bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local ablative stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Niazi Tamim , Elakshar Sara , Stroian Gabriela
Published: July 2018

Purpose of review

The oligometastases is considered an intermediate state of the disease between localized and wide spread metastases. Local ablative therapy to oligometastatic prostate cancer is gaining significant traction and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment modality for this patient population. In this review, we report our literature review of SBRT to prostate oligometastases. Current evidence on the role of SBRT in oligometastatic prostate cancer reported in the last 10 years was summarized. Criteria for inclusion included studies with prostate cancer only as the primary site.

Recent findings

The unique properties of the oligometastatic prostate cancer appear to carry a better prognosis than wide spread metastatic disease, especially if these metastases are amenable to local ablative therapies. Our literature review revealed that local ablative therapy, using SBRT to prostate oligometastases, is associated with significant 2-years local control and acceptable toxicity profile.

SBRT to oligometastatic prostate cancer patients is feasible and carries an acceptable toxicity profile. The randomized phase II and III trials, currently underway, should clearly define the real benefit of this approach on progression-free and overall survival outcomes.
Measurement of physical activity in clinical practice and research: advances in cancer and chronic respiratory disease
Authors: Maddocks Matthew , Granger Catherine L.
Published: July 2018

Purpose of review

Physical activity has emerged as an important health outcome and its assessment, in particular with objective monitors, has proliferated in recent years. This review considers recent advances in physical activity measurement and clinical trials in cancer and chronic respiratory diseases where physical activity was a primary or key secondary outcome focusing on methodological learning points.

Recent findings

There is growing data on (i) the validity of commercial ‘consumer’ physical activity monitors, e.g. FitBit, and (ii) the role of hybrid physical activity assessments; combining objective and subjective measures to understand physical activity quantity and quality. In both cases, adherence is challenging and can be optimized using short monitoring protocols, e.g., 3–4 days, and by providing clear instructions and support materials to participants. Studies in cancer and chronic respiratory disease have found mixed effects from physical activity interventions based on pedometers, behavior change techniques, online resources, and/or therapeutic nutrition. The most responsive physical activity outcomes and minimum clinically important differences are still to be understood.

Physical activity measures provide an opportunity to detect changes in health behavior. However, measuring physical activity as a trial endpoint is challenging and focusing effort to ensure optimal participant compliance is important.
Should Genital Hiatus/Perineal Body Be Measured at Rest or on Valsalva?
Authors: Ow Lin Li , Subramaniam Nishamini , Kamisan Atan Ixora , Friedman Talia , Martin Andrew , Dietz Hans Peter
Published: July 2018

Objective

Genital hiatus (Gh) and perineal body (Pb) are part of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification assessment system, but it is unclear whether measurements should be taken at rest or on Valsalva. This study was designed to assess the predictive value of Gh and Pb measurements obtained at rest and on Valsalva for signs and symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

This is a retrospective study involving 416 women who presented to a tertiary urogynecology unit with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Genital hiatus and Pb were measured at rest and on maximal Valsalva. The strength of association between binary markers of POP and measurements of Gh/Pb was estimated using logistic regression analysis. Receiver operator characteristic statistics were used to compare predictive values of Gh and Pb measurements obtained at rest and on Valsalva.

Results

A total of 451 women were seen during the study period. Thirty-five were excluded owing to missing data, leaving 416. Fifty-four percent (n = 223) complained of POP symptoms. On examination, 80% (n = 332) had significant POP (stage 2+ in anterior or posterior compartments or stage 1+ in the central compartment). On imaging, significant POP was diagnosed in 66% (n = 275). Mean hiatal area was 22 cm2 (SD, 7; range, 5–49 cm2) at rest and 30 cm2 (SD, 10; range, 11–69 cm2) on Valsalva. Genital hiatus and Pb measured on Valsalva were consistently stronger predictors of prolapse symptoms and objective prolapse (by clinician examination and by ultrasound) than at Gh and Pb measured at rest. The corresponding area under the curve values were significantly larger for Gh/Pb measures on Valsalva after adjusting for multiple confounders.

Conclusions

Genital hiatus/Pb measured on maximal Valsalva is a superior predictor of symptoms and signs of POP compared with Gh/Pb at rest.
Intensive Care to Facilitate Organ Donation: A Report on the Experience of 2 Spanish Centers With a Common Protocol
Authors: Martínez-Soba Fernando , Pérez-Villares José M. , Martínez-Camarero Lidia , Lara Ramón , Monzón José L. , Fernández-Carmona Alberto , Marco Pedro , Coll Elisabeth , Domínguez-Gil Beatriz
Published: July 2018

Background.

The aim of this study is to report the experience with a program of Intensive Care to facilitate Organ Donation (ICOD) in 2 Spanish centers based on a common protocol.

Methods.

Retrospective review of clinical charts of patients with a devastating brain injury whose families were approached to discuss the possibility of ICOD once further treatment was deemed futile by the treating team. Study period is from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2015.

Results.

