bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guidelines to improve animal study design and reproducibility for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: For funders and researchers
Authors: Snyder Heather M. , Shineman Diana W. , Friedman Lauren G. , Hendrix James A. , Khachaturian Ara , Le Guillou Ian , Pickett James , Refolo Lorenzo , Sancho Rosa M. , Ridley Simon H.
Published: November 2016

The reproducibility of laboratory experiments is fundamental to the scientific process. There have been increasing reports regarding challenges in reproducing and translating preclinical experiments in animal models. In Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, there have been similar reports and growing interest from funding organizations, researchers, and the broader scientific community to set parameters around experimental design, statistical power, and reporting requirements. A number of efforts in recent years have attempted to develop standard guidelines; however, these have not yet been widely implemented by researchers or by funding agencies. A workgroup of the International Alzheimer's disease Research Funder Consortium, a group of over 30 research funding agencies from around the world, worked to compile the best practices identified in these prior efforts for preclinical biomedical research. This article represents a consensus of this work group's review and includes recommendations for researchers and funding agencies on designing, performing, reviewing, and funding preclinical research studies.
Trend in aggregate idiosyncratic volatility
Authors: Nam Kiseok , Khaksari Shahriar , Kang Moonsoo
Published: November 2016

We suggest that price interaction among stocks is an important determinant of idiosyncratic volatility. We demonstrate that as more (less) stocks are listed in the markets, price interaction among stocks increases (decreases), and hence stocks, on average, become more (less) volatile. Our results show that price interaction has a significant positive effect of idiosyncratic volatility. The results of various robustness checks indicate that the effect of price interaction is still significant to the presence of liquidity, newly listed firms, cash flow variables, business cycle variables, and market volatility. Once the price interaction effect is taken into account, no trend remains in idiosyncratic volatility. We conclude that there is no trend, but a reflection of the positive effect of price interaction on idiosyncratic volatility.
THE LOCALLY LINEAR CAIRNS–BLAKE–DOWD MODEL: A NOTE ON DELTA–NUGA HEDGING OF LONGEVITY RISK
Authors: Liu Yanxin , Li Johnny Siu-Hang
Published: November 2016

Although longevity risk arises from both the variation surrounding the trend in future mortality and the uncertainty about the trend itself, the latter is often left unmodeled. In this paper, we address this problem by introducing the locally linear CBD model, in which the drifts that govern the expected mortality trend are allowed to follow a stochastic process. This specification results in median forecasts that are more consistent with the recent trends and more robust relative to changes in the data sample period. It also yields wider prediction intervals that may better reflect the possibilities of future trend changes. The treatment of the drifts as a stochastic process naturally calls for nuga hedging, a method proposed by Cairns (2013) to hedge the risk associated with changes in drifts. To improve the existing nuga-hedging method, we propose a new hedging method which demands less stringent assumptions. The proposed method allows hedgers to extract more hedge effectiveness out of a hedging instrument, and is therefore useful when there are only a few traded longevity securities in the market.
Invasiveness Index as a Predictor of Surgical Site Infection after Spinal Fusion, Revision Fusion, or Laminectomy
Authors: Hollenbeck Brian L. , McGuire Kevin J. , White Andrew P. , Yassa David S. , Wright Sharon B.
Published: November 2016

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate invasiveness index as a potential predictor of spine surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal fusion, revision fusion, or laminectomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single, large, academic medical center.

PATIENTS

Adults undergoing spinal fusion, revision fusion, or laminectomy.

METHODS

Data were obtained from electronic hospital databases; cases of SSI were extracted from the infection control database using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions. For each case, an invasiveness index, determined by surgical approach, procedure, and number of spine levels treated, was calculated using current procedural terminology (CPT) billing codes. Statistical analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

In total, 3,143 patients met inclusion criteria, and 43 of these developed SSI. Multivariate regression showed that advanced age (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.005–1.05, for each year of life) and invasiveness index (medium invasiveness index OR, 5.36; 95% CI, 1.92–14.96; high invasiveness index OR, 14.1; 95% CI, 4.38–45.43) were significant predictors of infection. In subgroup analyses of spinal fusion patients, morbid obesity (OR, 2.542; 95% CI, 1.08–5.99), trauma (OR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.05–5.55), and invasiveness index (medium invasiveness index OR, 5.39; 95% CI, 1.56–18.61; high invasiveness index OR, 13.44; 95% CI, 3.28–55.01) were significant predictors of SSI. Models containing invasiveness index were compared to NHSN models and demonstrated similar performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Invasiveness index is a predictor of SSI after spinal fusion and performs similarly to NHSN models. Invasiveness index shows promise as a potential risk stratification tool that is easily calculated and is available preoperatively.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016:1–7
Axial interaction of a vortex ring with a cylinder
Authors: Das Debopam , Manghnani Akash , Bansal Mohit , Sohoni Prafulla
Published: November 2016

