bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No doing without time
Authors: Pan Shen , Carruthers Peter
Published: December 2019

Hoerl & McCormack claim that animals don't represent time. Because this makes a mystery of established findings in comparative psychology, there had better be some important payoff. The main one they mention is that it explains a clash of intuition about the reality of time's passage. But any theory that recognizes the representational requirements of agency can do likewise.
Neural correlates of temporal updating and reasoning in association with neuropsychiatric disorders
Authors: Ueda Natsuki , Hanakawa Takashi
Published: December 2019

Here we argue how Hoerl & McCormack's dual system proposal may change the current view about the neural correlates underlying temporal information processing. We also consider that the concept of the dual system may help characterize various timing disabilities in neuropsychiatric disorders from the new perspective.
Time, flow, and space
Authors: Callender Craig
Published: December 2019

Does a temporal dual process theory explain the illusive flow of time? I point out one shortcoming of such a theory and propose an alternative that does not require either dual cognitive processes or demand such a stark asymmetry between space and time in the brain.
Temporal representation and reasoning in non-human animals
Authors: Kaufmann Angelica , Cahen Arnon
Published: December 2019

Hoerl & McCormack argue that comparative and developmental psychology teaches us that “neither animals nor infants can think and reason about time.” We argue that the authors neglect to take into account pivotal evidence from ethology that suggests that non-human animals do possess a capacity to represent and reason about time, namely, work done on Sumatran orangutans’ long travel calls.
Updating and reasoning: Different processes, different models, different functions
Authors: Kelly Laura , Prabhakar Janani , Khemlani Sangeet
Published: December 2019

Two issues should be addressed to refine and extend the distinction between temporal updating and reasoning advocated by Hoerl & McCormack. First, do the mental representations constructed during updating differ from those used for reasoning? Second, are updating and reasoning the only two processes relevant to temporal thinking? If not, is a dual-systems framework sensible? We address both issues below.
Locating animals with respect to landmarks in space-time
Authors: Gentry Hunter , Buckner Cameron
Published: December 2019

Landmarks play a crucial role in bootstrapping both spatial and temporal cognition. Given the similarity in the underlying demands of representing spatial and temporal relations, we ask here whether animals can be trained to reason about temporal relations by providing them with temporal landmark cues, proposing a line of future research complementary to those suggested by the authors.
“The disadvantages of a defective education”: identity, experiment and persuasion in the natural history of the salmon and parr controversy, c. 1825–1850
Authors: Message Reuben
Published: December 2019

Argument

During the second quarter of the nineteenth century, an argument raged about the identity of a small freshwater fish: was the parr a distinct species, or merely the young of the salmon? This “Parr Controversy” concerned both fishermen and ichthyologists. A central protagonist in the controversy was a man of ambiguous social and scientific status: a gamekeeper from Scotland named John Shaw. This paper examines Shaw’s heterogeneous practices and the reception of his claims by naturalists as he struggled to find a footing on the “gradient of attributed competence” (Rudwick 1985). The case demonstrates the context-specific nature of expert-lay boundaries and identities and explores a range of material and linguistic resources available for negotiating them. Arguing for a view of Shaw’s trajectory as simultaneously one of being a “practical man” and of becoming a naturalist, the paper explores both the permeability of social hierarchies in knowledge production and their effective role in the regulation of competency.
On commensurability of right-angled Artin groups II: RAAGs defined by paths
Authors: CASALS–RUIZ MONTSERRAT , KAZACHKOV ILYA , ZAKHAROV ALEXANDER
Published: December 2019

In this paper we continue the study of right-angled Artin groups up to commensurability initiated in [CKZ]. We show that RAAGs defined by different paths of length greater than 3 are not commensurable. We also characterise which RAAGs defined by paths are commensurable to RAAGs defined by trees of diameter 4. More precisely, we show that a RAAG defined by a path of lengthn> 4 is commensurable to a RAAG defined by a tree of diameter 4 if and only ifn≡ 2 (mod 4). These results follow from the connection that we establish between the classification of RAAGs up to commensurability and linear integer-programming.
Hitting Two Birds with One Stone: How Russian Countersanctions Intertwined Political and Economic Goals
Authors: Pospieszna Paulina , Skrzypczyńska Joanna , Stępień Beata
Published: December 2019

This article explicates the intertwined economic and political goals behind the imposition of countersanctions through an analysis of their premises and outcomes for Russia’s domestic economy. The evidence supports the argument that retaliation was designed to benefit the Russian domestic food industry, reorient trade relations, and bolster domestic public support for this sector while politically penalizing sanctioning countries. An important contribution of this article is to demonstrate how sanctions imposed on nondemocratic target countries, which play an important role in international affairs, is like a tit-for-tat game, which may have additional effects and also unintended political, economic, and social consequences not yet observed.
Atypical Visual Scan Path Affects Remembering in ADHD
Authors: Mohammadhasani Nasrin , Caprì Tindara , Nucita Andrea , Iannizzotto Giancarlo , Fabio Rosa Angela
Published: December 2019

Objective:

Several studies agree on the link between attention and eye movements during reading. It has been well established that attention and working memory (WM) interact. A question that could be addressed to better understand these relationships is: to what extent can an attention deficit affect eye movements and, consequently, remembering a word? The main aims of the present study were (1) to compare visual patterns of word stimuli between children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and typically developing (TD) children, during a visual task on word stimuli; (2) to examine the WM accuracy of the word stimuli; and (3) to compare the dynamic of visual scan path in both groups.

