bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A newPliosaurusspecies (Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria) from the Upper Jurassic of Patagonia: new insights on the Tithonian morphological disparity of mandibular symphyseal morphology
Authors: O’Gorman José P. , Gasparini Zulma , Spalletti Luis A.
Published: February 2018

Most species of the genusPliosaurusOwen, 1842 come from the Northern Hemisphere, however, a growing number of new specimens are now available from the Southern Hemisphere. Here, a new species ofPliosaurusis described, the second for the genus from the Southern Hemisphere, collected from the upper Tithonian (Jurassic) levels of the Vaca Muerta Formation, Neuquén Province, Patagonia.Pliosaurus almanzaensisnew species is characterized by two autapomophies: the angular participating in the mandibular symphysis and the occipital condyle without a notochordal pit or several, irregularly arranged grooves. Additionally,P.almanzaensisn. sp. can be differentiated from otherPliosaurusspecies by the following characters: trihedral teeth, nine or more symphyseal alveoli, 15–17 post-symphyseal alveoli, and the parasphenoid without a ventral keel.Pliosaurus almanzaensisn. sp. shows thatPliosaurusspecies with nine or more symphyseal alveoli persisted until the late Tithonian, contrary to previous assumptions that only species with six symphyseal alveoli were present.
The Evangelical Vote and Race in the 2016 Presidential Election
Authors: Wong Janelle
Published: February 2018

This paper highlights differences in evangelical identity and its association with political attitudes across racial groups. It finds that White evangelicals hold more conservative views than Black, Latinx, and Asian American evangelicals, despite similar levels of religiosity. White evangelicals' more conservative political attitudes are driven by a sense of in-group embattlement, or the idea that their group faces as much or more discrimination as persecuted outgroups. This sense of in-group embattlement is distinct from the effects of economic resources, economic anxiety, partisanship, region (South) and generalized conservative outlook. The paper draws on survey data collected in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 election.
Information Dissemination, Competitive Pressure, and Politician Performance between Elections: A Field Experiment in Uganda
Authors: GROSSMAN GUY , MICHELITCH KRISTIN
Published: February 2018

Politicians shirk when their performance is obscure to constituents. We theorize that when politician performance information is disseminated early in the electoral term, politicians will subsequently improve their performance in anticipation of changes in citizens’ evaluative criteria and possible challenger entry in the next election. However, politicians may only respond in constituencies where opposition has previously mounted. We test these predictions in partnership with a Ugandan civil society organization in a multiyear field experiment conducted in 20 district governments between the 2011 and 2016 elections. While the organization published yearly job duty performance scorecards for all incumbents, it disseminated the scorecards to constituents for randomly selected politicians. These dissemination efforts induced politicians to improve performance across a range of measures, butonly in competitive constituencies. Service delivery was unaffected. We conclude that, conditional on electoral pressure, transparency can improve politicians’ performance between elections but not outcomes outside of their control.
Visualizing Automorphisms of Graph Algebras
Authors: Avery James Emil , Johansen Rune , Szymański Wojciech
Published: February 2018

Many fundamental properties of graphC*-algebras may be determined directly from the structure of the underlying graph, and because of this, they have been celebrated asC*-algebras that can be seen. This paper shows how permutative endomorphisms of graphC*-algebras can be represented by labelled directed multigraphs that give visual representations of the endomorphisms and facilitate computations. This formalism provides a useful calculus for permutative automorphisms and allows efficient exhaustive construction of such automorphisms.
DNA methylation is not involved in dietary restriction induced lifespan extension in adult Drosophila
Authors: LIAN TING , GAUR UMA , WU QI , TU JIANBO , SUN BOYUAN , YANG DEYING , FAN XIAOLAN , MAO XUEPING , YANG MINGYAO
Published: February 2018

Dietary restriction (DR) is widely regarded as a viable intervention to extend lifespan and healthspan in diverse organisms. The precise molecular regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. Epigenetic modifications are not stable upon DR and also keep changing with age. Here, we employed whole genome bisulfite sequencing to determine the DNA methylation changes upon DR in adult Drosophila. Our results indicate that although a low level of DNA methylation exists in the adult Drosophila genome, there is no significant difference in DNA methylation levels upon DR when compared to unrestricted flies. This suggests that other epigenetic components such as histone modifications might be altered by DR.
DO BIOMARKERS VARY BY SOCIAL CLASS, EDUCATION AND REGION AND IS MIGRATION IMPORTANT? EVIDENCE FROM A COHORT OF BRITISH ADULTS
Authors: Krzyżanowska Monika , Mascie-Taylor C. G. Nicholas
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to test whether Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) vary in relation to social class at birth and adulthood, educational level and region of residence, and also with inter-generational social, educational and regional mobility/migration. The study used 5702 adults (2894 males and 2718 females) from the longitudinal British National Child Development Study (all children born in England, Scotland and Wales during the first week in March 1958 with follow-up throughout childhood and adulthood, most recently at 55 years of age). In both sexes BMI and waist circumference tended to increase from social classes I+II to IV+V and higher social class was associated with higher mean FEV1 and PEF. Better-educated adults tended to have lower BMI and waist circumference, and higher mean FEV1 and PEF. Women from Wales had the highest mean BMI and waist circumference but the lowest mean PEF, while women in Scotland had the highest mean systolic blood pressure and the lowest mean FEV1. For men only, FEV1 and PEF showed regional variation and the lowest mean FEV1 was in Wales and the lowest PEF in Yorkshire & Humberside. Inter-generational social mobility was not found to be associated with any of the biomarkers, while educational mobility was related only to FEV1 and PEF. In both sexes, in unadjusted regression analysis regional migrant cohort members tended to have a lower mean BMI than sedentes. Regional male migrants also tended to have a lower waist circumference and a higher FEV1 and PEF than sedentes.
BLOCK BOOTSTRAP CONSISTENCY UNDER WEAK ASSUMPTIONS
Authors: Calhoun Gray
Published: February 2018

