bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unraveling the Mechanics of Thermal Stress Weathering: Rate‐Effects, Size‐Effects, and Scaling Laws
Authors: Ravaji Babak , Alí‐Lagoa Víctor , Delbo Marco , Wilkerson Justin W.
Published: November 2019

Thermal stress weathering is now recognized to be an active and significant geomorphological process on airless bodies. This study aims to understand the key factors governing thermal stresses in rocks on airless bodies through extensive numerical calculations and analytic analyses. Microscopic (grain‐scale) thermal stresses are driven primarily by the maximum diurnal temperature variation at said depth. Macroscopic (rock‐scale) thermal stresses are more complex. For rock sizes larger than the thermal skin depth, macroscopic thermal stresses are driven primarily by second (and higher) order spatial gradients of temperature. For rock sizes smaller than the thermal skin depth, macroscopic thermal stresses are primarily driven by the ratio of rock size to thermal skin depth. Additionally, scaling relations for diurnal surface temperature variation, time‐rate‐of‐change of surface temperature, as well as peak microscopic (grain‐scale) and macroscopic (rock‐scale) thermal stresses are derived to provide a more accessible modeling tool. These scaling relations are remarkably accurate when compared to both the numerical calculations as well as three‐dimensional finite element calculations. The model formulation, results, and scaling relations provided here allow the estimation of diurnal temperatures and thermal stresses on rocks of various size and materials on airless bodies at any orbital distance with a broad spectrum of spin rates. Lastly, we postulate and confirm that there is a critical spin rate where macroscopic thermal stresses will be greatest.
Dynamic Controls on Field‐Scale Soil Nitrous Oxide Hot Spots and Hot Moments Across a Microtopographic Gradient
Authors: Krichels Alexander H. , Yang Wendy H.
Published: November 2019

Soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are highly variable in space and time, making it difficult to estimate ecosystem level fluxes of this potent greenhouse gas. While topographic depressions are often evoked as permanent N2O hot spots and rain events are well‐known triggers of N2O hot moments, soil N2O emissions are still poorly predicted. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine how to best use topography and rain events as variables to predict soil N2O emissions at the field scale. We measured soil N2O emissions 11 times over the course of one growing season from 65 locations within an agricultural field exhibiting microtopography. We found that the topographic indices best predicting soil N2O emissions varied by date, with soil properties as consistently poor predictors. Large rain events (>30 mm) led to an N2O hot moment only in the early summer and not in the cool spring or later in the summer when crops were at peak growth and likely had high evapotranspiration rates. In a laboratory experiment, we demonstrated that low heterotrophic respiration rates at cold temperatures slowly depleted soil dissolved O2, thus suppressing denitrification over the 2–3 day timescale typical of field ponding. Our findings show that topographic depressions do not consistently act as N2O hot spots and that rainfall does not consistently trigger N2O hot moments. We assert that the spatiotemporal variation in soil N2O emissions is not always characterized by predictable hot spots or hot moments and that controls on this variation change depending on environmental conditions.
Seasonal Variations in N2O Emissions in a Subtropical Forest With Exogenous Nitrogen Enrichment are Predominately Influenced by the Abundances of Soil Nitrifiers and Denitrifiers
Authors: Han Xiaoge , Xu Changchao , Nie Yanxia , He Jinhong , Wang Wenjuan , Deng Qi , Shen Weijun
Published: November 2019

Elevated nitrogen (N) deposition has induced substantial impacts on the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) from forest ecosystems, but how soil microbes regulate the production/consumption of N2O under elevated N deposition remains poorly understood, particularly in high N deposition subtropical forests that are characterized by distinct wet‐dry seasonality. We established a field N addition experiment in a subtropical forest in southern China to explore the influences of low, medium and high (35, 70, and 105 kg N ha‐1 yr‐1, respectively) N addition on N2O efflux and its associated microbial functional genes [amoA for nitrifiers (ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA)) and nirK and nosZ for denitrifiers]. The results showed the following: (1) The N2O emissions were stimulated by N addition in the dry season but were depressed in the wet season. (2) The nirK and nosZ abundances were generally stimulated by N addition, whereas the AOB‐amoA and AOA‐amoA abundances showed divergent responses to N addition. (3) Based on the results of principal component and Pearson correlation analyses, N2O effluxes were associated with microbial biomass in the wet season but with nirK and nosZ abundances in the dry season. Structural equation modeling analyses further indicated that both nitrifiers and denitrifiers under N addition contributed to the generation of N2O in the dry season, whereas the decreased production of N2O in the wet season was primarily caused by denitrifiers. Therefore, seasonally specific strategies should be developed to mitigate the emissions of N2O from subtropical forests with distinct seasonal precipitation patterns.
Analysis of Bent Wire Antenna Resonant Frequency for Different Bent Angles
Authors: Suganya J. , Sciacca Umberto , Baskaradas James A. , Zirizzotti Achille
Published: November 2019