Method:

A total of 49 children with ADHD, age and sex matched with 32 TD children, were recruited. We used eye-tracking technology in which the Word Memory Test was implemented. To highlight the scan path of participants, two measures were used: the ordered direction of reading and the entropy index.

Results:

ADHD groups showed a poorer WM than TD group. They did not follow a typical scan path across the words compared with TD children, but their visual scanning was discontinuous, uncoordinated, and chaotic. ADHD groups showed an index of entropy among the four categories of saccades higher than TD group.

Conclusions:

The findings were discussed in light of two directions: the relationship between atypical visual scan path and WM and the training implications related to the necessity of redirecting the dynamic of visual scan path in ADHD to improve WM.
What Difference Does It Make? Gendered Campaigning in the 2016 Irish General Election
Authors: Kusche Isabel
Published: December 2019

Possible gender differences in the self-presentation of political candidates have been a recurring research topic for many years. Yet studies that compare large numbers of candidates have mainly used data from the United States. This article uses a unique data set from the run-up to the 2016 general election in Ireland to compare the self-presentation of male and female candidates. The data are based on video statements of almost 90% of the candidates who ran in the election. With its lack of party polarization and recent introduction of a gender quota, Ireland is a particularly interesting case for analyzing possible gender differences in political campaigning. Findings confirm previous research that has found few gender differences in issue priorities but contradict it in other respects, especially regarding differences in stressing political experience and personal background. The results suggest that female candidates saw electoral benefits from conforming to expectations about women as caregivers, but they wished to avoid a stereotype limiting them to this role by also emphasizing their occupational background. Their strong personalization may also indicate an attempt to stress individuality in a context in which the gender quota drew special attention to women as a category.
New Technique for Aerosol Detection in Haze Day Using Side‐Scattering Lidar and Its Inversion Method
Authors: Wang Zhenzhu , Tao Zongming , Liu Dong , Xie Chenbo , Wang Yingjian
Published: December 2019

The new side‐scattering lidar using two charge‐coupled device cameras and one CW laser is developed to measure the near‐ground aerosol profiles in haze day, which is a powerful tool and is most interested for the environmental and meteorological agencies. A new inversion method for the side‐scattering lidar to retrieve the aerosol backscattering coefficient is proposed for the first time, which is based on the aerosol backscattering coefficient measured by itself at the ground as a constrained condition. Numerical simulation is carried out to analyze the convergence of this new method. Case studies indicate that this method is reasonable and feasible. The method is especially suitable for the measurement in the foggy and hazy weathers even during the daytime, and it does not need a simultaneous backscattering lidar as the reference any more.
Application of the Bias Correction and Spatial Downscaling Algorithm on the Temperature Extremes From CMIP5 Multimodel Ensembles in China
Authors: Xu Lianlian , Wang Aihui
Published: December 2019

The Bias Correction and Spatial Downscaling (BCSD) is a trend‐preserving statistical downscaling algorithm, which has been widely used to generate accurate and high‐resolution data set. We employ the BCSD technique to statistically downscale projected daily maximum temperature (DMT) over China from 13 general circulation models in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) project to supplement the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earth Exchange Global Daily Downscaled Projections data set under the Representative Concentration Pathway 2.6 (RCP2.6) scenario. We then compare the differences of DMT and four DMT‐related indices (i.e., summer days (SU), annual maximum value of DMT (TXx), intensity, and frequency of heat wave) between before and after downscaling over eight subregions of China. The results indicate that the BCSD method reduces the cool bias of the DMT over the whole China compared with original CMIP5 simulations, especially over the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau. The SU increases after downscaling for both China as a whole and most subregions except for South China. The BCSD also affects the mean value of TXx, intensity, and frequency of heat wave at subregional scales, although it shows little impact on China as a whole. Besides, the BCSD reduces the temporal variability of most indices except for the heat wave frequency. The most striking finding is that the intermodel spreads of DMT, SU, TXx, and heat wave intensity are dramatically reduced after downscaling compared with raw CMIP5 simulations. In summary, the BCSD method shows significant improvements to original CMIP5 climate projections under RCP2.6 scenario.
Keeping Indigenous Science Knowledge out of a Colonial Mold
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: December 2019

A new working model could help scientists design and facilitate research that adheres to both scientific and cultural ethics standards when working with indigenous knowledge about climate and the environment.
The odonate phenotypic database, a new open data resource for comparative studies of an old insect order
Authors: Waller John T. , Willink Beatriz , Tschol Maximilian , Svensson Erik I.
Published: December 2019

We present The Odonate Phenotypic Database (OPD): an online data resource of dragonfly and damselfly phenotypes (Insecta: Odonata). Odonata is a relatively small insect order that currently consists of about 6400 species belonging to 32 families. The database consists of multiple morphological, life-history and behavioral traits, and biogeographical information collected from literature sources. We see taxon-specific phenotypic databases from Odonata and other organismal groups as becoming an increasing valuable resource in comparative studies. Our database has phenotypic records for 1011 of all 6400 known odonate species. The database is accessible athttp://www.odonatephenotypicdatabase.org/, and a static version with an information file about the variables in the database is archived at Dryad.
Impact of alternative materials to plasticized PVC infusion tubings on drug sorption and plasticizer release
Authors: Tokhadze N. , Chennell P. , Bernard L. , Lambert C. , Pereira B. , Mailhot-Jensen B. , Sautou V.
Published: December 2019

