bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE: POLYBIUS AND THE PROGRESS OF ROME
Authors: Moore Daniel Walker
Published: April 2017

Perhaps the most striking aspect of Polybius’ work is the frequency with which the historian pauses his historical narrative and embarks upon digressions, including entire books devoted to the topics of geography (Book 34), historiography (Book 12) and, most famously, the discussion of the Roman constitution in Book 6. Such digressions have naturally drawn the attention of modern scholars, but in the past the tendency in Polybian scholarship had been to read such digressions in isolation, and even to deny their relevance outside of their immediate context. While it is true that these digressions cannot be regarded as strict blue-prints upon which Polybius’ historical narrative is to be precisely mapped, more recent scholarship has suggested that such passages are not as irrelevant to this narrative as they had for a long time appeared. Moreover, a parallel trend in Polybian scholarship is currently calling for a renewed focus into the composition of his historical narrative in order to apply the level of scrutiny to the text of Polybius previously reserved, for example, for his more famous predecessors, Herodotus and Thucydides. An appropriate recognition of the relationship between the more famous passages of Polybius’ work found in his digressions and the broader narrative of historical events will help to alleviate this deficiency. Careful study of the text of Polybius in this manner will reveal that his historical narrative does not simply represent a bare record of historical facts but is rather composed by the historian in a way that demonstrates and reinforces the principles presented in the more abstract digressions, which have attracted more attention.
Verbs in speech framing expressions: Comparing English and Spanish
Authors: CABALLERO ROSARIO , PARADIS CARITA
Published: April 2017

In this study, we explore how direct speech is portrayed in English and SpanishSpeech Framing Expressions(SFEs). The study has two aims. Firstly, we survey the use of verbs in SFEs and offer a comprehensive inventory of those verbs in English and Spanish as representatives of Germanic and Romance languages respectively in order to determine what verb meanings are used to cue direct speech, what lexical resources express these meanings, and how rich and varied these vocabularies are in the two languages. Secondly, the comparisons across the languages provide the basis for a theoretical contribution to the debate about general typological differences in the semantics and lexicalization patterns of verbs in Germanic and Romance languages to the area of verbs for speech and to meaning modelling in general. Five main semantic categories of verbs were identified:speech,activity,perception,cognitionandemotion. We show that Spanish features a much more varied repertoire than English and makes more use of verbs related to the domains of thinking and reasoning, while the physical domain is the preferred one in the English data set. It emerges that even though the same types of lexical resources are available in both languages, the ways of describing direct speech vary greatly.
The effect of cover on in situ predation in early benthic phase European lobster Homarus gammarus
Authors: Ball Brendan , Linnane Adrian , Munday Brian , Browne Ronan , Mercer John P.
Published: April 2017

This study examined the role of predation in restricting early benthic phase (EBP) lobsters to shelter-providing substrata. In the field, the survival of animals provided with cover in the form of cobble and gravel substrata was significantly higher than unsheltered controls. Small benthic fish, particularly gobies Pomatoschistus minutus and rockling Ciliata mustela were the primary predators subtidally while crabs Carcinus maenus appeared to be the dominant intertidal predator. Predatory attack primarily occurred within minutes of the lobsters being deployed. The study reinforces the role played by predation in restricting EBP European lobsters to shelter-providing substrata.
A new record of the sharpnose seven-gill shark Heptranchias perlo, from the north-east Atlantic
Authors: Henderson A.C. , Williams R.S.
Published: April 2017

The third record of the sharpnose seven-gill shark Heptranchias perlo (Selachii: Hexanchidae) north of the Bay of Biscay is reported. The 101 cm total length specimen, which was taken incidentally on a commercial bottom-set longline at a depth of 166 m, was an immature female. Beaks belonging to the short-finned squid Illex coindetii (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) were recovered from the stomach, and an unidentified species of nematode was found parasitizing the stomach mucosa.
The location of spawning of Irish Sea herring (Clupea harengus)
Authors: Dickey-Collas Mark , Nash Richard D.M. , Brown Juan
Published: April 2017

Time series of ichthyoplankton surveys targeted at herring larvae describe the distribution of spawning in the north Irish Sea by mapping the occurrence of very young larvae. The surveys suggest, that like other herring stocks, the spawning grounds of Irish Sea herring vary over the years. Currently, spawning at the Mourne location is greatly reduced whereas spawning has occurred at a newly described site to the north of the Isle of Man (off the Point of Ayre). Whilst spawning is dominated by autumn spawners in late September, some spawning occurs through to January.
A View from Mecca: Notes on Gujarat, the Red Sea, and the Ottomans, 1517–39/923–946 H.
Authors: ALAM MUZAFFAR , SUBRAHMANYAM SANJAY
Published: April 2017

