bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Power system distribution planning considering reliability and DG owner's profit
Authors: Hasanvand Saeed , Nayeripour Majid , Khooban Mohammad-Hassan , Fallahzadeh-Abarghouei Hossein , Doostizadeh Meysam
Published: December 2017

A novel comprehensive approach to solve a distribution systems' planning problem and to determine the optimal size, location, and technology of the distributed generation (DG) units with respect to the reliability of the system is presented in this paper. The objective functions of this optimization problem are power losses, DGs installation and operation costs, the DG owner's and the Distribution Company's profits as economic objectives. In the proposed method, new indices are defined to evaluate the reliability of the system. These indices calculate energy not supplied and volt ampere reactive not supplied due to active and reactive power shortages. Also, the average interruption frequency (AIF) and average interruption duration (AID) have been considered be minimized during optimization problem. The last two (AIF and AID) are modeled by the adequacy transition rate of DGs among states and are combined as a new objective function. To handle several objective functions, an adaptive fuzzy interactive multi-objective optimization method is used. The results on the IEEE 34-bus and 69-bus power distribution system showed the efficiency of proposed indices for reliability assessment of distribution system planning.
Using of fiber-array diagnostic to measure the propagation of fast axial ionization wave during breakdown of electrically exploding tungsten wire in vacuum
Authors: Shi Huantong , Zou Xiaobing , Wang Xinxin
Published: December 2017

The physical process of electrical explosion of wires in vacuum is featured with the surface discharge along the wire, which generates the corona plasma layer and terminates the Joule heating of the wire core. In this paper, a fiber-array probe was designed to directly measure the radiation of surface arc with spatial and temporal resolution. The radiation of the exploding wire was casted to the section of an optical-fiber-array by a lens and transmitted to PIN diodes and finally collected with an oscilloscope. This probe enables direct diagnostics of the evolution of surface discharge with high temporal resolution and certain spatial resolution. The radiation of a tungsten wire driven by a positive current pulse was measured, and results showed that surface discharge initiates near the cathode and propagates toward the anode with a speed of 7.7 ± 1.6 mm/ns; further estimations showed that this process is responsible for the “conical” structure of the exploding wire.
High-throughput separation of cells by dielectrophoresis enhanced with 3D gradient AC electric field
Authors: Tada Shigeru , Hayashi Masako , Eguchi Masanori , Tsukamoto Akira
Published: December 2017

We propose a novel, high-performance dielectrophoretic (DEP) cell-separation flow chamber with a parallel-plate channel geometry. The flow chamber, consisting of a planar electrode on the top and an interdigitated-pair electrode array at the bottom, was developed to facilitate the separation of cells by creating a nonuniform AC electric field throughout the volume of the flow chamber. The operation and performance of the device were evaluated using live and dead human epithermal breast (MCF10A) cells. The separation dynamics of the cell suspension in the flow chamber was also investigated by numerically simulating the trajectories of individual cells. A theoretical model to describe the dynamic cell behavior under the action of DEP, including dipole-dipole interparticle, viscous, and gravitational forces, was developed. The results demonstrated that the live cells traveling through the flow chamber congregated into sites where the electric field gradient was minimal, in the middle of the flow stream slightly above the centerlines of the grounded electrodes at the bottom. Meanwhile, the dead cells were trapped on the edges of the high-voltage electrodes at the bottom. Cells were thus successfully separated with a remarkably high separation ratio (∼98%) at the appropriately tuned field frequency and applied voltage. The numerically predicted behavior and spatial distribution of the cells during separation also showed good agreement with those observed experimentally.
Spatially translatable optical fiber-coupled heterodyne interferometer
Authors: Seo Byonghoon , Bellan Paul M.
Published: December 2017

An interferometer is a useful diagnostic tool for measuring line-averaged electron density but is limited in its use because it generally measures at a fixed location. We report here a spatially translatable fiber-coupled interferometer that measures the density of a high-speed MHD-driven plasma jet colliding with a target cloud. The interferometer uses a He–Ne laser coupled to a polarization-maintaining single mode optical fiber having a vacuum feedthrough. The interferometer provides a measure of the spatial-temporal profile of the line-averaged electron density from which the change in jet velocity as a result of its collision with the target cloud can be deduced.
Dissociation of biomolecules in liquid environments during fast heavy-ion irradiation
Authors: Nomura Shinji , Tsuchida Hidetsugu , Kajiwara Akihiro , Yoshida Shintaro , Majima Takuya , Saito Manabu
Published: December 2017

