bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance with Clostridium difficile treatment guidelines: effect on patient outcomes
Authors: CROWELL K. T. , JULIAN K. G. , KATZMAN M. , BERG A. S. , TINSLEY A. , WILLIAMS E. D. , KOLTUN W. A. , MESSARIS E.
Published: June 2017

Guidelines for the severity classification and treatment of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) were published by Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)/Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in 2010; however, compliance and efficacy of these guidelines has not been widely investigated. This present study assessed compliance with guidelines and its effect on CDI patient outcomes as compared with before these recommendations. A retrospective study included all adult inpatients with an initial episode of CDI treated in a single academic center from January 2009 to August 2014. Patients after guideline publication were compared with patients treated in 2009–2010. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected to stratify for disease severity. Outcome measures included compliance with guidelines, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and surgical intervention for CDI. A total of 1021 patients with CDI were included. Based upon the 2010 guidelines, 42 (28·8%) of 146 patients treated in 2009 would have been considered undertreated, and treatment progressively improved over time, as inadequate treatment decreased to 10·0% (15/148 patients) in 2014 (P = 0·0005). Overall, patient outcomes with guideline-adherent treatment decreased CDI attributable mortality twofold (P = 0·006) and CDI-related LOS by 1·9 days (P = 0·0009) when compared with undertreated patients. Compliance with IDSA/SHEA guidelines was associated with a decreased risk of mortality and LOS in hospitalized patients with CDI.
Differential prevalence and correlates of whole blood Epstein–Barr virus DNA between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Shanghai, China
Authors: PAN R. , LIU X. , ZHOU S. , NING Z. , ZHENG H. , GAO M. , DING Y. , YAO W. , LIAO X. , HE N.
Published: June 2017

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine and compare prevalence and correlates of whole blood Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM). Five hundred and four HIV-positive MSM and 504 age-matched HIV-negative MSM were recruited from an HIV counseling and testing clinic in Shanghai, China from November 2014 to November 2015 and were administered with a face-to-face questionnaire interview. Whole blood EBV DNA was tested by nested polymerase chain reaction assays on EBNA-1, EBNA-2, and LMP-1 genes. The prevalence of whole blood EBV DNA was 56·0% (95% CI 51·7–60·3%) among HIV-positive MSM and 26·0% (95% CI 22·4–30·0%) among HIV-negative MSM. Whole blood EBV DNA positivity was significantly associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3·43, 95% CI 2·58–4·57) and frequent intake of pickled, smoked, or salty food (aOR 1·71, 95% CI 1·02–2·86) in the whole sample, and with <200 cells/μl CD4 cell counts (aOR 1·79, 95% CI 1·05–3·05) and pickled, smoked, or salty food intake (aOR 3·14, 95% CI 1·39–7·08) in HIV-positive group. HIV-infected MSM are at higher risk of active EBV replication than HIV-uninfected MSM, underscoring needs of surveillance and research on EBV-related carcinogenesis in this population.
Using automated sanding to homogeneously break seed dormancy in black locust (Robinia pseudoacaciaL., Fabaceae)
Authors: Bouteiller Xavier P. , Porté Annabel J. , Mariette Stéphanie , Monty Arnaud
Published: June 2017

Physical dormancy ofRobinia pseudoacaciaseeds makes it a challenge for scientists and forest managers to obtain a homogeneous germination for larger seed samples. Water imbibition of the seeds can be achieved through manual piercing of the seed coat, but this method remains time consuming and heterogeneous. We tested several ecologically friendly methods to break seed dormancy, including manual pin puncture, water soaking, oven dry-heating (two temperatures) and sanding. Sanding was performed using an automatic grinder to control shaking duration (three durations) and get a homogeneous scraping of the coat. All methods, except dry-heating, resulted in successful dormancy breaking; water soaking was the least efficient method, attaining 57% germination. Sanding proved to be as efficient as puncturing (97%) but long duration sanding (10 or 15 min) could damage cotyledons, which would impede further development of the plant. Short-time sanding (5 min) proved to be the best method to reach high total germination and healthy (undamaged cotyledon) seedlings, and was successfully applied to 500 seeds. The reference puncture method and the automatic sanding were also tested on seeds of nine Fabaceae species and proved to be efficient for some species. Automated sanding can thus be used as a standard to break physical dormancy of black locust or other Fabaceae seeds to allow further comparative studies of plant populations or genotypes.
Perception v. actual intakes of junk food and sugar-sweetened beverages in Australian young adults: assessed using the mobile food record
Authors: Harray Amelia J , Boushey Carol J , Pollard Christina M , Panizza Chloe E , Delp Edward J , Dhaliwal Satvinder S , Kerr Deborah A
Published: June 2017

Objective

To determine perception v. actual intakes of energy-dense nutrient-poor ‘junk food’ (JF) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in young adults, using the mobile food record (mFR).

Design

Before-and-after eating images using a 4 d mFR were assessed for standardised 600 kJ (143 kcal) servings of JF and SSB (excluding diet drinks). Participants reported their concern about the health aspects of their diet, perceptions and intentions regarding JF and SSB.

