bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preinjury family environment as a determinant of recovery
from traumatic brain injuries in school-age children
Authors: YEATES KEITH OWEN , TAYLOR H. GERRY , DROTAR DENNIS , WADE SHARI L. , KLEIN SUSAN , STANCIN TERRY , SCHATSCHNEIDER CHRISTOPHER
Published: September 2019

Previous studies of childhood traumatic brain injury
(TBI) have emphasized injury-related variables rather than
environmental factors as predictors of recovery. We addressed
this concern using data collected during a prospective
study of children with either TBI or orthopedic injuries
(OI) and their families. Participants included 53 children
with severe TBI, 56 with moderate TBI, and 80 with OI,
all from 6 to 12 years of age at the time of injury. Measures
of the preinjury family environment were collected shortly
after the injury (baseline). Child cognitive and behavioral
outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month
follow-ups. Individual growth curve analyses showed that
measures of the preinjury family environment consistently
predicted both the level of cognitive and behavioral functioning
at 12 months postinjury and the rate of intraindividual
change during the 12-month follow-up period, even after
taking into account group membership and injury severity.
In some cases, the preinjury family environment was a significant
moderator of the effect of TBI, buffering its impact in
high-functioning families and exacerbating it in low-functioning
families. Thus, preinjury environmental factors predict
recovery following TBI in children, even after accounting
for injury-related variables. (JINS, 1997, 3,
617–630.)
The effect of African-American acculturation on neuropsychological
test performance in normal and HIV-positive individuals
Authors: MANLY JENNIFER J. , MILLER S. WALDEN , HEATON ROBERT K. , BYRD DESIREE , REILLY JUDY , VELASQUEZ ROBERTO J. , SACCUZZO DENNIS P. , GRANT IGOR , GROUP THE HIV NEUROBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH CENTER (HNRC)
Published: September 2019

Two studies were conducted to examine the relationship
of acculturation to neuropsychological test performance
among (1) medically healthy, neurologically normal African
Americans (N = 170); and (2) HIV positive (HIV+)
subgroups of African Americans and Whites (Ns
= 20) matched on age, education, sex, and HIV disease stage.
Acculturation was measured through self report for all
participants, and linguistic behavior (Black English use)
was assessed in a subset of medically healthy individuals
(N = 25). After controlling for the effects of
age, education, and sex, medically healthy African Americans
who reported less acculturation obtained lower scores on
the WAIS–R Information subtest and the Boston Naming
Test than did more acculturated individuals. Black English
use was associated with poor performance on Trails B and
the WAIS–R Information subtest. HIV+ African Americans
scored significantly lower than their HIV+ White counterparts
on the Category Test, Trails B, WAIS–R Block Design
and Vocabulary subtests, and the learning components of
the Story and Figure Memory Tests. However, after accounting
for acculturation, ethnic group differences on all measures
but Story Learning became nonsignificant. These results
suggest that there are cultural differences within ethnic
groups that relate to neuropsychological test performance,
and that accounting for acculturation may improve the diagnostic
accuracy of certain neuropsychological tests. (JINS,
1998, 4, 291–302.)
External cueing systems in the rehabilitation of executive
impairments of action
Authors: EVANS JONATHAN J. , EMSLIE HAZEL , WILSON BARBARA A.
Published: September 2019

The use of a mnemonic cueing system (NeuroPage®)
and a paper and pencil checklist in the rehabilitation
of executive problems in a 50-year-old woman are described.
Following a CVA 7 years earlier, the patient, despite intact
general intellectual and memory functioning, had specific
executive impairments of attention, planning, realizing
intended actions, and also exhibited behavioral routines
similar in form to obsessive–compulsive rituals.
In a series of ABAB single-case experimental designs, the
efficacy of 2 external cueing systems in prompting appropriately
timed action is demonstrated. It is argued that the combination
of external control and increased sustained attention to
action were critical to the success of NeuroPage with this
patient. Furthermore it is hypothesized that the checklist
was effective in facilitating the patient's ability
to foresee and recognize the consequences of her actions,
which in turn had an impact on the probability of her changing
those same actions. (JINS, 1998, 4, 399–408.)
LIQUIDITY, PRICES, SEIGNIORAGE, AND THE TRANSITION FROM BARTER TO FIAT MONEY
Authors: Kim Young Sik
Published: September 2019

The government-led transition from barter to fiat money and its possible failure are analyzed in the Kiyotaki-Wright model when prices are determined endogenously by the strategic bargaining process. The transition is shown to be more inflationary as the government becomes less patient and less credible. The possibility of breakdown in fiat money due to uncertainty in the size of government and its patience implies longer transition path and higher expected inflation. An application to the transition from local currencies to currency integration shows that local governments are tempted to issue more currency to extract seigniorage from foreign as well as home agents. As long as the degree of economic integration is sufficiently large, an increasing frequency of trading opportunities implies lower price levels and higher welfare relative to the local currency regime. It is when the two countries are fully integrated that the world economy with the unified currency achieves the highest welfare.
TESTING TIME-SERIES STATIONARITY AGAINST AN ALTERNATIVE WHOSE MEAN IS PERIODIC
Authors: Hinich Melvin A. , Wild Phillip
Published: September 2019

