bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal isomerization and water-pore formation in channelrhodopsin-2
Authors: Ardevol Albert , Hummer Gerhard 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is a light-activated membrane ion channel that is widely used in biotechnological applications and optogenetics. Nonetheless, key elements of its structure, photocycle, and mechanism of action remain unresolved. We applied computational modeling and over 14 µs of molecular dynamics simulation to explore the molecular mechanism of photoactivated channel opening. Water emerges as a central player that lubricates the motions of gate residues and opens a water permeable preopen pore. By resolving the early functional dynamics of ChR2, our work also provides a foundation for the design of new variants for optogenetics applications.
Behaviors, movements, and transmission of droplet-mediated respiratory diseases during transcontinental airline flights
Authors: Hertzberg Vicki Stover , Weiss Howard , Elon Lisa , Si Wenpei , Norris Sharon L. ,   The FlyHealthy Research Team, Baker Helen , Brouillette Matthew , Campillo Samantha , Charles Elizabeth , Cohen Megan , Dynes Michelle , Gai Jiaxiang , Gajewski Kimberly , Gordon-Roberts Rachel , Guillen Jose , Fernandez Xavier , Higgins Edith , Hoyte Tiffany , Jabbarzadeh Shirin , Mac Valerie , Matz Lisa , Oliver Carrie , Paul Sudeshna , Plotsky Andrea , Renneker Kristin , Runkle Jennifer , Schaupp Amanda , Semple Marie , Uwillingiyimana Alex , Wang Yuke , Wright Emily , Wright Laura , Wu Hao 
Published: March 2018

Significance
With over 3 billion airline passengers annually, the inflight transmission of infectious diseases is an important global health concern. Over a dozen cases of inflight transmission of serious infections have been documented, and air travel can serve as a conduit for the rapid spread of newly emerging infections and pandemics. Despite sensational media stories, risks of transmission of respiratory viruses in an airplane cabin are unknown. Movements of passengers and crew may facilitate disease transmission. On 10 transcontinental US flights, we chronicled behaviors and movements of individuals in the economy cabin on single-aisle aircraft. We simulated transmission during flight based on these data. This data-driven, dynamic network transmission model of droplet-mediated respiratory disease is unique.
Muscle-tendon length and force affect human tibialis anterior central aponeurosis stiffness in vivo
Authors: Raiteri Brent James , Cresswell Andrew Graham , Lichtwark Glen Anthony 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Muscle-force production and energy consumption are highly dependent on stiffness of the connecting tendinous tissues (tendon and aponeurosis). Although reduced tendinous tissue stiffness favors greater elastic energy recovery, it permits muscle fiber shortening during fixed-end contractions, which is economically unfavorable for force production. Here, we provide in vivo evidence that the longitudinal central aponeurosis stiffness of human tibialis anterior increases not only with force but also with muscle-tendon unit length. Such a mechanism is likely to be beneficial for different movement scenarios for a range of lower limb muscles. These findings are important for interpreting and modeling muscle-force production and energy consumption during movement and understanding muscle and tendon injury mechanics.
Phylogenetic homogenization of amphibian assemblages in human-altered habitats across the globe
Authors: Nowakowski A. Justin , Frishkoff Luke O. , Thompson Michelle E. , Smith Tatiana M. , Todd Brian D. 
Published: March 2018

SignificanceWidespread conversion of natural habitats to human land use creates evolutionarily novel environments and causes declines of native species. Stemming biodiversity loss requires an understanding of why some species persist while others decline in these novel habitats. We analyzed survey data of amphibian species from around the globe to determine whether closely related species respond similarly to habitat conversion. We find that species that persist in converted habitats tend to come from the same clades within the amphibian tree of life and that by favoring these widely distributed clades, habitat conversion leads to nonrandom extirpations and loss of evolutionary history. Our results show that the identity of winners and losers during the Anthropocene can be tightly linked to their evolutionary history.
Live births from artificial insemination of microfluidic-sorted bovine spermatozoa characterized by trajectories correlated with fertility
Authors: Nagata Maria Portia B. , Endo Kenji , Ogata Kazuko , Yamanaka Kenichi , Egashira Junki , Katafuchi Naoto , Yamanouchi Tadayuki , Matsuda Hideo , Goto Yuki , Sakatani Miki , Hojo Takuo , Nishizono Hirofumi , Yotsushima Kenji , Takenouchi Naoki , Hashiyada Yutaka , Yamashita Kenichi 
Published: March 2018

