bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the existence of non-hyperbolic ergodic measures as the limit of periodic measures
Authors: BONATTI CHRISTIAN , ZHANG JINHUA
Published: February 2018

Gorodetski et al. [Nonremovability of zero Lyapunov exponents. Funktsional. Anal. i Prilozhen.
39(1) (2005), 27–38 (in Russian); Engl. Transl. Funct. Anal. Appl.
39(1) (2005), 21–30] and Bochi et al. [Robust criterion for the existence of nonhyperbolic ergodic measures. Comm. Math. Phys.
344(3) (2016), 751–795] propose two very different ways for building non-hyperbolic measures, Gorodetski et al. (2005) building such a measure as the limit of periodic measures and Bochi et al. (2016) as the
$\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}$
-limit set of a single orbit, with a uniformly vanishing Lyapunov exponent. The technique in Gorodetski et al. (2005) has been used in a generic setting in Bonatti et al. [Non-hyperbolic ergodic measures with large support. Nonlinearity
23(3) (2010), 687–705] and Díaz and Gorodetski [Non-hyperbolic ergodic measures for non-hyperbolic homoclinic classes. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.
29(5) (2009), 1479–1513], as the periodic orbits were built by small perturbations. It is not known if the measures obtained by the technique in Bochi et al. (2016) are accumulated by periodic measures. In this paper we use a shadowing lemma from Gan [A generalized shadowing lemma. Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst.
8(3) (2002), 527–632]:

∙

for getting the periodic orbits in Gorodetski et al. (2005) without perturbing the dynamics;

∙

for recovering the compact set in Bochi et al. (2016) with a uniformly vanishing Lyapunov exponent by considering the limit of periodic orbits.

As a consequence, we prove that there exists an open and dense subset
${\mathcal{U}}$
of the set of robustly transitive non-hyperbolic diffeomorphisms far from homoclinic tangencies, such that for any
$f\in {\mathcal{U}}$
, there exists a non-hyperbolic ergodic measure with full support and approximated by hyperbolic periodic measures. We also prove that there exists an open and dense subset
${\mathcal{V}}$
of the set of diffeomorphisms exhibiting a robust cycle, such that for any
$f\in {\mathcal{V}}$
, there exists a non-hyperbolic ergodic measure approximated by hyperbolic periodic measures.
Hospital-Onset Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Is A Better Measure Than MRSA Bacteremia for Assessing Infection Prevention: Evaluation of 50 US Hospitals
Authors: Fakih Mohamad G. , Battjes Rebecca , Sturm Lisa , Jones Lindsey , Groves Clariecia , Bufalino Angelo , Hendrich Ann
Published: February 2018

Of 500 hospital-onset Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia events (58% methicillin-susceptible S. aureus [MSSA]; 42% methicillin-resistant S. aureus [MRSA]), we found no significant differences in S. aureus bacteremia rates between medium-sized and large hospitals. However, the proportion of S. aureus bacteremia caused by MSSA was greater in medium-sized hospitals and did not correlate with MRSA bacteremia.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:476–478
Host availability affects the interaction between pupal parasitoidCoptera haywardi(Hymenoptera: Diiapridae) and larval–pupal parasitoidDiachasmimorpha longicaudata(Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Montoya P. , Gálvez C. , Díaz-Fleischer F.
Published: February 2018

The use of multiple species in biological control programmes is controversial when interactions among them are not fully understood. We determined the response of the pupal parasitoidCoptera haywardi(Oglobin) to different availability ofAnastrepha ludens(Loew) pupae previously parasitized or not by larval–pupalDiachasmimorpha longicaudata(Ashmead). The two types of pupae were exposed at different ages and proportions to different numbers ofC. haywardifemales for 48 h. The performance ofC. haywardiadults emerging from parasitized and unparasitized pupae was measured.Coptera haywardiprefers to attack unparasitizedA. ludenspupae rather than pupae parasitized byD. longicaudata. However, when the availability of unparasitized pupae was low or the number of foraging females was high,C. haywardicompeted against early immature stages of theD. longicaudata, or hyperparasitized, feeding directly on the advanced-immature developmental stages of the early acting species. Adults ofC. haywardiemerging as hyperparasitoids were no different in size, fecundity and longevity from those emerging as primary parasitoids. Our data suggest that simultaneous use of these species in augmentative biological control projects may be feasible but should be carefully planned in order to avoid any detrimental effect of its interaction.
A new species ofPlatysiagumfrom the Luoping Biota (Anisian, Middle Triassic, Yunnan, South China) reveals the relationship between Platysiagidae and Neopterygii
Authors: WEN W. , HU S. X. , ZHANG Q. Y. , BENTON M. J. , KRIWET J. , CHEN Z. Q. , ZHOU C. Y. , XIE T. , HUANG J. Y.
Published: February 2018