For the bedrock survey in the temperate glacier regions, low frequency antenna system of the airborne ground penetrating RADAR plays a very important role. A small size antenna, working at 10 MHz, would make its use easier in various radar applications. Reducing the resonant frequency of the wire dipole antenna structure, without increasing the physical size, can be attained by introducing bents in the existing structure. This paper introduces a new bent wire dipole antenna and presents the effects of bent angle of 80°, 70°, 60°, 50°, 45° and 40°of the wire antenna on the antenna parameters such as resonant frequency, S11, VSWR, gain and radiation pattern. A broadband four element equivalent circuit model of a straight dipole is used with some modifications in the R, L, C equations for the new bent wire dipole antenna by utilizing the bent angle. The frequency response of the equivalent circuit model, calculated resonant frequency values using the equations and the simulated results of the bent wire dipole antenna is compared and analyzed. As the antenna placement area inside the anechoic chamber is limited, the size of the 10MHz antenna has been scaled down by a factor of 0.01. This modifies the resonant frequency of the new structure to 1GHz. The scaled down antenna system are simulated, analyzed and tested in a GTEM cell. For bandwidth improvement of the 10 MHz antenna, a lumped element matching circuit has been designed and simulated.
Fault Creep and Strain Partitioning in Trinidad‐Tobago: Geodetic Measurements, Models, and Origin of Creep
Authors: Weber John , Geirsson Halldor , La Femina Peter , Robertson Richard , Churches Chris , Shaw Kenton , Latchman Joan , Higgins Machel , Miller Keith
Published: November 2019

The expansion of geodetic networks and Earth observing systems has allowed for new understandings of continental transform faults, including the partitioning of relative plate motions between multiple active strands and fault behavior during the earthquake cycle. One important global observation is that some continental transform faults creep (i.e., slip aseismically) at a percentage of or even at the full relative plate motion rate. The Caribbean‐South American plate boundary is a right‐stepping, segmented, dextral continental transform system. We studied active faults in the Trinidad‐Tobago segment of the Caribbean‐South American plate boundary zone using a new GPS‐derived horizontal velocity field, then modeled these data using a series of simple screw dislocation models. Our best‐fit model for interseismic strain accumulation requires 13.4 ± 0.3 mm/yr of right‐lateral movement and very shallow locking (0.2 ± 0.2 km), essentially creep, across the Central Range Fault (CRF), 3.4 ± 0.3 mm/yr across the South Coast Fault south of Trinidad, and 3.5 ± 0.3 mm/yr of dextral shear on fault(s) between Trinidad and Tobago. The CRF creeps along a physical boundary between rocks associated with thermogenically generated petroleum in south and central Trinidad and rocks containing only biogenic gas to the north. Fluid (oil and gas) overpressure, in addition to weak material in the fault core, likely causes CRF creep.
Molecular basis for chirality-regulated Aβ self-assembly and receptor recognition revealed by ion mobility-mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Gongyu , DeLaney Kellen , Li Lingjun
Published: November 2019

Despite extensive efforts on probing the mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and enormous investments into AD drug development, the lack of effective disease-modifying therapeutics and the complexity of the AD pathogenesis process suggest a great need for further insights into alternative AD drug targets. Herein, we focus on the chiral effects of truncated amyloid beta (Aβ) and offer further structural and molecular evidence for epitope region-specific, chirality-regulated Aβ fragment self-assembly and its potential impact on receptor-recognition. A multidimensional ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) analytical platform and in-solution kinetics analysis reveal the comprehensive structural and molecular basis for differential Aβ fragment chiral chemistry, including the differential and cooperative roles of chiral Aβ N-terminal and C-terminal fragments in receptor recognition. Our method is applicable to many other systems and the results may shed light on the potential development of novel AD therapeutic strategies based on targeting the D-isomerized Aβ, rather than natural L-Aβ.
Transcriptional dysregulation by a nucleus-localized aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy
Authors: Bervoets Sven , Wei Na , Erfurth Maria-Luise , Yusein-Myashkova Shazie , Ermanoska Biljana , Mateiu Ligia , Asselbergh Bob , Blocquel David , Kakad Priyanka , Penserga Tyrone , Thomas Florian P , Guergueltcheva Velina , Tournev Ivailo , Godenschwege Tanja , Jordanova Albena , Yang Xiang-Lei
Published: November 2019

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a length-dependent peripheral neuropathy. The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases constitute the largest protein family implicated in CMT. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are predominantly cytoplasmic, but are also present in the nucleus. Here we show that a nuclear function of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is implicated in a Drosophila model of CMT. CMT-causing mutations in TyrRS induce unique conformational changes, which confer capacity for aberrant interactions with transcriptional regulators in the nucleus, leading to transcription factor E2F1 hyperactivation. Using neuronal tissues, we reveal a broad transcriptional regulation network associated with wild-type TyrRS expression, which is disturbed when a CMT-mutant is expressed. Pharmacological inhibition of TyrRS nuclear entry with embelin reduces, whereas genetic nuclear exclusion of mutant TyrRS prevents hallmark phenotypes of CMT in the Drosophila model. These data highlight that this translation factor may contribute to transcriptional regulation in neurons, and suggest a therapeutic strategy for CMT.
Structure and regulation of ZCCHC4 in m6A-methylation of 28S rRNA
Authors: Ren Wendan , Lu Jiuwei , Huang Mengjiang , Gao Linfeng , Li Dongxu , Wang Gang Greg , Song Jikui
Published: November 2019

