bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Logic of “Offstage” Signaling: Domestic Politics, Regime Type, and Major Power-Protégé Relations
Authors: McManus Roseanne W. , Yarhi-Milo Keren 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper explores the question of how major powers signal support for their protégés. We develop a theory that explains why major powers show support for some protégés using highly visible “frontstage” signals of support, while supporting other protégés through less visible, but nonetheless costly, “offstage” signals. From an international strategic perspective, it is puzzling that major powers do not always send the most visible signal possible. We argue that this can be explained by considering the domestic environments in which the leaders of major powers and protégés operate. Focusing particularly on the United States as we develop our theory, we argue that the US will prefer to send offstage signals of support for more autocratic protégés for several reasons. First, sending frontstage support signals for autocracies would expose US leaders to charges of hypocrisy. Second, frontstage signals of support for autocracies face an impediment to credibility because of the public backlash in the United States that overt support for dictators could generate. Third, many autocratic protégés would be reluctant to accept a frontstage signal of support from the US because it could undermine their regime stability. We test our theory in a data set that records various support signals sent by the United States for other countries between 1950 and 2008, finding strong support for our expectations. We also find evidence of the causal mechanisms posited by our theory in a case study of relations between the US and the Shah's Iran.
FIRE AND HEAT: YAḤYĀ B. ʿADĪ AND AVICENNA ON THE ESSENTIALITY OF BEING SUBSTANCE OR ACCIDENT
Authors: Benevich Fedor 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAvicenna's analysis of the definition of substance and accident repeatedly emphasizes two points: one and the same essence cannot be substance in one instance and accident in another; whetherxis extrinsic or intrinsic for an underlying subject,ydoes not tell us anything as to whetherxis substance or not. Both points are development in an argument against certain unnamed people who claimed the opposite. In this article I will show that Avicenna's opponents are to be identified with the mainstream Baghdad Peripatetic School (Ibn Suwār, Ibn al-Ṭayyib) which based itself on the Late Antique rule that “parts of substances are substances”. As for Avicenna's own position, it was developed on the basis of the heterodox position of Yaḥyā b. ʿAdī, who anticipated Avicenna's first point. This is a further piece of evidence for something that has only recently begun to be appreciated: the influence of Ibn ʿAdī on Avicenna.
Anomalous Dirac point transport due to extended defects in bilayer graphene
Authors: Shallcross Sam , Sharma Sangeeta , Weber Heiko B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCharge transport at the Dirac point in bilayer graphene exhibits two dramatically different transport states, insulating and metallic, that occur in apparently otherwise indistinguishable experimental samples. We demonstrate that the existence of these two transport states has its origin in an interplay between evanescent modes, that dominate charge transport near the Dirac point, and disordered configurations of extended defects in the form of partial dislocations. In a large ensemble of bilayer systems with randomly positioned partial dislocations, the distribution of conductivities is found to be strongly peaked at both the insulating and metallic limits. We argue that this distribution form, that occurs only at the Dirac point, lies at the heart of the observation of both metallic and insulating states in bilayer graphene.
Interfacial charge distributions in carbon-supported palladium catalysts
Authors: Rao Radhika G. , Blume Raoul , Hansen Thomas W. , Fuentes Erika , Dreyer Kathleen , Moldovan Simona , Ersen Ovidiu , Hibbitts David D. , Chabal Yves J. , Schlögl Robert , Tessonnier Jean-Philippe 
Published: August 2017

AbstractControlling the charge transfer between a semiconducting catalyst carrier and the supported transition metal active phase represents an elite strategy for fine turning the electronic structure of the catalytic centers, hence their activity and selectivity. These phenomena have been theoretically and experimentally elucidated for oxide supports but remain poorly understood for carbons due to their complex nanoscale structure. Here, we combine advanced spectroscopy and microscopy on model Pd/C samples to decouple the electronic and surface chemistry effects on catalytic performance. Our investigations reveal trends between the charge distribution at the palladium–carbon interface and the metal’s selectivity for hydrogenation of multifunctional chemicals. These electronic effects are strong enough to affect the performance of large (~5 nm) Pd particles. Our results also demonstrate how simple thermal treatments can be used to tune the interfacial charge distribution, hereby providing a strategy to rationally design carbon-supported catalysts.
