couplings are used for all individual systems. In this paper, a dynamic coupling structure, which incorporates a global weighting factor and a vanishing auxiliary control variable, is proposed for each agent and is shown to be a feasible solution. Lower bounds on the global and local weighting factors are derived under the condition that every interaction subgraph associated with each cluster admits a directed spanning tree. The spanning tree requirement is further shown to be a necessary condition when the clusters connect acyclically with each other. Simulations for two applications, cluster heading alignment of nonidentical ships and cluster phase synchronization of nonidentical harmonic oscillators, illustrate essential parts of the derived theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiplying the Division of Labour: Functional Differentiation of the Next Key Variables in Management Research
Authors: Roth Steffen , Sales Augusto , Kaivo‐oja Jari
Published: March 2017

In this article, we draw on theories of social differentiation to show that functional differentiation is not about the division of work and organization, but rather about a multiplication of horizons for decision‐making. We argue that a systematic management of functional differentiation makes organizations smarter and more flexible. We corroborate this claim by demonstrations of how a functional approach to functional differentiation facilitates the design of new or the further development of well‐established management tools and research agendas in fields such as entrepreneurship, strategy, and human resource management. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing Operating Room Turnover Time for Robotic Surgery Using a Motor Racing Pit Stop Model
Authors: Souders Colby P. , Catchpole Ken R. , Wood Lauren N. , Solnik Jonathon M. , Avenido Raymund M. , Strauss Paul L. , Eilber Karyn S. , Anger Jennifer T.
Published: March 2017

Background

Operating room (OR) turnover time, time taken between one patient leaving the OR and the next entering, is an important determinant of OR utilization, a key value metric for hospital administrators. Surgical robots have increased the complexity and number of tasks required during an OR turnover, resulting in highly variable OR turnover times. We sought to streamline the turnover process and decrease robotic OR turnover times and increase efficiency.

Methods

Direct observation of 45 pre‐intervention robotic OR turnovers was performed. Following a previously successful model for handoffs, we employed concepts from motor racing pit stops, including briefings, leadership, role definition, task allocation and task sequencing. Turnover task cards for staff were developed, and card assignments were distributed for each turnover. Forty‐one cases were observed post‐intervention.

Results

Average total OR turnover time was 99.2 min (95% CI 88.0–110.3) pre‐intervention and 53.2 min (95% CI 48.0–58.5) at 3 months post‐intervention. Average room ready time from when the patient exited the OR until the surgical technician was ready to receive the next patient was 42.2 min (95% CI 36.7–47.7) before the intervention, which reduced to 27.2 min at 3 months (95% CI 24.7–29.7) post‐intervention (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Role definition, task allocation and sequencing, combined with a visual cue for ease‐of‐use, create efficient, and sustainable approaches to decreasing robotic OR turnover times. Broader system changes are needed to capitalize on that result. Pit stop and other high‐risk industry models may inform approaches to the management of tasks and teams.
Simulation-Extrapolation with Latent Heteroskedastic Error Variance
Authors: Lockwood J. R. , McCaffrey Daniel F.
Published: March 2017

This article considers the application of the simulation-extrapolation (SIMEX) method for measurement error correction when the error variance is a function of the latent variable being measured. Heteroskedasticity of this form arises in educational and psychological applications with ability estimates from item response theory models. We conclude that there is no simple solution for applying SIMEX that generally will yield consistent estimators in this setting. However, we demonstrate that several approximate SIMEX methods can provide useful estimators, leading to recommendations for analysts dealing with this form of error in settings where SIMEX may be the most practical option.
Effect of Self‐Assemblies on the Dynamics of the Briggs–Rauscher Reaction
Authors: Dar Nisar Ahmad , Peerzada G. M. , Bashir Nadeem , Rashid Shagufta , Rashid Sna , Akhoon Showket Ahmad
Published: March 2017

The study involves the dynamic evolution of the Briggs–Rauscher (BR) reaction in the presence of various surfactants—SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) as anionic, CTAB (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) as cationic and TritonX‐100 [4‐(1,1,3,3‐(tetramethylbutyl) phenyl polyethylene glycol] as a neutral one in single as well as mixed mode conditions (SDS + TX‐100 and CTAB + TX‐100). The reaction has been monitored potentiometrically at 30 °C under CSTR conditions. These surfactants affect the reaction dynamics to an extent which depends on the nature and concentration of the surfactant and the formation of their self‐assemblies. The experimental findings indicate that the oscillatory behavior of the BR reaction in the presence of surfactants is due to the efficacy of organized surfactant assemblies to selectively distribute the key species involved in the reaction, and their interaction with the counter ions in cases of ionic micelles. The study reveals that the evolution of oscillatory behavior is a characteristic feature of the surfactant.
Writing and the Modern Stage
Authors: Jarcho Julia
Published: March 2017