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification provides an important epitranscriptomic mechanism that critically regulates RNA metabolism and function. However, how m6A writers attain substrate specificities remains unclear. We report the 3.1 Å-resolution crystal structure of human CCHC zinc finger-containing protein ZCCHC4, a 28S rRNA-specific m6A methyltransferase, bound to S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine. The methyltransferase (MTase) domain of ZCCHC4 is packed against N-terminal GRF-type and C2H2 zinc finger domains and a C-terminal CCHC domain, creating an integrated RNA-binding surface. Strikingly, the MTase domain adopts an autoinhibitory conformation, with a self-occluded catalytic site and a fully-closed cofactor pocket. Mutational and enzymatic analyses further substantiate the molecular basis for ZCCHC4-RNA recognition and a role of the stem-loop structure within substrate in governing the substrate specificity. Overall, this study unveils unique structural and enzymatic characteristics of ZCCHC4, distinctive from what was seen with the METTL family of m6A writers, providing the mechanistic basis for ZCCHC4 modulation of m6A RNA methylation.
Nestin regulates cellular redox homeostasis in lung cancer through the Keap1–Nrf2 feedback loop
Authors: Wang Jiancheng , Lu Qiying , Cai Jianye , Wang Yi , Lai Xiaofan , Qiu Yuan , Huang Yinong , Ke Qiong , Zhang Yanan , Guan Yuanjun , Wu Haoxiang , Wang Yuanyuan , Liu Xin , Shi Yue , Zhang Kang , Wang Maosheng , Peng Xiang Andy
Published: November 2019

Abnormal cancer antioxidant capacity is considered as a potential mechanism of tumor malignancy. Modulation of oxidative stress status is emerging as an anti-cancer treatment. Our previous studies have found that Nestin-knockdown cells were more sensitive to oxidative stress in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism by which Nestin protects cells from oxidative damage remains unclear. Here, we identify a feedback loop between Nestin and Nrf2 maintaining the redox homeostasis. Mechanistically, the ESGE motif of Nestin interacts with the Kelch domain of Keap1 and competes with Nrf2 for Keap1 binding, leading to Nrf2 escaping from Keap1-mediated degradation, subsequently promoting antioxidant enzyme generation. Interestingly, we also map that the antioxidant response elements (AREs) in the Nestin promoter are responsible for its induction via Nrf2. Taken together, our results indicate that the Nestin–Keap1–Nrf2 axis regulates cellular redox homeostasis and confers oxidative stress resistance in NSCLC.
A combination of chitooligosaccharide and lipochitooligosaccharide recognition promotes arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in Medicago truncatula
Authors: Feng Feng , Sun Jongho , Radhakrishnan Guru V. , Lee Tak , Bozsóki Zoltán , Fort Sébastien , Gavrin Aleksander , Gysel Kira , Thygesen Mikkel B. , Andersen Kasper Røjkjær , Radutoiu Simona , Stougaard Jens , Oldroyd Giles E. D.
Published: November 2019

Plants associate with beneficial arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi facilitating nutrient acquisition. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi produce chitooligosaccharides (COs) and lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCOs), that promote symbiosis signalling with resultant oscillations in nuclear-associated calcium. The activation of symbiosis signalling must be balanced with activation of immunity signalling, which in fungal interactions is promoted by COs resulting from the chitinaceous fungal cell wall. Here we demonstrate that COs ranging from CO4-CO8 can induce symbiosis signalling in Medicago truncatula. CO perception is a function of the receptor-like kinases MtCERK1 and LYR4, that activate both immunity and symbiosis signalling. A combination of LCOs and COs act synergistically to enhance symbiosis signalling and suppress immunity signalling and receptors involved in both CO and LCO perception are necessary for mycorrhizal establishment. We conclude that LCOs, when present in a mix with COs, drive a symbiotic outcome and this mix of signals is essential for arbuscular mycorrhizal establishment.
IL-27 receptor-regulated stress myelopoiesis drives abdominal aortic aneurysm development
Authors: Peshkova Iuliia O. , Aghayev Turan , Fatkhullina Aliia R. , Makhov Petr , Titerina Elizaveta K. , Eguchi Satoru , Tan Yin Fei , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Khoreva Marina V. , Gankovskaya Lyudmila V. , Sykes Stephen M. , Koltsova Ekaterina K.
Published: November 2019

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent life-threatening disease, where aortic wall degradation is mediated by accumulated immune cells. Although cytokines regulate inflammation within the aorta, their contribution to AAA via distant alterations, particularly in the control of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation, remains poorly defined. Here we report a pathogenic role for the interleukin-27 receptor (IL-27R) in AAA, as genetic ablation of IL-27R protects mice from the disease development. Mitigation of AAA is associated with a blunted accumulation of myeloid cells in the aorta due to the attenuation of Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced HSC expansion. IL-27R signaling is required to induce transcriptional programming to overcome HSC quiescence and increase differentiation and output of mature myeloid cells in response to stress stimuli to promote their accumulation in the diseased aorta. Overall, our studies illuminate how a prominent vascular disease can be distantly driven by a cytokine-dependent regulation of bone marrow precursors.
Template-controlled on-surface synthesis of a lanthanide supernaphthalocyanine and its open-chain polycyanine counterpart
Authors: Fan Qitang , Luy Jan-Niclas , Liebold Martin , Greulich Katharina , Zugermeier Malte , Sundermeyer Jörg , Tonner Ralf , Gottfried J. Michael
Published: November 2019