Biodegradable elastic nanofibrous platforms with integrated flexible heaters for on-demand drug delivery
Authors: Tamayol Ali , Hassani Najafabadi Alireza , Mostafalu Pooria , Yetisen Ali K. , Commotto Mattia , Aldhahri Musab , Abdel-wahab Mohamed Shaaban , Najafabadi Zeynab Izadi , Latifi Shahrzad , Akbari Mohsen , Annabi Nasim , Yun Seok Hyun , Memic Adnan , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Khademhosseini Ali 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDelivery of drugs with controlled temporal profiles is essential for wound treatment and regenerative medicine applications. For example, bacterial infection is a key challenge in the treatment of chronic and deep wounds. Current treatment strategies are based on systemic administration of high doses of antibiotics, which result in side effects and drug resistance. On-demand delivery of drugs with controlled temporal profile is highly desirable. Here, we have developed thermally controllable, antibiotic-releasing nanofibrous sheets. Poly(glycerol sebacate)- poly(caprolactone) (PGS-PCL) blends were electrospun to form elastic polymeric sheets with fiber diameters ranging from 350 to 1100 nm and substrates with a tensile modulus of approximately 4-8 MPa. A bioresorbable metallic heater was patterned directly on the nanofibrous substrate for applying thermal stimulation to release antibiotics on-demand. In vitro studies confirmed the platform’s biocompatibility and biodegradability. The released antibiotics were potent against tested bacterial strains. These results may pave the path toward developing electronically controllable wound dressings that can deliver drugs with desired temporal patterns.
Changes in the intestinal microbiota following the administration of azithromycin in a randomised placebo-controlled trial among infants in south India
Authors: Parker Edward P. K. , Praharaj Ira , John Jacob , Kaliappan Saravanakumar Puthupalayam , Kampmann Beate , Kang Gagandeep , Grassly Nicholas C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMacrolides are among the most widely prescribed antibiotics worldwide. However, their impact on the gut’s bacterial microbiota remains uncertain. We characterised the intestinal microbiota in 6–11 month-old infants in India who received a 3-day course of azithromycin or placebo during a randomised trial of oral poliovirus vaccine immunogenicity (CTRI/2014/05/004588). In 60 infants per study arm, we sequenced the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene in stool samples collected before and 12 days after finishing treatment. We also tested for the presence of common bacterial, viral, and eukaryotic enteropathogens in the same samples using real-time PCR in a Taqman array card (TAC) format. Azithromycin induced a modest decline in microbiota richness and a shift in taxonomic composition driven by a reduction in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia (specificallyAkkermansia muciniphila). The former phylum includes pathogenic strains ofEscherichia coliandCampylobacterspp. that declined in prevalence based on the TAC assay. These findings differ from previous observations among older children and adults in Europe and North America, suggesting that the effects of azithromycin on the bacterial microbiota may be specific to the age and geographic setting of its recipients.
Homozygous p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 is associated with a new type of hypercholanemia and implications for personalized medicine
Authors: Liu Ruihong , Chen Chuming , Xia Xuefeng , Liao Qijun , Wang Qiong , Newcombe Paul J. , Xu Shuhua , Chen Minghui , Ding Yue , Li Xiaoying , Liao Zhihong , Li Fucheng , Du Minlian , Huang Huaiqiu , Dong Ruimin , Deng Weiping , Wang Ye , Zeng Binghui , Pan Qihao , Jiang Danhua , Zeng Hao , Sham Pak , Cao Yingnan , Maxwell Patrick H. , Gao Zhi-liang , Peng Liang , Wang Yiming 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSLC10A1 codes for the sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), which is a hepatocellular transporter for bile acids (BAs) and the receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. NTCP is also a target of multiple drugs. We aimed to evaluate the medical consequences of the loss of function mutation p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1. We identified eight individuals with homozygous p.Ser267Phe mutation in SLC10A1 and followed up for 8–90 months. We compared their total serum BAs and 6 species of BAs with 170 wild-type and 107 heterozygous healthy individuals. We performed in-depth medical examinations and exome sequencing in the homozygous individuals. All homozygous individuals had persistent hypercholanemia (P = 5.8 × 10–29). Exome sequencing excluded the involvement of other BA metabolism-associated genes in the hypercholanemia. Although asymptomatic, all individuals had low vitamin D levels. Of six adults that were subjected to bone mineral density analysis, three presented with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Sex hormones and blood lipids were deviated in all subjects. Homozygosity of p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 is associated with asymptomatic hypercholanemia. Individuals with homozygous p.Ser267Phe in SLC10A1 are prone to vitamin D deficiency, deviated sex hormones and blood lipids. Surveillance of these parameters may also be needed in patients treated with drugs targeting NTCP.