It is time to change the way we talk about writing in theater. This book offers a new argument that reimagines modern theater's critical power and places innovative writing at the heart of the experimental stage. While performance studies, German Theaterwissenschaft, and even text-based drama studies have commonly envisioned theatrical performance as something that must operate beyond the limits of the textual imagination, this book shows how a series of writers have actively shaped new conceptions of theater's radical potential. Engaging with a range of theorists, including Theodor Adorno, Jarcho reveals a modern tradition of 'negative theatrics,' whose artists undermine the here and now of performance in order to challenge the value and the power of the existing world. This vision emerges through surprising new readings of modernist classics - by Henry James, Gertrude Stein, and Samuel Beckett - as well as contemporary American works by Suzan-Lori Parks, Elevator Repair Service, and Mac Wellman.
Recursion-Theoretic Hierarchies
Authors: Hinman Peter G.
Published: March 2017

Since their inception, the Perspectives in Logic and Lecture Notes in Logic series have published seminal works by leading logicians. Many of the original books in the series have been unavailable for years, but they are now in print once again. The theory set out in this volume, the ninth publication in the Perspectives in Logic series, is the result of the meeting and common development of two currents of mathematical research: descriptive set theory and recursion theory. Both are concerned with notions of definability and with the classification of mathematical objects according to their complexity. These are the common themes which run through the topics discussed here. The author develops a general theory from which the results of both areas can be derived, making these common threads clear.
Constructibility
Authors: Devlin Keith J.
Published: March 2017

Since their inception, the Perspectives in Logic and Lecture Notes in Logic series have published seminal works by leading logicians. Many of the original books in the series have been unavailable for years, but they are now in print once again. In this volume, the sixth publication in the Perspectives in Logic series, Keith J. Devlin gives a comprehensive account of the theory of constructible sets at an advanced level. The book provides complete coverage of the theory itself, rather than the many and diverse applications of constructibility theory, although applications are used to motivate and illustrate the theory. The book is divided into two parts: Part I (Elementary Theory) deals with the classical definition of the Lα-hierarchy of constructible sets and may be used as the basis of a graduate course on constructibility theory. and Part II (Advanced Theory) deals with the Jα-hierarchy and the Jensen 'fine-structure theory'.
Inexhaustibility
Authors: Franzén Torkel
Published: March 2017

Since their inception, the Perspectives in Logic and Lecture Notes in Logic series have published seminal works by leading logicians. Many of the original books in the series have been unavailable for years, but they are now in print once again. This volume, the sixteenth publication in the Lecture Notes in Logic series, gives a sustained presentation of a particular view of the topic of Gödelian extensions of theories. It presents the basic material in predicate logic, set theory and recursion theory, leading to a proof of Gödel's incompleteness theorems. The inexhaustibility of mathematics is treated based on the concept of transfinite progressions of theories as conceived by Turing and Feferman. All concepts and results are introduced as needed, making the presentation self-contained and thorough. Philosophers, mathematicians and others will find the book helpful in acquiring a basic grasp of the philosophical and logical results and issues.
The Polyphonic Mass in France, 1600–1780
Authors: Montagnier Jean-Paul C.
Published: March 2017

This is the first ever book-length study of the a cappella masses which appeared in France in choirbook layout during the baroque era. Though the musical settings of the Ordinarium missæ and of the Missa pro defunctis have been the subject of countless studies, the stylistic evolution of the polyphonic masses composed in France during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries has been neglected owing to the labor involved in creating scores from the surviving individual parts. Jean-Paul C. Montagnier has examined closely the printed, engraved and stenciled choirbooks containing this repertoire, and his book focuses mainly on the music as it stands in them. After tracing the choirbooks' publishing history, the author places these mass settings in their social, liturgical and musical context. He shows that their style did not all adhere strictly to the stile antico, but could also employ the most up-to-date musical language of the period.
Size and shape of shock waves and slipline for Mach reflection in steady flow
Authors: Bai Chen-Yuan , Wu Zi-Niu
Published: March 2017

For Mach reflection in steady supersonic flow, the slipline and reflected shock wave from the triple point are disturbed by secondary Mach waves generated over the slipline and by the expansion fan from the rear wedge corner. Analytical expressions for the shape of the curved slipline and reflected shock wave are derived in this paper. It is found that, due to transmitted expansion waves from the expansion fan, the slipline has a slope discontinuity at the turning point, i.e., the intersection point of the slipline and the leading characteristics of the transmitted expansion wave. The hypothetical shock wave calculated by considering this slope discontinuity as flow deflection angle matches a similar wave observed in numerical results by computational fluid dynamics, suggesting the existence of a weak shock wave from this turning point. The effects of the secondary Mach waves upstream of the turning point and of the turning point weak shock wave mutually cancel out approximately so that the transmitted Mach waves can be approximated as straight characteristic lines. This simplification leads to a fast analytical model which can predict the Mach stem height and shape of the slipline and reflected shock wave with increasing accuracy for the decreasing deflection angle of the slipline at the triple point. The slipline slope discontinuity at the turning point and the hypothetical turning point weak shock wave are new phenomena found in this work.
Short-wavelength local instabilities of a circular Couette flow with radial temperature gradient
Authors: Kirillov Oleg N. , Mutabazi Innocent
Published: March 2017

