bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genesis of apatite ores of the Magan massif (northern East Siberia)
Authors: Panina L.I. , Isakova A.T.
Published: April 2016

Having applied the methods of comprehensive melt inclusion studies, we elucidated the formation conditions for one of the largest apatite deposits in the Maimecha–Kotui province, located in the exocontact zone of the Magan alkaline ultramafic carbonatite massif, in apoquartzite fenite-aegirinites. We examined the most P-enriched exocontact nepheline-containing aegirinites and ijolite veins in them. In veined ijiolite, primary silicate–salt melt inclusions in nepheline and syngenetic primary silicate, alkali sulfate–carbonate, and carbonate melt inclusions in apatite were found. Primary alkali sulfate–carbonate melt inclusions were also identified in apatite from exocontact nepheline-containing aegirinites. Detailed analysis of the inclusions showed that nepheline of the apatite-containing ijolite veins crystallized at 1100–1120 °C from homogeneous nephelinite melt, which was enriched in SO3, Cl, CO2, and H2O and locally contaminated with quartz sandstones and quartzites. At lower temperatures (either at the final stages of nepheline crystallization or at the early stages of apatite formation), the melt was already heterogeneous (probably, because of immiscibility) and consisted of more Si-saturated, alkali sulfate–carbonate, and carbonate fractions. Apatite crystallized mainly from separated alkali sulfate–carbonate melts: at 1080–980 °C in veined ijolites and at 940–760 °C in aegirinites. Alkali sulfate–carbonate melts in veined ijolites were enriched in SO3 but depleted in P as compared with those in aegirinites. At the final stage, apatite crystallized from P-poor carbonate melts.
The Good and the Bad: Environmental Efficiency in Northeastern U.S. Dairy Farming
Authors: Njuki Eric , Bravo-Ureta Boris E. , Mukherjee Deep
Published: April 2016

This study evaluates the environmental performance of northeastern U.S. dairy operations that differ in size using a directional output-distance function that measures the joint production of milk and emissions while incorporating a four-way error approach that captures farm-size heterogeneity, transient and persistent technical efficiency, and random errors. For the emission component, a comprehensive pollution index is generated that incorporates three major sources of pollution in dairy farming: fuel, fertilizer, and livestock. Computed shadow prices and Morishima elasticities of substitution reveal that large dairy operations are environmentally inefficient compared to their smaller counterparts.
Valuing Historical and Open Space Amenities with Hedonic Property Valuation Models
Authors: Hicks Robert L. , Queen Bonnie M.
Published: April 2016

Impacts of historic and cultural amenities on property values and the economy have not been widely studied in part because of problems isolating statistical effects using nonmarket valuation and lack of study areas. Three jurisdictions in Virginia containing major historic sites provide a unique setting in which to isolate the effects of historical amenities on residential property values using revealed preferences and quantify their economic benefits. We find that historic areas provide both open space and historic amenities. Furthermore, being adjacent to a historical area is not a positive benefit on average, perhaps because of activity and congestion associated with tourism. Residing close to such areas is valuable to buyers.
The ‘Logic of Gift’: Inspiring Behavior in Organizations Beyond the Limits of Duty and Exchange
Authors: Baviera Tomás , English William , Guillén Manuel
Published: April 2016

Giving without the expectation of reward is difficult to understand in organizational contexts. In opposition to a logic based on self-interest or a sense of duty, a “logic of gift” has been proposed as a way to understand the phenomenon of free, unconditional giving. However, the rationale behind, and effects of, this logic have been under-explored. This paper responds by first clarifying the three logics of action—the logic of exchange, the logic of duty, and the logic of gift—and then explains how their balanced integration promises to enhance organizational life and outcomes. Having explicated the unique character and contributions of the logic of gift, the paper further suggests practical implications for management. Encouraging the logic of gift fosters more humane relationships within organizations and to enable individuals to be generous in ways that inspire trust and promote creativity.
Spatial Shift in the Utilization of Mental Health Services After Hurricane Sandy Among New York City Residents Enrolled in Medicaid
Authors: Hall Gerod , Jessup Jillian , Lim Sungwoo , Olson Donald , Seligson Amber Levanon , He Fangtao Tony , De La Cruz Nneka , Gwynn Charon
Published: April 2016

Objective

Closure of several New York City (NYC) hospitals after Hurricane Sandy caused an unanticipated, extended surge in patient demand at open hospitals. This study identified hospitals with a significant increase in mental-health-related emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient visits from Medicaid patients displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

Methods

NYC Medicaid patients were classified into non-mutually-exclusive geographic categories corresponding to residence in areas served by Bellevue Hospital Center and Coney Island Hospital, the hurricane impact area, and all of NYC. For each geographic region, we compared the observed to the expected number of service visits in the 6 months after the storm. The expected number of visits was calculated from 2-year trends in mental health claims.

Results

Twenty-four facilities in all 5 NYC boroughs experienced patient redistribution from storm-affected areas. Eighteen facilities had a concurrent surge in total Medicaid patients, which suggested that redistribution had a greater impact on resource use at these locations.