We develop a test of the null hypothesis that an observed time series is a realization of a strictly stationary random process. Our test is based on the result that the kth value of the discrete Fourier transform of a sample frame has a zero mean under the null hypothesis. The test that we develop will have considerable power against an important form of nonstationarity hitherto not considered in the mainstream econometric time-series literature, that is, where the mean of a time series is periodic with random variation in its periodic structure. The size and power properties of the test are investigated and its applicability to real-world problems is demonstrated by application to three economic data sets.
AN INTERVIEW WITH PAUL A. VOLCKER
Authors: MEHRLING PERRY
Published: September 2019

Paul A. Volcker has spent most of his life in public service, at the Treasury under President Kennedy (1962–1965) and then as Undersecretary for Monetary Affairs under President Nixon (1969–1974), as President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (1975–1979), and finally as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under both President Carter and President Reagan (1979–1987). Born in 1927, his world view was formed by childhood experience of the Great Depression and World War II, times of great national trial that led ultimately to recommitment and reconstruction. He went into public service in order to be a part of the rebuilding effort, but it was his fate instead to be involved mainly in managing pressures that would ultimately lead to the breakdown of the Bretton Woods system internationally and the Glass–Steagall banking system domestically. Consequently, there is some sadness today when he looks back on his career, but there is also a sense of accomplishment. In spite of everything, there was no depression and there was no world war. The possibility and hope for progress in years to come remains alive.

The interview took place in Volcker's office at Rockefeller Center in New York City. His fourth-floor windows look out over the sunken plaza to the gold-leafed statue of Prometheus stealing fire from the gods, and then on farther to the elegant GE building, which is familiar to anyone who has visited New York. Over the front entrance it is just possible to see the inscription adapted from Isaiah 33:6, “Wisdom and Knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.” It strikes me as an appropriate inscription for the building, reminding one that this most beautiful complex was built in the years of the Great Depression. Today, with the forthcoming interview in mind, it reminds me also of the stakes involved in the conduct of monetary policy.
FREQUENCY-DOMAIN TEST OF TIME REVERSIBILITY
Authors: Hinich Melvin J. , Rothman Philip
Published: September 2019

We introduce a frequency-domain test of time reversibility, the
REVERSE test. It is based on the bispectrum. We analytically
establish the asymptotic distribution of the test and also explore
its finite-sample properties through Monte-Carlo simulation.
Following other researchers who demonstrated that the problem of
business-cycle asymmetry can be stated as whether macroeconomic
fluctuations are time irreversible, we use the REVERSE test as a
frequency-domain test of business-cycle asymmetry. Our empirical
results show that time irreversibility is the rule rather than the
exception for a representative set of macroeconomic time series for
five OECD countries.
LEARNING IN BAYESIAN GAMES BY BOUNDED RATIONAL PLAYERS II: NONMYOPIA
Authors: Serfes Konstantinos , Yannelis Nicholas C.
Published: September 2019

We generalize results of earlier work on learning in
Bayesian games by allowing players to make decisions
in a nonmyopic fashion. In particular, we address the
issue of nonmyopic Bayesian learning with an arbitrary number of
bounded rational players, i.e., players who choose approximate best-response
strategies for the entire horizon (rather than the current
period). We show that, by repetition, nonmyopic bounded rational players
can reach a limit full-information nonmyopic Bayesian Nash equilibrium
(NBNE) strategy. The converse is also proved: Given a limit full-information
NBNE strategy, one can find a sequence of nonmyopic bounded
rational plays that converges to that strategy.
ACTIVE INTERMEDIATION IN OVERLAPPING GENERATIONS ECONOMIES
WITH PRODUCTION AND UNSECURED DEBT
Authors: Pingle Mark , Tesfatsion Leigh
Published: September 2019

It is well known that the first welfare theorem can fail for
overlapping generations economies with private production and
unsecured debt. This paper demonstrates that
the reason for this
failure is that intermediation is modeled as a purely passive
coordination activity implemented by a Walrasian Auctioneer. When
intermediation is modeled instead as a contestable activity carried
out by a corporate intermediary
owned by consumer-shareholders and
operated in their interest, every equilibrium
is Pareto efficient.
In broader terms, these findings caution that the inefficiency
observed in standard modelings of overlapping generations economies
may not be the reflection of an intrinsic market failure. Rather,
the observed inefficiency could instead
be due to a fundamental
incompleteness in the model specification — the presumed
inability of
private agents to exploit the earnings opportunities
associated with incurring and forever rolling over debt.
DYNAMICS OF NATURAL RATES OF GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT
Authors: Chiarella Carl , Flaschel Peter
Published: September 2019

We investigate the dynamics of an integrated Keynesian disequilibrium
model of monetary growth that allows for a variety of labor-market
and employment-adjustment processes. The structure of the model is
naturally nonlinear, i.e., no extrinsic nonlinear economic
behavioral relationships are imposed at first. The dynamics of the
model are nine-dimensional and are investigated analytically by
considering appropriate subdynamics. The model generates limit cycles
(via Hopf bifurcations) and more
complex dynamic behavior (when a
natural kink in the money-wage Phillips curve is taken into
account). It exhibits hysteresis effects with respect to long-run
unemployment as well as growth and implies the occurrence of steady-state
depressions in particular.
Reproducibility and validity of an FFQ in the Henan Rural Cohort Study
Authors: Xue Yuan , Yang Kaili , Wang Bingya , Liu Chang , Mao Zhenxing , Yu Songcheng , Li Xing , Wang Yan , Sun Hualei , Wang Chongjian , Li Wenjie
Published: September 2019

Objective:

The present study aimed to evaluate the validity and reproducibility of a thirteen-item FFQ regarding identification of dietary conditions in a rural population in China.