The effect of aqueous environment on fast heavy-ion radiation damage of biomolecules was studied by comparative experiments using liquid- and gas-phase amino acid targets. Three types of amino acids with different chemical structures were used: glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Ion-induced reaction products were analyzed by time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry. The results showed that fragments from the amino acids resulting from the C—Cα bond cleavage were the major products for both types of targets. For liquid-phase targets, specific products originating from chemical reactions in solutions were observed. Interestingly, multiple dissociated atomic fragments were negligible for the liquid-phase targets. We found that the ratio of multifragment to total fragment ion yields was approximately half of that for gas-phase targets. This finding agreed with the results of other studies on biomolecular cluster targets. It is concluded that the suppression of molecular multifragmentation is caused by the energy dispersion to numerous water molecules surrounding the biomolecular solutes.
Troy/TNFRSF19 marks epithelial progenitor cells during mouse kidney development that continue to contribute to turnover in adult kidney
Authors: Schutgens Frans , Rookmaaker Maarten B. , Blokzijl Francis , van Boxtel Ruben , Vries Robert , Cuppen Edwin , Verhaar Marianne C. , Clevers Hans
Published: December 2017

Significance

Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem on the rise for which no curative treatments are available. Progressive kidney disease can be viewed as an imbalance between renal cell damage and repair. A better understanding of progenitor cells involved in kidney development and replacement of damaged cells in adult homeostasis may identify new therapeutic targets. Here, we describe
Troy
as a marker gene for epithelial progenitor cells. Lineage tracing shows that Troy
+
cells contribute to kidney development. Troy
+
cells have a high organoid-forming capacity, which is a stem cell characteristic. Tracing of Troy
+
cells in adult kidney shows that the cells contribute to kidney homeostasis, predominantly of the collecting duct, and regeneration.
Ser7 of RNAPII-CTD facilitates heterochromatin formation by linking ncRNA to RNAi
Authors: Kajitani Takuya , Kato Hiroaki , Chikashige Yuji , Tsutsumi Chihiro , Hiraoka Yasushi , Kimura Hiroshi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Obuse Chikashi , Hermand Damien , Murakami Yota
Published: December 2017

Significance

Some noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) transcribed by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) affect gene expression by altering chromatin structures. Since transcriptional regulation by ncRNA is critically important in developmental process and diseases, clarification of the principles ensuring the locus-specific chromatin regulation is of great interest. Here, we found that in
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Ser7 of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAPII is involved in locus-specific siRNA amplification within heterochromatin and facilitates heterochromatin formation. Ser7 and a chromodomain protein Chp1, which binds to H3K9 methylation and RNAs, cooperatively promote chromatin retention of the nascent heterochromatic RNAs (hRNAs) across heterochromatin. Our findings present a principle of epigenetic regulation by ncRNAs in which the RNAPII CTD links hRNA transcription to RNAi for heterochromatin formation.
Mechanism by which arylamine
N
-acetyltransferase 1 ablation causes insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Camporez João Paulo , Wang Yongliang , Faarkrog Kasper , Chukijrungroat Natsasi , Petersen Kitt Falk , Shulman Gerald I.
Published: December 2017

Significance

Insulin resistance in liver and skeletal muscle are major factors in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes; however, the molecular mechanism or mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon have not been established. Recently, an association of a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the human
N
-acetyltransferase 2 (Nat2) gene with insulin resistance in humans was found. Here, we show that the murine ortholog Nat1 knockout (KO) mice manifested whole-body insulin resistance associated with marked increases in liver and muscle lipid content. Nat1 KO mice also displayed reduced whole-body energy expenditure and reduced mitochondrial activity. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that Nat1 deletion promotes reduced mitochondrial activity and is associated with ectopic lipid-induced liver and muscle insulin resistance.
Effect of CeLa addition on the mechanical properties of Al–Cu–Mn–Mg–Fe alloy
Authors: Du Jiandi , Ding Dongyan , Zhang Wenlong , Xu Zhou , Gao Yongjin , Chen Guozhen , You Xiaohua , Chen Renzong , Huang Yuanwei , Tang Jinsong
Published: December 2017

The rapid development of new energy automobiles leads to an increasing demand for high-strength lithium battery shell alloy. The microstructures, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of CeLa-containing Al–Cu–Mn–Mg–Fe alloys were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, Eddy Current conductivity tester, tensile testing and Erichsen cup testing. Experiment results indicate that Al6(Mn, Fe) particles could be refined by CeLa alloying and AlCuCeLa phase nucleates and grew up at the surface of Al6(Mn, Fe) particle. Major texture of the CeLa-containing alloys was different from that of the CeLa-free alloy. The electrical conductivity decreased with increase of the CeLa content. CeLa addition could greatly enhance the tensile strength of the alloy at temperatures ranging from –40°C to 300°C.
Antibacterial Effect of 2R,3R-dihydromyricetin on the Cellular Functions of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wu Yan-Ping , Bai Jin-Rong , Zhong Kai , Bai Ding-Ding , Huang Yi-Na , Xiao Kai , Ran Yun , Gao Hong
Published: December 2017

