bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum haptoglobin and protein electrophoretic fraction modifications in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) around calving and during early lactation
Authors: Gianesella Matteo , Fiore Enrico , Arfuso Francesca , Vecchio Domenico , Curone Giulio , Morgante Massimo , Mazzotta Elisa , Badon Tamara , Rossi Pasquale , Bedin Silvia , Zumbo Alessandro , Piccione Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

Serum protein distribution and concentration can be affected by different physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the concentration of serum protein fractions and haptoglobin in clinically healthy dairy buffaloes during late pregnancy and early lactation. Blood and milk samples were collected from 30 buffaloes at around 7 d before expected calving (blood only) and 7, 30 and 50 d after calving. In serum samples, the total protein, haptoglobin, albumin, α1-, α2-, β1-, β2-, γ-globulins, and albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) values were evaluated. In milk, fat%, protein%, lactose%, somatic cell score (SCS) were assessed, along with milk yield (MY) and daily milk production (DMP). The peripartum period significantly influenced (P < 0.005) total protein, albumin, haptoglobin, α2-, β2- and γ-globulins (P < 0.005). Milk yield, DMP and fat% changed significantly throughout the monitoring period (P < 0.005). Milk yield and DMP were positively correlated with total protein, albumin, β2-globulins and A/G ratio, and negatively correlated with haptoglobin and α2-globulins. These results provide new knowledge about the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes during the last phase of pregnancy and early stages of lactation.
Optimizing the electron acceleration in vacuum by chirped ultrashort laser pulse using particle swarm method
Authors: Rezaei-Pandari Mohammad , Jahangiri Fazel , Niknam Ali Reza
Published: July 2019

Efficient electron acceleration by a linearly chirped ultrashort laser pulse in vacuum is investigated using the particle swarm optimization method. By applying this method for optimizing the initial parameters of the laser pulse, a pronounced increase in final energy gain of the electron is obtained compared to that expected from the successive optimization method. Our results also suggest that the value of the optimal chirp parameter is independent of laser polarization and the energy gain could be insensitive to the sign of this parameter when the initial phase is optimally adjusted. In addition, utilizing the chirped laser pulse with optimized conditions for acceleration of an electron bunch reveals that the energy spectrum is shifted to considerably higher energies and the spatial distribution is significantly improved in a polarization-dependent manner.
Extending the range of measurement of thermal imaging diagnostics of a high-intensity pulsed ion beam
Authors: Pushkarev A. , Zhu X. P. , Prima A. , Egorova Yu. , Lei M. K.
Published: July 2019

Thermal imaging diagnostics was used as a surface temperature mapping tool to characterize the energy density distribution of a high-intensity pulsed ion beam. This approach was tested on the TEMP-6 accelerator (200–250 kV, 150 ns). The beam composition included carbon ions (85%) and protons, and the energy density in the focus was 5–12 J/cm2. Targets of stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, and tungsten were examined. Our observations show that the maximum energy density measured with the thermal imaging diagnostics considerably exceeds the ablation threshold of the targets. An analysis of the overheating mechanisms of each target was carried out, including metastable overheating of the target to above its boiling temperature during rapid heating; formation, migration, and the subsequent annealing of fast radiation-induced defects in the target under ion beam irradiation. This expands the range of energy density measurement for this thermal imaging diagnostics from 2–3 J/cm2 up to 10–12 J/cm2 but introduces error into the results of measurement. For a stainless steel target, this error exceeds 15% at an energy density of more than 4 J/cm2. A method of correcting the results of the thermal imaging diagnostics is developed for a pulsed ion beam under conditions of intense ablation of the target material.
Heated Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Preterm Infants: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Fleeman Nigel , Dundar Yenal , Shah Prakesh S , Shaw Ben NJ
Published: July 2019

Background

Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) is gaining popularity as a mode of respiratory support. We updated a systematic review and meta-analyses examining the efficacy and safety of HHHFNC compared with standard treatments for preterm infants. The primary outcome was the need for reintubation for preterm infants following mechanical ventilation (post-extubation analysis) or need for intubation for preterm infants not previously intubated (analysis of primary respiratory support)

Methods

We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of HHHFNC versus standard treatments. Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.3.

Results

The post-extubation analysis included ten RCTs (n = 1,201), and the analysis of primary respiratory support included ten RCTs (n = 1,676). There were no statistically significant differences for outcomes measuring efficacy, including the primary outcome. There were statistically significant differences favoring HHHFNC versus nasal cannula positive airway pressure (NCPAP) for air leak (post-extubation, risk ratio [RR] 0.29, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 0.11 to 0.76, I2 = 0) and nasal trauma (post-extubation: 0.35, 95 percent CI 0.27 to 0.46, I2 = 5 percent; primary respiratory support: RR 0.52, 95 percent CI 0.37 to 0.74; I2 = 27 percent). Studies, particularly those of primary respiratory support, included very few preterm infants with gestational age (GA) <28 weeks.