Setting

Perth, Western Australia.

Subjects

Adults (n 246) aged 18–30 years.

Results

The mean (sd) intake of JF+SSB was 3·7 (2·0) servings/d. Women thinking about drinking less SSB consumed more SSB servings/d (1·5 (1·2)) than men (0·7 (0·5); P<0·05) who were thinking about drinking less. Men not thinking about cutting down JF consumed more servings/d (4·6 (2·4)) than women (2·5 (0·7); P<0·01) who were not thinking about cutting down. Those who paid a lot of attention to the health aspects of their diet consumed less JF+SSB than those who took only a bit of notice (P<0·001), were not really thinking much about it (P<0·001) or who didn’t think at all about the health aspects of food (P<0·01).

Conclusions

Perceptions and attitudes regarding JF and SSB were associated with level of consumption. Those not thinking about cutting down their intake of these foods represent an important target group as they consume more than their peers. Further research is needed to identify how amenable young adults are to changing their intake, particularly given the lack of attention paid to the health aspects of their diet.
Exploratory analysis of meal composition in Australia: meat and accompanying foods
Authors: Sui Zhixian , Raubenheimer David , Rangan Anna
Published: June 2017

Objective

The study of meal patterns and overall diet in relation to health outcomes may be more important than focusing on single nutrients or food groups. The present study aimed to explore the composition of main meals and snacks in the Australian population and examine associations between meat/poultry/fish and other foods.

Design

The study utilised 24 h recalls. Meal composition was defined based on average intakes of food groups per meal disaggregated from all food sources.

Setting

2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.

Subjects

Australian people (n12153) aged 2 years or above.

Results

Overall, breakfast was the smallest meal of the day, typically consisting of grains, dairy products and fruit. Lunch was the second largest meal, consisting mostly of grains, non-starchy vegetables and meat/poultry/fish. The largest meal was dinner, comprising meat/poultry/fish, vegetables (starchy and non-starchy), grains and often including discretionary beverages (children) or alcohol (adults). The main food groups consumed at snacking occasions were dairy, fruit, discretionary foods and beverages (including alcohol for adults). The most frequently consumed meat types were beef and chicken at dinner and ham at lunch. Non-starchy vegetables were accompanying foods for red meat, poultry and fish/seafood consumed in varying portion sizes, but did not accompany processed meat.

Conclusions

The present study considered meat, poultry and fish as the meal centre and their accompaniments of other food groups at different eating occasions. These findings expand the background evidence for health professionals developing meal-based framework/guidelines and public health messages.
A corner store intervention to improve access to fruits and vegetables in two Latino communities
Authors: Albert Stephanie L , Langellier Brent A , Sharif Mienah Z , Chan-Golston Alec M , Prelip Michael L , Elena Garcia Rosa , Glik Deborah C , Belin Thomas R , Brookmeyer Ron , Ortega Alexander N
Published: June 2017

Objective

Investments have been made to alter the food environment of neighbourhoods that have a disproportionate number of unhealthy food venues. Corner store conversions are one strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables (F&V). Although the literature shows modest success, the effectiveness of these interventions remains equivocal. The present paper reports on the evaluation of Proyecto MercadoFRESCO, a corner store conversion intervention in two Latino communities.

Design

A repeated cross-sectional design was employed. Data were stratified by intervention arm and bivariate tests assessed changes over time. Logistic and multiple regression models with intervention arm, time and the interaction of intervention and time were conducted. Supplementary analyses account for clustering of patrons within stores and staggering of store conversions.

Setting

Three stores were converted and five stores served as comparisons in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, California, USA.

Subjects

Store patrons were interviewed before (n550) and after (n407) the intervention.

Results

Relative to patrons of comparison stores, patrons of intervention stores demonstrated more favourable perceptions of corner stores and increased purchasing of F&V during that store visit. Changes were not detected in store patronage, percentage of weekly dollars spent on food for F&V or daily consumption of F&V.

Conclusions

Consistent with some extant food environment literature, findings demonstrate limited effects. Investments should be made in multilevel, comprehensive interventions that target a variety retail food outlets rather than focusing on corner stores exclusively. Complementary policies limiting the availability, affordability and marketing of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods should also be pursued.
Focused Ion Beam Preparation of Specimens for Micro-Electro-Mechanical System-based Transmission Electron Microscopy Heating Experiments
Authors: Vijayan Sriram , Jinschek Joerg R. , Kujawa Stephan , Greiser Jens , Aindow Mark
Published: June 2017

Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based heating holders offer exceptional control of temperature and heating/cooling rates for transmission electron microscopy experiments. The use of such devices is relatively straightforward for nano-particulate samples, but the preparation of specimens from bulk samples by focused ion beam (FIB) milling presents significant challenges. These include: poor mechanical integrity and site selectivity of the specimen, ion beam damage to the specimen and/or MEMS device during thinning, and difficulties in transferring the specimen onto the MEMS device. Here, we describe a novel FIB protocol for the preparation and transfer of specimens from bulk samples, which involves a specimen geometry that provides mechanical support to the electron-transparent region, while maximizing the area of that region and the contact area with the heater plate on the MEMS chip. The method utilizes an inclined stage block that minimizes exposure of the chip to the ion beam during milling. This block also allows for accurate and gentle placement of the FIB-cut specimen onto the chip by using simultaneous electron and ion beam imaging during transfer. Preliminary data from Si and Ag on Si samples are presented to demonstrate the quality of the specimens that can be obtained and their stability during in situ heating experiments.
Introduction: Vulnerability and Social Justice
Authors: Brown Kate
Published: June 2017

At the same time as failures to adequately protect ‘the most vulnerable’ seem to have become a pervasive feature of the political landscape, policies which seek to address vulnerability have proliferated. Government actors, public officers, researchers, media commentators, charities and members of the public alike use vulnerability to articulate an array of personal and political troubles, yet alongside this seemingly shared narrative a multitude of ideologically inclined assumptions and agendas operate by stealth. How vulnerability is drawn upon to frame social issues reworks and reconfigures long-running contestations related to moral dimensions of the welfare subject, understandings of the ‘self’ and wider beliefs about human behaviour. At a time when the pressures of contemporary life increasingly find release through aggression against the socially marginalised (see Wacquant, 2009; Harrison and Sanders, 2014; Atkinson, 2015), vulnerability has become a key concept for social policy research. As I have argued elsewhere, the concept of vulnerability appears to be something of a zeitgeist or ‘spirit of the time’ (Brown, 2014a, 2014b,2015), extending into and shaping responses to a vast array of policy matters.
ORTHOMODULAR-VALUED MODELS FOR QUANTUM SET THEORY
Authors: OZAWA MASANAO
Published: June 2017

In 1981, Takeuti introduced quantum set theory by constructing a model of set theory based on quantum logic represented by the lattice of closed linear subspaces of a Hilbert space in a manner analogous to Boolean-valued models of set theory, and showed that appropriate counterparts of the axioms of Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory with the axiom of choice (ZFC) hold in the model. In this paper, we aim at unifying Takeuti’s model with Boolean-valued models by constructing models based on general complete orthomodular lattices, and generalizing the transfer principle in Boolean-valued models, which asserts that every theorem in ZFC set theory holds in the models, to a general form holding in every orthomodular-valued model. One of the central problems in this program is the well-known arbitrariness in choosing a binary operation for implication. To clarify what properties are required to obtain the generalized transfer principle, we introduce a class of binary operations extending the implication on Boolean logic, called generalized implications, including even nonpolynomially definable operations. We study the properties of those operations in detail and show that all of them admit the generalized transfer principle. Moreover, we determine all the polynomially definable operations for which the generalized transfer principle holds. This result allows us to abandon the Sasaki arrow originally assumed for Takeuti’s model and leads to a much more flexible approach to quantum set theory.
Conical dielectric resonator antenna with improved gain and bandwidth for X-band applications
Authors: Dash Sounik Kiran Kumar , Khan Taimoor , Kanaujia Binod Kumar
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a simple conical-shaped dielectric resonator antenna operating in HEM11δmode is presented for X-band wireless applications. A rectangular slot with a running microstrip line is used for excitation purpose. By placing a FR-4 based superstrate at 7 mm height from the ground FR-4 substrate and incorporating a set of modified ground plane on either side of the feed line, gain is improved by 42.85% and bandwidth by 68.92%, simultaneously. A prototype of designed antenna is fabricated and characterized. The measured results are found to be good in matching with the simulated ones.
The Decomposition of Shared Environmental Influences on Externalizing Syndromes in the Swedish Population: A Multivariate Study
Authors: Ohlsson Henrik , Kendler Kenneth S. , Lichtenstein Paul , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: June 2017

Using information from Swedish population registries, we attempt to decompose the shared environment (C) into four subcomponents: close family, family, household, and community. Among pairs differing in their genetic and geographical/household relationships, we examine three externalizing syndromes: drug abuse (DA), criminal behavior (CB), and alcohol use disorders (AUD). The best-fitting common pathway model suggested that total estimates for C were higher for DA (21% for males and 18% for females) than for AUD (16% and 14%) and CB (17% and 10%). Concerning syndrome-specific influences in males, close family effects were stronger for CB and AUD, while community effects were stronger for DA. The two C components in between community experiences and close family experiences (family and household) were estimated to almost entirely derive from the common latent factor. In females, among the four components of C, the community experiences were just slightly above zero, while the C components referred to as the household effect were almost zero. The total close family experiences were similar and most important across syndromes were also divided into common and specific components. For all syndromes, for both males and females, the effects of additive genetic factors were 2–4 times the size of the total effect of the shared environment. Applying standard methods to novel relationships, we expand our understanding of how the shared environment contributes to individual differences in three externalizing syndromes.
Multimodal epidermal devices for hydration monitoring
Authors: Krishnan Siddharth , Shi Yunzhou , Webb R. Chad , Ma Yinji , Bastien Philippe , Crawford Kaitlyn E. , Wang Ao , Feng Xue , Manco Megan , Kurniawan Jonas , Tir Edward , Huang Yonggang , Balooch Guive , Pielak Rafal M. , Rogers John A.
Published: June 2017