The C-3-OH, C-4 carbonyl oxygen and hydrogenation of C2=C3 bond on the C-ring of 2R,3R-dihydromyricetin (DMY) proved to be not necessary for the antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. DMY significantly decreased the intracellular ATP of S. aureus cells but had few effects on pHin, proline oxidation, succinate dehydrogenase activity or malate dehydrogenase activity.
The current status of corruption in Egypt
Authors: Fayed Ahmed Alaa
Published: December 2017

Given that corruption was one of the primary reasons that pushed the Egyptian masses to rally in 2011, it is important to look at its current status to see whether the levels of corruption have increased, decreased or remained the same since. This paper overviews the current status of corruption in Egypt according to different national and international perception indices. In an attempt to explain why corruption remains prevalent in Egypt, it looks at the different anticorruption efforts accomplished by the state and non-governmental organizations after 2011.
The political economy of China–Arab relations: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Hamchi Mohamed
Published: December 2017

Steady development of China–Arab economic relations has been taking place in a turbulent international environment, especially at political and economic levels. In such a context, this study shifts the attention towards approaching China–Arab economic relations from the perspective of international political economy. It is divided into three sections. The first provides a brief historical introduction to the relations between China and the Arab world. The second examines some of the main challenges that face China–Arab economic relations. The third explores the opportunities in which both parties should invest in order to reach the level of strategic partnership. The study approaches the subject from the perspective of international political economy and concludes with a discussion on how the political can play an incentive role for China–Arab economic relations.
Urban political culture in the Arab world: the relationship between orientation towards democracy and political protest
Authors: Hougua Ben Ahmed
Published: December 2017

The main hypothesis of this study is based on a causal relation between certain forms of emerging political culture in urban ecology, among the dissatisfied democrats, and the political protest in Arab capitals. This hypothesis is based on an implicit implication that the modernization factors provided by the capitals’ urban ecology contribute to cultural transformations in emerging generations. These transformations are determined by the adoption of modern value systems represented by independence, self-expression and freedom. The demographic succession of generations – in addition to the transformations of economic and cultural conditions of socialization within the urban ecology – contributes to the deep and slow transition at the same time to new forms of meanings where modernity plays a significant role in their formulation. Therefore, it is expected that these transformations will take a more visible shape among the young and educated social groups, as they are the most exposed to waves of modernization. This paper studies the relationship between emerging political culture in Arab capitals and the engagement in political protest. It uses statistical analysis to see if there are substantial differences between the dissatisfied cultural trends and the allegiant trends, in light of demographic, value, moral and political variables. The methodology used is based on a synthesis between the authoritarian/democratic trends and self-esteem for institutional achievement (confidence in democratic political institutions such as parliament and government).
The rise of China: Beijing’s core interests and possible Arab repercussions
Authors: Al-Tamimi Nasser
Published: December 2017

China is currently considered to be the world’s largest purchasing power economy, and is the second after the United States by market value. It is expected to become the largest by the end of the next decade. Previous data have shown that the concept of ‘core interests’ from the Chinese point of view may be included with the development of China’s economic and military capabilities. This concept will certainly expand as China grows into a superpower to cover many parts of the world. With China increasingly dependent on energy imports, the Middle East and Africa and the Maritime Silk Road are expected to become a vital priority for the emerging nation in future. In the light of this strategic background, this paper attempts to define the concept of ‘core interests’ from the Chinese point of view and to monitor the most important stages of its application within Beijing’s external trends, highlighting the issues of Chinese policy, especially in East Asia. In the context of expanding China’s global interests, this paper argues that China’s influence in the Middle East will increase, and may be followed by an increased political and military presence, highlighting evidence and a number of trends that support this view.
IFT20 modulates ciliary PDGFRα signaling by regulating the stability of Cbl E3 ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Schmid Fabian Marc , Schou Kenneth Bødtker , Vilhelm Martin Juel , Holm Maria Schrøder , Breslin Loretta , Farinelli Pietro , Larsen Lars Allan , Andersen Jens Skorstengaard , Pedersen Lotte Bang , Christensen Søren Tvorup
Published: December 2017

Primary cilia have pivotal roles as organizers of many different signaling pathways, including platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) signaling, which, when aberrantly regulated, is associated with developmental disorders, tumorigenesis, and cancer. PDGFRα is up-regulated during ciliogenesis, and ciliary localization of the receptor is required for its appropriate ligand-mediated activation by PDGF-AA. However, the mechanisms regulating sorting of PDGFRα and feedback inhibition of PDGFRα signaling at the cilium are unknown. Here, we provide evidence that intraflagellar transport protein 20 (IFT20) interacts with E3 ubiquitin ligases c-Cbl and Cbl-b and is required for Cbl-mediated ubiquitination and internalization of PDGFRα for feedback inhibition of receptor signaling. In wild-type cells treated with PDGF-AA, c-Cbl becomes enriched in the cilium, and the receptor is subsequently ubiquitinated and internalized. In contrast, in IFT20-depleted cells, PDGFRα localizes aberrantly to the plasma membrane and is overactivated after ligand stimulation because of destabilization and degradation of c-Cbl and Cbl-b.
Beyond self-eating: The control of nonautophagic functions and signaling pathways by autophagy-related proteins
Authors: Cadwell Ken , Debnath Jayanta
Published: December 2017