ICOD was discussed with families of 131 patients. Mean age of possible donors was 75 years (SD = 11 years). The main cause of brain injury was an intracranial hemorrhage (72%). Interviews with families were held after the decision had been made not to intubate/ventilate in 50% of cases, and after the decision not to continue with invasive ventilation in the remaining cases. Most interviews (66%) took place in the emergency department. The majority of families (95%) consented to ICOD. Of the 125 consented cases, 101 (81%) developed brain death (BD), most in 72 hours or less. Ninety-nine (98%) patients transitioned to actual donation after BD, with 1.2 organs transplanted per donor. Of patients who did not evolve to BD, 4 died after an unexpected cardiac arrest and 18 after the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures. ICOD contributed to 33% of actual donors registered at both centers.

Conclusions.

ICOD is well accepted by families. Most patients evolve to BD within a short period of time. The practice substantially contributes to increasing organ donation and offers more patients the chance of donating their organs after death.
Alternative reproductive strategies in white-throated sparrows are associated with differences in parasite load following experimental infection
Authors: Boyd R. J. , Kelly T. R. , MacDougall-Shackleton S. A. , MacDougall-Shackleton E. A.
Published: July 2018

Immune defences often trade off with other life-history components. Within species, optimal allocation to immunity may differ between the sexes or between alternative life-history strategies. White-throated sparrows (
Zonotrichia albicollis
) are unusual in having two discrete plumage morphs, white-striped and tan-striped. Within each sex, white-striped individuals are more aggressive and provide less parental care than tan-striped individuals. We extended immunocompetence handicap models, which predict sex differences in immunity and parasitism, to hypothesize that infection susceptibility should be greater in white-striped than tan-striped birds. We inoculated birds of both morphs with malarial parasites. Contrary to our prediction, among birds that became infected, parasite loads were higher in tan-striped than white-striped individuals and did not differ between the sexes. Circulating androgen levels did not differ between morphs but were higher in males than females. Our findings are not consistent with androgen-mediated immunosuppression. Instead, morph differences in immunity could reflect social interactions or life-history-related differences in risk of injury, and/or genetic factors. Although plumage and behavioural morphs of white-throated sparrow may differ in disease resistance, these differences do not parallel sex differences that have been reported in animals, and do not appear to be mediated by differences in androgen levels.
Biomechanical limits to soil penetration by earthworms: direct measurements of hydroskeletal pressures and peristaltic motions
Authors: Ruiz Siul A. , Or Dani
Published: July 2018

Burrows resulting from earthworm activity are important for supporting various physical and ecological soil processes. Earthworm burrowing activity is quantified using models for earthworm penetration and cavity expansion that consider soil moisture and mechanical properties. Key parameters in these models are the maximal pressures exerted by the earthworm's hydroskeleton (estimated at 200 kPa). We designed a special pressure chamber that directly measures the pressures exerted by moving earthworms under different confining pressures to delineate the limits of earthworm activity in soils at different mechanical and hydration states. The chamber consists of a Plexiglas prism fitted with inner flexible tubing that hosts the earthworm. The gap around the tubing is pressurized using water, and the earthworm's peristaltic motion and concurrent pressure fluctuations were recorded by a camera and pressure transducer. A model that links the earthworm's kinematics with measured pressure fluctuations was developed. Resulting maximal values of radial pressures for anecic and endogeic earthworms were 130 kPa and 195 kPa, respectively. Mean earthworm peristaltic frequencies were used to quantify burrowing rates that were in agreement with previous results. The study delineates mechanical constraints to soil bioturbation by earthworms by mapping the elastic behaviour in the measurement chamber onto the expected elasto-viscoplastic environment of natural soils.
Groups and scores: the decline of cooperation
Authors: Duca Stefano , Nax Heinrich H.
Published: July 2018

Cooperation among unrelated individuals in social-dilemma-type situations is a key topic in social and biological sciences. It has been shown that, without suitable mechanisms, high levels of cooperation/contributions in repeated public goods games are not stable in the long run. Reputation, as a driver of indirect reciprocity, is often proposed as a mechanism that leads to cooperation. A simple and prominent reputation dynamic function through scoring: contributing behaviour increases one's score, non-contributing reduces it. Indeed, many experiments have established that scoring can sustain cooperation in two-player prisoner's dilemmas and donation games. However, these prior studies focused on pairwise interactions, with no experiment studying reputation mechanisms in more general group interactions. In this paper, we focus on groups and scores, proposing and testing several scoring rules that could apply to multi-player prisoners' dilemmas played in groups, which we test in a laboratory experiment. Results are unambiguously negative: we observe a steady decline of cooperation for every tested scoring mechanism. All scoring systems suffer from it in much the same way. We conclude that the positive results obtained by scoring in pairwise interactions do not apply to multi-player prisoner's dilemmas, and that alternative mechanisms are needed.
Linking trophic cascades to changes in desert dune geomorphology using high-resolution drone data
Authors: Lyons Mitchell B. , Mills Charlotte H. , Gordon Christopher E. , Letnic Mike
Published: July 2018