Design:

A reproducibility study repeated the first FFQ (FFQ1) approximately 4 weeks later (FFQ2). A validity study evaluated the mean of three consecutive 24 h diet recalls as the reference measure.

Setting:

Cross-sectional study.

Participants:

Residents of a rural area in Henan Province, which is located in the central region of China.

Results:

A total of 295 individuals participated in the reproducibility study. In addition, 123 people agreed to participate in the validity study. Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the two FFQ ranged from 0·06 (vegetables) to 0·58 (eggs). Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the two methods of collection ranged from 0·01 for cereal to 0·49 for staple foods. The mean of the intraclass correlation coefficients of the two FFQ (FFQ1 v. FFQ2) was 0·19. Bland–Altman analysis indicated good agreement for most food groups across the range of intake for the two studies.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that our FFQ design could be used as a representative tool to conduct a dietary evaluation of a rural population.
CONVERGENCE AND THE FORMATION OF AFRIKAANS
Authors: Roberge Paul T.
Published: September 2019

As a phenomenon to be explained, convergence in historical linguistics is substantively no different than in creolistics. The general idea is that accommodation by speakers of “established” languages in contact and the formation of new language varieties both involve a process of leveling of different structures that achieve the same referential and nonreferential effects. The relatively short and well-documented history of Afrikaans presents an important case study in the competition and selection of linguistic features during intensive language contact.
New Methods for Deriving Clear‐Sky Surface Longwave Downward Radiation Based on Remotely Sensed Data and Ground Measurements
Authors: Zhou W. , Shi J. C. , Wang T. X. , Peng B. , Husi L. , Yu Y. C. , Zhao R.
Published: September 2019

Accurate knowledge of spatiotemporal characteristics of land surface energy budget is essential to understand the Earth's surface system. To some extent, the continuous development of remote sensing technology makes the estimation of global high‐resolution surface energy budget possible. However, it is still challenging to accurately derive the global longwave downward radiation (LWDR) from space. In this study, two advanced methods were proposed to estimate clear‐sky LWDR based on Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products and corresponding ground measured LWDR from several global distributed radiation networks. One is a sensor‐based Random Forest (RF) method that uses MODIS's surface elevation, sensor zenith angle, column precipitable water vapor (PWC), top of atmosphere radiance of band 28, 31, 34, and 36 as inputs; the other is a sensor‐independent nonlinear regression method, which only uses the land surface temperature (LST) and PWC as inputs. The validation results show that the root mean square errors of RF and nonlinear regression method are less than 25.5 W/m2 and bias are less than 0.5 W/m2 under different tenfold cross‐validation schemes. In addition, the sensitivity analysis indicates that the two models are very stable, and the retrieval errors are independent of changes of LST and PWC, and the accuracy does not rely on variations of land cover types, different observing angles, and different seasons. The comparison analysis indicates that the proposed methods are comparable or even better than existing algorithms. More importantly, the proposed sensor‐independent regression method was designed for generality purpose so can easily be utilized with reasonable accuracy.
Contained Laboratory Earthquakes Ranging From Slow to Fast
Authors: Wu Bill S. , McLaskey Gregory C.
Published: September 2019

Loading a 3‐m granite slab containing a saw‐cut simulated fault, we generated slip events that spontaneously nucleate, propagate, and arrest before reaching the ends of the sample. This work shows that slow (0.07 mm/s slip speeds) and fast (100 mm/s) contained slip events can occur on the same fault patch. We also present the systematic changes in radiated seismic waves both in time and frequency domain. The slow earthquakes are 100 ms in duration and radiate tremor‐like signals superposed onto a low‐frequency component of their ground motion. They are often preceded by slow slip (creep) and their seismic radiation has an ω−1 spectral shape, similar to slow earthquakes observed in nature. The fastest events have slip velocity, stress drop, and apparent stress (0.2 m/s, 0.4 MPa, and 1.2 kPa, respectively) similar to those of typical M −2.5 earthquakes, with a single distinct corner frequency and ω−2 spectral falloff at high frequencies, well fit by the Brune earthquake source model. The gap between slow and fast is filled with intermediate events with source spectra depleted near the corner frequency. This work shows that a fault patch of length p with conditions favorable to rupture can radiate in vastly different ways, based on small changes in
where h* is a critical nucleation length scale. Such a mechanism can help explain atypical scaling observed for low‐frequency earthquakes that compose tectonic tremor.
Version 4 of the SMAP Level‐4 Soil Moisture Algorithm and Data Product
Authors: Reichle Rolf H. , Liu Qing , Koster Randal D. , Crow Wade T. , De Lannoy Gabrielle J. M. , Kimball John S. , Ardizzone Joseph V. , Bosch David , Colliander Andreas , Cosh Michael , Kolassa Jana , Mahanama Sarith P. , Prueger John , Starks Patrick , Walker Jeffrey P.
Published: September 2019