The identification of conserved autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) that mediate bulk degradation of cytosolic material laid the foundation for breakthroughs linking autophagy to a litany of physiological processes and disease conditions. Recent discoveries are revealing that these same ATGs orchestrate processes that are related to, and yet clearly distinct from, classic autophagy. Autophagy-related functions include secretion, trafficking of phagocytosed material, replication and egress of viral particles, and regulation of inflammatory and immune signaling cascades. Here, we define common processes dependent on ATGs, and discuss the challenges in mechanistically separating autophagy from these related pathways. Elucidating the molecular events that distinguish how individual ATGs function promises to improve our understanding of the origin of diseases ranging from autoimmunity to cancer.
The ins and outs of acid–base transport in skeletal muscle
Authors: Aalkjær Christian , Nielsen Ole Bækgaard
Published: December 2017

Aalkjær and Nielsen discuss new data revealing the basis of acid–base transport in t-tubules of skeletal muscle.
Condensins promote chromosome individualization and segregation during mitosis, meiosis, and amitosis inTetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Howard-Till Rachel , Loidl Josef
Published: December 2017

Condensin is a protein complex with diverse functions in chromatin packaging and chromosome condensation and segregation. We studied condensin in the evolutionarily distant protist model Tetrahymena, which features noncanonical nuclear organization and divisions. In Tetrahymena, the germline and soma are partitioned into two different nuclei within a single cell. Consistent with their functional specializations in sexual reproduction and gene expression, condensins of the germline nucleus and the polyploid somatic nucleus are composed of different subunits. Mitosis and meiosis of the germline nucleus and amitotic division of the somatic nucleus are all dependent on condensins. In condensin-depleted cells, a chromosome condensation defect was most striking at meiotic metaphase, when Tetrahymena chromosomes are normally most densely packaged. Live imaging of meiotic divisions in condensin-depleted cells showed repeated nuclear stretching and contraction as the chromosomes failed to separate. Condensin depletion also fundamentally altered chromosome arrangement in the polyploid somatic nucleus: multiple copies of homologous chromosomes tended to cluster, consistent with a previous model of condensin suppressing default somatic pairing. We propose that failure to form discrete chromosome territories is the common cause of the defects observed in the absence of condensins.
Phenology-Based Management of Alternaria Fruit Rot in Pink Lady Apples
Authors: Gur Lior , Reuveni Moshe , Cohen Yigal
Published: December 2017

Fruit body rot and calyx rot caused by Alternaria alternata f. sp. mali has recently become a severe disease of Pink Lady apple in Israel. Severe fruit rot caused by A. alternata f. sp. mali has not been reported elsewhere in the world, and control measures are not currently known. Our objective was to determine the peak periods of susceptibility and develop methods to manage the disease by timing fungicide applications according to fruit phenological stage. We determined the relationship between fruit phenological stage and rot susceptibility by (i) monitoring the appearance of first fruit symptoms in the orchard; (ii) inoculating detached and attached fruit in the laboratory and orchard, respectively, at various time intervals after petal fall; and (iii) starting fungicide applications at various time intervals after petal fall. Fruit of Pink Lady acquired susceptibility to the disease at about 115 days after petal fall (DAPF) when reaching a diameter of ≥55 mm. Based on these findings, a new spray strategy was adopted involving a limited number of 4 to 6 foliar sprays of azoxystrobin + difenoconazole or tebuconazole + captan, or their alternation, starting at 115 DAPF. This strategy provided excellent control of both body rot and calyx rot in Pink Lady apple fruit in Israel.
Acute Coronary Artery Dissection
Authors: Shah Syed Raza , Alweis Richard
Published: December 2017