In this paper, axial interaction of a vortex ring with a thin circular cylinder has been studied. An apparatus to generate clean vortex rings, free of piston and stopping vortex effects, has been used. Flow visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) experiments are carried out to determine and compare the characteristics of free and interacting vortex rings in the Reynolds number (defined with the circulation of the free travelling vortex ring) range of $2270<Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}}<6790$. It is observed that due to the presence of the cylinder, there is an increase in the velocity of the vortex ring. Also, noticeable changes in the characteristic properties of vortex ring such as core circulation, core diameter and ring diameter have been observed. Changes in these parameters are explained by two changes in the flow field between the vortex ring and the cylinder due to axial interactions: (i) displacement of the streamlines and (ii) acceleration in the induced velocity field in this region. These two mutually opposing effects determine the changes in the primary vortex ring properties that take place during interaction. To justify these experimental observations quantitatively, an analytical study of the interaction under an inviscid assumption is performed. The inviscid analysis does predict the increase in velocity during the interaction, but fails to predict the values observed in the present experiments. However, when the theory is used to correct the velocity change through incorporation of the effects of an axisymmetric induced boundary layer region over the cylinder, modelled as an annular vortex sheet of varying strength, the changes in the translational velocities of the vortex rings match closely with the experimental values.
A multiscale method to calculate filter blockage
Authors: Dalwadi M. P. , Bruna M. , Griffiths I. M.
Published: November 2016

Filters that act by adsorbing contaminant onto their pore walls will experience a decrease in porosity over time, and may eventually block. As adsorption will generally be greater towards the entrance of a filter, where the concentration of contaminant particles is higher, these effects can also result in a spatially varying porosity. We investigate this dynamic process using an extension of homogenization theory that accounts for a macroscale variation in microstructure. We formulate and homogenize the coupled problems of flow through a filter with a near-periodic time-dependent microstructure, solute transport due to advection, diffusion and filter adsorption, and filter structure evolution due to the adsorption of contaminant. We use the homogenized equations to investigate how the contaminant removal and filter lifespan depend on the initial porosity distribution for a unidirectional flow. We confirm a conjecture made by Dalwadi et al. (Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A, vol. 471 (2182), 2015, 20150464) that filters with an initially negative porosity gradient have a longer lifespan and remove more contaminant than filters with an initially constant porosity, or worse, an initially positive porosity gradient. In addition, we determine which initial porosity distributions result in a filter that will block everywhere at once by exploiting an asymptotic reduction of the homogenized equations. We show that these filters remove more contaminant than other filters with the same initial average porosity, but that filters which block everywhere at once are limited by how large their initial average porosity can be.
A statistical state dynamics-based study of the structure and mechanism of large-scale motions in plane Poiseuille flow
Authors: Farrell Brian F. , Ioannou Petros J. , Jiménez Javier , Constantinou Navid C. , Lozano-Durán Adrián , Nikolaidis Marios-Andreas
Published: November 2016

The perspective of statistical state dynamics (SSD) has recently been applied to the study of mechanisms underlying turbulence in a variety of physical systems. An SSD is a dynamical system that evolves a representation of the statistical state of the system. An example of an SSD is the second-order cumulant closure referred to as stochastic structural stability theory (S3T), which has provided insight into the dynamics of wall turbulence, and specifically the emergence and maintenance of the roll/streak structure. S3T comprises a coupled set of equations for the streamwise mean and perturbation covariance, in which nonlinear interactions among the perturbations has been removed, restricting nonlinearity in the dynamics to that of the mean equation and the interaction between the mean and perturbation covariance. In this work, this quasi-linear restriction of the dynamics is used to study the structure and dynamics of turbulence in plane Poiseuille flow at moderately high Reynolds numbers in a closely related dynamical system, referred to as the restricted nonlinear (RNL) system. Simulations using this RNL system reveal that the essential features of wall-turbulence dynamics are retained. Consistent with previous analyses based on the S3T version of SSD, the RNL system spontaneously limits the support of its turbulence to a small set of streamwise Fourier components, giving rise to a naturally minimal representation of its turbulence dynamics. Although greatly simplified, this RNL turbulence exhibits natural-looking structures and statistics, albeit with quantitative differences from those in direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the full equations. Surprisingly, even when further truncation of the perturbation support to a single streamwise component is imposed, the RNL system continues to self-sustain turbulence with qualitatively realistic structure and dynamic properties. RNL turbulence at the Reynolds numbers studied is dominated by the roll/streak structure in the buffer layer and similar very large-scale structure (VLSM) in the outer layer. In this work, diagnostics of the structure, spectrum and energetics of RNL and DNS turbulence are used to demonstrate that the roll/streak dynamics supporting the turbulence in the buffer and logarithmic layer is essentially similar in RNL and DNS.
Segregation-induced finger formation in granular free-surface flows
Authors: Baker J. L. , Johnson C. G. , Gray J. M. N. T.
Published: November 2016