The NASA Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission Level‐4 Soil Moisture (L.4_SM) product provides global, 3‐hourly, 9‐km resolution estimates of surface (0–5 cm) and root zone (0–100 cm) soil moisture with a mean latency of ~2.5 days. The underlying L4_SM algorithm assimilates SMAP radiometer brightness temperature (Tb) observations into the NASA Catchment land surface model using a spatially distributed ensemble Kalman filter. In Version 4 of the L4_SM modeling system the upward recharge of surface soil moisture from below under nonequilibrium conditions was reduced, resulting in less bias and improved dynamic range of L4_SM surface soil moisture compared to earlier versions. This change and additional technical modifications to the system reduce the mean and standard deviation of the observation‐minus‐forecast Tb residuals and overall soil moisture analysis increments while maintaining the skill of the L4_SM soil moisture estimates versus independent in situ measurements; the average, bias‐adjusted root‐mean‐square error in Version 4 is 0.039 m3/m3 for surface and 0.026 m3/m3 for root zone soil moisture. Moreover, the coverage of assimilated SMAP observations in Version 4 is near global owing to the use of additional satellite Tb records for algorithm calibration. L4_SM soil moisture uncertainty estimates are biased low (by 0.01–0.02 m3/m3) against actual errors (computed versus in situ measurements). L4_SM runoff estimates, an additional product of the L4_SM algorithm, are biased low (by 35 mm/year) against streamflow measurements. Compared to Version 3, bias in Version 4 is reduced by 46% for surface soil moisture uncertainty estimates and by 33% for runoff estimates.
Genome-wide profiling of DNA methylome and transcriptome in peripheral blood monocytes for major depression: A Monozygotic Discordant Twin Study
Authors: Zhu Yun , Strachan Eric , Fowler Emily , Bacus Tamara , Roy-Byrne Peter , Zhao Jinying
Published: September 2019

DNA methylation plays an important role in major depressive disorder (MDD), but the specific genes and genomic regions associated with MDD remain largely unknown. Here we conducted genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation (Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip) and gene expression (RNA-seq) in peripheral blood monocytes from 79 monozygotic twin pairs (mean age 38.2 ± 15.6 years) discordant on lifetime history of MDD to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with MDD, followed by replication in brain tissue samples. Integrative DNA methylome and transcriptome analysis and network analysis was performed to identify potential functional epigenetic determinants for MDD. We identified 39 DMRs and 30 DEGs associated with lifetime history of MDD. Some genes were replicated in postmortem brain tissue. Integrative DNA methylome and transcriptome analysis revealed both negative and positive correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression, but the correlation pattern varies greatly by genomic locations. Network analysis revealed distinct gene modules enriched in signaling pathways related to stress responses, neuron apoptosis, insulin receptor signaling, mTOR signaling, and nerve growth factor receptor signaling, suggesting potential functional relevance to MDD. These results demonstrated that altered DNA methylation and gene expression in peripheral blood monocytes are associated with MDD. Our results highlight the utility of using peripheral blood epigenetic markers and demonstrate that a monozygotic discordant co-twin control design can aid in the discovery of novel genes associated with MDD. If validated, the newly identified genes may serve as novel biomarkers or druggable targets for MDD and related disorders.
Iguratimod: a valuable remedy from the Asia Pacific region for ameliorating autoimmune diseases and protecting bone physiology
Authors: Li Jie , Bao Jun , Zeng Jian , Yan Aizhu , Zhao Chunqiu , Shu Qiang
Published: September 2019

Autoimmune diseases are affected by complex pathophysiology involving several cell types, cytokines, antibodies, and mimicking factors. Different drugs are used to ameliorate these autoimmune reactions, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, antiantibodies, and small molecular drugs (DMARDs), and they are clinically in vogue for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nevertheless, low cost-effectiveness, reduced efficacy, adverse effects, and patient nonresponse are unappealing factors driving the development of new drugs such as iguratimod. Iguratimod is primarily used to ameliorate RA in Japanese and Chinese clinics. However, its efficacy against other autoimmune ailments is also under intense investigation, and the number of investigations is becoming increasingly larger with each passing day. The articular structure comprises synovium, ligaments, and bone. The latter is more complex than the others since it regulates blood cells and autoimmunity in addition to providing skeletal support to the body. Therefore, its protection is also of prime importance in RA and other autoimmune diseases. Herein, we have highlighted the role of iguratimod in autoimmune diseases and bone protection. We suggest that iguratimod’s unique mode of action compared with that of other DMARDs and its good patient response makes it a suitable antirheumatic and bone-protecting drug.
Oncolytic activity of HF10 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Esaki Shinichi , Goshima Fumi , Ozaki Haruka , Takano Gaku , Hatano Yoshimi , Kawakita Daisuke , Ijichi Kei , Watanabe Takahiro , Sato Yoshitaka , Murata Takayuki , Iwata Hiromitsu , Shibamoto Yuta , Murakami Shingo , Nishiyama Yukihiro , Kimura Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