This paper weakens the size and moment conditions needed for typical block bootstrap methods (i.e., the moving blocks, circular blocks, and stationary bootstraps) to be valid for the sample mean of Near-Epoch-Dependent (NED) functions of mixing processes; they are consistent under the weakest conditions that ensure the original NED process obeys a central limit theorem (CLT), established by De Jong (1997, Econometric Theory 13(3), 353–367). In doing so, this paper extends De Jong’s method of proof, a blocking argument, to hold with random and unequal block lengths. This paper also proves that bootstrapped partial sums satisfy a functional CLT (FCLT) under the same conditions.
Parental perspectives on hand, foot, and mouth disease among children in Hong Kong: a longitudinal study
Authors: Liao Q. , Lam W. W. T. , Cowling B. J. , Fielding R.
Published: February 2018

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), usually a self-limiting illness for young children, could cause a significant burden for parents because it can take up to 1–2 weeks for a sick child to recover. We conducted a two-wave longitudinal study over one summer peak season (May–July 2014) of HFMD to examine parents’ HFMD-related risk perceptions and protective responses. In total, 618 parents with at least one child aged ⩽12 years, recruited using randomly-dialled household telephone calls completed the baseline survey interview, 452 of whom subsequently completed the follow-up survey. Around two-thirds of participants perceived the chance of their child being infected by HFMD was ‘zero/very small/small’ but the likelihood of being hospitalized once infected was ‘somewhat likely/likely/very likely’. At follow-up, 82% reported washing child's hands frequently (Hygiene), 16% would keep their child away from school if HFMD cases were identified in school (Distancing) and 23% were ‘very likely/certainly’ to take the child for HFMD vaccination if available (Vaccination). Anticipated regret was consistently the strongest predictor for Hygiene (OR 3.34), and intention of Distancing (OR 2.58) and Vaccination (OR 3.16). Interventions focusing on anticipated regret may be effective to promote protective behaviour against HFMD among parents for their children.
The somal patterning of the AII amacrine cell mosaic in the mouse retina is indistinguishable from random simulations matched for density and constrained by soma size
Authors: KEELEY PATRICK W. , REESE BENJAMIN E.
Published: February 2018

The orderly spacing of retinal neurons is commonly regarded as a characteristic feature of retinal nerve cell populations. Exemplars of this property include the horizontal cells and the cholinergic amacrine cells, where individual cells minimize the proximity to like-type neighbors, yielding regularity in the patterning of their somata. Recently, two types of retinal bipolar cells in the mouse retina were shown to exhibit an order in their somal patterning no different from density-matched simulations constrained by soma size but being otherwise randomly distributed. The present study has now extended this finding to a type of retinal amacrine cell, the AII amacrine cell. Voronoi domain analysis revealed the patterning in the population of AII amacrine somata to be no different from density-matched and soma-size-constrained random simulations, while analysis of the density recovery profile showed AII amacrine cells to exhibit a minimal intercellular spacing identical to that for those random simulations: AII amacrine somata were positioned side-by-side as often as chance would predict. Regularity indexes and packing factors (PF) were far lower than those achieved by either the horizontal cells or cholinergic amacrine cells, with PFs also being comparable to those derived from the constrained random simulations. These results extend recent findings that call into question the widespread assumption that all types of retinal neurons are assembled as regular somal arrays, and have implications for the way in which AII amacrine cells must distribute their processes to ensure a uniform coverage of the retinal surface.
Effectiveness of mechanical weed control on Italian flint varieties of maize
Authors: Fogliatto Silvia , Milan Marco , De Palo Fernando , Ferrero Aldo , Vidotto Francesco
Published: February 2018

Weed control is one of the most important practices for a satisfying crop performance. In organic farming, weeds are mainly controlled by using mechanical methods, which may result in incomplete crop selectivity. Maize is one of the crops for which mechanical weed control is commonly applied. To assess weed control efficacy and the possible crop injuries caused by mechanical interventions (harrowing, hoeing and ridging), a field experiment was carried out in 2013–2014 on traditional flint Italian varieties of maize (Marano, Ottofile, Pignoletto, Nostrano and the hybrid Maranello) suited for organic food production. The study included the following treatments: weed control with a spring tine harrow + hoeing and ridging (STH), manual weed removal all season long (MWR), spring tine harrowing + manual weed removal (STH + MWR) and an untreated check (CHK). In the 2 years, the experiment was carried out in two similar fields in which 60 plots (6 × 10 m) were arranged in a RCBD with three replications. Weed control efficacy was assessed by determining weed density, weed species composition and weed cover after each mechanical intervention in the STH and CHK plots. Weed diversity indices were also calculated at the final assessment. The possible crop injuries caused by mechanical means were assessed by determining maize plant height, number of leaves, and plant density after each mechanical intervention. At maturity, maize yield and other yield-related traits (1000-seed weight, hectolitre weight, and grain moisture) were determined. The results showed that the mechanical treatments lowered the weed infestation, without changing weed species dominance and slightly lowering species richness; even though they were not able to completely control the weeds. In both years, the final weed density in STH plots was of about 50 plants m−2. Better weed control was obtained when weeds were at early growth stages and with a repeated number of harrowing. Mechanical weeding did not cause significant injury in terms of plant height nor density; however, for Marano and Maranello, a delay in the crop cycle was observed as shown by the lower number of leaves in STH compared with MWR. Yield ranged from 0.3 t ha−1 for Marano CHK to 10.4 t ha−1 for the hybrid Maranello in MWR + STH. Yield and yield-related traits were not affected by mechanical weeding.
2,4-D–Resistant Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in Managed Turf
Authors: Patton Aaron J. , Weisenberger Daniel V. , Schortgen Geoff P.
Published: February 2018

