bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydroxylation of Steroids by a Microbial Substrate-Promiscuous P450 Cytochrome (CYP105D7): Key Arginine Residues for Rational Design
Authors: Ma Bingbing , Wang Qianwen , Ikeda Haruo , Zhang Chunfang , Xu Lian-Hua
Published: September 2019

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) are able to introduce oxygen atoms into nonreactive hydrocarbon compounds under mild conditions, thereby offering significant advantages compared to chemical catalysts. Promiscuous P450s with broad substrate specificity and reaction diversity have significant potential for applications in various fields, including synthetic biology. The study of the function, molecular mechanisms, and rational engineering of substrate-promiscuous P450s from microbial sources is important to fulfill this potential. Here, we present a microbial substrate-promiscuous P450, CYP105D7, which can catalyze hydroxylation of steroids. The loss of the bulky side chains of Arg70 and Arg190 in the active site and substrate entrance resulted in an up to 9-fold increase in the substrate conversion rate. These findings will support future rational and semirational engineering of P450s for applications as biocatalysts.
Four Aromatic Intradiol Ring Cleavage Dioxygenases from Aspergillus niger
Authors: Semana Patrick , Powlowski Justin
Published: September 2019

Aromatic ring opening using molecular oxygen is one of the critical steps in the degradation of aromatic compounds by microorganisms. While enzymes catalyzing this step have been well-studied in bacteria, their counterparts from fungi are poorly characterized despite the abundance of genes annotated as ring cleavage dioxygenases in fungal genomes.
Aspergillus niger
degrades a variety of aromatic compounds, and its genome harbors 5 genes encoding putative intracellular intradiol dioxygenases. The ability to predict the substrate specificities of the encoded enzymes from sequence data are limited. Here, we report the characterization of four purified intradiol ring cleavage dioxygenases from
A. niger
, revealing two hydroxyquinol-specific dioxygenases, a catechol dioxygenase, and a unique homodimeric protocatechuate dioxygenase. Their characteristics, as well as their phylogenetic relationships to predicted ring cleavage dioxygenases from other fungal species, provide insights into their molecular functions in aromatic compound metabolism by this fungus and other fungi.
Role of Supramolecule ErpY-Like Lipoprotein of
Leptospira
in Thrombin-Catalyzed Fibrin Clot Inhibition and Binding to Complement Factors H and I, and Its Diagnostic Potential
Authors: Ghosh Karukriti Kaushik , Prakash Aman , Dhara Anusua , Hussain Md Saddam , Shrivastav Prateek , Kumar Pankaj , Balamurugan Vinayagamurthy , Kumar Manish
Published: September 2019

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses caused by pathogenic
Leptospira
spp. In this study, we report that the LIC11966/ErpY-like lipoprotein is a surface-exposed outer membrane protein exclusively present in pathogenic species of
Leptospira
. The recombinant ErpY (rErpY)-like protein is recognized by the immunoglobulins of confirmed leptospirosis sera of diverse hosts (human, bovine, and canine), suggesting the expression of the native leptospiral surface protein during infection.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriocin-Producing Enterococcus faecium HY07
Authors: Duan Xiyu , Yang Hui , Tian Yun , Wang Rongrong , Liu Chengguo , Zhou Hui
Published: September 2019

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the bacteriocin-producing
Enterococcus faecium
strain HY07, isolated from traditional Chinese fermented sausages. The genome comprises 2,585,631 bp with 2,624 coding sequences, as assigned by NCBI, which may provide fundamental molecular information on elucidating the adaption mechanism of
Enterococcus faecium
to the meat environment.
Revealing the Draft Genome Sequence of
Bradyrhizobium
sp. Strain USDA 3458, an Effective Symbiotic Diazotroph Isolated from Cowpea (
Vigna unguiculata
) Genotype IT82E-16
Authors: White Richard Allen , Norman Jeffrey S. , Mclachlan Emily E. , Dunham Joseph P. , Garoutte Aaron , Friesen Maren L.
Published: September 2019

Pairing plants with plant growth-promoting bacteria is critical to the future of agriculture.
Bradyrhizobium
sp. strain USDA 3458 isolated from
Vigna unguiculata
(cowpea) paired with cowpea genotype IT82E-16 represents a novel combination in arid regions. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of strain USDA 3458.
Draft Genome Sequence ofStreptomycessp. Strain AM-2504, Identified by 16S rRNA Comparative Analysis as a Streptomyces kasugaensis Strain
Authors: Napolioni Valerio , Cimarelli Lucia , Miano Antonino , La Teana Anna , Çapuni Retina , Giuliodori Anna Maria , Fabbretti Attilio , Spurio Roberto
Published: September 2019