This article examines the history of Gujarat-Red Sea relations in the first quarter of a century after the Ottoman conquest of the Hijaz, in the light of Arabic narrative sources that have hitherto been largely neglected. While earlier historians have made use of both Ottoman and Portuguese archives in this context, we return here to the chronicles of Mecca itself, which prove to be an unexpectedly interesting and rich source on the matter. Our main interest is in the figure of Jarullah ibn Fahd and his extensive annalistic work,Nayl al-munā. A good part of our analysis will focus on the events of the 1530s, and the dealings of Sultan Bahadur Shah Gujarati's delegation to the Ottomans, headed by ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Asaf Khan. But we shall also look at the longer history of contacts, and conclude with brief remarks on the relevance of the career of the celebrated Gujarati-Hijazi intellectual, Qutb al-Din Muhammad Nahrawali. We thus hope to add another important, concrete dimension to our understanding of India's location in the early modern Indian Ocean world, as a tribute to the career and contribution of David Washbrook, our friend and colleague.
Caste and its Histories in Colonial India: A reappraisal
Authors: O'HANLON ROSALIND
Published: April 2017

David Washbrook's influential early work on South India set the terms for much subsequent debate about caste, with its exploration of the key role of the colonial state in shaping caste ideologies and institutions. Over subsequent decades, historians and anthropologists have come increasingly to emphasise the ‘colonial construction’ of caste and its enduring legacies in post-colonial India. Yet there were also significant continuities linking the forms of colonial caste with much earlier regional histories of conflict and debate, whose legacies can be traced into the late colonial period. In particular, the juxtaposition between Brahman and non-Brahman itself was anticipated in a tradition of conservative social commentary that emerged in the Deccan Sultanate state of Ahmadnagar, and came to circulate widely through Banaras and western India during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. This tradition of commentary acquired new salience during the nineteenth century. It entered the colonial archive as an authoritative source of knowledge, and also provoked early ‘non-Brahman’ intellectuals into a fresh engagement with its conservative social vision. In their attempts to rebut this vision, these intellectuals displayed a detailed knowledge of its social history and a deep familiarity with the judicial decisions through which it had been upheld in earlier centuries.
Nematode Behaviour (ed. Gaugler, R. and Bilgrami, A. L.), pp. 432. CABI Publishing UK, 2004. ISBN 0 85199 818 6. £75.00 (US$140.00).
Authors: SUKHDEO MICHAEL
Published: April 2017

This book is dedicated to my Ph.D. advisor, Neil Croll (1941–1981), whose seminal text “The Behaviour of Nematodes” launched the field in 1970. The current effort is a thick, heavy tome when compared to Croll's slim and elegant little book, directly reflecting the explosion of interest in the topic, due in no small part to a single nematode Caenorhabiditis elegans. However, C. elegans is not the star of this book. The present effort is meant to be broad in its taxonomic scope, attempting to consolidate disparate nematode behaviours into a comprehensive up-to-date volume. Indeed, this is a formidable task in a world in which 4 out of every 5 metazoans is a nematode, and the end result is a bit uneven. To cover the taxonomic breadth, several chapters focused on simply describing proximate behaviours. Thus, Chapter 1 – Ecological and behavioural adaptations; Chapter 3 – Orientation; Chapter 4 – Feeding; Chapter 7 – Osmoregulation; and Chapter 8 – Physiological and biochemical basis of behaviour, were generally not synthetic, and read like catalogues of behaviour descriptors, often with little context on the natural history or biology of the responses. These chapters are not accessible to the non-specialist student, and their value lies primarily in their extensive literature searches. On the other hand, there are several wonderful pieces, including Chapter 5 – Reproductive behaviour and Chapter 6 – Ageing and development, whose compelling and clearly written stories cut across the artificial lines of plant, insect, animal, and parasite designations, to address the essence of our understanding of nematode behaviour. In this group, I particularly liked Chapter 2 – Locomotion, for the succinct incorporation of historical ideas into the growth of current thinking in this area. Chapter 9 – Molecular basis of behaviour, was an excellent presentation of behaviour in the C. elegans model system, and the authors did an outstanding job making the concepts and techniques in this high-tech area accessible to students of general biology. The remaining 4 chapters fell somewhere in the middle of the continuum. Overall, I think this a good effort, and I recommend this book for the shelves of every nematode biologist. It is valuable because of the sheer amount of information on nematode behaviour that it contains, and especially for the reference lists. For the 4 or 5 well-written chapters, this book is priceless!
Seed origin variation in Sitka spruce
Authors: Lines Roger
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

Because of the wide latitudinal range of Sitka spruce, trees of different origin show very large differences in growth rate and adaptability when grown on a variety of sites in Britain. The Forestry Commission has forty-eight seed origin trials, planted between 1929 and 1975, which are now beginning to provide a good overall picture of this variation. On the other hand, differences in morphology and colour are relatively minor, so that it is very difficult to identify the seed origin of a stand of trees on visual grounds alone. Southerly origins (below Latitude 47°N) grow fastest, but they suffer more severe frost damage, particularly in the nursery, and tend to have lower density timber than those from 53°N or above.
Nutritional requirements of Sitka spruce
Authors: Miller Hugh G. , Miller John D.
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

Experiments have shown that Sitka spruce on poor soils requires relatively frequent applications of fertiliser, phosphorus being most commonly required, other deficiencies in decreasing frequency being potassium, nitrogen and, very rarely, copper. Recent evidence suggests that growth responses to fertilisers are commonest while stands are young and the green canopy is being established. Spruce has a heavy crown and in consequence nutrient demands are high prior to canopy closure. Thereafter, the annual production of foliage by spruce is no greater than that of other species of comparable growth rate and by this stage the establishment of cycles within the tree and through the litter layer enable efficient re-use of nutrients and hence the demands placed upon the soil fall dramatically.
Sitka spruce mycorrhizas
Authors: Walker Christopher
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