Four complete platysiagid fish specimens are described from the Luoping Biota, Anisian (Middle Triassic), Yunnan Province, southwest China. They are small fishes with bones and scales covered with ganoine. All characters observed, such as nasals meeting in the midline, a keystone-like dermosphenotic, absence of post-rostral bone, two infraorbitals between dermosphenotic and jugal, large antorbital, and two postcleithra, suggest that the new materials belong to a single, newPlatysiagumspecies,P. sinensissp. nov. Three genera are ascribed to Platysiagidae:Platysiagum,HelmolepisandCaelatichthys. However, most specimens of the first two genera are imprints or fragmentary. The new, well-preserved specimens from the Luoping Biota provide more detailed anatomical information than before, and thus help amend the concept of the Platysiagidae. The Family Platysiagidae was previously classed in the Perleidiformes. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Platysiagidae is a member of basal Neopterygii, and its origin seems to predate that of Perleidiformes. Moreover, platysiagid fishes are known from the Middle Triassic of the western Tethys region. The newly found specimens of platysiagids from Luoping provide additional evidence that both eastern and western sides of the Tethys Ocean were biogeographically more connected than previously thought.
Fonctions Certaines Admettant des Répartitions Asymptotiques et Fonctions Aléatoires Stationnaires
Authors: Blanc-Lapierre A.
Published: February 2018

In the article below, we consider sets of non-random functions of time t admitting certain asymptotic distributions. Purely temporal and deterministic considerations lead us to associate to a set , say, of functions H(t) of this type, a space Ω of samples ω.

To each function H(t) ⊂ , there corresponds a random variable h (ω). To the set of translated functions H(t + λ) of a function H(t) ⊂ , there corresponds a stationary random function of the translation parameter λ, say, h(λ, ω). We study the transposition to the set of non-random functions H(t) of such properties as moments, gaussian character, independence, harmonic analysis, and others, of the random variables h (ω) and of the random functions h (λ, ω).

Some remarks are made concerning the links between ergodicity and the above problems.
A Highway Traffic Model
Authors: Solomon Herbert
Published: February 2018

The trajectory of a car traveling at a constant speed on an idealized infinite highway can be viewed as a straight line in the time-space plane. Entry times are governed by a Poisson process with intensity parameter A leading to all trajectories as random lines in a plane. The Poisson distribution of number of encounters of cars on the highway is developed through random line models and non-homogeneous Poisson fields, and its parameter, which depends on the specific random measure employed, is obtained explicitly.
The Distribution of DNA in Exponentially-Growing Cell Populations
Authors: MaCdonald P. D. M.
Published: February 2018

This paper illustrates a simple method of deriving distributions for samples from cell populations in exponential growth. The distribution of the elapsed proportion of the DNA-synthetic phase of the cell cycle is derived and used to find the distribution of DNA content in a random sample of cells. Allowing for a normally-distributed measurement error, the resulting distribution agrees well with DNA distributions observed empirically. The statistical analysis of DNA distributions, and the interpretation of the distributional parameters in terms of cell population kinetics, are discussed and illustrated with an example.
Moderation of prior exposure to trauma on the inverse relationship between callous-unemotional traits and amygdala responses to fearful expressions: an exploratory study
Authors: Meffert Harma , Thornton Laura C. , Tyler Patrick M. , Botkin Mary L. , Erway Anna K. , Kolli Venkata , Pope Kayla , White Stuart F. , Blair R. James R.
Published: February 2018

Background

Previous work has shown that amygdala responsiveness to fearful expressions is inversely related to level of callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e. reduced guilt and empathy) in youth with conduct problems. However, some research has suggested that the relationship between pathophysiology and CU traits may be different in those youth with significant prior trauma exposure.

Methods

In experiment 1, 72 youth with varying levels of disruptive behavior and trauma exposure performed a gender discrimination task while viewing morphed fear expressions (0, 50, 100, 150 fear) and Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent responses were recorded. In experiment 2, 66 of these youth performed the Social Goals Task, which measures self-reports of the importance of specific social goals to the participant in provoking social situations.

Results

In experiment 1, a significant CU traits-by-trauma exposure interaction was observed within right amygdala; fear intensity-modulated amygdala responsesnegativelypredicted CU traits for those youth with low levels of trauma butpositivelypredicted CU traits for those with high levels of trauma. In experiment 2, a bootstrapped model revealed that the indirect effect of fear intensity amygdala response on social goal importance through CU traits is moderated by prior trauma exposure.

Conclusions

This study, while exploratory, indicates that the pathophysiology associated with CU traits differs in youth as a function of prior trauma exposure. These data suggest that prior trauma exposure should be considered when evaluating potential interventions for youth with high CU traits.
OPTIMAL DESIGN OF SIMPLE STEP-STRESS ACCELERATED LIFE TESTS FOR ONE-SHOT DEVICES UNDER EXPONENTIAL DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Ling Man Ho
Published: February 2018

This paper considers simple step-stress accelerated life tests (SSALTs) for one-shot devices. The one-shot device is an item that cannot be used again after the test, for instance, munitions, rockets, and automobile air-bags. Either left-or right-censored data are collected instead of actual lifetimes of the devices under test. An expectation-maximization algorithm is developed here to find the maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters based on one-shot device testing data collected from simple SSALTs. Furthermore, the asymptotic variance of the mean lifetime under normal operating conditions is determined under the expectation-maximization framework. On the other hand, the optimal design that minimizes the asymptotic variance of the estimate of the mean lifetime under normal operating conditions in terms of three decision variables, including stress levels, inspection times, and sample allocation is discussed. A procedure then is presented to determine the decision variables when a range of stress levels and the termination time of the test as well as normal operating conditions of the devices are given. The properties of the optimal design and the effects of errors in pre-specified planning values of the model parameters are also investigated. Comprehensive simulation studies show that the procedure is quite reliable for the design of simple SSALTs.
BEGONIA MARIACHRISTINAE (BEGONIACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM NORTHERN MYANMAR
Authors: Wahlsteen E.
Published: February 2018