Conclusions

HHHFNC may offer an efficacious and safe alternative to NCPAP for some infants but evidence is lacking for preterm infants with GA ≤28 weeks.
Context-Specific Economic Evaluation for Molecular Pathology Tests: An Application in Colorectal Cancer in the West of Scotland
Authors: Bouttell Janet , Tan Yun Yi , Creed David , McGaffin Gillian , Hawkins Neil , McLaughlin Ruth , Smith Graeme , Westwood Paul , Williams Nicola , Graham Janet
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The cost-effectiveness of molecular pathology testing is highly context dependent. The field is fast-moving, and national health technology assessment may not be relevant or timely for local decision makers. This study illustrates a method of context-specific economic evaluation that can be carried out in a limited timescale without extensive resources.

Methods

We established a multi-disciplinary group including an oncologist, pathologists and a health economist. We set out diagnostic and treatment pathways and costs using registry data, health technology assessments, guidelines, audit data, and estimates from the group. Sensitivity analysis varied input parameters across plausible ranges. The evaluation setting was the West of Scotland and UK NHS perspective was adopted. The evaluation was assessed against the AdHopHTA checklist for hospital-based health technology assessment.

Results

A context-specific economic evaluation could be carried out on a timely basis using limited resources. The evaluation met all relevant criteria in the AdHopHTA checklist. Health outcomes were expected to be at least equal to the current strategy. Annual cost savings of £637,000 were estimated resulting primarily from a reduction in the proportion of patients receiving intravenous infusional chemotherapy regimens. The result was not sensitive to any parameter. The data driving the main cost saving came from a small clinical audit. We recommended this finding was confirmed in a larger population.

Conclusions

The method could be used to evaluate testing changes elsewhere. The results of the case study may be transferable to other jurisdictions where the organization of cancer services is fragmented.
Open manifolds with non-homeomorphic positively curved souls
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-ÁLVARO DAVID , ZIBROWIUS MARCUS
Published: July 2019

We extend two known existence results to simply connected manifolds with positive sectional curvature: we show that there exist pairs of simply connected positively-curved manifolds that are tangentially homotopy equivalent but not homeomorphic, and we deduce that an open manifold may admit a pair of non-homeomorphic simply connected and positively-curved souls. Examples of such pairs are given by explicit pairs of Eschenburg spaces. To deduce the second statement from the first, we extend our earlier work on the stable converse soul question and show that it has a positive answer for a class of spaces that includes all Eschenburg spaces.
How “Peasant Apartments” Could Undermine Rural Governance in China: Spatial Realignment, Moral Reconfiguration and Local Authority
Authors: Yep Ray , Wu Ying
Published: July 2019

A seismic change in the residential pattern is emerging in rural China today: traditional rural houses have been rapidly erased from the face of the countryside with large numbers of peasants being relocated to modern high-rise buildings. This process of “peasant elevation” has had a monumental impact on rural China. It redefines the entitlement to land use by the rural citizenry and negotiations for a new regime of property rights concerning land administration, while, most importantly, it undermines the position of the local state in rural China, whose authority is an aggregation of three distinctive elements: coercive power inherent in the state apparatus, control over economic resources, and resonance with local morality. Based on original data collected in Chongqing, Nantong and Dezhou, this paper argues that the comprehensive uprooting of the Chinese peasantry from the land and the resulting complications have caused moral disorientation among the relocated peasants and fragmentation of local authority. The difficulty in establishing community identity in the new setting has further undermined local governance. This may in turn trigger a wave of social and political tensions that may eventually turn out to be a major political challenge to the regime for years to come.
China and the Global Reach of Human Rights
Authors: Zhang Yongjin , Buzan Barry
Published: July 2019

This article examines the complex dialogical relationship between China and the global reach of human rights. It charts the transformation of China from a human rights exception and a human rights pariah state to an active participant in, and shaper of, global human rights governance. It looks at such transformation as dynamic social and political processes full of contradictions and the negotiated outcome of China's communicative engagement with “moral globalization” in a world morally divided on the meaning of human rights. It contends that the global reach of human rights understood asadvancingrather thanperfectingglobal justice will always remain contentious, as it is contingent on the possibility of open public reasoning across cultures and national boundaries in a global moral conversation. It also argues that China has resourcefully used the idiom of human rights for two specific purposes. One is to justify and rationalize its “developmental relativism” as an excuse for practices that condone continued political repression in China; the other is to internalize politics of contestation within the institutions of global human rights governance by shifting the centre of gravity of both the normative debate and the practical application of human rights.
Powder X-ray diffraction of capecitabine, C15H22FN3O6
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Gindhart Amy M. , Blanton Thomas N.
Published: July 2019