Relatively little research has been done on mycorrhizas of Sitka spruce, although greenhouse studies have confirmed that its growth can be improved by the introduction of mycorrhizal fungi. Work in nurseries is difficult under British conditions and it probably will be necessary to disinfest soil in seedbeds before mycorrhizal treatment can be applied. Results from forest trials show that inoculation with selected mycorrhizal fungi can give significant early growth effects, though how long these will persist is unknown. In such work, careful attention must be given to selection of controls. Features covered in this review include a discussion of fungi mycorrhizal with Sitka spruce, identification of mycorrhizas, nutrient uptake, and growth enhancement of seedlings and transplants.
Man's use of Sitka spruce
Authors: Brazier J. D.
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

Man's use of the timber of Sitka spruce grown in North America and in the United Kingdom is reviewed. The contrast in character and properties of the timber from the two sources is considered and an explanation for the differences given in terms of the growth. The importance of Sitka spruce to the British forest and timber industries is examined and consideration given to how Sitka spruce should be managed to ensure the production of timber which will meet the requirements of the British timber user.
Macrofungi associated with British willows
Authors: Watling Roy
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

The larger fungi associated with British willows are separated into several groups depending on their resource relationship, trophic state and whether associated with dwarf or arborescent species. Over 150 potentially mycorrhizal taxa have been recorded with willows in Britain, with nearly one-third restricted to arborescent communities. The fungi associated with creeping willow form a distinct category probably reflecting former ecological conditions. While some of the necrotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi are restricted to willows, the saprotrophs are often more widespread and exhibit less specificity.
Willows in the service of man
Authors: Stott K. G.
Published: April 2017

Synopsis

Some main uses of the versatile genus Salix are described. The basket willow industry, once nationwide but now concentrated in Somerset, is covered in some detail, noting the site requirements and attributes of the three main basket willow species, Salix triandra L., S. viminalis L. and S. purpurea L. The management of the crops and methods of processing to give the ‘white’ or ‘buff’ coloured rods preferred by basket makers are described, as are the ability and versatility of basketry to produce containers uniquely suited to meet specific needs.

Other uses of the shrub willows (sub-genus Vetrix) are outlined, including the stabilisation of slopes and other aspects of bioengineering, amelioration of difficult environments and large-scale amenity urban and motorway plantings.

Attention is drawn to opportunities to develop the tree willows (sub-genus Salix) to meet projected timber shortages, to the use of willows for windbreaks and shelter, and to the culture and use of that very British tree – the Cricket Bat Willow (S. alba var. caerulea (Sm.) Sm.).
Meat quality of entire and castrated male Boer goats raised under Australian conditions and slaughtered at different weights: physical characteristics, shear force values and eating quality profiles
Authors: Werdi Pratiwi N. M. , Murray P. J. , Taylor D. G.
Published: April 2017

Castrated and entire Boer bucks (no. = 60) in groups of between three and five animals were slaughtered at 5,15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 kg live weight (5- and 15-kg animals were not castrated). Ultimate pH, muscle colour (subjective and objective measurement), subcutaneous fat colour, total pigment concentration, shear force values and eating quality were investigated. The ultimate pH o/longissimus muscle increased from 5-7 to 6-2 (P < 0-05) as animals were slaughtered at heavier weights. Slaughter weight had an influence on chromameter muscle colour (L*, a*, b* values) and subjective muscle colour scores recorded using a nine-point colour scale (P < 0-05) for both entire and castrated bucks. Muscle redness (a* values) and subjective muscle colour scores increased gradually in older animals while muscle lightness and yellowness (L* and b* values) decreased. Subcutaneous fat colour became more yellow at heavier slaughter weights (P < 0-05). Shear force values were affected (P < 0-05) by slaughter weight but not by castration of bucks. All eating quality scores were influenced by slaughter weight but not by castration, and flavour, as predicted by eating quality scores, was the most important attribute that contributed to overall acceptability of the goat meat.
Estimation of dry-matter intake and digestibility in group-fed dairy cows using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Garnsworthy P. C. , Unal Y.
Published: April 2017

This study was designed to obtain information on predicting intake and digestibility from near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) scans of faeces in dairy cows given different diets and levels of intake. Comparisons were made between using NIRS to predict alkanes in faeces and direct calibration of NIRS for intake and digestibility. Faecal samples were obtained from 91 cows in five experiments where dry-matter intake (DMI) had been measured for individual cows. All samples were scanned by NIRS and concentrations of alkanes C32, C33and C36were determined in 32 samples. DMI (mean 19-4, s.d. 5-06 kg/day) was estimated with standard errors of 0-36 and 0-44 kg/day from C32and C36alkanes determined by gas chromatography, and with standard errors of 1-17 and 1-42 kg/day when DMI was estimated from C32and C36alkanes predicted by NIRS. When DMI was predicted directly by NIRS, the standard error of prediction was 0-48 kg/day (R2= 0-97). Prediction of dry matter digestibility by NIRS was not accurate (standard error of cross validation = 0-032; R2= 0-68), probably because of the limited variation in digestibility values within the data set. It is concluded that using NIRS to predict alkane concentrations of faeces does not give accurate estimates of DMI but direct prediction of DMI by NIRS gives estimates with similar accuracy to estimates derived from the traditional alkane technique.
Contribution volatility and public pension reform
Authors: ST. CLAIR TRAVIS , MARTINEZ GUZMAN JUAN PABLO
Published: April 2017