A population of buckhorn plantain with suspected resistance to 2,4-D was identified in central Indiana following 30 yr of 2,4-D–containing herbicide applications. Our objectives were to (1) confirm and quantify the level of herbicide resistance in the buckhorn plantain population using dose–response experiments and (2) find alternative herbicides that could be used to control this population. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to quantify the dose–response of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) biotypes of buckhorn plantain to both 2,4-D and triclopyr, two synthetic auxin herbicides from different chemical families. The R biotype was ≥6.2 times less sensitive to 2,4-D than the S biotype. The efficacy of triclopyr was similar on both the R and S biotypes of buckhorn plantain, suggesting the absence of cross-resistance to this herbicide. This is the first report of 2,4-D resistance in buckhorn plantain and the first report of 2,4-D resistance in turf. The resistance mechanism was limited to within a chemical family (phenoxycarboxylic acid) and did not occur across all WSSA Group 4 synthetic auxin herbicides, as the pyridinecarboxylic acid herbicides clopyralid and triclopyr and the arylpicolinate herbicide halauxifen-methyl provided control in our experiments.
Life on N2O: deciphering the ecophysiology of N2O respiring bacterial communities in a continuous culture
Authors: Conthe Monica , Wittorf Lea , Kuenen J Gijs , Kleerebezem Robbert , van Loosdrecht Mark C M , Hallin Sara
Published: February 2018

Reduction of the greenhouse gas N2O to N2 is a trait among denitrifying and non-denitrifying microorganisms having an N2O reductase, encoded by nosZ. The nosZ phylogeny has two major clades, I and II, and physiological differences among organisms within the clades may affect N2O emissions from ecosystems. To increase our understanding of the ecophysiology of N2O reducers, we determined the thermodynamic growth efficiency of N2O reduction and the selection of N2O reducers under N2O- or acetate-limiting conditions in a continuous culture enriched from a natural community with N2O as electron acceptor and acetate as electron donor. The biomass yields were higher during N2O limitation, irrespective of dilution rate and community composition. The former was corroborated in a continuous culture of Pseudomonas stutzeri and was potentially due to cytotoxic effects of surplus N2O. Denitrifiers were favored over non-denitrifying N2O reducers under all conditions and Proteobacteria harboring clade I nosZ dominated. The abundance of nosZ clade II increased when allowing for lower growth rates, but bacteria with nosZ clade I had a higher affinity for N2O, as defined by μmax/Ks. Thus, the specific growth rate is likely a key factor determining the composition of communities living on N2O respiration under growth-limited conditions.
Whole-exome sequencing and gene-based rare variant association tests suggest that PLA2G4E might be a risk gene for panic disorder
Authors: Morimoto Yoshiro , Shimada-Sugimoto Mihoko , Otowa Takeshi , Yoshida Shintaro , Kinoshita Akira , Mishima Hiroyuki , Yamaguchi Naohiro , Mori Takatoshi , Imamura Akira , Ozawa Hiroki , Kurotaki Naohiro , Ziegler Christiane , Domschke Katharina , Deckert Jürgen , Umekage Tadashi , Tochigi Mamoru , Kaiya Hisanobu , Okazaki Yuji , Tokunaga Katsushi , Sasaki Tsukasa , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro , Ono Shinji
Published: February 2018

Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, subsequent anticipatory anxiety, and phobic avoidance. Recent epidemiological and genetic studies have revealed that genetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of PD. We performed whole-exome sequencing on one Japanese family, including multiple patients with panic disorder, which identified seven rare protein-altering variants. We then screened these genes in a Japanese PD case–control group (384 sporadic PD patients and 571 controls), resulting in the detection of three novel single nucleotide variants as potential candidates for PD (chr15: 42631993, T>C in GANC; chr15: 42342861, G>T in PLA2G4E; chr20: 3641457, G>C in GFRA4). Statistical analyses of these three genes showed that PLA2G4E yielded the lowest p value in gene-based rare variant association tests by Efficient and Parallelizable Association Container Toolbox algorithms; however, the p value did not reach the significance threshold in the Japanese. Likewise, in a German case–control study (96 sporadic PD patients and 96 controls), PLA2G4E showed the lowest p value but again did not reach the significance threshold. In conclusion, we failed to find any significant variants or genes responsible for the development of PD. Nonetheless, our results still leave open the possibility that rare protein-altering variants in PLA2G4E contribute to the risk of PD, considering the function of this gene.
Visualizing heavy fermion confinement and Pauli-limited superconductivity in layered CeCoIn5
Authors: Gyenis András , Feldman Benjamin E. , Randeria Mallika T. , Peterson Gabriel A. , Bauer Eric D. , Aynajian Pegor , Yazdani Ali
Published: February 2018