Begonia mariachristinae Wahlsteen, a new endemic species from Kachin, northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by its combination of four perianth segments in the female flower, two ovary wings, two locules, two styles and a dioecious breeding system.
Chauvet and Anglican Sacramentology
Authors: Niebauer Michael
Published: February 2018

This essay demonstrates how Louis-Marie Chauvet’s sacramental theology both coheres with the sacramentology of the Anglican divines and challenges the multitude of sacramental expressions within Anglicanism today. After giving a brief background to the sacramental controversies inherited by both Chauvet and Richard Hooker, the first section of this essay argues that key similarities exist between unitive Anglican sacramental concepts and core components of Louis-Marie Chauvet’s fundamental theology as outlined in his monograph Symbol and Sacrament. After demonstrating that, through these similarities, Chauvet’s theology should be seen as a fruitful conversation partner with Anglican sacramentology, the second section of the essay will focus on two concepts within Symbol and Sacrament (the Eucharist as stumbling block and ritual as symbolic rupture) that hold the potential to enrich sacramentology within Anglicanism today.
Local or global: A biophysical analysis of a regional food system
Authors: Kissinger Meidad , Sussmann Cornelia , Dorward Caitlin , Mullinix Kent
Published: February 2018

Growing concern regarding environmental, social, economic and food quality outcomes of the modern global industrial food system as well as the implications of climate change on food security and food system sustainability have fomented interest in, and action to advance localized food systems. Environmental stewardship is an oft-touted benefit of food system localization. However, few studies have comparatively examined actual environmental benefits of local versus global supply systems and most focus on only one aspect (e.g., GHG emissions). The study reported here comparatively analyzes land, water, carbon and ecological footprints of a localized food supply and contemporary global food supply for the South-West British Columbia (Canada), bioregion (SWBC). The footprint family approach utilized allows measuring overall biophysical loads for the studied region. We quantified regional rates of reliance on imported biophysical services; measured the performances of specific food products grown locally in comparison with their imported counterparts; and identified those commodities that have better and worse local biophysical performances. For the SWBC bioregion, only 35% of the food consumed in the region is locally produced. Supplying the region's food demands requires 2 million hectares of land and 3 billion m3 of water, generating approximately 2.8 million tons of CO2e, with an eco-footprint of 2.5 million gha. Examining a large number of commodities grown and consumed in the bioregion revealed that only some commodities grown locally have absolute or significant biophysical advantages, while the rest have very little to no local advantage. Our analysis challenges the notion that local food systems are necessarily more environmentally sustainable from a biophysical resource use perspective and therefore may not represent the most compelling argument(s) for food system localization. We call for better and more comprehensive comparative analysis of existing and desired food systems as a mean to advance sustainability.
A 52-to-67 GHz dual-core push–push VCO in 40-nm CMOS
Authors: Issakov Vadim , Rimmelspacher Johannes , Trotta Saverio , Tiebout Marc , Hagelauer Amelie , Weigel Robert
Published: February 2018

We present a continuously tunable 52-to-67 GHz push–push dual-core voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) in a 40 nm bulk complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The circuit is suitable for 60 GHz frequency-modulated-continuous-wave radar applications requiring a continuously tunable ultra-wide modulation bandwidth. The LC-tank inductor is used to couple the two VCO cores. The fundamental frequency of the VCO can be tuned from 26 to 33.5 GHz, which corresponds to a frequency tuning range of 25%. The second harmonic is extracted in a non-invasive way using a transformer. The primary side acts simultaneously as a second harmonic filter. The VCO achieves in measurement a low phase noise of −91.8 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset at 62 GHz and an output power of −20 dBm. The VCO including buffers dissipates in the dual-core operation mode 60 mA from a single 1.1 V supply and consumes a chip area of 0.58 mm2.
Overcrowding in the Peruvian prison system
Authors: Zevallos Julio César Magán
Published: February 2018

In this contribution the author examines overcrowding, one of the chronic problems that affect the prison system in Peru. First, the topic of the growth of the prison population during a determined period of years is addressed. Then, the author discusses three options for avoiding or controlling overcrowding in prisons: sending fewer people to prison, increasing the release of prisoners, and expanding existing prisons or building new ones. Finally, the article presents alternative measures of limiting freedom other than sending people to prison, and proposes a long-term solution which includes the participation of different sectors of the Peruvian government.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis and the associated inflammatory response in chondrocytes and the progression of osteoarthritis in rat
Authors: Chen Jian , Xie Jun-Jun , Shi Ke-Si , Gu Yun-Tao , Wu Cong-Cong , Xuan Jun , Ren Yue , Chen Long , Wu Yao-Sen , Zhang Xiao-Lei , Xiao Jian , Wang De-Zhong , Wang Xiang-Yang
Published: February 2018

Treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) are designed to restore chondrocyte function and inhibit cell apoptosis. Previous studies have shown that activation of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) leads to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the role of GLP-1R in the pathological process of OA is unclear. In present work, we aimed to demonstrate the potential effect of GLP-1R on chondrocytes and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. We found that activation of GLP-1R with liraglutide could protect chondrocytes against endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis induced by interleukin (IL)-1β or triglycerides (TGs). These effects were partially attenuated by GLP-1R small interfering RNA treatment. Moreover, inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling abolished the protective effects of GLP-1R by increase the apoptosis activity and ER stress. Activating GLP-1R suppressed the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, decreased the release of inflammatory mediators (IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α), and reduced matrix catabolism in TG-treated chondrocytes; these effects were abolished by GLP-1R knockdown. In the end, liraglutide attenuated rat cartilage degeneration in an OA model of knee joints in vivo. Our results indicate that GLP-1R is a therapeutic target for the treatment of OA, and that liraglutide could be a therapeutic candidate for this clinical application.
Mechanical stretch-induced osteogenic differentiation of human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hJBMMSCs) via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Liu Yuan , Ding Wanghui , Shi Jiejun , Li Shenglai , Liu Yali , Wu Mengjie , Wang Huiming
Published: February 2018

Severe malocclusion can contribute to several serious dental and physical conditions, such as digestive difficulties, periodontal disease, and severe tooth decay. Orthodontic treatment is mainly used to treat malocclusion. Forces in orthodontic tooth results in bone resorption on the pressure side and bone deposition on the tension side. Osteoblasts have been considered as the key component in bone regeneration on the tension side. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we focus on how mechanical stretch regulates the osteogenesis during orthodontic treatment. Human jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hJBMMSCs) were isolated from healthy adult donors and cultured in regular medium (control) or osteogenic medium (OS). Under OS culture, hJBMMSCs presented osteogenic differentiation potentials, as evidenced by increased mineralization, enhanced calcium deposition, and upregulated expression of osteogenesis markers (ALP, osterix, and Runx). What’s more, the OS-induced osteogenesis of hJBMMSCs is associated with the dephosphorylation of IKK, activation of IKBα, and phosphorylation/nucleic accumulation of P65, which all indicated the inhibition of NF-κB activity. OverexpressingP65in hJBMMSCs, which could constantly activate NF-κB, prevented the osteogenic differentiation in the OS. After that, we applied the Flexcell tension system, which could cause mechanical stretch on cultured hJBMMSCs to mimic the tension forces during tooth movement. Mechanical stretch resulted in 3.5−fold increase of ALP activity and 2.4–fold increase of calcium deposition after 7 days and 21 days treatment, respectively. The expression levels of ALP, Run×2, and Osterix were also significantly upregulated. In the meantime, applying mechanical stretch on OS-cultured hJBMMSCs also dramatically promoted the OS-induced osteogenesis. Both OS and mechanical stretch downregulated NF-κB activity. By overexpressingP65in hJBMMSCs, neither OS nor mechanical stretch could induce their osteogenesis. These results indicated that, like OS induction, mechanical stretch-facilitated osteogenesis of hJBMMSCs by inhibiting NF-κB in the noninflammatory environments.
Chemisorption of polysulfides through redox reactions with organic molecules for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Ge , Wang Xiaolei , Seo Min Ho , Li Matthew , Ma Lu , Yuan Yifei , Wu Tianpin , Yu Aiping , Wang Shun , Lu Jun , Chen Zhongwei
Published: February 2018

Lithium–sulfur battery possesses high energy density but suffers from severe capacity fading due to the dissolution of lithium polysulfides. Novel design and mechanisms to encapsulate lithium polysulfides are greatly desired by high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries towards practical applications. Herein, we report a strategy of utilizing anthraquinone, a natural abundant organic molecule, to suppress dissolution and diffusion of polysulfides species through redox reactions during cycling. The keto groups of anthraquinone play a critical role in forming strong Lewis acid-based chemical bonding. This mechanism leads to a long cycling stability of sulfur-based electrodes. With a high sulfur content of ~73%, a low capacity decay of 0.019% per cycle for 300 cycles and retention of 81.7% over 500 cycles at 0.5 C rate can be achieved. This finding and understanding paves an alternative avenue for the future design of sulfur–based cathodes toward the practical application of lithium–sulfur batteries.
Bone marrow lympho-myeloid malfunction in obesity requires precursor cell-autonomous TLR4
Authors: Liu Ailing , Chen Minhui , Kumar Rashmi , Stefanovic-Racic Maja , O’Doherty Robert M. , Ding Ying , Jahnen-Dechent Willi , Borghesi Lisa
Published: February 2018

Obesity, a prevalent condition in adults and children, impairs bone marrow (BM) function. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that obese mice exhibit poor emergency immune responses in a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent manner. Canonical myeloid genes (Csf1r, Spi1, Runx1) are enhanced, and lymphoid genes (Flt3, Tcf3, Ebf1) are reduced. Using adoptive transfer and mixed BM chimera approaches we demonstrate that myeloid>lymphoid bias arises after 6 weeks of high-fat diet and depends on precursor cell-autonomous TLR4. Further, lean mice exposed to the TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at doses similar to that detectable in obese serum recapitulates BM lympho-myeloid alterations. Together, these results establish a mechanistic contribution of BM cell-intrinsic TLR4 to obesity-driven BM malfunction and demonstrate the importance of LPS. Our findings raises important questions about the impact of maternal obesity and endotoxemia to fetal hematopoiesis, as fetal immune precursors are also sensitive to TLR4 signals.
Host defense against oral microbiota by bone-damaging T cells
Authors: Tsukasaki Masayuki , Komatsu Noriko , Nagashima Kazuki , Nitta Takeshi , Pluemsakunthai Warunee , Shukunami Chisa , Iwakura Yoichiro , Nakashima Tomoki , Okamoto Kazuo , Takayanagi Hiroshi
Published: February 2018