Geophysical granular flows, such as landslides, pyroclastic flows and snow avalanches, consist of particles with varying surface roughnesses or shapes that have a tendency to segregate during flow due to size differences. Such segregation leads to the formation of regions with different frictional properties, which in turn can feed back on the bulk flow. This paper introduces a well-posed depth-averaged model for these segregation-mobility feedback effects. The full segregation equation for dense granular flows is integrated through the avalanche thickness by assuming inversely graded layers with large particles above fines, and a Bagnold shear profile. The resulting large particle transport equation is then coupled to depth-averaged equations for conservation of mass and momentum, with the feedback arising through a basal friction law that is composition dependent, implying greater friction where there are more large particles. The new system of equations includes viscous terms in the momentum balance, which are derived from the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}(I)$-rheology for dense granular flows and represent a singular perturbation to previous models. Linear stability calculations of the steady uniform base state demonstrate the significance of these higher-order terms, which ensure that, unlike the inviscid equations, the growth rates remain bounded everywhere. The new system is therefore mathematically well posed. Two-dimensional simulations of bidisperse material propagating down an inclined plane show the development of an unstable large-rich flow front, which subsequently breaks into a series of finger-like structures, each bounded by coarse-grained lateral levees. The key properties of the fingers are independent of the grid resolution and are controlled by the physical viscosity. This process of segregation-induced finger formation is observed in laboratory experiments, and numerical computations are in qualitative agreement.
Creating Culturally Safe Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Indigenous Australians: A Brief Review of the Literature
Authors: McLennan Vanette , Taylor Natalie , Rachow Amanda , South Grant , Chapman Kelsey
Published: November 2016

This article reviews the research evidence on vocational rehabilitation services and rehabilitation counselling practice with Indigenous Australians. It applied a context sensitive, cultural safety and reflexivity approach to construct salient themes from the research evidence. Findings suggest Indigenous Australians with disabilities experience significant ‘double-disadvantage’, and that vocational rehabilitation service providers lack the knowledge and skills in culturally safe practice in order to enhance the opportunities for social and economic inclusion of Indigenous Australians. A whole-of-profession approach, incorporating and ensuring Indigenous client equity and cultural safety in vocational rehabilitation, is critically and urgently needed.
The Monotonicity and Log-Behaviour of Some Functions Related to the Euler Gamma Function
Authors: Zhu Bao-Xuan
Published: November 2016

The aim of this paper is to develop analytic techniques to deal with the monotonicity of certain combinatorial sequences. On the one hand, a criterion for the monotonicity of the function is given, which is a continuous analogue of a result of Wang and Zhu. On the other hand, the log-behaviour of the functions

is considered, where ζ(x) and Γ(x) are the Riemann zeta function and the Euler Gamma function, respectively. Consequently, the strict log-concavities of the function θ(x) (a conjecture of Chen et al.) and for some combinatorial sequences (including the Bernoulli numbers, the tangent numbers, the Catalan numbers, the Fuss–Catalan numbers, and the binomial coefficients are demonstrated. In particular, this contains some results of Chen et al., and Luca and Stănică. Finally, by researching the logarithmically complete monotonicity of some functions, the infinite log-monotonicity of the sequence

is proved. This generalizes two results of Chen et al. that both the Catalan numbers and the central binomial coefficients are infinitely log-monotonic, and strengthens one result of Su and Wang that is log-convex in n for positive integers d > δ. In addition, the asymptotically infinite log-monotonicity of derangement numbers is showed. In order to research the stronger properties of the above functions θ(x) and F(x), the logarithmically complete monotonicity of functions

is also obtained, which generalizes the results of Lee and Tepedelenlioǧlu, and Qi and Li.
SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN SELF-REPORTED HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING IN ARGENTINA: FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL SURVEY ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER ADULTS 2012 (ENCaViAM)
Authors: Rodríguez López Santiago , Colantonio Sonia E. , Celton Dora E.
Published: November 2016

This study aimed to evaluate educational and income inequalities in self-reported health (SRH), and physical functioning (limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)/Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)), among 60-year-old and older adults in Argentina. Using cross-sectional data from the Argentinian National Survey on Quality of Life of Older Adults 2012 (Encuesta Nacional sobre Calidad de Vida de Adultos Mayores, ENCaViAM), gender-specific socioeconomic inequalities in SRH and ADL and IADL limitations were studied in relation to educational level and householdper capitaincome. The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) – an index of the relative size of socioeconomic inequalities in health – was used. Socioeconomic inequalities in the studied health indicators were found – except for limitations in ADL among women – favouring socially advantaged groups. The results remained largely significant after full adjustment, suggesting that educational and income inequalities, mainly in SRH and IADL, were robust and somehow independent of age, marital status, physical activity, the use of several medications, depression and the occurrence of falls. The findings add to the existing knowledge on the relative size of the socioeconomic inequalities in subjective health indicators among Argentinian older adults, which are to the detriment of lower socioeconomic groups. The results could be used to inform planning interventions aimed at decreasing socioeconomic inequalities in health, to the benefit of socially disadvantaged adults.
Correct framing of biodiversity offsets and conservation: a response to Apostolopoulou & Adams
Authors: von Hase Amrei , ten Kate Kerry
Published: November 2016