Elucidation of the molecular responses to waterlogging in Sesbania cannabina roots by transcriptome profiling
Authors: Ren Cheng-Gang , Kong Cun-Cui , Yan Kun , Zhang Hua , Luo Yong-Ming , Xie Zhi-Hong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSesbania cannabina, a multipurpose leguminous crop, is highly resistant to waterlogging stress. However, the scant genomic resources in the genus Sesbania have greatly hindered further exploration of the mechanisms underlying its waterlogging tolerance. Here, the genetic basis of flooding tolerance in S. cannabina was examined by transcriptome-wide gene expression changes using RNA-Seq in seedlings exposed to short-term (3 h) and long-term (27 h) waterlogging. After de- novo assembly, 213990 unigenes were identified, of which 145162 (79.6%) were annotated. Gene Ontology and pathway enrichment analyses revealed that the glycolysis and fermentation pathways were stimulated to produce ATP under hypoxic stress conditions. Energy-consuming biosynthetic processes were dramatically repressed by short and long term waterlogging, while amino acid metabolism was greatly induced to maintain ATP levels. The expression pattern of 10 unigenes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism revealed by qRT-PCR confirmed the RNA-Seq data. The present study is a large-scale assessment of genomic resources of Sesbania and provides guidelines for probing the molecular mechanisms underlying S. cannabina waterlogging tolerance.
Duality and quantum state engineering in cavity arrays
Authors: Meher Nilakantha , Sivakumar S. , Panigrahi Prasanta K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA system of two coupled cavities with N − 1 photons is shown to be dynamically equivalent to an array of N coupled cavities containing one photon. Every transition in the two cavity system has a dual phenomenon in terms of photon transport in the cavity array. This duality is employed to arrive at the required coupling strengths and nonlinearities in the cavity array so that controlled photon transfer is possible between any two cavities. This transfer of photons between two of the cavities in the array is effected without populating the other cavities. The condition for perfect transport enables perfect state transfer between any two cavities in the array. Further, possibility of high fidelity generation of generalized NOON states in two coupled cavities, which are dual to the Bell states of the photon in the cavity array, is established.
Residual Risk Factors to Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Lin Fang-Ju , Tseng Wei-Kung , Yin Wei-Hsian , Yeh Hung-I , Chen Jaw-Wen , Wu Chau-Chung 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA prospective observational study was conducted to investigate the residual risk factors to predict recurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients with a high prevalence under lipid-lowering therapy, particularly in the subpopulations of diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. A total of 5,483 adults (with a mean age of 66.4 and 73.3% male) with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral artery disease were identified from the T-SPARCLE multi-center registry. Of them, 38.6% had diabetes. The residual risk factors for MACE are divergent in these atherosclerotic patients with and without diabetes. In diabetic subpopulation, the risk of MACE was significantly increased with heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4–5 (vs. stage 1–2), without beta blocker use, and higher non-HDL-C, after controlling for covariates including statin use and the intensity of therapy. Increased LDL-C and TG levels were also associated with increased risk, but to a much less extent. Among nondiabetic individuals, HF, CKD stage 4–5, and history of myocardial infarction were the significant independent predictors of MACE. It is suggested that ASCVD patients with concomitant diabetes need stricter control of lipid, particularly non-HDL-C levels, to reduce cardiovascular risk when on statin therapy.