Vegetation cover is fundamental in the formation and maintenance of geomorphological features in dune systems. In arid Australia, increased woody shrub cover has been linked to removal of the apex predator (Dingoes,
Canis dingo
) via subsequent trophic cascades. We ask whether this increase in shrubs can be linked to altered physical characteristics of the dunes. We used drone-based remote sensing to measure shrub density and construct three-dimensional models of dune morphology. Dunes had significantly different physical characteristics either side of the ‘dingo-proof fence’, inside which dingoes are systematically eradicated and shrub density is higher over vast spatial extents. Generalized additive models revealed that dunes with increased shrub density were higher, differently shaped and more variable in height profile. We propose that low shrub density induces aeolian and sedimentary processes that result in greater surface erosion and sediment transport, whereas high shrub density promotes dune stability. We speculate that increased vegetation cover acts to push dunes towards an alternate stable state, where climatic variation no longer has a significant effect on their morphodynamic state within the bi-stable state model. Our study provides evidence that anthropogenically induced trophic cascades can indirectly lead to large-scale changes in landscape geomorphology.
Cultured cells and wing disc size of silkworm can be controlled by the Hippo pathway
Authors: Liang Zi , Lu Yahong , Qian Ying , Zhu Liyuan , Kuang Sulan , Chen Fei , Feng Yongjie , Hu Xiaolong , Cao Guangli , Xue Renyu , Gong Chengliang
Published: July 2018

Hippo signalling represents a cell proliferation and organ-size control pathway. Yorki (Yki), a component of the Hippo pathway, induces the transcription of a number of targets that promote cell proliferation and survival. The functions of
Yki
have been characterized in
Drosophila
and mammals, while there are few reports on silkworm,
Bombyx mori
. In the present study, we found that
BmYki3
facilitates cell migration and cell division, and enlarges the cultured cell and wing disc size. Co-immunoprecipitation results indicated that BmYki3 may interact with thymosin, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase, protein kinase ASK1, dedicator of cytokinesis protein 1, calcium-independent phospholipase A2 and beta-spectrin. RNA-seq results indicated that 4444 genes were upregulated and 10 291 genes were downregulated after
BmYki3
was overexpressed in the cultured cells. GO annotation indicated that the up/downregulated genes were enriched in 268/382 GO terms (
p
< 0.01); KEGG analysis showed that the up/downregulated genes were enriched in 49/101 pathways. These findings provided novel information to understand the functions of
BmYki3
in a cell proliferation and organ-size control pathway.
On the networked architecture of genotype spaces and its critical effects on molecular evolution
Authors: Aguirre Jacobo , Catalán Pablo , Cuesta José A. , Manrubia Susanna
Published: July 2018

Evolutionary dynamics is often viewed as a subtle process of change accumulation that causes a divergence among organisms and their genomes. However, this interpretation is an inheritance of a gradualistic view that has been challenged at the macroevolutionary, ecological and molecular level. Actually, when the complex architecture of genotype spaces is taken into account, the evolutionary dynamics of molecular populations becomes intrinsically non-uniform, sharing deep qualitative and quantitative similarities with slowly driven physical systems: nonlinear responses analogous to critical transitions, sudden state changes or hysteresis, among others. Furthermore, the phenotypic plasticity inherent to genotypes transforms classical fitness landscapes into multiscapes where adaptation in response to an environmental change may be very fast. The quantitative nature of adaptive molecular processes is deeply dependent on a network-of-networks multilayered structure of the map from genotype to function that we begin to unveil.
Femtosecond laser-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide hybrid for optical limiting
Authors: Yu Yang , Yan Lihe , Yue Mengmeng , Xu Huanhuan
Published: July 2018

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) functionalized with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is prepared using a femtosecond laser ablation in liquids method. By ablating the mixed aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and graphene oxide (GO) using femtosecond laser pulses, Ag ions and GO are simultaneously reduced and well-dispersed Ag NPs supported on rGO are obtained. The effect of laser power, irritation time and Ag ion concentration on the optical property and morphology of the products are systematically studied. The nonlinear optical responses of the functionalized graphene are studied using a nanosecond Z-scan technique. The rGO hybrid shows an enhanced nonlinear absorption (NLA) effect compared with GO and rGO, and thus exhibits an excellent optical limiting (OL) property with very low activating threshold, which is estimated to be about 0.38 J cm
−2
. The enhanced NLA effect in rGO hybrids makes it possible to fabricate solid-state optical limiter, improving the practicality of graphene materials in the OL area.
The effect of domestication on post-conflict management: wolves reconcile while dogs avoid each other
Authors: Cafazzo Simona , Marshall-Pescini Sarah , Lazzaroni Martina , Virányi Zsófia , Range Friederike
Published: July 2018