Acute coronary artery dissection is a rare, complex disease occurring particularly in young women without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The pathophysiology and treatment are different from acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque rupture or erosion. Its clinical presentation may vary from unstable angina to sudden cardiac death. Hence, early detection is crucial to manage the dissection and reduce the mortality and morbidity rates. Most coronary dissections will heal spontaneously, and conservative treatment is recommended for uncomplicated cases. In the acute phase, primary percutaneous coronary intervention remains the reperfusion strategy of choice; however, in small- and medium-sized arteries with normalized blood flow, conservative treatment is beneficial. Medical therapy should be tailored to the individual depending on the underlying severity of the condition. Percutaneous coronary intervention should be performed by experienced operators, with the use of intravascular imaging, and preferably with on-site surgical back-up due to the increased risk of complications. The prognosis is favorable; however, patients have a high risk of recurrent dissections in other arteries several weeks after the first event, suggesting a general weakness of the arteries. In the recent past, optical coherence tomography has played an important role in the diagnosis of acute coronary artery dissection; however, its therapeutic potential is underestimated. We recommend that long-term clinical trials should be conducted to fully determine the long-term mortality and morbidity rates of these patients.
Meibomian Gland Performance in Glaucomatous Patients With Long-term Instillation of IOP-lowering Medications
Authors: Cho Wan-Hua , Lai Ing-Chou , Fang Po-Chiung , Chien Chun-Chih , Tseng Shin-Ling , Lai Yu-Hsuan , Huang Yu-Ting , Kuo Ming-Tse
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the meibomian gland (MG) performance in patients with glaucoma under topical intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional case-control study. Patients with glaucoma under different dosages and instillation periods of topical IOP-lowering medications were included. A total of 30 eyes out of 30 healthy participants and 85 eyes out of 85 patients with glaucoma were analyzed. The burden of instilling antiglaucoma agents [burden of antiglaucoma (BAG)] was simply scored for each participant based on the number, formula, frequency, and duration of topical IOP-lowering medications used. All participants completed the MG and tear assessments, including Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness questionnaire, lipid layer thickness, MG secretion and dropout, Schirmer test, tear break-up time, and blinking patterns.

Results:

Patients with glaucoma had significantly lower Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness scores, thinner lipid layer thickness, worse mebium quality, and lower MG secretion compared with healthy participants. Among the patients with glaucoma, MG loss ratio (P=0.006) and meiboscale (P=0.017) were significantly correlated with the BAG score. Compared with the low BAG group (score <80), the high BAG group (score ≥80) had significantly shorter tear break-up time (P=0.047), lower MG density (P=0.032), higher MG loss ratio (P=0.011), and higher meiboscale (P=0.036).

Conclusions:

Patients with a higher BAG agents had more unstable tear films and more severe MG dropout. Therefore, MG disease should be particularly observed in patients with glaucoma following a higher BAG regimen.
Fecal Calprotectin Test Performed at Home
Authors: Piekkala Maija , Alfthan Henrik , Merras‐Salmio Laura , Puustinen Wikström Anne , Heiskanen Kaarina , Jaakkola Tytti , Klemetti Paula , Färkkilä Martti , Kolho Kaija‐Leena
Published: December 2017

Objectives:

Measuring fecal calprotectin (FC) in a laboratory is time‐consuming and that is why home tests have been developed. We studied the use of an FC home test in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) in real‐life settings.

Methods:

The patients were asked to perform the IBDoc® FC home test monthly for 6 months and to report their clinical disease activity at testing. Clinical decision‐making, however, was guided by routine FC enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for patients with raised IBDoc® values. Spare frozen samples were analyzed using ELISA and IBDoc® in the laboratory. The participants completed a questionnaire about FC testing at the start and end of the study.

Results:

Of the 52 patients, 35 (67%) ages 5 to 18 years completed the study, and 197 home tests were performed. Of these, 15% failed, mainly because of technical reasons. Just under half of the patients (47%) considered home testing comparable or superior to routine testing. In contrast, the parents were unsatisfied (61%), mostly because the IBDoc® results were significantly different from ELISA and they found the phone application difficult to handle but whenever the IBDoc® was performed by a laboratory professional it was comparable with ELISA, suggesting that practical issues hampered home testing. Despite their reservations, more than 80% of parents felt that home testing would improve disease management.

Conclusions:

PIBD patients and their families were interested in FC home monitoring and willing to adopt testing as a part of their disease management, but this approach requires thorough guidance.
A Rare Complication After Septoplasty: Visual Loss Due to Right Retinal Artery Spasm
Authors: Günay Celal , Altin Gökhan , Kersin Burak , Odabaşi Mahmut
Published: December 2017

Septoplasty is a commonly used procedure for correcting septal cartilage deformities. Hemorrhage, abscesses, scaling, adhesions, and scar tissue are often seen after the operation of the septoplasty, but temporary or permanent visual loss due to local anesthetic use has been reported very rarely in the literature. The authors also aimed to present a female patient with retinal artery spasm in the right eye after septoplasty in this article. A 27-year-old female patient was admitted to the authors’ clinic with long-standing nasal obstruction and postnasal drip. There was no feature in her history and also no sign other than nasal septal deviation on physical examination. The patient was informed about the operation and the operation was planned. Emergency eye consultation was requested after the patient said that the right eye of the patient had never seen in the postoperative wake-up hall. Examination by an ophthalmologist; mild exotropia and total loss of vision in the right eye (including loss of light reflex) was detected. The light reaction in the affected eye was negative and indirect reaction was positive. After enlargement of the pupil, fundus examination revealed that the right posterior pole region (inside of the macula and vessel arches) was pale and no central retinal artery pulsation was observed. The patient was diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion and emergency intervention was performed. The right eye massage, paracentesis, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy returned to the patient's visual function.
Examining the correlates and drivers of human population distributions across low- and middle-income countries
Authors: Nieves Jeremiah J. , Stevens Forrest R. , Gaughan Andrea E. , Linard Catherine , Sorichetta Alessandro , Hornby Graeme , Patel Nirav N. , Tatem Andrew J.
Published: December 2017

