bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The minimal flavour violating axion
Authors: Arias-Aragón F. , Merlo L. 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
The solution to the Strong CP problem is analysed within the Minimal Flavour Violation (MFV) context. An Abelian factor of the complete flavour symmetry of the fermionic kinetic terms may play the role of the Peccei-Quinn symmetry in traditional axion models. Its spontaneous breaking, due to the addition of a complex scalar field to the Standard Model scalar spectrum, generates the MFV axion, which may redefine away the QCD theta parameter. It differs from the traditional QCD axion for its couplings that are governed by the fermion charges under the axial Abelian symmetry. It is also distinct from the so-called Axiflavon, as the MFV axion does not describe flavour violation, while it does induce flavour non-universality effects. The MFV axion phenomenology is discussed considering astrophysical, collider and flavour data.
Alterations in inter‐alpha inhibitor protein expression after hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats
Authors: Disdier Clémence , Zhang Jiyong , Fukunaga Yuki , Lim Yow‐Pin , Qiu Joseph , Santoso Andre , Stonestreet Barbara S. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHypoxic‐ischemic (HI) brain injury is frequently associated with premature and/or full‐term birth‐related complications that reflect widespread damage to cerebral cortical structures. Inflammation has been implicated in the long‐term evolution and severity of HI brain injury. Inter‐Alpha Inhibitor Proteins (IAIPs) are immune modulator proteins that are reduced in systemic neonatal inflammatory states. We have shown that endogenous IAIPs are present in neurons, astrocytes and microglia and that exogenous treatment with human plasma purified IAIPs decreases neuronal injury and improves behavioral outcomes in neonatal rats with HI brain injury. In addition, we have shown that endogenous IAIPs are reduced in the brain of the ovine fetus shortly after ischemic injury. However, the effect of HI on changes in circulating and endogenous brain IAIPs has not been examined in neonatal rats. In the current study, we examined changes in endogenous IAIPs in the systemic circulation and brain of neonatal rats after exposure to HI brain injury. Postnatal day 7 rats were exposed to right carotid artery ligation and 8% oxygen for 2 h. Sera were obtained immediately, 3, 12, 24, and 48 h and brains 3 and 24 h after HI. IAIPs levels were determined by a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera and by Western immunoblots in cerebral cortices. Serum IAIPs were decreased 3 h after HI and remained lower than in non‐ischemic rats up to 7 days after HI. IAIP expression increased in the ipsilateral cerebral cortices 24 h after HI brain injury and in the hypoxic contralateral cortices. However, 3 h after hypoxia alone the 250 kDa IAIP moiety was reduced in the contralateral cortices. We speculate that changes in endogenous IAIPs levels in blood and brain represent constituents of endogenous anti‐inflammatory neuroprotective mechanism(s) after HI in neonatal rats.
Radiocarbon Suggests the Hemiparasitic Annual Melampyrum Lineare Desr. May Acquire Carbon from Stressed Hosts
Authors: Nave Lucas E , Heckman Katherine A , Muñoz Alexandra B , Swanston Christopher W 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHemiparasitic plants obtain water and solutes from their hosts, but much remains to be learned about these transfers. We used a forest girdling experiment to investigate how leaf gas exchange, carbon and nitrogen cycling in the root hemiparasite Melampyrum lineare Desr. responded to disturbance and changes in physiology of potential host trees. By preventing belowground C allocation by 35% of the canopy, girdling decreased the starch and soluble sugar contents of bulk forest floor fine roots. Photosynthetic rates of M. lineare were statistically significantly lower in the girdled plot, but their hypothesized drivers (foliar N, stomatal conductance and transpiration) had no statistically significant differences between girdled and non-girdled plots. However, M. lineare in the girdled plot had higher foliar C concentrations and Δ14C than in the control plot, suggesting possible photosynthetic down-regulation in the girdled plot due to influx of older (e.g., host-derived) C into the leaves of M. lineare. Within the girdled plot (but not the control plot), M. lineare foliar C concentrations were positively correlated with foliar Δ14C and δ15N, suggesting that M. lineare may respond to changes in both C and N biogeochemistry during the decline of dominant canopy species.