We report here the draft genome sequence ofStreptomycessp. strain AM-2504, a microorganism producing a broad range of biotechnologically relevant molecules. The comparative analysis of its 16S rRNA sequence allowed the assignment of this strain to theStreptomyces kasugaensisspecies, thus fostering functional characterization of the secondary metabolites produced by this microorganism.
Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica Myophage Matapan
Authors: Juliette Jasmine , Xie Yicheng , Newkirk Heather , Liu Mei , Gill Jason J. , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Here, we describe the
Salmonella enterica
serovar Heidelberg phage Matapan. A myophage with a 157,408-kb genome, Matapan is most closely related to Vi01-like phages.
Complete Genome Sequence of Shelby, a Siphophage Infecting Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Saldana Robert , Newkirk Heather , Liu Mei , Gill Jason J. , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Carbapenem-resistant
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, a bacterium of the family
Enterobacteriaceae
, is a high-priority antibiotic-resistant pathogen that causes nosocomial infections. Here, we describe the isolation and annotation of the
K. pneumoniae
siphophage Shelby, a T1-like siphophage encoding 78 proteins, of which 34 have a predicted function.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Myophage Mangalitsa
Authors: Atkison Cameron L. , Boeckman Justin , Newkirk Heather , Liu Mei , Gill Jason J. , Cahill Jesse , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
is a prevalent Gram-negative bacterium that can lead to fatal complications from infection in humans. Here, we present the isolation and complete annotation of the 52,329-bp genome of enteropathogenic
E. coli
ATCC 23545 myophage Mangalitsa. Predicted terminal repeats and temperature sensitivity for plaque formation place Mangalitsa with similar unclassified myoviruses.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Podophage Penshu1
Authors: Pechacek Douglas , Hwangbo Myung , Moreland Russell , Liu Mei , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Escherichia coli
4s is a Gram-negative bacterium found in the equine intestinal ecosystem alongside diverse other coliform bacteria and bacteriophages. This announcement describes the complete genome of the T7-like
E. coli
4s podophage Penshu1. From its 39,263-bp genome, 54 protein-encoding genes and a 179-bp terminal repeat were predicted.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolate from a Kidney Stone
Authors: Johnson Genevieve , Stark Nicole , Wolfe Alan J. , Putonti Catherine
Published: September 2019

Recently, we isolated a temperate bacteriophage,Pseudomonasphage Dobby, from a calcium oxalate kidney stone. Here, we present the complete genome of the bacterial host harboring this phage,Pseudomonas aeruginosaUMB2738. From the analysis of the genome sequence, five additional prophage sequences were identified.
Structural style and kinematics of the Taihang-Luliangshan fold belt, North China: Implications for the Yanshanian orogeny
Authors: Clinkscales Christopher , Kapp Paul
Published: September 2019

The Middle–Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous fold belts of the Yanshanian orogen in North China remain enigmatic with respect to their coeval deformation histories and possible relationship to the contemporaneous Cordilleran-style margin of eastern Asia. We present geological mapping, structural data, and a >400-km-long, strike-perpendicular balanced cross section for the Taihang-Luliangshan fold belt exposed in the late Cenozoic central Shanxi Rift. The northeast-southwest–trending Taihang-Luliangshan fold belt consists of long-wavelength folds (∼35–110 km) with ∼1–9 km of structural relief cored by Archean and Paleoproterozoic metamorphic and igneous basement rocks. The fold belt accommodated ≥11 km of northwest-southeast shortening between the Taihangshan fault, bounding the North China Plain, in the east and the Ordos Basin in the west. Geological mapping in the Xizhoushan, a northeast-southwest–oriented range within the larger Taihangshan mountain belt, reveals two major basement-cored folds: (1) the Xizhou syncline, with an axial trace that extends for ∼100 km and is characterized by a steep to overturned forelimb consistent with a southeast sense of vergence, and (2) the Hutuo River anticline, which exposes Archean–Paleoproterozoic rocks in its core that are unconformably overlain by shallowly dipping (<∼20°) Lower Paleozoic rocks. In the Luliangshan, Mesozoic structures include the Luliang anticline, the largest recognized anticline in the region, the Ningjing syncline, which preserves a complete section of Paleozoic to Upper Jurassic strata, and the Wuzhai anticline; together, these folds are characterized by a wavelength of ∼45–50 km. Shortening in the Taihang-Luliangshan fold belt is estimated to have occurred between ca. 160 Ma and 135 Ma, based on the age of the youngest deformed Upper Jurassic rocks in the Ningjing syncline, previously published low-temperature thermochronology, and regional correlations to better-studied Yanshanian fold belts. The timing of basement-involved deformation in the Taihang-Luliangshan fold belt, which formed >1000 km from the nearest plate margin, corresponds with the termination of arc magmatism along the eastern margin of Asia, implying a potential linkage to the kinematics of the westward-subducting Izanagi (paleo-Pacific) plate.
Systematic review of patient-reported measures of treatment burden in stroke
Authors: Gallacher Katie I , Quinn Terry , Kidd Lisa , Eton David , Dillon Megan , Elliot Jennifer , Johnston Natalie , Erwin Patricia J , Mair Frances
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Treatment burden is the workload of healthcare for people with long-term conditions (LTC) and its impact on well-being. A method of measurement is required to identify those experiencing high burden and to measure intervention efficacy. Our aim was to identify, examine and appraise validated patient-reported measures (PRMs) of treatment burden in stroke. Here, stroke serves as an exemplar LTC of older adults.