We perform a linearized local stability analysis for short-wavelength perturbations of a circular Couette flow with a radial temperature gradient. Axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric perturbations are considered and both the thermal diffusivity and the kinematic viscosity of the fluid are taken into account. The effect of asymmetry of the heating both on centrifugally unstable flows and on the onset of instabilities of centrifugally stable flows, including flows with a Keplerian shear profile, is thoroughly investigated. It is found that an inward temperature gradient destabilizes the Rayleigh-stable flow either via Hopf bifurcation if the liquid is a very good heat conductor or via steady state bifurcation if viscosity prevails over the thermal conductance.
Influence of Design Parameters on the Air/Liquid Ratio of an Air Induction Nozzle
Authors: Vashahi F. , Ra S. , Choi Y. , Lee J. K.
Published: March 2017

A two-phase flow parametric study on an air induction nozzle with water and air as the working fluids is presented. Liquid was supplied at the pre-orifice with various inlet pressures ranging from 3 to 6 bar. The interaction between air and water at the molecular level at the orifice exit leads to formation of a strong shear layer that is intensified with the increase in inlet pressure. Thus, it is vital to regulate the ratio of the intake air to the supplied liquid so that the generated micro bubbles fit the design criteria. CFD analysis was conducted using the commercial software STAR CCM+ from Siemens and validated against experimental data to investigate the design parameters and their effect on the ALR. A volume of fluid (VOF) method of the RANS models was used to undertake the air-water interaction. Parameters such as the throat, air orifice, and air inlet diameter, along with the diffuser angle, were investigated. It was found that certain parameters such as the throat diameter have a more significant effect on the air/liquid entrainment ratio than other parameters.
THE ROLE OF SOLAR OBSERVATIONS IN DEVELOPING THE PRECLASSIC MAYA CALENDAR
Authors: Milbrath Susan
Published: March 2017

Intervals of 260 days are recorded by architectural orientations at a number of Maya sites, a pattern that may have developed early at sites such as Nakbe. The 260-day calendar, emphasizing sets of 13 and 20 days, dates back to the Middle Preclassic, when early E-Groups in the Maya area were used for solar observations. These observations were probably linked with a maize cycle spanning 260 days. By the end of the Late Preclassic, however, most E-Groups were abandoned or modified for a different function, serving as a stage for rituals performed by rulers at a time when the Long Count calendar was being developed. The changing role of E-Groups relates to the rise of royal rituals associated with the detailed historical records documented in Maya Long Count inscriptions.
SHRINKING PROJECTION ALGORITHMS FOR THE SPLIT COMMON NULL POINT PROBLEM
Authors: DADASHI VAHID
Published: March 2017

We consider the split common null point problem in Hilbert space. We introduce and study a shrinking projection method for finding a solution using the resolvent of a maximal monotone operator and prove a strong convergence theorem for the algorithm.
FIELD EFFICACY OF SOME INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF BOLLWORMS AND IMPACT ON NON-TARGET BENEFICIAL ARTHROPODS IN COTTON
Authors: ABUDULAI MUMUNI , SEINI SHAIBU SEIDU , NBOYINE JERRY , SEIDU AHMED , IBRAHIM YUSSIF JNR.
Published: March 2017

Larvae of bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), Earias sp., Diparopsis watersii (Rothschild) and Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders)) feed on cotton flower buds (squares) and developing bolls causing severe yield losses. While endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide was the most effective and widely used insecticide for bollworm control in Ghana, it has been banned due to abuse and hazard to the environment. Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2012 and 2013 to determine the efficacy of foliar insecticides tihan (spirotetramat + flubendiamide), thunder (imidacloprid + betacyfluthrin), belt expert (flubendiamide +thiaclopride), dursban 4EC (chlorpyrifos-ethyl), lambda super 2.5EC (lambda cyhalothrin) and polytrin C (profenophos + cypermethrin) for control of bollworms and their impact on non-target beneficial organisms in Ghana. All the insecticides tested lowered bollworm densities and boll damage but applications of tihan or belt expert alternated with thunder resulted in the highest seed cotton yield. The treatments generally did not lower populations of predators such as ladybird beetles and lacewings and could be included in an integrated pest management programme for bollworms in cotton. These results suggest that alternate applications of tihan or belt expert with thunder can be recommended as a replacement for endosulfan for control of cotton bollworms and improvement of cotton yield in Ghana.
Gradience, allophony, and chain shifts
Authors: Dinkin Aaron J. , Dodsworth Robin
Published: March 2017

The monophthongization of /ay/ in the Southern United States is disfavored by following voiceless consonants (price) relative to voiced or word-final environments (prize). If monophthongization is the trigger for the Southern Shift (Labov, 2010) and chain shifts operate as predicted by a modular feedforward phonological theory (cf. Bermúdez-Otero, 2007), this impliespriceandprizemust be two ends of a phonetic continuum, rather than two discrete allophones. We test this hypothesis via distributional analysis of offglide targets and statistical analysis of the effect of vowel duration. As predicted, we findpriceandprizeshare a continuous distribution in the Inland South, the region where the Southern Shift probably originated (Labov, Ash, & Boberg, 2006). We use Raleigh, North Carolina, outside the Inland South, as a comparison point; there, the same methodologies indicatepriceandprizeare more discretely separated. Our results thus offer empirical support for the phonological theory that motivated the hypothesis.
Regional diversity in social perceptions of (ing)
Authors: Schleef Erik , Flynn Nicholas , Barras William
Published: March 2017