We read with great interest the opinions of Apostolopoulou & Adams (2015) on biodiversity offsetting. We agree with the authors that offsetting has more profound implications than a technical approach to the subject would suggest. Our experience with developments on the mitigation of impacts on biodiversity in government policy, financial lenders’ safeguards and corporate practice is that the political, economic, social and financial implications weigh just as heavily in decision-makers’ minds as the technical ones that Apostolopoulou & Adams raise (IFC, 2012; BBOP, 2012b; ten Kate & Crowe, 2014; IUCN, 2016; Maron et al., 2016b). The governments, companies and communities working with scientists on the mitigation hierarchy regard biodiversity offsets as one of many tools available not only for conservation but also for risk management, social and economic engagement and benefit-sharing, land-use and landscape-level planning, and sustainable development (IFC, 2012; CSBI, 2015).
Arctic in the Anthropocene: sustainability in a new polar age
Authors: Lukovich Jennifer V. , Behl Mona , Greaves Wilfrid , Keil Kathrin
Published: November 2016

The Arctic provides one of the most striking signatures of climate change impacts. Accelerated loss of sea ice extent and thickness, loss in biodiversity, changing atmospheric circulation patterns, and melting permafrost portray only a few aspects of a rapidly changing Arctic. In recognition of the inter-, multi-, and trans-disciplinary (Keil 2015) discussions, tools, mechanisms, and implementation strategies necessary to address these challenging and pervasive issues of this century, the first Potsdam Summer School, entitled ‘Arctic in the Anthropocene’, took place in June–July, 2014. The summer school was coordinated by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), and the University of Potsdam, in conjunction with the city of Potsdam. The principal vision of the summer school was to eliminate disciplinary language barriers, and to foster communication amongst individuals trained in law and international relations, public health, and science, with the goal of extending an integrated science-policy dialogue for the benefit of humanity, the planet that we inhabit, and for which we share a collective responsibility.
The Termination of Checking and the Role of Just Right Feelings: A Study of Obsessional Checkers Compared with Anxious and Non-clinical Controls
Authors: Salkovskis Paul M. , Millar Josie , Gregory James D. , Wahl Karina
Published: November 2016

Background: Repeated checking in OCD can be understood from a cognitive perspective as the motivated need to achieve certainty about the outcome of a potentially risky action, leading to the application of Elevated Evidence Requirements (EER) and overuse of subjective criteria. Method: Twenty-four obsessional checkers, 22 anxious controls, and 26 non-clinical controls were interviewed about and rated recent episodes where they felt (a) they needed to check and (b) checked mainly out of habit (i.e. not obsessionally). Results: Both subjective and objective criteria were rated as significantly more important in obsessional checkers than in controls; obsessional checkers also used more criteria overall for the termination of the check, and rated more criteria as “extremely important” than the control groups. The termination of the check was rated as more effortful for obsessional checkers than for the comparison groups. Analysis of the interview data was consistent with the ratings. Feelings of “rightness” were associated with the termination of a check for obsessional checkers but not for controls. Conclusion: Results were consistent with the proposal that the use of “just right feelings” to terminate checking are related to EER.
Introduction: exploring the comparative in socio-legal studies
Authors: Creutzfeldt Naomi , Kubal Agnieszka , Pirie Fernanda
Published: November 2016

Among the diverse approaches to comparison in socio-legal studies, those that employ qualitative research, richness of detail and attention to context are the focus of this special issue. The Introduction draws on comparative law and social science literature to argue that comparison amongst studies of laws in contexts can follow different trajectories: the comparison may start from an assumption of similarity – in form, purposes or context – in order to identify significant differences; or it may identify significant similarity across social and cultural divides. What unites many of the projects of comparison undertaken by qualitative empirical researchers is that the points of relevant comparison are identified within the complexity of the empirical studies at hand; and they are allowed to emerge, or change, as the researcher comes to understand the facts and issues more deeply.
Compact multi frequency strip loaded microstrip patch antenna with spur-lines
Authors: Roy Avisankar , Bhunia Sunandan , Sarkar Debasree Chanda , Sarkar Partha Pratim , Chowdhury Santosh Kumar
Published: November 2016

In this paper a new design of compact single layered triangular slotted microstrip patch antenna with spur lines and strip loading is proposed. It has been experimentally investigated that strip loading causes more size reduction where spur lines and triangular slot introduces multi frequency operation of microstrip patch antenna. The size reduction has been found to be 87% for the proposed antenna. In this article the effect of strip loading and spur lines over compactness are individually analyzed.
Theoretical and experimental development of a high-conversion-efficiency rectifier at X-band
Authors: Tan Feifei , Liu Changjun
Published: November 2016

Voltage doubler rectifiers are usually applied to systems with high voltage and low current requirement. An X band voltage doubler rectifier has been developed with 72% conversion efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, the obtained rectifying efficiency is the maximum reported to date at X band with Schottky diodes. The working characteristics of the diodes in the voltage doubler rectifier are analyzed in detail. Closed-form equations of diode input impedance and rectifying efficiency are presented and validated using Advanced Design System simulations. The matching network design of the proposed rectifier is based on the closed-form equations. The preliminary rectifying efficiency is predicted by the closed-form equations as well. Measured and simulated results are in good agreement.
Experimental verification of multipartite entanglement in quantum networks
Authors: McCutcheon W. , Pappa A. , Bell B. A. , McMillan A. , Chailloux A. , Lawson T. , Mafu M. , Markham D. , Diamanti E. , Kerenidis I. , Rarity J. G. , Tame M. S.
Published: November 2016

