bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and risk factorsof gambling disorder as basisfor responsible gambling strategies
Authors: Kräplin Anja , Goudriaan Anna E.
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Aims: To provide an overview of characteristics and risk factors of gambling disorder (GD) in order to systematically identify corresponding targets for responsible gambling strategies. Methods: We conducted a literature review on the concept and characteristics of GD and on the correlates and risk factors for GD. Results and conclusions: GD is characterized by low prevalence rates, but detrimental individual and public health consequences. Responsible gambling strategies therefore need to provide transparent and safe gambling for the majority of gamblers and strategies for early identification, intervention, and harm reduction for the minority of individuals at risk for GD. As individuals at risk for GD are characterized by multiple correlates and risk factors, a multifaceted array of strategies is required. Individual and environmental risk factors provide an important basis for responsible gambling strategies, for instance, which specific high-risk groups (e. g., youth) or gambling behaviours (e. g., high gambling intensity) need to be targeted. As there is no evidence for risk-free gambling, all land-based and online gambling segments should be regulated and controlled within a common framework. Within this process, scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders need to collaborate and translational efforts are required.
Estimating Contributions of Sea Ice and Land Snow to Climate Feedback
Authors: Duan Lei , Cao Long , Caldeira Ken
Published: January 2019

In this study, we use the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Earth System Model to investigate the contribution of sea ice and land snow to the climate sensitivity in response to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide content. We focus on the overall effect arising from the presence or absence of sea ice and/or land snow. We analyze our results in terms of the radiative forcing and climate feedback parameter. We find that the presence of sea ice and land snow decreases the climate feedback parameter (and thus increases climate sensitivity). Adjusted radiative forcing from added carbon dioxide is comparatively less sensitive to the presence of sea ice or land snow. The effect of sea ice on the climate feedback parameter decreases as sea ice cover diminishes at higher CO2 concentration. However, the influence of both sea ice and land snow on the climate feedback parameter remains substantial under the CO2 concentration range considered here (to eight times preindustrial CO2 content). Approximately, one quarter of the effect of sea ice and land snow on the climate feedback parameter is a consequence of the effect of these components on longwave feedback that is mainly associated with cloud change. Polar warming in response to added CO2 is approximately doubled by the presence of sea ice and land snow. Relative to the case in which sea ice and land snow are absent in the model, in response to increased CO2 concentrations, the presence of sea ice and land snow results in an increase in global mean warming by over 40%.
Publisher Correction: Encryption and steganography of synthetic gene circuits
Authors: Purcell Oliver , Wang Jerry , Siuti Piro , Lu Timothy K.
Published: January 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 4. In the lower part of the three gene circuit diagrams in panel b, the flat-headed arrow linking lambdaCI to the tetR promoter incorrectly pointed to the tetR gene body. This has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of this Article.
Author Correction: Dynamic ubiquitylation of Sox2 regulates proteostasis and governs neural progenitor cell differentiation
Authors: Cui Chun-Ping , Zhang Yuan , Wang Chanjuan , Yuan Fang , Li Hongchang , Yao Yuying , Chen Yuhan , Li Chunnan , Wei Wenyi , Liu Cui Hua , He Fuchu , Liu Yan , Zhang Lingqiang
Published: January 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in Figure 7. In panel c, the lanes of the western blots were incorrectly labelled ‘+/+ +/+ -/- -/- +/+ +/+ -/- -/-‘. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Feasible future global scenarios for human life evaluations
Authors: Barrington-Leigh Christopher , Galbraith Eric
Published: January 2019

Subjective well-being surveys show large and consistent variation among countries, much of which can be predicted from a small number of social and economic proxy variables. But the degree to which these life evaluations might feasibly change over coming decades, at the global scale, has not previously been estimated. Here, we use observed historical trends in the proxy variables to constrain feasible future projections of self-reported life evaluations to the year 2050. We find that projected effects of macroeconomic variables tend to lead to modest improvements of global average life evaluations. In contrast, scenarios based on non-material variables project future global average life evaluations covering a much wider range, lying anywhere from the top 15% to the bottom 25% of present-day countries. These results highlight the critical role of non-material factors such as social supports, freedoms, and fairness in determining the future of human well-being.
Coordinative metabolism of glutamine carbon and nitrogen in proliferating cancer cells under hypoxia
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Bai Changsen , Ruan Yuxia , Liu Miao , Chu Qiaoyun , Qiu Li , Yang Chuanzhen , Li Binghui
Published: January 2019

Under hypoxia, most of glucose is converted to secretory lactate, which leads to the overuse of glutamine-carbon. However, under such a condition how glutamine nitrogen is disposed to avoid over-accumulating ammonia remains to be determined. Here we identify a metabolic flux of glutamine to secretory dihydroorotate, which is indispensable to glutamine-carbon metabolism under hypoxia. We found that glutamine nitrogen is necessary to nucleotide biosynthesis, but enriched in dihyroorotate and orotate rather than processing to its downstream uridine monophosphate under hypoxia. Dihyroorotate, not orotate, is then secreted out of cells. Furthermore, we found that the specific metabolic pathway occurs in vivo and is required for tumor growth. The identified metabolic pathway renders glutamine mainly to acetyl coenzyme A for lipogenesis, with the rest carbon and nitrogen being safely removed. Therefore, our results reveal how glutamine carbon and nitrogen are coordinatively metabolized under hypoxia, and provide a comprehensive understanding on glutamine metabolism.
Mechano-chemical decomposition of organic friction modifiers with multiple reactive centres induces superlubricity of ta-C
Authors: Kuwahara Takuya , Romero Pedro A. , Makowski Stefan , Weihnacht Volker , Moras Gianpietro , Moseler Michael
Published: January 2019