iNOS promotes hypothalamic insulin resistance associated with deregulation of energy balance and obesity in rodents
Authors: Katashima Carlos Kiyoshi , Silva Vagner Ramon Rodrigues , Lenhare Luciene , Marin Rodrigo Miguel , Carvalheira José Barreto Campello 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInducible nitric oxide (iNOS)-mediated S-nitrosation of the metabolic signaling pathway has emerged as a post-translational modification that triggers insulin resistance in obesity and aging. However, the effects of S-nitrosation in controlling energy homeostasis are unknown. Thus, in the present study we aimed to evaluate the effects of S-nitrosation in insulin signaling pathway in the hypothalamus of rodents. Herein, we demonstrated that the intracerebroventricular infusion of the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) promoted hypothalamic insulin signaling resistance and replicated the food intake pattern of obese individuals. Indeed, obesity induced S-nitrosation of hypothalamic IR and Akt, whereas inhibition of iNOS or S-nitrosation of insulin signaling pathway protected against hypothalamic insulin resistance and normalized energy homeostasis. Overall, these findings indicated that S-nitrosation of insulin signaling pathway is required to sustain hypothalamic insulin resistance in obesity.
Brain plasticity following MI-BCI training combined with tDCS in a randomized trial in chronic subcortical stroke subjects: a preliminary study
Authors: Hong Xin , Lu Zhong Kang , Teh Irvin , Nasrallah Fatima Ali , Teo Wei Peng , Ang Kai Keng , Phua Kok Soon , Guan Cuntai , Chew Effie , Chuang Kai-Hsiang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBrain-computer interface-assisted motor imagery (MI-BCI) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used in stroke rehabilitation, though their combinatory effect is unknown. We investigated brain plasticity following a combined MI-BCI and tDCS intervention in chronic subcortical stroke patients with unilateral upper limb disability. Nineteen patients were randomized into tDCS and sham-tDCS groups. Diffusion and perfusion MRI, and transcranial magnetic stimulation were used to study structural connectivity, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and corticospinal excitability, respectively, before and 4 weeks after the 2-week intervention. After quality control, thirteen subjects were included in the CBF analysis. Eleven healthy controls underwent 2 sessions of MRI for reproducibility study. Whereas motor performance showed comparable improvement, long-lasting neuroplasticity can only be detected in the tDCS group, where white matter integrity in the ipsilesional corticospinal tract and bilateral corpus callosum was increased but sensorimotor CBF was decreased, particularly in the ipsilesional side. CBF change in the bilateral parietal cortices also correlated with motor function improvement, consistent with the increased white matter integrity in the corpus callosum connecting these regions, suggesting an involvement of interhemispheric interaction. The preliminary results indicate that tDCS may facilitate neuroplasticity and suggest the potential for refining rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients.
Differential responsiveness of MET inhibition in non-small-cell lung cancer with altered CBL
Authors: Tan Yi-Hung Carol , Mirzapoiazova Tamara , Won Brian M. , Zhu Li , Srivastava Minu K. , Vokes Everett E. , Husain Aliya N. , Batra Surinder K. , Sharma Sherven , Salgia Ravi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCasitas B-lineage lymphoma (CBL) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase and a molecule of adaptor that we have shown is important for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated if MET is a target of CBL and if enhanced in CBL-altered NSCLC. We showed that CBL wildtype cells have lower MET expression than CBL mutant cells. Ubiquitination of MET was also decreased in CBL mutant cells compared to wildtype cells. Mutant cells were also more sensitive to MET inhibitor SU11274 than wild-type cells. sh-RNA-mediated knockdown of CBL enhanced cell motility and colony formation in NSCLC cells, and these activities were inhibited by SU11274. Assessment of the phospho-kinome showed decreased phosphorylation of pathways involving MET, paxillin, EPHA2, and VEGFR. When CBL was knocked down in the mutant cell line H1975 (erlotinib-resistant), it became sensitive to MET inhibition. Our findings suggest that CBL status is a potential positive indicator for MET-targeted therapeutics in NSCLC.