In vitro anthelmintic and cytotoxic activities of extracts of Persea willdenovii Kosterm (Lauraceae)
Authors: Rosa S.S. Santa , Santos F.O. , Lima H.G. , Reis I.M.A. , Cassiano D.S.A. , Vieira I.J.C. , Braz-Filho R. , Uzeda R.S. , Botura M.B. , Branco A. , Batatinha M.J.M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study describes the effects of extracts and fractions of Persea willdenovii leaves against goat gastrointestinal nematodes and their cytotoxicity on Vero cells. The in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activities of the crude ethanolic, hexane, ethyl acetate (EAE), butanolic and residual hydroethanolic extracts were assessed through the inhibition of egg hatching and larval motility assays. The most active extract (EAE) was then fractionated by chromatography in an open column containing silica gel, to furnish six fractions (Fr1–Fr6), which were also tested. The cytotoxicity of active extracts and fractions was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and trypan blue exclusion assay. The EAE and two fractions (Fr1 and Fr2) showed inhibitory activity in the egg hatching of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in a concentration-dependent manner. The effective concentrations for 50% inhibition (EC50) of egg hatching were 2.3, 0.12 and 2.94 mg/ml for EAE, Fr1 and Fr2, respectively. All extracts and fractions were not effective in inhibiting 50% of motility of infective larvae. EAE and Fr2 had IC50 values (50% inhibitory concentration) of 4.95 and 2.66 mg/ml, respectively. Fr1 showed a slight cytotoxic effect (cellular inviability <30%) only after 48 h of treatment (MTT test). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis showed the presence of six fatty acid ethyl esters, a fatty acid methyl ester and a long-chain ketone in the most active fraction. These constituents identified in P. willdenovii can be related to the high ovicidal activity and relatively non-toxic effect of the extracts.
Multiculturalism, Legal Pluralism and Local Government in Colombia: Indigenous Autonomy and Institutional Embeddedness in Karmata Rúa, Antioquia
Authors: VELASCO MARCELA 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn the 1990s, Colombia decentralised politics and passed multicultural reforms as part of wider strategies to strengthen the state. Multiculturalism produced a complex institutional environment marked by jurisdictional overlap and legal plurality. The literature on Colombia's multiculturalism confirms that violence, indigenous rights abuses and the lack of enabling legislation on indigenous territorial entities limited ethno-political autonomy and instead enhanced the capacity of the state to transform indigenous identity and bureaucratise local decision-making practices. However, some indigenous authorities used the new institutions to take control of communal matters, changing local governments along the way. The better-known case of indigenous self-government is that of the Nasa people in Cauca, characterised by the capture of local institutions to advance ethnic rights. In my study of the Embera Chamí of Karmata Rúa (Antioquia) I argue that they represent an alternative approach centred on institutional embeddedness, or the repetition of ethnic autonomy rules by multiple layers of government.
TAKING PATIENT HETEROGENEITY AND PREFERENCES INTO ACCOUNT IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS
Authors: Kievit Wietske , Tummers Marcia , van Hoorn Ralph , Booth Andrew , Mozygemba Kati , Refolo Pietro , Sacchini Dario , Pfadenhauer Lisa , Gerhardus Ansgar , Van der Wilt Gert Jan 
Published: October 2017

Objectives: The INTEGRATE-HTA project provided methodology to evaluate complex technologies. This study provides guidance on how to retrieve and critically appraise available evidence on moderators and predictors of treatment effects and on patient preferences for treatment outcomes as a source of complexity.Methods: Search filters for PubMed were developed by hand-searching a large volume of articles reporting on relevant aspects. Search terms were retrieved from selected papers and algorithmically combined to find the optimal combination of search terms. For the development of the appraisal checklists literature was searched in PubMed and Google Scholar together with citation chasing. For the CHecklist for the Appraisal of Moderators and Predictors (CHAMP) a Delphi procedure was used to value a set of eligible appraisal criteria retrieved from the literature.Results: Search filters were developed optimized for different accuracy measures. The final version of CHAMP consists of a seventeen questions covering the design, analysis, results and transferability of results of moderator and predictor analysis. The final checklist for appraisal of literature on patient preferences for treatment outcomes consist of six questions meant to help the user to identify relevant quality issues together with a guidance toward existing tools concerning the appraisal of specific preference elicitation methods.Conclusions: Incorporating knowledge on subgroups for whom a specific treatment will produce more benefit holds the promise of better targeting and, ultimately, enhancing overall effectiveness and efficiency of healthcare technology. Finally, incorporating information on preferences for treatment outcomes will foster health technology assessment that addresses outcomes that are important to patients.