Highly cooperative social species are expected to engage in frequent reconciliation following conflicts in order to maintain pack cohesiveness and preserve future cooperation. By contrast, in social species with low reliance on cooperation, reconciliation is expected to be less frequent. Here, we investigate the pattern of reconciliation in four captive wolf packs and four captive dog packs. We provide evidence for reconciliation in captive wolves, which are highly dependent on cooperation between pack members, while domestic dogs, which rely on conspecific cooperation less than wolves, avoided interacting with their partners after conflicts. Occurrence, intensity, latency, duration and initiation of wolf reconciliations appeared to vary as a consequence of a compromise between the costs (e.g. risk of further aggression) and the benefits (e.g. restoring relationship with opponents) of such interactions. Our results are in line with previous findings on various wolf packs living under different social and ecological conditions, suggesting that reconciliation is an important strategy for maintaining functional relationships and pack cohesiveness. However, current results on dogs are in contrast to the only other study showing that reconciliation can occur also in this species. Therefore, the occurrence of reconciliation in dogs may be influenced by social and environmental conditions more than in wolves. Which factors promote and modulate reconciliation in dogs needs to be further investigated.
Impact of the springtail's cuticle nanotopography on bioadhesion and biofilm formation
in vitro
and in the oral cavity
Authors: Hannig Christian , Helbig Ralf , Hilsenbeck Julia , Werner Carsten , Hannig Matthias
Published: July 2018

Springtails (Collembola) have a nanostructured cuticle. To evaluate and to understand anti-biofouling properties of springtail cuticles’ morphology under different conditions, springtails, shed cuticles and cuticle replicates were studied after incubation with protein solutions and bacterial cultures using common
in vitro
models. In a second step, they were exposed to human oral environment
in situ
in order to explore potential application in dentistry.
In vitro
, the cuticular structures were found to resist wetting by albumin solutions for up to 3 h and colonization by
Staphylococcus epidermidis
was inhibited. When exposed in the oral cavity, initial pellicle formation was of high heterogeneity: parts of the surface were coated by adsorbed proteins, others remained uncoated but exhibited locally attached, ‘bridging’, proteinaceous membranes spanning across cavities of the cuticle surface; this unique phenomenon was observed for the first time. Also the degree of bacterial colonization varied considerably. In conclusion, the springtail cuticle partially modulates bioadhesion in the oral cavity in a unique and specific manner, but it has no universal effect. Especially after longer exposure, the nanotextured surface of springtails is masked by the pellicle, resulting in subsequent bacterial colonization, and, thus, cannot effectively avoid bioadhesion in the oral cavity comprehensively. Nevertheless, the observed phenomena offer valuable information and new perspectives for the development of antifouling surfaces applicable in the oral cavity.
Towards hydrophobic carminic acid derivatives and their incorporation in polyacrylates
Authors: Gabrielli Luca , Origgi Davide , Zampella Giuseppe , Bertini Luca , Bonetti Simone , Vaccaro Gianfranco , Meinardi Francesco , Simonutti Roberto , Cipolla Laura
Published: July 2018

Carminic acid, a natural hydrophilic dye extensively used in the food and cosmetic industries, is converted in hydrophobic dyes by acetylation or pivaloylation. These derivatives are successfully used as biocolourants for rubber objects. In this paper, spectroscopic properties of the carminic acid derivatives in dimethyl sulfoxide and in polybutylacrylate are studied by means of photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence decays, revealing a hypsochromic effect due to the presence of bulky substituents as the acetyl or pivaloyl groups. Molecular mechanics and density functional theory calculations confirm the disruption of planarity between the sugar ring and the anthraquinoid system determined by the esterification.
Filtration-induced production of conductive/robust Cu films on cellulose paper by low-temperature sintering in air
Authors: Sakurai Shintaro , Akiyama Yusuke , Kawasaki Hideya
Published: July 2018

Cellulose paper is an attractive substrate for paper electronics because of its advantages of flexibility, biodegradability, easy incorporation into composites, low cost and eco-friendliness. However, the micrometre-sized pores of cellulose paper make robust/conductive films difficult to deposit onto its surface from metal-nanoparticle-based inks. We developed a Cu-based composite ink to deposit conductive Cu films onto cellulose paper via low-temperature sintering in air. The Cu-based inks consisted of a metallo-organic decomposition ink and formic-acid-treated Cu flakes. The composite ink was heated in air at 100°C for only 15 s to give a conductive Cu film (7 × 10
−5
 Ω cm) on the cellulose paper. Filtration of the Cu-based composite ink accumulated Cu flakes on the paper, which enabled formation of a sintered Cu film with few defects. A strategy was developed to enhance the bending stability of the sintered Cu films on paper substrates using polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified Cu flakes and amine-modified paper. The resistance of the Cu films increased only 1.3-fold and 1.1-fold after 1000 bending cycles at bending radii of 5 mm and 15 mm, respectively. The results of this study provide an approach to increasing the bending stability of Cu films on cellulose paper.
Influence of silicon on growth mechanism of micro-arc oxidation coating on cast Al–Si alloy
Authors: Yu Huijun , Dong Qing , Chen Yang , Chen Chuanzhong
Published: July 2018