Capecitabine (Xeloda) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast, gastric, and colorectal cancers. Commercial capecitabine crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 (#19) with a = 5.20587(3), b = 9.52324(4), c = 34.79574(21) Å, V = 1725.062(12) Å3, and Z = 4. A reduced cell search in the Cambridge Structural Database (Groom C. R., Bruno, I. J., Lightfoot, M. P., and Ward, S. C. (2016) Crystallogr. Sect. B: Struct. Sci., Cryst. Eng. Mater.72, 171–179) yielded three previous structure determinations (Rohlicek, J., Husak, M., Gavenda, A., Jegorov, A., Kratochvil, B., and Fitch, A. (2016). Acta Cryst. Sect. E: Crystallgr. Commun.72, 879–880, BOVDUM; Malińska, M., Krzeczyński, P., Czerniec-Michalik, E., Trzcińska, K., Cmoch, P., Kutner, A., and Woźniak, K. (2014). J. Pharm. Sci.103, 587–593, BOVDUM01 and BOVDUM02), using synchrotron powder data and later single crystal data at two temperatures. In this work, the sample was ordered from United States Pharmacopeial Convention (lot # G0J205), and analyzed as-received. The room temperature (295 K) crystal structure was refined using synchrotron (λ = 0.413914 Å) powder diffraction data, density functional theory (DFT), and Rietveld refinement techniques. Hydrogen positions were included as part of the structure, and were re-calculated during the refinement. The diffraction data were collected on a beamline 11-BM at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory and the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the compound is provided. The agreement of the Rietveld-refined and DFT-optimized structures is poorest in the pentyl side chain, consistent with the disorder observed previously.
The English disease in Finnish compound processing: Backward transfer effects in Finnish–English bilinguals
Authors: Bertram Raymond , Kuperman Victor
Published: July 2019

Most English compounds are spaced compounds, whereas spelling regulations prescribe Finnish compounds to be written in a concatenated format. However, as in English, Finnish compounds are commonly spaced nowadays (e.g., piha juhla ‘garden party’), a phenomenon that we labeled the ‘English disease’. In this eye movement study with Finnish–English bilinguals we investigate whether the reading of a concatenated or illegally spaced Finnish compound is affected by the spelling of an English translation equivalent (ETE). We found that spaced Finnish compounds were read slower than their concatenated counterparts, but this effect was attenuated when ETEs were thought to be spaced. Similarly, concatenated Finnish compounds were read faster when their ETEs were also concatenated. These backward transfer effects are in line with studies that show that processing behavior in L1 is affected by a strong concurrent L2, even when the L1 is the native language as well as the dominant community language.
Confirmation ofS-metolachlor resistance in Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
Authors: Brabham Chad , Norsworthy Jason K. , Houston Michael M. , Varanasi Vijay K , Barber Tom
Published: July 2019

S-Metolachlor is commonly used by soybean and cotton growers, especially with POST treatments for overlapping residuals, to obtain season-long control of glyphosate- and acetolactate synthase (ALS)–resistant Palmer amaranth. In Crittenden County, AR, reports of Palmer amaranth escapes followingS-metolachlor treatment were first noted at field sites near Crawfordsville and Marion in 2016. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to confirmS-metolachlor resistance and to test for cross-resistance to other very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA)–inhibiting herbicides in Palmer amaranth accessions from Crawfordsville and Marion. Palmer amaranth control in the field (soil <3% organic matter) 14 d after treatment (DAT) was ≥94% with a 1× rate of acetochlor (1,472 g ai ha–1; emulsifiable concentrate formulation) and dimethenamid-P (631 g ai ha–1). However,S-metolachlor at 1,064 g ai ha–1provided only 76% control, which was not significantly different from the 1/2× and 1/4× rates of dimethenamid-P and acetochlor (66% to 85%). In the greenhouse, Palmer amaranth accessions from Marion and Crawfordsville were 9.8 and 8.3 times more resistant toS-metolachlor compared with two susceptible accessions based on LD50values obtained from dose–response experiments. Two-thirds and 1.5 timesS-metolachlor at 1,064 g ha–1were the estimated rates required to obtain 90% mortality of the Crawfordsville and Marion accessions, respectively. Data collected from the field and greenhouse confirm that these accessions have evolved a low level of resistance toS-metolachlor. In an agar-based assay, the level of resistance in the Marion accession was significantly reduced in the presence of a glutathione S-transferase (GST) inhibitor, suggesting that GSTs are the probable resistance mechanism. With respect to other VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides, Marion and Crawfordsville accessions were not cross-resistant to acetochlor, dimethenamid-P, or pyroxasulfone. However, both accessions, based on LD50values obtained from greenhouse dose–response experiments, exhibited reduced sensitivity (1.5- to 3.6-fold) to the tested VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides.
Volatile Degassing From Magma Chambers as a Control on Volcanic Eruptions
Authors: Mittal Tushar , Richards Mark A.
Published: July 2019

The loss of volatiles from a magma reservoir affects the magmatic overpressure responsible for driving ground deformation and eruptions. Although the high‐temperature metamorphic aureole around a magma chamber is typically considered to have low permeability, recent theoretical, experimental, and field studies have highlighted the role of transient permeability in magmatic systems. Also, direct measurements suggest that passive degassing is a significant component of total volatile loss in both basaltic and silicic volcanoes. Consequently, the effective permeability of the crust when magma is present in the system can be many orders of magnitude larger than that of exhumed rock samples. We develop a fully coupled porothermoelastic framework to account for both the flow of volatiles as well as associated effects on the stress state of the crust and calculate an analytical solution for spherical geometry. We then combine a magma chamber box model with these solutions to analyze eruption dynamics in magmatic systems. We find that in addition to viscous relaxation, magma recharge, and cooling timescales, the pore pressure diffusion timescale exerts a first‐order control on volcanic eruptions with moderately high crustal permeabilities of order 10−17 to 10−19 m2. We describe a parameter space to identify which components dominate in different regimes for volcanic eruptions according to these different timescales.
Evaporation Study Based on Micromodel Experiments: Comparison of Theory and Experiment
Authors: Geistlinger Helmut , Ding Yi , Apelt Bernd , Schlüter Steffen , Küchler Matthias , Reuter Danny , Vorhauer Nicole , Vogel Hans‐Jörg
Published: July 2019