Precise, quantitative in vivo monitoring of hydration levels in the near surface regions of the skin can be useful in preventing skin-based pathologies, and regulating external appearance. Here we introduce multimodal sensors with important capabilities in this context, rendered in soft, ultrathin, ‘skin-like’ formats with numerous advantages over alternative technologies, including the ability to establish intimate, conformal contact without applied pressure, and to provide spatiotemporally resolved data on both electrical and thermal transport properties from sensitive regions of the skin. Systematic in vitro studies and computational models establish the underlying measurement principles and associated approaches for determination of temperature, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric heat capacity, and electrical impedance using simple analysis algorithms. Clinical studies on 20 patients subjected to a variety of external stimuli validate the device operation and allow quantitative comparisons of measurement capabilities to those of existing state-of-the-art tools.
Re-engineering artificial muscle with microhydraulics
Authors: Kedzierski Jakub , Holihan Eric , Cabrera Rafmag , Weaver Isaac
Published: June 2017

We introduce a new type of actuator, the microhydraulic stepping actuator (MSA), which borrows design and operational concepts from biological muscle and stepper motors. MSAs offer a unique combination of power, efficiency, and scalability not easily achievable on the microscale. The actuator works by integrating surface tension forces produced by electrowetting acting on scaled droplets along the length of a thin ribbon. Like muscle, MSAs have liquid and solid functional components and can displace a large fraction of their length. The 100 μm pitch MSA presented here already has an output power density of over 200 W kg−1, rivaling the most powerful biological muscles, due to the scaling of surface tension forces, MSA’s power density grows quadratically as its dimensions are reduced.
Extra-embryonic tissue spreading directs early embryo morphogenesis in killifish
Authors: Reig Germán , Cerda Mauricio , Sepúlveda Néstor , Flores Daniela , Castañeda Victor , Tada Masazumi , Härtel Steffen , Concha Miguel L.
Published: June 2017

The spreading of mesenchymal-like cell layers is critical for embryo morphogenesis and tissue repair, yet we know little of this process in vivo. Here we take advantage of unique developmental features of the non-conventional annual killifish embryo to study the principles underlying tissue spreading in a simple cellular environment, devoid of patterning signals and major morphogenetic cell movements. Using in vivo experimentation and physical modelling we reveal that the extra-embryonic epithelial enveloping cell layer, thought mainly to provide protection to the embryo, directs cell migration and the spreading of embryonic tissue during early development. This function relies on the ability of embryonic cells to couple their autonomous random motility to non-autonomous signals arising from the expansion of the extra-embryonic epithelium, mediated by cell membrane adhesion and tension. Thus, we present a mechanism of extra-embryonic control of embryo morphogenesis that couples the mechanical properties of adjacent tissues in the early killifish embryo.
Probing intermediates of the induction period prior to nucleation and growth of semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Liu Mingyang , Wang Kun , Wang Linxi , Han Shuo , Fan Hongsong , Rowell Nelson , Ripmeester John A. , Renoud Romain , Bian Fenggang , Zeng Jianrong , Yu Kui
Published: June 2017

Little is known about the induction period before the nucleation and growth of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots. Here, we introduce an approach that allows us to probe intermediates present in the induction period. We show that this induction period itself exhibits distinct stages with the evolution of the intermediates, first without and then with the formation of covalent bonds between metal cations and chalcogenide anions. The intermediates are optically invisible in toluene, while the covalent-bonded intermediates become visible as magic-size clusters when a primary amine is added. Such evolution of magic-size clusters provides indirect but compelling evidence for the presence of the intermediates in the induction period and supports the multi-step nucleation model. Our study reveals that magic-size clusters could be readily engineered in a single-size form, and suggests that the existence of the intermediates during the growth of conventional quantum dots results in low product yield.
The PYRIN domain-only protein POP2 inhibits inflammasome priming and activation
Authors: Ratsimandresy Rojo A. , Chu Lan H. , Khare Sonal , de Almeida Lucia , Gangopadhyay Anu , Indramohan Mohanalaxmi , Misharin Alexander V. , Greaves David R. , Perlman Harris , Dorfleutner Andrea , Stehlik Christian
Published: June 2017

Inflammasomes are protein platforms linking recognition of microbe, pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular patterns by cytosolic sensory proteins to caspase-1 activation. Caspase-1 promotes pyroptotic cell death and the maturation and secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, which trigger inflammatory responses to clear infections and initiate wound-healing; however, excessive responses cause inflammatory disease. Inflammasome assembly requires the PYRIN domain (PYD)-containing adaptor ASC, and depends on PYD–PYD interactions. Here we show that the PYD-only protein POP2 inhibits inflammasome assembly by binding to ASC and interfering with the recruitment of ASC to upstream sensors, which prevents caspase-1 activation and cytokine release. POP2 also impairs macrophage priming by inhibiting the activation of non-canonical IκB kinase ɛ and IκBα, and consequently protects from excessive inflammation and acute shock in vivo. Our findings advance our understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms that maintain a balanced inflammatory response and highlight important differences between individual POP members.
Control of morphology and formation of highly geometrically confined magnetic skyrmions
Authors: Jin Chiming , Li Zi-An , Kovács András , Caron Jan , Zheng Fengshan , Rybakov Filipp N. , Kiselev Nikolai S. , Du Haifeng , Blügel Stefan , Tian Mingliang , Zhang Yuheng , Farle Michael , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E
Published: June 2017