The immune system evolved to efficiently eradicate invading bacteria and terminate inflammation through balancing inflammatory and regulatory T-cell responses. In autoimmune arthritis, pathogenic TH17 cells induce bone destruction and autoimmune inflammation. However, whether a beneficial function of T-cell-induced bone damage exists is unclear. Here, we show that bone-damaging T cells have a critical function in the eradication of bacteria in a mouse model of periodontitis, which is the most common infectious disease. Bacterial invasion leads to the generation of specialized TH17 cells that protect against bacteria by evoking mucosal immune responses as well as inducing bone damage, the latter of which also inhibits infection by removing the tooth. Thus, bone-damaging T cells, which may have developed to stop local infection by inducing tooth loss, function as a double-edged sword by protecting against pathogens while also inducing skeletal tissue degradation.
The association of aspirin use with severity of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Goto Tadahiro , Faridi Mohammad Kamal , Camargo Carlos A. , Hasegawa Kohei
Published: February 2018

Little is known about the effect of long-term aspirin use on acute severity of COPD. We hypothesized that, in patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), long-term aspirin use is associated with lower risks of disease severity (in-hospital death, mechanical ventilation use, and hospital length-of-stay). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using large population-based data from 2012 through 2013. Among 206,686 patients (aged ≥40 years) hospitalized for AECOPD, aspirin users had lower in-hospital mortality (1.0 vs. 1.4%; OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.50–0.72]; P < 0.001) and lower risk of invasive mechanical ventilation use (1.7 vs. 2.6%; OR 0.64 [95% CI 0.55–0.73]; P < 0.001) compared to non-users, while there was no significant difference in risks of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation use. Length-of-stay was shorter in aspirin users compared to non-users (P < 0.001). In sum, in patients with AECOPD, aspirin use was associated with lower rates of in-hospital mortality and invasive mechanical ventilation use, and shorter length-of-stay.
Quantum annealing versus classical machine learning applied to a simplified computational biology problem
Authors: Li Richard Y. , Di Felice Rosa , Rohs Remo , Lidar Daniel A.
Published: February 2018

Transcription factors regulate gene expression, but how these proteins recognize and specifically bind to their DNA targets is still debated. Machine learning models are effective means to reveal interaction mechanisms. Here we studied the ability of a quantum machine learning approach to classify and rank binding affinities. Using simplified data sets of a small number of DNA sequences derived from actual binding affinity experiments, we trained a commercially available quantum annealer to classify and rank transcription factor binding. The results were compared to state-of-the-art classical approaches for the same simplified data sets, including simulated annealing, simulated quantum annealing, multiple linear regression, LASSO, and extreme gradient boosting. Despite technological limitations, we find a slight advantage in classification performance and nearly equal ranking performance using the quantum annealer for these fairly small training data sets. Thus, we propose that quantum annealing might be an effective method to implement machine learning for certain computational biology problems.
Reversing Coffee-Ring Effect by Laser-Induced Differential Evaporation
Authors: Yen Tony M. , Fu Xin , Wei Tao , Nayak Roshan U. , Shi Yuesong , Lo Yu-Hwa
Published: February 2018

The coffee-ring effect, ubiquitously present in the drying process of aqueous droplets, impedes the performance of a myriad of applications involving precipitation of particle suspensions in evaporating liquids on solid surfaces, such as liquid biopsy combinational analysis, microarray fabrication, and ink-jet printing, to name a few. We invented the methodology of laser-induced differential evaporation to remove the coffee-ring effect. Without any additives to the liquid or any morphology modifications of the solid surface the liquid rests on, we have eliminated the coffee-ring effect by engineering the liquid evaporation profile with a CO2 laser irradiating the apex of the droplets. The method of laser-induced differential evaporation transitions particle deposition patterns from coffee-ring patterns to central-peak patterns, bringing all particles (e.g. fluorescent double strand DNAs) in the droplet to a designated area of 100 μm diameter without leaving any stains outside. The technique also moves the drying process from the constant contact radius (CCR) mode to the constant contact angle (CCA) mode. Physical mechanisms of this method were experimentally studied by internal flow tracking and surface evaporation flux mapping, and theoretically investigated by development of an analytical model.
β-catenin-independent regulation of Wnt target genes by RoR2 and ATF2/ATF4 in colon cancer cells
Authors: Voloshanenko Oksana , Schwartz Uwe , Kranz Dominique , Rauscher Benedikt , Linnebacher Michael , Augustin Iris , Boutros Michael
Published: February 2018

Wnt signaling is an evolutionarily conserved signaling route required for development and homeostasis. While canonical, β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling is well studied and has been linked to many forms of cancer, much less is known about the role of non-canonical, β-catenin-independent Wnt signaling. Here, we aimed at identifying a β-catenin-independent Wnt target gene signature in order to understand the functional significance of non-canonical signaling in colon cancer cells. Gene expression profiling was performed after silencing of key components of Wnt signaling pathway and an iterative signature algorithm was applied to predict pathway-dependent gene signatures. Independent experiments confirmed several target genes, including PLOD2, HADH, LCOR and REEP1 as non-canonical target genes in various colon cancer cells. Moreover, non-canonical Wnt target genes are regulated via RoR2, Dvl2, ATF2 and ATF4. Furthermore, we show that the ligands Wnt5a/b are upstream regulators of the non-canonical signature and moreover regulate proliferation of cancer cells in a β-catenin-independent manner. Our experiments indicate that colon cancer cells are dependent on both β-catenin-dependent and –independent Wnt signaling routes for growth and proliferation.
Minimum energy control for complex networks
Authors: Lindmark Gustav , Altafini Claudio
Published: February 2018