Conclusions

The redistribution of Medicaid patients after Hurricane Sandy increased mental health service utilization at facilities not near flooded areas. Our findings can aid in surge capacity planning and thereby improve the continuity of mental health care after a natural disaster. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:420–427)
The complex metabolism of trimethylamine in humans: endogenous and exogenous sources
Authors: Chhibber-Goel Jyoti , Gaur Anamika , Singhal Varsha , Parakh Neeraj , Bhargava Balram , Sharma Amit
Published: April 2016

Trimethylamine (TMA) is a tertiary amine with a characteristic fishy odour. It is synthesised from dietary constituents, including choline, L-carnitine, betaine and lecithin by the action of microbial enzymes during both healthy and diseased conditions in humans. Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a disease typified by its association with the characteristic fishy odour because of decreased TMA metabolism and excessive TMA excretion. Besides TMAU, a number of other diseases are associated with abnormal levels of TMA, including renal disorders, cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders. Aside from its role in pathobiology, TMA is a precursor of trimethylamine-N-oxide that has been associated with an increased risk of athero-thrombogenesis. Additionally, TMA is a major air pollutant originating from vehicular exhaust, food waste and animal husbandry industry. The adverse effects of TMA need to be monitored given its ubiquitous presence in air and easy absorption through human skin. In this review, we highlight multifaceted attributes of TMA with an emphasis on its physiological, pathological and environmental impacts. We propose a clinical surveillance of human TMA levels that can fully assess its role as a potential marker of microbial dysbiosis-based diseases.
Can We Change How Political Science Thinks? “Gender Mainstreaming” in a Resistant Discipline
Authors: Vickers Jill
Published: April 2016

This paper argues that, despite significant increases in the number of women professors and the growth of feminist political science, transformative change hasn't occurred in how conventional political scientists think about politics. “Transformativechange” requires the successful mainstreaming of gender-focused knowledge and the use of “gender” as a category of analysis in studies of politics. The article first explores the insights of leading feminist political scientists in the five Anglo-American democracies, about why gender mainstreaming has not succeeded to date. It establishes the extent of the failure and explores its causes, including the discipline's fragmented structure, polarized culture and a number of theoretical and methodological incompatibilities between mainstream and feminist political science. Finally, several promising strategies for achieving transformative change are explored.
Nguyễn Công Trứ at the court of Minh Mạng
Authors: Taylor Keith W.
Published: April 2016

Nguyễn Công Trứ, poet and songwriter, was an official at the Vietnamese court in the early nineteenth century who gained acclaim for settling landless peasants on abandoned land. This essay recounts and analyses his family background and the early part of his public career. It contrasts his initiatives in the countryside with criticism of them by officials at the royal court and examines his first major demotion in 1831. This study encompasses the contrasting career of Hoàng Quýnh, the official whose accusation caused Nguyễn Công Trứ's demotion. From this we gain some understanding of how King Minh Mạng maintained control of the royal court, through a system of promotions and demotions, amidst regional tensions and personality conflicts.
KILLING IN WAR AND THE MORAL EQUALITY THESIS
Authors: Finkelstein Claire
Published: April 2016

In his famous book Just and Unjust Wars, Michael Walzer articulates a thesis he calls the “Moral Equality of Soldiers,” namely, the principle that combatants have an equal right to kill other combatants in war, regardless of the justice of the cause for which they are fighting. The Moral Equality Thesis, as I shall call it, is an essential component of traditional Just War Theory, in that it provides the basis for distinguishing the jus in bello from the jus ad bellum. It also plays a crucial role in identifying the nature of the difference between combatants and civilians. The Moral Equality Thesis has recently come under attack by scholars of Just War Theory, notably philosopher Jeff McMahan, on the grounds that killing for immoral purposes cannot be justified, and so it cannot be true that combatants all have an equal right to kill, regardless of the justice of their cause. In this essay, I defend the Moral Equality Thesis in its traditional formulation. Without it, I argue, the rule of law would not apply in war. The failure to recognize the equal right of combatants to kill in war, I suggest, creates an inconsistency between the rules of war and basic concepts in the law and morality of self-defense, an inconsistency that McMahan himself would think undesirable. I argue that McMahan’s argument applies more compellingly to armed conflict in asymmetrical warfare. Arguably, the Moral Equality Thesis does not apply in an armed conflict between combatants and unlawful combatants. In that context, the divergence from the law and morality of self-defense is less of a concern.
Quantitative phase analysis of challenging samples using neutron powder diffraction. Sample #4 from the CPD QPA round robin revisited
Authors: Whitfield Pamela S.
Published: April 2016

Quantitative phase analysis (QPA) using neutron powder diffraction more often than not involves non-ambient studies where no sample preparation is possible. The larger samples and penetration of neutrons versus X-rays makes neutron diffraction less susceptible to inhomogeneity and large grain sizes, but most well-characterized QPA standard samples do not have these characteristics. Sample #4 from the International Union of Crystallography Commission on Powder Diffraction QPA round robin was one such sample. Data were collected using the POWGEN time-of-flight (TOF) neutron powder diffractometer and analysed together with historical data from the C2 diffractometer at Chalk River. The presence of magnetic reflections from Fe3O4 (magnetite) in the sample was an additional consideration, and given the frequency at which iron-containing and other magnetic compounds are present during in-operando studies their possible impact on the accuracy of QPA is of interest. Additionally, scattering from thermal diffuse scattering in the high-Q region (<0.6 Å) accessible with TOF data could impact QPA results during least-squares because of the extreme peak overlaps present in this region. Refinement of POWGEN data was largely insensitive to the modification of longer d-spacing reflections by magnetic contributions, but the constant-wavelength data were adversely impacted if the magnetic structure was not included. A robust refinement weighting was found to be effective in reducing quantification errors using the constant-wavelength neutron data both where intensities from magnetic reflections were ignored and included. Results from the TOF data were very sensitive to inadequate modelling of the high-Q (low d-spacing) background using simple polynomials.
IPRs, Public Health, and International Trade: An International Law Perspective on the TRIPS Amendment
Authors: GUAN WENWEI
Published: April 2016