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) is a plasma-assisted electrochemistry method to prepare protective ceramic coatings on aluminium alloys. Alloy elements of the Al-alloy substrate, such as Si, Cu, Mg and Li, have effects on the microstructure and composition of the MAO coatings. Usually, silicon distributes in the cast Al–Si alloy substrate as small laths and they cover approximately 10% of the substrate surface. Therefore, their effects on the growth process and microstructure of the MAO coatings are worthy of notice. In the present study, oxide coatings with a thickness of 15–18 µm were prepared on the ZL109 Al–Si alloy by MAO. The phase content, surface morphology and element distribution of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and electron probe micro-analysis respectively. The average hardness of the coatings was 622.3 ± 10.2 HV
0.05
. The adhesive strength of the coatings is 40.55 ± 2.55 N, and the adhesion of the coatings could be rated as 5B by tape test according to ASTM D3359-17 standard test methods, which indicated a high adhesive strength between the MAO coating and substrate. The effects of silicon laths on surface morphology and composition of the coatings were discussed, and a model was put forward to describe the growth process of the MAO coatings on cast Al–Si alloys. The authors believe that the high silicon content of the substrate has no adverse influence on the structure and properties of the MAO coating on the ZL109 alloy.
Formulation of chelating agent with surfactant in cloud point extraction of methylphenol in water
Authors: Hazrina H. Z. , Noorashikin M. S. , Beh S. Y. , Loh S. H. , Zain N. N. M.
Published: July 2018

Cloud point extraction (CPE) is a separation and preconcentration of non-ionic surfactant from one liquid phase to another. In this study, Sylgard 309 and three different types of additives for CPE, namely CPE-Sylgard, CPE-Sylgard-BMIMBr and CPE-Sylgard-GLDA, are investigated to extract methylphenol from water samples. The methylphenols are well separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with isocratic elution of acetonitrile : water; 60 : 40 (v/v) and detection at 260 nm. The optimized parameters for the effect of salt, surfactant, temperature, time of extraction, pH, interference study and the performance of different additives on methylphenol extraction are investigated. CPE-Sylgard-GLDA is chosen because it gives us a high peak and good peak area compared with CPE-Sylgard and CPE-Sylgard-BMIMBr. The recovery extractions of CPE-Sylgard-GLDA are obtained in the range of 80–99% as the percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD) is less than 10. The LOD and LOQ are 0.05 ppm and 0.18 ppm, respectively. The method developed for CPE-Sylgard-GLDA coupled with HPLC is feasible for the determination of methylphenol because it is simple, effective, cheap, and produces a high percentage of recovery.
Population dynamics of synthetic terraformation motifs
Authors: Solé Ricard V. , Montañez Raúl , Duran-Nebreda Salva , Rodriguez-Amor Daniel , Vidiella Blai , Sardanyés Josep
Published: July 2018

Ecosystems are complex systems, currently experiencing several threats associated with global warming, intensive exploitation and human-driven habitat degradation. Because of a general presence of multiple stable states, including states involving population extinction, and due to the intrinsic nonlinearities associated with feedback loops, collapse in ecosystems could occur in a catastrophic manner. It has been recently suggested that a potential path to prevent or modify the outcome of these transitions would involve designing synthetic organisms and synthetic ecological interactions that could push these endangered systems out of the critical boundaries. In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of the simplest mathematical models associated with four classes of ecological engineering designs, named
Terraformation motifs
(TMs). These TMs put in a nutshell different ecological strategies. In this context, some fundamental types of bifurcations pervade the systems’ dynamics. Mutualistic interactions can enhance persistence of the systems by means of saddle-node bifurcations. The models without cooperative interactions show that ecosystems achieve restoration through transcritical bifurcations. Thus, our analysis of the models allows us to define the stability conditions and parameter domains where these TMs must work.
Site-specific structural order in Alzheimer's Aβ42 fibrils
Authors: Wang Hongsu , Lee Yoon Kyung , Xue Christine , Guo Zhefeng
Published: July 2018

Deposition of amyloid fibrils is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Aβ42 is the major protein whose aggregation leads to the formation of these fibrils. Understanding the detailed structure of Aβ42 fibrils is of particular importance for delineating the mechanism of Aβ42 aggregation and developing specific amyloid-targeting drugs. Here, we use site-directed spin labelling and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the site-specific structural order at each and every residue position in Aβ42 fibrils. Strong interactions between spin labels indicate highly ordered protein backbone at the labelling site, while weak interactions suggest disordered local structure. Our results show that Aβ42 consists of five β-strands (residues 2–7, 10–13, 17–20, 31–36, 39–41), three turns (residues 7–8, 14–16, 37–38) and one ordered loop (residues 21–30). Spin labels introduced at β-strand sites show strong spin–spin interactions, while spin labels at turn or loop sites show weak interactions. However, residues 24, 25 and 28 also show strong interactions between spin labels, suggesting that the loop 21–30 is partly ordered. In the context of recent structural work using solid-state NMR and cryoEM, the site-specific structural order revealed in this study provides a different perspective on backbone and side chain dynamics of Aβ42 fibrils.
Ligand-based pharmacophore model for the discovery of novel CXCR2 antagonists as anti-cancer metastatic agents
Authors: Che Jinxin , Wang Zhilong , Sheng Haichao , Huang Feng , Dong Xiaowu , Hu Youhong , Xie Xin , Hu Yongzhou
Published: July 2018

