bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hunting as the main technique used to control wild pigs in Brazil
Authors: Rosa Clarissa Alves Da , Wallau Marcelo Osório , Pedrosa Felipe
Published: February 2018

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) have expanded their range in Brazil since late 1980s, with reports of damage becoming more frequent in recent years. In 2013, use of lethal methods for wild pig control was legalized by the federal environmental agency. However, several restrictions related to the purchase and transportation of guns and ammunition hamper the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Nevertheless, many citizens engaged in wild pig control in Brazil do not officially report their control activities as required by the legislation. Our goal was to characterize the profile of wild pig controllers in Brazil to understand their methods and motivations, estimate the number of wild pigs killed per person per year, and evaluate current regulations regarding their applicability to the situations observed in the field. We formulated and distributed a structured questionnaire distributed in 2014 and 2015 to pig controllers (n = 172), including both hunters and nonhunters. Respondents reported killing 2,389 wild pigs, and killing an average of 17.2 (SE = 24.8) pigs/respondent/year, with male and female pigs killed in the same proportion. Forty percent of respondents were acting illegally. Hunters primarily controlled wild pigs to defend third‐party properties. Volunteers provided most of the effort toward controlling wild pigs in Brazil and farmers suffered most of the impacts. Therefore, we believe that adjusting the approach to use of hunting after crop harvest, or implementing an integrated program of hunting and traps placed around crops, could be an important new management tool for reducing wild pig population and crop damage. Further, to enhance wild pig control in Brazil, we recommend incentivizing use of corral traps and cages because such techniques have the greatest effect on reducing wild pig population. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
On the viscous core boundary layer of the injection and suction driven channel flows with expanding or contracting walls
Authors: Majdalani Joseph , Xuan Li‐Jun
Published: February 2018

This work extends a sequence of studies devoted to the analysis of the laminar flow in porous channels with retracting walls. This problem was originally used to model slab propellant grain regression. After identifying a subtle endpoint singularity that affects the former solution in its third derivative, a stretched variable is introduced to capture the rapid variations in the channel's core. The core refers to the midsection plane where the shear layer is displaced due to hard blowing at the walls. Then using matched‐asymptotic expansions with logarithmic corrections, a composite solution is developed following successive integrations that start with the fourth derivative. In the process, the inner correction is retrieved from the fourth‐order equation governing the symmetric injection‐driven flow near the core. The resulting approximation is expressed in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions and is confirmed using numerics and limiting process verifications. The composite solution is shown to outperform the former, outer solution, as the core is approached or as the injection Reynolds number is increased. Without undermining the practicality of the former solution outside the thin core region, the development of a matched‐asymptotic approximation enables us to suppress the often overlooked singular terms, thus ensuring a uniformly valid outcome down to the third and fourth derivatives, which affect the pressure distribution and its normal gradients.
Heterogeneity in Income Tax Capitalization: Evidence from the Swiss Housing Market
Authors: Morger Mario
Published: February 2018

There is evidence that taxes capitalize into housing prices, but great uncertainty about the magnitude of income tax capitalization. One explanation why empirical evidence is unclear may stem from the fact that capitalization is something personal, depending on income, mobility, and on the individual tax burden of the bidding households. Therefore, income tax capitalization may theoretically differ substantially between different housing price segments. Results obtained from the analysis of a large Swiss dataset suggest that capitalization is lower for apartments for rent compared to apartments for sale. Capitalization is insignificant or less than 100% for all rental segments. Concerning apartments for sale, capitalization is well above 100% for the low and top price segments.
Is Governance Related to Investment Performance and Asset Allocation? Empirical Evidence from Swiss Pension Funds
Authors: Ammann Manuel , Ehmann Christian
Published: February 2018

This study investigates the relationship between governance, investment performance and asset allocation of pension funds in Switzerland. Our sample includes survey data from 139 Swiss occupational pension plans for which we develop a governance metric comprising attributes of organisational design, management incentives, target setting, investment strategy, investment processes, risk management, monitoring, and transparency. We find empirical evidence that pension fund governance is positively related to excess returns, benchmark outperformance and Sharpe ratios. Pension funds in the top governance quartile outperform those in the bottom quartile by approximately 1% in terms of average excess returns and benchmark deviation. Furthermore, our study results indicate that asset allocation decisions are not related to governance, but rather to institutional factors.
Permanent Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: Results from a National Registry
Authors: Nordenström Erik , Bergenfelz Anders , Almquist Martin
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication following thyroidectomy. There are few population‐based reports on the rate of hypoparathyroidism in children. The incidence of medical treatment of permanent hypoparathyroidism in children is reported using a national registry.