This article examines the perception of the (ing) variants, [ɪŋ] and [ɪn], in three regionally distinct localities in Britain: London in the South of England; Manchester in the North; and Edinburgh in Scotland. Data was gathered in perceptual tests in which respondents from each location rated stimuli doublets, each containing only one of the variants of (ing), on multiple social attribute scales. In London and Manchester, the perception of [ɪŋ] and [ɪn] broadly matches findings made for the United States in that speakers using [ɪŋ] are considered more articulate and hardworking, and less casual than speakers using [ɪn]. In Edinburgh, results are markedly different. We argue that these differences are due to a combination of factors that include the historical development of (ing) in a particular locale, which led to differences in production, variations in language ideology and, as a result, class-specific evaluations that appear to be regionally dependent.
An Inequality for Functions on the Hamming Cube
Authors: SAMORODNITSKY ALEX
Published: March 2017

We prove an inequality for functions on the discrete cube {0, 1}n extending the edge-isoperimetric inequality for sets. This inequality turns out to be equivalent to the following claim about random walks on the cube: subcubes maximize ‘mean first exit time’ among all subsets of the cube of the same cardinality.
REGULAR SEMIGROUPS WITH NORMAL IDEMPOTENTS
Authors: NI XIANGFEI , CHAO HAIZHOU
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we investigate regular semigroups that possess a normal idempotent. First, we construct a nonorthodox nonidempotent-generated regular semigroup which has a normal idempotent. Furthermore, normal idempotents are described in several different ways and their properties are discussed. These results enable us to provide conditions under which a regular semigroup having a normal idempotent must be orthodox. Finally, we obtain a simple method for constructing all regular semigroups that contain a normal idempotent.
Highly-sensitive capture of circulating tumor cells using micro-ellipse filters
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Cao Baoshan , Sun Bo , Cao Yapeng , Yang Ke , Lin Yu-Sheng
Published: March 2017

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detection, enumeration and characterization with microfluidic chips has critical significance in cancer prognosis offering a non-invasive “liquid biopsy”. Based on physical differences of size and deformability, we explore micro-ellipse filters consisting of microfuidic slits in series gradually narrowed. Slender tunnels sensitively capture tumor cells with slim chance to escape. Tumor cells could reside at capture sites organized by arrays of micro-ellipse microposts enduring less stress. Circular elliptical microstructures produce smooth flow minimally reducing any damage. “Air Suction” could extremely shorten capture. Capture efficiency comes out to be a robust yield of 90% and percentage obeys Gaussian distribution at various stages. With rare number accurately enumerated, micro-Ellipse filters have been tested high efficiently capturing tumor cells in both whole and lysed blood. To clinically validate the device, the microfluidic chip was utilized to identify and capture CTCs from metastatic breast, colon and non-small-cell lung (NSCLC) cancer patients. CTCs were detected positive in all samples with 4 patients having more than 20 CTCs. Those sensitive results are consistent with theoretical expectation. Efficient micro-ellipse filters enable clinical enumeration of metastasis, on-chip anti-cancer drug responses and biological molecular analysis.
A starvation-induced regulator, RovM, acts as a switch for planktonic/biofilm state transition in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Authors: Zhao Ruoxi , Song Yunhong , Dai Qingyun , Kang Yiwen , Pan Junfeng , Zhu Lingfang , Zhang Lei , Wang Yao , Shen Xihui
Published: March 2017

The transition between the planktonic state and the biofilm-associated state is a key developmental decision for pathogenic bacteria. Biofilm formation by Yersinia pestis is regulated by hmsHFRS genes (β-1, 6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine synthesis operon) in its flea vector and in vitro. However, the mechanism of biofilm formation in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis remains elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that the LysR-type regulator RovM inversely regulates biofilm formation and motility in Y. pseudotuberculosis by acting as a transcriptional regulator of these two functions. RovM is strongly induced during growth in minimal media but strongly repressed in complex media. On one hand, RovM enhances bacterial motility by activating the expression of FlhDC, the master regulator of flagellar genes, via the recognition of an operator upstream of the flhDC promoter. On the other hand, RovM represses β-GlcNAc production under nutrition-limited conditions, negatively regulating hmsHFRS expression by directly binding to the −35 element of its promoter. Compared to wild-type bacteria, the rovM mutant established denser biofilms and caused more extensive mortality in mice and silkworm larvae. These results indicate that RovM acts as a molecular switch to coordinate the expression of genes involved in biofilm formation and motility in response to the availability of nutrients.
Bonobo anatomy reveals stasis and mosaicism in chimpanzee evolution, and supports bonobos as the most appropriate extant mode﻿l for the common ancestor of chimpanzees and humans
Authors: Diogo Rui , Molnar Julia L. , Wood Bernard
Published: March 2017