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the problem of controlling a complex network with minimal control energy. We show first that the control energy depends on the time constant of the modes of the network, and that the closer the eigenvalues are to the imaginary axis of the complex plane, the less energy is required for complete controllability. In the limit case of networks having all purely imaginary eigenvalues (e.g. networks of coupled harmonic oscillators), several constructive algorithms for minimum control energy driver node selection are developed. A general heuristic principle valid for any directed network is also proposed: the overall cost of controlling a network is reduced when the controls are concentrated on the nodes with highest ratio of weighted outdegree vs indegree.
High-definition and low-noise muography of the Sakurajima volcano with gaseous tracking detectors
Authors: Oláh László , Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M. , Ohminato Takao , Varga Dezső
Published: February 2018

Muography is a novel method to highly resolve the internal structure of active volcanoes by taking advantage of the cosmic muon’s strong penetration power. In this paper, we present the first high-definition image in the vicinity of craters of an erupting volcano called Sakurajima, Kyushu, Japan. The muography observation system based on the technique of multi-wire proportional chamber (mMOS) has been operated reliably during the data taking period of 157 days. The mMOS measured precisely the flux of muons up to the thickness of 5,000 meter-water-equivalent. It was shown that high-definition density maps around the Craters A, B and Showa could be determined with a precision of less than 7.5 × 7.5 m2 which earlier had not yet been achieved. The observed density distribution suggests that the fall back deposits filled the magma pathway and increased their density underneath Craters A and B.
Widespread use of incorrect PCR ramp rate negatively impacts multidrug-resistant tuberculosis diagnosis (MTBDRplus)
Authors: Derendinger B. , de Vos M. , Nathavitharana R. R. , Dolby T. , Simpson J. A. , van Helden P. D. , Warren R. M. , Theron G.
Published: February 2018

The scale-up of rapid drug resistance testing for TB is a global priority. MTBDRplus is a WHO-endorsed multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB PCR assay with suboptimal sensitivities and high indeterminate rates on smear-negative specimens. We hypothesised that widespread use of incorrect thermocycler ramp rate (speed of temperature change between cycles) impacts performance. A global sample of 72 laboratories was surveyed. We tested 107 sputa from Xpert MTB/RIF-positive patients and, separately, dilution series of bacilli, both at the manufacturer-recommended ramp rate (2.2 °C/s) and the most frequently reported incorrect ramp rate (4.0 °C/s). Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex DNA (TUB-band)-detection, indeterminate results, accuracy, and inter-reader variability (dilution series only) were compared. 32 respondents did a median (IQR) of 41 (20–150) assays monthly. 78% used an incorrect ramp rate. On smear-negative sputa, 2.2 °C/s vs. 4.0 °C/s improved TUB-band positivity (42/55 vs. 32/55; p = 0.042) and indeterminate rates (1/42 vs. 5/32; p = 0.039). The actionable results (not TUB-negative or indeterminate; 41/55 vs. 28/55) hence improved by 21% (95% CI: 9–35%). Widespread use of incorrect ramp rate contributes to suboptimal MTBDRplus performance on smear-negative specimens and hence limits clinical utility. The number of diagnoses (and thus the number of smear-negative patients in whom DST is possible) will improve substantially after ramp rate correction.
Constructions of Unextendible Maximally Entangled Bases in $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{d}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{d^{\prime} }$$
Authors: Zhang Gui-Jun , Tao Yuan-Hong , Han Yi-Fan , Yong Xin-Lei , Fei Shao-Ming
Published: February 2018

We study unextendible maximally entangled bases (UMEBs) in $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{d}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{d^{\prime} }$$

ℂ

d

⊗

ℂ

d
′

(d < d′). An operational method to construct UMEBs containing d(d′ − 1) maximally entangled vectors is established, and two UMEBs in $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{5}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{6}$$

ℂ

5

⊗

ℂ

6

and $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{5}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{12}$$

ℂ

5

⊗

ℂ

12

are given as examples. Furthermore, a systematic way of constructing UMEBs containing d(d′ − r) maximally entangled vectors in $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{d}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{d^{\prime} }$$

ℂ

d

⊗

ℂ

d
′

is presented for r = 1, 2, …, d − 1. Correspondingly, two UMEBs in $${{\mathbb{C}}}^{3}\otimes {{\mathbb{C}}}^{10}$$

ℂ

3

⊗

ℂ

10

are obtained.
Increased deficit of visual attention span with development in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia
Authors: Zhao Jing , Liu Menglian , Liu Hanlong , Huang Chen
Published: February 2018