This article critically examines the dynamics between public health, intellectual property, and international trade in the context of the TRIPS Amendment and its theoretical implications in international law. The article suggests that international efforts in the TRIPS 2003 Waiver and 2005 Amendment addressing public health concerns have not been very successful due to the birth defect of TRIPS, i.e., hoping a private-rights-in-nature regime could accommodate public interests in health concerns. TRIPS’ birth defect further reveals itself in post-TRIPS development and contributed to the failure of the TRIPS Waiver and Amendment due to the resulting practice fragmentation and procedural hurdles in domestic compulsory licensing administration. Moreover, the TRIPS Amendment raised a fundamental theoretical issue, i.e., how the WTO as an international organization in public international law can regulate compulsory licensing of intellectual property rights as private rights – in particular the proprietary right to remuneration – while recognizing that TRIPS grants no positive rights. The paper suggests that the key to the issue is the treatment of private rights in public international law. It is submitted that the TRIPS Amendment has no legal basis in international law due to its unwarranted intrusion into members’ domestic affairs and individuals’ private proprietary rights. The article thus calls for alternative thinking about the TRIPS Amendment, in particular to leave administration of compulsory licensing fully with domestic authorities as it is in the Paris Convention.
Disconnecting Humanitarian Law from EU Subsidiary Protection: A Hypothesis of Defragmentation of International Law
Authors: NICOLOSI SALVATORE FABIO
Published: April 2016

The development of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) has often revealed the tight interrelation between refugee law, humanitarian law and international criminal law. It has been argued that the latter bodies of law have, in fact, played a major role in the development of most key concept of the European Union asylumacquis.

Drawing from the judgment issued by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) inDiakité, this article aims to prove that this assumption is not always true, especially with reference to the interpretation of specific concepts of international humanitarian law (IHL) and, in particular, the controversial notion of ‘internal armed conflict’. In tackling the sensitive issue of clarifying the meaning of ‘internal armed conflict’ in order to investigate the grounds to warrant subsidiary protection under the Qualification Directive, the Court provided an autonomous interpretation that goes beyond IHL, thus offering another occasion to investigate the interrelation between international law and the EU legal order.

While contributing to the ongoing debate on the relationship between international law and the EU legal order, the article will consider the impact of the Court's reasoning on the EU asylumacquis, and will consider whether disconnecting the Qualification Directive from IHL, instead of producing further fragmentation of international law, may contribute to its defragmentation, conceived of as a harmonic co-ordination of different branches of law.
Pooled influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates for Australia, 2012–2014
Authors: SULLIVAN S. G. , CARVILLE K. S. , CHILVER M. , FIELDING J. E. , GRANT K. A. , KELLY H. , LEVY A. , STOCKS N. P. , TEMPONE S. S. , REGAN A. K.
Published: April 2016

Data were pooled from three Australian sentinel general practice influenza surveillance networks to estimate Australia-wide influenza vaccine coverage and effectiveness against community presentations for laboratory-confirmed influenza for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. Patients presenting with influenza-like illness at participating GP practices were swabbed and tested for influenza. The vaccination odds of patients testing positive were compared with patients testing negative to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) by logistic regression, adjusting for age group, week of presentation and network. Pooling of data across Australia increased the sample size for estimation from a minimum of 684 to 3,683 in 2012, from 314 to 2,042 in 2013 and from 497 to 3,074 in 2014. Overall VE was 38% [95% confidence interval (CI) 24–49] in 2012, 60% (95% CI 45–70) in 2013 and 44% (95% CI 31–55) in 2014. For A(H1N1)pdm09 VE was 54% (95% CI–28 to 83) in 2012, 59% (95% CI 33–74) in 2013 and 55% (95% CI 39–67) in 2014. For A(H3N2), VE was 30% (95% CI 14–44) in 2012, 67% (95% CI 39–82) in 2013 and 26% (95% CI 1–45) in 2014. For influenza B, VE was stable across years at 56% (95% CI 37–70) in 2012, 57% (95% CI 30–73) in 2013 and 54% (95% CI 21–73) in 2014. Overall VE against influenza was low in 2012 and 2014 when A(H3N2) was the dominant strain and the vaccine was poorly matched. In contrast, overall VE was higher in 2013 when A(H1N1)pdm09 dominated and the vaccine was a better match. Pooling data can increase the sample available and enable more precise subtype- and age group-specific estimates, but limitations remain.
Developmental considerations with regard to so-called absence of the leaflets of the arterial valves
Authors: Tretter Justin T. , Steffensen Thora , Westover Thomas , Anderson Robert H. , Spicer Diane E.
Published: April 2016

Background

Absent arterial valve leaflets are rare anomalies. On the basis of our understanding of the normal development of the arterial valves, we draw inferences that might offer clues to their morphogenesis.