Design

A systematic review of published studies that describe the development and validation of PRMs measuring treatment burden in stroke survivors.

Data sources

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO electronic databases.

Eligibility criteria

Studies published between January 2000 and 12 April 2019 inclusive, in English language. No restrictions were set based on clinical setting or geographical location.

Data extraction and synthesis

Screening, data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted by two independent reviewers. Content of the PRMs was compared with a published taxonomy of treatment burden. Quality appraisal was conducted using International Society for Quality of Life Research standards.

Results

From 3993 articles, 6 relevant PRMs were identified: 3 were stroke specific: The Satisfaction with Stroke Care questionnaire; The Stroke Patient-Reported Outcome Measure and The Barriers to Physical Activity after Stroke scale. Three were generic but validated in stroke: The WHO Quality of Life-100; The Patient’s Questionnaire on Participation in Discharge Planning and The Chao Perception of Continuity scale. None comprehensively measured treatment burden. Examples of omitted burdens included developing coping strategies, managing finances and returning to driving. The most notable issue regarding quality appraisal was that three PRMs lacked any underpinning qualitative research relevant to the sample.

Conclusion

There is a need to develop a comprehensive PRM of treatment burden for use in stroke, with potential for use in other older populations.
Stroke and thromboembolism prevention in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Jame Sina , Barnes Geoffrey
Published: September 2019

Prevention of stroke and systemic thromboembolism remains the cornerstone for management of atrial fibrillation (AF) and flutter. Multiple risk assessment models for stroke and systemic thromboembolism are currently available. The score, with its known limitations, remains as the recommended risk stratification tool in most major guidelines. Once at-risk patients are identified, vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and, more recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are the primary medical therapy for stroke prevention. In those with contraindication for long-term anticoagulation, left atrial appendage occluding devices are developing as a possible alternative therapy. Some controversy exists regarding anticoagulation management for cardioversion of acute AF (<48 hours); however, systemic anticoagulation precardioversion and postcardioversion is recommended for those with longer duration of AF. Anticoagulation management peri-AF ablation is also evolving. Uninterrupted VKA and DOAC therapy has been shown to reduce perioperative thromboembolic risk with no significant escalation in major bleeding. Currently, under investigation is a minimally interrupted approach to anticoagulation with DOACs periablation. Questions remain, especially regarding the delivery of anticoagulation care and integration of wearable rhythm monitors in AF management.
Effect modifiers of lung function and daily air pollutant variability in a panel of schoolchildren
Authors: Mentz Graciela , Robins Thomas G , Batterman Stuart , Naidoo Rajen N
Published: September 2019

Background

Acute pollutant-related lung function changes among children varies across pollutants and lag periods. We examined whether short-term air pollutant fluctuations were related to daily lung function among a panel of children and whether these effects are modified by airway hyperresponsiveness, location and asthma severity.

Methods

Students from randomly selected grade 4 classrooms at seven primary schools in Durban, participated, together with asthmatic children from grades 3–6 (n=423). The schools were from high pollutant exposed communities (south) and compared with schools from communities with lower levels of pollution (north), with similar socioeconomic profiles. Interviews, spirometry and methacholine challenge testing were conducted. Bihourly lung function measurements were performed over a 3-week period in four phases. During all schooldays, students blew into their personal digital monitors every 1.5–2 hours. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), sulphur dioxide and particulate matter (<10 μm diameter) (PM10) were measured at each school. Generalised estimating equations assessed lag effects, using single-pollutant (single or distributed lags) models.

Results

FEV1declines ranged from 13 to 18 mL per unit increase in IQR for NO and 14–23 mL for NO2. Among the 5-day average models, a 20 mL and 30 mL greater drop in FEV1per IQR for NO2and NO, respectively, among those with airway hyperresponsiveness compared with those without. Effects were seen among those with normal airways.

Conclusions

This first panel study in sub-Saharan Africa, showed significant declines in lung function, in response to NO and NO2with effects modified by airway hyperresponsiveness or persistent asthma.
Transcriptome analysis of maize reveals potential key genes involved in the response to belowground herbivore Holotrichia parallela larvae feeding
Authors: Pan Yu , Zhao Shi-wen , Tang Xin-long , Wang Shang , Wang Xiao , Zhang Xin-xin , Zhou Jing-Jiang , Xi Jing-hui
Published: September 2019

The larvae of Holotrichia parallela, a destructive belowground herbivore, causes tremendous damages to maize plants. However, little is known if there are any defense mechanisms in maize roots to defend themselves against this herbivore. In the current research, we carried out RNA-sequencing to investigate the changes in gene transcription level in maize roots after H. parallela larvae infestation. A total of 644 up-regulated genes and 474 down-regulated genes was found. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) annotation analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) indicated that peroxidase genes may be the hub genes that regulate maize defenses to H. parallela larvae attack. We also found 105 transcription factors, 44 hormone-related genes, and 62 secondary metabolism-related genes within differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Furthermore, the expression profiles of 12 DEGs from the transcriptome analysis were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR experiments. This transcriptome analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of the underground defense in maize roots to H. parallela larvae attack and will help to select target genes of maize for defense against belowground herbivory.
Structure and thermal analysis of Ba0.5La0.5MnO3 polycrystalline powder
Authors: Hashimov R. F. , Mikailzade F. A. , Trukhanov S. V. , Lyadov N. M. , Vakhitov I. R. , Trukhanov A. V. , Mirzayev M. N.
Published: September 2019

