bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modification of the Surgical Strategy for the Dissection of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Using Continuous Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring
Authors: Marin Arteaga Andres , Peloni Giuseppe , Leuchter Igor , Bedat Benoit , Karenovics Wolfram , Triponez Frederic , Sadowski Samira Mercedes 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to describe first experiences and changes in management using continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (C‐IONM) in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.MethodRetrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery with C‐IONM since 2012. Surgical maneuvers were modified when electrophysiologic events occurred. Patients with persistent loss of signal (LOS) underwent postoperative laryngoscopy.ResultsOne hundred and one patients (of 1586 neck surgeries) were included and 19 had events: In 13 these were temporary (resolved before end of surgery) and led to intraoperative modifications in surgical approach; in all cases traction was released, and in 8, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) approach was changed [superior approach (2), inferior approach (2), both (4)]. Six patients had persistent LOS (5.9%, present at end of procedure), with RLN palsy (RLNP) on postoperative day 1: In three, LOS occurred at electrode placement on the vagus nerve, leading to distal placement of the electrode allowing ipsilateral dissection under continuous monitoring; all three had complete recovery at 6 months. In the three other patients, LOS occurred on the RLN: one probable thermal, one traction lesion and one accidental section of the anterior RLN branch. The RLN recovered within 6 months in two patients, and in the third, RLNP persisted after 6 months (1/101 = 1%).ConclusionC‐IONM provides real‐time evaluation of the RLN function, allowing for adaptation of surgical maneuvers to prevent RLNP. It seems particularly useful in difficult cases like redo neck surgery, invasive thyroid cancer and intrathoracic or large goiter. Care should be given at electrode placement on the vagus nerve.
Globalizing Genomics: The Origins of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration
Authors: Stevens Hallam 
Published: October 2017

AbstractGenomics is increasingly considered a global enterprise – the fact that biological information can flow rapidly around the planet is taken to be important to what genomics is and what it can achieve. However, the large-scale international circulation of nucleotide sequence information did not begin with the Human Genome Project. Efforts to formalize and institutionalize the circulation of sequence information emerged concurrently with the development of centralized facilities for collecting that information. That is, the very first databases build for collecting and sharing DNA sequence information were, from their outset, international collaborative enterprises. This paper describes the origins of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration between GenBank in the United States, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory Databank, and the DNA Database of Japan. The technical and social groundwork for the international exchange of nucleotide sequences created the conditions of possibility for imagining nucleotide sequences (and subsequently genomes) as a “global” objects. The “transnationalism” of nucleotide sequence was critical to their ontology – what DNA sequences came to be during the Human Genome Project was deeply influenced by international exchange.
When to consider boosting: some rules for policy-makers
Authors: HERTWIG RALPH 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn recent years, public officials have shown a growing interest in using evidence from the behavioural sciences to promote policy goals. Much of the discussion of behaviourally informed approaches has focused on ‘nudges’; that is, non-fiscal and non-regulatory interventions that steer (nudge) people in a specific direction while preserving choice. Less attention has been paid to boosts, an alternative evidence-based class of non-fiscal and non-regulatory intervention. The goal of boosts is to make it easier for people to exercise their own agency in making choices. For instance, when people are at risk of making poor health, medical or financial choices, the policy-maker – rather than steering behaviour through nudging – can take action to foster or boost individuals’ own decision-making competences. Boosts range from interventions that require little time and cognitive effort on the individual's part to ones that require substantial amounts of training, effort and motivation. This article outlines six rules that policy-makers can apply in order to determine under which conditions boosts, relative to nudges, are the preferable form of non-fiscal and non-regulatory intervention. The objective is not to argue that boosts are better than nudges or vice versa, but to begin to spell out the two approaches’ respective conditions for success.