SignificanceIatrogenic failures of assisted reproduction technology could be associated with routine sperm preparation techniques. Limitations of conventional sperm selection methods include the inability to efficiently sort functional spermatozoa and assess sperm fertilization potential. We developed a robust microfluidic sperm sorting system by using a diffuser-type microfluidic sperm sorter device capable of ultrahigh-throughput selection and separation of motile, DNA-intact, and functionally competent sperm. The strategy inclusively targeted the intrinsic traits related to fertility and successfully produced livebirths from low-dose insemination of microfluidic sorted spermatozoa. The fertile subpopulation was identified based on the kinetic and trajectory patterns as the sinuous, transitional cohort. The clinical significance of microfluidic sperm sorting is reflected by the established pregnancy and live births of calves.
Precise Cas9 targeting enables genomic mutation prevention
Authors: Chavez Alejandro , Pruitt Benjamin W. , Tuttle Marcelle , Shapiro Rebecca S. , Cecchi Ryan J. , Winston Jordan , Turczyk Brian M. , Tung Michael , Collins James J. , Church George M. 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Single-base substitutions are capable of producing transformative phenotypic changes. While methods to classify such mutations are well established, it is difficult to modulate or preclude their occurrence in a direct and efficacious manner. In this study, we refine the specificity of the CRISPR-Cas9 system and present a general framework for proactively preventing the occurrence of point mutations. This “mutation prevention system” is a broadly useful tool for the study and control of DNA substitutions, particularly in contexts where an associated phenotype or evolutionary pathway is undesirable.
Inequality and redistribution behavior in a give-or-take game
Authors: Bechtel Michael M. , Liesch Roman , Scheve Kenneth F. 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Why has economic inequality risen dramatically over the past few decades even in democracies where individuals could vote for more redistribution? We experimentally study how individuals respond to inequality and find that subjects generally take from richer and give to poorer individuals. However, this behavior removes only a fraction of inequality. Moreover, individuals who give to those who are poorer are generally not the same individuals who also take from others who are richer. These results offer an explanation for the absence of policy interventions that could effectively counter rising differences in wealth: Voters are divided on how to react to inequality in ways that make it difficult to build majority coalitions willing to back political redistribution.
Primary processes in the bacterial reaction center probed by two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy
Authors: Niedringhaus Andrew , Policht Veronica R. , Sechrist Riley , Konar Arkaprabha , Laible Philip D. , Bocian David F. , Holten Dewey , Kirmaier Christine , Ogilvie Jennifer P. 
Published: March 2018