The structure and thermal properties of Ba[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text]MnO3 polycrystalline powder have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The structural studies have shown that Ba[Formula: see text]La[Formula: see text]MnO3 compound crystallizes in perovskite structure with Pm-3m cubic symmetry group. The lattice parameters were obtained to be a = b = c = 3.9073 Å. Mass changes have been observed from thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) curves obtained in a wide temperature interval of 30–950[Formula: see text]C. Free energy and enthalpy changes for all observed transformations were determined. Observed endo and exo effects.
Transmissivity of optomechanical system containing a two-level system
Authors: Farooq K. , Asghar H. M. Noor ul Huda Khan , Khan M. A. , Khan Khalil
Published: September 2019

The field of quantum optomechanics is newly grooming research field, availed good attention in the last couple of years. Here, we theoretically study the system of optomechanics containing a two-level atom, which is coupled to the cavity field, and driven coherently by external fields. Analytical results for the system’s operator dynamics, steady state solutions and transmissivity of optomechanical system are calculated. Transmission (optical response) from the optomechanical system shows some useful information about the current optomechanical system. Particularly, [Formula: see text] = [Formula: see text]-g0([Formula: see text] + [Formula: see text]) is a crucial quantity in optomechanics, focused as main parameters in this paper. Optical transmission is studied in two regions. The first region (case) (i) when [Formula: see text] = [Formula: see text] - [Formula: see text], and in second region (case), (ii) [Formula: see text] = [Formula: see text] + [Formula: see text]. The transmission is examined and discussed with respect to the mechanical frequency of the oscillating mirror.
Optimal bandgaps of a spiral structure based on locally resonant phononic crystals
Authors: Zhai Hongfeng , Xiang Hang , Ma Xingfu , Xiang Jiawei
Published: September 2019

A spiral locally resonant phononic crystal (LRPC) with the optimal bandgaps (BGs) between 20 and 250 Hz is proposed. The single factor analysis of three key geometric parameters (the thickness of spiral elastic beams, the side length of square scatterers and the spirals’ turns) are performed to obtain corresponding influences on BGs, two-factor (the thickness of spiral elastic beams and the side length of the square scatterer) and seven-level experiment under the four fixed spirals’ turns are designed to obtain optimal BGs with better low-frequency broadband properties. According to numerical experiments, BG data of present spiral LRPCs can be calculated by finite element method (FEM). Relationships (i.e., the relationship between the starting frequency of the first BG and the two factors, the relationship between the bandwidth of the first BG and the two factors, and the relationship between the bandwidth of the second BG and the two factors) are further obtained using the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimal BGs with better properties are finally calculated using the interior point method.
A Method of Restoring Fuzzy Remote Sensing Image Based on Dark Pixel Prior
Authors: Chen Guobin , Dai Wei
Published: September 2019

Remote sensing image deblurring is a long-term and challenging inverse problem. Among them, the ability to find the correct image prior is the key to recovering high-quality and clear images. Therefore, in order to recover high-quality clear images, this paper has found a new and effective image prior: The dark pixel a priori in remote sensing images and a fuzzy remote sensing image restoration method based on dark pixel prior is proposed. Since the dark pixels in the clear remote sensing image will increase the pixel value of the dark pixels in the blurred remote sensing image due to the weighted balance with the bright pixels around it, the sparsity of the dark pixels in the blurred remote sensing image is reduced. Therefore, by using this nonsparse feature of dark pixels in fuzzy remote sensing images, fuzzy remote sensing images and clear remote sensing images can be effectively distinguished, thus realizing the restoration of fuzzy remote sensing images. The experimental results show that the proposed method has obvious effects on the restoration effect and time.
Image Processing and Splicing Method for 3D Optical Scanning Surface Reconstruction of Wood Grain
Authors: Jiang Shufeng , Wang Keqi
Published: September 2019

Based on environment compensation, scanning image processing technology was employed to investigate point cloud data and space matching method for wood grain. Collision avoidance recognition algorithm was used to collocate mark points, when remarkably reduced the error matching of distance coincidence mark points. The proposed method used marking of flag sample points based on weight to compensate for the marking points ambiguity of distinguishing information in scanning environment, and select the optimal path for the weighted results. The same splicing points in different images was identified, solving the problem of fuzzy splicing by distance matching. Experimental results and three-dimensional (3D) printing wood cross-section model reconstructed by surface fitting were compared. Results showed that the 3D scanning image mosaic of wood growth texture at the cross-section had no obvious stereo characteristics. The proposed method has improved the accuracy of surface mosaic in reverse scanning imaging for wood grain. This method can be applied to support the application needs of reverse surface reconstruction.
Is gravity actually the curvature of spacetime?
Authors: Bahamonde Sebastian , Faizal Mir
Published: September 2019