Methods

The study population included patients below 18 years of age undergoing total thyroidectomy reported to the Scandinavian Quality Registry for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery 2004–2014. Patients with previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery or treatment with vitamin D before surgery were excluded from analysis. Permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism was defined as treatment with vitamin D for more than 6 months after thyroidectomy. Risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were calculated with uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression. Using data from the Swedish Inpatient Registry, rates of readmissions and annual number of days in hospital after total thyroidectomy were compared between patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Results

Some 274 children (215 girls and 59 boys) underwent total thyroidectomy. The median age was 14 (range 0–17) years. Indications for surgery were Graves’ disease (214, 78.1%), other benign disease (27, 9.9%) and thyroid cancer (33, 12%). Median follow‐up was 4.8 years. Twenty (7.3%) children developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. No statistically significant risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were identified. Rates of readmission and annual number of days in hospital after discharge were similar in patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusions

The rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy in children was high and is a cause of concern.
An exploration of concepts and polices on ‘affordable housing’ in England, Italy, Poland and The Netherlands
Authors: Czischke Darinka , van Bortel Gerard
Published: February 2018

The term ‘affordable housing’ has been rapidly gaining currency over the last decade across Europe, both in policy and research circles. While it is often used as a synonym or close relative of the term ‘social housing’, more recently it is finding its own definition and policy instruments in specific cities and countries. However, boundaries between both concepts remain unclear. To shed light on recent developments of each of these terms, this paper presents findings from a study commissioned by the European Investment Bank, which investigated current trends in definitions, programmes and policies both in social housing and affordable housing. This paper focuses on findings for England, Italy, Poland and The Netherlands. Methods used included desk research and interviews with key informants in each of the four countries. In addition, in-depth information about Italy and The Netherlands was gathered through stakeholder workshops carried out between September and November 2016. Findings show that affordable housing in all four countries is becoming a more distinct field, in parallel to developments in social housing. In addition, the paper describes some innovative policies undertaken to develop affordable housing solutions. The paper concludes with a reflection on scenarios for future policy developments and an agenda for further research.
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in India: The Current Scenario and Potential Developments
Authors: Kar Bibhas , Aftab Afreen
Published: February 2018

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is the selective process undertaken during the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure to diagnose genetic abnormalities in the embryos using various genetic techniques and implant only those embryos that are devoid of genetic abnormalities. It was established in the 1990s and is still a developing technology in India. This review summarizes the need for widespread and competent PGD centres equipped with advanced diagnostic techniques to reduce disease burden upon the country’s economy and the requirement for sufficient education of the general population on the advantages of PGD. Issues such as high frequency of consanguinity and genetic disorders such as hemoglobinopathies especially thalassemia can be addressed with the use of PGD. There also needs to be awareness campaigns that help enhance knowledge in this field to improve its use such as reducing the dilemma of increased congenital anomalies in consanguineous unions and prevent its misuse such as preimplantation sex selection and sex based discrimination.
Interpersonal violence and suicidality among former child soldiers and war-exposed civilian children in Nepal
Authors: Bhardwaj Anvita , Bourey Christine , Rai Sauharda , Adhikari Ramesh Prasad , Worthman Carol M. , Kohrt Brandon A.
Published: February 2018

Background.

Suicide risk reduction is crucial for 15–29-year-old youth, who account for 46% of suicide deaths in low- and middle-income countries. Suicide predictors in high-resource settings, specifically depression, do not adequately predict suicidality in these settings. We explored if interpersonal violence (IPV) was associated with suicidality, independent of depression, in Nepal.

Methods.

A longitudinal cohort of child soldiers and matched civilian children, enrolled in 2007 after the People's War in Nepal, were re-interviewed in 2012. The Depression Self-Rating Scale and Composite International Diagnostic Interview assessed depression and suicidality, respectively. Non-verbal response cards were used to capture experiences of sexual and physical IPV.

Results.

One of five participants (19%) reported any lifetime suicidal ideation, which was associated with sexual IPV, female gender, former child soldier status and lack of support from teachers. Among young men, the relationship between sexual IPV and suicidality was explained by depression, and teacher support reduced suicidality. Among young women, sexual IPV was associated with suicidality, independent of depression; child soldier status increased suicidality, and teacher support decreased suicidality. Suicide plans were associated with sexual IPV but not with depression. One of 11 female former child soldiers (9%) had attempted suicide.

Conclusion.

Sexual IPV is associated with suicidal ideation and plans among conflict-affected young women, independent of depression. Reducing suicide risk among women should include screening, care, and prevention programs for sexual IPV. Programs involving teachers may be particularly impactful for reducing suicidality among IPV survivors.
Culture supernatant produced by Lactobacillus kefiri from kefir inhibits the growth of Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Kim Dong-Hyeon , Jeong Dana , Song Kwang-Young , Kang Il-Byeong , Kim Hyunsook , Seo Kun-Ho
Published: February 2018

Cronobacter sakazakii is a life-threatening foodborne pathogen found in powdered infant formula and dairy products. Kefir is a dairy probiotic product and its antimicrobial activity against C. sakazakii was reported in our previous study. To identify key microorganisms that mediate growth suppression, we tested the antimicrobial activity of culture supernatants derived from lactic acid bacteria found in kefir. Lactobacillus kefiri DH5, L. kefiranofaciens DH101, and Bifidobacterium longum 720 (a commercial probiotic strain that served as a positive control) all significantly inhibited the growth of C. sakazakii ATCC 29544, delaying the initiation of exponential growth from 3 to 9 h in the nutrient broth. Among them, L. kefiri DH5 exerted the strongest antimicrobial effects against C. sakazakii, showing bactericidal effect at the addition of 300 µl of supernatant in 1 ml of nutrient broth. Interestingly, the supernatant of L. kefiri DH5 has higher pH and lower titrable acidity than that of L. kefiranofaciens DH101, suggesting metabolites produced by heterofermentation of L. kefiri acted more effectively to antagonise the growth of C. sakazakii. In addition, the supernatant of L. kefiri DH5 induced the leakage of cytoplasmic materials including nucleic acid and proteins, suggesting L. kefiri DH5 disrupted the cellular membrane integrity of C. sakazakii. Considering that pH neutralisation reduced the L. kefiri-dependent growth suppression, it is inferred that this activity is mainly due to organic acids produced during the fermentation process.
John Richardson's ‘missing’ Arctic journal, 6–29 October 1821
Authors: Cavell Janice
Published: February 2018