In the wake of the economic downturn of 2008–2009, researchers and policymakers have focused considerable attention on the extent of unfunded liabilities in US public sector pension plans and the implications for the long term fiscal sustainability of state and local governments. In response to the growth in liabilities, many states have introduced legislation that cuts back on defined benefit (DB) plan commitments, in some cases even shifting the pension system from a DB to a defined contribution or hybrid plan. This paper explores the factors that have led states to engage in pension reform, focusing particular attention on one factor that has only recently gained attention in the research literature: contribution volatility. While unfunded liabilities have significant long-term solvency implications, in the short term fluctuations in the amount of required contributions pose substantial difficulties for the ability of plan sponsors to balance budgets and engage in strategic planning. We begin by quantifying the volatility in the required contributions US states were expected to make between 2001 and 2013 and comparing the volatility of pension spending to other relevant tax and spending measures. Next, we describe the various types of pension reforms that states have implemented and examine the fiscal pressures facing those states that have engaged in reform. States with greater fluctuations in their required payments have been more likely to reduce benefits and increase employee contributions; they have also been more likely to institute these reforms sooner.
THE FINE-TUNING ARGUMENT AND THE SIMULATION HYPOTHESIS
Authors: Mizrahi Moti
Published: April 2017

In this article, I propose that, in addition to the multiverse hypothesis, which is commonly taken to be an alternative explanation for fine-tuning, other than the design hypothesis, the simulation hypothesis is another explanation for fine-tuning. I then argue that the simulation hypothesis undercuts the alleged evidential connection between ‘designer’ and ‘supernatural designer of immense power and knowledge’ in much the same way that the multiverse hypothesis undercuts the alleged evidential connection between ‘fine-tuning’ and ‘fine-tuner’ (or ‘designer’). If this is correct, then the fine-tuning argument is a weak argument for the existence of God.
PURSUING THE GOOD LIFE IN THE AGE OF SCIENCE
Authors: Rinard Susanna
Published: April 2017

Suppose you hear that according to the so-called science of happiness, a particular activity or circumstance should lead to happiness. But, based on your own experience, your sense is that it doesn't lead to happiness for you. Which should you trust? Two friends, Alexis and Mitra, debate these and other questions.
Die integrative Lerntherapie
Authors: Bender Franziska , Brandelik Katharina , Jeske Kerstin , Lipka Marlies , Löffler Cordula , Mannhaupt Gerd , Naumann Carl Ludwig , Nolte Marianne , Ricken Gabriele , Rosin Heinz , Scheerer-Neumann Gerheid , von Aster Michael , von Orloff Maria
Published: April 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die integrative Lerntherapie ist eine adäquate Hilfeform bei Lernstörungen. Sie nutzt wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse aus der Psychologie und Medizin, den Fachdidaktiken und der Pädagogik sowie der Linguistik und der Mathematik. Kinder, Jugendliche und Erwachsene mit Lernstörungen haben erhebliche Schwierigkeiten beim Erwerb der Schriftsprache und/oder Mathematik. Da Lesen, Schreiben und Rechnen Schlüsselkompetenzen für die gesamte weitere Lernentwicklung sind, sind die Lern- und Bildungsbiografie sowie die gesunde Persönlichkeitsentwicklung der Betroffenen in hohem Maße gefährdet. Sie benötigen eine passende Hilfe, welche die integrative Lerntherapie bietet. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Therapieform sowie deren Komponenten beschrieben. Der Beitrag dient der Etablierung der integrativen Lerntherapie als Behandlungskonzept bei Lernstörungen sowie als Grundlage der interdisziplinären Diskussion sowie der Forschung im Bereich Lernstörungen.
Balloons of Lava Bubble into the Ocean from Seafloor Blisters
Authors: Lipuma Lauren
Published: April 2017

These peculiar features of submarine volcanic eruptions could be the result of undersea lava lakes.
Human Subject Review Standards and Procedures in International Research: Critical Ethical and Cultural Issues and Recommendations
Authors: Petersen Suni
Published: April 2017

There is unprecedented and accelerated expansion in the field of psychology to the developing world spawning a need for evidence-based treatment and culturally sensitive models. Researchers with ties to the developing world are laboring to fill this void. However, scientific infrastructures are not readily available such as human subjects review process. The purpose of this article is to provide recommendations to human subjects review boards (HSRBs) evaluating international research. HSRBs are encouraged to consider differences between their philosophies and epistemologies and the targeted population. Informed consent, confidentiality, standard of care, autonomy, participants’ vulnerability, and procedures are not universal. Unique circumstances are presented that challenge the strict application of the Helsinki, Cochran, and Belmont reports. Suggestions are made for an HSRB to view the standard guidelines within the context and determine how ethical principles will be applied in the unique and difficult circumstances encountered in conducting applied research in the developing world.
SRT1720 promotes survival of aged human mesenchymal stem cells via FAIM: a pharmacological strategy to improve stem cell-based therapy for rat myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Xianbao , Hu Dexing , Zeng Zhiru , Zhu Wei , Zhang Na , Yu Hong , Chen Han , Wang Kan , Wang Yingchao , Wang Lengmei , Zhao Jing , Zhang Ling , Wu Rongrong , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian'an
Published: April 2017