Layered material structures play a key role in enhancing electron–electron interactions to create correlated metallic phases that can transform into unconventional superconducting states. The quasi-two-dimensional electronic properties of such compounds are often inferred indirectly through examination of bulk properties. Here we use scanning tunneling microscopy to directly probe in cross-section the quasi-two-dimensional electronic states of the heavy fermion superconductor CeCoIn5. Our measurements reveal the strong confined nature of quasiparticles, anisotropy of tunneling characteristics, and layer-by-layer modulated behavior of the precursor pseudogap gap phase. In the interlayer coupled superconducting state, the orientation of line defects relative to the d-wave order parameter determines whether in-gap states form due to scattering. Spectroscopic imaging of the anisotropic magnetic vortex cores directly characterizes the short interlayer superconducting coherence length and shows an electronic phase separation near the upper critical in-plane magnetic field, consistent with a Pauli-limited first-order phase transition into a pseudogap phase.
Drosha drives the formation of DNA:RNA hybrids around DNA break sites to facilitate DNA repair
Authors: Lu Wei-Ting , Hawley Ben R. , Skalka George L. , Baldock Robert A. , Smith Ewan M. , Bader Aldo S. , Malewicz Michal , Watts Felicity Z. , Wilczynska Ania , Bushell Martin
Published: February 2018

The error-free and efficient repair of DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) is extremely important for cell survival. RNA has been implicated in the resolution of DNA damage but the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that miRNA biogenesis enzymes, Drosha and Dicer, control the recruitment of repair factors from multiple pathways to sites of damage. Depletion of Drosha significantly reduces DNA repair by both homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Drosha is required within minutes of break induction, suggesting a central and early role for RNA processing in DNA repair. Sequencing of DNA:RNA hybrids reveals RNA invasion around DNA break sites in a Drosha-dependent manner. Removal of the RNA component of these structures results in impaired repair. These results show how RNA can be a direct and critical mediator of DNA damage repair in human cells.
Senataxin resolves RNA:DNA hybrids forming at DNA double-strand breaks to prevent translocations
Authors: Cohen Sarah , Puget Nadine , Lin Yea-Lih , Clouaire Thomas , Aguirrebengoa Marion , Rocher Vincent , Pasero Philippe , Canitrot Yvan , Legube Gaëlle
Published: February 2018

Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia 2 (AOA-2) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS4) are neurological disorders caused by mutations in the gene encoding for senataxin (SETX), a putative RNA:DNA helicase involved in transcription and in the maintenance of genome integrity. Here, using ChIP followed by high throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq), we report that senataxin is recruited at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) when they occur in transcriptionally active loci. Genome-wide mapping unveiled that RNA:DNA hybrids accumulate on DSB-flanking chromatin but display a narrow, DSB-induced, depletion near DNA ends coinciding with senataxin binding. Although neither required for resection nor for timely repair of DSBs, senataxin was found to promote Rad51 recruitment, to minimize illegitimate rejoining of distant DNA ends and to sustain cell viability following DSB production in active genes. Our data suggest that senataxin functions at DSBs in order to limit translocations and ensure cell viability, providing new insights on AOA2/ALS4 neuropathies.
Divergent roles for antigenic drive in the aetiology of primary versus dasatinib-associated CD8+ TCR-Vβ+ expansions
Authors: Lissina Anna , McLaren James E. , Ilander Mette , Andersson Emma I. , Lewis Catherine S. , Clement Mathew , Herman Andrew , Ladell Kristin , Llewellyn-Lacey Sian , Miners Kelly L. , Gostick Emma , Melenhorst J. Joseph , Barrett A. John , Price David A. , Mustjoki Satu , Wooldridge Linda
Published: February 2018

CD8+ T-cell expansions are the primary manifestation of T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia (T-LGLL), which is frequently accompanied by neutropenia and rheumatoid arthritis, and also occur as a secondary phenomenon in leukemia patients treated with dasatinib, notably in association with various drug-induced side-effects. However, the mechanisms that underlie the genesis and maintenance of expanded CD8+ T-cell receptor (TCR)-Vβ+ populations in these patient groups have yet to be fully defined. In this study, we performed a comprehensive phenotypic and clonotypic assessment of expanded (TCR-Vβ+) and residual (TCR-Vβ−) CD8+ T-cell populations in T-LGLL and dasatinib-treated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients. The dominant CD8+ TCR-Vβ+ expansions in T-LGLL patients were largely monoclonal and highly differentiated, whereas the dominant CD8+ TCR-Vβ+ expansions in dasatinib-treated CML patients were oligoclonal or polyclonal, and displayed a broad range of memory phenotypes. These contrasting features suggest divergent roles for antigenic drive in the immunopathogenesis of primary versus dasatinib-associated CD8+ TCR-Vβ+ expansions.
Effects of Echo Time on IVIM Quantification of the Normal Prostate
Authors: Feng Zhaoyan , Min Xiangde , Wang Liang , Yan Xu , Li Basen , Ke Zan , Zhang Peipei , You Huijuan
Published: February 2018