Temporal profiles of avalanches on networks
Authors: Gleeson James P. , Durrett Rick 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAn avalanche or cascade occurs when one event causes one or more subsequent events, which in turn may cause further events in a chain reaction. Avalanching dynamics are studied in many disciplines, with a recent focus on average avalanche shapes, i.e., the temporal profiles of avalanches of fixed duration. At the critical point of the dynamics, the rescaled average avalanche shapes for different durations collapse onto a single universal curve. We apply Markov branching process theory to derive an equation governing the average avalanche shape for cascade dynamics on networks. Analysis of the equation at criticality demonstrates that nonsymmetric average avalanche shapes (as observed in some experiments) occur for certain combinations of dynamics and network topology. We give examples using numerical simulations of models for information spreading, neural dynamics, and behavior adoption and we propose simple experimental tests to quantify whether cascading systems are in the critical state.
Quantifying the benefit of a proteome reserve in fluctuating environments
Authors: Mori Matteo , Schink Severin , Erickson David W. , Gerland Ulrich , Hwa Terence 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe overexpression of proteins is a major burden for fast-growing bacteria. Paradoxically, recent characterization of the proteome ofEscherichia colifound many proteins expressed in excess of what appears to be optimal for exponential growth. Here, we quantitatively investigate the possibility that this overexpression constitutes a strategic reserve kept by starving cells to quickly meet demand upon sudden improvement in growth conditions. For cells exposed to repeated famine-and-feast cycles, we derive a simple relation between the duration of feast and the allocation of the ribosomal protein reserve to maximize the overall gain in biomass during the feast.
Optimal coding and neuronal adaptation in economic decisions
Authors: Rustichini Aldo , Conen Katherine E. , Cai Xinying , Padoa-Schioppa Camillo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDuring economic decisions, offer value cells in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) encode the values of offered goods. Furthermore, their tuning functions adapt to the range of values available in any given context. A fundamental and open question is whether range adaptation is behaviorally advantageous. Here we present a theory of optimal coding for economic decisions. We propose that the representation of offer values is optimal if it ensures maximal expected payoff. In this framework, we examine offer value cells in non-human primates. We show that their responses are quasi-linear even when optimal tuning functions are highly non-linear. Most importantly, we demonstrate that for linear tuning functions range adaptation maximizes the expected payoff. Thus value coding in OFC is functionally rigid (linear tuning) but parametrically plastic (range adaptation with optimal gain). Importantly, the benefit of range adaptation outweighs the cost of functional rigidity. While generally suboptimal, linear tuning may facilitate transitive choices.
Room-temperature spontaneous superradiance from single diamond nanocrystals
Authors: Bradac Carlo , Johnsson Mattias T. , Breugel Matthew van , Baragiola Ben Q. , Martin Rochelle , Juan Mathieu L. , Brennen Gavin K. , Volz Thomas 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSuperradiance (SR) is a cooperative phenomenon which occurs when an ensemble of quantum emitters couples collectively to a mode of the electromagnetic field as a single, massive dipole that radiates photons at an enhanced rate. Previous studies on solid-state systems either reported SR from sizeable crystals with at least one spatial dimension much larger than the wavelength of the light and/or only close to liquid-helium temperatures. Here, we report the observation of room-temperature superradiance from single, highly luminescent diamond nanocrystals with spatial dimensions much smaller than the wavelength of light, and each containing a large number (~ 103) of embedded nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres. The results pave the way towards a systematic study of SR in a well-controlled, solid-state quantum system at room temperature.