SignificanceThe remarkable near-unity quantum efficiency of photosynthetic charge separation has motivated decades of research to uncover the underlying design principles. Much of our current understanding of photosynthetic charge separation is rooted in studies of the bacterial reaction center (BRC). We present two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy of the BRC as it undergoes charge separation, resolving the energy-transfer and charge-separation processes with time and excitation frequency resolution. These measurements reveal the excitonic structure of the BRC, including a previously hidden exciton state. We present a multiexcitation 2D global analysis method that supports two-step sequential charge separation in the BRC without evidence for secondary charge separation pathways. We extract the spectral signatures of the charge-separation intermediates.
Secondary exchanges with Japan
Authors: Marriott Helen , Enomoto Sanae 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper outlines the principal features which characterise secondary level student exchange programs with Japan, especially those relating to the home and school settings. Some of the main outcomes and gains from student exchanges, specifically, socio-psychological gains, cultural enrichment and gains in communicative competence are briefly described. The data are drawn from various sources, but principally from oral interviews in Japanese with a sample of 19 former exchange students, background interviews in English with some of these students, and a large national survey completed by 566 returned exchange students. All the evidence suggests that outstanding gains are derived from an exchange experience. With regard to communication, the exchange students make rapid progress with listening and speaking Japanese, even if some linguistic or sociolinguistic features are not acquired or are not acquired properly. As in-country experience for secondary or tertiary students constitutes a vital part of a LOTE program, more in-depth research in this area is recommended.
A learner-centred foreign language curriculum for a large, diverse group of students? yes, it is possible
Authors: Thomson Chihiro Kinoshita 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In the reality of learner diversity and large enrolment, how can we effectively deliver a foreign language curriculum that is learner-centred and communicatively-based, and that fosters learner autonomy? This paper proposes a curriculum innovation in which a curriculum holds two major components: one of self-directed learning project and the other of any syllabus type of one’s choice. The paper describes and discusses a case study, which is a trial of the proposed curriculum, then further makes recommendations for successful implementation of such a curriculum. The project section of the proposed curriculum has four stages: the introduction stage where the concepts and benefit of the project are introduced to learners; the planning stage where the learners draw learning contracts; the monitoring stage where the learners monitor and modify their learning; and the assessment stage where the learners assess their own performance in accordance with their learning contracts.
Pronunciation problems of Australian students learning Korean
Authors: Kim Chong-Woon , Park See-Gyoon 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
For the majority of Australian students learning Korean the intervocalically placed Korean liquid consonant is one of the most persistent and prevailing pronunciation problems. An auditory phonetic analysis of the spoken data produced by Australian students learning Korean indicates that the pronunciation problem is most likely to be caused by L1 transfer, the sub-phonemic nature of the Korean flapping rule together with the morphophonemic and syllable based characteristics of the Korean orthography. Current teaching practice and students’ learning strategy may also play a crucial role in the non-learning of the pronunciation of the intervoalically placed Korean liquid consonant.
Handling neologisms in teaching and learning modern standard Chinese
Authors: Sawer Michael 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis article examines neologisms coined in Modern Standard Chinese since 1978, and particularly since the mid 1980’s. The neologisms discussed were collected during recent fieldwork in Beijing: through spoken interviews, from the media, and from recent secondary sources. The article focuses on three main strategies that can be used to handle neologisms in teaching and learning Modern Standard Chinese: analysing the methods whereby recent neologisms have been formed; identifying the most common initial and concluding elements in recent neologisms; and considering the various ways in which neologisms are nowadays signalled within texts.
Multiple instructions in communicative language teaching
Authors: Zhong Yong , Low Francis R. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Chinese language teaching in Australia is characterised by the communicative approach emphasising interactive activities like role-plays. However, we observed that communicative learning is not always practised to the desired extent. Based on Strauss and Corbin’s (1990) grounded theory model of qualitative research methodology, an investigation involving seventeen upper level students at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) was undertaken to identify obstacles impeding communicative learning. One of the major problems identified in the present study is the use of multiple instructions by some Chinese language instructors and Chinese text-books which contradicts the philosophy of communicative teaching. The themes arising from the data analysis formed the frame of the present article which discusses types of problem instructions, their effects on students trying to complete communicative activities and students’ management of them. The study concludes with a suggestion that multiple instructions be improved in structure and delivery mode in order to make language learning more achievable.
A contrastive analysis of vocabulary teaching Australian and Chinese university settings
Authors: Zhenya Wang 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Vocabulary learning is an aspect of language learning. However, in language classrooms vocabulary teaching can be practiced in different ways in different contexts. This paper first describes and compares vocabulary teaching at BUAA (the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and CUT (Curtin University of Technology) in Australia and then examines the causes of the methodological differences found in vocabulary teaching in these two educational institutions. In these two universities, methodological differences exist in vocabulary teaching at the levels of both formal instruction and classroom interaction. In the formal instruction of vocabulary teaching, these two universities exhibit different characteristics at the presentation, repetition and exploitation stages. The contrast between foreign and second language teaching, the cultural and educational contexts in which the target language is taught, the way in which the learners’ first language is learned, the linguistic distance between the learner’s native and target languages, and learner and teacher characteristics cause to a greater or lesser extent the methodological differences observed in vocabulary teaching in the two universities in question.
Land use change on climate parameters at Samin subwatershed in Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: Sutarno  , Komariah  , Gunawan T , Purnomo D , Suntoro  
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Samin sub-watershed (SSW) is one of the critical watersheds in Indonesia which need conservation. The identification of land-use/land-cover changes (LUCC) can help in deciding the priority of conservation areas as well as limiting the widespread of critical lands in the watershed, which can contribute to climate change. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of land use change on climate parameters, i.e. precipitation, air temperature and relative air humidity. The method is by using the descriptive explorative. The study employed Indonesian topographic map and Landsat's imageries of 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016. The climate data from 1996 to 2016 were obtained from surroundings weather station. Data were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) and SPSS. The results showed that land use was dominated by rice fields 22,552.83 ha (69.20%), and converted to non-agricultural lands 165.05 hectares/year for the last 20 years. Forest area decreased 65.8 ha/year, and settlement (housing and industrial estates) increased 253.87 ha/year (11.07%). The statistical analysis resulted in a negative relationship between forest area and air temperature and, but no significant correlation with rainfall.
A 10-Year Immunopersistence Study of Hepatitis E Antibodies in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Kmush Brittany L , Zaman Khalequ , Yunus Mohammed , Saha Parimalendu , Nelson Kenrad E , Labrique Alain B 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in Southeast Asia. Several studies have suggested that antibody persistence after HEV infection may be transient, possibly increasing the risk of reinfection and contributing to the frequency of outbreaks in HEV-endemic regions. The specific conditions under which antibodies to HEV are lost, or “seroreversion” occurs, are poorly understood. Here, 100 participants from population-based studies in rural Bangladesh were revisited in 2015, 10 years after a documented HEV infection, to examine long-term antibody persistence. Twenty percent (95% confidence interval: 12.0, 28.0) of the participants no longer had detectable antibodies at follow-up, suggesting that antibodies generally persist for at least a decade after infection in rural Bangladesh. Persons who were seronegative at follow-up were generally younger at infection than those who remained positive (14.4 years vs. 33.6 years; P &lt; 0.0001). This age-dependent antibody loss could partially explain cross-sectional seroprevalence data from Southeast Asia, where children have reportedly low antibody prevalence. The results of this study provide new insight into the immunological persistence of HEV infection in a micronutrient-deficient rural population of South Asia, highlighting the importance of age at infection in the ability to produce long-lasting antibodies against HEV.
A Real-world Patient Registry for Oritavancin Demonstrates Efficacy and Safety Consistent With the Phase 3 SOLO Program
Authors: Redell Mark , Moeck Greg , Lucasti Christopher , Durso Stephanie , Kennedy Cynthia , Fusaro Karen , Loutit Jeff , Dudley Michael 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
Oritavancin is a lipoglycopeptide used in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) in adults. To characterize its use in patients in the postapproval setting, a patient registry was developed.