SIRT1 has been proved to rejuvenate and improve the therapeutic efficacy of aged rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Herein, we investigate the protective effect of pretreatment with SIRT1 activator SRT1720 on aged human MSCs (hMSCs). The optimized pretreatment condition for aged hMSCs was determined to be 0.5 μM SRT1720 for 24 h by monitoring the survival of aged hMSCs subjected to serum deprivation±hypoxia and±500 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pretreatment with these conditions increased the survival of aged hMSCs 1 day (2.7-fold) and 3 days (1.9-fold) after being transplanted into a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model created by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Transplantation with SRT1720 pretreated aged hMSCs achieved increased left ventricular ejection fraction (58.9±3.6 versus 52.8±5%) and angiogenesis with reduced fibrosis of rat hearts as compared to DMSO pretreated group 28 days following MI. Unbiased transcriptome analysis conducted on aged hMSCs under oxidative stress indicated the Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM) was significantly upregulated following SRT1720 pretreatment (14.9±0.2-folds). Moreover, the anti-apoptotic effect of SRT1720 was mitigated by FAIM knockdown with a small interfering RNA-targeted FAIM. These results indicated that pretreatment with SRT1720 improves survival of aged hMSCs, and enhances their therapeutic efficacy for rat myocardial infarction (MI). Upregulation of FAIM possibly involves in the mechanisms of the protective effects.
p45 NF-E2 regulates syncytiotrophoblast differentiation by post-translational GCM1 modifications in human intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Kohli Shrey , Hoffmann Juliane , Lochmann Franziska , Markmeyer Paulina , Huebner Hanna , Fahlbusch Fabian B , Al-Dabet Moh'd Mohanad , Gadi Ihsan , Manoharan Jayakumar , Löttge Michael , Zenclussen Ana C , Aharon Anat , Brenner Benjamin , Shahzad Khurrum , Ruebner Matthias , Isermann Berend
Published: April 2017

Placental insufficiency jeopardizes prenatal development, potentially leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and stillbirth. Surviving fetuses are at an increased risk for chronic diseases later in life. IUGR is closely linked with altered trophoblast and placental differentiation. However, due to a paucity of mechanistic insights, suitable biomarkers and specific therapies for IUGR are lacking. The transcription factor p45 NF-E2 (nuclear factor erythroid derived 2) has been recently found to regulate trophoblast differentiation in mice. The absence of p45 NF-E2 in trophoblast cells causes IUGR and placental insufficiency in mice, but mechanistic insights are incomplete and the relevance of p45 NF-E2 for human syncytiotrophoblast differentiation remains unknown. Here we show that p45 NF-E2 negatively regulates human syncytiotrophoblast differentiation and is associated with IUGR in humans. Expression of p45 NF-E2 is reduced in human placentae complicated with IUGR compared with healthy controls. Reduced p45 NF-E2 expression is associated with increased syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, enhanced glial cells missing-1 (GCM1) acetylation and GCM1 desumoylation in IUGR placentae. Induction of syncytiotrophoblast differentiation in BeWo and primary villous trophoblast cells with 8-bromo-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) reduces p45 NF-E2 expression. Of note, p45 NF-E2 knockdown is sufficient to increase syncytiotrophoblast differentiation and GCM1 expression. Loss of p45 NF-E2 using either approach resulted in CBP-mediated GCM1 acetylation and SENP-mediated GCM1 desumoylation, demonstrating that p45 NF-E2 regulates post-translational modifications of GCM1. Functionally, reduced p45 NF-E2 expression is associated with increased cell death and caspase-3 activation in vitro and in placental tissues samples. Overexpression of p45 NF-E2 is sufficient to repress GCM1 expression, acetylation and desumoylation, even in 8-Br-cAMP exposed BeWo cells. These results suggest that p45 NF-E2 negatively regulates differentiation and apoptosis activation of human syncytiotrophoblast by modulating GCM1 acetylation and sumoylation. These studies identify a new pathomechanism related to IUGR in humans and thus provide new impetus for future studies aiming to identify new biomarkers and/or therapies of IUGR.
Synovial cell death is regulated by TNF-α-induced expression of B-cell activating factor through an ERK-dependent increase in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α
Authors: Lee Jae-Wook , Lee Jiyoung , Um Sung Hee , Moon Eun-Yi
Published: April 2017