Recent developments in therapeutic strategies have improved the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Nevertheless, 5-year survival rate remains only 40%, necessitating new therapeutic agents. Oncolytic virotherapy entails use of replication-competent viruses to selectively kill cancer cells. We aimed to explore the potential of HF10 as an oncolytic virus against human or mouse HNSCC cell lines, and primary-cultured HNSCC cells. HF10 replicated well in all the HNSCC cells, in which it induced cytopathic effects and cell killing. Next, we investigated the oncolytic effects of HF10 in ear tumor models with human or mouse tumor cells. We detected HF10-infected cells within the ear tumors based on their expression of green fluorescent protein. HF10 injection suppressed ear tumor growth and prolonged overall survival. In the syngeneic model, HF10 infection induced tumor necrosis with infiltration of CD8-positive cells. Moreover, the splenocytes of HF10-treated mice released antitumor cytokines, IL-2, IL-12, IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, after stimulation with tumor cells in vitro. The HF10-treated mice that survived their original tumor burdens rejected tumor cells upon re-challenge. These results suggested that HF10 killed HNSCC cells and induced antitumoral immunity, thereby establishing it as a promising agent for the treatment of HNSCC patients.
OmpK36-mediated Carbapenem resistance attenuates ST258 Klebsiella pneumoniae in vivo
Authors: Wong Joshua L. C. , Romano Maria , Kerry Louise E. , Kwong Hok-Sau , Low Wen-Wen , Brett Stephen J. , Clements Abigail , Beis Konstantinos , Frankel Gad
Published: September 2019

Carbapenem-resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) sequence type ST258 is mediated by carbapenemases (e.g. KPC-2) and loss or modification of the major non-selective porins OmpK35 and OmpK36. However, the mechanism underpinning OmpK36-mediated resistance and consequences of these changes on pathogenicity remain unknown. By solving the crystal structure of a clinical ST258 OmpK36 variant we provide direct structural evidence of pore constriction, mediated by a di-amino acid (Gly115-Asp116) insertion into loop 3, restricting diffusion of both nutrients (e.g. lactose) and Carbapenems. In the presence of KPC-2 this results in a 16-fold increase in MIC to Meropenem. Additionally, the Gly-Asp insertion impairs bacterial growth in lactose-containing medium and confers a significant in vivo fitness cost in a murine model of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Our data suggests that the continuous selective pressure imposed by widespread Carbapenem utilisation in hospital settings drives the expansion of KP expressing Gly-Asp insertion mutants, despite an associated fitness cost.
TBR2 coordinates neurogenesis expansion and precise microcircuit organization via Protocadherin 19 in the mammalian cortex
Authors: Lv Xiaohui , Ren Si-Qiang , Zhang Xin-Jun , Shen Zhongfu , Ghosh Tanay , Xianyu Anjin , Gao Peng , Li Zhizhong , Lin Susan , Yu Yang , Zhang Qiangqiang , Groszer Matthias , Shi Song-Hai
Published: September 2019

Cerebral cortex expansion is a hallmark of mammalian brain evolution; yet, how increased neurogenesis is coordinated with structural and functional development remains largely unclear. The T-box protein TBR2/EOMES is preferentially enriched in intermediate progenitors and supports cortical neurogenesis expansion. Here we show that TBR2 regulates fine-scale spatial and circuit organization of excitatory neurons in addition to enhancing neurogenesis in the mouse cortex. TBR2 removal leads to a significant reduction in neuronal, but not glial, output of individual radial glial progenitors as revealed by mosaic analysis with double markers. Moreover, in the absence of TBR2, clonally related excitatory neurons become more laterally dispersed and their preferential synapse development is impaired. Interestingly, TBR2 directly regulates the expression of Protocadherin 19 (PCDH19), and simultaneous PCDH19 expression rescues neurogenesis and neuronal organization defects caused by TBR2 removal. Together, these results suggest that TBR2 coordinates neurogenesis expansion and precise microcircuit assembly via PCDH19 in the mammalian cortex.
Spectral quantum tomography
Authors: Helsen Jonas , Battistel Francesco , Terhal Barbara M.
Published: September 2019

We introduce spectral quantum tomography, a simple method to extract the eigenvalues of a noisy few-qubit gate, represented by a trace-preserving superoperator, in a SPAM-resistant fashion, using low resources in terms of gate sequence length. The eigenvalues provide detailed gate information, supplementary to known gate-quality measures such as the gate fidelity, and can be used as a gate diagnostic tool. We apply our method to one- and two-qubit gates on two different superconducting systems available in the cloud, namely the QuTech Quantum Infinity and the IBM Quantum Experience. We discuss how cross-talk, leakage and non-Markovian errors affect the eigenvalue data.
Removal of pepper mild mottle virus by full-scale microfiltration and slow sand filtration plants
Authors: Canh Vu Duc , Furumai Hiroaki , Katayama Hiroyuki
Published: September 2019