Methods

We describe the findings from four human fetal autopsies with so-called “absent” arterial valvar leaflets. We then make inferences relative to these finding on the basis of our current understanding of normal development, the latter obtained by analysis of episcopic data sets from a large series of mouse embryos.

Results

The fetuses had died between 12 and 15 weeks of gestation. In two cases, we found absence of the leaflets of the pulmonary valve, with patency of the arterial duct, but otherwise normal hearts. In a third case, there was absence of the leaflets of both arterial valves, along with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect and a “window-type” arterial duct. This fetus had a completely muscular subaortic infundibulum. The last fetus had a pulmonary dominant common arterial trunk, with absence of the truncal valvar leaflets, but again with a muscular subtruncal infundibulum. Findings from the analysis of the mouse embryos reveal that the arterial valvar leaflets are formed from the distal outflow cushions, but that the cushions have a separate function in septating the arterial roots and the proximal outflow tracts.

Conclusions

When interpreting the fetal findings in the light of development, we conclude that there had been normal fusion of the major outflow cushions, but failure in excavation of their peripheral margins in three of the cases. In the fourth case, however, the cushions had not only failed to excavate but had also failed to separate the arterial roots.
Changes in Free Symptom Attributions in Hypochondriasis after Cognitive Therapy and Exposure Therapy
Authors: Schwind Julia , Neng Julia M. B. , Weck Florian
Published: April 2016

Background: Cognitive-behavioural therapy can change dysfunctional symptom attributions in patients with hypochondriasis. Past research has used forced-choice answer formats, such as questionnaires, to assess these misattributions; however, with this approach, idiosyncratic attributions cannot be assessed. Free associations are an important complement to existing approaches that assess symptom attributions. Aims: With this study, we contribute to the current literature by using an open-response instrument to investigate changes in freely associated attributions after exposure therapy (ET) and cognitive therapy (CT) compared with a wait list (WL). Method: The current study is a re-examination of a formerly published randomized controlled trial (Weck, Neng, Richtberg, Jakob and Stangier, 2015) that investigated the effectiveness of CT and ET. Seventy-three patients with hypochondriasis were randomly assigned to CT, ET or a WL, and completed a 12-week treatment (or waiting period). Before and after the treatment or waiting period, patients completed an Attribution task in which they had to spontaneously attribute nine common bodily sensations to possible causes in an open-response format. Results: Compared with the WL, both CT and ET reduced the frequency of somatic attributions regarding severe diseases (CT: Hedges's g = 1.12; ET: Hedges's g = 1.03) and increased the frequency of normalizing attributions (CT: Hedges's g = 1.17; ET: Hedges's g = 1.24). Only CT changed the attributions regarding moderate diseases (Hedges's g = 0.69). Changes in somatic attributions regarding mild diseases and psychological attributions were not observed. Conclusions: Both CT and ET are effective for treating freely associated misattributions in patients with hypochondriasis. This study supplements research that used a forced-choice assessment.
Nucleologenesis inTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Nepomuceno-Mejía Tomás , Lara-Martínez Reyna , Hernández Roberto , Segura-Valdez María de Lourdes , Jiménez-García Luis F.
Published: April 2016

Nucleolar assembly is a cellular event that requires the synthesis and processing of ribosomal RNA, in addition to the participation of pre-nucleolar bodies (PNBs) at the end of mitosis. In mammals and plants, nucleolar biogenesis has been described in detail, but in unicellular eukaryotes it is a poorly understood process. In this study, we used light and electron microscopy cytochemical techniques to investigate the distribution of nucleolar components in the pathway of nucleolus rebuilding during closed cell division in epimastigotes ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of American trypanosomiasis. Silver impregnation specific for nucleolar organizer regions and an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid regressive procedure to preferentially stain ribonucleoprotein revealed the conservation and dispersion of nucleolar material throughout the nucleoplasm during cell division. Furthermore, at the end of mitosis, the argyrophilic proteins were concentrated in the nucleolar organizer region. Unexpectedly, accumulation of nucleolar material in the form of PNBs was not visualized. We suggest that formation of the nucleolus in epimastigotes ofT. cruzioccurs by a process that does not require the concentration of nucleolar material within intermediate nuclear bodies such as mammalian and plant PNBs.
N-butyl cyanoacrylate in the treatment of venous insufficiency - the effect of embolisation with ablative polymerisation
Authors: Çalık Eyüp Serhat , Arslan Ümit , Ayaz Fırat , Tort Mehmet , Yıldız Ziya , Aksu Volkan , Onk Oruç Alper , Limandal Hüsnü Kamil , Ekingen Evren , Dağ Özgür , Kaygın Mehmet Ali , Erkut Bilgehan
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Background: The primary objective of this multicentre prospective observational study was to evaluate the early results of a new non-thermal embolisation method using N-butyl cyanoacrylate in venous insufficiency. Patients and methods: A total of 181 patients with a varicose vein diagnosis were treated with the VariClose: Vein Sealing Systems at four different centres. The protocol included physical and colour Doppler ultrasonography examination, venous clinical severity score and quality of life assessment before and after the procedure on days 1 and 7 and at months 1, 3 and 6. Clinical recovery was evaluated by comparing the venous clinical severity score and the quality of life assessment before and after the procedure. Results: In total, 215 embolisation procedures were successfully completed on 181 patients (110 female) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 13.2 years (range 18 - 72 years). The 215 procedures consisted of 25 bilateral applications on 206 great saphenous veins and 9 small saphenous veins. The average pre-interventional diameter of great saphenous veins was 6.5 ± 1.4 mm (4.3 - 14 mm), and the mean diameter of small saphenous veins was 5.2 ± 1.3 mm (3.8 - 8.6 mm). The average length of the sealed vein segments was 31.6 ± 6.1 cm (23 - 70 cm), and the average N-butyl cyanoacrylate usage for the patient was 0.9 ml (0.7 - 2.1 ml). The procedural occlusion rate was 100 %. Post-operative pain was observed in 11 patients (6.1 %), and thrombophlebitis was observed in 1 patient (0.5 %). No total recanalisation was observed. Five (2.7 %) partial recanalisations were observed at the 6 month follow-up. The 6 month total occlusion rate was 97.2 %. Conclusions: This new tumescent-free non-thermal embolisation method can be applied safely with high success rates.
Metagenomic analysis of rapid gravity sand filter microbial communities suggests novel physiology ofNitrospiraspp.
Authors: Palomo Alejandro , Jane Fowler S , Gülay Arda , Rasmussen Simon , Sicheritz-Ponten Thomas , Smets Barth F
Published: April 2016