Medical tubings in plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) are widely used for the infusion of medications but are known in some cases to cause content-container interactions (drug sorption and plasticizer release). The aim of this study was to assess interactions between drugs and five alternative materials to a reference plasticized PVC intravenous (IV) infusion tubing: three were PVC coextruded with polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU) or a thermoplastic elastomer (Styrene-EthyleneButadiene-Styrene (SEBS)) and two were SEBS or thermoplastic olefin (TPO) monolayer tubings. Diazepam and insulin were chosen as respective reference of absorption and adsorption while paracetamol acted as a negative control. The concentration of each drug was quantified with liquid chromatography to evaluate a potential loss after a static contact condition and simulated infusion at 1 mL/h and 10 mL/h dynamic condition by an electric syringe pump. A characterization of each material’s surface was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode (ATR-FTIR) and by measurement of surface zeta potential. Plasticizer release was quantified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For all tubings except PVC/PU, no loss of paracetamol was observed in any condition. Diazepam sorption appeared to be less important with PVC/PE, PVC/SEBS, SEBS and TPO tubings than with PVC, but was more important when using PVC/PU tubings. PVC tubings induced the least loss of insulin amongst all the studied materials. Surface analysis by ATR-FTIR highlighted the presence of a plasticizer (that could be attributed to Tris (2-Ethylhexyl) Trimellitate (TOTM)) in the coextruded SEBS layer of PVC/SEBS, which could have influenced drug sorption, probably as a consequence of a migration from the PVC layer. Coextruded PVC/SEBS and PVC/PE presented the lowest zeta potential of all studied materials with respective values of −39 mV and −36 mV and were related to the highest sorption of insulin while PVC/PU with the highest zeta potential (about −9 mV) presented the highest absorption of diazepam. Coextruded layered materials appeared to have a lower plasticizer release than PVC alone. As a conclusion, PVC/PE and thermoplastic elastomers alone or coextruded with PVC could be interesting alternatives to PVC tubings with regards to sorption phenomena and plasticizer release.
Synthesis and preclinical validation of novel P2Y1 receptor ligands as a potent anti-prostate cancer agent
Authors: Le Hien Thi Thu , Rimpilainen Tatu , Konda Mani Saravanan , Murugesan Akshaya , Yli-Harja Olli , Candeias Nuno R. , Kandhavelu Meenakshisundaram
Published: December 2019

Purinergic receptor is a potential drug target for neuropathic pain, Alzheimer disease, and prostate cancer. Focusing on the structure-based ligand discovery, docking analysis on the crystal structure of P2Y1 receptor (P2Y1R) with 923 derivatives of 1-indolinoalkyl 2-phenolic compound is performed to understand the molecular insights of the receptor. The structural model identified the top novel ligands, 426 (compound 1) and 636 (compound 2) having highest binding affinity with the docking score of −7.38 and −6.92. We have reported the interaction efficacy and the dynamics of P2Y1R protein with the ligands. The best hits synthesized were experimentally optimized as a potent P2Y1 agonists. These ligands exhibits anti-proliferative effect against the PC-3 and DU-145 cells (IC50 = 15 µM – 33 µM) with significant increase in the calcium level in dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, the activation of P2Y1R induced the apoptosis via Capase3/7 and ROS signaling pathway. Thus it is evidenced that the newly synthesized ligands, as a P2Y1R agonists could potentially act as a therapeutic drug for treating prostate cancer.
Dynamic range expansion leads to establishment of a new, genetically distinct wolf population in Central Europe
Authors: Szewczyk Maciej , Nowak Sabina , Niedźwiecka Natalia , Hulva Pavel , Špinkytė-Bačkaitienė Renata , Demjanovičová Klára , Bolfíková Barbora Černá , Antal Vladimír , Fenchuk Viktar , Figura Michał , Tomczak Patrycja , Stachyra Przemysław , Stępniak Kinga M. , Zwijacz-Kozica Tomasz , Mysłajek Robert W.
Published: December 2019