Common chimps and bonobos are our closest living relatives but almost nothing is known about bonobo internal anatomy. We present the first phylogenetic analysis to include musculoskeletal data obtained from a recent ﻿dissection of bonobos. Notably, chimpanzees, and in particular bonobos, provide a remarkable case of evolutionary stasis for since the chimpanzee-human split c.8 Ma among >120 head-neck (HN) and forelimb (FL) muscles there were only four minor changes in﻿ the chimpanzee clade, and all were reversions to the ancestral condition. Moreover, since the common chimpanzee-bonobo split c.2 Ma there have been no changes in bonobos, so with respect to HN-FL musculature bonobos are the better model for the last common ancestor (LCA) of chimpanzees/bonobos and humans. Moreover, in the hindlimb there are only two muscle absence/presence differences between common chimpanzees and bonobos. Puzzlingly, there is an evolutionary mosaicism between each of these species and humans. We discuss these data in the context of available genomic information and debates on whether the common chimpanzee-bonobo divergence is linked to heterochrony.
Sourdough authentication: quantitative PCR to detect the lactic acid bacterial microbiota in breads
Authors: Pontonio Erica , Di Cagno Raffaella , Mahony Jennifer , Lanera Alessia , De Angelis Maria , van Sinderen Douwe , Gobbetti Marco
Published: March 2017

No national legislation anywhere in the world regulates and protects traditional/typical sourdough breads. Sourdough fermentation is firmly associated with a century-old tradition, and with sensory and nutritional quality of breads. A well-defined cell density of lactic acid bacteria has to be reached at the end of fermentation, and be indirectly detectable in baked breads. A Quantitative PCR (qPCR) method was developed to discriminate between breads made with and without sourdoughs. Universal primers targeting an approximately 178-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA-encoding gene of lactic acid bacteria were designed, covering the known diversity of sourdough lactic acid bacteria and excluding commonly encountered flour bacterial contaminants. A total of 191 breads either made with traditional type I and dried sourdough and baker’s yeast, or by a chemical leavening method were shown to be accurately discriminated by means of qPCR. Discriminating values of gene copy number were only weakly correlated with pH values, and with lactate and acetate concentration, thus questioning the validity of these latter indirect indices. The use of sourdough has to be guaranteed to meet both bakery and consumer expectations, and to fulfil legal requirements; our work presents a reliable authentication method providing a suitable tool to satisfy such requirements.
The role of Lon-mediated proteolysis in the dynamics of mitochondrial nucleic acid-protein complexes
Authors: Kunová Nina , Ondrovičová Gabriela , Bauer Jacob A. , Bellová Jana , Ambro Ľuboš , Martináková Lucia , Kotrasová Veronika , Kutejová Eva , Pevala Vladimír
Published: March 2017

Mitochondrial nucleoids consist of several different groups of proteins, many of which are involved in essential cellular processes such as the replication, repair and transcription of the mitochondrial genome. The eukaryotic, ATP-dependent protease Lon is found within the central nucleoid region, though little is presently known about its role there. Aside from its association with mitochondrial nucleoids, human Lon also specifically interacts with RNA. Recently, Lon was shown to regulate TFAM, the most abundant mtDNA structural factor in human mitochondria. To determine whether Lon also regulates other mitochondrial nucleoid- or ribosome-associated proteins, we examined the in vitro digestion profiles of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFAM functional homologue Abf2, the yeast mtDNA maintenance protein Mgm101, and two human mitochondrial proteins, Twinkle helicase and the large ribosomal subunit protein MrpL32. Degradation of Mgm101 was also verified in vivo in yeast mitochondria. These experiments revealed that all four proteins are actively degraded by Lon, but that three of them are protected from it when bound to a nucleic acid; the Twinkle helicase is not. Such a regulatory mechanism might facilitate dynamic changes to the mitochondrial nucleoid, which are crucial for conducting mitochondrial functions and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
Salivary gland maturation and duct formation in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Wells Michael B. , Villamor Jordan , Andrew Deborah J.
Published: March 2017

Mosquito-borne diseases cause one million deaths and hundreds of millions of human infections yearly. With all such diseases, the pathogen must traverse the mosquito salivary gland (SG) for transmission to a new host, making the SGs ideal targets for genetic strategies to block transmission. Prior studies have elucidated details of SG structure by light and electron microscopy and have deeply explored the salivary transcriptome and proteome. Very little is known, however, about how the unique functional architecture of mosquito SGs is achieved. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we address two questions regarding SGs of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. How does the distinct cup-shaped morphology of SG secretory cells arise? And, how does the salivary duct, the structure through which saliva and parasites exit the glands, form? We demonstrate that SG cells begin as cuboidal-shaped cells surrounding a matrix-filled lumen that mature into cup-shaped cells through the formation and fusion of a large pre-apical compartment (PAC) to the apical surface. The secretory duct begins as buds of chitin at the apical surface of individual secretory cells. Further chitin deposition connects these chitin buds to form a contiguous duct that largely separates from the apical surface during PAC fusion.
Dyrk1A overexpression leads to increase of 3R-tau expression and cognitive deficits in Ts65Dn Down syndrome mice
Authors: Yin Xiaomin , Jin Nana , Shi Jianhua , Zhang Yanchong , Wu Yue , Gong Cheng-Xin , Iqbal Khalid , Liu Fei
Published: March 2017