The Einstein equations, apart from being the classical field equations of General Relativity, are also the classical field equations of two other theories of gravity. As the experimental tests of General Relativity are done using the Einstein equations, we do not really know if gravity is the curvature of a torsionless spacetime or torsion of a curvatureless spacetime or if it occurs due to the nonmetricity of a curvatureless and torsionless spacetime. However, as the classical actions of all these theories differ from each other by the boundary terms, and the Casimir effect is a boundary effect, we propose that a novel gravitational Casimir effect between superconductors can be used to test which of these theories actually describe gravity.
Cosmology in a model with Lagrange multiplier, Gauss–Bonnet and nonminimal kinetic couplings
Authors: Jimenez D. F. , Granda L. N. , Elizalde E.
Published: September 2019

A scalar-tensor model with Gauss–Bonnet and nonminimal kinetic couplings is considered, in which ghost modes are eliminated via a Lagrange multiplier constraint. A reconstruction procedure is devised for the scalar potential and Lagrange multiplier, valid for any given cosmological scenario. In particular, inflationary and dark energy cosmologies of different types (power-law, Little-Rip, de Sitter, quasi-de Sitter) are reconstructed in such models. It is shown that, for various choices of the kinetic coupling terms, it is possible to obtain a viable inflationary phenomenology compatible with the most accurate values of the observational indices.
Central limit theorem and moderate deviations for a perturbed stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation
Authors: Li Ruinan , Wang Xinyu
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we prove a central limit theorem and a moderate deviation principle for a perturbed stochastic Cahn–Hilliard equation defined on [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. This equation is driven by a space-time white noise. The weak convergence approach plays an important role.
Dynamics of stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo systems with additive noise on unbounded thin domains
Authors: Shi Lin , Li Dingshi , Li Xiliang , Wang Xiaohu
Published: September 2019

We investigate the asymptotic behavior of a class of non-autonomous stochastic FitzHugh–Nagumo systems driven by additive white noise on unbounded thin domains. For this aim, we first show the existence and uniqueness of random attractors for the considered equations and their limit equations. Then, we establish the upper semicontinuity of these attractors when the thin domains collapse into a lower-dimensional unbounded domain.
On the reduction numbers of monomial ideals
Authors: Al-Ayyoub Ibrahim
Published: September 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a monomial ideal in a polynomial ring with two indeterminates over a field. Assume [Formula: see text] is contained in the integral closure of some ideal that is generated by two elements from the generating set of [Formula: see text]. We produce sharp upper bounds for each of the reduction number and the Ratliff–Rush reduction number of the ideal [Formula: see text]. Under certain hypotheses, we give the exact values of these reduction numbers, and we provide an explicit method for obtaining these sharp upper bounds.
Quantum watermarking algorithm based on chaotic affine scrambling
Authors: Zhou RiGui , Cheng YouDe , Ian Hou , Liu XingAo
Published: September 2019

In order to improve the security of watermark image, a scheme of quantum watermarking algorithm which is based on chaotic affine scrambling is proposed and it includes scrambling, embedding and extracting procedures. In the embedding process, the position and the color of the watermark image are scrambled by chaotic affine and the size of the scrambled watermark image is extended from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. Meanwhile, the color value of the pixel is changed from 24-bits to 3-[Formula: see text](1-bit per channel) bits. The extended watermark image is embedded into the carrier image through a two-bit embedding strategy, and the extraction process is the inverse one of the embedding process. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme is superior to the comparison scheme in terms of visual quality, peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR).
Generalized ghost dark energy in DGP model
Authors: Biswas Mahasweta , Debnath Ujjal , Ghosh Shounak
Published: September 2019

In 2000, Dvali et al. [4-D gravity on a brane in 5-D Minkowski space, Phys. Lett. B 485 (2000) 208–214] proposed a new braneworld model named as DGP model, having two branches with [Formula: see text]. Former one [Formula: see text] known as accelerating branch, which explains accelerating phase of the Universe without adding cosmological constant or Dark energy (DE), whereas later one [Formula: see text] represents the decelerating branch. Here, we have investigated the behavior of Generalized Ghost Dark Energy (GGDE) under the decelerating branch of DGP model. We have studied the importance of GGDE model to explain the current phase of the Universe. To check the validity of the present model, we study the behavior of different cosmological parameters such as Hubble parameter, equation of state (EoS) parameter and deceleration parameter with respect to scale factor. Then, we have analyzed the [Formula: see text] to confirm no freezing region of this study and point out thawing region. Furthermore, we have checked the gradient of stability by calculating the squared sound speed. Then, we extend our study to check the viability of this model under investigation through the analysis of statefinder diagnosis parameters for the present cosmological setup.
Oxidative nitration reaction of antiaromatic 5,15-dioxaporphyrin
Authors: Nishiyama Akihide , Tanaka Yuki , Mori Shigeki , Furuta Hiroyuki , Shimizu Soji
Published: September 2019