Local extinction and recolonization events can shape genetic structure of subdivided animal populations. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was extirpated from most of Europe, but recently recolonized big part of its historical range. An exceptionally dynamic expansion of wolf population is observed in the western part of the Great European Plain. Nonetheless, genetic consequences of this process have not yet been fully understood. We aimed to assess genetic diversity of this recently established wolf population in Western Poland (WPL), determine its origin and provide novel data regarding the population genetic structure of the grey wolf in Central Europe. We utilized both spatially explicit and non-explicit Bayesian clustering approaches, as well as a model-independent, multivariate method DAPC, to infer genetic structure in large dataset (881 identified individuals) of wolf microsatellite genotypes. To put the patterns observed in studied population into a broader biogeographic context we also analyzed a mtDNA control region fragment widely used in previous studies. In comparison to a source population, we found slightly reduced allelic richness and heterozygosity in the newly recolonized areas west of the Vistula river. We discovered relatively strong west-east structuring in lowland wolves, probably reflecting founder-flush and allele surfing during range expansion, resulting in clear distinction of WPL, eastern lowland and Carpathian genetic groups. Interestingly, wolves from recently recolonized mountainous areas (Sudetes Mts, SW Poland) clustered together with lowland, but not Carpathian wolf populations. We also identified an area in Central Poland that seems to be a melting pot of western, lowland eastern and Carpathian wolves. We conclude that the process of dynamic recolonization of Central European lowlands lead to the formation of a new, genetically distinct wolf population. Together with the settlement and establishment of packs in mountains by lowland wolves and vice versa, it suggests that demographic dynamics and possibly anthropogenic barriers rather than ecological factors (e.g. natal habitat-biased dispersal patterns) shape the current wolf genetic structure in Central Europe.
Induction of PrMADS10 on the lower side of bent pine tree stems: potential role in modifying plant cell wall properties and wood anatomy
Authors: Cruz Nicolás , Méndez Tamara , Ramos Patricio , Urbina Daniela , Vega Andrea , Gutiérrez Rodrigo A. , Moya-León María A. , Herrera Raúl
Published: December 2019

The molecular mechanisms underlying inclination responses in trees are unclear. In this study, we identified a MADS-box transcription factor differentially expressed early after inclination in the stems of Pinus radiata D. Don. PrMADS10 has a CDS of 582 bp and encodes a group II MADS-box transcription factor. We measured highest accumulation of this transcript on the lower side of inclined pine stems. In an effort to identify putative targets, we stably transformed Arabidopsis thaliana with a 35S::PrMADS10 construct. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1,219 genes differentially-expressed, with 690 and 529 genes up- and down-regulated respectively, when comparing the transgenic and wild-type. Differentially-expressed genes belong to different biological processes, but were enriched in cell wall remodeling and phenylpropanoid metabolic functions. Interestingly, lignin content was 30% higher in transgenic as compared to wild-type plants consistent with observed changes in gene expression. Differentially expressed transcription factors and phenylpropanoid genes were analyzed using STRING. Several MYB and NAC transcription factors showed interactions with genes of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Together, these results implicate PrMADS10 as a regulatory factor, triggering the expression of other transcription factors and genes involved in the synthesis of lignin.
Effects of disease, antibiotic treatment and recovery trajectory on the microbiome of farmed seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Authors: Rosado Daniela , Xavier Raquel , Severino Ricardo , Tavares Fernando , Cable Jo , Pérez-Losada Marcos
Published: December 2019

The mucosal surfaces of fish harbour microbial communities that can act as the first-line of defense against pathogens. Infectious diseases are one of the main constraints to aquaculture growth leading to huge economic losses. Despite their negative impacts on microbial diversity and overall fish health, antibiotics are still the method of choice to treat many such diseases. Here, we use 16 rRNA V4 metataxonomics to study over a 6 week period the dynamics of the gill and skin microbiomes of farmed seabass before, during and after a natural disease outbreak and subsequent antibiotic treatment with oxytetracycline. Photobacterium damselae was identified as the most probable causative agent of disease. Both infection and antibiotic treatment caused significant, although asymmetrical, changes in the microbiome composition of the gills and skin. The most dramatic changes in microbial taxonomic abundance occurred between healthy and diseased fish. Disease led to a decrease in the bacterial core diversity in the skin, whereas in the gills there was both an increase and a shift in core diversity. Oxytetracycline caused a decrease in core diversity in the gill and an increase in the skin. Severe loss of core diversity in fish mucosae demonstrates the disruptive impact of disease and antibiotic treatment on the microbial communities of healthy fish.
Nutrient patterns and the skeletal muscle mass index among Polish women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Danielewicz Anna , Morze Jakub , Obara-Gołębiowska Małgorzata , Przybyłowicz Mariusz , Przybyłowicz Katarzyna E.
Published: December 2019

Ageing involves significant changes in skeletal muscle mass and its functioning. This study aimed to identify the major nutrient patterns (NPs) present in a sample of adult Polish women and evaluate their associations with the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). A cross-sectional study initially recruited 527 women, and a final analysis was carried out on 275 women aged 32–60 years. Nutrient intake was assessed using fourteen repetitions of 24-hour dietary recall. NPs were derived using principal component analysis. Associations between adherence to NPs and the SMI were evaluated using linear regression models. Three NPs were identified: ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’, ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’. In the adjusted model, the upper tertile compared to the bottom tertile of the ‘Animal Protein-Vitamins’ NP was related to a higher SMI (β = 0.123 95% CI: 0.019; 0.227;Pfor 1-SD increase of NP score = 0.009). No associations between the SMI and the ‘Fibre-Plant Protein-Minerals’ and ‘Fats’ NPs were observed. Our results indicate that high adherence to animal product-rich patterns might be related to higher muscle mass in adult women. Research on the influence of dietary and nutrient patterns on the quality of muscle tissue may contribute to the setting of guidelines for nutritional protection of skeletal muscle with ageing and, consequently, dietary recommendations that would improve the quality of women’s lives at the later stage of life.
Comparative proteomics reveals unexpected quantitative phosphorylation differences linked to platelet activation state
Authors: Schmidt G. J. , Reumiller C. M. , Ercan H. , Resch U. , Butt E. , Heber S. , Liutkevičiūte Z. , Basílio J. , Schmid J. A. , Assinger A. , Jilma B. , Zellner M.
Published: December 2019