The ability to controllably manipulate magnetic skyrmions, small magnetic whirls with particle-like properties, in nanostructured elements is a prerequisite for incorporating them into spintronic devices. Here, we use state-of-the-art electron holographic imaging to directly visualize the morphology and nucleation of magnetic skyrmions in a wedge-shaped FeGe nanostripe that has a width in the range of 45–150 nm. We find that geometrically-confined skyrmions are able to adopt a wide range of sizes and ellipticities in a nanostripe that are absent in both thin films and bulk materials and can be created from a helical magnetic state with a distorted edge twist in a simple and efficient manner. We perform a theoretical analysis based on a three-dimensional general model of isotropic chiral magnets to confirm our experimental results. The flexibility and ease of formation of geometrically confined magnetic skyrmions may help to optimize the design of skyrmion-based memory devices.
Evidence for fungal and chemodenitrification based N2O flux from nitrogen impacted coastal sediments
Authors: Wankel Scott D. , Ziebis Wiebke , Buchwald Carolyn , Charoenpong Chawalit , de Beer Dirk , Dentinger Jane , Xu Zhenjiang , Zengler Karsten
Published: June 2017

Although increasing atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) has been linked to nitrogen loading, predicting emissions remains difficult, in part due to challenges in disentangling diverse N2O production pathways. As coastal ecosystems are especially impacted by elevated nitrogen, we investigated controls on N2O production mechanisms in intertidal sediments using novel isotopic approaches and microsensors in flow-through incubations. Here we show that during incubations with elevated nitrate, increased N2O fluxes are not mediated by direct bacterial activity, but instead are largely catalysed by fungal denitrification and/or abiotic reactions (e.g., chemodenitrification). Results of these incubations shed new light on nitrogen cycling complexity and possible factors underlying variability of N2O fluxes, driven in part by fungal respiration and/or iron redox cycling. As both processes exhibit N2O yields typically far greater than direct bacterial production, these results emphasize their possibly substantial, yet widely overlooked, role in N2O fluxes, especially in redox-dynamic sediments of coastal ecosystems.
Enantioselective decarboxylative chlorination of β-ketocarboxylic acids
Authors: Shibatomi Kazutaka , Kitahara Kazumasa , Sasaki Nozomi , Kawasaki Yohei , Fujisawa Ikuhide , Iwasa Seiji
Published: June 2017

Stereoselective halogenation is a highly useful organic transformation for multistep syntheses because the resulting chiral organohalides can serve as precursors for various medicinally relevant derivatives. Even though decarboxylative halogenation of aliphatic carboxylic acids is a useful and fundamental synthetic method for the preparation of a variety of organohalides, an enantioselective version of this reaction has not been reported. Here we report a highly enantioselective decarboxylative chlorination of β-ketocarboxylic acids to obtain α-chloroketones under mild organocatalytic conditions. The present method is also applicable for the enantioselective synthesis of tertiary α-chloroketones. The conversions of the resulting α-chloroketones into α-aminoketones and α-thio-substituted ketones via SN2 reactions at the tertiary carbon centres are also demonstrated. These results constitute an efficient approach for the synthesis of chiral organohalides and are expected to enhance the availability of enantiomerically enriched chiral compounds with heteroatom-substituted chiral stereogenic centres.
Measuring finite-range phase coherence in an optical lattice using Talbot interferometry
Authors: Santra Bodhaditya , Baals Christian , Labouvie Ralf , Bhattacherjee Aranya B. , Pelster Axel , Ott Herwig
Published: June 2017

One of the important goals of present research is to control and manipulate coherence in a broad variety of systems, such as semiconductor spintronics, biological photosynthetic systems, superconducting qubits and complex atomic networks. Over the past decades, interferometry of atoms and molecules has proven to be a powerful tool to explore coherence. Here we demonstrate a near-field interferometer based on the Talbot effect, which allows us to measure finite-range phase coherence of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. We apply this interferometer to study the build-up of phase coherence after a quantum quench of a Bose–Einstein condensate residing in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Our technique of measuring finite-range phase coherence is generic, easy to adopt and can be applied in practically all lattice experiments without further modifications.
Three-dimensional Pentagon Carbon with a genesis of emergent fermions
Authors: Zhong Chengyong , Chen Yuanping , Yu Zhi-Ming , Xie Yuee , Wang Han , Yang Shengyuan A. , Zhang Shengbai
Published: June 2017