Rapid gravity sand filtration is a drinking water production technology widely used around the world. Microbially catalyzed processes dominate the oxidative transformation of ammonia, reduced manganese and iron, methane and hydrogen sulfide, which may all be present at millimolar concentrations when groundwater is the source water. In this study, six metagenomes from various locations within a groundwater-fed rapid sand filter (RSF) were analyzed. The community gene catalog contained most genes of the nitrogen cycle, with particular abundance in genes of the nitrification pathway. Genes involved in different carbon fixation pathways were also abundant, with the reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway most abundant, consistent with an observed Nitrospira dominance. From the metagenomic data set, 14 near-complete genomes were reconstructed and functionally characterized. On the basis of their genetic content, a metabolic and geochemical model was proposed. The organisms represented by draft genomes had the capability to oxidize ammonium, nitrite, hydrogen sulfide, methane, potentially iron and manganese as well as to assimilate organic compounds. A composite Nitrospira genome was recovered, and amo-containing Nitrospira genome contigs were identified. This finding, together with the high Nitrospira abundance, and the abundance of atypical amo and hao genes, suggests the potential for complete ammonium oxidation by Nitrospira, and a major role of Nitrospira in the investigated RSFs and potentially other nitrifying environments.
Expression of a functional oxygen-labile nitrogenase component in the mitochondrial matrix of aerobically grown yeast
Authors: López-Torrejón Gema , Jiménez-Vicente Emilio , Buesa José María , Hernandez Jose A. , Verma Hemant K. , Rubio Luis M.
Published: April 2016

The extreme sensitivity of nitrogenase towards oxygen stands as a major barrier to engineer biological nitrogen fixation into cereal crops by direct nif gene transfer. Here, we use yeast as a model of eukaryotic cell and show that aerobically grown cells express active nitrogenase Fe protein when the NifH polypeptide is targeted to the mitochondrial matrix together with the NifM maturase. Co-expression of NifH and NifM with Nif-specific Fe–S cluster biosynthetic proteins NifU and NifS is not required for Fe protein activity, demonstrating NifH ability to incorporate endogenous mitochondrial Fe–S clusters. In contrast, expression of active Fe protein in the cytosol requires both anoxic growth conditions and co-expression of NifH and NifM with NifU and NifS. Our results show the convenience of using mitochondria to host nitrogenase components, thus providing instrumental technology for the grand challenge of engineering N2-fixing cereals.
Converging flow and anisotropy cause large-scale folding in Greenland's ice sheet
Authors: Bons Paul D. , Jansen Daniela , Mundel Felicitas , Bauer Catherine C. , Binder Tobias , Eisen Olaf , Jessell Mark W. , Llorens Maria-Gema , Steinbach Florian , Steinhage Daniel , Weikusat Ilka
Published: April 2016

The increasing catalogue of high-quality ice-penetrating radar data provides a unique insight in the internal layering architecture of the Greenland ice sheet. The stratigraphy, an indicator of past deformation, highlights irregularities in ice flow and reveals large perturbations without obvious links to bedrock shape. In this work, to establish a new conceptual model for the formation process, we analysed the radar data at the onset of the Petermann Glacier, North Greenland, and created a three-dimensional model of several distinct stratigraphic layers. We demonstrate that the dominant structures are cylindrical folds sub-parallel to the ice flow. By numerical modelling, we show that these folds can be formed by lateral compression of mechanically anisotropic ice, while a general viscosity contrast between layers would not lead to folding for the same boundary conditions. We conclude that the folds primarily form by converging flow as the mechanically anisotropic ice is channelled towards the glacier.
Selective Estrogen Receptor β Agonist LY500307 as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Glioblastoma
Authors: Sareddy Gangadhara R. , Li Xiaonan , Liu Jinyou , Viswanadhapalli Suryavathi , Garcia Lauren , Gruslova Aleksandra , Cavazos David , Garcia Mike , Strom Anders M. , Gustafsson Jan-Ake , Tekmal Rajeshwar Rao , Brenner Andrew , Vadlamudi Ratna K.
Published: April 2016