Phthalocyanines possess unique optical and electronic properties and thus are widely used in (opto)electronic devices, coatings, photodynamic therapy, etc. Extension of their π-electron systems could produce molecular materials with red-shifted absorption for a broader range of applications. However, access to expanded phthalocyanine analogues with more than four isoindoline units is challenging due to the limited synthetic possibilities. Here, we report the controlled on-surface synthesis of a gadolinium-supernaphthalocyanine macrocycle and its open-chain counterpart poly(benzodiiminoisoindoline) on a silver surface from a naphthalene dicarbonitrile precursor. Their formation is controlled by the on-surface high-dilution principle and steered by different metal templates, i.e., gadolinium atoms and the bare silver surface, which also act as oligomerization catalysts. By using scanning tunneling microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations, the chemical structures along with the mechanical and electronic properties of these phthalocyanine analogues with extended π-conjugation are investigated in detail.
Measuring the shape of the biodiversity-disease relationship across systems reveals new findings and key gaps
Authors: Halliday Fletcher W. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: November 2019

Diverse host communities commonly inhibit the spread of parasites at small scales. However, the generality of this effect remains controversial. Here, we present the analysis of 205 biodiversity–disease relationships on 67 parasite species to test whether biodiversity–disease relationships are generally nonlinear, moderated by spatial scale, and sensitive to underrepresentation in the literature. Our analysis of the published literature reveals that biodiversity–disease relationships are generally hump-shaped (i.e., nonlinear) and biodiversity generally inhibits disease at local scales, but this effect weakens as spatial scale increases. Spatial scale is, however, related to study design and parasite type, highlighting the need for additional multiscale research. Few studies are unrepresentative of communities at low diversity, but missing data at low diversity from field studies could result in underreporting of amplification effects. Experiments appear to underrepresent high-diversity communities, which could result in underreporting of dilution effects. Despite context dependence, biodiversity loss at local scales appears to increase disease, suggesting that at local scales, biodiversity loss could negatively impact human and wildlife populations.
Optical molecular imaging can differentiate metastatic from benign lymph nodes in head and neck cancer
Authors: Nishio Naoki , van den Berg Nynke S. , van Keulen Stan , Martin Brock A. , Fakurnejad Shayan , Teraphongphom Nutte , Chirita Stefania U. , Oberhelman Nicholas J. , Lu Guolan , Horton Crista E. , Kaplan Michael J. , Divi Vasu , Colevas A. Dimitrios , Rosenthal Eben L.
Published: November 2019

Identification of lymph node (LN) metastasis is essential for staging of solid tumors, and as a result, surgeons focus on harvesting significant numbers of LNs during ablative procedures for pathological evaluation. Isolating those LNs most likely to harbor metastatic disease can allow for a more rigorous evaluation of fewer LNs. Here we evaluate the impact of a systemically injected, near-infrared fluorescently-labeled, tumor-targeting contrast agent, panitumumab-IRDye800CW, to facilitate the identification of metastatic LNs in the ex vivo setting for head and neck cancer patients. Molecular imaging demonstrates a significantly higher mean fluorescence signal in metastatic LNs compared to benign LNs in head and neck cancer patients undergoing an elective neck dissection. Molecular imaging to preselect at-risk LNs may thus allow a more rigorous examination of LNs and subsequently lead to improved prognostication than regular neck dissection.
Voltage-gated optics and plasmonics enabled by solid-state proton pumping
Authors: Huang Mantao , Jun Tan Aik , Büttner Felix , Liu Hailong , Ruan Qifeng , Hu Wen , Mazzoli Claudio , Wilkins Stuart , Duan Chuanhua , Yang Joel K. W. , Beach Geoffrey S. D.
Published: November 2019

Devices with locally-addressable and dynamically tunable optical properties underpin emerging technologies such as high-resolution reflective displays and dynamic holography. The optical properties of metals such as Y and Mg can be reversibly switched by hydrogen loading, and hydrogen-switched mirrors and plasmonic devices have been realized, but challenges remain to achieve electrical, localized and reversible control. Here we report a nanoscale solid-state proton switch that allows for electrical control of optical properties through electrochemical hydrogen gating. We demonstrate the generality and versatility of this approach by realizing tunability of a range of device characteristics including transmittance, interference color, and plasmonic resonance. We further discover and exploit a giant modulation of the effective refractive index of the gate dielectric. The simple gate structure permits device thickness down to ~20 nanometers, which can enable device scaling into the deep subwavelength regime, and has potential applications in addressable plasmonic devices and reconfigurable metamaterials.
Rapid microevolution of biofilm cells in response to antibiotics
Authors: Penesyan Anahit , Nagy Stephanie S. , Kjelleberg Staffan , Gillings Michael R. , Paulsen Ian T.
Published: November 2019

Infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii are increasingly antibiotic resistant, generating a significant public health problem. Like many bacteria, A. baumannii adopts a biofilm lifestyle that enhances its antibiotic resistance and environmental resilience. Biofilms represent the predominant mode of microbial life, but research into antibiotic resistance has mainly focused on planktonic cells. We investigated the dynamics of A. baumannii biofilms in the presence of antibiotics. A 3-day exposure of A. baumannii biofilms to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics had a profound effect, increasing biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in the majority of biofilm dispersal isolates. Cells dispersing from biofilms were genome sequenced to identify mutations accumulating in their genomes, and network analysis linked these mutations to their phenotypes. Transcriptomics of biofilms confirmed the network analysis results, revealing novel gene functions of relevance to both resistance and biofilm formation. This approach is a rapid and objective tool for investigating resistance dynamics of biofilms.
Two-axis quantum control of a fast valley qubit in silicon
Authors: Penthorn Nicholas E. , Schoenfield Joshua S. , Rooney John D. , Edge Lisa F. , Jiang HongWen
Published: November 2019