The 1819–1822 overland Arctic expedition led by John Franklin was one of the most disastrous in polar history. In 1821, 20 men travelled to the Arctic Ocean by way of the Coppermine River; only nine of them survived. John Richardson's expedition journal, as published by C. Stuart Houston in 1984, is incomplete. There are no entries between 7 and 29 October 1821, even though five of the 11 deaths (some or possibly all of them by murder) occurred during this critical period. The omission of these events from the journal on which Houston's edition was based has raised suspicions that the account published in Franklin's 1823 narrative may be inaccurate. This article prints the ‘missing’ journal entries, which were located in the files of the Colonial Office, and analyses the differences between these previously unknown entries and the 1823 account.
The rise of Portuguese Antarctic research: implications for Portugal's status under the Antarctic Treaty
Authors: Xavier José C. , Gray Andrew D. , Hughes Kevin A.
Published: February 2018

Portugal has developed an active Antarctic programme over the past decade. Here, we examine Portuguese Antarctic activity using a variety of bibliometric measures, showing that Portuguese scientific output has grown substantially faster than the field as a whole, with quality remaining broadly constant. Antarctic science made up a growing percentage of overall Portuguese research, up to 0.14% of all papers in 2016—a level comparable to many other nations with well-established research programmes. Alongside this, Portugal has increasingly engaged in policy discussions and produced policy papers for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, some of which were based on Portuguese environmental science. The Antarctic Treaty reserves decision-making powers to ‘Consultative Parties’—those who have been recognised as demonstrating substantial research activity in the continent. Our data indicates that Portugal is currently the fourth most productive non-Consultative Party, and has similar or greater output than several Parties who have already attained consultative status—its publication record is similar to that of the Czech Republic, which became a Consultative Party in 2014. The rapid growth of Portugal's Antarctic research may make it well placed to consider attaining consultative status to the Antarctic Treaty in the near future.
On the Harnack inequality for quasilinear elliptic equations with a first-order term
Authors: Merchán Susana , Montoro Luigi , Sciunzi Berardino
Published: February 2018

We consider weak solutions to

with p > 1, q ≥ max{p − 1, 1}. We exploit the Moser iteration technique to prove a Harnack comparison inequality for C1 weak solutions. As a consequence we deduce a strong comparison principle.
The structure of the Ricci tensor on locally homogeneous Lorentzian gradient Ricci solitons
Authors: Brozos-Vázquez M. , García-Río E. , Gavino-Fernández S. , Gilkey P.
Published: February 2018

We describe the structure of the Ricci tensor on a locally homogeneous Lorentzian gradient Ricci soliton. In the non-steady case, we show that the soliton is rigid in dimensions 3 and 4. In the steady case we give a complete classification in dimension 3.
The interaction between monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and childhood maltreatment as a predictor of personality pathology in females: Emotional reactivity as a potential mediating mechanism
Authors: Byrd Amy L. , Manuck Stephen B. , Hawes Samuel W. , Vebares Tayler J. , Nimgaonkar Vishwajit , Chowdari Kodavali V. , Hipwell Alison E. , Keenan Kate , Stepp Stephanie D.
Published: February 2018

Research consistently demonstrates that common polymorphic variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) moderates the influence of childhood maltreatment on later antisocial behavior, with growing evidence that the “risk” allele (high vs. low activity) differs for females. However, little is known about how this Gene × Environment interaction functions to increase risk, or if this risk pathway is specific to antisocial behavior. Using a prospectively assessed, longitudinal sample of females (n = 2,004), we examined whether changes in emotional reactivity (ER) during adolescence mediated associations between this Gene × Environment and antisocial personality disorder in early adulthood. In addition, we assessed whether this putative risk pathway also conferred risk for borderline personality disorder, a related disorder characterized by high ER. While direct associations between early maltreatment and later personality pathology did not vary by genotype, there was a significant difference in the indirect path via ER during adolescence. Consistent with hypotheses, females with high-activity MAOA genotype who experienced early maltreatment had greater increases in ER during adolescence, and higher levels of ER predicted both antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder symptom severity. Taken together, findings suggest that the interaction between MAOA and early maltreatment places women at risk for a broader range of personality pathology via effects on ER.
Randomized control trials demonstrate that nutrition-sensitive social protection interventions increase the use of multiple-micronutrient powders and iron supplements in rural pre-school Bangladeshi children
Authors: Hoddinott John , Ahmed Akhter , Roy Shalini
Published: February 2018

Objective

To examine the impact of a nutrition-sensitive social protection intervention on mothers’ knowledge of Fe deficiency, awareness of multiple-micronutrient powders (MMP) and the consumption of MMP and other Fe supplements by their children aged 6–59 months.