Evaporation—a key process for water exchange between soil and atmosphere—is controlled by internal water fluxes and surface vapor fluxes. Recent studies demonstrated that the dynamics of the water flow in corners determine the time behavior of the evaporation rate. The internal water flux of the porous media is often described by capillary flow assuming complete wetting. Particularly, the crucial influence of partial wetting, that is, the nonlinear contact angle dependency of the capillary flow has been neglected so far. The focus of the paper is to demonstrate that SiO2‐surfaces can exhibit contact angles of about 40°. This reduces the internal capillary flow by 1 order of magnitude compared to complete wetting. First, we derived the contact angle by inverse modeling. We conducted a series of evaporation experiments in a 2‐D square lattice microstructure connected by lognormal distributed throats. We used an explicit analytical power series solution of the single square capillary model. A contact angle of 38° ± 1° was derived. Second, we directly measured the contact angle of the Si‐SiO2 wafer using the Drop Shape Analyzer Krüss 100 and obtained an averaged contact angle of 42° ± 2°. The results support the single square capillary model as an appropriate model for the description of the evaporation process in an ideal square capillary.
AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange Wins 2019 Power of A Summit Award
Authors: Speiser Joshua
Published: July 2019

The highest honor of the American Society of Association Executives recognizes organizations that benefit the United States and the world.
Legislators Introduce Climate Emergency Resolution
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: July 2019

The resolution, which legislators hope the House of Representatives will approve, calls for a massive mobilization to halt, reverse, mitigate, and prepare for the consequences of climate change.
Phase‐Field Modeling of Grain Boundary Premelting
Authors: Takei Yasuko
Published: July 2019

The enhancement of grain boundary disorder near the melting temperature, called premelting, has been known for ice, but not for rock. Recently, possible occurrence of premelting in the upper mantle has become a concern because it causes a solid‐state weakening of rock. This is a possible explanation of the seismic low‐velocity zones and weak asthenosphere without invoking melt. In this paper, I introduce an existing thermodynamic model of the grain boundary and discuss the physical mechanism of premelting in a binary eutectic system, which is the simplest case of such a multicomponent system. The model is based on a phase‐field approach and captures both premelting and partial melting. It predicts that even with a very small amount of the secondary component, the temperature at which premelting occurs drastically decreases from just below the melting temperature of the primary component to just below the eutectic temperature. It also predicts that equilibrium dihedral angle of melt can be a partial proxy for the grain boundary disorder. The model explains well the experimentally measured mechanical properties of a binary eutectic system of organic polycrystals (borneol +0.3–1.7% diphenylamine): With a small amount of diphenylamine, diffusivity and shear stress relaxation at the borneol‐borneol grain boundary are significantly enhanced just below the eutectic temperature, which is much lower than the melting temperature of borneol.
cPLA2 activation contributes to lysosomal defects leading to impairment of autophagy after spinal cord injury
Authors: Li Yun , Jones Jace W. , M. C. Choi Harry , Sarkar Chinmoy , Kane Maureen A. , Koh Eugene Y. , Lipinski Marta M. , Wu Junfang
Published: July 2019

The autophagy–lysosomal pathway plays an essential role in cellular homeostasis as well as a protective function against a variety of diseases including neurodegeneration. Conversely, inhibition of autophagy, for example due to lysosomal dysfunction, can lead to pathological accumulation of dysfunctional autophagosomes and consequent neuronal cell death. We previously reported that autophagy is inhibited and contributes to neuronal cell death following spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we examined lysosomal function and explored the mechanism of lysosomal defects following SCI. Our data demonstrated that expression levels and processing of the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D (CTSD) are decreased by 2 h after SCI. Enzymatic activity levels of CTSD and another lysosomal enzyme, N-acetyl-alpha-glucosaminidase, are both decreased 24 h post injury, indicating general lysosomal dysfunction. Subcellular fractionation and immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that this dysfunction is due to lysosomal membrane permeabilization and leakage of lysosomal contents into the cytosol. To directly assess extent and mechanisms of damage to lysosomal membranes, we performed mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analysis of lysosomes purified from SCI and control spinal cord. At 2 h post injury our data demonstrated increase in several classes of lysosophospholipids, the products of phospholipases (PLAs), as well as accumulation of PLA activators, ceramides. Phospholipase cPLA2, the main PLA species expressed in the CNS, has been previously implicated in mediation of secondary injury after SCI, but the mechanisms of its involvement remain unclear. Our data demonstrate that cPLA2 is activated within 2 h after SCI preferentially in the lysosomal fraction, where it colocalizes with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 in neurons. Inhibition of cPLA2 in vivo decreased lysosomal damage, restored autophagy flux, and reduced neuronal cell damage. Taken together our data implicate lysosomal defects in pathophysiology of SCI and for the first time indicate that cPLA2 activation leads to lysosomal damage causing neuronal autophagosome accumulation associated with neuronal cell death.
Spin transport in antiferromagnetic insulators: progress and challenges
Authors: Hou Dazhi , Qiu Zhiyong , Saitoh Eiji
Published: July 2019