There is a need to assess platelet activation in patients with thrombotic disorders. P-selectin and activated integrin αIIbβ3 are usually quantified by flow cytometry to measure platelet activation. Monitoring changes in vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation is an established method to determine the platelet-reactivity status. To study disruptions of platelet reactivity more comprehensively, we compared the human non-secretory platelet proteome after in-vitro -activation and –inhibition with their respective untreated controls using unbiased fluorescence two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis. The non-secretory platelet proteome was more severely affected during inhibition than during activation. Strikingly, while VASP reached a 1.3-fold increase in phosphorylation levels in inhibited platelets, other protein kinase A targets showed several-fold stronger inhibition-induced phosphorylation levels, including LIM and SH3 domain protein 1 (6.7-fold), Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 2 (4.6-fold), and Ras-related protein Rap1b (4.1-fold). Moreover, phosphorylation of integrin-linked protein kinase (ILK) and pleckstrin (PLEK) species was associated with P-selectin surface expression. The discrimination power between activation and inhibition was more pronounced for dephosphorylated ILK (3.79 Cohen’s d effect size) and phosphorylated PLEK (3.77) species than for P-selectin (2.35). These data reveal new insights into the quantitative changes of the platelet reactivity proteome and suggest powerful alternatives to characterise their activation and inactivation potential.
Screening of biomarkers of drug resistance or virulence in ESCAPE pathogens by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Flores-Treviño Samantha , Garza-González Elvira , Mendoza-Olazarán Soraya , Morfín-Otero Rayo , Camacho-Ortiz Adrián , Rodríguez-Noriega Eduardo , Martínez-Meléndez Adrián , Bocanegra-Ibarias Paola
Published: December 2019

Rapid identification and characterisation of drug-resistant bacterial pathogens have an important role in diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship. Response time in the diagnosis of not only the etiological agent but also in antimicrobial susceptibility results is of utmost importance in patient treatment. In this study, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) was used to screen for biomarkers of ESCAPE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hypervirulent NAP1/ribotype 027 Clostridioides [Clostridium] difficile, multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae) pathogens to predict antimicrobial resistance or hypervirulence. Several biomarkers of drug-resistant genotypes in S. aureus, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae, as well as hypervirulence in C. difficile, were detected. The fastest possible susceptibility testing with MALDI-TOF MS is simultaneous detection of a characteristic drug-resistant peak and species identification in the same spectra generated in routine processing. According to our approach, resistance or virulence biomarker peaks can be identified while performing routine microbiology analysis, and no additional assays nor prolonged incubation time is needed. Outstanding biomarker peaks detected in our study should be further analysed by additional methods to identify the specific proteins involved.
Nectin-4 cis-interacts with ErbB2 and its trastuzumab-resistant splice variants, enhancing their activation and DNA synthesis
Authors: Kedashiro Shin , Sugiura Ayumu , Mizutani Kiyohito , Takai Yoshimi
Published: December 2019

Nectin-4 cell adhesion molecule and ErbB2 tyrosine kinase receptor are upregulated in many cancers, including breast cancer, and promote cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Using human breast cancer cell lines T47D and SUM190-PT, in which both nectin-4 and ErbB2 were upregulated, we showed here that nectin-4 cis-interacted with ErB2 and enhanced its dimerization and activation, followed by the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT signalling pathway for DNA synthesis. The third immunoglobulin-like domain of nectin-4 cis-interacted with domain IV of ErbB2. This region differs from the trastuzumab-interacting region but is included in the trastuzumab-resistant splice variants of ErbB2, p95-ErbB2 and ErbB2ΔEx16. Nectin-4 also cis-interacted with these trastuzumab-resistant splice variants and enhanced the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT signalling pathway for DNA synthesis. In addition, nectin-4 enhanced the activation of the p95-ErbB2-induced JAK-STAT3 signalling pathway, but not the ErbB2- or ErbB2ΔEx16-induced JAK-STAT3 signalling pathway. These results indicate that nectin-4 cis-interacts with ErbB2 and its trastuzumab-resistant splice variants and enhances the activation of these receptors and downstream signalling pathways in a novel mechanism.
Murine infection with bioluminescent Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes applied to drug discovery
Authors: Mendes Costa David , Cecílio Pedro , Santarém Nuno , Cordeiro-da-Silva Anabela , Tavares Joana
Published: December 2019

Leishmaniasis is an important vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites. Current anti-Leishmania chemotherapy is unsatisfactory, justifying the continued search for alternative treatment options. Herein, we demonstrate that luciferase-expressing Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes, unlike promastigotes, are highly infectious to BALB/c mice and thus generate a robust bioluminescent signal in target organs, such as the liver and the spleen, as early as two weeks after infection. Treatment with the reference drugs amphotericin B and miltefosine was effective at reducing parasite burdens. This model allows the assessment of treatment efficacy using whole-mouse bioluminescence imaging without the need to wait several weeks for spleen infections to be detectable by this non-invasive method. In conclusion, we propose the use of this model in an initial approach to evaluate the treatment efficacy of promising chemical entities without having to sacrifice large numbers of animals or to wait several days for a readout.
A novel application of Gini coefficient for the quantitative measurement of bacterial aggregation
Authors: Cai Yu-ming , Chatelet David S. , Howlin Robert P. , Wang Zhi-zhong , Webb Jeremy S.
Published: December 2019