Design

Two randomized controlled trials with treatment arms including cash transfers, food transfers, cash and food transfers, cash and nutrition behaviour change communication (BCC), and food and nutrition BCC were implemented over two years. Both included a control group that received no transfer or BCC. Transfer recipients were mothers living in poor households with at least one child aged less than 2 years at baseline. Probit models were used to analyse endline data.

Setting

Rural areas in north-west and south Bangladesh.

Subjects

Mothers (n 4840) and children 6–59 months (n 4840).

Results

A transfer accompanied by nutrition BCC increased the share of mothers with knowledge of Fe deficiency (11·9 and 9·2 percentage points for North and South, respectively, P≤0·01), maternal awareness of MMP (29·0 and 22·2 percentage points, P≤0·01), the likelihood that their children 6–59 months had ever consumed MMP (32 and 11·9 percentage points, P≤0·01), consumed MMP in the preceding week (16·9 and 3·9 percentage points, P≤0·01) and consumed either MMP or an Fe supplement in the preceding week (22·3 and 7·1 percentage points, P≤0·01). Improvements were statistically significant relative to groups that received a transfer only.

Conclusions

Nutrition-sensitive social protection (transfers with BCC added) may be a promising way to advance progress on micronutrient deficiencies.
AN EQUIDISTRIBUTION THEOREM FOR HOLOMORPHIC SIEGEL MODULAR FORMS FOR AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: Kim Henry H. , Wakatsuki Satoshi , Yamauchi Takuya
Published: February 2018

We prove an equidistribution theorem for a family of holomorphic Siegel cusp forms for$\mathit{GSp}_{4}/\mathbb{Q}$in various aspects. A main tool is Arthur’s invariant trace formula. While Shin [Automorphic Plancherel density theorem,Israel J. Math.192(1) (2012), 83–120] and Shin–Templier [Sato–Tate theorem for families and low-lying zeros of automorphic$L$-functions,Invent. Math.203(1) (2016) 1–177] used Euler–Poincaré functions at infinity in the formula, we use a pseudo-coefficient of a holomorphic discrete series to extract holomorphic Siegel cusp forms. Then the non-semisimple contributions arise from the geometric side, and this provides new second main terms$A,B_{1}$in Theorem 1.1 which have not been studied and a mysterious second term$B_{2}$also appears in the second main term coming from the semisimple elements. Furthermore our explicit study enables us to treat more general aspects in the weight. We also give several applications including the vertical Sato–Tate theorem, the unboundedness of Hecke fields and low-lying zeros for degree 4 spinor$L$-functions and degree 5 standard$L$-functions of holomorphic Siegel cusp forms.
Identification of new sources of resistance for pearl millet downy mildew disease under field conditions
Authors: Kanfany Ghislain , Fofana Amadou , Tongoona Pangirayi , Danquah Agyemang , Offei Samuel , Danquah Eric , Cisse Ndiaga
Published: February 2018

Pearl millet is an important cereal crop for smallholder farmers’ food security in Africa and India. However, its production has stagnated due to several factors such as downy mildew (DM). Thus, a study was conducted to identify new sources of resistance from pearl millet inbred lines derived from a collection of landraces originated from West and Central African countries. A set of 101 lines, including 99 inbred lines from West and Central Africa along with a 7042S and SOSAT C 88 as susceptible and resistant checks, respectively, were evaluated under field conditions with infector rows in Bambey and Nioro research stations during the rainy season of 2016. Data on DM incidence and severity, plant height, flowering time, panicle length and productive tillers were recorded. The results showed highly significant differences among lines for all observed traits. Among the tested lines, 55 including SOSAT C 88 were resistant, 16 moderately resistant and 30 including 7042S were susceptible to the disease. Out of the 55 resistant lines, 20 were disease free. Hierarchical ascendant cluster analysis grouped the lines into three clusters with the DM parameters and plant height as the most discriminant factors. Cluster II contains the susceptible lines, while cluster III comprises the moderately resistant lines. The lines which belongs to cluster I were characterized by their resistance to the disease. Further use of these available new sources of resistance will be very useful for improvement of pearl millet for DM resistance and other agronomic traits.
Vitamin D Supplementation in Adults with Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Effect on Metabolic Syndrome – A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Mahmood Saba Fathima , Idiculla Jyothi , Joshi Rajnish , Joshi Shailesh , Kulkarni Shruthi
Published: February 2018

Background: Inverse relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels is controversial. Hypovitaminosis-D has long been suspected as a risk factor for glucose intolerance. Aim: A randomized double blind placebo controlled study to evaluate effects of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance in subjects with hypovitaminosis-D and MetS. Materials and Methods: Subjects were randomized to receive either oral 25(OH) D3 supplement (60000 (IU) per week for 8 weeks followed by 60,000 IU monthly for 4 months) or a placebo for six months. The parameters measured were blood pressure, vitamin D, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Results: There were no significant changes in parameters of vitamin-D group compared to placebo group except serum vitamin-D was significantly increased in vitamin-D group (p < 0.0001). In vitamin-D group, mean WC at baseline was 95.9 ± 6.66, which significantly changed to 94.6 ± 7.47 (p = 0.001). Mean BMI at baseline was 29.1 ± 4.06 which significantly changed to 28.5 ± 4.16 (p = 0.001). The mean vitamin-D concentration at baseline was 15.4 ± 9.03 which significantly (p < .0001) increased to 26.1 ± 11.8. In placebo group mean insulin levels was 10.7 ± 4.81IU / L which increased significantly (p = 0.03) to 15.4 ± 14.0. Mean QUICKI at baseline was 0.34 ± 0.03 which decreased significantly (p = 0.02) to 0.32 ± 0.03. Conclusion: In this study the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and MetS or IR was not established. Whether achieving vitamin D sufficiency in large population-based trials with a longer duration would produce more favorable results needs to be assessed.
Ozone Pollution Maps Show Spikes Amid Broad Declines
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2018