Quantum dots in silicon are a promising architecture for semiconductor quantum computing due to a high degree of electric control and compatibility with existing silicon fabrication processes. Although electron charge and spin are prominent methods for encoding the qubit state, valley states in silicon can also store quantum information via valley-orbit coupling with protection against charge noise. By observing coherent oscillations between valley states in a Si/SiGe double quantum dot device tuned to the two-electron charge configuration, we measure the valley energy splitting in both quantum dots individually. We further demonstrate two-axis quantum control of the valley qubit using gated pulse sequences with X and Z rotations occurring within a fast operation time of 300 ps. This control is used to completely map out the surface of the Bloch sphere in a single phase-space plot that is subsequently used for state and process tomography.
Prophylactic effects of isomaltodextrin in a Balb/c mouse model of egg allergy
Authors: Mine Yoshinori , Jin Yan , Zhang Hua , Rupa Prithy , Majumder Kaustav , Sakurai Takeo , Taniguchi Yoshifumi , Takagaki Ryodai , Watanabe Hikaru , Mitsuzumi Hitoshi
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of isomaltodextrin (IMD), a dietary saccharide polymer derived from enzymatically produced from starch, on the ability to alter immune response (IR) bias to hen egg ovalbumin (Ova) induced allergic inflammation in mice. Groups of Balb/c mice were pre-treated with various doses of IMD in drinking water (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0% w/v) for 6 weeks and subsequently sensitized to the Ova together with continuous administration of IMD. To evaluate changes in immune response bias, immunoglobulin isotype-associated antibody activity, concentrations of type 1 and 2 cytokines and the percentage of T-regulatory cells (T-regs) in blood were measured. Clinical signs of allergy were assessed after oral challenge with Ova. Treatment with IMD did not significantly alter the frequency of clinical signs, however there was a trend in the overall reduction of clinical signs. Effect on IR bias was observed in the treatment groups as reflected by reduction in a type 1-biased phenotype as evident by decrease in isotype-specific IgE, IgG and increase in IL-12 cytokine production and a high proportion of T-regs. This study revealed that IMD could be a useful prophylactic candidate for alteration of allergic IR bias in mice and an immune-stimulator for reducing egg induced allergic reactions.
A transcriptomic study of Williams-Beuren syndrome associated genes in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: De Cegli Rossella , Iacobacci Simona , Fedele Anthony , Ballabio Andrea , di Bernardo Diego
Published: November 2019

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a relatively rare disease caused by the deletion of 1.5 to 1.8 Mb on chromosome 7 which contains approximately 28 genes. This multisystem disorder is mainly characterized by supravalvular aortic stenosis, mental retardation, and distinctive facial features. We generated mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells clones expressing each of the 4 human WBS genes (WBSCR1, GTF2I, GTF2IRD1 and GTF2IRD2) found in the specific delated region 7q11.23 causative of the WBS. We generated at least three stable clones for each gene with stable integration in the ROSA26 locus of a tetracycline-inducible upstream of the coding sequence of the genet tagged with a 3xFLAG epitope. Three clones for each gene were transcriptionally profiled in inducing versus non-inducing conditions for a total of 24 profiles. This small collection of human WBS-ES cell clones represents a resource to facilitate the study of the function of these genes during differentiation.
Global soil, landuse, evapotranspiration, historical and future weather databases for SWAT Applications
Authors: Abbaspour K. C. , Vaghefi S. Ashraf , Yang H. , Srinivasan R.
Published: November 2019

Large-scale distributed watershed models are data-intensive, and preparing them consumes most of the research resources. We prepared high-resolution global databases of soil, landuse, actual evapotranspiration (AET), and historical and future weather databases that could serve as standard inputs in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models. The data include two global soil maps and their associated databases calculated with a large number of pedotransfer functions, two landuse maps and their correspondence with SWAT’s database, historical and future daily temperature and precipitation data from five IPCC models with four scenarios; and finally, global monthly AET data. Weather data are 0.5° global grids text-formatted for direct use in SWAT models. The AET data is formatted for use in SWAT-CUP (SWAT Calibration Uncertainty Procedures) for calibration of SWAT models. The use of these global databases for SWAT models can speed up the model building by 75–80% and are extremely valuable in areas with limited or no physical data. Furthermore, they can facilitate the comparison of model results in different parts of the world.
Vertical distribution of aerosols in dust storms during the Arctic winter
Authors: Dagsson-Waldhauserova Pavla , Renard Jean-Baptiste , Olafsson Haraldur , Vignelles Damien , Berthet Gwenaël , Verdier Nicolas , Duverger Vincent
Published: November 2019