Behavioral considerations for effective time-varying electricity prices
Authors: SCHNEIDER IAN , SUNSTEIN CASS R. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWholesale prices for electricity vary significantly due to high fluctuations and low elasticity of short-run demand. End-use customers have typically paid flat retail rates for their electricity consumption, and time-varying prices (TVPs) have been proposed to help reduce peak consumption and lower the overall cost of servicing demand. Unfortunately, the general practice is an opt-in system: a default rule in favor of TVPs would be far better. A behaviorally informed analysis also shows that when transaction costs and decision biases are taken into account, the most cost-reflective policies are not necessarily the most efficient. On reasonable assumptions, real-time prices can result in less peak conservation of manually controlled devices than time-of-use or critical-peak prices. For that reason, the trade-offs between engaging automated and manually controlled loads must be carefully considered in time-varying rate design. The rate type and accompanying program details should be designed with the behavioral biases of consumers in mind, while minimizing price distortions for automated devices.
DOMESTIC EXPLANATORY DOCUMENTS AND TREATY INTERPRETATION
Authors: Prislan Vid 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe article discusses the increasing use by international courts and tribunals of domestic explanatory materials—such as various statements, reports, and explanatory memoranda that usually complement the domestic approval of treaties—in the process of treaty interpretation. After examining the types of materials that can be used as interpretative aids in accordance with the general rules on treaty interpretation (Articles 31–32 VCLT), the article scrutinizes the various ways in which domestic explanatory materials have informed the interpretation of treaty provisions in the practice of international adjudicatory bodies. The analysis focuses on the legal grounds on which such materials have been admitted in the interpretative process, the reasons for which resort has been made to them by the adjudicating body, as well as the circumstances in which such documents have been invoked by the litigating parties. The article then discusses certain advantages and disadvantages stemming from the use of domestic explanatory materials in the interpretative process.
VICTIM–PERPETRATOR RECONCILIATION AGREEMENTS:WHAT CAN MUSLIM-MAJORITY JURISDICTIONS AND THE PRC LEARN FROM EACH OTHER?
Authors: Pascoe Daniel , Miao Michelle 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAs States that use the death penalty liberally in a world that increasingly favours abolition, the Muslim-majority jurisdictions that are strict exponents of Islamic law and the People's Republic of China share a crucial commonality: their frequent use of victim–perpetrator reconciliation agreements to remove convicted murderers from the threat of execution. In both cases, rather than a prisoner's last chance at escaping execution being recourse to executive clemency, victim–perpetrator reconciliation agreements fulfil largely the same purpose, together with providing means of compensating victims for economic loss, and enabling the State concerned to reduce execution numbers without formally limiting the death penalty's scope in law. Utilizing the functionalist approach of comparative law methodology, this article compares the 13 death penalty retentionist nations that have incorporated Islamic law principles into their positive criminal law with the People's Republic of China, as to the functions underpinning victim–perpetrator reconciliation agreements in death penalty cases.
Leishmania and other intracellular pathogens: selectivity, drug distribution and PK–PD
Authors: CROFT SIMON L. 
Published: October 2017

SUMMARYNew drugs and treatments for diseases caused by intracellular pathogens, such as leishmaniasis and the Leishmania species, have proved to be some of the most difficult to discover and develop. The focus of discovery research has been on the identification of potent and selective compounds that inhibit target enzymes (or other essential molecules) or are active against the causative pathogen in phenotypic in vitro assays. Although these discovery paradigms remain an essential part of the early stages of the drug R & D pathway, over the past two decades additional emphasis has been given to the challenges needed to ensure that the potential anti-infective drugs distribute to infected tissues, reach the target pathogen within the host cell and exert the appropriate pharmacodynamic effect at these sites. This review will focus on how these challenges are being met in relation to Leishmania and the leishmaniases with lessons learned from drug R & D for other intracellular pathogens.
Mycorrhizal fungi show regular community compositions in natural ecosystems
Authors: Verbruggen Erik , Sheldrake Merlin , Bainard Luke D , Chen Baodong , Ceulemans Tobias , De Gruyter Johan , Van Geel Maarten 
Published: October 2017

Abstract
Dissimilarity overlap curve analysis has shown that ‘universality’ is a common feature in many complex microbial communities, suggesting that the same taxa interact in a similar manner when shared between communities. We present evidence that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, common plant root symbionts, show universal community compositions in natural ecosystems and that this pattern is conserved even at larger spatial scales. However, universality was not detected in agricultural ecosystems potentially implying that agricultural symbiont communities are formed in a different manner.