Spin transport is a key process in the operation of spin-based devices that has been the focus of spintronics research for the last two decades. Conductive materials, such as semiconductors and metals, in which the spin transport relies on electron diffusion, have been employed as the channels for spin transport in most studies. Due to the absence of conduction electrons, the potential to be a spin channel has long been neglected for insulators. However, since the demonstration of spin transmission through a ferromagnetic insulator, it was realized that insulators with magnetic ordering can also serve as channels for spin transport. Here, the recent progress of spin transport in antiferromagnetic insulators is briefly described with an introduction to the experimental techniques. The observations regarding the temperature dependence of spin transmission, spin current switching and the negative spin Hall magnetoresistance are discussed. We also include the challenges for developing the functionality of antiferromagnetic insulators as well as the unresolved problems from the experimental observations.
Bioinspired and osteopromotive polydopamine nanoparticle-incorporated fibrous membranes for robust bone regeneration
Authors: Deng Yi , Yang Wei-Zhong , Shi Dong , Wu Minjie , Xiong Xiao-Ling , Chen Zhi-Gang , Wei Shi-Cheng
Published: July 2019

Due to their inherent hydrophobic and bioinert nature, synthetic degradable polymer-based membranes show inferior stem cell attachment, proliferation, and even differentiation. To overcome these limitations, bioinspired and osteopromotive polydopamine nanoparticle-incorporated fibrous membranes are developed via a two-step route: pH-induced polymerization of dopamine and co-electrospinning of polycaprolactone (PCL) with polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs). Hybrid membranes with optimized PDA NP content exhibit high quantities of apatite deposition and prominent cytocompatibility (cell attachment, spreading and reproduction) and osteo-differentiation potential (alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium mineralization, and osteogenesis-related genes and protein expression) of human mesenchymal stem cells cultured without any growth factors. Importantly, in vivo assessments using a mouse calvarial critical-sized defect demonstrate that the engineered fibrous membranes remarkably boost bone reconstruction and regeneration. Accordingly, our bioinspired PCL-based hybrid fibrous membranes with robust osteoinductive ability can potentially be utilized as a clinically applicable candidate in guided tissue regeneration applications.
Highly atroposelective synthesis of nonbiaryl naphthalene-1,2-diamine N-C atropisomers through direct enantioselective C-H amination
Authors: Bai He-Yuan , Tan Fu-Xin , Liu Tuan-Qing , Zhu Guo-Dong , Tian Jin-Miao , Ding Tong-Mei , Chen Zhi-Min , Zhang Shu-Yu
Published: July 2019

Nonbiaryl N-C atropisomer is an important structural scaffold, which is present in natural products, medicines and chiral ligands. However the direct enantioselective C-H amination to access optically pure N-C atropisomer is still difficult and rare. Here we report a π-π interaction and dual H-bond concerted control strategy to develop the chiral phosphoric acids (CPAs) catalyzed direct intermolecular enantioselective C-H amination of N-aryl-2-naphthylamines with azodicarboxylates as amino sources for the construction of atroposelective naphthalene-1,2-diamines. This type of N-C atropisomers is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bond and the method features a broad range of substrates, high yields and ee values, providing a strategy to chirality transfer via the modification of N-C atropisomers.
Disorder-induced nonlinear Hall effect with time-reversal symmetry
Authors: Du Z. Z. , Wang C. M. , Li Shuai , Lu Hai-Zhou , Xie X. C.
Published: July 2019

The nonlinear Hall effect has opened the door towards deeper understanding of topological states of matter. Disorder plays indispensable roles in various linear Hall effects, such as the localization in the quantized Hall effects and the extrinsic mechanisms of the anomalous, spin, and valley Hall effects. Unlike in the linear Hall effects, disorder enters the nonlinear Hall effect even in the leading order. Here, we derive the formulas of the nonlinear Hall conductivity in the presence of disorder scattering. We apply the formulas to calculate the nonlinear Hall response of the tilted 2D Dirac model, which is the symmetry-allowed minimal model for the nonlinear Hall effect and can serve as a building block in realistic band structures. More importantly, we construct the general scaling law of the nonlinear Hall effect, which may help in experiments to distinguish disorder-induced contributions to the nonlinear Hall effect in the future.
Revealing the intrinsic nature of the mid-gap defects in amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5
Authors: Konstantinou Konstantinos , Mocanu Felix C. , Lee Tae-Hoon , Elliott Stephen R.
Published: July 2019

Understanding the relation between the time-dependent resistance drift in the amorphous state of phase-change materials and the localised states in the band gap of the glass is crucial for the development of memory devices with increased storage density. Here a machine-learned interatomic potential is utilised to generate an ensemble of glass models of the prototypical phase-change alloy, Ge2Sb2Te5, to obtain reliable statistics. Hybrid density-functional theory is used to identify and characterise the geometric and electronic structures of the mid-gap states. 5-coordinated Ge atoms are the local defective bonding environments mainly responsible for these electronic states. The structural motif for the localisation of the mid-gap states is a crystalline-like atomic environment within the amorphous network. An extra electron is trapped spontaneously by these mid-gap states, creating deep traps in the band gap. The results provide significant insights that can help to rationalise the design of multi-level-storage memory devices.
Structure-based mechanism for activation of the AAA+ GTPase McrB by the endonuclease McrC
Authors: Nirwan Neha , Itoh Yuzuru , Singh Pratima , Bandyopadhyay Sutirtha , Vinothkumar Kutti R. , Amunts Alexey , Saikrishnan Kayarat
Published: July 2019