The two-compartment intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) theory assumes that the transverse relaxation time is the same in both compartments. However, blood and tissue have different T2 values, and echo time (TE) may thus have an effect on the quantitative parameters of IVIM. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TE on IVIM-DWI-derived parameters of the prostate. In total, 17 healthy volunteers underwent two repeat examinations. IVIM-DWI data were scanned 6 times with variable TE values of 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 120 ms. The ADC of a mono-exponential model and the D, D*, and f parameters of the IVIM model were calculated separately for each TE. Repeat measures were assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation and Bland-Altman limits of agreement for each parameter. Spearman’s rho test was used to analyse relationships between IVIM indices and TE. Our results showed that TE had an effect on IVIM quantification, which should be kept constant in the examination protocol at each individual institution. Alternatively, an extended IVIM could be used to eliminate the effect of the TE value on the quantitative parameters of IVIM. This may be helpful for guiding clinical research, especially for longitudinal studies.
Judging the position of the artificial hand induces a “visual” drift towards the real one during the rubber hand illusion
Authors: Erro Roberto , Marotta Angela , Tinazzi Michele , Frera Elena , Fiorio Mirta
Published: February 2018

When subjects look at a rubber hand being brush-stroked synchronously with their own hidden hand, they might feel a sense of ownership over the rubber hand. The perceived mislocalization of the own hand towards the rubber hand (proprioceptive drift) would reflect an implicit marker of this illusion occurring through the dominance of vision over proprioception. This account, however, contrasts with principles of multisensory integration whereby percepts result from a “statistical sum” of different sensory afferents. In this case, the most-known proprioceptive drift should be mirrored by complementary visual drift of the rubber hand in the opposite direction. We investigated this issue by designing two experiments in which subjects were not only requested to localize their own hand but also the rubber hand and further explored the subjective feeling of the illusion. In both experiments, we demonstrated a (visual) drift in the opposite direction of the proprioceptive drift, suggesting that both hands converge toward each other. This might suggest that the spatial representations of the two hands are integrated in a common percept placed in between them, contradicting previous accounts of substitution of the real hand by the rubber hand.
Protective effect of Group B Streptococcus type-III polysaccharide conjugates against maternal colonization, ascending infection and neonatal transmission in rodent models
Authors: Chiarot Emiliano , Spagnuolo Angela , Maccari Silvia , Naimo Eleonora , Acquaviva Alessandra , Cecchi Raffaella , Galletti Bruno , Fabbrini Monica , Mori Elena , Ruggiero Paolo , Grandi Guido , Fontana Maria Rita , Bensi Giuliano , Margarit Immaculada
Published: February 2018

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a normal inhabitant of recto-vaginal mucosae in up to 30% of healthy women. Colonization is a major risk factor for perinatal infection which can lead to severe complications such as stillbirth and neonatal invasive disease. Intra-partum antibiotic prophylaxis in colonized women is a safe and cost-effective preventive measure against early-onset disease in the first days of life, but has no effect on late-onset manifestations or on early maternal infection. Maternal immunization with capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines shows promise for the prevention of both early-onset and late-onset neonatal infections, although ability to prevent maternal colonization and ascending infection has been less studied. Here we investigated the effect of a GBS glycoconjugate vaccine since the very early stage of maternal GBS acquisition to neonatal outcome by rodent models of vaginal colonization and ascending infection. Immunization of female mice and rats with a type III glycoconjugate reduced vaginal colonization, infection of chorioamniotic/ placental membranes and bacterial transmission to fetuses and pups. Type III specific antibodies were detected in the blood and vagina of vaccinated mothers and their offspring. The obtained data support a potential preventive effect of GBS glycoconjugate vaccines during the different stages of pregnancy.
Accounting for black carbon lowers estimates of blue carbon storage services
Authors: Chew Swee Theng , Gallagher John B.
Published: February 2018

The canopies and roots of seagrass, mangrove, and saltmarsh protect a legacy of buried sedimentary organic carbon from resuspension and remineralisation. This legacy’s value, in terms of mitigating anthropogenic emissions of CO2, is based on total organic carbon (TOC) inventories to a depth likely to be disturbed. However, failure to subtract allochthonous recalcitrant carbon overvalues the storage service. Simply put, burial of oxidation-resistant organics formed outside of the ecosystem provides no additional protection from remineralisation. Here, we assess whether black carbon (BC), an allochthonous and recalcitrant form of organic carbon, is contributing to a significant overestimation of blue carbon stocks. To test this supposition, BC and TOC contents were measured in different types of seagrass and mangrove sediment cores across tropical and temperate regimes, with different histories of air pollution and fire together with a reanalysis of published data from a subtropical system. The results suggest current carbon stock estimates are positively biased, particularly for low-organic-content sandy seagrass environs, by 18 ± 3% (±95% confidence interval) and 43 ± 21% (±95% CI) for the temperate and tropical regions respectively. The higher BC fractions appear to originate from atmospheric deposition and substantially enrich the relatively low TOC fraction within these environs.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Three-dimensional Turbo Field Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequence in Pediatric Tracheobronchial Anomalies with Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Hou QiaoRu , Gao Wei , Zhong YuMin , Sun AiMin , Wang Qian , Hu LiWei , Wang JingLei
Published: February 2018