Deciphering TAL effectors for 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine recognition
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Liu Lulu , Guo Shengjie , Song Jinghui , Zhu Chenxu , Yue Zongwei , Wei Wensheng , Yi Chengqi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDNA recognition by transcription activator-like effector (TALE) proteins is mediated by tandem repeats that specify nucleotides through repeat-variable diresidues. These repeat-variable diresidues form direct and sequence-specific contacts to DNA bases; hence, TALE–DNA interaction is sensitive to DNA chemical modifications. Here we conduct a thorough investigation, covering all theoretical repeat-variable diresidue combinations, for their recognition capabilities for 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, two important epigenetic markers in higher eukaryotes. We identify both specific and degenerate repeat-variable diresidues for 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. Utilizing these novel repeat-variable diresidues, we achieve methylation-dependent gene activation and genome editing in vivo; we also report base-resolution detection of 5hmC in an in vitro assay. Our work deciphers repeat-variable diresidues for 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, and provides tools for TALE-dependent epigenome recognition.
Extracellular matrix stiffness and cell contractility control RNA localization to promote cell migration
Authors: Wang Tianhong , Hamilla Susan , Cam Maggie , Aranda-Espinoza Helim , Mili Stavroula 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNumerous RNAs are enriched within cellular protrusions, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We had shown that the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) protein controls localization of some RNAs at protrusions. Here, using protrusion-isolation schemes and RNA-Seq, we find that RNAs localized in protrusions of migrating fibroblasts can be distinguished in two groups, which are differentially enriched in distinct types of protrusions, and are additionally differentially dependent on APC. APC-dependent RNAs become enriched in high-contractility protrusions and, accordingly, their localization is promoted by increasing stiffness of the extracellular matrix. Dissecting the underlying mechanism, we show that actomyosin contractility activates a RhoA-mDia1 signaling pathway that leads to formation of a detyrosinated-microtubule network, which in turn is required for localization of APC-dependent RNAs. Importantly, a competition-based approach to specifically mislocalize APC-dependent RNAs suggests that localization of the APC-dependent RNA subgroup is functionally important for cell migration.
Sample composition alters associations between age and brain structure
Authors: LeWinn Kaja Z. , Sheridan Margaret A. , Keyes Katherine M. , Hamilton Ava , McLaughlin Katie A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite calls to incorporate population science into neuroimaging research, most studies recruit small, non-representative samples. Here, we examine whether sample composition influences age-related variation in global measurements of gray matter volume, thickness, and surface area. We apply sample weights to structural brain imaging data from a community-based sample of children aged 3–18 (N = 1162) to create a “weighted sample” that approximates the distribution of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and sex in the U.S. Census. We compare associations between age and brain structure in this weighted sample to estimates from the original sample with no sample weights applied (i.e., unweighted). Compared to the unweighted sample, we observe earlier maturation of cortical and sub-cortical structures, and patterns of brain maturation that better reflect known developmental trajectories in the weighted sample. Our empirical demonstration of bias introduced by non-representative sampling in this neuroimaging cohort suggests that sample composition may influence understanding of fundamental neural processes.