Non-surface attached bacterial aggregates are frequently found in clinical settings associated with chronic infections. Current methods quantifying the extent to which a suspended bacterial population is aggregated mainly rely on: (1) cell size distribution curves that are difficult to be compared numerically among large-scale samples; (2) the average size/proportion of aggregates in a population that do not specify the aggregation patterns. Here we introduce a novel application of Gini coefficient, herein named Aggregation Coefficient (AC), to quantify the aggregation levels of cystic fibrosis Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CF-PA) isolates in vitro using 3D micrographs, Fiji and MATLAB. Different aggregation patterns of five strains were compared statistically using the numerical AC indexes, which correlated well with the size distribution curves plotted by different biovolumes of aggregates. To test the sensitivity of AC, aggregates of the same strains were treated with nitric oxide (NO), a dispersal agent that reduces the biomass of surface attached biofilms. Strains unresponsive to NO were reflected by comparable AC indexes, while those undergoing dispersal showed a significant reduction in AC index, mirroring the changes in average aggregate sizes and proportions. Therefore, AC provides simpler and more descriptive numerical outputs for measuring different aggregation patterns compared to current approaches.
Inline cartridge extraction for rapid brain tumor tissue identification by molecular profiling
Authors: Pekov Stanislav I. , Eliferov Vasily A. , Sorokin Anatoly A. , Shurkhay Vsevolod A. , Zhvansky Evgeny S. , Vorobyev Alexander S. , Potapov Alexander A. , Nikolaev Eugene N. , Popov Igor A.
Published: December 2019

The development of perspective diagnostic techniques in medicine requires efficient high-throughput biological sample analysis methods. Here, we present an inline cartridge extraction that facilitates the screening rate of mass spectrometry shotgun lipidomic analysis of tissue samples. We illustrate the method by its application to tumor tissue identification in neurosurgery. In perspective, this high-performance method provides new possibilities for the investigation of cancer pathogenesis and metabolic disorders.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus from human breast milk shows therapeutic function against foodborne infection by multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli in mice
Authors: Li Na , Pang Bing , Liu Guanwen , Zhao Xixi , Xu Xiaoguang , Jiang Chunmei , Yang Baowei , Liu Yanlin , Shi Junling
Published: December 2019

Lactobacillus rhamnosus shows higher therapeutic efficacy than antibiotic to treat drug-resistant E. coli infection in aspects of fast reducing coliform counts, increasing Lactobacillus amounts, and diminishing inflammation.
Recent progress in molecular engineering to tailor organic–inorganic interfaces in composite membranes
Authors: Wu Shao-Lin , Liu Faqian , Yang Hao-Cheng , Darling Seth B.
Published: December 2019

Recent advances in molecular engineering of organic–inorganic composite membranes are presented.
A 3D-printing method of fabrication for metals, ceramics, and multi-materials using a universal self-curable technique for robocasting
Authors: Zhang Danwei , Jonhson Win , Herng Tun Seng , Ang Yong Quan , Yang Lin , Tan Swee Ching , Peng Erwin , He Hui , Ding Jun
Published: December 2019

A universal 3D printing technique for metals, ceramics and multi-materials with complex geometries for resultant dense high-quality structures.
Tunable magnetic ground states of iron monolayer on nonmagnetic metallic substrates by small in-plane strains
Authors: Tan Ling , Wang Lei , Min Tai
Published: December 2019

The magnetic states of one single atomic layer of iron epitaxially grown on 4d and 5d nonmagnetic metals are studied under strain systematically using first principle calculations.
Correction: Efficient removal of cobalt from aqueous solution using β-cyclodextrin modified graphene oxide
Authors: Song Wencheng , Hu Jun , Zhao Ying , Shao Dadong , Li Jiaxing
Published: December 2019

Correction for ‘Efficient removal of cobalt from aqueous solution using β-cyclodextrin modified graphene oxide’ by Wencheng Song et al., RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 9514–9521.
Happy birthday, ultra-cold neutron!∗
Authors: Abele Hartmut , Jenke Tobias , Lemmel Hartmut
Published: December 2019

What is driving the accelerated expansion of the universe and do we have an alternative for Einstein's cosmological constant? What is dark matter made of? Do extra dimensions of space and time exist? Is there a preferred frame in the universe? To which extent is left-handedness a preferred symmetry in nature? What's the origin of the baryon asymmetry in the universe? These fundamental and open questions are addressed by precision experiments using ultra-cold neutrons. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first production, followed by first pioneering experiments. Actually, ultra-cold neutrons were discovered twice in the same year – once in the eastern and once in the western world [1, 2]. For five decades now research projects with ultra-cold neutrons have contributed to the determination of the force constants of nature's fundamental interactions, and several technological breakthroughs in precision allow to address the open questions by putting them to experimental test. To mark the event and tribute to this fabulous object, we present a birthday song for ultra-cold neutrons with acoustic resonant transitions [3], which are based solely on properties of ultra-cold neutrons, the inertial and gravitational mass of the neutron m, Planck's constant h, and the local gravity g. We make use of a musical intonation system that bears no relation to basic notation and basic musical theory as applied and used elsewhere [4] but addresses two fundamental problems of music theory, the problem of reference for the concert pitch and the problem of intonation.
NoMoS: AnR × Bdrift momentum spectrometer for beta decay studies
Authors: Moser Daniel , Abele Hartmut , Bosina Joachim , Fillunger Harald , Soldner Torsten , Wang Xiangzun , Zmeskal Johann , Konrad Gertrud
Published: December 2019