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) has a role in the maturation and maintenance of B cells and is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced BAFF expression controls the survival of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and whether their survival can be regulated by TNF-α-mediated upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1αusing MH7A synovial cells transfected with the SV40 T antigen. More TNF-α-treated cells died compared with the control. Survival was increased by incubation with Z-VAD but inhibited after transfection with BAFF-siRNA. Both BAFF and HIF-1αexpression were enhanced when MH7A cells were treated with TNF-α. TNF-α-induced BAFF expression decreased in response to HIF-1α-siRNA, whereas it increased under hypoxia or by overexpressing HIF-1α. The HIF-1αbinding site on the BAFF promoter (−693 to −688 bp) was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to detect the −750 to −501 bp and −800 to −601 bp regions. The BAFF promoter increased in response to TNF-αtreatment or overexpression of HIF-1α. However, TNF-α-induced BAFF expression and promoter activity decreased after treatment with the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Cell death was enhanced by PD98059 but was inhibited by overexpression of HIF-1α. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BAFF expression to control synovial cell survival was regulated by HIF-1αbinding to the BAFF promoter, and suggest for the first time that HIF-1αmight be involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines to regulate the physiological function of rheumatic FLS.
Experimental atopic dermatitis depends on IL-33R signaling via MyD88 in dendritic cells
Authors: Li Changwei , Maillet Isabelle , Mackowiak Claire , Viala Camille , Di Padova Franco , Li Mei , Togbe Dieudonnée , Quesniaux Valérie , Lai Yuping , Ryffel Bernhard
Published: April 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic Th2 type inflammatory skin disorder. Here we report that MyD88 signaling is crucial in the pathogenesis of experimental AD induced by vitamin D3 analog MC903. The clinical signs and inflammation caused by MC903 are drastically reduced in MyD88−/−mice with diminished eosinophil, neutrophil infiltration and Th2 cytokine expression. The biological effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) family members relies on MyD88 signaling. We observed a strong upregulation of IL-1 family cytokine expression, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-33, IL-18, IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γand IL-36Ra. Therefore, we asked which cytokine of the IL-1 family would be essential for MC903-induced AD syndrome. We find a significant reduction of AD in IL-33−/−and IL-33R/ST2−/−mice, only a minor reduction in double IL-1αβ−/−mice and no difference in IL-36R−/−and IL-36Ra−/−mice. IL-33 is expressed in keratinocytes, and MyD88 signaling in dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for AD development as inflammation was drastically reduced in DC-specific MyD88−/−mice (CD11c-cre × MyD88-floxed). Taken together, the data demonstrate a critical role of MyD88 in DCs and of IL-33 signaling via ST2 in MC903-induced AD. These data suggest that IL-33/IL-33R may be a therapeutic target of AD.
An analytic approximation of the feasible space of metabolic networks
Authors: Braunstein Alfredo , Muntoni Anna Paola , Pagnani Andrea
Published: April 2017

Assuming a steady-state condition within a cell, metabolic fluxes satisfy an underdetermined linear system of stoichiometric equations. Characterizing the space of fluxes that satisfy such equations along with given bounds (and possibly additional relevant constraints) is considered of utmost importance for the understanding of cellular metabolism. Extreme values for each individual flux can be computed with linear programming (as flux balance analysis), and their marginal distributions can be approximately computed with Monte Carlo sampling. Here we present an approximate analytic method for the latter task based on expectation propagation equations that does not involve sampling and can achieve much better predictions than other existing analytic methods. The method is iterative, and its computation time is dominated by one matrix inversion per iteration. With respect to sampling, we show through extensive simulation that it has some advantages including computation time, and the ability to efficiently fix empirically estimated distributions of fluxes.
Erratum: The microbiota maintain homeostasis of liver-resident γδT-17 cells in a lipid antigen/CD1d-dependent manner
Authors: Li Fenglei , Hao Xiaolei , Chen Yongyan , Bai Li , Gao Xiang , Lian Zhexiong , Wei Haiming , Sun Rui , Tian Zhigang
Published: April 2017

Nature Communications 8 Article number:13839 (2017); Published 9 January 2017; Updated 10 April 2017 The HTML version of this Article previously published had an incorrect volume number of 7; it should have been 8. This has now been corrected in the HTML; the PDF version of the paper was correct from the time of publication.
Erratum: SC83288 is a clinical development candidate for the treatment of severe malaria
Authors: Pegoraro Stefano , Duffey Maëlle , Otto Thomas D. , Wang Yulin , Rösemann Roman , Baumgartner Roland , Fehler Stefanie K. , Lucantoni Leonardo , Avery Vicky M. , Moreno-Sabater Alicia , Mazier Dominique , Vial Henri J. , Strobl Stefan , Sanchez Cecilia P. , Lanzer Michael
Published: April 2017

Nature Communications 8 Article number:14193 (2017); Published 31 January 2017; Updated 6 Apr 2017 This Article contains errors in Figs. 1 and 8 that were introduced during the production process. The compound on the lower right side of Fig. 1 is labelled incorrectly and should be labelled ‘SC83288’. The correct version of Fig.
Intestinal PPARδ protects against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia
Authors: Doktorova Marcela , Zwarts Irene , Zutphen Tim van , Dijk Theo H. van , Bloks Vincent W. , Harkema Liesbeth , Bruin Alain de , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald M. , Verkade Henkjan J. , Jonker Johan W.
Published: April 2017