Carbon, the basic building block of our universe, enjoys a vast number of allotropic structures. Owing to its bonding characteristic, most carbon allotropes possess the motif of hexagonal rings. Here, with first-principles calculations, we discover a new metastable three-dimensional carbon allotrope entirely composed of pentagon rings. The unique structure of this Pentagon Carbon leads to extraordinary electronic properties, making it a cornucopia of emergent topological fermions. Under lattice strain, Pentagon Carbon exhibits topological phase transitions, generating a series of novel quasiparticles, from isospin-1 triplet fermions to triply degenerate fermions and further to Hopf-link Weyl-loop fermions. Its Landau level spectrum also exhibits distinct features, including a huge number of almost degenerate chiral Landau bands, implying pronounced magneto-transport signals. Our work not only discovers a remarkable carbon allotrope with highly rare structural motifs, it also reveals a fascinating hierarchical particle genesis with novel topological fermions beyond the Dirac and Weyl paradigm.
Pacific plate motion change caused the Hawaiian-Emperor Bend
Authors: Torsvik Trond H. , Doubrovine Pavel V. , Steinberger Bernhard , Gaina Carmen , Spakman Wim , Domeier Mathew
Published: June 2017

A conspicuous 60° bend of the Hawaiian-Emperor Chain in the north-western Pacific Ocean has variously been interpreted as the result of an abrupt Pacific plate motion change in the Eocene (∼47 Ma), a rapid southward drift of the Hawaiian hotspot before the formation of the bend, or a combination of these two causes. Palaeomagnetic data from the Emperor Seamounts prove ambiguous for constraining the Hawaiian hotspot drift, but mantle flow modelling suggests that the hotspot drifted 4–9° south between 80 and 47 Ma. Here we demonstrate that southward hotspot drift cannot be a sole or dominant mechanism for formation of the Hawaiian-Emperor Bend (HEB). While southward hotspot drift has resulted in more northerly positions of the Emperor Seamounts as they are observed today, formation of the HEB cannot be explained without invoking a prominent change in the direction of Pacific plate motion around 47 Ma.
Universal fragment descriptors for predicting properties of inorganic crystals
Authors: Isayev Olexandr , Oses Corey , Toher Cormac , Gossett Eric , Curtarolo Stefano , Tropsha Alexander
Published: June 2017

Although historically materials discovery has been driven by a laborious trial-and-error process, knowledge-driven materials design can now be enabled by the rational combination of Machine Learning methods and materials databases. Here, data from the AFLOW repository for ab initio calculations is combined with Quantitative Materials Structure-Property Relationship models to predict important properties: metal/insulator classification, band gap energy, bulk/shear moduli, Debye temperature and heat capacities. The prediction’s accuracy compares well with the quality of the training data for virtually any stoichiometric inorganic crystalline material, reciprocating the available thermomechanical experimental data. The universality of the approach is attributed to the construction of the descriptors: Property-Labelled Materials Fragments. The representations require only minimal structural input allowing straightforward implementations of simple heuristic design rules.
Threshold in North Atlantic-Arctic Ocean circulation controlled by the subsidence of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge
Authors: Stärz Michael , Jokat Wilfried , Knorr Gregor , Lohmann Gerrit
Published: June 2017

High latitude ocean gateway changes are thought to play a key role in Cenozoic climate evolution. However, the underlying ocean dynamics are poorly understood. Here we use a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean model to investigate the effect of ocean gateway formation that is associated with the subsidence of the Greenland–Scotland Ridge. We find a threshold in sill depth (∼50 m) that is linked to the influence of wind mixing. Sill depth changes within the wind mixed layer establish lagoonal and estuarine conditions with limited exchange across the sill resulting in brackish or even fresher Arctic conditions. Close to the threshold the ocean regime is highly sensitive to changes in atmospheric CO2 and the associated modulation in the hydrological cycle. For larger sill depths a bi-directional flow regime across the ridge develops, providing a baseline for the final step towards the establishment of a modern prototype North Atlantic-Arctic water exchange.
Single-stage plasma-based correlated energy spread compensation for ultrahigh 6D brightness electron beams
Authors: Manahan G. G. , Habib A. F. , Scherkl P. , Delinikolas P. , Beaton A. , Knetsch A. , Karger O. , Wittig G. , Heinemann T. , Sheng Z. M. , Cary J. R. , Bruhwiler D. L. , Rosenzweig J. B. , Hidding B.
Published: June 2017

Plasma photocathode wakefield acceleration combines energy gains of tens of GeV m−1 with generation of ultralow emittance electron bunches, and opens a path towards 5D-brightness orders of magnitude larger than state-of-the-art. This holds great promise for compact accelerator building blocks and advanced light sources. However, an intrinsic by-product of the enormous electric field gradients inherent to plasma accelerators is substantial correlated energy spread—an obstacle for key applications such as free-electron-lasers. Here we show that by releasing an additional tailored escort electron beam at a later phase of the acceleration, when the witness bunch is relativistically stable, the plasma wave can be locally overloaded without compromising the witness bunch normalized emittance. This reverses the effective accelerating gradient, and counter-rotates the accumulated negative longitudinal phase space chirp of the witness bunch. Thereby, the energy spread is reduced by an order of magnitude, thus enabling the production of ultrahigh 6D-brightness beams.
Synergistic cooperation promotes multicellular performance and unicellular free-rider persistence
Authors: Driscoll William W , Travisano Michael
Published: June 2017