Exceptionally comprehensive new maps detail current global concentrations and 15-year trends.
Competition–colonization tradeoffs structure fungal diversity
Authors: Smith Gabriel R , Steidinger Brian S , Bruns Thomas D , Peay Kabir G
Published: February 2018

Findings of immense microbial diversity are at odds with observed functional redundancy, as competitive exclusion should hinder coexistence. Tradeoffs between dispersal and competitive ability could resolve this contradiction, but the extent to which they influence microbial community assembly is unclear. Because fungi influence the biogeochemical cycles upon which life on earth depends, understanding the mechanisms that maintain the richness of their communities is critically important. Here, we focus on ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are microbial plant mutualists that significantly affect global carbon dynamics and the ecology of host plants. Synthesizing theory with a decade of empirical research at our study site, we show that competition–colonization tradeoffs structure diversity in situ and that models calibrated only with empirically derived competition–colonization tradeoffs can accurately predict species–area relationships in this group of key eukaryotic microbes. These findings provide evidence that competition–colonization tradeoffs can sustain the landscape-scale diversity of microbes that compete for a single limiting resource.
Metformin exerts multitarget antileukemia activity in JAK2V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Machado-Neto João Agostinho , Fenerich Bruna Alves , Scopim-Ribeiro Renata , Eide Christopher A. , Coelho-Silva Juan Luiz , Dechandt Carlos Roberto Porto , Fernandes Jaqueline Cristina , Rodrigues Alves Ana Paula Nunes , Scheucher Priscila Santos , Simões Belinda Pinto , Alberici Luciane Carla , de Figueiredo Pontes Lorena Lôbo , Tognon Cristina E. , Druker Brian J. , Rego Eduardo Magalhães , Traina Fabiola
Published: February 2018

The recurrent gain-of-function JAK2V617F mutation confers growth factor-independent proliferation for hematopoietic cells and is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The lack of complete response in most patients treated with the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib indicates the need for identifying novel therapeutic strategies. Metformin is a biguanide that exerts selective antineoplastic activity in hematological malignancies. In the present study, we investigate and compare effects of metformin and ruxolitinib alone and in combination on cell signaling and cellular functions in JAK2V617F-positive cells. In JAK2V617F-expressing cell lines, metformin treatment significantly reduced cell viability, cell proliferation, clonogenicity, and cellular oxygen consumption and delayed cell cycle progression. Metformin reduced cyclin D1 expression and RB, STAT3, STAT5, ERK1/2 and p70S6K phosphorylation. Metformin plus ruxolitinib demonstrated more intense reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis compared to monotherapy. Notably, metformin reduced Ba/F3 JAK2V617F tumor burden and splenomegaly in Jak2V617F knock-in-induced MPN mice and spontaneous erythroid colony formation in primary cells from polycythemia vera patients. In conclusion, metformin exerts multitarget antileukemia activity in MPN: downregulation of JAK2/STAT signaling and mitochondrial activity. Our exploratory study establishes novel molecular mechanisms of metformin and ruxolitinib action and provides insights for development of alternative/complementary therapeutic strategies for MPN.
Arginase-II activates mTORC1 through myosin-1b in vascular cell senescence and apoptosis
Authors: Yu Yi , Xiong Yuyan , Montani Jean-Pierre , Yang Zhihong , Ming Xiu-Fen
Published: February 2018

Type-II L-arginine:ureahydrolase, arginase-II (Arg-II), is shown to activate mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and contributes to cell senescence and apoptosis. In an attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanism, we identified myosin-1b (Myo1b) as a mediator. Overexpression of Arg-II induces re-distribution of lysosome and mTOR but not of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) from perinuclear area to cell periphery, dissociation of TSC from lysosome and activation of mTORC1-ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) pathway. Silencing Myo1b prevents all these alterations induced by Arg-II. By overexpressing Myo1b or its mutant with point mutation in its pleckstrin homology (PH) domain we further demonstrate that this effect of Myo1b is dependent on its PH domain that is required for Myo1b-lysosome association. Notably, Arg-II promotes association of Myo1b with lysosomes. In addition, we show that in senescent vascular smooth muscle cells with elevated endogenous Arg-II, silencing Myo1b prevents Arg-II-mediated lysosomal positioning, dissociation of TSC from lysosome, mTORC1 activation and cell apoptosis. Taken together, our study demonstrates that Myo1b mediates the effect of Arg-II in activating mTORC1-S6K1 through promoting peripheral lysosomal positioning, that results in spatial separation and thus dissociation of TSC from lysosome, leading to hyperactive mTORC1-S6K1 signaling linking to cellular senescence/apoptosis.
Role of autophagy in modulating post-maturation aging of mouse oocytes
Authors: Lin Fei-Hu , Zhang Wei-Ling , Li Hong , Tian Xiao-Dan , Zhang Jie , Li Xiao , Li Chuan-Yong , Tan Jing-He
Published: February 2018