Metastatic cancer is considered a fatal progression of cancer worldwide. It has been shown that a key player in this scenario is the CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2). To identify novel CXCR2 antagonists, a pharmacophore model was built with the H
ip
H
op
program by screening a database containing compounds which were designed based on the known structure–activity relationship (SAR) of the diarylurea series CXCR2 antagonists. Compound
1a
bearing the novel skeleton was selected from database screening and subjected to the
in vitro
biological test which showed a moderate CXCR2 antagonist potential. With further modification and exploration of SAR, compound
1e
demonstrated improved CXCR2 antagonist activity with an IC
50
value of 14.8 µM. Furthermore, wound healing assay using the NCI-H1299 cell line indicated that
1e
showed an excellent anti-cancer metastatic effect (72% inhibition in cell migration at 50 µg ml
−1
).
Experimental study on permeability characteristics of gas-containing raw coal under different stress conditions
Authors: Zhang Dongming , Yang Yushun , Wang Hao , Bai Xin , Ye Chen , Li Shujian
Published: July 2018

The present experimental study on permeability characteristics for raw coal under different stress states is implemented by applying the triaxial self-made ‘THM coupled with servo-controlled seepage apparatus for gas-containing coal’; the result indicates that the flow rate of gas in the coal sample gradually decreases with the nonlinear loading of axial pressure and increases with the nonlinear unloading of axial stress and confining pressure. The flow rate, axial stress and confining pressure curves all satisfy the negative exponential function relation. When the sample reaches the peak intensity, the sample will be destroyed and the stress will drop rapidly; then the flow rate of the sample will increase rapidly. At this stage, the flow rate and axial strain show an oblique ‘v' pattern. The flow rate of the coal sample increases nonlinearly with the increase of gas pressure; the relation curve between flow rate and gas pressure satisfies the power function relation. Under the same confining pressure and gas pressure conditions, the larger the axial stress, the smaller the flow rate of the coal sample. Under the same axial stress and gas pressure conditions, the flow rate of the coal sample will first decrease, but then increase as the confining pressure decreases. During the post-peak loading and unloading process, the flow rate of the coal sample will decrease with the loading of confining pressure but increase with the unloading of confining pressure, and there will be an increase in wave shape with the increase in axial strain. The flow rate of each loading and unloading confining pressure is higher than that of the previous loading and unloading confining pressure. At the post-peak stage, the relation curve between the flow rate of the coal sample and the confining pressure satisfies the power function relation in the process of loading and unloading confining pressure.
Novel acridine-based thiosemicarbazones as ‘turn-on' chemosensors for selective recognition of fluoride anion: a spectroscopic and theoretical study
Authors: Isaac Ibanga Okon , Munir Iqra , al-Rashida Mariya , Ali Syed Abid , Shafiq Zahid , Islam Muhammad , Ludwig Ralf , Ayub Khurshid , Khan Khalid Mohammed , Hameed Abdul
Published: July 2018

New thiosemicarbazide-linked acridines
3a–c
were prepared and investigated as chemosensors for the detection of biologically and environmentally important anions. The compounds
3a–c
were found selective for fluoride (F
−
) with no affinity for other anions, i.e.
−
OAc, Br
−
, I
−
, HSO
4
−
, SO
4
2−
, PO
4
3−
, ClO
3
−
, ClO
4
−
, CN
−
and SCN
−
. Further, upon the gradual addition of a fluoride anion (F
−
) source (tetrabutylammonium fluoride), a well-defined change in colour of the solution of probes
3a–c
was observed. The anion-sensing process was studied in detail via UV–visible absorption, fluorescence and
1
H-NMR experiments. Moreover, during the synthesis of acridine probes
3a–c
nickel fluoride (NiF
2
), a rarely explored transition metal fluoride salt, was used as the catalyst. Theoretical studies via density functional theory were also carried out to further investigate the sensing and anion (F
−
) selectivity pattern of these probes.
A generalized model for dynamic deformation and failure of clamped beam under impact loading
Authors: Sen Subhajit , Shaw Amit
Published: July 2018