Multipartite entangled states are a fundamental resource for a wide range of quantum information processing tasks. In particular, in quantum networks, it is essential for the parties involved to be able to verify if entanglement is present before they carry out a given distributed task. Here we design and experimentally demonstrate a protocol that allows any party in a network to check if a source is distributing a genuinely multipartite entangled state, even in the presence of untrusted parties. The protocol remains secure against dishonest behaviour of the source and other parties, including the use of system imperfections to their advantage. We demonstrate the verification protocol in a three- and four-party setting using polarization-entangled photons, highlighting its potential for realistic photonic quantum communication and networking applications.
Unusually efficient photocurrent extraction in monolayer van der Waals heterostructure by tunnelling through discretized barriers
Authors: Yu Woo Jong , Vu Quoc An , Oh Hyemin , Nam Hong Gi , Zhou Hailong , Cha Soonyoung , Kim Joo-Youn , Carvalho Alexandra , Jeong Munseok , Choi Hyunyong , Castro Neto A. H. , Lee Young Hee , Duan Xiangfeng
Published: November 2016

Two-dimensional layered transition-metal dichalcogenides have attracted considerable interest for their unique layer-number-dependent properties. In particular, vertical integration of these two-dimensional crystals to form van der Waals heterostructures can open up a new dimension for the design of functional electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here we report the layer-number-dependent photocurrent generation in graphene/MoS2/graphene heterostructures by creating a device with two distinct regions containing one-layer and seven-layer MoS2 to exclude other extrinsic factors. Photoresponse studies reveal that photoresponsivity in one-layer MoS2 is surprisingly higher than that in seven-layer MoS2 by seven times. Spectral-dependent studies further show that the internal quantum efficiency in one-layer MoS2 can reach a maximum of 65%, far higher than the 7% in seven-layer MoS2. Our theoretical modelling shows that asymmetric potential barriers in the top and bottom interfaces of the graphene/one-layer MoS2/graphene heterojunction enable asymmetric carrier tunnelling, to generate usually high photoresponsivity in one-layer MoS2 device.
Decrease of SYNGAP1 in GABAergic cells impairs inhibitory synapse connectivity, synaptic inhibition and cognitive function
Authors: Berryer Martin H. , Chattopadhyaya Bidisha , Xing Paul , Riebe Ilse , Bosoi Ciprian , Sanon Nathalie , Antoine-Bertrand Judith , Lévesque Maxime , Avoli Massimo , Hamdan Fadi F. , Carmant Lionel , Lamarche-Vane Nathalie , Lacaille Jean-Claude , Michaud Jacques L. , Di Cristo Graziella
Published: November 2016

Haploinsufficiency of the SYNGAP1 gene, which codes for a Ras GTPase-activating protein, impairs cognition both in humans and in mice. Decrease of Syngap1 in mice has been previously shown to cause cognitive deficits at least in part by inducing alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission and premature maturation of excitatory connections. Whether Syngap1 plays a role in the development of cortical GABAergic connectivity and function remains unclear. Here, we show that Syngap1 haploinsufficiency significantly reduces the formation of perisomatic innervations by parvalbumin-positive basket cells, a major population of GABAergic neurons, in a cell-autonomous manner. We further show that Syngap1 haploinsufficiency in GABAergic cells derived from the medial ganglionic eminence impairs their connectivity, reduces inhibitory synaptic activity and cortical gamma oscillation power, and causes cognitive deficits. Our results indicate that Syngap1 plays a critical role in GABAergic circuit function and further suggest that Syngap1 haploinsufficiency in GABAergic circuits may contribute to cognitive deficits.
Obesity-induced kidney injury is attenuated by amelioration of aberrant PHD2 activation in proximal tubules
Authors: Futatsugi Koji , Tokuyama Hirobumi , Shibata Shinsuke , Naitoh Makiko , Kanda Takeshi , Minakuchi Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Shintaro , Hayashi Koichi , Minamishima Yoji Andrew , Yanagita Motoko , Wakino Shu , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