Systematic proteome and proteostasis profiling in human Trisomy 21 fibroblast cells
Authors: Liu Yansheng , Borel Christelle , Li Li , Müller Torsten , Williams Evan G. , Germain Pierre-Luc , Buljan Marija , Sajic Tatjana , Boersema Paul J. , Shao Wenguang , Faini Marco , Testa Giuseppe , Beyer Andreas , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Aebersold Ruedi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is mostly caused by a trisomy of the entire Chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21, T21). Here, we use SWATH mass spectrometry to quantify protein abundance and protein turnover in fibroblasts from a monozygotic twin pair discordant for T21, and to profile protein expression in 11 unrelated DS individuals and matched controls. The integration of the steady-state and turnover proteomic data indicates that protein-specific degradation of members of stoichiometric complexes is a major determinant of T21 gene dosage outcome, both within and between individuals. This effect is not apparent from genomic and transcriptomic data. The data also reveal that T21 results in extensive proteome remodeling, affecting proteins encoded by all chromosomes. Finally, we find broad, organelle-specific post-transcriptional effects such as significant downregulation of the mitochondrial proteome contributing to T21 hallmarks. Overall, we provide a valuable proteomic resource to understand the origin of DS phenotypic manifestations.
Unraveling 5f-6d hybridization in uranium compounds via spin-resolved L-edge spectroscopy
Authors: dos Reis R. D. , Veiga L. S. I. , Escanhoela C. A. , Lang J. C. , Joly Y. , Gandra F. G. , Haskel D. , Souza-Neto N. M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe multifaceted character of 5f electrons in actinide materials, from localized to itinerant and in between, together with their complex interactions with 6d and other conduction electron states, has thwarted efforts for fully understanding this class of compounds. While theoretical efforts abound, direct experimental probes of relevant electronic states and their hybridization are limited. Here we exploit the presence of sizable quadrupolar and dipolar contributions in the uranium L3-edge X-ray absorption cross section to provide unique information on the extent of spin-polarized hybridization between 5f and 6d electronic states by means of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. As a result, we show how this 5f-6d hybridization regulates the magnetism of each sublattice in UCu2Si2 and UMn2Si2 compounds, demonstrating the potentiality of this methodology to investigate a plethora of magnetic actinide compounds.
Designing broad-spectrum anti-HIV-1 gRNAs to target patient-derived variants
Authors: Dampier Will , Sullivan Neil T. , Chung Cheng-Han , Mell Joshua Chang , Nonnemacher Michael R. , Wigdahl Brian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), including specific guide RNAs (gRNAs), can excise integrated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) provirus from host chromosomes. To date, anti-HIV-1 gRNAs have been designed to account for off-target activity, however, they seldom account for genetic variation in the HIV-1 genome within and between patients, which will be crucial for therapeutic application of this technology. This analysis tests the ability of published anti-HIV-1 gRNAs to cleave publicly available patient-derived HIV-1 sequences to inform gRNA design and provides basic computational tools to researchers in the field.
A versatile, high through-put, bead-based phagocytosis assay for Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Lloyd Yukie M. , Ngati Elise P. , Salanti Ali , Leke Rose G. F. , Taylor Diane W. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAntibody-mediated phagocytosis is an important immune effector mechanism against Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE); however, current phagocytosis assays use IE collected from infected individuals or from in vitro cultures of P. falciparum, making them prone to high variation. A simple, high-throughput flow cytometric assay was developed that uses THP-1 cells and fluorescent beads covalently-coupled with the malarial antigen VAR2CSA. The assay is highly repeatable, provides both the overall percent phagocytosis and semi-quantitates the number of antigen-coupled beads internalized.