Mechanisms for post-maturation oocyte aging (PMOA) are not fully understood, and whether autophagy plays any role in PMOA is unknown. To explore the role of autophagy in PMOA, expression of autophagosomes and effects of the autophagy (macro-autophagy) activity on PMOA were observed in mouse oocytes. Oocyte activation rates and active caspase-3 levels increased continuously from 0 to 18 h of in vitro aging. While levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II increased up to 12 h and decreased thereafter, contents of p62 decreased from 0 to 12 h and then elevated to basal level by 18 h. However, the LC3-II/I ratio remained unchanged following aging in different media or for different times. During in vitro aging up to 12 h, upregulating autophagy with rapamycin or lithium chloride decreased activation susceptibility, cytoplasmic calcium, p62 contents, oxidative stress, caspase-3 activation and cytoplasmic fragmentation while increasing developmental competence, LC3-II contents, LC3-II/I ratio, mitochondrial membrane potential, spindle/chromosome integrity and normal cortical granule distribution. Downregulating autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) produced opposite effects on all these parameters except cytoplasmic fragmentation. After 12 h of aging culture, however, regulating autophagy with either rapamycin/lithium chloride or 3-MA had no impact on oocyte activation susceptibility. It is concluded that autophagy plays an important role in regulating PMOA. Thus, during the early stage of PMOA, autophagy increases as an adaptive response to prevent further apoptosis, but by the late stage of PMOA, the activation of more caspases blocks the autophagic process leading to severer apoptosis.
Genetic tagging of active neurons in auditory cortex reveals maternal plasticity of coding ultrasonic vocalizations
Authors: Tasaka Gen-ichi , Guenthner Casey J. , Shalev Amos , Gilday Omri , Luo Liqun , Mizrahi Adi
Published: February 2018

Cortical neurons are often functionally heterogeneous even for molecularly defined subtypes. In sensory cortices, physiological responses to natural stimuli can be sparse and vary widely even for neighboring neurons. It is thus difficult to parse out circuits that encode specific stimuli for further experimentation. Here, we report the development of a Cre-reporter mouse that allows recombination for cellular labeling and genetic manipulation, and use it with an activity-dependent Fos-CreERT2 driver to identify functionally active circuits in the auditory cortex. In vivo targeted patch recordings validate our method for neurons responding to physiologically relevant natural sounds such as pup wriggling calls and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). Using this system to investigate cortical responses in postpartum mothers, we find a transient recruitment of neurons highly responsive to USVs. This subpopulation of neurons has distinct physiological properties that improve the coding efficiency for pup USV calls, implicating it as a unique signature in parental plasticity.
Cell-based glycan arrays for probing glycan–glycan binding protein interactions
Authors: Briard Jennie Grace , Jiang Hao , Moremen Kelley W. , Macauley Matthew Scott , Wu Peng
Published: February 2018

Glycan microarrays provide a high-throughput means of profiling the interactions of glycan-binding proteins with their ligands. However, the construction of current glycan microarray platforms is time consuming and expensive. Here, we report a fast and cost-effective method for the assembly of cell-based glycan arrays to probe glycan–glycan-binding protein interactions directly on the cell surface. Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants with a narrow and relatively homogeneous repertoire of glycoforms serve as the foundation platforms to develop these arrays. Using recombinant glycosyltransferases, sialic acid, fucose, and analogs thereof are installed on cell-surface glycans to form cell-based arrays displaying diverse glycan epitopes that can be probed with glycan-binding proteins by flow cytometry. Using this platform, high-affinity glycan ligands are discovered for Siglec-15—a sialic acid-binding lectin involved in osteoclast differentiation. Incubating human osteoprogenitor cells with cells displaying a high-affinity Siglec-15 ligand impairs osteoclast differentiation, demonstrating the utility of this cell-based glycan array technology.
All-optical control and super-resolution imaging of quantum emitters in layered materials
Authors: Kianinia Mehran , Bradac Carlo , Sontheimer Bernd , Wang Fan , Tran Toan Trong , Nguyen Minh , Kim Sejeong , Xu Zai-Quan , Jin Dayong , Schell Andreas W. , Lobo Charlene J. , Aharonovich Igor , Toth Milos
Published: February 2018

Layered van der Waals materials are emerging as compelling two-dimensional platforms for nanophotonics, polaritonics, valleytronics and spintronics, and have the potential to transform applications in sensing, imaging and quantum information processing. Among these, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is known to host ultra-bright, room-temperature quantum emitters, whose nature is yet to be fully understood. Here we present a set of measurements that give unique insight into the photophysical properties and level structure of hBN quantum emitters. Specifically, we report the existence of a class of hBN quantum emitters with a fast-decaying intermediate and a long-lived metastable state accessible from the first excited electronic state. Furthermore, by means of a two-laser repumping scheme, we show an enhanced photoluminescence and emission intensity, which can be utilized to realize a new modality of far-field super-resolution imaging. Our findings expand current understanding of quantum emitters in hBN and show new potential ways of harnessing their nonlinear optical properties in sub-diffraction nanoscopy.
FcαRI co-stimulation converts human intestinal CD103+ dendritic cells into pro-inflammatory cells through glycolytic reprogramming
Authors: Hansen Ivo S. , Krabbendam Lisette , Bernink Jochem H. , Loayza-Puch Fabricio , Hoepel Willianne , van Burgsteden Johan A. , Kuijper Elsa C. , Buskens Christianne J. , Bemelman Willem A. , Zaat Sebastiaan A. J. , Agami Reuven , Vidarsson Gestur , van den Brink Gijs R. , de Jong Esther C. , Wildenberg Manon E. , Baeten Dominique L. P. , Everts Bart , den Dunnen Jeroen
Published: February 2018