The involvement of tissue ischemia in obesity-induced kidney injury remains to be elucidated. Compared with low fat diet (LFD)-mice, high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice became obese with tubular enlargement, glomerulomegaly and peritubular capillary rarefaction, and exhibited both tubular and glomerular damages. In HFD-fed mice, despite the increase in renal pimonidazole-positive areas, the expressions of the hypoxia-responsive genes such as Prolyl-hydroxylase PHD2, a dominant oxygen sensor, and VEGFA were unchanged indicating impaired hypoxic response. Tamoxifen inducible proximal tubules (PT)-specific Phd2 knockout (Phd2-cKO) mice and their littermate control mice (Control) were created and fed HFD or LFD. Control mice on HFD (Control HFD) exhibited renal damages and renal ischemia with impaired hypoxic response compared with those on LFD. After tamoxifen treatment, HFD-fed knockout mice (Phd2-cKO HFD) had increased peritubular capillaries and the increased expressions of hypoxia responsive genes compared to Control HFD mice. Phd2-cKO HFD also exhibited the mitigation of tubular damages, albuminuria and glomerulomegaly. In human PT cells, the increased expressions of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic condition were attenuated by free fatty acids. Thus, aberrant hypoxic responses due to dysfunction of PHD2 caused both glomerular and tubular damages in HFD-induced obese mice. Phd2-inactivation provides a novel strategy against obesity-induced kidney injury.
Preservation of amorphous ultrafine material: A proposed proxy for slip during recent earthquakes on active faults
Authors: Hirono Tetsuro , Asayama Satoru , Kaneki Shunya , Ito Akihiro
Published: November 2016

The criteria for designating an “Active Fault” not only are important for understanding regional tectonics, but also are a paramount issue for assessing the earthquake risk of faults that are near important structures such as nuclear power plants. Here we propose a proxy, based on the preservation of amorphous ultrafine particles, to assess fault activity within the last millennium. X-ray diffraction data and electron microscope observations of samples from an active fault demonstrated the preservation of large amounts of amorphous ultrafine particles in two slip zones that last ruptured in 1596 and 1999, respectively. A chemical kinetic evaluation of the dissolution process indicated that such particles could survive for centuries, which is consistent with the observations. Thus, preservation of amorphous ultrafine particles in a fault may be valuable for assessing the fault’s latest activity, aiding efforts to evaluate faults that may damage critical facilities in tectonically active zones.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition affected by original elevation rather than translocation along an altitudinal gradient on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Yang Wei , Zheng Yong , Gao Cheng , Duan Ji-Chuang , Wang Shi-Ping , Guo Liang-Dong
Published: November 2016

Elucidating arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal responses to elevation changes is critical to improve understanding of microbial function in ecosystems under global asymmetrical climate change scenarios. Here we examined AM fungal community in a two-year reciprocal translocation of vegetation-intact soil blocks along an altitudinal gradient (3,200 m to 3,800 m) in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. AM fungal spore density was significantly higher at lower elevation than at higher elevation regardless of translocation, except that this parameter was significantly increased by upward translocation from original 3,200 m to 3,400 m and 3,600 m. Seventy-three operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of AM fungi were recovered using 454-pyrosequencing of 18S rDNA sequences at a 97% sequence similarity. Original elevation, downward translocation and upward translocation did not significantly affect AM fungal OTU richness. However, with increasing altitude the OTU richness of Acaulosporaceae and Ambisporaceae increased, but the OTU richness of Gigasporaceae and Glomeraceae decreased generally. The AM fungal community composition was significantly structured by original elevation but not by downward translocation and upward translocation. Our findings highlight that compared with the short-term reciprocal translocation, original elevation is a stronger determinant in shaping AM fungal community in the Qinghai-Tibet alpine meadow.
Ocular toxoplasmosis: susceptibility in respect to the genes encoding the KIR receptors and their HLA class I ligands
Authors: Ayo Christiane Maria , Frederico Fábio Batista , Siqueira Rubens Camargo , Brandão de Mattos Cinara de Cássia , Previato Mariana , Barbosa Amanda Pires , Murata Fernando Henrique Antunes , Silveira-Carvalho Aparecida Perpétuo , de Mattos Luiz Carlos
Published: November 2016

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the genes encoding the KIR receptors and their HLA ligands in the susceptibility of ocular toxoplasmosis. A total of 297 patients serologically-diagnosed with toxoplasmosis were selected and stratified according to the presence (n = 148) or absence (n = 149) of ocular scars/lesions due to toxoplasmosis. The group of patients with scars/lesions was further subdivided into two groups according to the type of ocular manifestation observed: primary (n = 120) or recurrent (n = 28). Genotyping was performed by PCR-SSOP. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Chi-square test, and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was also calculated to evaluate the risk association. The activating KIR3DS1 gene was associated with increased susceptibility for ocular toxoplasmosis. The activating KIR together with their HLA ligands (KIR3DS1-Bw4-80Ile and KIR2DS1+/C2++ KIR3DS1+/Bw4-80Ile+) were associated with increased susceptibility for ocular toxoplasmosis and its clinical manifestations. KIR-HLA inhibitory pairs -KIR2DL3/2DL3-C1/C1 and KIR2DL3/2DL3-C1- were associated with decreased susceptibility for ocular toxoplasmosis and its clinical forms, while the KIR3DS1−/KIR3DL1+/Bw4-80Ile+ combination was associated as a protective factor against the development of ocular toxoplasmosis and, in particular, against recurrent manifestations. Our data demonstrate that activating and inhibitory KIR genes may influence the development of ocular toxoplasmosis.
Flight behaviour of honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers is altered by initial infections of the fungal parasite Nosema apis
Authors: Dosselli Ryan , Grassl Julia , Carson Andrew , Simmons Leigh W. , Baer Boris
Published: November 2016