Prognostic Value of Lordosis Decrease in Radiographic Adjacent Segment Pathology After Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion
Authors: Liu Yin , Li Na , Wei Wei , Deng Jing , Hu Yuequn , Ye Bin , Wang Wei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWhile cervical lordosis alteration is not uncommon after anterior cervical arthrodesis, its influence on radiological adjacent segment pathology (RASP) is still unclear. Biomechanical changes induced by arthrodesis may contribute to ASP onset. To investigate the correlation between cervical lordosis decrease and RASP onset after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) and to determine its biomechanical effect on adjacent segments after surgery, 80 CSM patients treated with ACCF were retrospectively studied, and a baseline finite element model of the cervical spine as well as post-operation models with normal and decreased lordosis were established and validated. We found that post-operative lordosis decrease was prognostic in predicting RASP onset, with the hazard ratio of 0.45. In the FE models, ROM at the adjacent segment increased after surgery, and the increase was greater in the model with decreased lordosis. Thus, post-operative cervical lordosis change significantly correlated with RASP occurrence, and it may be of prognostic value. The biomechanical changes induced by lordosis change at the adjacent segments after corpectomy may be one of the mechanisms for this phenomenon. Restoring a well lordotic cervical spine after corpectomy may reduce RASP occurrence and be beneficial to long-term surgical outcomes.
Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Al-Rashid Fadi , Bienholz Anja , Hildebrandt Heike Annelie , Patsalis Polycarpos-Christos , Totzeck Matthias , Kribben Andreas , Wendt Daniel , Jakob Heinz , Lind Alexander , Jánosi Rolf Alexander , Rassaf Tienush , Kahlert Philipp 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTranscatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has evolved to a treatment of choice in high-risk patients and is therefore ideal for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, as patients with end-stage renal disease and kidney transplant recipients. Especially, outcome of this special patient group is very important. 22 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 undergoing intermittent hemodialysis treatment (CKD 5D) and 8 kidney transplant recipients (KT) with severe aortic valve stenosis underwent transfemoral TAVI. TAVI was successfully performed in all patients. Postinterventional acute kidney injury (AKI) occurred in four kidney transplant recipients (KDIGO grade 1: n = 3, grade 3: n = 1) but creatinine/eGFR returned to baseline values in all patients. Short-term (30-day) mortality was 3% (1 patient in CKD 5D group). KT had a higher 2-year mortality than CKD5D patients (31% vs. 53%; p = 0.309), and cause of death was non-cardiac because of sepsis in all cases. The amount of contrast medium during TAVI was not associated with the development of acute kidney injury. TAVI is feasible in patients with CKD5D and in KT. Postinterventional AKI in these patients is often mild and does not impact renal function at day 30, while infection/ sepsis is the leading cause of mid-term mortality.
The food-borne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni depends on the AddAB DNA repair system to defend against bile in the intestinal environment
Authors: Gourley Christopher R. , Negretti Nicholas M. , Konkel Michael E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAccurate repair of DNA damage is crucial to ensure genome stability and cell survival of all organisms. Bile functions as a defensive barrier against intestinal colonization by pathogenic microbes. Campylobacter jejuni, a leading bacterial cause of foodborne illness, possess strategies to mitigate the toxic components of bile. We recently found that growth of C. jejuni in medium with deoxycholate, a component of bile, caused DNA damage consistent with the exposure to reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that C. jejuni must repair DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species to restore chromosomal integrity. Our efforts focused on determining the importance of the putative AddAB DNA repair proteins. A C. jejuni addAB mutant demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to deoxycholate and was impaired in DNA double strand break repair. Complementation of the addAB mutant restored resistance to deoxycholate, as well as function of the DNA double strand break repair system. The importance of these findings translated to the natural host, where the AddAB system was found to be required for efficient C. jejuni colonization of the chicken intestine. This research provides new insight into the molecular mechanism utilized by C. jejuni, and possibly other intestinal pathogens, to survive in the presence of bile.