Glioblastomas (GBM), deadly brain tumors, have greater incidence in males than females. Epidemiological evidence supports a tumor suppressive role of estrogen; however, estrogen as a potential therapy for GBM is limited due to safety concerns. Since GBM express ERβ, a second receptor for estrogen, targeting ERβ with a selective agonist may be a potential novel GBM therapy. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic effect of the selective synthetic ERβ agonist LY500307 using in vitro and in vivo GBM models. Treatment with LY500307 significantly reduced the proliferation of GBM cells with no activity on normal astrocytes in vitro. ERβ agonists promoted apoptosis of GBM cells and mechanistic studies using RNA sequencing revealed that LY500307 modulated several pathways related to apoptosis, cell cycle and DNA damage response. Further, LY500307 sensitized GBM cells to several FDA-approved chemotherapeutic drugs including cisplatin, lomustine and temozolomide. LY500307 treatment significantly reduced the in vivo tumor growth and promoted apoptosis of GBM tumors in an orthotopic model and improved the overall survival of tumor-bearing mice in the GL26 syngeneic glioma model. Our results demonstrate that LY500307 has potential as a therapeutic agent for GBM.
Polysaccharide-capped silver Nanoparticles inhibit biofilm formation and eliminate multi-drug-resistant bacteria by disrupting bacterial cytoskeleton with reduced cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells
Authors: Sanyasi Sridhar , Majhi Rakesh Kumar , Kumar Satish , Mishra Mitali , Ghosh Arnab , Suar Mrutyunjay , Satyam Parlapalli Venkata , Mohapatra Harapriya , Goswami Chandan , Goswami Luna
Published: April 2016

Development of effective anti-microbial therapeutics has been hindered by the emergence of bacterial strains with multi-drug resistance and biofilm formation capabilities. In this article, we report an efficient green synthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) by in situ reduction and capping with a semi-synthetic polysaccharide-based biopolymer (carboxymethyl tamarind polysaccharide). The CMT-capped AgNPs were characterized by UV, DLS, FE-SEM, EDX and HR-TEM. These AgNPs have average particle size of ~20–40 nm, and show long time stability, indicated by their unchanged SPR and Zeta-potential values. These AgNPs inhibit growth and biofilm formation of both Gram positive (B. subtilis) and Gram negative (E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium) bacterial strains even at concentrations much lower than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints of antibiotics, but show reduced or no cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. These AgNPs alter expression and positioning of bacterial cytoskeletal proteins FtsZ and FtsA. CMT-capped AgNPs can effectively block growth of several clinical isolates and MDR strains representing different genera and resistant towards multiple antibiotics belonging to different classes. We propose that the CMT-capped AgNPs can have potential bio-medical application against multi-drug-resistant microbes with minimal cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells.
MicroRNA-127-5p regulates osteopontin expression and osteopontin-mediated proliferation of human chondrocytes
Authors: Tu Min , Li Yusheng , Zeng Chao , Deng Zhenhan , Gao Shuguang , Xiao Wenfeng , Luo Wei , Jiang Wei , Li Liangjun , Lei Guanghua
Published: April 2016

The aim of this study was to determine the specific microRNA (miRNA) that regulates expression of osteopontin (OPN) in osteoarthritis (OA). The potential regulatory miRNAs for OPN messenger RNA (mRNA) were predicted by miRNA prediction programs. Among eight potential regulatory miRNAs, miR-220b, miR-513a-3p and miR-548n increased, while miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-181c, miR-181d and miR-127-5p decreased in OA patients. miRNA-127-5p mimics suppressed OPN production as well as the activity of a reporter construct containing the 3′-UTR of human OPN mRNA. In addition, mutation of miR-127-5p binding site in the 3′-UTR of OPN mRNA abolished miR-127-5p-mediated repression of reporter activity. Conversely, treatment with miR-127-5p inhibitor increased reporter activity and OPN production. Interestingly, miR-127-5p inhibited proliferation of chondrocytes through OPN. In conclusion, miRNA-127-5p is an important regulator of OPN in human chondrocytes and may contribute to the development of OA.
Influence of SiO2 shell thickness on power conversion efficiency in plasmonic polymer solar cells with Au nanorod@SiO2 core-shell structures
Authors: Zhang Ran , Zhou Yongfang , Peng Ling , Li Xue , Chen Shufen , Feng Xiaomiao , Guan Yuqiao , Huang Wei
Published: April 2016

Locating core-shell metal nanoparticles into a photoactive layer or at the interface of photoactive layer/hole extraction layer is beneficial for fully employing surface plasmon energy, thus enhancing power conversion efficiency (PCE) in plasmonic organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs). Herein, we first investigated the influence of silica shell thickness in Au nanorods (NRs)@SiO2 core-shell structures on OPV performances by inserting them into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) and thieno[3,4-b]thiophene/benzodithiophene (PTB7) interface and amazedly found that a 2–3 nm silica shell onto Au NRs induces a highest short-circuit current density of 21.2 mA cm−2 and PCE of 9.55%. This is primarily due to an extremely strong local field and a much slower attenuation of localized surface plasmon resonance around ultrathin silica-coated Au NRs, with which the field intensity remains a high value in the active layer, thus sufficiently improves the absorption of PTB7. Our work provides a clear design concept on precise control of the shell of metal nanoparticles to realize high performances in plasmonic OPVs.
The lag-phase during diauxic growth is a trade-off between fast adaptation and high growth rate
Authors: Chu Dominique , Barnes David J.
Published: April 2016