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) host a wide range of parasites, some being known contributors towards dramatic colony losses as reported over recent years. To counter parasitic threats, honey bees possess effective immune systems. Because immune responses are predicted to cause substantial physiological costs for infected individuals, they are expected to trade off with other life history traits that ultimately affect the performance and fitness of the entire colony. Here, we tested whether the initial onset of an infection negatively impacts the flight behaviour of honey bee workers, which is an energetically demanding behaviour and a key component of foraging activities. To do this, we infected workers with the widespread fungal pathogen Nosema apis, which is recognised and killed by the honey bee immune system. We compared their survival and flight behaviour with non-infected individuals from the same cohort and colony using radio frequency identification tags (RFID). We found that over a time frame of four days post infection, Nosema did not increase mortality but workers quickly altered their flight behaviour and performed more flights of shorter duration. We conclude that parasitic infections influence foraging activities, which could reduce foraging ranges of colonies and impact their ability to provide pollination services.
Self-Supported Crack-Free Conducting Polymer Films with Stabilized Wrinkling Patterns and Their Applications
Authors: Xie Jixun , Han Xue , Ji Haipeng , Wang Juanjuan , Zhao Jingxin , Lu Conghua
Published: November 2016

Self-supported conducting polymer films with controlled microarchitectures are highly attractive from fundamental and applied points of view. Here a versatile strategy is demonstrated to fabricate thin free-standing crack-free polyaniline (PANI)-based films with stable wrinkling patterns. It is based on oxidization polymerization of pyrrole inside a pre-wrinkled PANI film, in which the wrinkled PANI film is used both as a template and oxidizing agent for the first time. The subsequently grown polypyrrole (PPy) and the formation of interpenetrated PANI/PPy networks play a decisive role in enhancing the film integrity and the stability of wrinkles. This enhancing effect is attributed to the modification of internal stresses by the interpenetrated PANI/PPy microstructures. Consequently, a crack-free film with stable controlled wrinkles such as the wavelength, orientation and spatial location has been achieved. Moreover, the wrinkling PANI/PPy film can be removed from the initially deposited substrate to become free-standing. It can be further transferred onto target substrates to fabricate hierarchical patterns and functional devices such as flexible electrodes, gas sensors, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates. This simple universal enhancing strategy has been extended to fabrication of other PANI-based composite systems with crack-free film integrity and stabilized surface patterns, irrespective of pattern types and film geometries.
The avian-specific small heat shock protein HSP25 is a constitutive protector against environmental stresses during blastoderm dormancy
Authors: Hwang Young Sun , Ko Mee Hyun , Kim Young Min , Park Young Hyun , Ono Tamao , Han Jae Yong
Published: November 2016

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) range in size from 12 to 42 kDa and contain an α-crystalline domain. They have been proposed to play roles in the first line of defence against various stresses in an ATP-independent manner. In birds, a newly oviposited blastoderm can survive several weeks in a dormant state in low-temperature storage suggesting that blastoderm cells are basically tolerant of environmental stress. However, sHSPs in the stress-tolerant blastoderm have yet to be investigated. Thus, we characterised the expression and function of sHSPs in the chicken blastoderm. We found that chicken HSP25 was expressed especially in the blastoderm and was highly upregulated during low-temperature storage. Multiple alignments, phylogenetic trees, and expression in the blastoderms of Japanese quail and zebra finch showed homologues of HSP25 were conserved in other avian species. After knockdown of chicken HSP25, the expression of pluripotency marker genes decreased significantly. Furthermore, loss of function studies demonstrated that chicken HSP25 is associated with anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and pro-autophagic effects in chicken blastoderm cells. Collectively, these results suggest avian HSP25 could play an important role in association with the first line of cellular defences against environmental stress and the protection of future embryonic cells in the avian blastoderm.
High-gain polymer optical waveguide amplifiers based on core-shell NaYF4/NaLuF4: Yb3+, Er3+ NPs-PMMA covalent-linking nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Meiling , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Fei , Zhao Dan , Qu Chunyang , Wang Xibin , Yi Yunji , Cassan Eric , Zhang Daming
Published: November 2016