Geographical factors have influenced the distributions and densities of global human population distributions for centuries. Climatic regimes have made some regions more habitable than others, harsh topography has discouraged human settlement, and transport links have encouraged population growth. A better understanding of these types of relationships enables both improved mapping of population distributions today and modelling of future scenarios. However, few comprehensive studies of the relationships between population spatial distributions and the range of drivers and correlates that exist have been undertaken at all, much less at high spatial resolutions, and particularly across the low- and middle-income countries. Here, we quantify the relative importance of multiple types of drivers and covariates in explaining observed population densities across 32 low- and middle-income countries over four continents using machine-learning approaches. We find that, while relationships between population densities and geographical factors show some variation between regions, they are generally remarkably consistent, pointing to universal drivers of human population distribution. Here, we find that a set of geographical features relating to the built environment, ecology and topography consistently explain the majority of variability in population distributions at fine spatial scales across the low- and middle-income regions of the world.
Who is the host of the host-associated microbiome? Colony-level dynamics overshadow individual-level characteristics in the fur microbiome of a social mammal, the Egyptian fruit-bat
Authors: kolodny Oren , Weinberg Maya , Reshef Leah , Harten Lee , Hefetz Abraham , Gophna Uri , Feldman Marcus W , Yovel Yossi
Published: December 2017

In the first longitudinal study of bat microbiomes, we find that unlike the pattern described in humans and other mammals, the prominent dynamics in Egyptian fruit bats’ fur microbiomes are those of change over time at the level of the colony as a whole. Thus, on average, a pair of fur microbiome samples from different individuals in the same colony collected on the same date are more similar to one another than a pair of samples from the same individual collected at different time points. This pattern suggests that the whole colony may be the appropriate biological unit for understanding some of the roles of the host microbiome in social bats’ ecology and evolution. This pattern of synchronized colony changes over time is also reflected in the profile of volatile compounds in the bats’ fur, but differs from the more individualized pattern found in the bats’ gut microbiome.
Copy number variation in fungi and its implications for wine yeast genetic diversity and adaptation
Authors: Steenwyk Jacob L. , Rokas Antonis
Published: December 2017

In recent years, copy number (CN) variation has emerged as a new and significant source of genetic polymorphisms contributing to the phenotypic diversity of populations. CN variants are defined as genetic loci that, due to duplication and deletion, vary in their number of copies across individuals in a population. CN variants range in size from 50 base pairs to whole chromosomes, can influence gene activity, and are associated with a wide range of phenotypes in diverse organisms, including the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae.In this review, we introduce CN variation, discuss the genetic and molecular mechanisms implicated in its generation, how they can contribute to genetic and phenotypic diversity in fungal populations, and consider how CN variants may influence wine yeast adaptation in fermentation-related processes. In particular, we focus on reviewing recent work investigating the contribution of changes in CN of fermentation-related genes associated with the adaptation and domestication of yeast wine strains and offer notable illustrations of such changes, including the high levels of CN variation among theCUPgenes, which confer resistance to copper, and the preferential deletion and duplication of theMALIandMAL3loci, respectively, which are responsible for metabolizing maltose and sucrose. Based on the available data, we propose that CN variation is a substantial dimension of yeast genetic diversity that occurs largely independent of single nucleotide polymorphisms. As such, CN variation harbors considerable potential for understanding and manipulating yeast strains in the wine fermentation environment and beyond.
Female mate choice is a reproductive isolating barrier inHeliconiusbutterflies
Authors: Southcott Laura , Kronforst Marcus R.
Published: December 2017

In sexually reproducing organisms, speciation involves the evolution of reproductive isolating mechanisms that decrease gene flow. Premating reproductive isolation, often the result of mate choice, is a major obstacle to gene flow between species because it acts earlier in the life cycle than other isolating barriers. While female choice is often considered the default mode in animal species, research in the butterfly genusHeliconius, a frequent subject of speciation studies, has focused on male mate choice. We studied mate choice byH. cydnofemales by pairing them with either conspecific males or males of the closely related speciesH. pachinus.Significantly more intraspecific trials than interspecific trials resulted in mating. Because male courtship rates did not differ between the species when we excluded males that never courted, we attribute this difference to female choice. Females also performed more acceptance behaviours towards conspecific males. Premating isolation between these two species thus entails both male and female mate choice, and female choice may be an important factor in the origin ofHeliconiusspecies.
‘Love builds brains’: representations of attachment and children's brain development in parenting education material
Authors: Wall Glenda
Published: December 2017