The beta decay of the free neutron provides several probes to test the Standard Model of particle physics as well as to search for extensions thereof. Hence, multiple experiments investigating the decay have already been performed, are under way or are being prepared. These measure the mean lifetime, angular correlation coefficients or various spectra of the charged decay products (proton and electron). NoMoS, theneutron decay productsmo___mentumspectrometer, presents a novel method of momentum spectroscopy: it utilizes theR×Bdrift effect to disperse charged particles dependent on their momentum in an uniformly curved magnetic field. This spectrometer is designed to precisely measure momentum spectra and angular correlation coefficients in free neutron beta decay to test the Standard Model and to search for new physics beyond. With NoMoS, we aim to measure inter alia the electron-antineutrino correlation coefficientaand the Fierz interference termbwith an ultimate precision of Δa/a< 0.3% and Δb< 10−3respectively. In this paper, we present the measurement principles, discuss measurement uncertainties and systematics, and give a status update.
Plan of NNbar experiment at the WWR-M reactor
Authors: Fomin Alexey , Serebrov Anatolii , Chaikovskii Mikhail , Zherebtsov Oleg , Murashkin Aleksandr , Golubeva Elena
Published: December 2019

We propose an experiment to search for neutron–antineutron oscillations based on the storage of ultracold neutrons (UCN) in a material trap. This experiment will be competitive due to a new UCN source which is under construction at the NRC “Kurchatov Institute” – PNPI. It is expected to provide UCN densities by 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than at existing sources. The sensitivity of our experiment mostly depends on the trap size and the stored number of UCN. Simulations show that this can be increased by ∼ 10–40 times compared to the best previous experiment, dependent upon a model of neutron reflection from walls. The project currently includes designs of the UCN chamber, magnetic shielding and the detector system, as well as simulations of neutron storage and detection of annihilations events.
Search for neutron-hidden neutron interbrane transitions with MURMUR, a low-noise neutron passing-through-walls experiment
Authors: Stasser Coraline , Sarrazin Michaél , Terwagne Guy
Published: December 2019

Multi-braneworld universe is at the heart of many scenarios of physics beyond the Standard Model and the cosmological model ΛCDM. It is thus an important concern to constrain these scenarios which also allow for experiments below the GeV scale. MURMUR is a new neutron passing-through-walls experiment designed to constrain neutron-hidden neutron transitions in the context of braneworlds scenarios. As our visible universe could be a 3-brane embedded in a multidimensional bulk, adjacent hidden 3-branes are often expected. Their existence can be constrained as matter exchange between braneworlds must occur with a swapping probability p. A neutron n can convert into a hidden neutron n′ when scattered by a nucleus with cross section σ(n → n′) ∝ σE(n → n)p, where σE is the usual elastic cross-section. Hidden neutrons could therefore be generated in the moderator medium of a nuclear reactor, where high-flux neutrons undergo many elastic collisions. All the theoretical and technological keys of this experiment soon to be installed at the nuclear research reactor BR2 (SCK.CEN, Mol, Belgium) are introduced.
Searches for sterile neutrinos at the DANSS experiment
Authors: Shirchenko Mark , Skrobova Nataliya
Published: December 2019

DANSS is a highly segmented 1 m3 plastic scintillator detector. The DANSS detector is placed under an industrial 3.1 GWth reactor of the Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant 350 km NW from Moscow. The distance to the core is varied on-line from 10.7 m to 12.7 m. The reactor building provides about 50 m water-equivalent shielding against the cosmic background. DANSS detects almost 5000 νe per day at the closest position with the cosmic background less than 3%. The inverse beta decay process is used to detect νe. Sterile neutrinos are searched for assuming the 4ν model (3 active and 1 sterile ν). The exclusion area in the Δm142,sin22θ14 plane is obtained using a ratio of positron energy spectra collected at different distances. Therefore results do not depend on the shape and normalization of the reactor νe spectrum nor the detector efficiency. Results are based on 966 thousand antineutrino events collected at three different distances from the reactor core. The excluded area covers a wide range of the sterile neutrino parameters down to sin22θ14 < 0.01 in the most sensitive region.
Powder Mixed Micro Electro Discharge Machining of Aluminium Nitride Ceramic
Authors: Bilal A. , Rashid A. , Liu C. , Jahan M. P. , Talamona D. , Perveen A.
Published: December 2019