Characteristic rotational behaviors of rod-shaped cargo revealed by automated five-dimensional single particle tracking
Authors: Chen Kuangcai , Gu Yan , Sun Wei , Bin Dong  , Wang Gufeng , Fan Xinxin , Xia Tian , Fang Ning 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe report an automated single particle tracking technique for tracking the x, y, z coordinates, azimuthal and elevation angles of anisotropic plasmonic gold nanorod probes in live cells. These five spatial coordinates are collectively referred to as 5D. This method overcomes a long-standing challenge in distinguishing rotational motions from translational motions in the z-axis in differential interference contrast microscopy to result in full disclosure of nanoscale motions with high accuracy. Transferrin-coated endocytic gold nanorod cargoes initially undergo active rotational diffusion and display characteristic rotational motions on the membrane. Then as the cargoes being enclosed in clathrin-coated pits, they slow down the active rotation and experience a quiet period before they restore active rotational diffusion after fission and eventually being transported away from the original entry spots. Finally, the 3D trajectories and the accompanying rotational motions of the cargoes are resolved accurately to render the intracellular transport process in live cells.
Arginine methylation catalyzed by PRMT1 is required for B cell activation and differentiation
Authors: Infantino Simona , Light Amanda , O’Donnell Kristy , Bryant Vanessa , Avery Danielle T. , Elliott Michael , Tangye Stuart G. , Belz Gabrielle , Mackay Fabienne , Richard Stephane , Tarlinton David 
Published: October 2017

AbstractArginine methylation catalyzed by protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT) is a common post-translational modification in mammalian cells, regulating many important functions including cell signalling, proliferation and differentiation. Here we show the role of PRMT1 in B-cell activation and differentiation. PRMT1 expression and activity in human and mouse peripheral B cells increases in response to in vitro or in vivo activation. Deletion of the Prmt1 gene in mature B cells establishes that although the frequency and phenotype of peripheral B cell subsets seem unaffected, immune responses to T-cell-dependent and -independent antigens are substantially reduced. In vitro activation of Prmt1-deficient B cells with a variety of mitogens results in diminished proliferation, differentiation and survival, effects that are correlated with altered signal transduction from the B cell receptor. Thus PRMT1 activity in B cells is required for correct execution of multiple processes that in turn are necessary for humoral immunity.
Causes of model dry and warm bias over central U.S. and impact on climate projections
Authors: Lin Yanluan , Dong Wenhao , Zhang Minghua , Xie Yuanyu , Xue Wei , Huang Jianbin , Luo Yong 
Published: October 2017

AbstractClimate models show a conspicuous summer warm and dry bias over the central United States. Using results from 19 climate models in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), we report a persistent dependence of warm bias on dry bias with the precipitation deficit leading the warm bias over this region. The precipitation deficit is associated with the widespread failure of models in capturing strong rainfall events in summer over the central U.S. A robust linear relationship between the projected warming and the present-day warm bias enables us to empirically correct future temperature projections. By the end of the 21st century under the RCP8.5 scenario, the corrections substantially narrow the intermodel spread of the projections and reduce the projected temperature by 2.5 K, resulting mainly from the removal of the warm bias. Instead of a sharp decrease, after this correction the projected precipitation is nearly neutral for all scenarios.
ID3 regulates the MDC1-mediated DNA damage response in order to maintain genome stability
Authors: Lee Jung-Hee , Park Seon-Joo , Hariharasudhan Gurusamy , Kim Min-Ji , Jung Sung Mi , Jeong Seo-Yeon , Chang In-Youb , Kim Cheolhee , Kim Eunae , Yu Jihyeon , Bae Sangsu , You Ho Jin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMDC1 plays a critical role in the DNA damage response (DDR) by interacting directly with several factors including γ-H2AX. However, the mechanism by which MDC1 is recruited to damaged sites remains elusive. Here, we show that MDC1 interacts with a helix–loop–helix (HLH)-containing protein called inhibitor of DNA-binding 3 (ID3). In response to double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the genome, ATM phosphorylates ID3 at serine 65 within the HLH motif, and this modification allows a direct interaction with MDC1. Moreover, depletion of ID3 results in impaired formation of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced MDC1 foci, suppression of γ-H2AX-bound MDC1, impaired DSB repair, cellular hypersensitivity to IR, and genomic instability. Disruption of the MDC1–ID3 interaction prevents accumulation of MDC1 at sites of DSBs and suppresses DSB repair. Thus, our study uncovers an ID3-dependent mechanism of recruitment of MDC1 to DNA damage sites and suggests that the ID3–MDC1 interaction is crucial for DDR.