A focus on early brain development has come to dominate expert child rearing advice over the past two decades. Recent scholars have noted a reinvigoration of the concept of attachment in this advice and changes in the ways that attachment is framed and understood. The extent to which the concept of attachment is drawn on, the way it is framed, and the consequences for mothers, families and parent‐child relationships is examined through a discursive analysis of a current Canadian parental education campaign. Findings support the argument that attachment is receiving a great deal of attention in brain‐based parenting education programmes as children's emotional development becomes increasingly prioritized. Attachment is presented as needing to be actively and continually built through expert‐guided empathetic and responsive parental behaviour, and is framed as crucial for the development of brain pathways that promote emotional strength and self‐regulation in children. Attachment‐building is also presented as requiring highly intensive parenting that falls overwhelmingly to mothers. The parent‐child relationship that is envisioned is one that is instrumental, lacking in affect and conducive to the creation of ideal self‐regulating neo‐liberal citizens.
Melt Electrospun Bilayered Scaffolds for Tissue Integration of a Suture‐Less Inflow Cannula for Rotary Blood Pumps
Authors: Liao Sam , Theodoropoulos Christina , Blackwood Keith A. , Woodruff Maria A. , Gregory Shaun D.
Published: December 2017

Implantation of left ventricular assist devices typically requires cardiopulmonary bypass support, which is associated with postoperative complications. A novel suture‐less inflow cannula, which can be implanted without bypass, uses mild myocardial compression to seal the interface, however, this may lead to necrosis of the myocardium. To circumvent this issue, a bilayered scaffold has been developed to promote tissue growth at the interface between cannula and myocardium. The bilayered scaffold consists of a silicone base layer, which mimics the seal, and a melt electrospun polycaprolactone scaffold to serve as a tissue integration layer. Biocompatibility of the bilayered scaffolds was assessed by analyzing cell viability, morphology, and metabolic activity of human foreskin fibroblasts cultured on the scaffolds for up to 14 days. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity and the cells adhered readily to the bilayered scaffolds, revealing a cell morphology characteristic of fibroblasts, in contrast to the low cell adhesion observed on flat silicone sheets. The rate of cell proliferation on the bilayered scaffolds rose over the 14‐day period and was significantly greater than cells seeded on the silicone sheets. This study suggests that melt electrospun bilayered scaffolds have the potential to support tissue integration of a suture‐less inflow cannula for cardiovascular applications. Furthermore, the method of fabrication described here and the application of bilayered scaffolds could also have potential uses in a diverse range of biomedical applications.
Role of clinical and laboratory parameters for treatment choice in patients with inherited FVII deficiency undergoing surgical procedures: evidence from the STER registry
Authors: Di Minno Matteo N. D. , Napolitano Mariasanta , Dolce Alberto , Mariani Guglielmo ,   the STER Study Group
Published: December 2017

Perioperative bleeding is a major concern in patients with factor VII (FVII) deficiency. Evaluating data of 95 FVII‐deficient patients undergoing 110 surgical procedures (61 major, 49 minor), we assessed the impact of type of surgery, bleeding phenotype and FVII coagulant activity (FVII:C) levels on perioperative replacement therapy (RT). Compared to those with higher FVII:C levels, patients with <3% FVII:C received a higher number of RT doses (8 vs. 2, P = 0·003) for a longer RT duration (3 days vs. 1 day, P = 0·001), with no difference in RT dose. Similarly, patients with a history of major bleeds received a higher number of RT doses (8·5 vs. 2–3, P = 0·013) for a longer RT duration (2 days vs. 1 day, P = 0·005) as compared to those with a history of minor bleeds or to asymptomatic patients. No difference in RT was found among major and minor surgical procedures. Overall, multivariate analysis showed that history of major bleeding was the only independent predictor of number of RT doses (β = 0·352, P = 0·001) and RT duration (β = 0·405, P = 0·018). Overall, a ≈20 μg/kg perioperative RT was efficacious in 95·5% of cases. The infusion should be repeated ≈8 times in high‐risk subsets (i.e. patients with a history of major bleeding).
Familial risks in urolithiasis in the population of Sweden
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Hemminki Otto , Försti Asta , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Li Xinjun
Published: December 2017

Objective

To assess detailed familial risks for medically diagnosed urolithiasis (UL, urinary tract stone disease) based on nationwide hospital and population records.

Patients/Subjects and Methods

Subjects were identified from the Swedish Multigeneration Register in which there were 211 718 patients with UL. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated by comparison to individuals without a family history of UL.

Results

The highest familial SIRs were invariably found for the same (concordant) type of UL: 2.18 for kidney, 2.20 for ureter, and 1.93 for bladder. SIRs increased from 1.84, when one parent was affected, to 3.54 when both parents were affected, which was a multiplicative interaction. The SIR was 1.79 when one sibling was affected but it increased to 24.91 when two siblings were affected. Such excessive risks (5.2% of familial cases) are probably explained by high‐penetrant genes. A low SIR of 1.29 between spouses suggested a minor contribution by shared environmental factors on the familial risk.