A mathematical model representing the dynamic behaviour (both plastic deformation and fracture) of a clamped beam under impact loading is developed. Indentation at the impact point, transverse deformation, formation and propagation of plastic hinge, arrest of plastic hinge leading to plastic work concentration and finally failure are the physical processes which constitute the basis of the derived model. The effect of imperfection is also incorporated. Imperfection is considered in the form of a
π
-shaped notch located at the impact point, at supports or at both. The distinct feature of the present formulation is that it accommodates different possible deformation and failure modes in a single model. Final plastic deformation, time histories of different field variables and failure modes as predicted from the derived model are found to be in good agreement with the corresponding experimental and numerical results. This model provides a quick understanding of the dynamic behaviour of beam under impact and also the effect of various underlying parameters which may be useful for forming design provisions for impact-resistant structures.
An elliptical liquid inclusion in an infinite elastic plane
Authors: Wu J. , Ru C. Q. , Zhang L.
Published: July 2018

Beyond recent related literature, which focused on spherical incompressible liquid inclusions, the present work studies an elliptical compressible liquid inclusion in an infinite elastic plane under static remote mechanical loading. Here, it is assumed that the change of pressure inside the liquid inclusion is linearly related to the change of inclusion volume with the bulk modulus of the liquid as the proportionality coefficient. Also, the role of the liquid surface tension on the solid–liquid interface is examined especially when the size of the liquid inclusion is comparable to or smaller than the elastocapillary length. Our results show that both the surface tension and the change of liquid pressure have a significant effect on reducing the stress concentration factor at the endpoints of an elliptical liquid inclusion. In addition, the pressure change inside the liquid inclusion is studied when a uniaxial remote stress is applied perpendicular or parallel to the major axis of the elliptical liquid inclusion. In particular, the effective plane-strain Young's modulus of a solid–liquid composite containing circular liquid inclusions predicted by the present model is linearly related to the volume fraction of the liquid inclusions, in reasonable agreement with existing experimental data.
Extraordinary interactions between light and matter determined by anomalous weak values
Authors: Aharonov Yakir , Cohen Eliahu , Carmi Avishy , Elitzur Avshalom C.
Published: July 2018

Some predictions regarding pre- and post-selected states are far-reaching, thereby requiring validation with standard quantum measurements in addition to the customary weak measurements used so far, as well as other advanced techniques. We go further pursuing this goal, proposing two thought experiments which incorporate novel yet feasible validation methods of unconventional light-matter interactions. An excited atom traverses a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) under a special combination of pre- and post-selection. In the first experiment, photons emitted by the superposed atom, after being hit by two laser beams, are individually counted. Despite the interaction having definitely taken place, as revealed by the atom becoming ground, the numbers of photons emitted from each arm of the MZI are predicted, at the ensemble level, to be different from those expected with standard stimulated emission. In the second experiment, the atom spontaneously emits a photon while still in the MZI. This photon later serves as a strong measurement of the atom's energy upon hitting a photographic plate. The experiment is repeated to enable an interference effect of the emitted photons. Interestingly, the latter gives the appearance that the photons have been emitted by the atom from a position much farther from the two MZI arms
L
and
R
, as if in a ‘phantom arm’
R
′. Nevertheless, their time of arrival is similar to that of photons coming from
L
and
R
. These experiments also emphasize the key role of anomalous weak values in determining light–matter interactions. In fact, they present a straightforward realization of an entity we term counter-particles, namely pre- and post-selected states acting as if they have negative physical variables such as mass and energy. The novel verification methods we suggest for testing these predictions resemble weak measurements in some aspects, yet result from definite atomic transitions verified by the detected photons.
Endogenous oxytocin predicts helping and conversation as a function of group membership
Authors: McClung Jennifer Susan , Triki Zegni , Clément Fabrice , Bangerter Adrian , Bshary Redouan
Published: July 2018

Humans cooperate with unrelated individuals to an extent that far outstrips any other species. We also display extreme variation in decisions about whether to cooperate or not, and the mechanisms driving this variation remain an open question across the behavioural sciences. One candidate mechanism underlying this variation in cooperation is the evolutionary ancient neurohormone oxytocin (OT). As current research focuses on artificial administration of OT in asocial tasks, little is known about how the hormone in its naturally occurring state actually impacts behaviour in social interactions. Using a new optimal foraging paradigm, the ‘egg hunt’, we assessed the association of endogenous OT with helping behaviour and conversation. We manipulated players' group membership relative to each other prior to an egg hunt, during which they had repeated opportunities to spontaneously help each other. Results show that endogenous baseline OT predicted helping and conversation type, but crucially as a function of group membership. Higher baseline OT predicted increased helping but only between in-group players, as well as decreased discussion about individuals’ goals between in-group players but conversely more of such discussion between out-group players. Subsequently, behaviour but not conversation during the hunt predicted change in OT, in that out-group members who did not help showed a decrease in OT from baseline levels. In sum, endogenous OT predicts helping behaviour and conversation, importantly as a function of group membership, and this effect occurs in parallel to uniquely human cognitive processes.
Mycobacterium xenopi systemic infection in a domestic fiery-shouldered conure bird (Pyrrhura egregia)
Authors: St-Jean Guillaume , Gagnon Carl A. , Soualhine Hafid , Tremblay Manon , Beaulieu Andrée-Anne , Sylvestre Doris
Published: July 2018

Introduction.
Mycobacterium xenopi is a rare opportunistic pathogen mainly causing infections in immunocompromised human patients or those with underlying chronic structural lung disease. Cases of disease in veterinary medicine remain scarce. Few animal species, including birds, are suspected of being vectors of the disease and there has not yet been a report of clinical disease in birds. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of systemic infection in a domestic bird.