It is important to evaluate the removal of enteric viruses by drinking water treatment processes so that viral infection risk can be assessed and managed. However, evaluating the removal of enteric viruses by full-scale treatment processes can be challenging due to the low numbers of viruses and the presence of substances in the water samples that inhibit detection. In this study, we evaluated the removal of pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) by microfiltration (MF) and slow sand filtration (SSF) at two full-scale drinking water treatment plants in Japan, quantifying virus concentrations with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The removal of PMMoV by MF ranged from 0.0 to >0.9 log10, although concentrations were below the detection limit for half of the treated water samples. SSF removed PMMoV by up to 2.8 log10; however, the removal efficiency decreased to 0.0–1.0 log10 under cold water temperatures. Process control showed that nucleic acid extraction and qPCR efficiency were inhibited in nearly 40% of water samples. Dilution, DAX-8, and ferrihydrite treatments for purification were effective in mitigating these inhibitory effects.
Differences in bone density on chest CT according to smoking status in males without chronic obstructive lung disease
Authors: Kim Cherry , Kim Soriul , Lee Ki Yeol , Kim Nan Hee , Kang Eun-Young , Oh Yu-Whan , Shin Chol
Published: September 2019

The goals of this study were to determine whether bone density measured using CT (CTBD) can show significant differences in bone loss according to smoking status and pack-years, and to examine the correlation between CTBD and bone mineral density when measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA-BMD) in males without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this cross-sectional study, 1,011 males without airflow obstruction ≥50 years old were included. CTBD and DEXA-BMD were compared among groups with different smoking statuses. The correlation between CTBD and DEXA-BMD and the association of CTBD with pack-years were also investigated. CTBD of all vertebral bodies (VBs) and DEXA-BMD of all VBs without L1 showed significant differences among never, former, and current smokers. CTBD was significantly lowest in ≥30-pack-year smokers and was significantly lower in ≥30-pack-year smokers than in <15-pack-year smokers (all P < 0.05). There were significant correlations between DEXA-BMD and CTBD at all VB levels (correlation coefficient [r], 0.448~0.640; all P < 0.01). A lower CTBD had a significant association with a 15 ≤ x < 30-pack-year smoking history and ≥30-pack-year smoking history, while there was no association with never-smokers. In conclusion, CTBD demonstrated significant differences in bone quality according to smoking status and pack-years in males without COPD.
A novel magnet-based scratch method for standardisation of wound-healing assays
Authors: Fenu M. , Bettermann T. , Vogl C. , Darwish-Miranda N. , Schramel J. , Jenner F. , Ribitsch I.
Published: September 2019

A novel magnetic scratch method achieves repeatability, reproducibility and geometric control greater than pipette scratch assays and closely approximating the precision of cell exclusion assays while inducing the cell injury inherently necessary for wound healing assays. The magnetic scratch is affordable, easily implemented and standardisable and thus may contribute toward better comparability of data generated in different studies and laboratories.
Porous materials of nitrogen doped graphene oxide@SnO2 electrode for capable supercapacitor application
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Yadav H. M. , Lee Young-Jun , Hong Gwang-Wook , Kathalingam A. , Sivasamy Arumugam , Kim Hyun-Seok , Kim Heung Soo , Kim Joo-Hyung
Published: September 2019

The porous materials of SnO2@NGO composite was synthesized by thermal reduction process at 550 °C in presence ammonia and urea as catalyst. In this process, the higher electrostatic attraction between the SnO2@NGO nanoparticles were anchored via thermal reduction reaction. These synthesized SnO2@ NGO composites were confirmed by Raman, XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, and EDX results. The SnO2 nanoparticles were anchored in the NGO composite in the controlled nanometer scale proved by FE-TEM and BET analysis. The SnO2@NGO composite was used to study the electrochemical properties of CV, GCD, and EIS analysis for supercapacitor application. The electrochemical properties of SnO2@NGO exhibited the specific capacitance (~378 F/g at a current density of 4 A/g) and increasing the cycle stability up to 5000 cycles. Therefore, the electrochemical results of SnO2@NGO composite could be promising for high-performance supercapacitor applications.
Six-fold director field configuration in amyloid nematic and cholesteric phases
Authors: Bagnani Massimo , Azzari Paride , Assenza Salvatore , Mezzenga Raffaele
Published: September 2019

Chiral liquid crystals, or cholesteric phases, have been widely studied in the last decades, leading to fundamental advances and a multitude of applications and technologies. In general, the rich phenomenology of these systems depends directly on the molecular traits and conditions of the system, imposing precise symmetry to the resulting nematic field. By selecting amyloid fibrils as model filamentous chiral colloids, we report an unprecedented breadth of liquid crystalline morphologies, where up to six distinct configurations of the nematic field are observed under identical conditions. Amyloid-rich droplets show homogeneous, bipolar, radial, uniaxial chiral and radial chiral nematic fields, with additional parabolic focal conics in bulk. Variational and scaling theories allow rationalizing the experimental evidence as a subtle interplay between surface and bulk energies. Our experimental and theoretical findings deepen the understanding of chiral liquid crystals under confinement, opening to a more comprehensive exploitation of these systems in related functional materials.
Leishmania donovani Internalizes into Host Cells via Caveolin-mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Kumar G. Aditya , Karmakar Joyshree , Mandal Chitra , Chattopadhyay Amitabha
Published: September 2019