High Latitude Dust (HLD) contributes 5% to the global dust budget, but HLD measurements are sparse. Dust observations from Iceland provide dust aerosol distributions during the Arctic winter for the first time, profiling dust storms as well as clean air conditions. Five winter dust storms were captured during harsh conditions. Mean number concentrations during the non-dust flights were <5 particles cm−3 for the particles 0.2–100 µm in diameter and >40 particles cm−3 during dust storms. A moderate dust storm with >250 particles cm−3 (2 km altitude) was captured on 10th January 2016 as a result of sediments suspended from glacial outburst flood Skaftahlaup in 2015. Similar concentrations were reported previously in the Saharan air layer. Detected particle sizes were up to 20 µm close to the surface, up to 10 µm at 900 m altitude, up to 5 µm at 5 km altitude, and submicron at altitudes >6 km. Dust sources in the Arctic are active during the winter and produce large amounts of particulate matter dispersed over long distances and high altitudes. HLD contributes to Arctic air pollution and has the potential to influence ice nucleation in mixed-phase clouds and Arctic amplification.
Tilting dependence and anisotropy of anomaly-related magnetoconductance in type-II Weyl semimetals
Authors: Ishizuka Hiroaki , Nagaosa Naoto
Published: November 2019

We theoretically study chiral magnetic effect in type-II Weyl semimetals based on a concise formalism for the magnetoconductance in the semiclassical limit. Using the formula, we find that the anomaly-related current is generally dominated by the contribution from the Weyl nodes when the Fermi level is sufficiently close to the nodes. This is related to the fact that the current is proportional to the square of the Berry curvature, which enhances the contribution from the electrons around the Weyl nodes. The increase and the anisotropy of magnetoconductance induced by the tilting is also explained in a comprehensive way.
Differential effects of D-cycloserine and amantadine on motor behavior and D2/3 receptor binding in the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic system of the adult rat
Authors: Nikolaus Susanne , Wittsack Hans-Jörg , Wickrath Frithjof , Müller-Lutz Anja , Hautzel Hubertus , Beu Markus , Antke Christina , Mamlins Eduards , De Souza Silva Maria Angelica , Huston Joseph P. , Antoch Gerald , Müller Hans-Wilhelm
Published: November 2019

D-cycloserine (DCS) and amantadine (AMA) act as partial NMDA receptor (R) agonist and antagonist, respectively. In the present study, we compared the effects of DCS and AMA on dopamine D2/3R binding in the brain of adult rats in relation to motor behavior. D2/3R binding was determined with small animal SPECT in baseline and after challenge with DCS (20 mg/kg) or AMA (40 mg/kg) with [123I]IBZM as radioligand. Immediately post-challenge, motor/exploratory behavior was assessed for 30 min in an open field. The regional binding potentials (ratios of the specifically bound compartments to the cerebellar reference region) were computed in baseline and post-challenge. DCS increased D2/3R binding in nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area, thalamus, frontal, motor and parietal cortex as well as anterodorsal and posterior hippocampus, whereas AMA decreased D2/3R binding in nucleus accumbens, caudateputamen and thalamus. After DCS, ambulation and head-shoulder motility were decreased, while sitting was increased compared to vehicle and AMA. Moreover, DCS increased rearing relative to AMA. The regional elevations of D2/3R binding after DCS reflect a reduction of available dopamine throughout the mesolimbocortical system. In contrast, the reductions of D2/3R binding after AMA indicate increased dopamine in nucleus accumbens, caudateputamen and thalamus. Findings imply that, after DCS, nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine levels are directly related to motor/exploratory activity, whereas an inverse relationship may be inferred for AMA.
Stochastic optimization on complex variables and pure-state quantum tomography
Authors: Utreras-Alarcón A. , Rivera-Tapia M. , Niklitschek S. , Delgado A.
Published: November 2019

Real-valued functions of complex arguments violate the Cauchy-Riemann conditions and, consequently, do not have Taylor series expansion. Therefore, optimization methods based on derivatives cannot be directly applied to this class of functions. This is circumvented by mapping the problem to the field of the real numbers by considering real and imaginary parts of the complex arguments as the new independent variables. We introduce a stochastic optimization method that works within the field of the complex numbers. This has two advantages: Equations on complex arguments are simpler and easy to analyze and the use of the complex structure leads to performance improvements. The method produces a sequence of estimates that converges asymptotically in mean to the optimizer. Each estimate is generated by evaluating the target function at two different randomly chosen points. Thereby, the method allows the optimization of functions with unknown parameters. Furthermore, the method exhibits a large performance enhancement. This is demonstrated by comparing its performance with other algorithms in the case of quantum tomography of pure states. The method provides solutions which can be two orders of magnitude closer to the true minima or achieve similar results as other methods but with three orders of magnitude less resources.
Genetic deletion of S6k1 does not rescue the phenotypic deficits observed in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Irvine Elaine E. , Katsouri Loukia , Plattner Florian , Al-Qassab Hind , Al-Nackkash Rand , Bates Gillian P. , Withers Dominic J.
Published: November 2019