Case presentation. A female fiery-shouldered conure was submitted after death for necropsy following episodes of heavy breathing. The necropsy revealed multiple granulomatous lesions within the liver, air sacs and kidneys. Ziehl–Neelsen stains demonstrated the presence of numerous intralesional acid-fast bacilli. PCR assays and culture confirmed the presence of M. xenopi.

Conclusion. Through this case we hope to describe the characteristics of M. xenopi disease in birds and the possible close relationship between animal and human infections.
Translating genotype data of 44,000 biobank participants into clinical pharmacogenetic recommendations: challenges and solutions
Authors: Reisberg Sulev , Krebs Kristi , Kals Mart , Mägi Reedik , Metsalu Kristjan , Lauschke Volker M. , Vilo Jaak , Milani Lili
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Biomedical databases combining electronic medical records, phenotypic and genomic data constitute a powerful resource for the personalization of treatment. To leverage the wealth of information provided, algorithms are required that systematically translate the contained information into treatment recommendations based on existing genotype-phenotype associations.

Methods

We developed and tested algorithms for translation of pre-existing genotype data of over 44,000 participants of the Estonian biobank into pharmacogenetic recommendations. We compared the results obtained by whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing and genotyping using microarrays, and evaluated the impact of pharmacogenetic reporting based on drug prescription statistics in the Nordic countries and Estonia.

Results

Our most striking result was that the performance of genotyping arrays is similar to that of whole genome sequencing, whereas exome sequencing is not suitable for pharmacogenetic predictions. Interestingly, 99.8% of all assessed individuals had a genotype associated with increased risks to at least one medication, and thereby the implementation of pharmacogenetic recommendations based on genotyping affects at least 50 daily drug doses per 1000 inhabitants.

Conclusion

We find that microarrays are a cost-effective solution for creating pre-emptive pharmacogenetic reports, and with slight modifications, existing databases can be applied for automated pharmacogenetic decision support for clinicians.
Infant and adult brains are coupled to the dynamics of natural communication
Authors: Piazza Elise A. , Hasenfratz Liat , Hasson Uri , Lew-Williams Casey
Published: July 2018

Infancy is the foundational period for learning from adults, and the dynamics of the social environment have long been proposed as central to children’s development. Here we reveal a novel, highly naturalistic approach for studying live interactions between infants and adults. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we simultaneously and continuously measured the brains of infants (9-15 months) and an adult while they communicated and played with each other in real time. We found that time-locked neural coupling within dyads was significantly greater when they interacted with each other than with control individuals. In addition, we found that both infant and adult brains continuously tracked the moment-to-moment fluctuations of mutual gaze, infant emotion, and adult speech prosody with high temporal precision. This investigation advances what is currently known about how the brains and behaviors of infants both shape and reflect those of adults during real-life communication.
Unfold: An integrated toolbox for overlap correction, non-linear modeling, and regression-based EEG analysis
Authors: Ehinger Benedikt V. , Dimigen Olaf
Published: July 2018

Electrophysiological research with event-related brain potentials (ERPs) is increasingly moving from simple, strictly orthogonal stimulation paradigms towards more complex, quasi-experimental designs and naturalistic situations that involve fast, multisensory stimulation and complex motor behavior. As a result, electrophysiological responses from subsequent events often overlap with each other. In addition, the recorded neural activity is typically modulated by numerous covariates, which influence the measured responses in a linear or nonlinear fashion. Examples of paradigms where systematic temporal overlap variations and low-level confounds between conditions cannot be avoided include combined EEG/eye-tracking experiments during natural vision, fast multisensory stimulation experiments, and mobile brain/body imaging studies. However, even “traditional”, highly controlled ERP datasets often contain a hidden mix of overlapping activity (e.g. from stimulus onsets, involuntary microsaccades, or button presses) and it is helpful or even necessary to disentangle these components for a correct interpretation of the results. In this paper, we introduceunfold, a powerful, yet easy-to-use MATLAB toolbox for regression-based EEG analyses that combines existing concepts of massive univariate modeling (“regression ERPs”), linear deconvolution modeling, and non-linear modeling with the generalized additive model (GAM) into one coherent and flexible analysis framework. The toolbox is modular, compatible with EEGLAB and can handle even large datasets efficiently. It also includes advanced options for regularization and the use of temporal basis functions (e.g. Fourier sets). We illustrate the advantages of this approach for simulated data as well as data from a standard face recognition experiment. In addition to traditional and non-conventional EEG/ERP designs,unfoldcan also be applied to other overlapping physiological signals, such as pupillary or electrodermal responses. It is available as open-source software athttp://www.unfoldtoolbox.org.