Tracheobronchial anomalies are common in congenital heart disease (CHD), including tracheobronchial stenosis, tracheal bronchus, cardiac bronchus, and bronchial isomerism, which can cause varying degrees of respiratory illness. It is necessary to assess tracheobronchial anomalies and make a preoperative airway evaluation. Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the most effective noninvasive modalities for the diagnosis of CHD and the associated tracheobronchial anomalies. However, MSCT remains an ionizing procedure despite using low dose protocols. The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of tracheobronchial anomalies in patients with CHD using three-dimensional turbo field echo(3D-TFE) magnetic resonance imaging sequence for preoperative airway evaluation. The results indicated that 3D-TFE provided better image quality as compared to that of 3D-balanced turbo field echo (3D-bTFE), and it can clearly demonstrated the tracheobronchial tree and tracheobronchial anomalies in CHD. This study confirms the clinical value of 3D-TFE in diagnosing tracheobronchial anomalies and supply helpful tracheobronchial information for preoperative strategies and postoperative follow-up.
Development of a Method to Extract Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) DNA from Heroin
Authors: Marciano Michael A. , Panicker Sini X. , Liddil Garrett D. , Lindgren Danielle , Sweder Kevin S.
Published: February 2018

This study is the first to report the successful development of a method to extract opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) DNA from heroin samples. Determining of the source of an unknown heroin sample (forensic geosourcing) is vital to informing domestic and foreign policy related to counter-narcoterrorism. Current profiling methods focus on identifying process-related chemical impurities found in heroin samples. Changes to the geographically distinct processing methods may lead to difficulties in classifying and attributing heroin samples to a region/country. This study focuses on methods to optimize the DNA extraction and amplification of samples with low levels of degraded DNA and inhibiting compounds such as heroin. We compared modified commercial-off-the-shelf extraction methods such as the Qiagen Plant, Stool and the Promega Maxwell-16 RNA-LEV tissue kits for the ability to extract opium poppy DNA from latex, raw and cooked opium, white and brown powder heroin and black tar heroin. Opium poppy DNA was successfully detected in all poppy-derived samples, including heroin. The modified Qiagen stool method with post-extraction purification and a two-stage, dual DNA polymerase amplification procedure resulted in the highest DNA yield and minimized inhibition. This paper describes the initial phase in establishing a DNA-based signature method to characterize heroin.
Signs of atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis affected by distinct H2-haplotype in the NC/Nga genetic background
Authors: Ohkusu-Tsukada Kozo , Ito Daiki , Okuno Yuki , Tsukada Teruyo , Takahashi Kimimasa
Published: February 2018

We recently advocated in favour of naming a novel H2-haplotype consisting of Kd, D/Ldm7, I-Ak and I-Ek in the atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model NC/Nga as “H-2nc.” The role of the H2-haplotype in AD development was investigated in H2
b
-congenic NC/Nga mice (NC.h2
b/b
and NC.h2
b/nc
) established by backcrossing. A severe 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga was alleviated partially in NC.h2
b/nc
and significantly in NC.h2
b/b
. The AD phenotype was correlated with thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-epidermal expression levels and serum levels of total IgE and IL-18/IL-33. Histologically, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was accompanied by lymphocytes and plasma cells-infiltrating perivasculitis in NC.h2
b/nc
and NC.h2
b/b
and clearly differed from AD accompanied by neutrophils, eosinophils and macrophages-infiltrating diffuse suppurative dermatitis in NC/Nga. Interestingly, IFN-γ/IL-17 production from autoreactive CD4+ T-cells remarkably increased in DNFB-sensitised NC.h2
b/b
but not in NC/Nga. Our findings suggest that AD or ACD may depend on haplotype H-2nc or H-2b, respectively, in addition to the NC/Nga genetic background.
Phylogenomic analysis demonstrates a pattern of rare and long-lasting concerted evolution in prokaryotes
Authors: Wang Sishuo , Chen Youhua
Published: February 2018

Concerted evolution, where paralogs in the same species show higher sequence similarity to each other than to orthologs in other species, is widely found in many species. However, cases of concerted evolution that last for hundreds of millions of years are very rare. By genome-wide analysis of a broad selection of prokaryotes, we provide strong evidence of recurrent concerted evolution in 26 genes, most of which have lasted more than ~500 million years. We find that most concertedly evolving genes are key members of important pathways, and encode proteins from the same complexes and/or pathways, suggesting coevolution of genes via concerted evolution to maintain gene balance. We also present LRCE-DB, a comprehensive online repository of long-lasting concerted evolution. Collectively, our study reveals that although most duplicated genes may diverge in sequence over a long period, on rare occasions this constraint can be breached, leading to unexpected long-lasting concerted evolution in a recurrent manner.
Monascin inhibits IL-1β induced catabolism in mouse chondrocytes and ameliorates murine osteoarthritis
Authors: Zheng Gang , Zhan Yu , Tang Qian , Chen Tianhe , Zheng Fanghong , Wang Haoli , Wang Jianle , Wu Dengying , Li Xiaobing , Zhou Ying , Wang Xiaobin , Wu Yaosen , Zhou Yifei , Xu Huazi , Tian Naifeng , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: February 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative disease and is the fourth major cause of disability, but there are no effective therapies because of its complex pathology and the side effects of the drugs.
Automated synthesis of [68Ga]oxine, improved preparation of68Ga-labeled erythrocytes for blood-pool imaging, and preclinical evaluation in rodents
Authors: Thompson Stephen , Rodnick Melissa E. , Stauff Jenelle , Arteaga Janna , Desmond Timothy J. , Scott Peter J. H. , Viglianti Benjamin L.
Published: February 2018