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that has an important role in lipid metabolism. Activation of PPARδ stimulates fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and improves dyslipidemia in mice and humans. PPARδ is highly expressed in the intestinal tract but its physiological function in this organ is not known. Using mice with an intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of PPARδ, we show that intestinal PPARδ protects against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, absence of intestinal PPARδ abolished the ability of PPARδ agonist GW501516 to increase plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol. Together, our findings show that intestinal PPARδ is important in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and suggest that intestinal-specific activation of PPARδ could be a therapeutic approach for treatment of the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, while avoiding systemic toxicity.
A rapid and non-invasive method for measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields by ﻿a﻿ laser beam
Authors: Wang Hua , Zeng Deping , Chen Ziguang , Yang Zengtao
Published: April 2017

Based on the acousto-optic interaction, we propose a laser deflection method for rapidly, non-invasively and quantitatively measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields. In the characterization of HIFU fields, the effect of nonlinear propagation is considered. The relation between the laser deflection length and the peak positive pressure is derived. Then the laser deflection method is assessed by comparing it with the hydrophone method. The experimental results show that the peak positive pressure measured by laser deflection method is little higher than that obtained by the hydrophone, confirming that they are in reasonable agreement. Considering that the peak pressure measured by hydrophones is always underestimated, the laser deflection method is assumed to be more accurate than the hydrophone method due to the absence of the errors in hydrophone spatial-averaging measurement and the influence of waveform distortion on hydrophone corrections. Moreover, noting that the Lorentz formula still remains applicable to high-pressure environments, the laser deflection method exhibits a great potential for measuring HIFU field under high-pressure amplitude. Additionally, the laser deflection method provides a rapid way for measuring the peak positive pressure, without the scan time, which is required by the hydrophones.
Toll-like receptor 7 deficiency protects apolipoprotein E-deficient mice from diet-induced atherosclerosis
Authors: Liu Cong-Lin , Santos Marcela M. , Fernandes Cleverson , Liao Mengyang , Iamarene Karine , Zhang Jin-Ying , Sukhova Galina K. , Shi Guo-Ping
Published: April 2017

Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) mediates autoantigen and viral RNA-induced cytokine production. Increased TLR7 expression in human atherosclerotic lesions suggests its involvement in atherogenesis. Here we demonstrated TLR7 expression in macrophages, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells from mouse atherosclerotic lesions. To test a direct participation of TLR7 in atherosclerosis, we crossbred TLR7-deficient (Tlr7−/−) mice with apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice and produced Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− and Apoe−/−Tlr7+/+ littermates, followed by feeding them an atherogenic diet to produce atherosclerosis. Compared to Apoe−/−Tlr7+/+ mice, Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− mice showed reduced aortic arch and sinus lesion areas. Reduced atherosclerosis in Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− mice did not affect lesion macrophage-positive area and CD4+ T-cell number per lesion area, but reduced lesion expression of inflammatory markers major histocompatibility complex-class II and IL6, lesion matrix-degrading proteases cathepsin S and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and systemic serum amyloid A levels. TLR7 deficiency also reduced aortic arch SMC loss and lesion intima and media cell apoptosis. However, TLR7 deficiency did not affect aortic wall elastin fragmentation and collagen contents, or plasma lipoproteins. Therefore, TLR7 contributes to atherogenesis in Apoe−/− mice by regulating lesion and systemic inflammation. A TLR7 antagonist may mitigate atherosclerosis.
Development of New Carbon Resources: Production of Important Chemicals from Algal Residue
Authors: Yamaguchi Sho , Kawada Yuuki , Yuge Hidetaka , Tanaka Kan , Imamura Sousuke
Published: April 2017

Algal biomass has received attention as an alternative carbon resource owing not only to its high oil production efficiency but also, unlike corn starch, to its lack of demand in foods. However, algal residue is commonly discarded after the abstraction of oil. The utilization of the residue to produce chemicals will therefore increase the value of using algal biomass instead of fossil fuels. Here, we report the use of algal residue as a new carbon resource to produce important chemicals. The application of different homogeneous catalysts leads to the selective production of methyl levulinate or methyl lactate. These results demonstrate the successful development of new carbon resources as a solution for the depletion of fossil fuels.
Erratum: Global transcriptomic responses of Escherichia coli K-12 to volatile organic compounds
Authors: Yung Pui Yi , Lo Grasso Letizia , Mohidin Abeed Fatima , Acerbi Enzo , Hinks Jamie , Seviour Thomas , Marsili Enrico , Lauro Federico M.
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 19899; published online: 28 January 2016; updated: 06 April 2017 In this Article, the shaded cells and bold numbers in Table 3 have been omitted. The correct Table 3 appears below as Table 1. As a result, the table legend “E. coli contains the ISC and SUF Fe/S assembly system.
On/off-switchable LSPR nano-immunoassay for troponin-T
Authors: Ashaduzzaman Md. , Deshpande Swapneel R. , Murugan N. Arul , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Turner Anthony P. F. , Tiwari Ashutosh
Published: April 2017