Opiate use inhibits TLR9 signaling pathway in vivo: possible role in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection
Authors: Liao Yanyan , Jiang Junjun , Liang Bingyu , Wei Fumei , Huang Jiegang , Pan Peijiang , Su Jinming , Zhou Bo , Zang Ning , Ye Li , Liang Hao 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe molecular mechanism of opiate use promoting HIV-1 infection is not fully understood. TLR9 is expressed in many immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, which can recognize viruses and viral products and consequently induce the production of antiviral factors and initiate immune responses. Previous studies have shown that chronic viral infections can overcome and impair TLR9 pathway. We aimed to explore whether opiate use enhances HIV infection through inhibition of TLR9 pathway via a population-based study. A total of 200 subjects were enrolled and divided into four groups as follows: Opiate+ HIV+ (50), Opiate− HIV+ (50), Opiate+ HIV− (50), and healthy control (Opiate− HIV−, 50). All HIV-infected subjects did not receive antiretroviral therapy while they were enrolled in the study. The results showed that opiate use was associated with higher viral load and lower CD4+ T cell count. Opiate use alone led to lower expression of TLR9, IRF7, and IFN-α at the protein level in PBMCs. Combined with HIV-1 infection, opiate use resulted in lower expression of MyD88, ISG56, and MxA. In addition, morphine treatment promoted HIV-1 replication in macrophages via inhibition of TLR9 pathway. Our data reveal that opiate use plays a cofactor role in pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection through inhibition of TLR9 pathway.
Fast identification of the conduction-type of nanomaterials by field emission technique
Authors: Yang Xun , Gan Haibo , Tian Yan , Peng Luxi , Xu Ningsheng , Chen Jun , Chen Huanjun , Deng Shaozhi , Liang Shi-Dong , Liu Fei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThere are more or less dopants or defects existing in nanomaterials, so they usually have different conduct-types even for the same substrate. Therefore, fast identification of the conduction-type of nanomaterials is very essential for their practical application in functional nanodevices. Here we use the field emission (FE) technique to research nanomaterials and establish a generalized Schottky-Nordheim (SN) model, in which an important parameter λ (the image potential factor) is first introduced to describe the effective image potential. By regarding λ as the criterion, their energy-band structure can be identified: (a) λ = 1: metal; (b) 0.5 < λ < 1: n-type semiconductor; (c) 0 < λ < 0.5: p-type semiconductor. Moreover, this method can be utilized to qualitatively evaluate the doping-degree for a given semiconductor. We test numerically and experimentally a group of nanomaterial emitters and all results agree with our theoretical results very well, which suggests that our method based on FE measurements should be an ideal and powerful tool to fast ascertain the conduction-type of nanomaterials.
Improving membrane protein expression and function using genomic edits
Authors: Jensen Heather M. , Eng Thomas , Chubukov Victor , Herbert Robin A. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila 
Published: October 2017

AbstractExpression of membrane proteins often leads to growth inhibition and perturbs central metabolism and this burden varies with the protein being overexpressed. There are also known strain backgrounds that allow greater expression of membrane proteins but that differ in efficacy across proteins. We hypothesized that for any membrane protein, it may be possible to identify a modified strain background where its expression can be accommodated with less burden. To directly test this hypothesis, we used a bar-coded transposon insertion library in tandem with cell sorting to assess genome-wide impact of gene deletions on membrane protein expression. The expression of five membrane proteins (CyoB, CydB, MdlB, YidC, and LepI) and one soluble protein (GST), each fused to GFP, was examined. We identified Escherichia coli mutants that demonstrated increased membrane protein expression relative to that in wild type. For two of the proteins (CyoB and CydB), we conducted functional assays to confirm that the increase in protein expression also led to phenotypic improvement in function. This study represents a systematic approach to broadly identify genetic loci that can be used to improve membrane protein expression, and our method can be used to improve expression of any protein that poses a cellular burden.