CD103+ dendritic cells (DC) are crucial for regulation of intestinal tolerance in humans. However, upon infection of the lamina propria this tolerogenic response is converted to an inflammatory response. Here we show that immunoglobulin A (IgA) immune complexes (IgA-IC), which are present after bacterial infection of the lamina propria, are important for the induction of inflammation by the human CD103+SIRPα+ DC subset. IgA-IC, by recognition through FcαRI, selectively amplify the production of proinflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1β and IL-23 by human CD103+ DCs. These cells then enhance inflammation by promoting Th17 responses and activating human intestinal innate lymphoid cells 3. Moreover, FcαRI-induced cytokine production is orchestrated via upregulation of cytokine translation and caspase-1 activation, which is dependent on glycolytic reprogramming mediated by kinases Syk, PI3K and TBK1-IKKε. Our data suggest that the formation of IgA-IC in the human intestine provides an environmental cue for the conversion of a tolerogenic to an inflammatory response.
Nanodroplet processing platform for deep and quantitative proteome profiling of 10–100 mammalian cells
Authors: Zhu Ying , Piehowski Paul D. , Zhao Rui , Chen Jing , Shen Yufeng , Moore Ronald J. , Shukla Anil K. , Petyuk Vladislav A. , Campbell-Thompson Martha , Mathews Clayton E. , Smith Richard D. , Qian Wei-Jun , Kelly Ryan T.
Published: February 2018

Nanoscale or single-cell technologies are critical for biomedical applications. However, current mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic approaches require samples comprising a minimum of thousands of cells to provide in-depth profiling. Here, we report the development of a nanoPOTS (nanodroplet processing in one pot for trace samples) platform for small cell population proteomics analysis. NanoPOTS enhances the efficiency and recovery of sample processing by downscaling processing volumes to <200 nL to minimize surface losses. When combined with ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-MS, nanoPOTS allows identification of ~1500 to ~3000 proteins from ~10 to ~140 cells, respectively. By incorporating the Match Between Runs algorithm of MaxQuant, >3000 proteins are consistently identified from as few as 10 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate quantification of ~2400 proteins from single human pancreatic islet thin sections from type 1 diabetic and control donors, illustrating the application of nanoPOTS for spatially resolved proteome measurements from clinical tissues.
In situ generation of intercalated membranes for efficient gas separation
Authors: Kang Zixi , Wang Sasa , Fan Lili , Zhang Minghui , Kang Wenpei , Pang Jia , Du Xinxin , Guo Hailing , Wang Rongming , Sun Daofeng
Published: February 2018

Membranes with well-defined pore structure which have thin active layers may be promising materials for efficient gas separation. Graphene oxide (GO) materials have potential applications in the field of membrane separation. Here we describe a strategy for the construction of ultra-thin and flexible HKUST-1@GO intercalated membranes, where HKUST-1 is a copper-based metal–organic framework with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites, with simultaneous and synergistic modulation of permeance and selectivity to achieve high H2/CO2 separation. CuO nanosheets@GO membranes are fabricated layer-by-layer via repeated filtration cycles, then transformed to HKUST-1@GO membranes upon in situ reaction with linkers. The HKUST-1@GO membranes show enhanced performance for gas separation of H2/CO2 mixture. The number of filtration cycles is optimized to obtain H2 permeance of 5.77 × 10−7 mol m−2 s−1 Pa−1 and H2/CO2 selectivity of 73.2. Our work provides a facile strategy for the construction of membranes based on metal–organic frameworks and GO, which may be applied in the preparation of flexible membranes for gas separation applications.
Visible chiral discrimination via macroscopic selective assembly
Authors: Zheng Yongtai , Kobayashi Yuichiro , Sekine Tomoko , Takashima Yoshinori , Hashidzume Akihito , Yamaguchi Hiroyasu , Harada Akira
Published: February 2018

The transfer of chirality from individual molecules to macroscopic objects, and the recognition of chirality on the macroscopic scale have potential for many practical applications, but they are still key challenges for the chiral research community. Here we present a strategy for visible chiral recognition by macroscopic assembly using polyacrylamide-based gels modified with β-cyclodextrin (βCD-gel) and d- or l-tryptophan (homochiral d- or l-Trp-gel), which differs from most methods reported, e.g., colorimetric or chromogenic methods, fluorescence, gel formation and collapse. The circular dichroism spectra demonstrate that the chirality of Trp molecules is successfully transferred and amplified in the corresponding Trp-gels. The chirality of the d- and l-Trp-gels is macroscopically recognized by the βCD-gel selectivity in aqueous NaCl through the amplification of interfacial enantioselective host–guest interactions.
Coherent vibrations in methanol cation probed by periodic H3+ ejection after double ionization
Authors: Ando Toshiaki , Shimamoto Akihiro , Miura Shun , Iwasaki Atsushi , Nakai Katsunori , Yamanouchi Kaoru
Published: February 2018