The evolution of multicellular life requires cooperation among cells, which can be undermined by intra-group selection for selfishness. Theory predicts that selection to avoid non-cooperators limits social interactions among non-relatives, yet previous evolution experiments suggest that intra-group conflict is an outcome, rather than a driver, of incipient multicellular life cycles. Here we report the evolution of multicellularity via two distinct mechanisms of group formation in the unicellular budding yeast Kluyveromyces lactis. Cells remain permanently attached following mitosis, giving rise to clonal clusters (staying together); clusters then reversibly assemble into social groups (coming together). Coming together amplifies the benefits of multicellularity and allows social clusters to collectively outperform solitary clusters. However, cooperation among non-relatives also permits fast-growing unicellular lineages to ‘free-ride’ during selection for increased size. Cooperation and competition for the benefits of multicellularity promote the stable coexistence of unicellular and multicellular genotypes, underscoring the importance of social and ecological context during the transition to multicellularity.
Hafnium—an optical hydrogen sensor spanning six orders in pressure
Authors: Boelsma C. , Bannenberg L. J. , van Setten M. J. , Steinke N.-J. , van Well A. A. , Dam B.
Published: June 2017

Hydrogen detection is essential for its implementation as an energy vector. So far, palladium is considered to be the most effective hydrogen sensing material. Here we show that palladium-capped hafnium thin films show a highly reproducible change in optical transmission in response to a hydrogen exposure ranging over six orders of magnitude in pressure. The optical signal is hysteresis-free within this range, which includes a transition between two structural phases. A temperature change results in a uniform shift of the optical signal. This, to our knowledge unique, feature facilitates the sensor calibration and suggests a constant hydrogenation enthalpy. In addition, it suggests an anomalously steep increase of the entropy with the hydrogen/metal ratio that cannot be explained on the basis of a classical solid solution model. The optical behaviour as a function of its hydrogen content makes hafnium well-suited for use as a hydrogen detection material.
The contribution of pathogenic variants in breast cancer susceptibility genes to familial breast cancer risk
Authors: Slavin Thomas P. , Maxwell Kara N. , Lilyquist Jenna , Vijai Joseph , Neuhausen Susan L. , Hart Steven N. , Ravichandran Vignesh , Thomas Tinu , Maria Ann , Villano Danylo , Schrader Kasmintan A. , Moore Raymond , Hu Chunling , Wubbenhorst Bradley , Wenz Brandon M. , D’Andrea Kurt , Robson Mark E. , Peterlongo Paolo , Bonanni Bernardo , Ford James M. , Garber Judy E. , Domchek Susan M. , Szabo Csilla , Offit Kenneth , Nathanson Katherine L. , Weitzel Jeffrey N. , Couch Fergus J.
Published: June 2017

Understanding the gene-specific risks for development of breast cancer will lead to improved clinical care for those carrying germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes. We sought to detail the spectrum of mutations and refine risk estimates for known and proposed breast cancer susceptibility genes. Targeted massively-parallel sequencing was performed to identify mutations and copy number variants in 26 known or proposed breast cancer susceptibility genes in 2134BRCA1/2-negative women with familial breast cancer (proband with breast cancer and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer) from a largely European–Caucasian multi-institutional cohort. Case–control analysis was performed comparing the frequency of internally classified mutations identified in familial breast cancer women to Exome Aggregation Consortium controls. Mutations were identified in 8.2% of familial breast cancer women, including mutations in high-risk (odds ratio > 5) (1.4%) and moderate-risk genes (2 < odds ratio < 5) (2.9%). The remaining familial breast cancer women had mutations in proposed breast cancer genes (1.7%), Lynch syndrome genes (0.5%), and six cases had two mutations (0.3%). Case–control analysis demonstrated associations with familial breast cancer forATM, PALB2, andTP53mutations (odds ratio > 3.0,p < 10−4),BARD1mutations (odds ratio = 3.2,p = 0.012), andCHEK2truncating mutations (odds ratio = 1.6,p = 0.041). Our results demonstrate that approximately 4.7% ofBRCA1/2negative familial breast cancer women have mutations in genes statistically associated with breast cancer. We classifiedPALB2andTP53as high-risk,ATMandBARD1as moderate risk, andCHEK2truncating mutations as low risk breast cancer predisposition genes. This study demonstrates that large case–control studies are needed to fully evaluate the breast cancer risks associated with mutations in moderate-risk and proposed susceptibility genes.
Private quantum computation: an introduction to blind quantum computing and related protocols
Authors: Fitzsimons Joseph F.
Published: June 2017