Radiolabeled erythrocytes have multiple applications in nuclear medicine, including blood pool imaging.
An intrinsic energy conversion mechanism via telescopic extension and retraction of concentric carbon nanotubes
Authors: Guo Zhengrong , Zhang Hongwei , Li Jianxin , Leng Jiantao , Zhang Yingyan , Chang Tienchong
Published: February 2018

The figure illustrates the spontaneous telescopic motions of a half-extruded (17, 17)/(15, 11) DWCNT at 300 K and 360 K. The Spontaneous telescopic motions reveal that MWCNTs are in essence natural linear motors.
Balancing silicon/aluminum oxide junctions for super-plasmonic emission enhancement of quantum dots via plasmonic metafilms
Authors: Sadeghi Seyed M. , Wing Waylin J. , Gutha Rithvik R. , Wilt Jamie S. , Wu Judy Z.
Published: February 2018

Metal–oxide plasmonic metafilms can enhance the emission of quantum dots via plasmon fields and suppression of their defect environments.
Overcoming drug-resistant lung cancer by paclitaxel loaded tetrahedral DNA nanostructures
Authors: Xie X. , Shao X. , Ma W. , Zhao D. , Shi S. , Li Q. , Lin Y.
Published: February 2018

Drug-loaded tetrahedron DNA nanostructures and their cytotoxic effect on drug-resistant cells have been studied.
Arginine-selective bioconjugation with 4-azidophenyl glyoxal: application to the single and dual functionalisation of native antibodies
Authors: Dovgan Igor , Erb Stéphane , Hessmann Steve , Ursuegui Sylvain , Michel Chloé , Muller Christian , Chaubet Guilhem , Cianférani Sarah , Wagner Alain
Published: February 2018

4-Azidophenyl glyoxal enables arginine-selective functionalisation of native antibodies. Being orthogonal to classical lysine conjugation, this method allowed straightforward generation of dual-payload antibody.
Nitrogen-rich graphitic-carbon stabilized cobalt nanoparticles for chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes at milder conditions
Authors: Nandi Sekhar , Patel Parth , Khan Noor-ul H. , Biradar Ankush V. , Kureshy Rukhsana I.
Published: February 2018

Herein, we report the synthesis of nitrogen-rich graphitic-carbon supported cobalt nanoparticles and its application for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes in the water-THF mixture at 50 °C with maximum TOF of 14 117 h−1.
VO2(D) hollow core–shell microspheres: synthesis, methylene blue dye adsorption and their transformation into C/VOxnanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Liangmiao , Yao Jianing , Xia Fang , Guo Yunfeng , Cao Chuanxiang , Chen Zhang , Gao Yanfeng , Luo Hongjie
Published: February 2018

Hollow core–shell VO2(D) microspheres were fabricated and they exhibited excellent MB adsorption ability; and the regenerated C/VOxnanoparticles showed enhanced adsorption performance and good reusability.
Synthesis of optically active π-stacked compounds based on planar chiral tetrasubstituted [2.2]paracyclophane
Authors: Sasai Yusaku , Tsuchida Hiromu , Kakuta Takahiro , Ogoshi Tomoki , Morisaki Yasuhiro
Published: February 2018

Optically active X-shaped compounds based on planar chiral [2.2]paracyclophane, consisting of two different π-electron systems stacked, were synthesized.
nBu4NOTf-promoted radical self-hydrogen transferring isomerization under transition metal-free conditions
Authors: Zheng Hong-Xing , Yao Chuan-Zhi , Qu Jian-Ping , Kang Yan-Biao
Published: February 2018

We report the first allylic isomerization of alcohols catalyzed by nBu4NOTf generated in situ from tetrabutylammonium triflate and potassium tert-butoxide.
One-pot synthesis of sulfur doped activated carbon as a superior metal-free catalyst for the adsorption and catalytic oxidation of aqueous organics
Authors: Guo Yaoping , Zeng Zequan , Liu Yongjin , Huang Zhanggen , Cui Yan , Yang Jieyang
Published: February 2018

Sulfur doped activated carbon with strong adsorption ability and excellent catalytic activity is successfully synthesized through a one-pot process.
Synthesis of freestanding amorphous giant carbon tubes with outstanding oil sorption and water oxidation properties
Authors: Chen Jiafu , Shen Xiaochen , Pan Yanbo , Liu Chang , Hwang Sang Youp , Xu Qun , Peng Zhenmeng
Published: February 2018

A scalable quartz-templated growth approach was developed for the synthesis of freestanding amorphous GCTs with outstanding oil sorption and water oxidation properties.
Development of highly effective CaO@Al2O3 with hierarchical architecture CO2 sorbents via a scalable limited-space chemical vapor deposition technique
Authors: Han Rui , Gao Jihui , Wei Siyu , Su Yanlin , Qin Yukun
Published: February 2018

CaO@Al2O3 CO2 sorbents with hierarchical architecture, possessing a highly stable CO2 uptake, have been synthesized using a limited-space chemical vapor deposition method.
The germanium telluride monolayer: a two dimensional semiconductor with high carrier mobility for photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Qiao Man , Chen Yanli , Wang Yu , Li Yafei
Published: February 2018

The GeTe monolayer is semiconducting with a considerable band gap and shows appropriate band edge positions for photocatalytic water splitting.
One-step transformation of highly hydrophobic membranes into superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic ones for high-efficiency separation of oil-in-water emulsions
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Ji Shengqiang , He Fang , Cao Moyuan , Peng Shaoqin , Li Yuexiang
Published: February 2018