Advanced ceramic materials possess superior mechanical characteristics in terms of hardness, wear resistance, fracture toughness and flexural strength. However, these materials experience machining limitations due to their hardness. Machining process of such materials requires high cutting forces and results in high tool wear. Electro- discharge machining (EDM) can be considered as an alternative machining process for advanced ceramics, since this technique is a non-contact machining process, it does not involve high cutting forces but experiences moderate tool wear. However, EDM requires materials to have certain level of electrical conductivity, therefore, non-conductive and semi-conductive ceramic materials experience challenges during machining process. Assisting Electrode Method was suggested as a solution for machining of non-conductive ceramics by EDM. In this method, conductive layer is applied on top of non-conductive ceramics and thus workpiece can be machined by EDM process using residual conductive layer. In this study, coating consisting of three layers, where silver nanoparticles were sandwiched between two layers of silver and copper on top, was used as assisting electrode to machine Aluminium Nitride (AlN) ceramics by silver nanoparticles mixed micro-EDM. Successful machining of AlN was demonstrated and blind micro hole with higher than three aspect ratio was achieved.
Effect of manganese pre-partitioning process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low carbon dual phase steel
Authors: Deng Yonggang , Di Hongshuang , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar
Published: December 2019

A low carbon (0.11 wt.%) steel with 1.78% Mn was subjected to pre-partitioning quenching and partitioning (PQ&P), quenching and tempering (Q&T), quenching and partitioning (Q&P) to develop ferrite-martensite dual phase (DP) steel. The study suggested that all the treatments resulted into ferrite, martensite (or tempered martensite) and retained austenite microstructure. The amount of retained austenite was ∼ 5%, when the steel was treated by PQ&P process with partitioning time of 100 s, because of Mn pre-partitioning stage increased in the stability of retained austenite. But only ∼ 1% for Q&T and Q&P processes. With the increase of partitioning time from 10 to 100 s in the PQ&P process, the amount of retained austenite was increased, the tensile strength decreased, and yield strength and elongation were both increased. Among the different heat treatment processes, PQ&P sample clearly yields most attractive combination of strength and ductility compared to Q&T and Q&P samples. The experimental steel after pre-partitioning quenching and partitioning (PQ&P) process had higher uniform elongation of 16.3% and strength-ductility balance (UTS × TEL) of 17013 MPa.%. In contrast to conventional Q&T process, 27.3% higher uniform elongation and 7.4% greater strength-ductility balance were obtained.
Chemotherapie eines Endometriumkarzinoms
Authors: Holzhauer Peter
Published: December 2019

In den letzten Jahren haben die Erkenntnisse über die Zusammensetzung des humanen Mikrobioms mit seinen vielfältigen Interaktionen und Stoffwechselleistungen zunehmend auch Einfluss auf praxisrelevante Therapieentscheidungen zur Folge. Das trifft in ganz besonderem Maße für den Bereich der Onkologie zu 2
8
9. Neben operativen und strahlentherapeutischen Eingriffen bewirkt besonders der durch zahlreiche Innovationen gekennzeichnete Bereich der medikamentösen Tumortherapie oft ungewollte, aber nicht selten gravierende, und nicht auf den ersten diagnostischen Blick erkennbare negative Einflüsse auf das gesamte Mikrobiom. Unerwünschte Wirkungen hat auch die begleitende Supportivtherapie, die bei ohnehin häufig immunsupprimierten Patienten sehr intensiv Antibiotika und andere auf die Darmbesiedelung Einfluss nehmende Medikamente einsetzt. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird in dieser Fallbeschreibung der zytostatische Behandlungsverlauf einer Patientin mit Endometriumkarzinom in einer adjuvanten Therapiesituation beschrieben. Nach Abschluss der zytotoxischen Behandlung erfolgten eine Mikrobiomanalyse sowie eine daran adapierte Rekonstitution des alterierten Mikrobioms.
Sedentäres Verhalten reduzieren – eine neue und eigenständige Perspektive in der Bewegungsförderung
Authors: Vondung Catherina , Bucksch Jens
Published: December 2019

Vor dem Hintergrund eines voranschreitenden technischen Fortschritts sowie sozialer und ökonomischer Veränderungen innerhalb der letzten Jahrzehnte ist die Reduzierung von sedentärem Verhalten eine neue Perspektive, die für alle Altersgruppen an Relevanz gewinnt. Sedentäres Verhalten ist mittlerweile als Risikofaktor für die psychische (z. B. Selbstwertgefühl, Depression und Schlafprobleme), physische (z. B. Übergewicht, Fitnesszustand, Knochengesundheit und Marker des kardiometabolischen Risikos) und sozioemotionale (z. B. prosoziales Verhalten und akademischer Erfolg) Gesundheit etabliert. Die Zusammenhänge sind in relativer Unabhängigkeit vom Bewegungsverhalten anzusehen und auch können das sitzende Verhalten und das Bewegungsverhalten im Tagesverlauf beide in vielfältiger Form nebeneinander auftreten. Dennoch steht die Förderung von Bewegung oft im Fokus von Interventionsvorhaben, auch um sedentäres Verhalten zu reduzieren. Bisherige Interventionen, die sedentäres Verhalten reduzieren, zeigen sich jedoch insbesondere dann erfolgreich, wenn das sitzende Verhalten direkt und die kontextspezifische Einbeziehung der Umwelt fokussiert werden. Sedentäres Verhalten zu reduzieren ist nicht zuletzt aus dieser Erkenntnis eine eigenständige, aber bislang vernachlässigte Perspektive in der Bewegungsförderung. Diese neue Perspektive bietet das Potenzial, die Verwendung der täglichen Zeit weg von hohen Sitzzeiten hin zu vermehrter Alltagsaktivität zu verschieben und damit auch gesundheitliche Zusammenhänge zu verbessern.