Quantum technologies hold the promise of not only faster algorithmic processing of data, via quantum computation, but also of more secure communications, in the form of quantum cryptography. In recent years, a number of protocols have emerged which seek to marry these concepts for the purpose of securing computation rather than communication. These protocols address the task of securely delegating quantum computation to an untrusted device while maintaining the privacy, and in some instances the integrity, of the computation. We present a review of the progress to date in this emerging area.
Random electric field instabilities of relaxor ferroelectrics
Authors: Arce-Gamboa José R. , Guzmán-Verri Gian G.
Published: June 2017

Relaxor ferroelectrics are complex oxide materials which are rather unique to study the effects of compositional disorder on phase transitions. Here, we study the effects of quenched cubic random electric fields on the lattice instabilities that lead to a ferroelectric transition and show that, within a microscopic model and a statistical mechanical solution, even weak compositional disorder can prohibit the development of long-range order and that a random field state with anisotropic and power-law correlations of polarization emerges from the combined effect of their characteristic dipole forces and their inherent charge disorder. We compare and reproduce several key experimental observations in the well-studied relaxor PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–PbTiO3.
A multiscale model of early cell lineage specification including cell division
Authors: Tosenberger Alen , Gonze Didier , Bessonnard Sylvain , Cohen-Tannoudji Michel , Chazaud Claire , Dupont Geneviève
Published: June 2017

Embryonic development is a self-organised process during which cells divide, interact, change fate according to a complex gene regulatory network and organise themselves in a three-dimensional space. Here, we model this complex dynamic phenomenon in the context of the acquisition of epiblast and primitive endoderm identities within the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo in the mouse. The multiscale model describes cell division and interactions between cells, as well as biochemical reactions inside each individual cell and in the extracellular matrix. The computational results first confirm that the previously proposed mechanism by which extra-cellular signalling allows cells to select the appropriate fate in a tristable regulatory network is robust when considering a realistic framework involving cell division and three-dimensional interactions. The simulations recapitulate a variety of in vivo observations on wild-type and mutant embryos and suggest that the gene regulatory network confers differential plasticity to the different cell fates. A detailed analysis of the specification process emphasizes that developmental transitions and the salt-and-pepper patterning of epiblast and primitive endoderm cells from a homogenous population of inner cell mass cells arise from the interplay between the internal gene regulatory network and extracellular signalling by Fgf4. Importantly, noise is necessary to create some initial heterogeneity in the specification process. The simulations suggest that initial cell-to-cell differences originating from slight inhomogeneities in extracellular Fgf4 signalling, in possible combination with slightly different concentrations of the key transcription factors between daughter cells, are able to break the original symmetry and are amplified in a flexible and self-regulated manner until the blastocyst stage.
An aromatic noble-gas hydride: C6H5CCXeH
Authors: Duarte Luís , Khriachtchev Leonid
Published: June 2017

We report on the aromatic noble-gas hydride, C6H5CCXeH, identified in a xenon matrix using infrared spectroscopy and extensive quantum chemical calculations. This molecule is prepared by 250-nm photolysis of phenylacetylene (C6H5CCH) isolated in a xenon matrix and subsequent thermal mobilization of hydrogen atoms at about 40 K. The characteristic H–Xe stretching mode of C6H5CCXeH is observed at about 1500 cm−1, and a number of other fundamentals also appear in the experimental spectra. The assignment is supported by deuteration experiments providing predictable shifts of the vibrational frequencies. The experimental and calculated spectra are in a good agreement. C6H5CCXeH is computationally lower in energy than the C6H5CC + Xe + H fragments by about 0.60 eV at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ-PP level of theory, which allows its formation at low temperatures. C6H5CCXeH is the first aromatic noble-gas hydride and the first halogen-free aromatic noble-gas compound.
Transcriptome sequencing identifies ANLN as a promising prognostic biomarker in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Shuxiong , Yu Xiaowen , Ma Chong , Song Ruixiang , Zhang Zhensheng , Zi Xiaoyuan , Chen Xin , Wang Yang , Yu Yongwei , Zhao Junjie , Wei Rongchao , Sun Yinghao , Xu Chuanliang
Published: June 2017

The prognosis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) varies greatly even for patients with similar pathological characteristics. We conducted transcriptome sequencing on ten pairs of BLCA samples and adjacent normal tissues to identify differentially expressed genes. Anillin (ANLN) was identified as a transcript that was significantly up-regulated in BLCA samples compared with normal tissues. Prognostic power of candidate gene was studied using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry on 40 and 209 patients, respectively. Patients with elevated ANLN expression level was correlated with poorer cancer-specific (median, 22.4 vs. 37.3 months, p = 0.001), progression-free (median, 19.7 vs. 27.9 months, p = 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (median, 17.1 vs. 25.2 months, p = 0.011) compared with low ANLN expression. Public datasets TCGA and NCBI-GEO were analyzed for external validation. Knockdown of ANLN in J82 and 5637 cells using small interfering RNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion ability. Moreover, knockdown of ANLN resulted in G2/M phase arrest and decreased expression of cyclin B1 and D1. Microarray analysis suggested that ANLN played a major role in cell migration and was closely associated with several cancer-related signaling pathways. In conclusion, ANLN was identified as a promising prognostic biomarker which could be used to stratify different risks of BLCA.