When hydrocarbon molecules are exposed to an intense laser field, triatomic hydrogen molecular ion, H3+, is ejected. Here we describe pump–probe measurements of the ejection of H3+ from methanol dication with high temporal resolution using intense few-cycle laser pulses and find a long-lasting periodic increase in the yield of H3+. We show that H3+ ejection is the lowest energy decomposition channel and that its yield is enhanced each time when the vibrational wave packet coming back to the inner turning point of methanol cation is projected onto the dication potential energy surface. We also show that the time-resolved measurement of the yield of H3+ is an efficient tool not only for probing ultrafast nuclear dynamics of hydrocarbon cations but also for deriving vibrational frequencies of hydrocarbon cations with high precision.
Negative effective Li transference numbers in Li salt/ionic liquid mixtures: does Li drift in the “Wrong” direction?
Authors: Gouverneur M. , Schmidt F. , Schönhoff M.
Published: February 2018

Due to association with anions and an inverted drift direction in an electric field, Li+ cations have negative effective transference numbers.
Renaissance of pyridine-oxazolines as chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Yang Guoqiang , Zhang Wanbin
Published: February 2018

An overview of advances in the field of pyridine-oxazoline-type ligands and their application in asymmetric catalysis has been presented.
The (photo)chemistry of Stenhouse photoswitches: guiding principles and system design
Authors: Lerch Michael M. , Szymański Wiktor , Feringa Ben L.
Published: February 2018

Stenhouse switches are a novel class of photoswitches with great potential for visible-light-controlled applications.
Large-scale synthesis of fluorinated graphene by rapid thermal exfoliation of highly fluorinated graphite
Authors: Herraiz Michael , Dubois Marc , Batisse Nicolas , Hajjar-Garreau Samar , Simon Laurent
Published: February 2018

Weakly fluorinated graphene nanosheets were efficiently prepared via fast thermal exfoliation of highly fluorinated graphite.
A general microwave synthesis of metal (Ni, Cu, Zn) selenide nanoparticles and their competitive interaction with human serum albumin
Authors: Naveenraj Selvaraj , Mangalaraja Ramalinga Viswanathan , Krasulyaa Olga , Syed Asad , Ameen Fuad , Anandan Sambandam
Published: February 2018

Simple microwave irradiation technique was used to synthesize a series of selenide nanoparticles (platelet-like NiSe nanoparticles, uniform CuSe nanorods, and distorted ZnSe nano-hexagons) and their competitive interaction with human serum albumin was studied.
A novel strategy for longevity prolongation of iron-based nanoparticle thin films by applied magnetic force
Authors: R. Stefan , Jakmunee J. , Punyodom W. , Singjai P.
Published: February 2018

Products of ionised/vaporised iron and excited nitrogen gas were obtained via a sparking process in different magnetic fields.
Covalently assembled polymer nanocapsules: a novel scaffold for light-harvesting
Authors: Fan Xiaotong , Tian Ruizhen , Liu Shengda , Qiao Shanpeng , Luo Quan , Yan Tengfei , Fu Shuang , Zhang Xin , Xu Jiayun , Liu Junqiu
Published: February 2018

A light-harvesting system was firstly established on the basis of a covalently assembled nanocapsule.
Thermal and optical properties of multiblock macrocycles with hysteretic polymorphic transition
Authors: Nabeya Kota , Muraoka Takahiro , Hoshino Norihisa , Aizawa Miho , Kajitani Takashi , Akutagawa Tomoyuki , Shishido Atsushi , Fukushima Takanori , Kinbara Kazushi
Published: February 2018

The thermal phase transition properties of macrocyclic molecules 1 and 2 consisting of aromatic 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene (BPEB) components and tetraethylene glycol (TEG) chains were investigated.
N-Heterotricyclic cationic carbene ligands. Synthesis, reactivity and coordination chemistry
Authors: Iglesias-Sigüenza Javier , Izquierdo Cristina , Díez Elena , Fernández Rosario , Lassaletta José M.
Published: February 2018

Metal complexes based on cationic N-heterotricyclic carbenes have been synthesized and the impact of charge delocalization on their electronic properties has been analysed.
Two-dimensional Co–Ln networks bridged by phenyl pyrimidyl substituted nitronyl nitroxides: structural and magnetic properties
Authors: Sun Guifang , Guo Jianni , Yang Meng , Xi Lu , Li Licun , Sutter Jean-Pascal
Published: February 2018

Two novel 2D Co–Ln complexes have been obtained, which represent the first examples of nitronyl nitroxide bridged 2D Co–Ln complexes.
Deep defect level engineering: a strategy of optimizing the carrier concentration for high thermoelectric performance
Authors: Zhang Qian , Song Qichen , Wang Xinyu , Sun Jingying , Zhu Qing , Dahal Keshab , Lin Xi , Cao Feng , Zhou Jiawei , Chen Shuo , Chen Gang , Mao Jun , Ren Zhifeng
Published: February 2018

Thermoelectric properties are heavily dependent on the carrier concentration, and therefore the optimization of carrier concentration plays a central role in achieving high thermoelectric performance.