Methods
Data collected in an ongoing retrospective observational registry are used to evaluate the utilization, outcomes, and adverse events (AEs) associated with oritavancin for the treatment of infections presumed or confirmed to be caused by gram-positive (GP) bacteria in clinical practice.

Results
Data for 112 patients from 8 sites were collected. All patients received a single 1200-mg dose of oritavancin mostly in an infusion center. Infection type included cellulitis (67.0%), cutaneous abscess (21.4%), and wound (4.5%). Most patients (72.3%) received 1 or more antimicrobial agents for the index GP infection within 28 days prior to oritavancin treatment. Of positive cultures obtained prior to oritavancin administration, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant pathogen (78.4%). A positive clinical response was observed in 92.8% of patients, and microbial eradication was observed in 90.0% of patients with post-therapy cultures. Within 28 days following oritavancin administration, 4 (3.6%) patients were hospitalized for failure of treatment of the index infection. Five (4.5%) patients experienced 1 or more possible drug-related AEs, which were consistent with types previously reported. There were no drug-related serious AEs reported.

Conclusions
Clinical and microbiologic outcomes and safety of single-dose oritavancin 1200 mg were similar in this older patient population with multiple comorbid conditions to those observed in the phase 3 SOLO trials.
Hilbert’s sixth problem: between the foundations of geometry and the axiomatization of physics
Authors: Corry Leo 
Published: March 2018

The sixth of Hilbert’s famous 1900 list of 23 problems was a programmatic call for the axiomatization of the physical sciences. It was naturally and organically rooted at the core of Hilbert’s conception of what axiomatization is all about. In fact, the axiomatic method which he applied at the turn of the twentieth century in his famous work on the foundations of geometry originated in a preoccupation with foundational questions related with empirical science in general. Indeed, far from a purely formal conception, Hilbert counted geometry among the sciences with strong empirical content, closely related to other branches of physics and deserving a treatment similar to that reserved for the latter. In this treatment, the axiomatization project was meant to play, in his view, a crucial role. Curiously, and contrary to a once-prevalent view, from all the problems in the list, the sixth is the only one that continually engaged Hilbet’s efforts over a very long period of time, at least between 1894 and 1932.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Hilbert’s sixth problem’.
Hilbert’s sixth problem and the failure of the Boltzmann to Euler limit
Authors: Slemrod Marshall 
Published: March 2018

This paper addresses the main issue of Hilbert’s sixth problem, namely the rigorous passage of solutions to the mesoscopic Boltzmann equation to macroscopic solutions of the Euler equations of compressible gas dynamics. The results of the paper are that (i) in general Hilbert’s program will fail because of the appearance of van der Waals–Korteweg capillarity terms in a macroscopic description of motion of a gas, and (ii) the van der Waals–Korteweg theory itself might satisfy Hilbert’s quest for a map from the ‘atomistic view’ to the laws of motion of continua.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Hilbert’s sixth problem’.