The AAA+ GTPase McrB powers DNA cleavage by the endonuclease McrC. The GTPase itself is activated by McrC. The architecture of the GTPase and nuclease complex, and the mechanism of their activation remained unknown. Here, we report a 3.6 Å structure of a GTPase-active and DNA-binding deficient construct of McrBC. Two hexameric rings of McrB are bridged by McrC dimer. McrC interacts asymmetrically with McrB protomers and inserts a stalk into the pore of the ring, reminiscent of the γ subunit complexed to α3β3 of F1-ATPase. Activation of the GTPase involves conformational changes of residues essential for hydrolysis. Three consecutive nucleotide-binding pockets are occupied by the GTP analogue 5’-guanylyl imidodiphosphate and the next three by GDP, which is suggestive of sequential GTP hydrolysis.
Non-conventional mechanism of ferroelectric fatigue via cation migration
Authors: Ievlev Anton V. , KC Santosh , Vasudevan Rama K. , Kim Yunseok , Lu Xiaoli , Alexe Marin , Cooper Valentino R. , Kalinin Sergei V. , Ovchinnikova Olga S.
Published: July 2019

The unique properties of ferroelectric materials enable a plethora of applications, which are hindered by the phenomenon known as ferroelectric fatigue that leads to the degradation of ferroelectric properties with polarization cycling. Multiple microscopic models explaining fatigue have been suggested; however, the chemical origins remain poorly understood. Here, we utilize multimodal chemical imaging that combines atomic force microscopy with time-of-flight secondary mass spectrometry to explore the chemical phenomena associated with fatigue in PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 (PZT) thin films. Investigations reveal that the degradation of ferroelectric properties is correlated with a local chemical change and migration of electrode ions into the PZT structure. Density functional theory simulations support the experimental results and demonstrate stable doping of the thin surface PZT layer with copper ions, leading to a decrease in the spontaneous polarization. Overall, the performed research allows for the observation and understanding of the chemical phenomena associated with polarization cycling and their effects on ferroelectric functionality.
Pioneer and repressive functions of p63 during zebrafish embryonic ectoderm specification
Authors: Santos-Pereira José M. , Gallardo-Fuentes Lourdes , Neto Ana , Acemel Rafael D. , Tena Juan J.
Published: July 2019

The transcription factor p63 is a master regulator of ectoderm development. Although previous studies show that p63 triggers epidermal differentiation in vitro, the roles of p63 in developing embryos remain poorly understood. Here, we use zebrafish embryos to analyze in vivo how p63 regulates gene expression during development. We generate tp63-knock-out mutants that recapitulate human phenotypes and show down-regulated epidermal gene expression. Following p63-binding dynamics, we find two distinct functions clearly separated in space and time. During early development, p63 binds enhancers associated to neural genes, limiting Sox3 binding and reducing neural gene expression. Indeed, we show that p63 and Sox3 are co-expressed in the neural plate border. On the other hand, p63 acts as a pioneer factor by binding non-accessible chromatin at epidermal enhancers, promoting their opening and epidermal gene expression in later developmental stages. Therefore, our results suggest that p63 regulates cell fate decisions during vertebrate ectoderm specification.
Retraction Note: A switch in the poly(dC)/RmlB complex regulates bacterial persister formation
Authors: Chen Xu , Li Gen , Liao Xuewei , Fang Jie , Li Bo , Yu Shanshan , Sun Mingming , Wu Jun , Zhang Lihao , Hu Yi , Jiao Jiaguo , Liu Ting , Xu Li , Chen Xiaoyun , Liu Manqiang , Li Huixin , Hu Feng , Sun Kouhong
Published: July 2019

This paper has been retracted.
High-dimensional optical quantum logic in large operational spaces
Authors: Imany Poolad , Jaramillo-Villegas Jose A. , Alshaykh Mohammed S. , Lukens Joseph M. , Odele Ogaga D. , Moore Alexandria J. , Leaird Daniel E. , Qi Minghao , Weiner Andrew M.
Published: July 2019

The probabilistic nature of single-photon sources and photon–photon interactions encourages encoding as much quantum information as possible in every photon for the purpose of photonic quantum information processing. Here, by encoding high-dimensional units of information (qudits) in time and frequency degrees of freedom using on-chip sources, we report deterministic two-qudit gates in a single photon with fidelities exceeding 0.90 in the computational basis. Constructing a two-qudit modulo SUM gate, we generate and measure a single-photon state with nonseparability between time and frequency qudits. We then employ this SUM operation on two frequency-bin entangled photons—each carrying two 32-dimensional qudits—to realize a four-party high-dimensional Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger state, occupying a Hilbert space equivalent to that of 20 qubits. Although high-dimensional coding alone is ultimately not scalable for universal quantum computing, our design shows the potential of deterministic optical quantum operations in large encoding spaces for practical and compact quantum information processing protocols.
A seafloor habitat map for the Australian continental shelf
Authors: Lucieer Vanessa , Barrett Neville , Butler Claire , Flukes Emma , Ierodiaconou Daniel , Ingleton Tim , Jordan Alan , Monk Jacquomo , Meeuwig Jessica , Porter-Smith Rick , Smit Neil , Walsh Peter , Wright Alison , Johnson Craig
Published: July 2019