Regeneration of immunosensors is a longstanding challenge. We have developed a re-usable troponin-T (TnT) immunoassay based on localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at gold nanorods (GNR). Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was functionalised with anti-TnT to control the affinity interaction with TnT. The LSPR was extremely sensitive to the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium as modulated by antigen binding after 20 min incubation at 37 °C. Computational modelling incorporating molecular docking, molecular dynamics and free energy calculations was used to elucidate the interactions between the various subsystems namely, IgG-antibody (c.f., anti-TnT), PNIPAAM and/or TnT. This study demonstrates a remarkable temperature dependent immuno-interaction due to changes in the PNIPAAM secondary structures, i.e., globular and coil, at above or below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). A series of concentrations of TnT were measured by correlating the λLSPR shift with relative changes in extinction intensity at the distinct plasmonic maximum (i.e., 832 nm). The magnitude of the red shift in λLSPR was nearly linear with increasing concentration of TnT, over the range 7.6 × 10−15 to 9.1 × 10−4 g/mL. The LSPR based nano-immunoassay could be simply regenerated by switching the polymer conformation and creating a gradient of microenvironments between the two states with a modest change in temperature.
Correction: Corrigendum: Antibody-antigen kinetics constrain intracellular humoral immunity
Authors: Bottermann Maria , Lode Heidrun Elisabeth , Watkinson Ruth E. , Foss Stian , Sandlie Inger , Andersen Jan Terje , James Leo C.
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37457; published online: 24 November 2016; updated: 06 April 2017 This Article contains a typographical error in the Methods section under the subheading ‘Crystallization’, where the Protein Data Bank accession code ‘5LDN’ was incorrectly given as ‘5LDV’.
Molecular Basis of Olfactory Chemoreception in the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius
Authors: Liu Feng , Chen Zhou , Liu Nannan
Published: April 2017

As one of the most notorious ectoparasites, bed bugs rely heavily on human or animal blood sources for survival, mating and reproduction. Chemoreception, mediated by the odorant receptors on the membrane of olfactory sensory neurons, plays a vital role in their host seeking and risk aversion processes. We investigated the responses of odorant receptors to a large spectrum of semiochemicals, including human odorants and plant-released volatiles and found that strong responses were sparse; aldehydes/ketones were the most efficient stimuli, while carboxylic acids and aliphatics/aromatics were comparatively less effective in eliciting responses from bed bug odorant receptors. In bed bugs, both the odorant identity and concentrations play important roles in determining the strength of these responses. The odor space constructed based on the responses from all the odorant receptors tested revealed that odorants within the same chemical group are widely dispersed while odorants from different groups are intermingled, suggesting the complexity of odorant encoding in the bed bug odorant receptors. This study provides a comprehensive picture of the olfactory coding mechanisms of bed bugs that will ultimately contribute to the design and development of novel olfactory-based strategies to reduce both the biting nuisance and disease transmission from bed bugs.
Ecological connectivity in the three-dimensional urban green volume using waveform airborne lidar
Authors: Casalegno Stefano , Anderson Karen , Cox Daniel T. C. , Hancock Steven , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: April 2017

The movements of organisms and the resultant flows of ecosystem services are strongly shaped by landscape connectivity. Studies of urban ecosystems have relied on two-dimensional (2D) measures of greenspace structure to calculate connectivity. It is now possible to explore three-dimensional (3D) connectivity in urban vegetation using waveform lidar technology that measures the full 3D structure of the canopy. Making use of this technology, here we evaluate urban greenspace 3D connectivity, taking into account the full vertical stratification of the vegetation. Using three towns in southern England, UK, all with varying greenspace structures, we describe and compare the structural and functional connectivity using both traditional 2D greenspace models and waveform lidar-generated vegetation strata (namely, grass, shrubs and trees). Measures of connectivity derived from 3D greenspace are lower than those derived from 2D models, as the latter assumes that all vertical vegetation strata are connected, which is rarely true. Fragmented landscapes that have more complex 3D vegetation showed greater functional connectivity and we found highest 2D to 3D functional connectivity biases for short dispersal capacities of organisms (6 m to 16 m). These findings are particularly pertinent in urban systems where the distribution of greenspace is critical for delivery of ecosystem services.
Microbial community response to hydration-desiccation cycles in desert soil
Authors: Šťovíček Adam , Kim Minsu , Or Dani , Gillor Osnat
Published: April 2017

Life in desert soil is marked by episodic pulses of water and nutrients followed by long periods of drought. While the desert flora and fauna flourish after rainfall the response of soil microorganisms remains unclear and understudied. We provide the first systematic study of the role of soil aqueous habitat dynamics in shaping microbial community composition and diversity. Detailed monitoring of natural microbial communities after a rainfall event revealed a remarkable decrease in diversity and a significant transition in community composition that were gradually restored to pre-rainfall values during soil desiccation. Modelling results suggest a critical role for the fragmented aqueous habitat in maintaining microbial diversity under dry soil conditions and diversity loss with wetting events that increase connectivity among habitats. This interdisciplinary study provides new insights into wetting and drying processes that promote and restore the unparalleled microbial diversity found in soil.
Correction: Corrigendum: Comparative phylogenomic analysis provides insights into TCP gene functions in Sorghum
Authors: Francis Aleena , Dhaka Namrata , Bakshi Mohit , Jung Ki-Hong , Sharma Manoj K. , Sharma Rita
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: srep38488; published online: 05 December 2016; updated: 06 April 2017 The Acknowledgments section of this Article is incomplete, where: “R.S. and M.K.S. acknowledge the Ramalingaswami fellowship and grant from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India”.