Alternative splicing of tau exon 10 generates tau isoforms with three or four microtubule-binding repeats, 3R-tau and 4R-tau, which is equally expressed in adult human brain. Imbalanced expression in 3R-tau and 4R-tau has been found in several sporadic and inherited tauopathies, suggesting that dysregulation of tau exon 10 is sufficient to cause neurodegenerative diseases. We previously reported that Dyrk1A, which is overexpressed in Down syndrome brains, regulates alternative splicing of exogenous tau exon 10. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of endogenous tau exon 10 splicing by Dyrk1A. We found that inhibition of Dyrk1A enhanced tau exon 10 inclusion, leading to an increase in 4R-tau/3R-tau ratio in differentiated-human neuronal progenitors and in the neonatal rat brains. Accompanied with overexpression of Dyrk1A, 3R-tau was increased and 4R-tau was decreased in the neonatal brains of Ts65Dn mice, a model of Down syndrome. Treatment with Dyrk1A inhibitor, green tea flavonol epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), from gestation to adulthood suppressed 3R-tau expression and rescued anxiety and memory deficits in Ts65Dn mouse brains. Thus, Dyrk1A might be an ideal therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease, especially for Down syndrome and EGCG which inhibits Dyrk1A may have potential effect on the treatment or prevention of this disease.
Farnesoid X receptor, a novel proto-oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer, promotes tumor growth via directly transactivating CCND1
Authors: You Wenjie , Chen Bi , Liu Xueqing , Xue Shan , Qin Hui , Jiang Handong
Published: March 2017

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor for maintaining bile acid homeostasis, has been recognized as a tumor suppressor in enterohepatic tissues. However, its expression and functional role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. We report that FXR is significantly increased in NSCLC and that it predicts poor clinical outcomes in NSCLC patients. FXR knockdown in NSCLC cells inhibitedin vitrocell proliferation, blocked xenograft growth in nude mice, and delayed the G1/S transition of the cell cycle, whereas ectopic overexpression of FXR promoted NSCLC cell proliferation. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that FXR could directly bind to an inverted repeat-0 sequence in theCCND1promoter and activate its transcription. Cyclin D1 overexpression rescued NSCLC cells from the delayed G1/S transition and the impaired cell proliferation induced by FXR knockdown. Importantly, a positive correlation between the expression of FXR and cyclin D1 was confirmed in NSCLC samples, and patients with high expression of both FXR and cyclin D1 had the worst prognosis. In summary, our results suggest that FXR has oncogenic potential in NSCLC development, providing mechanistic insights that could be exploited for both prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
Single laser pulse generates dual photoacoustic signals for differential contrast photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Gao Fei , Feng Xiaohua , Zhang Ruochong , Liu Siyu , Ding Ran , Kishor Rahul , Zheng Yuanjin
Published: March 2017

Photoacoustic sensing and imaging techniques have been studied widely to explore optical absorption contrast based on nanosecond laser illumination. In this paper, we report a long laser pulse induced dual photoacoustic (LDPA) nonlinear effect, which originates from unsatisfied stress and thermal confinements. Being different from conventional short laser pulse illumination, the proposed method utilizes a long square-profile laser pulse to induce dual photoacoustic signals. Without satisfying the stress confinement, the dual photoacoustic signals are generated following the positive and negative edges of the long laser pulse. More interestingly, the first expansion-induced photoacoustic signal exhibits positive waveform due to the initial sharp rising of temperature. On the contrary, the second contraction-induced photoacoustic signal exhibits exactly negative waveform due to the falling of temperature, as well as pulse-width-dependent signal amplitude. An analytical model is derived to describe the generation of the dual photoacoustic pulses, incorporating Gruneisen saturation and thermal diffusion effect, which is experimentally proved. Lastly, an alternate of LDPA technique using quasi-CW laser excitation is also introduced and demonstrated for both super-contrast in vitro and in vivo imaging. Compared with existing nonlinear PA techniques, the proposed LDPA nonlinear effect could enable a much broader range of potential applications.
Systemic frequencies of T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells in patients with age-related macular degeneration: A case-control study
Authors: Singh Amardeep , Subhi Yousif , Krogh Nielsen Marie , Falk Mads Krüger , Matzen Sara Maj Hyldig , Sellebjerg Finn , Sørensen Torben Lykke
Published: March 2017