Leishmania donovani is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis, a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The host plasma membrane serves as the portal of entry for Leishmania to gain access to the cellular interior. Although several host cell membrane receptors have been shown to be involved in the entry of Leishmania donovani into host cells, the endocytic pathway involved in the internalization of the parasite is not known. In this work, we explored the endocytic pathway involved in the entry of Leishmania donovani into host macrophages, utilizing specific inhibitors against two major pathways of internalization, i.e., clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. We show that pitstop 2, an inhibitor for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, does not affect the entry of Leishmania donovani promastigotes into host macrophages. Interestingly, a significant reduction in internalization was observed upon treatment with genistein, an inhibitor for caveolin-mediated endocytosis. These results are supported by a similar trend in intracellular amastigote load within host macrophages. These results suggest that Leishmania donovani utilizes caveolin-mediated endocytosis to internalize into host cells. Our results provide novel insight into the mechanism of phagocytosis of Leishmania donovani into host cells and assume relevance in the development of novel therapeutics against leishmanial infection.
Discovery of 33mer in chromosome 21 – the largest alpha satellite higher order repeat unit among all human somatic chromosomes
Authors: Glunčić Matko , Vlahović Ines , Paar Vladimir
Published: September 2019

The centromere is important for segregation of chromosomes during cell division in eukaryotes. Its destabilization results in chromosomal missegregation, aneuploidy, hallmarks of cancers and birth defects. In primate genomes centromeres contain tandem repeats of ~171 bp alpha satellite DNA, commonly organized into higher order repeats (HORs). In spite of crucial importance, satellites have been understudied because of gaps in sequencing - genomic “black holes”. Bioinformatical studies of genomic sequences open possibilities to revolutionize understanding of repetitive DNA datasets. Here, using robust (Global Repeat Map) algorithm we identified in hg38 sequence of human chromosome 21 complete ensemble of alpha satellite HORs with six long repeat units (≥20 mers), five of them novel. Novel 33mer HOR has the longest HOR unit identified so far among all somatic chromosomes and novel 23mer reverse HOR is distant far from the centromere. Also, we discovered that for hg38 assembly the 33mer sequences in chromosomes 21, 13, 14, and 22 are 100% identical but nearby gaps are present; that seems to require an additional more precise sequencing. Chromosome 21 is of significant interest for deciphering the molecular base of Down syndrome and of aneuploidies in general. Since the chromosome identifier probes are largely based on the detection of higher order alpha satellite repeats, distinctions between alpha satellite HORs in chromosomes 21 and 13 here identified might lead to a unique chromosome 21 probe in molecular cytogenetics, which would find utility in diagnostics. It is expected that its complete sequence analysis will have profound implications for understanding pathogenesis of diseases and development of new therapeutic approaches.
Combined pharmacological administration of AQP1 ion channel blocker AqB011 and water channel blocker Bacopaside II amplifies inhibition of colon cancer cell migration
Authors: De Ieso Michael L. , Pei Jinxin V. , Nourmohammadi Saeed , Smith Eric , Chow Pak Hin , Kourghi Mohamad , Hardingham Jennifer E. , Yool Andrea J.
Published: September 2019

Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) has been proposed as a dual water and cation channel that when upregulated in cancers enhances cell migration rates; however, the mechanism remains unknown. Previous work identified AqB011 as an inhibitor of the gated human AQP1 cation conductance, and bacopaside II as a blocker of AQP1 water pores. In two colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines, high levels of AQP1 transcript were confirmed in HT29, and low levels in SW480 cells, by quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Comparable differences in membrane AQP1 protein levels were demonstrated by immunofluorescence imaging. Migration rates were quantified using circular wound closure assays and live-cell tracking. AqB011 and bacopaside II, applied in combination, produced greater inhibitory effects on cell migration than did either agent alone. The high efficacy of AqB011 alone and in combination with bacopaside II in slowing HT29 cell motility correlated with abundant membrane localization of AQP1 protein. In SW480, neither agent alone was effective in blocking cell motility; however, combined application did cause inhibition of motility, consistent with low levels of membrane AQP1 expression. Bacopaside alone or combined with AqB011 also significantly impaired lamellipodial formation in both cell lines. Knockdown of AQP1 with siRNA (confirmed by quantitative PCR) reduced the effectiveness of the combined inhibitors, confirming AQP1 as a target of action. Invasiveness measured using transwell filters layered with extracellular matrix in both cell lines was inhibited by AqB011, with a greater potency in HT29 than SW480. A side effect of bacopaside II at high doses was a potentiation of invasiveness, that was reversed by AqB011. Results here are the first to demonstrate that combined block of the AQP1 ion channel and water pores is more potent in impairing motility across diverse classes of colon cancer cells than single agents alone.
Involvement of abscisic acid-responsive element-binding factors in cassava (Manihot esculenta) dehydration stress response
Authors: Feng Ren-Jun , Ren Meng-Yun , Lu Li-Fang , Peng Ming , Guan Xiao , Zhou Deng-Bo , Zhang Miao-Yi , Qi Deng-Feng , Li Kai , Tang Wen , Yun Tian-Yan , Chen Yu-Feng , Wang Fei , Zhang Dun , Shen Qi , Liang Ping , Zhang Yin-Dong , Xie Jiang-Hui
Published: September 2019