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal inherited autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion in the number of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the huntingtin gene. The disease is characterized by motor, behavioural and cognitive symptoms for which at present there are no disease altering treatments. It has been shown that manipulating the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway using rapamycin or its analogue CCI-779 can improve the cellular and behavioural phenotypes of HD models. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) is a major downstream signalling molecule of mTOR, and its activity is reduced by rapamycin suggesting that deregulation of S6K1 activity may be beneficial in HD. Furthermore, S6k1 knockout mice have increased lifespan and improvement in age-related phenotypes. To evalute the potential benefit of S6k1 loss on HD-related phenotypes, we crossed the R6/2 HD model with the long-lived S6k1 knockout mouse line. We found that S6k1 knockout does not ameliorate behavioural or physiological phenotypes in the R6/2 mouse model. Additionally, no improvements were seen in brain mass reduction or mutant huntingtin protein aggregate levels. Therefore, these results suggest that while a reduction in S6K1 signalling has beneficial effects on ageing it is unlikely to be a therapeutic strategy for HD patients.
Preventative and Therapeutic Effects of Low-dose Ionizing Radiation on the Allergic Response of Rat Basophilic Leukemia Cells
Authors: Joo Hae Mi , Hong Eun Hee , Cho Seong-Jun , Nam Seon Young , Kim Ji Young
Published: November 2019

The prevalence of allergies has increased over the last four decades. In allergic reactions, mast cells induce a hypersensitive immune response to a substance that is normally harmless. Ionizing radiation has different biological effects depending on the dose and dose rate. In this study, we investigated whether low-dose irradiation before (preventative effect) or after (therapeutic effect) an antigen-antibody reaction has an anti-allergic effect. To test this, we activated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) mast cells with anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl IgE (antibody) and 2,4-dinitrophenyl human serum albumin, which served as an antigen. To test for both the potential of a preventative effect and a therapeutic effect, we irradiated mast cells both before and after mast cell activation, and we measured mediator release and signaling pathway activity. Low-dose ionizing radiation suppressed mediator release from RBL-2H3 mast cells activated by the antigen-antibody reaction regardless of when the mast cells were irradiated. These results were due to the suppression of FcεRI expression. Therefore, we suggest that low-dose ionizing radiation has a preventative and therapeutic effect in allergic reactions via the FcεRI-mediated RBL-2H3 mast cell activation system.
Quantitative basis of meiotic chromosome synapsis analyzed by electron tomography
Authors: Spindler Marie-Christin , Filbeck Sebastian , Stigloher Christian , Benavente Ricardo
Published: November 2019

The synaptonemal complex is a multiprotein complex, which mediates the synapsis and recombination between homologous chromosomes during meiosis. The complex is comprised of two lateral elements and a central element connected by perpendicular transverse filaments (TFs). A 3D model based on actual morphological data of the SC is missing. Here, we applied electron tomography (ET) and manual feature extraction to generate a quantitative 3D model of the murine SC. We quantified the length (90 nm) and width (2 nm) of the TFs. Interestingly, the 80 TFs/µm are distributed asymmetrically in the central region of the SC challenging available models of SC organization. Furthermore, our detailed 3D topological analysis does not support a bilayered organization of the central region as proposed earlier. Overall, our quantitative analysis is relevant to understand the functions and dynamics of the SC and provides the basis for analyzing multiprotein complexes in their morphological context using ET.
Isolation of endophytic fungi and screening of Huperzine A–producing fungus from Huperzia serrata in Vietnam
Authors: Thi Minh Le Thanh , Thi Hong Hoang Anh , Thi Bich Le Thuy , Thi Bich Vo Thuy , Van Quyen Dong , Hoang Chu Ha
Published: November 2019

Huperzine A (HupA), a natural Lycopodium alkaloid derived from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev. plants, is a highly active acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and a key compound used for treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, HupA has been reported in various endophytic fungi isolated from H. serrata. In the present study, 153 endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy tissues of H. serrata collected from natural populations in Lam Dong province of Central Vietnam. The endophytic fungi were identified based on morphological characteristics and Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences. Among them, 34 strains were classified into seven genera belonging to Ascomycota, including Alternaria, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, and Phoma, and eight strains belonging to the genus Mucor (Zygomycota). The other strains remained unidentified. According to the results of thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, only one of the 153 strains, Penicillium sp. LDL4.4, could produce HupA, with a yield 1.38 mg l−1 (168.9 µg g−1 dried mycelium) when cultured in potato dextrose broth, which was considerably higher than that of other reported endophytic fungi. Such a fungus is a promising candidate and alternative to presently available HupA production techniques for treating AD and preventing further memory decline.
Feasibility of Using Rice Leaves Hyperspectral Data to Estimate CaCl2-extractable Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil
Authors: Zhou Weihong , Zhang Jingjing , Zou Mengmeng , Liu Xiaoqing , Du Xiaolong , Wang Qian , Liu Yangyang , Liu Ying , Li Jianlong
Published: November 2019

Heavy metals contamination is a serious problem of China. It is necessary to estimate bioavailability concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soil for keeping the food security and human health. This study aimed to use hyperspectral data of rice (Oryza sativa) leaves as an indicator to retrieve the CaCl2-extractable concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soil. Twenty-one rice samples, soil samples and reflectance spectra of rice leaves were collected, respectively. The potential relations between hyperspectral data and CaCl2-extractable heavy metals (E-HM) were explored. The partial least-squares regression (PLSR) method with leave-one-out cross-validation has been used to predict concentrations of CaCl2-extractable cadmium (E-Cd) and concentrations of CaCl2-extractable lead (E-Pb) in farmland soil. The results showed that the concentrations of E-Cd in soil had significant correlation with concentrations of Cd in rice leaves; the number of bands associated with E-Cd was more than that of E-Pb. Four indices (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), carotenoid reflectance index (CRI), photochemical reflectance index 2 (PRI2), normalized pigments chlorophyll ratio index (NPCI)) were significant (P < 0.05) and negatively related to the E-Cd concentrations. The PLSR model of E-Cd concentrations performed better than the PLSR model of E-Pb concentrations, which with R2 = 0.592 and RMSE = 0.046. We conclude that if the rice was sensitive to E-HM and/or the crop was stressed by the E-HM, the hyperspectral data of field rice leaves hold potentials in estimating concentration of E-HM in farmland soil. Therefore, this method provides a new insight to monitoring the E-HM content in agricultural soil.
Purinergic receptor mediated calcium signalling in urothelial cells
Authors: Chess-Williams Russell , Sellers Donna J. , Brierley Stuart M. , Grundy David , Grundy Luke
Published: November 2019