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina and a leading cause of irreversible vision loss. We investigated the systemic differences in the frequency of T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cells in patients with non-exudative and exudative AMD and compared to age-matched controls. Flow cytometry was used to determine the systemic frequency of Th1 (CD4+CXCR3+IL12RB2+) and Th17 (CD4+CCR6+IL23R+) cells, and percentage of CD4+ T-cells expressing CXCR3, IL12RB2, CCR6, IL23R, and co-expressing CXCR3 and CCR6. The frequency of Th1 cells and CXCR3+ CD4+ T-cells was lower in patients with exudative AMD. A significant age-dependent decrement in Th1 was observed in controls, but not in non-exudative or exudative AMD. This may be related to the CXCR3+ CD4+ T-cells, which showed similar pattern in controls, but not in non-exudative or exudative AMD. No significant group differences were observed for the frequency of Th17 cells. Correlation networks found several differences between controls and AMD. These data suggests the involvement of the adaptive immune system in AMD and supports the notion of AMD as a systemic disease. Our observations warrant further investigation into the role of the adaptive immune system in the pathogenesis of AMD.
The Arabidopsis Cop9 signalosome subunit 4 (CSN4) is involved in adventitious root formation
Authors: Pacurar Daniel Ioan , Pacurar Monica Lacramioara , Lakehal Abdellah , Pacurar Andrea Mariana , Ranjan Alok , Bellini Catherine
Published: March 2017

The COP9 signalosome (CSN) is an evolutionary conserved multiprotein complex that regulates many aspects of plant development by controlling the activity of CULLIN-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases (CRLs). CRLs ubiquitinate and target for proteasomal degradation a vast number of specific substrate proteins involved in many developmental and physiological processes, including light and hormone signaling and cell division. As a consequence of CSN pleiotropic function, complete loss of CSN activity results in seedling lethality. Therefore, a detailed analysis of CSN physiological functions in adult Arabidopsis plants has been hampered by the early seedling lethality of csn null mutants. Here we report the identification and characterization of a viable allele of the Arabidopsis COP9 signalosome subunit 4 (CSN4). The allele, designated csn4-2035, suppresses the adventitious root (AR) phenotype of the Arabidopsis superroot2-1 mutant, potentially by altering its auxin signaling. Furthermore, we show that although the csn4-2035 mutation affects primary and lateral root (LR) formation in the 2035 suppressor mutant, CSN4 and other subunits of the COP9 complex seem to differentially control AR and LR development.
Flow Cytometric Measurement of Blood Cells with BCR-ABL1 Fusion Protein in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Löf Liza , Arngården Linda , Olsson-Strömberg Ulla , Siart Benjamin , Jansson Mattias , Dahlin Joakim S. , Thörn Ingrid , Christiansson Lisa , Hermansson Monica , Larsson Anders , Ahlstrand Erik , Wålinder Göran , Söderberg Ola , Rosenquist Richard , Landegren Ulf , Kamali-Moghaddam Masood
Published: March 2017

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized in the majority of cases by a t(9;22)(q34;q11) translocation, also called the Philadelphia chromosome, giving rise to the BCR-ABL1 fusion protein. Current treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors is directed against the constitutively active ABL1 domain of the fusion protein, and minimal residual disease (MRD) after therapy is monitored by real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) of the fusion transcript. Here, we describe a novel approach to detect and enumerate cells positive for the BCR-ABL1 fusion protein by combining the in situ proximity ligation assay with flow cytometry as readout (PLA-flow). By targeting of the BCR and ABL1 parts of the fusion protein with one antibody each, and creating strong fluorescent signals through rolling circle amplification, PLA-flow allowed sensitive detection of cells positive for the BCR-ABL1 fusion at frequencies as low as one in 10,000. Importantly, the flow cytometric results correlated strongly to those of RQ-PCR, both in diagnostic testing and for MRD measurements over time. In summary, we believe this flow cytometry-based method can serve as an attractive approach for routine measurement of cells harboring BCR-ABL1 fusions, also allowing simultaneously assessment of other cell surface markers as well as sensitive longitudinal follow-up.
Mechanical Relaxation-to-Rejuvenation Transition in a Zr-based Bulk Metallic Glass
Authors: Zhang M. , Wang Y. M. , Li F. X. , Jiang S. Q. , Li M. Z. , Liu L.
Published: March 2017

The relaxation of amorphous materials, i.e., aging, would largely endanger their performances in service. Here we report a mechanical relaxation-to-rejuvenation transition of a Zr35Ti30Be27.5Cu7.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) in elastostatic compression at ambient temperature, thus provide an accessible way to tailor the mechanical properties of amorphous materials. To unravel the structural evolution underlying the observed transition, atomistic simulations parallel with the experimental tests on a typical model glass system Zr60Cu40 were performed, which successfully reproduced and thus upheld the experimentally observed mechanical relaxation-to-rejuvenation transition. The variations of coordination number and atomic volume during the transition are evaluated to indicate a de-mixing tendency of the constituent atoms in the rejuvenation stage. This de-mixing tendency largely explains the difference between mechanical rejuvenation and thermal rejuvenation and reveals a competitive relationship between activation enthalpy and activation entropy in the stress-driven temperature-assisted atomic dynamics of BMG, such as diffusion and plastic deformation etc.
In silico prediction of chemical subcellular localization via multi-classification methods
Authors: Yang Hongbin , Li Xiao , Cai Yingchun , Wang Qin , Li Weihua , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun
Published: March 2017