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major staple food, animal feed and energy crop in the tropics and subtropics. It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, however, the mechanisms of cassava drought tolerance remain unclear. Abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE)-binding factors (ABFs) are transcription factors that regulate expression of target genes involved in plant tolerance to drought, high salinity, and osmotic stress by binding ABREcis-elements in the promoter regions of these genes. However, there is little information aboutABFgenes in cassava. A comprehensive analysis ofManihot esculenta ABFs(MeABFs) described the phylogeny, genome location,cis-acting elements, expression profiles, and regulatory relationship between these factors andManihot esculenta betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase genes(MeBADHs). Here we conducted genome-wide searches and subsequent molecular cloning to identify sevenMeABFsthat are distributed unevenly across six chromosomes in cassava. TheseMeABFscan be clustered into three groups according to their phylogenetic relationships to theirArabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana) counterparts. Analysis of the 5′-upstream region ofMeABFsrevealed putativecis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, stress, light, and circadian clock.MeABFexpression profiles displayed clear differences among leaf, stem, root, and tuberous root tissues under non-stress and drought, osmotic, or salt stress conditions. Drought stress in cassava leaves and roots, osmotic stress in tuberous roots, and salt stress in stems induced expression of the highest number ofMeABFsshowing significantly elevated expression. The glycine betaine (GB) content of cassava leaves also was elevated after drought, osmotic, or salt stress treatments. BADH1 is involved in GB synthesis. We show thatMeBADH1promoter sequences contained ABREs and thatMeBADH1expression correlated withMeABFexpression profiles in cassava leaves after the three stress treatments. Taken together, these results suggest that in response to various dehydration stresses, MeABFs in cassava may activate transcriptional expression ofMeBADH1by binding theMeBADH1promoter that in turn promotes GB biosynthesis and accumulation via an increase inMeBADH1gene expression levels and MeBADH1 enzymatic activity. These responses protect cells against dehydration stresses by preserving an osmotic balance that enhances cassava tolerance to dehydration stresses.
A New Approach for the Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Subtypes Based on Protein Interaction Analysis
Authors: Chrastinová Leona , Pastva Ondřej , Bocková Markéta , Lynn Nicholas S. , Šácha Pavel , Hubálek Martin , Suttnar Jiří , Kotlín Roman , Štikarová Jana , Hlaváčková Alžběta , Pimková Kristýna , Čermák Jaroslav , Homola Jiří , Dyr Jan E.
Published: September 2019

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies with a high risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS are associated with posttranslational modifications of proteins and variations in the protein expression levels. In this work, we present a novel interactomic diagnostic method based on both protein array and surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology, which enables monitoring of protein-protein interactions in a label-free manner. In contrast to conventional methods based on the detection of individual biomarkers, our presented method relies on measuring interactions between arrays of selected proteins and patient plasma. We apply this method to plasma samples obtained from MDS and AML patients, as well as healthy donors, and demonstrate that even a small protein array comprising six selected proteins allows the method to discriminate among different MDS subtypes and healthy donors.
Design and characterization of dual drug delivery based on in-situ assembled PVA/PAN core-shell nanofibers for wound dressing application
Authors: Kharaghani Davood , Gitigard Parastoo , Ohtani Hijiri , Kim Kyu Oh , Ullah Sana , Saito Yusuke , Khan Muhammad Qamar , Kim Ick Soo
Published: September 2019

Core-shell nanofibers with the ability to carry multiple drugs are attracting the attention to develop appropriate drug delivery systems for wounds dressing applications. In this study, biocompatible core-shell nanofibers have been designed as a promising dual-drug carrier with the capability of delivering both water-soluble and organic solvent-soluble drugs simultaneously. With the aim of fabricating the core-shell nanofibers, the dipping method has been employed. For this propose, core nanofibers made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were immersed in various concentrations of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and cross-linked by dipping into ethanol. Diclofenac sodium salt (DSs) and gentamicin sulfate (GENs) have been loaded into the core and shell nanofibers as models of the drug, respectively. The morphology study of core-shell nanofibers showed that the concentrations between 1% w/w up to 2% w/w PAN/GENs, with deep penetration into the internal layers of PAV/DSs nanofibers could lead to the core-shell structure. The cytotoxicity results showed the competency of designed core-shell nanofibers for wound dressing application. Also, the release profile exhibits the controllable behavior of drug release.
Long-lead ENSO control of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation in the East Asian-western North Pacific region
Authors: Lin Hai
Published: September 2019

The boreal summer 30–60-day intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in the East Asian-western North Pacific (EAWNP) region strongly influences persistent heavy rainfall in East Asia and tropical cyclone activities in the tropical western Pacific. In this study, we show that there exists a significant interannual south-north shift of the EAWNP-ISO activity between the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean—Maritime continent region and the subtropical South China Sea—western Pacific. This is reflected by the year-to-year changes in the occurrence frequency of individual ISO phases that correspond to different latitudinal locations of the convection anomaly. This interannual shift is largely controlled by the El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the preceding winter and spring. Following an El Niño event, the ISO convective activity tends to occur in the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean—Maritime continents, whereas after a La Niña, frequent ISO-related precipitation occurs in the region of south China and the subtropical South China Sea—western Pacific. This result implies long-lead predictability for the occurrence of the summertime EAWNP-ISO activity and its associated weather.