Conclusions

The results point to underlying genetic causes for the observed familial clustering and establish the genetic landscape of UL. Family histories should be taken in UL diagnostics and prevention could follow guidelines recommended for recurrent UL.
Effects of corilagin on alleviating cholestasis via farnesoid X receptor‐associated pathways in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Yao , Li Gang , Xue Juan , Chen Zhi‐Lin , Jin Feng , Luo Lei , Zhou Xuan , Ma Qian , Cai Xin , Li Hua‐Rong , Zhao Lei
Published: December 2017

Background and Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of corilagin on intrahepatic cholestasis induced by regulating liver farnesoid X receptor (FXR)‐associated pathways in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Approach

Cellular and animal models were treated with different concentrations of corilagin. In the cellular experiments, FXR expression was up‐regulated by either lentiviral transduction or GW4064 treatment and down‐regulated by either siRNA technology or treatment with guggulsterones. Real‐time PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, CYP7A1, CYP7B1, NTCP, MRP2 and SULT2A1. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of BSEP in liver tissues. Rat liver function and pathological changes in hepatic tissue were assessed using biochemical tests and haematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results

Corilagin increased the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1, and decreased those of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP. After either up‐ or down‐regulating FXR using different methods, corilagin could still increase the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1 and decrease the protein levels of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP, especially when administered at a high concentration. Corilagin also exerted a notable effect on the pathological manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis, BSEP staining in liver tissues and liver function.

Conclusions and Implications

Corilagin exerts a protective effect in hepatocytes and can prevent the deleterious activities of intrahepatic cholestasis by stimulating FXR‐associated pathways.
The South African universal preschool year: a case study of policy development and implementation
Authors: Richter L. , Samuels M.‐L.
Published: December 2017

Background

South Africa is the first sub‐Saharan African country to legislate, fund and implement free preschool education. Human rights and restitution were at the forefront of the political struggle for democracy in South Africa. Levelling the playing fields by improving the school readiness of children disadvantaged by the racist policies of Apartheid is essential to the transformation of South African society.

Methods

A review of published and unpublished documents on Grade R was undertaken, and access and enrolment data come from the National Department of Basic Education's Education Management Information System (EMIS).

Results

A decade after initiation in 2005, 79% of 5‐year‐olds was enrolled in a preschool class; the vast majority of them in free public schools. Grade R is near universal and on track to becoming compulsory. It is part of the Foundation Phase (Grades 1–3) of schooling, falling under the Department of Basic Education, but also part of a broader national strategy to improve early child development under the direction of an Inter‐Departmental Steering. Evaluations demonstrate wide access to Grade R and high uptake, especially in the poorest areas. However, the quality of Grade R provision in these areas is not up to standard because of low levels of funding; inadequate training, supervision, remuneration and retention of Grade R teachers; insufficient learner support materials; and inadequate monitoring and quality assurance.

Conclusions

Lack of quality, amongst other factors, contributes to a widening school performance gap between children from more and less privileged areas. Quality of Grade R as well as earlier learning and subsequent years of schooling must be improved to achieve South Africa's aim to reduce poverty and inequality through, amongst others, parent and family involvement, learning in the home and preschool preparation.
Scaling up child development centres in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan N. Z. , Sultana R. , Ahmed F. , Shilpi A. B. , Sultana N. , Darmstadt G. L.
Published: December 2017

Background

Child Development Centres (CDCs) have been established within government medical college tertiary hospitals across Bangladesh. Services entail a parent–professional partnership in a child and family friendly environment with a focus on assessment, diagnosis, and management of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents 0–16 years of age. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals (child health physician, child psychologist, and developmental therapist) who emphasize quality of services over the numbers of children seen.

Methods

In 2008, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital was given the mandate by the government to conceptualize, train, and monitor CDCs nationwide. Here, we describe the rationale and processes for the establishment of the national network of CDCs and discuss lessons learned on scaling up early childhood development services in a low resource setting.

Results

Fifteen CDCs were established in major government hospitals across Bangladesh and have recorded 208,866 patient visits. The majority (79%) of children were from the lowest and middle‐income families, and about one third (30%) were < 2 years of age at first presentation. Two thirds of children seen in follow‐up demonstrated improvements in functional skills since their first visit, 77% in their adaptive behaviour (i.e., activities of daily living) and 70% in cognitive functions.

Conclusions

CDCs are expanding coverage for child neurodevelopment services across Bangladesh through a tiered system of home‐based screening, community‐ and clinic‐based functional assessment, and CDC‐based diagnosis, support, and referral. Vulnerable populations—the lowest income groups and younger children—comprised the majority of patients, among whom there is high unmet need for psychological services that is being met for the first time. Innovative human resource development, including a 3‐month training for the multidisciplinary teams, enabled wide coverage for assessment and diagnosis of a range of neurodevelopmental problems. Demand for services is growing, especially among non‐government and private hospitals.