Bi-phasic or diauxic growth is often observed when microbes are grown in a chemically defined medium containing two sugars (for example glucose and lactose). Typically, the two growth stages are separated by an often lengthy phase of arrested growth, the so-called lag-phase. Diauxic growth is usually interpreted as an adaptation to maximise population growth in multi-nutrient environments. However, the lag-phase implies a substantial loss of growth during the switch-over. It therefore remains unexplained why the lag-phase is adaptive. Here we show by means of a stochastic simulation model based on the bacterial PTS system that it is not possible to shorten the lag-phase without incurring a permanent growth-penalty. Mechanistically, this is due to the inherent and well established limitations of biological sensors to operate efficiently at a given resource cost. Hence, there is a trade-off between lost growth during the diauxic switch and the long-term growth potential of the cell. Using simulated evolution we predict that the lag-phase will evolve depending on the distribution of conditions experienced during adaptation. In environments where switching is less frequently required, the lag-phase will evolve to be longer whereas, in frequently changing environments, the lag-phase will evolve to be shorter.
Evolutionary redesign of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) Toll-like receptor repertoire by gene losses and expansions
Authors: Solbakken Monica H. , Tørresen Ole K. , Nederbragt Alexander J. , Seppola Marit , Gregers Tone F. , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Jentoft Sissel
Published: April 2016

Genome sequencing of the teleost Atlantic cod demonstrated loss of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II, an extreme gene expansion of MHC class I and gene expansions and losses in the innate pattern recognition receptor (PRR) family of Toll-like receptors (TLR). In a comparative genomic setting, using an improved version of the genome, we characterize PRRs in Atlantic cod with emphasis on TLRs demonstrating the loss of TLR1/6, TLR2 and TLR5 and expansion of TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, TLR22 and TLR25. We find that Atlantic cod TLR expansions are strongly influenced by diversifying selection likely to increase the detectable ligand repertoire through neo- and subfunctionalization. Using RNAseq we find that Atlantic cod TLRs display likely tissue or developmental stage-specific expression patterns. In a broader perspective, a comprehensive vertebrate TLR phylogeny reveals that the Atlantic cod TLR repertoire is extreme with regards to losses and expansions compared to other teleosts. In addition we identify a substantial shift in TLR repertoires following the evolutionary transition from an aquatic vertebrate (fish) to a terrestrial (tetrapod) life style. Collectively, our findings provide new insight into the function and evolution of TLRs in Atlantic cod as well as the evolutionary history of vertebrate innate immunity.
Impacts of Typhoon Soudelor (2015) on the water quality of Taipei, Taiwan
Authors: Fakour Hoda , Lo Shang-Lien , Lin Tsair-Fuh
Published: April 2016

Typhoon Soudelor was one of the strongest storms in the world in 2015. The category 5 hurricane made landfall in Taiwan on August 8, causing extensive damage and severe impacts on the environment. This paper describes the changes of trihalomethane (THM) concentrations in tap and drinking fountain water in selected typhoon-affected areas in Taipei before and after the typhoon. Samples were taken from water transmission mains at various distances from the local water treatment plant. The results showed that organic matter increased between pre- and post-typhoon periods with a greater proportion of aromatic compounds. Although drinking fountains showed moderately less total trihalomethane (TTHM) levels than that of tap water, the intake of high turbidity water considerably diminished the efficiency of their purification systems after the typhoon. The percentage distribution of THM species increased throughout the distribution network, probably due to a longer contact time between chlorine and the organic matter in the pipelines. After 2 to 5 min of boiling, THM reduction was considerable in all cases with the greater extent in post-typhoon samples. It is evident that extreme weather conditions may have a severe impact on water quality, and thus more cautious strategies should be adopted in such cases.
An automated tuberculosis screening strategy combining X-ray-based computer-aided detection and clinical information
Authors: Melendez Jaime , Sánchez Clara I. , Philipsen Rick H. H. M. , Maduskar Pragnya , Dawson Rodney , Theron Grant , Dheda Keertan , van Ginneken Bram
Published: April 2016

Lack of human resources and radiological interpretation expertise impair tuberculosis (TB) screening programmes in TB-endemic countries. Computer-aided detection (CAD) constitutes a viable alternative for chest radiograph (CXR) reading. However, no automated techniques that exploit the additional clinical information typically available during screening exist. To address this issue and optimally exploit this information, a machine learning-based combination framework is introduced. We have evaluated this framework on a database containing 392 patient records from suspected TB subjects prospectively recruited in Cape Town, South Africa. Each record comprised a CAD score, automatically computed from a CXR and 12 clinical features. Comparisons with strategies relying on either CAD scores or clinical information alone were performed. Our results indicate that the combination framework outperforms the individual strategies in terms of the area under the receiving operating characteristic curve (0.84 versus 0.78 and 0.72), specificity at 95% sensitivity (49% versus 24% and 31%) and negative predictive value (98% versus 95% and 96%). Thus, it is believed that combining CAD and clinical information to estimate the risk of active disease is a promising tool for TB screening.
PATZ1 is a target of miR-29b that is induced by Ha-Ras oncogene in rat thyroid cells
Authors: Vitiello Michela , Valentino Teresa , De Menna Marta , Crescenzi Elvira , Francesca Paola , Rea Domenica , Arra Claudio , Fusco Alfredo , De Vita Gabriella , Cerchia Laura , Fedele Monica
Published: April 2016