Upon oxidation of 20[Formula: see text]-electron antiaromatic 5,15-dioxaporphyrin (DOP) using nitrosonium ions as oxidants, a tetrakis-[Formula: see text]-nitrated compound was formed instead of the expected 18[Formula: see text]-electron aromatic dication species via an oxidative nitration reaction mechanism. Compared with the original DOP, this tetranitro DOP product exhibited a blue shift of absorption and downfield shifts of the [Formula: see text]-pyrrolic proton signals. The unique antiaromatic electronic structure of the tetranitro DOP was disclosed experimentally by electrochemistry and theoretically by DFT and NICS calculations.
Mechanical and Thermal Characteristics of Optimized Electrospun Nylon 6,6 Nanofibers by Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Abdelhady Saleh S. , Zoalfakar Said H. , Agwa M. A. , Ali Ashraf A.
Published: September 2019

This study is an attempt to optimize the electrospinning process to produce minimum Nylon 6,6 nanofibers by using Taguchi statistical technique. Nylon 6,6 solutions were prepared in a mixture of formic acid (FA) and Dichloromethane (DCM). Design of experiment by using Taguchi statistical technique was applied to determine the most important processing parameters influence on average fiber diameter of Nylon 6,6 nanofiber produced by electrospinning process. The effects of solvent/nylon and FA/DCM ratio on average fiber diameter were investigated. Optimal electrospinning conditions were determined by using the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio that was calculated from the electrospun Nylon 6,6 nanofibers diameters according to “the-smaller-the-better” approach. The optimum Nylon 6,6 concentration (NY%) and FA/DCM ratio were determined. The morphology of electrospun nanofibers is significantly altered by FA/DCM solvent ratio as well as Nylon 6,6 concentration. The smallest diameter and the narrowest diameter distribution of Nylon 6,6 nanofibers ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) were obtained for 10 wt% Nylon 6,6 solution in 80 wt% FA and 20 wt% DCM. An increase of 118%, 280% and 26% in tensile strength, modulus of elasticity and elongation at break over as-cast was obtained, respectively. Glass transition temperature of Nylon 6,6 nanofibers were determined by using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Analysis of variance ANOVA shows that NY% is the most influential parameter.
Extremal trees with respect to the Steiner Wiener index
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Guang-Jun , Wang Hua , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: September 2019

The well-known Wiener index is defined as the sum of pairwise distances between vertices. Extremal problems with respect to it have been extensively studied for trees. A generalization of the Wiener index, called the Steiner Wiener index, takes the sum of minimum sizes of subgraphs that span [Formula: see text] given vertices over all possible choices of the [Formula: see text] vertices. We consider the extremal problems with respect to the Steiner Wiener index among trees of a given degree sequence. First, it is pointed out minimizing the Steiner Wiener index in general may be a difficult problem, although the extremal structure may very likely be the same as that for the regular Wiener index. We then consider the upper bound of the general Steiner Wiener index among trees of a given degree sequence and study the corresponding extremal trees. With these findings, some further discussion and computational analysis are presented for chemical trees. We also propose a conjecture based on the computational results. In addition, we identify the extremal trees that maximize the Steiner Wiener index among trees with a given maximum degree or number of leaves.
Low dielectric constant and signature of ferroelectric nature in transition metal (Co, Ni, Cu)-doped Mg0.5Zn0.5Al2O4 aluminates
Authors: Saleem M. , Padole M. , Mishra A.
Published: September 2019

This paper throws light on the preparation of transition metal-doped Mg[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Al2O4 ([Formula: see text], 0.05 and [Formula: see text], Ni, Cu) aluminates via solid-state reaction route. The X-ray diffraction characterization analysis confirmed that all the samples have crystallized into the psuedocubic phase having space group Fd3[Formula: see text] and were single phased. The incorporation of transition metals viz. Co[Formula: see text], Ni[Formula: see text], Cu[Formula: see text] in the Mg[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Al2O4 matrix does not result in the appearance of new peaks or any considerable shift in diffraction peaks within the limits of XRD experimentation. This infers homogeneous dispersion of dopants at the Mg-site which is attributed to nearly same ionic radii of the dopants to that of Mg-site in Mg[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Al2O4. Lattice structure, bonding nature and hence the spinel formation were verified through Raman scattering technique. The compositional verification was carried out via energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). The surface morphology and hence the microstructural studies were carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The synthesized Mg[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Al2O4 ([Formula: see text], 0.05 and [Formula: see text], Ni, Cu) aluminate samples were tested for polarization studies keeping their insulating nature into consideration and they displayed a sign of well-behaved P-E loop.
Nerve excitability differences in slow and fast motor axons of the rat: more than just Ih
Authors: Bell James M. , Lorenz Chad , Jones Kelvin E.
Published: September 2019