Here we outline the genesis of Seamap Australia, which integrates spatial data of the seabed of Australia’s continental shelf (0–200 m depth) from multiple sources to provide a single national map layer of marine habitat. It is underpinned by a hierarchical classification scheme with registered vocabulary, enabling presentation of nationally consistent information at the highest resolution available for any point in space. The Seamap Australia website enables users to delineate particular areas of interest, overlay habitat maps with many other marine data layers, and to directly access the data and metadata underlying the maps they produce. This unique resource represents a step-change in capacity to access and integrate large and diverse marine data holdings and to readily derive information and products to underpin decision making around marine spatial planning and conservation prioritisation, state-of-environment reporting, and research. It is a world first fully integrated national-scale marine mapping and data service.
Author Correction: Convergence and divergence of songs suggests ongoing, but annually variable, mixing of humpback whale populations throughout the North Pacific
Authors: Darling James D. , Acebes Jo Marie V. , Frey Oscar , Jorge Urbán R. , Yamaguchi Manami
Published: July 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Core body temperature speeds up temporal processing and choice behavior under deadlines
Authors: van Maanen Leendert , van der Mijn Robbert , van Beurden Maurice H. P. H. , Roijendijk Linsey M. M. , Kingma Boris R. M. , Miletić Steven , van Rijn Hedderik
Published: July 2019

Evidence suggests that human timing ability is compromised by heat. In particular, some studies suggest that increasing body temperature speeds up an internal clock, resulting in faster time perception. However, the consequences of this speed-up for other cognitive processes remain unknown. In the current study, we rigorously tested the speed-up hypothesis by inducing passive hyperthermia through immersion of participants in warm water. In addition, we tested how a change in time perception affects performance in decision making under deadline stress. We found that participants underestimate a prelearned temporal interval when body temperature increases, and that their performance in a two-alternative forced-choice task displays signatures of increased time pressure. These results show not only that timing plays an important role in decision-making, but also that this relationship is mediated by temperature. The consequences for decision-making in job environments that are demanding due to changes in body temperature may be considerable.
A Differential Hypofunctionality of Gαi Proteins Occurs in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Correlates with the Risk of Disease Progression
Authors: Akoume Marie-Yvonne , Elbakry Mohamed , Veillette Maxime , Franco Anita , Nada Dina , Labelle Hubert , Mac-Thiong Jean-Marc , Grimard Guy , Ouellet Jean , Parent Stefan , Rivard Charles-Hilaire , Lombardi Giovanni , Colombini Alessandra , Banfi Giuseppe , Brayda-Bruno Marco , Gorman Kristen F. , Moreau Alain
Published: July 2019

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most prevalent spine deformity and the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology remain poorly understood. We have previously found a differential impairment of melatonin receptor signaling in AIS osteoblasts allowing the classification of patients into three biological endophenotypes or functional groups (FG1, FG2 and FG3). Here, we provide evidence that the defect characterizing each endophenotype lies at the level of Gαi proteins leading to a systemic and generalized differential impairment of Gi-coupled receptor signaling. The three Gαi isoforms exhibited a selective serine phosphorylation patterns for each AIS endophenotype resulting in a differential reduction in Gαi protein activity as determined by cellular dielectric spectroscopy and small interfering RNA methods. We found that one endophenotype (FG2) with phosphorylated Gαi1 and Gαi2 was consistently associated with a significantly high risk of spinal deformity progression when compared to the other two endophenotypes (FG1 and FG3). We further demonstrated that each endophenotype is conserved among affected family members. This study expands our understanding of the mechanism underlying the Gi-coupled receptor signaling dysfunction occurring in AIS and provides the first evidence for its hereditary nature. Collectively, our findings offers a new perspective on Gαi hypofunctionality in a human disease by revealing specific serine phosphorylation signatures of Gαi isoforms that may facilitate the identification of AIS patients at risk of spinal deformity progression.
PARP1 regulates DNA damage-induced nucleolar-nucleoplasmic shuttling of WRN and XRCC1 in a toxicant and protein-specific manner
Authors: Veith Sebastian , Schink Andrea , Engbrecht Marina , Mack Matthias , Rank Lisa , Rossatti Pascal , Hakobyan Mariam , Goly Denise , Hefele Tanja , Frensch Marco , Fischbach Arthur , Bürkle Alexander , Mangerich Aswin
Published: July 2019