Evolution of regular geometrical shapes in fiber lumens
Authors: Le Ngoc Lieu , Kim Dooli , Nunes Suzana P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe geometry of polymeric hollow fibers for hemodialysis or desalination is a key factor determining their performance. Deformations are frequently observed, but they are rather random. Here we were able to exactly control the shape evolution of the internal channels or lumens of polymeric hollow fibers, leading to polygonal geometries with increasing number of sides. The elasticity of the incipient channel skin and instabilities during fiber formation are affected by the internal coagulant fluid composition and flow rate; and highly influence the polygonal shape. We propose a holistic explanation by analyzing the thermodynamic, kinetic and rheological aspects involved in the skin formation and their synergy.
Topological superconductors from one-dimensional periodically modulated Majorana chains
Authors: Lin Yang , Hao Weichang , Wang Mei , Qian Jianqiang , Guo Huaiming 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBy analogy to the topological models of fermions in one-dimensional periodically modulated lattices, we provide a systematic method to construct topological superconductors in BDI class. We then create superlattices of Majorana fermions to interpolate several Majorana chains, and realize topological superconductors with arbitrary winding numbers. Two kinds of chiral symmetries are identified in the systems with multiple chains. Of the two winding numbers associated to the chiral symmetries, one counts the number of zero-energy modes, while the other counts the difference of the numbers of α- and β-type Majorana zero states. We also show that one α- and one β-type Majorana zero modes collapse into fractional charged zero states when they are spatially intertwined. In the systems with odd number of chains, it induces topological superconductors with coexistence of fractional charged zero states and Majorana zero states. Finally by introducing symmetry breaking term, we present an intuitive explanation of the Z2 nature of the topological invariant in the D class.
The role of transparency cues in afterimage color perception
Authors: On Zhi Xiang , van Boxtel Jeroen J. A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecent evidence has shown that afterimage perception and completion are amenable to contextual information. It has previously been shown that placing an outline around part of the afterimage can induce colors in areas that were uncolored. A thorough explanation of this effect is lacking, although this color completion was thought to be due to a diffusion-like filling-in of the uncolored patch with colors of the surrounding areas. Here, we show that an important step in visual completion is the decomposition of the visual scene into different depth layers, i.e. scission, which, we show, is guided by transparency cues in the van Lier et al. study. In three experiments, we show that when decomposition is prevented, color completion does not occur. We also show that this decomposition can induce color completion in real images. These results demonstrate that transparency information plays an important role in determining visual color completion processes.
Genetic basis of mycotoxin susceptibility differences between budding yeast isolates
Authors: Quispe Xtopher , Tapia Sebastián M. , Villarroel Carlos , Oporto Christian , Abarca Valentina , García Verónica , Martínez Claudio , Cubillos Francisco A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMicophenolic acid (MPA) is an immunosuppressant mycotoxin which impairs yeast cell growth to variable degrees depending on the genetic background. Such variation could have emerged from several phenomena, including MPA gene resistance mutations and variations in copy number and localisation of resistance genes. To test this, we evaluated MPA susceptibility in fourS. cerevisiaeisolates and genetically dissected variation through the identification of Quantitative Trait Loci. Via linkage analysis we identified six QTLs, majority of which were located within subtelomeres and co-localised withIMD2, an inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase previously identified underlying MPA drug resistance in yeast cells. From chromosome end disruption and bioinformatics analysis, it was found that the subtelomere localisation ofIMD2within chromosome ends is variable depending on the strain, demonstrating the influence ofIMD2on the natural variation in yeast MPA susceptibility. Furthermore, GxE gene expression analysis of strains exhibiting opposite phenotypes indicated that ribosome biogenesis, RNA transport, and purine biosynthesis were impaired in strains most susceptible to MPA toxicity. Our results demonstrate that natural variation can be exploited to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying mycotoxin susceptibility in eukaryote cells and demonstrate the role of subtelomeric regions in mediating interactions with the environment.