The objective was to determine biophysical differences between fast and slow motor axons using threshold tracking and demonstrate confounds related to anesthetic. Nerve excitability of motor axons innervating the slow-twitch soleus (SOL) and fast-twitch tibialis anterior (TA) muscles was tested. The experiments were conducted with pentobarbital sodium (SP) anesthetic and compared with previous results that used ketamine-xylazine (KX). Nerve excitability indices measured with SP show definitive differences between TA and SOL motor axons that extend beyond previous reports. Nerve excitability indices sensitive to changes in Ih indicated an increase in SOL axons compared with TA axons [e.g., S3 t = 7.949 (df = 10), P < 0.001; hyperpolarizing threshold electrotonus (90–100 ms), t = 2.659 (df = 20); P = 0.01; hyperpolarizing I/V slope, t = 4.308 (df = 19); P < 0.001]. SOL axons also had a longer strength-duration time constant [ t = 3.35 (df = 20); P = 0.003] and a longer and larger magnitude relative refractory period [RRP (ms) t = 3.53 (df = 12); P = 0.004; Refractoriness at 2 ms, t = 0.0055 (df = 9); P = 0.006]. Anesthetic choice affected many measures of peripheral nerve excitability with differences most apparent in tests of threshold electrotonus and recovery cycle. For example, recovery cycle with KX lacked a clear superexcitable and late subexcitable period. We conclude that KX had a confounding effect on nerve excitability results consistent with ischemic depolarization. Results using SP revealed the full extent of differences in nerve excitability measures between putative slow and fast motor axons of the rat. These results provide empirical evidence, beyond conduction velocity, that the biophysical properties of motor axons vary with the type of muscle fiber innervated. These differences suggest that fast axons may be predisposed to dysfunction during hyperpolarizing stresses, e.g., electrogenic sodium pumping following sustained impulse conduction.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Nerve excitability testing is a tool used to provide insight into the properties of ion channels in peripheral nerves. It is used clinically to assess pathophysiology of axons. Researchers customarily think of motor axons as homogeneous; however, we demonstrate there are clear differences between fast and slow axons in the rat. This is important for interpreting results with selective motor neuronopathy, like aging where fast axons are at high risk of degeneration.
Symmetry of generalized rivalry network models determines patterns of interocular grouping in four-location binocular rivalry
Authors: Golubitsky Martin , Zhao Yukai , Wang Yunjiao , Lu Zhong-Lin
Published: September 2019

Previously, symmetry of network models has been proposed to account for interocular grouping during binocular rivalry. Here, we construct and analyze generalized rivalry network models with different types of symmetry (based on different kinds of excitatory coupling) to derive predictions of possible perceptual states in 12 experiments with four retinal locations. Percepts in binocular rivalry involving more than three locations have not been empirically investigated due to the difficulty in reporting simultaneous percepts at multiple locations. Here, we develop a novel reporting procedure in which the stimulus disappears when the subject is cued to report the simultaneously perceived colors in all four retinal locations. This procedure ensures that simultaneous rather than sequential percepts are reported. The procedure was applied in 12 experiments with six binocular rivalry stimulus configurations, all consisting of dichoptic displays of red and green squares at four locations. We call configurations with an even or odd number of red squares even or odd configurations, respectively. In experiments using even stimulus configurations, we found that even percepts were more frequently observed than odd percepts, whereas in experiments using odd stimulus configurations even and odd percepts were observed with equal probability. The generalized rivalry network models in which couplings depend on stimulus features and spatial configurations was in better agreement with the empirical results. We conclude that the excitatory coupling strength in the horizontal and vertical configurations are different and the coupling strengths between the same color and between different colors are different.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Wilson network models of interocular groupings during binocular rivalry are constructed by considering features that indicate equal coupling strengths. Network symmetries, based on equal couplings, predict percepts. For a four-location rivalry experiment with red or green squares at each location, we analyze different possible Wilson networks. In our experiments we develop a novel reporting procedure and show that networks in which stimulus features and spatial configurations are distinguished best agree with experiments.
Increasing the expression level of ChR2 enhances the optogenetic excitability of cochlear neurons
Authors: Meng Xiankai , Murali Swetha , Cheng Yen-Fu , Lu Jingrong , Hight Ariel E. , Kanumuri Vivek V. , Brown M. Christian , Holt Jeffrey R. , Lee Daniel J. , Edge Albert S.B.
Published: September 2019

Optogenetics comprise a promising alternative to electrical stimulation for characterization of neural circuits and for the next generation of neural prostheses. Optogenetic stimulation relies on expression of photosensitive microbial proteins in animal cells to initiate a flow of ions into the cells in response to visible light. Here, we generated a novel transgenic mouse model in which we studied the optogenetic activation of spiral ganglion neurons, the primary afferent neurons of the auditory system, and showed a strong optogenetic response, with a similar amplitude as the acoustically evoked response. A twofold increase in the level of channelrhodopsin expression significantly increased the photosensitivity at both the single cell and organismal levels but also partially compromised the native electrophysiological properties of the neurons. The importance of channelrhodopsin expression level to optogenetic stimulation, revealed by these quantitative measurements, will be significant for the characterization of neural circuitry and for the use of optogenetics in neural prostheses.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study reveals a dose-response relationship between channelrhodopsin expression and optogenetic excitation. Both single cell and organismal responses depend on the expression level of the heterologous protein. Expression level of the opsin is thus an important variable in determining the outcome of an optogenetic experiment. These results are key to the implementation of neural prostheses based on optogenetics, such as next generation cochlear implants, which would use light to elicit a neural response to sound.
Coupling of Contact Nucleation Kinetics with Breakage Model for Crystallization of Sodium Chloride Crystal in Fluidized Bed Crystallizer
Authors: Zheng Dan , Zou Wei , Yan Jie , Peng Chuanfeng , Fu Yuhang , Li Bo , Zeng Li , Huang Tinghong , Zhang Fengzhen
Published: September 2019