Multi-classification models were developed for prediction of subcellular localization of small molecules by machine learning methods.
Metal–polydopamine frameworks and their transformation to hollow metal/N-doped carbon particles
Authors: Liang Y. , Wei J. , Hu Y. X. , Chen X. F. , Zhang J. , Zhang X. Y. , Jiang S. P. , Tao S. W. , Wang H. T.
Published: March 2017

A “MOF genetic” strategy was developed to form hollow metal–organic structures from MOF crystals and dopamine, providing a simple and effective way to synthesize hollow metal/N carbon materials as high-performance oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts.
Spatial organization of multi-enzyme biocatalytic cascades
Authors: Quin M. B. , Wallin K. K. , Zhang G. , Schmidt-Dannert C.
Published: March 2017

Multi-enzyme cascades provide a wealth of valuable chemicals. Efficiency of reaction schemes can be improved by spatial organization of biocatalysts. This review will highlight various methods of spatial organization of biocatalysts: fusion, immobilization, scaffolding and encapsulation.
Facile synthesis of multifunctional Fe3O4@SiO2@Au magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles for MR/CT dual imaging and photothermal therapy
Authors: Hou Xuemei , Wang Xuandong , Liu Rong , Zhang Huicong , Liu Xiaolong , Zhang Yun
Published: March 2017

Monodispersed and well-defined Fe3O4@SiO2@Au magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile method. They were demonstrated to be excellent MR/CT dual imaging and photothermal therapy theranostic agents.
The muscarinic effect of anhydroecgonine methyl ester, a crack cocaine pyrolysis product, impairs melatonin synthesis in the rat pineal gland
Authors: Medeiros de Mesquita Lívia Silva , Garcia Raphael Caio Tamborelli , Amaral Fernanda Gaspar , Peres Rafael , Wood Simone Miller , Lucena RodrigoVincenzo de Luca , Frare Eduardo Osório , Abrahão Mariana Vieira , Marcourakis Tania , Cipolla-Neto José , Afeche Solange Castro
Published: March 2017

AEME impaired melatonin synthesis bothin vivoand in vitro and this effect seems to be mediated by muscarinic receptors and [Ca2+]i elevation.
The innate immune system in human systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Weidenbusch Marc , Kulkarni Onkar P. , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2017

Although the role of adaptive immune mechanisms, e.g. autoantibody formation and abnormal T-cell activation, has been long noted in the pathogenesis of human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the role of innate immunity has been less well characterized. An intricate interplay between both innate and adaptive immune elements exists in protective anti-infective immunity as well as in detrimental autoimmunity. More recently, it has become clear that the innate immune system in this regard not only starts inflammation cascades in SLE leading to disease flares, but also continues to fuel adaptive immune responses throughout the course of the disease. This is why targeting the innate immune system offers an additional means of treating SLE. First trials assessing the efficacy of anti-type I interferon (IFN) therapy or modulators of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signalling have been attempted. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on the role of several distinct innate immune elements, especially neutrophils and dendritic cells as well as the IFN system, as well as specific innate PRRs along with their signalling pathways. Finally, we highlight recent clinical trials in SLE addressing one or more of the aforementioned components of the innate immune system.
Loadability analysis based on short‐circuit power
Authors: Fonseca Antonio , Pérez‐Yauli Fabian , Salazar Gabriel
Published: March 2017

This study describes a loadability analysis in power systems based on short‐circuit power (SSC) at a load bus as a parameter space. This analysis determines the maximum loadability based on a proposed voltage stability indicator called voltage‐power stability indicator (VPSI). VPSI is calculated by processing two consecutive sets of voltage magnitude and power measurements, both recorded at the same bus of a power system. By maximising VPSI under load changes, one can obtain information concerning the SSC. Then, the loadability value can be calculated based upon SSC. The results demonstrate that a simple relation between the SSC and power load can be used to determine the loadability of the power system. This work highlights the advantage of obtaining the loadability in SSC parameter space because system changes or load changes produce the same effect into the SSC domain, allowing better determination of the maximum loadability.
Markovian switching model and non‐linear DC modulation control of AC/DC power system
Authors: Liu Ziwen , Miao Shihong , Fan Zhihua , Han Ji
Published: March 2017

Since the power system is actually a continuous‐discrete hybrid system jointly driven by continuous time and random discrete events, a Markovian switching model of AC/DC power system is established to reflect the operating state of the system. Based on the model, a novel non‐linear DC modulation control with time‐delay compensation is derived to improve the transient rotor‐angle stability of the entire AC/DC power system. The main contributions are: (i) the external events are described as Markovian jumps in system model parameters to reflect the random discrete characteristic of system operating. Meanwhile, the Markovian state transition rates are replaced by the outage rates and repair rates, which avoids expensive computation when the numbers of system operating modes are large; (ii) The time delays are regarded as a kind of bounded disturbance depending on system state and input. By a robust compensation control, the negative influence of time delay disturbance can be eliminated. Simulation performed on a dual‐infeed AC/DC system shows the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the transient stability of the power system.