It has been suggested that orthographic transparency and age changes may affect the relationship between visual attention span (VAS) deficit and reading difficulty. The present study explored the developmental trend of VAS in children with developmental dyslexia (DD) in Chinese, a logographic language with a deep orthography. Fifty-seven Chinese children with DD and fifty-four age-matched normal readers participated. The visual 1-back task was adopted to examine VAS. Phonological and morphological awareness tests, and reading tests in single-character and sentence levels were used for reading skill measurements. Results showed that only high graders with dyslexia exhibited lower accuracy than the controls in the VAS task, revealing an increased VAS deficit with development in the dyslexics. Moreover, the developmental trajectory analyses demonstrated that the dyslexics seemed to exhibit an atypical but not delayed pattern in their VAS development as compared to the controls. A correlation analysis indicated that VAS was only associated with morphological awareness for dyslexic readers in high grades. Further regression analysis showed that VAS skills and morphological awareness made separate and significant contributions to single-character reading for high grader with dyslexia. These findings suggested a developmental increasing trend in the relationship between VAS skills and reading (dis)ability in Chinese.
The versatility of N,O-dialkylphosphoramidate stationary phase-separations in HILIC, highly aqueous RP LC conditions and purely aqueous mobile phase
Authors: Krzemińska Katarzyna , Bocian Szymon
Published: February 2018

The chromatographic properties of N,O-dialkylphosphoramidate stationary phase with an octadecyl chain (Amino-P-C18) were studied.
Quantification of isomerically summed hydrocarbon contributions to crude oil by carbon number, double bond equivalent, and aromaticity using gas chromatography with tunable vacuum ultraviolet ionization
Authors: Nowak Jeremy A. , Weber Robert J. , Goldstein Allen H.
Published: February 2018

GC × GC with tunable vacuum ultraviolet photoionization distinguishes and isomerically quantifies aliphatic and aromatic fractions of crude oil hydrocarbon classes.
Light-triggered release of drug conjugates for an efficient combination of chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Liu Lin , Wang Ruibo , Wang Chunran , Wang Jinze , Chen Li , Cheng Jianjun
Published: February 2018

Herein, we present a series of light-triggered porphyrin-based polymeric drug conjugates PSDTD-m for combined chemo-photodynamic therapy of cancer.
Effect of sulfonating agent and ligand chemistry on structural and optical properties of CuSbS2particles prepared by heat-up method
Authors: Moosakhani Shima , Sabbagh Alvani Ali Asghar , Mohammadpour Raheleh , Sainio Jani , Ge Yanling , Hannula Simo-Pekka
Published: February 2018

CuSbS2particles were prepared by a facile heat-up method to investigate the effect of sulfur source and ligand chemistry.
Photoelectrochemical response of carbon dots (CDs) derived from chitosan and their use in electrochemical imaging
Authors: Zhang De-Wen , Papaioannou Nikolaos , David Naomi Michelle , Luo Hui , Gao Hui , Tanase Liviu Cristian , Degousée Thibault , Samorì Paolo , Sapelkin Andrei , Fenwick Oliver , Titirici Maria-Magdalena , Krause Steffi
Published: February 2018

Direct photoelectrochemical response of carbon dots (CDs) was attributed to a photogenerated electron-transfer process by CDs under illumination.
Isotopic graphene–isolated-Au-nanocrystals with cellular Raman-silent signals for cancer cell pattern recognition
Authors: Zou Yuxiu , Huang Siqi , Liao Yixin , Zhu Xupeng , Chen Yiqin , Chen Long , Liu Fang , Hu Xiaoxiao , Tu Haijun , Zhang Liang , Liu Zhangkun , Chen Zhuo , Tan Weihong
Published: February 2018

Isotopic graphene–isolated-Au-nanocrystal SERS tags with simple, low background and super-stable fingerprint spectra were developed for pattern recognition of cancer cells.
Surface induced twist in nematic and chiral nematic liquid crystals: stick-slip-like and constrained motion
Authors: de Souza R. F. , Lenzi E. K. , de Souza R. T. , Evangelista L. R. , Li Q. , Zola R. S.
Published: February 2018

A rotating easy axis produces a free twist, stick-slip twist, and constrained twist on nematic and chiral nematic liquid crystals.
Numerical–experimental observation of shape bistability of red blood cells flowing in a microchannel
Authors: Guckenberger Achim , Kihm Alexander , John Thomas , Wagner Christian , Gekle Stephan
Published: February 2018

Red blood cells flowing through capillaries assume a wide variety of different shapes owing to their high deformability.
Homogeneous melting near the superheat limit of hard-sphere crystals
Authors: Wang Feng , Wang Ziren , Peng Yi , Zheng Zhongyu , Han Yilong
Published: February 2018

We find the superheat limit of hard-sphere fcc crystals at volume fraction 0.494 due to the vanishing bulk modulus.
Importance of matrix inelastic deformations in the initial response of magnetic elastomers
Authors: Sánchez Pedro A. , Gundermann Thomas , Dobroserdova Alla , Kantorovich Sofia S. , Odenbach Stefan
Published: February 2018

The initial magnetic response of magnetic elastomers can be explained by irreversible polymer matrix deformations under first external field application.
Effect of large deformation and surface stiffening on the transmission of a line load on a neo-Hookean half space
Authors: Wu Haibin , Liu Zezhou , Jagota Anand , Hui Chung-Yuen
Published: February 2018

Neumann's triangle of local force balance is revisited under large deformation and surface stiffening cases.
Competitive calcium ion binding to end-tethered weak polyelectrolytes
Authors: Nap Rikkert J. , Park Sung Hyun , Szleifer Igal
Published: February 2018