Waveguide amplifiers have always been significant key components for optical communication. Unfortunately, the low concentration of rare earth ions doped in the host material and the inadequate optimization of the waveguide structure have been the common bottleneck limitations. Here, a novel material, NaYF4/NaLuF4: 20% Yb3+, 2% Er3+ nanoparticle-Polymeric Methyl Methacrylate covalent-linking nanocomposite, was synthesized. The concentrations of Er3+ and Yb3+ doping increased an order of magnitude. Under a 980 nm laser excitation, highly efficient emission at 1.53 μm was obtained. The characteristic parameters of the single mode waveguide were carefully designed and optimized by using a finite difference method. A formulized iteration method is presented for solving the rate equations and the propagation equations of the EYCDWA, and both the steady state behavior and the gain were numerically simulated. The optimal Er3+ and Yb3+ concentrations are 2.8 × 1026 m−3 and 2.8 × 1027 m−3, and the optimal waveguide length is 1.3 cm. Both theoretical and experimental results indicated that, for an input signal power of 0.1 mW and a pump power of 400 mW, a net gain of 15.1 dB at 1530 nm is demonstrated. This result is the highest gain ever reported in polymer-based waveguide amplifiers doped with inorganic Er3+-Yb3+ codoped nanocrystals.
High brightness formamidinium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystal light emitting devices
Authors: Perumal Ajay , Shendre Sushant , Li Mingjie , Tay Yong Kang Eugene , Sharma Vijay Kumar , Chen Shi , Wei Zhanhua , Liu Qing , Gao Yuan , Buenconsejo Pio John S. , Tan Swee Tiam , Gan Chee Lip , Xiong Qihua , Sum Tze Chien , Demir Hilmi Volkan
Published: November 2016

Formamidinium lead halide (FAPbX3) has attracted greater attention and is more prominent recently in photovoltaic devices due to its broad absorption and higher thermal stability in comparison to more popular methylammonium lead halide MAPbX3. Herein, a simple and highly reproducible room temperature synthesis of device grade high quality formamidinium lead bromide CH(NH2)2PbBr3 (FAPbBr3) colloidal nanocrystals (NC) having high photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) of 55–65% is reported. In addition, we demonstrate high brightness perovskite light emitting device (Pe-LED) with these FAPbBr3 perovskite NC thin film using 2,2′,2″-(1,3,5-Benzinetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1-H-benzimidazole) commonly known as TPBi and 4,6-Bis(3,5-di(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-2-methylpyrimidine (B3PYMPM) as electron transport layers (ETL). The Pe-LED device with B3PYMPM as ETL has bright electroluminescence of up to 2714 cd/m2, while the Pe-LED device with TPBi as ETL has higher peak luminous efficiency of 6.4 cd/A and peak luminous power efficiency of 5.7 lm/W. To our knowledge this is the first report on high brightness light emitting device based on CH(NH2)2PbBr3 widely known as FAPbBr3 nanocrystals in literature.
2-Aminobutyric acid modulates glutathione homeostasis in the myocardium
Authors: Irino Yasuhiro , Toh Ryuji , Nagao Manabu , Mori Takeshige , Honjo Tomoyuki , Shinohara Masakazu , Tsuda Shigeyasu , Nakajima Hideto , Satomi-Kobayashi Seimi , Shinke Toshiro , Tanaka Hidekazu , Ishida Tatsuro , Miyata Okiko , Hirata Ken-ichi
Published: November 2016

A previous report showed that the consumption of glutathione through oxidative stress activates the glutathione synthetic pathway, which is accompanied by production of ophthalmic acid from 2-aminobutyric acid (2-AB). We conducted a comprehensive quantification of serum metabolites using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in patients with atrial septal defect to find clues for understanding myocardial metabolic regulation, and demonstrated that circulating 2-AB levels reflect hemodynamic changes. However, the metabolism and pathophysiological role of 2-AB remains unclear. We revealed that 2-AB is generated by an amino group transfer reaction to 2-oxobutyric acid, a byproduct of cysteine biosynthesis from cystathionine. Because cysteine is a rate-limiting substrate for glutathione synthesis, we hypothesized that 2-AB reflects glutathione compensation against oxidative stress. A murine cardiomyopathy model induced by doxorubicin supported our hypothesis, i.e., increased reactive oxygen species are accompanied by 2-AB accumulation and compensatory maintenance of myocardial glutathione levels. Intriguingly, we also found that 2-AB increases intracellular glutathione levels by activating AMPK and exerts protective effects against oxidative stress. Finally, we demonstrated that oral administration of 2-AB efficiently raises both circulating and myocardial glutathione levels and protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in mice. This is the first study to demonstrate that 2-AB modulates glutathione homeostasis in the myocardium.
Quantifying distinct associations on different temporal scales: comparison of DCCA and Pearson methods
Authors: Piao Lin , Fu Zuntao
Published: November 2016

Cross-correlation between pairs of variables takes multi-time scale characteristic, and it can be totally different on different time scales (changing from positive correlation to negative one), e.g., the associations between mean air temperature and relative humidity over regions to the east of Taihang mountain in China. Therefore, how to correctly unveil these correlations on different time scales is really of great importance since we actually do not know if the correlation varies with scales in advance. Here, we compare two methods, i.e. Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis (DCCA for short) and Pearson correlation, in quantifying scale-dependent correlations directly to raw observed records and artificially generated sequences with known cross-correlation features. Studies show that 1) DCCA related methods can indeed quantify scale-dependent correlations, but not Pearson method; 2) the correlation features from DCCA related methods are robust to contaminated noises, however, the results from Pearson method are sensitive to noise; 3) the scale-dependent correlation results from DCCA related methods are robust to the amplitude ratio between slow and fast components, while Pearson method may be sensitive to the amplitude ratio. All these features indicate that DCCA related methods take some advantages in correctly quantifying scale-dependent correlations, which results from different physical processes.