The prime function of nucleoli is ribogenesis, however, several other, non-canonical functions have recently been identified, including a role in genotoxic stress response. Upon DNA damage, numerous proteins shuttle dynamically between the nucleolus and the nucleoplasm, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate that PARP1 and PARylation contribute to genotoxic stress-induced nucleolar-nucleoplasmic shuttling of key genome maintenance factors in HeLa cells. Our work revealed that the RECQ helicase, WRN, translocates from nucleoli to the nucleoplasm upon treatment with the oxidizing agent H2O2, the alkylating agent 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), and the topoisomerase inhibitor camptothecin (CPT). We show that after treatment with H2O2 and CEES, but not CPT, WRN translocation was dependent on PARP1 protein, yet independent of its enzymatic activity. In contrast, nucleolar-nucleoplasmic translocation of the base excision repair protein, XRCC1, was dependent on both PARP1 protein and its enzymatic activity. Furthermore, gossypol, which inhibits PARP1 activity by disruption of PARP1-protein interactions, abolishes nucleolar-nucleoplasmic shuttling of WRN, XRCC1 and PARP1, indicating the involvement of further upstream factors. In conclusion, this study highlights a prominent role of PARP1 in the DNA damage-induced nucleolar-nucleoplasmic shuttling of genome maintenance factors in HeLa cells in a toxicant and protein-specific manner.
Future changes in extreme weather and pyroconvection risk factors for Australian wildfires
Authors: Dowdy Andrew J. , Ye Hua , Pepler Acacia , Thatcher Marcus , Osbrough Stacey L. , Evans Jason P. , Di Virgilio Giovanni , McCarthy Nicholas
Published: July 2019

Extreme wildfires have recently caused disastrous impacts in Australia and other regions of the world, including events with strong convective processes in their plumes (i.e., strong pyroconvection). Dangerous wildfire events such as these could potentially be influenced by anthropogenic climate change, however, there are large knowledge gaps on how these events might change in the future. The McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) is used to represent near-surface weather conditions and the Continuous Haines index (CH) is used here to represent lower to mid-tropospheric vertical atmospheric stability and humidity measures relevant to dangerous wildfires and pyroconvective processes. Projected changes in extreme measures of CH and FFDI are examined using a multi-method approach, including an ensemble of global climate models together with two ensembles of regional climate models. The projections show a clear trend towards more dangerous near-surface fire weather conditions for Australia based on the FFDI, as well as increased pyroconvection risk factors for some regions of southern Australia based on the CH. These results have implications for fields such as disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, ecology, policy and planning, noting that improved knowledge on how climate change can influence extreme wildfires can help reduce future impacts of these events.
The value of long-term citizen science data for monitoring koala populations
Authors: Dissanayake Ravi Bandara , Stevenson Mark , Allavena Rachel , Henning Joerg
Published: July 2019

The active collection of wildlife sighting data by trained observers is expensive, restricted to small geographical areas and conducted infrequently. Reporting of wildlife sightings by members of the public provides an opportunity to collect wildlife data continuously over wider geographical areas, at lower cost. We used individual koala sightings reported by members of the public between 1997 and 2013 in South-East Queensland, Australia (n = 14,076 koala sightings) to describe spatial and temporal trends in koala presence, to estimate koala sighting density and to identify biases associated with sightings. Temporal trends in sightings mirrored the breeding season of koalas. Sightings were high in residential areas (63%), followed by agricultural (15%), and parkland (12%). The study area was divided into 57,780 one-square kilometer grid cells and grid cells with no sightings of koalas decreased over time (from 35% to 21%) indicative of a greater level of spatial overlap of koala home ranges and human activity areas over time. The density of reported koala sightings decreased as distance from primary and secondary roads increased, indicative of a higher search effort near roads. Our results show that koala sighting data can be used to refine koala distribution and population estimates derived from active surveying, on the condition that appropriate bias correction techniques are applied. Collecting koala absence and search effort information and conducting repeated searches for koalas in the same areas are useful approaches to improve the quality of sighting data in citizen science programs.
Exosomes Engineered to Express a Cardiomyocyte Binding Peptide Demonstrate Improved Cardiac Retention in Vivo
Authors: Mentkowski Kyle I. , Lang Jennifer K.
Published: July 2019

Injury to the heart results in cardiomyocyte cell death and can lead to pathological remodeling of remaining cells, contributing to heart failure. Despite the therapeutic potential of new drugs and small molecules, there remains a gap in the ability to efficiently deliver cardioprotective agents in a cell specific manner while minimizing nonspecific delivery to other organs. Exosomes derived from cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have been shown to stimulate angiogenesis, induce endogenous cardiomyocyte proliferation and modulate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and hypertrophy. While innately cardioprotective at high doses, unmodified CDC-exosomes demonstrate limited cardiac tropism. To generate an efficient exosomal delivery system that can target cardiomyocytes, we engineered CDCs to express Lamp2b, an exosomal membrane protein, fused to a cardiomyocyte specific peptide (CMP), WLSEAGPVVTVRALRGTGSW. Exosomes isolated from engineered CDCs expressed CMP on their surface and retained their native physical properties. Targeted exosomes resulted in increased uptake by cardiomyocytes, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and higher cardiac retention following intramyocardial injection when compared with non-targeted exosomes. Importantly, we established a novel targeting system to improve exosomal uptake by cardiomyocytes and laid the foundation for cell-specific exosomal delivery of drug and gene therapies to improve the functional capacity of the heart following both ischemic and non-ischemic injury.