A one-step, cost-effective and universal strategy has been developed to assemble layer-nanospheres on various membranes, endowing them with superhydrophilicity.
Oxygen-deficient anatase TiO2@C nanospindles with pseudocapacitive contribution for enhancing lithium storage
Authors: Deng Xiaolan , Wei Zengxi , Cui Chunyu , Liu Quanhui , Wang Caiyun , Ma Jianmin
Published: February 2018

Oxygen-deficient anatase TiO2@C nanospindles are realisedviathe hydrogenation and carbon coating of TiO2nanospindles. The produced electrodes exhibit an enhanced electrochemical performance for Li storage.
Copper thiocyanate/copper iodide based hole transport composites with balanced properties for efficient polymer light-emitting diodes
Authors: Luo Wei , Zeng Chao , Du Xiaoqing , Leng Chongqian , Yao Wei , Shi Haofei , Wei Xingzhan , Du Chunlei , Lu Shirong
Published: February 2018

A hole transport composite with balanced properties is achieved by merging inorganic CuSCN and CuI, enhancing the overall performances of PLEDs.
Effect of annealing temperature on the phase transition, band gap and thermoelectric properties of Cu2SnSe3
Authors: Siyar Muhammad , Cho Jun-Young , Youn Yong , Han Seungwu , Kim Miyoung , Bae Sung-Hwan , Park Chan
Published: February 2018

The electrical conductivity of the cubic phase, which is larger than that of the monoclinic phase, and similar thermal conductivities of the two phases lead to the higher ZT of the cubic Cu2SnSe3.
The impact of nanomaterial characteristics on inhalation toxicity
Authors: Bierkandt Frank S. , Leibrock Lars , Wagener Sandra , Laux Peter , Luch Andreas
Published: February 2018

During the last few decades, nanotechnology has evolved into a success story, apparent from a steadily increasing number of scientific publications as well as a large number of applications based on engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Its widespread uses suggest a high relevance for consumers, workers and the environment, hence justifying intensive investigations into ENM-related adverse effects as a prerequisite for nano-specific regulations. In particular, the inhalation of airborne ENMs, being assumed to represent the most hazardous type of human exposure to these kinds of particles, needs to be scrutinized. Due to an increased awareness of possible health effects, which have already been seen in the case of ultrafine particles (UFPs), research and regulatory measures have set in to identify and address toxic implications following their almost ubiquitous occurrence. Although ENM properties differ from those of the respective bulk materials, the available assessment protocols are often designed for the latter. Despite the large benefit ensuing from the application of nanotechnology, many issues related to ENM behavior and adverse effects are not fully understood or should be examined anew. The traditional hypothesis that ENMs exhibit different or additional hazards due to their “nano” size has been challenged in recent years and ENM categorization according to their properties and toxicity mechanisms has been proposed instead. This review summarizes the toxicological effects of inhaled ENMs identified to date, elucidating the modes of action which provoke different mechanisms in the respiratory tract and their resulting effects. By linking particular mechanisms and adverse effects to ENM properties, grouping of ENMs based on toxicity-related properties is supposed to facilitate toxicological risk assessment. As intensive studies are still required to identify these “ENM classes”, the need for alternatives to animal studies is evident and advances in cell-based test systems for pulmonary research are presented here. We hope to encourage the ongoing discussion about ENM risks and to advocate the further development and practice of suitable testing and grouping methods.
Self-assembled organic nanorods for dual chemo-photodynamic therapies
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Hu Xiuli , Zheng Xiaohua , Liu Yang , Liu Shi , Yue Ying , Xie Zhigang
Published: February 2018

Organic nanorods prepared by co-assembly of photosensitizer (BDP-I2) and chemical anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX) were evaluated for chemo-photodynamic therapies.
Roll to roll atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced CVD of titania as a step towards the realisation of large area perovskite solar cell technology
Authors: Hodgkinson J. L. , Yates H. M. , Walter A. , Sacchetto D. , Moon S.-J. , Nicolay S.
Published: February 2018

Highly effective TiO2−x electron transport layers produced by continuous atmospheric pressure PECVD achieve efficiency gains in mesoporous perovskite photovoltaic cells.
Clinicians' Guide to Obtaining a Valid Auditory Brainstem Response to Determine Hearing Status: Signal, Noise, and Cross-Checks
Authors: Norrix Linda W. , Velenovsky David
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a powerful tool for making clinical decisions about the presence, degree, and type of hearing loss in individuals in whom behavioral hearing thresholds cannot be obtained or are not reliable. Although the test is objective, interpretation of the results is subjective.

Method

This review provides information about evidence-based criteria, suggested by the 2013 Newborn Hearing Screening Program guidelines, and the use of cross-check methods for making valid interpretations about hearing status from ABR recordings.

Results

The use of an appropriate display scale setting, templates of expected response properties, and objective criteria to estimate the residual noise, signal level, and signal-to-noise ratio will provide quality data for determining ABR thresholds. Cross-checks (e.g., immittance measures, otoacoustic emissions testing, functional indications of a child's hearing) are also needed to accurately interpret the ABR.

Conclusions

Using evidence-based ABR signal detection criteria and considering the results within the context of other physiologic tests and assessments of hearing function will improve the clinician's accuracy for detecting hearing loss and, when present, the degree of hearing loss. Diagnostic accuracy will ensure that appropriate remediation is initiated and that children or infants with normal hearing are not subjected to unnecessary intervention.