The regulatory transcriptional factor PATZ1 is constantly downregulated in human thyroid cancer where it acts as a tumour suppressor by targeting p53-dependent genes involved in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and cell migration. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the upstream signalling mechanisms regulating PATZ1 expression in thyroid cancer cells. The bioinformatics search for microRNAs able to potentially target PATZ1 led to the identification of several miRNAs. Among them we focused on the miR-29b since it was found upregulated in rat thyroid differentiated cells transformed by the Ha-Ras oncogene towards a high proliferating and high migratory phenotype resembling that of anaplastic carcinomas. Functional assays confirmed PATZ1 as a target of miR-29b, and, consistently, an inverse correlation between miR-29b and PATZ1 protein levels was found upon induction of Ha-Ras oncogene expression in these cells. Interestingly, restoration of PATZ1 expression in rat thyroid cells stably expressing the Ha-Ras oncogene decreased cell proliferation and migration, indicating a key role of PATZ1 in Ras-driven thyroid transformation. Together, these results suggest a novel mechanism regulating PATZ1 expression based on the upregulation of miR-29b expression induced by Ras oncogene.
Phenylbutazone induces expression of MBNL1 and suppresses formation of MBNL1-CUG RNA foci in a mouse model of myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Chen Guiying , Masuda Akio , Konishi Hiroyuki , Ohkawara Bisei , Ito Mikako , Kinoshita Masanobu , Kiyama Hiroshi , Matsuura Tohru , Ohno Kinji
Published: April 2016

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by abnormal expansion of CTG repeats in the 3′ untranslated region of the DMPK gene. Expanded CTG repeats are transcribed into RNA and make an aggregate with a splicing regulator, MBNL1, in the nucleus, which is called the nuclear foci. The nuclear foci sequestrates and downregulates availability of MBNL1. Symptomatic treatments are available for DM1, but no rational therapy is available. In this study, we found that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), phenylbutazone (PBZ), upregulated the expression of MBNL1 in C2C12 myoblasts as well as in the HSALR mouse model for DM1. In the DM1 mice model, PBZ ameliorated aberrant splicing of Clcn1, Nfix and Rpn2. PBZ increased expression of skeletal muscle chloride channel, decreased abnormal central nuclei of muscle fibers and improved wheel-running activity in HSALR mice. We found that the effect of PBZ was conferred by two distinct mechanisms. First, PBZ suppressed methylation of an enhancer region in Mbnl1 intron 1 and enhanced transcription of Mbnl1 mRNA. Second, PBZ attenuated binding of MBNL1 to abnormally expanded CUG repeats in cellulo and in vitro. Our studies suggest that PBZ is a potent therapeutic agent for DM1 that upregulates availability of MBNL1.
Modeling of Nitrous Oxide Production from Nitritation Reactors Treating Real Anaerobic Digestion Liquor
Authors: Wang Qilin , Ni Bing-Jie , Lemaire Romain , Hao Xiaodi , Yuan Zhiguo
Published: April 2016

In this work, a mathematical model including both ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and heterotrophic bacteria (HB) is constructed to predict N2O production from the nitritation systems receiving the real anaerobic digestion liquor. This is for the first time that N2O production from such systems was modeled considering both AOB and HB. The model was calibrated and validated using experimental data from both lab- and pilot-scale nitritation reactors. The model predictions matched the dynamic N2O, ammonium, nitrite and chemical oxygen demand data well, supporting the capability of the model. Modeling results indicated that HB are the dominant contributor to N2O production in the above systems with the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 0.5–1.0 mg O2/L, accounting for approximately 75% of N2O production. The modeling results also suggested that the contribution of HB to N2O production decreased with the increasing DO concentrations, from 75% at DO = 0.5 mg O2/L to 25% at DO = 7.0 mg O2/L, with a corresponding increase of the AOB contribution (from 25% to 75%). Similar to HB, the total N2O production rate also decreased dramatically from 0.65 to 0.25 mg N/L/h when DO concentration increased from 0.5 to 7.0 mg O2/L.
Fc-fusion mimetics
Authors: Khalili H. , Khaw P. T. , Brocchini S.
Published: April 2016

The Fc-fusion mimetic RpR2̲was prepared by disulfide bridging conjugation using PEG in the place of the Fc.
{NiII8LnIII6} (Ln = Gd, Dy) rod-like nano-sized heteronuclear coordination clusters with a double carbonate bridge skeleton and remarkable MCE behaviour
Authors: Guarda Eliana , Bader Katharina , van Slageren Joris , Alborés Pablo
Published: April 2016

We prepared through CO2 air fixation novel Ni8Ln6 complexes showing a remarkable μ5-carbonate bridged octanuclear planar {Ni4Ln4} core and unusual MCE behaviour.
Antiulcer and antiproliferative properties of spent brewer's yeast peptide extracts for incorporation into foods
Authors: Amorim Maria M. , Pereira Joana O. , Monteiro Karin M. , Ruiz Ana L. , Carvalho João E. , Pinheiro Hélder , Pintado Manuela
Published: April 2016

The main objective was to study the antiulcer and antiproliferative potential of yeast peptide extract for further incorporation into functional foods.