Non-neuronal ATP released from the urothelium in response to bladder stretch is a key modulator of bladder mechanosensation. Whilst non-neuronal ATP acts on the underlying bladder afferent nerves to facilitate sensation, there is also the potential for ATP to act in an autocrine manner, modulating urothelial cell function. The aim of this study was to systematically characterise the functional response of primary mouse urothelial cells (PMUCs) to ATP. PMUCs isolated from male mice (14–16 weeks) were used for live-cell fluorescent calcium imaging and qRT-PCR to determine the expression profile of P2X and P2Y receptors. The majority of PMUCs (74–92%) responded to ATP (1 μM–1 mM), as indicted by an increase in intracellular calcium (iCa2+). PMUCs exhibited dose-dependent responses to ATP (10 nM–1 mM) in both calcium containing (2 mM, EC50 = 3.49 ± 0.77 μM) or calcium free (0 mM, EC50 = 9.5 ± 1.5 μM) buffers. However, maximum iCa2+ responses to ATP were significantly attenuated upon repetitive applications in calcium containing but not in calcium free buffer. qRT-PCR revealed expression of P2X1–6, and P2Y1–2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11–14, but not P2X7 in PMUCs. These findings suggest the major component of ATP induced increases in iCa2+ are mediated via the liberation of calcium from intracellular stores, implicating functional P2Y receptors that are ubiquitously expressed on PMUCs.
Expansion, isolation and first characterization of bovine Th17 lymphocytes
Authors: Cunha Patricia , Vern Yves Le , Gitton Christophe , Germon Pierre , Foucras Gilles , Rainard Pascal
Published: November 2019

Interleukin 17A-producing T helper cells (Th17) are CD4+ T cells that are crucial to immunity to extracellular bacteria. The roles of these cells in the bovine species are poorly defined, because the characterization of bovine Th17 cells lags behind for want of straightforward cultivation and isolation procedures. We have developed procedures to differentiate, expand, and isolate bovine Th17 cells from circulating CD4+ T cells of adult cows. Using polyclonal stimulation with antibodies to CD3 and CD28, we expanded IL-17A-positive CD4+ T cells in a serum-free cell culture medium supplemented with TGF-β1, IL-6 and IL-2. Populations of CD4+ T cells producing IL-17A or IFN-γ or both cytokines were obtained. Isolation of IL-17A-secreting CD4+ T cells was performed by labelling surface IL-17A, followed by flow cytometry cell sorting. The sorted Th17 cells were restimulated and could be expanded for several weeks. These cells were further characterized by cytokine profiling at transcriptomic and protein levels. They produced high amounts of IL-17A and IL-17F, and moderate amounts of IL-22 and IFN-γ. The techniques developed will be useful to characterize the phenotypic and functional properties of bovine Th17 cells.
Functional and neurometabolic asymmetry in SHR and WKY rats following vasoactive treatments
Authors: Segarra Ana B. , Prieto-Gomez Isabel , Banegas Inmaculada , Martínez-Cañamero Magdalena , Luna Juan de Dios , de Gasparo Marc , Ramírez-Sánchez Manuel
Published: November 2019

A lateralized distribution of neuropeptidase activities in the frontal cortex of normotensive and hypertensive rats has been described depending on the use of some vasoactive drugs and linked to certain mood disorders. Asymmetrical neuroperipheral connections involving neuropeptidases from the left or right hemisphere and aminopeptidases from the heart or plasma have been suggested to play a role in this asymmetry. We hypothesize that such asymmetries could be extended to the connection between the brain and physiologic parameters and metabolic factors from plasma and urine. To assess this hypothesis, we analyzed the possible correlation between neuropeptidases from the left and right frontal cortex with peripheral parameters in normotensive (Wistar Kyoto [WKY]) rats and hypertensive rats (spontaneously hypertensive rats [SHR]) untreated or treated with vasoactive drugs such as captopril, propranolol and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester. Neuropeptidase activities from the frontal cortex were analyzed fluorometrically using arylamide derivatives as substrates. Physiological parameters and metabolic factors from plasma and urine were determined using routine laboratory techniques. Vasoactive drug treatments differentially modified the asymmetrical neuroperipheral pattern by changing the predominance of the correlations between peripheral parameters and central neuropeptidase activities of the left and right frontal cortex. The response pattern also differed between SHR and WKY rats. These results support an asymmetric integrative function of the organism and suggest the possibility of a different neurometabolic response coupled to particular mood disorders, depending on the selected vasoactive drug.