There are many nucleation theory-based different mechanisms. These theories mainly focused on production parameters in the crystallization and less on physical properties of crystals. In this research, a new model of contact nucleation theory coupled with the breakage mechanism of crystals is applied to describe the collision process in sodium chloride crystallization. This coupling nucleation model is presented here which relates the number of contact-collision site in nucleation owing to collision rate and the interfacial energy. F2 in the expression of the classic contact nucleation rate is redefined as a power function with the physical properties of crystals and breakage propensity. The experiment results indicate that crystal breakage propensity has a significant influence on the nucleation rate. Finally, analysis of the contact nucleation kinetic model and comparison with experiments reveal that the new nucleation model results are in better agreement with experiments. This new nucleation model is confirmed to represent the time-dependent collision behavior. The parameters of model are strongly related to the physical properties of crystal and fluidization conditions.
Human Papillomavirus and Anal Cancer: Prevalence, Genotype Distribution, and Prognosis Aspects from Midwestern Region of Brazil
Authors: Silva Dalla Libera Larisse , Almeida de Carvalho Keila Patrícia , Enocencio Porto Ramos Jéssica , Oliveira Cabral Lázara Alyne , de Cassia Goncalves de Alencar Rita , Villa Luísa Lina , Alves Rosane Ribeiro Figueiro , Rabelo Santos Silvia Helena , Aparecida dos Santos Carneiro Megmar , Saddi Vera Aparecida
Published: September 2019

Background. Approximately 90% of all anal cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially high-risk genotypes such as HPVs 16 and 18. Objective. To investigate the clinical and prognostic aspects of anal cancers associated with the presence, as well as the genotypic distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV). Methods. A retrospective study carried out over a 10-year period, using clinical and molecular data, with PCR analysis and reverse hybridization (INNO-LIPA kit), in anal cancers. The data analysis was done using descriptive univariate statistics, and the survival curves were made using the Kaplan–Meier and log-rank methods. Results. Of the 81 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens, HPV prevalence was 69% and was significantly higher in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) than in other anal tumors (p=0.0001). Female patients had a higher prevalence of HPV (p=0.01). Multiple infections were detected in 14.3% of cases. The most prevalent genotypes were HPVs 16, 33, and 18. The overall survival at 60 months was 44.3%, and the prognostic factors included gender (p=0.008) with greater survival for men (52.9%) in comparison to women (29.6%), histological type (p=0.01), SCC (54.4%), adenocarcinomas (37.5%), other carcinomas (14.2%), and the presence of distant metastasis (p=0.01). Survival was not influenced by the presence of HPV (p=0.54). Conclusions. The association of HPV to anal cancer was found in this study, especially in SCC. However, the presence of HPV did not influence the prognosis of patients with anal cancer.
Predictive and Pharmacodynamic Biomarkers of Response to the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Inhibitor Taselisib in Breast Cancer Preclinical Models
Authors: Moore Heather M. , Savage Heidi M. , O'Brien Carol , Zhou Wei , Sokol Ethan S. , Goldberg Michael E. , Metcalfe Ciara , Friedman Lori S. , Lackner Mark R. , Wilson Timothy R.
Published: September 2019

The PI3K signaling pathway serves as a central node in regulating cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism. PIK3CA, the gene encoding the PI3K catalytic subunit p110-alpha, is commonly altered in breast cancer resulting in the constitutive activation of the PI3K pathway. Using an unbiased cell line screening approach, we tested the sensitivity of breast cancer cell lines to taselisib, a potent PI3K inhibitor, and correlated sensitivity with key biomarkers (PIK3CA, HER2, PTEN, and ESR1). We further assessed how taselisib modulates downstream signaling in the different genomic backgrounds that occur within breast cancer. We found that sensitivity to taselisib correlated with the presence of PIK3CA mutations, but was independent of HER2 status. We further showed that HER2-amplified/PIK3CA wild-type cell lines are not as sensitive to taselisib when compared with HER2-amplified/PIK3CA-mutant cell lines. In a PIK3CA-mutant/PTEN null background, PI3K downstream signaling rebounded in the presence of taselisib correlating with decreased sensitivity at later time points. Finally, we observed that PIK3CA mutations cooccurred with mutations in the estrogen receptor (ER; ESR1) in metastatic tumors from patients with ER+ breast cancer. However, the cooccurrence of an ESR1 mutation with a PIK3CA mutation did not affect response to taselisib in a single agent setting or in combination with fulvestrant. In summary, these data suggest that development of taselisib in breast cancer should occur in a PIK3CA-mutant setting with cotreatments determined by the specific subtypes under investigation.