We have developed a molecular model to describe the structural changes and potential collapse of weak polyelectrolyte layers end-tethered to planar surfaces and spherical nanoparticles as a function of pH and divalent ion concentration.
Correction: The photocatalytic role of electrodeposited copper on pencil graphite
Authors: P. J. Arathi , Bhaskar Seemesh , G. Rajendra Kumar Reddy , P. Suresh Kumar , V. Ramanathan
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘The photocatalytic role of electrodeposited copper on pencil graphite’ by Arathi P. J. et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 3430–3432.
Correction: Cotton-like micro- and nanoscale poly(lactic acid) nonwoven fibers fabricated by centrifugal melt-spinning for tissue engineering
Authors: Zhou Hongli , Tang Yufeng , Wang Zongliang , Zhang Peibiao , Zhu Qingsan
Published: February 2018

Correction for ‘Cotton-like micro- and nanoscale poly(lactic acid) nonwoven fibers fabricated by centrifugal melt-spinning for tissue engineering’ by Hongli Zhou et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 5166–5179.
Fibers on the surface of thermo-responsive gels induce 3D shape changes
Authors: Zhang Tao , Yashin Victor V. , Balazs Anna C.
Published: February 2018

Placing elastic fibers on surface of thermo-responsive gels is an effective method to tailor sample's shape.
Facile synthesis of oxygen defective yolk–shell BiO2−x for visible-light-driven photocatalytic inactivation of Escherichia coli
Authors: Sun Hongli , Yip Ho Yin , Jiang Zhifeng , Ye Liqun , Lo Irene M. C. , Wong Po Keung
Published: February 2018

Oxygen deficient yolk–shell BiO2−x microspheres prepared by facile solvothermal method showed great inactivation ability toward Escherichia coli, due to its enhanced light absorption ability and separation ability of photoinduced carriers. Reactive species O2− and H2O2 guaranteed this prominent oxidation ability toward bacterial cells.
Anarchy in the UPR: a Ca2+-insensitive PKC inhibits SERCA activity to promote ER stress
Authors: Schmitz-Peiffer Carsten
Published: February 2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in Western countries, and is linked to the development of liver cancer and Type 2 diabetes (T2D). It is strongly associated with obesity, but the dysregulation of liver lipid storage is not fully understood. Fatty acid oversupply to hepatocytes can establish a vicious cycle involving diminished protein folding, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, insulin resistance and further lipogenesis. This commentary discusses the recent findings of Lai et al. published in Bioscience Reports, that implicate protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) activation by fatty acids in the inhibition of the SERCA Ca2+ pump, resulting in reduced ER Ca2+ loading and protein misfolding. PKCδ therefore represents a target for the treatment of both steatosis and insulin resistance, key to the prevention of NAFLD and T2D.
Association between the ABCA1 rs1800977 polymorphism and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Li Chenyi , Fan Danjun
Published: February 2018

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is associated with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Several studies have demonstrated that individuals with a high HDL cholesterol level have a reduced risk of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, we conducted a case–control study including 508 T2DM patients and 614 controls to explore the association between the ABCA1 rs1800977 polymorphism and T2DM risk in a Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/lionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that the TT genotype of the rs1800977 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of T2DM compared to the CC genotype. The T allele of the rs1800977 polymorphism was also related with a decreased risk of T2DM. There was no significant association between clinical parameters (HDL, low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, body mass index, and age) and rs1800977 polymorphism genotypes. In conclusion, the ABCA1 rs1800977 polymorphism may contribute to the development of T2DM. However, larger studies with more diverse ethnic populations are needed to confirm these results.
Resveratrol attenuates mechanical compression-induced nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis through regulating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in a disc organ culture
Authors: Zhang Zhiwen , Wen Feng , He Chengjian , Yu Jun
Published: February 2018

Background: Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis is a typical feature within the degenerative disc. High magnitude compression significantly promotes NP cell apoptosis. Several studies have indicated that resveratrol has protective effects on disc cell’s normal biology.

Objective: The present study aims to investigate whether resveratrol can attenuate mechanical overloading-induced NP cell apoptosis in a disc organ culture.

Methods: Isolated porcine discs were cultured in culture chambers of a mechanically active perfusion bioreactor and subjected to a relatively high magnitude compression (1.3 MPa at a frequency of 1.0 Hz for 2 h once per day) for 7 days. Different concentrations (50 and 100 μM) of resveratrol were added into the culture medium to observe the protective effects of resveratrol against NP cell apoptosis under mechanical compression. The noncompressed discs were used as controls.

Results: Similar with the previous studies, this high magnitude compression significantly promoted NP cell apoptosis, reflected by the increased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining-positive NP cells and enzyme (caspase-9 and caspase-3) activity, the up-regulated expression of proapoptotic molecules (Bax and caspase-3/cleaved caspase-3), and down-regulated expression of antiapoptotic molecule (Bcl-2). However, resveratrol partly attenuated NP cell apoptosis under this high magnitude compression in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, though the ERK1/2 pathway was significantly activated in the mechanical compression group, resveratrol partly attenuated activation of the ERK1/2 pathway under mechanical compression in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion: Resveratrol attenuates mechanical overloading-induced NP cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibiting activation of the ERK1/2 pathway may be one potential mechanism behind this regulatory process.