Superlubricity of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings under boundary lubrication with organic friction modifiers is important for industrial applications, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, combined experiments and simulations unveil a universal tribochemical mechanism leading to superlubricity of ta-C/ta-C tribopairs. Pin-on-disc sliding experiments show that ultra- and superlow friction with negligible wear can be achieved by lubrication with unsaturated fatty acids or glycerol, but not with saturated fatty acids and hydrocarbons. Atomistic simulations reveal that, due to the simultaneous presence of two reactive centers (carboxylic group and C=C double bond), unsaturated fatty acids can concurrently chemisorb on both ta-C surfaces and bridge the tribogap. Sliding-induced mechanical strain triggers a cascade of molecular fragmentation reactions releasing passivating hydroxyl, keto, epoxy, hydrogen and olefinic groups. Similarly, glycerol’s three hydroxyl groups react simultaneously with both ta-C surfaces, causing the molecule’s complete mechano-chemical fragmentation and formation of aromatic passivation layers with superlow friction.
Daytime temperature is sensed by phytochrome B in Arabidopsis through a transcriptional activator HEMERA
Authors: Qiu Yongjian , Li Meina , Kim Ruth Jean-Ae , Moore Carisha M. , Chen Meng
Published: January 2019

Ambient temperature sensing by phytochrome B (PHYB) in Arabidopsis is thought to operate mainly at night. Here we show that PHYB plays an equally critical role in temperature sensing during the daytime. In daytime thermosensing, PHYB signals primarily through the temperature-responsive transcriptional regulator PIF4, which requires the transcriptional activator HEMERA (HMR). HMR does not regulate PIF4 transcription, instead, it interacts directly with PIF4, to activate the thermoresponsive growth-relevant genes and promote warm-temperature-dependent PIF4 accumulation. A missense allele hmr-22, which carries a loss-of-function D516N mutation in HMR’s transcriptional activation domain, fails to induce the thermoresponsive genes and PIF4 accumulation. Both defects of hmr-22 could be rescued by expressing a HMR22 mutant protein fused with the transcriptional activation domain of VP16, suggesting a causal relationship between HMR-mediated activation of PIF4 target-genes and PIF4 accumulation. Together, this study reveals a daytime PHYB-mediated thermosensing mechanism, in which HMR acts as a necessary activator for PIF4-dependent induction of temperature-responsive genes and PIF4 accumulation.
Single spin localization and manipulation in graphene open-shell nanostructures
Authors: Li Jingcheng , Sanz Sofia , Corso Martina , Choi Deung Jang , Peña Diego , Frederiksen Thomas , Pascual Jose Ignacio
Published: January 2019

Turning graphene magnetic is a promising challenge to make it an active material for spintronics. Predictions state that graphene structures with specific shapes can spontaneously develop magnetism driven by Coulomb repulsion of π-electrons, but its experimental verification is demanding. Here, we report on the observation and manipulation of individual magnetic moments in graphene open-shell nanostructures on a gold surface. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we detect the presence of single electron spins localized around certain zigzag sites of the carbon backbone via the Kondo effect. We find near-by spins coupled into a singlet ground state and quantify their exchange interaction via singlet-triplet inelastic electron excitations. Theoretical simulations picture how electron correlations result in spin-polarized radical states with the experimentally observed spatial distributions. Extra hydrogen atoms bound to radical sites quench their magnetic moment and switch the spin of the nanostructure in half-integer amounts. Our work demonstrates the intrinsic π-paramagnetism of graphene nanostructures.
A recent increase in global wave power as a consequence of oceanic warming
Authors: Reguero Borja G. , Losada Iñigo J. , Méndez Fernando J.
Published: January 2019

Wind-generated ocean waves drive important coastal processes that determine flooding and erosion. Ocean warming has been one factor affecting waves globally. Most studies have focused on studying parameters such as wave heights, but a systematic, global and long-term signal of climate change in global wave behavior remains undetermined. Here we show that the global wave power, which is the transport of the energy transferred from the wind into sea-surface motion, has increased globally (0.4% per year) and by ocean basins since 1948. We also find long-term correlations and statistical dependency with sea surface temperatures, globally and by ocean sub-basins, particularly between the tropical Atlantic temperatures and the wave power in high south latitudes, the most energetic region globally. Results indicate the upper-ocean warming, a consequence of anthropogenic global warming, is changing the global wave climate, making waves stronger. This identifies wave power as a potentially valuable climate change indicator.
Altered chemistry of oxygen and iron under deep Earth conditions
Authors: Liu Jin , Hu Qingyang , Bi Wenli , Yang Liuxiang , Xiao Yuming , Chow Paul , Meng Yue , Prakapenka Vitali B. , Mao Ho-Kwang , Mao Wendy L.
Published: January 2019

A drastically altered chemistry was recently discovered in the Fe-O-H system under deep Earth conditions, involving the formation of iron superoxide (FeO2Hx with x = 0 to 1), but the puzzling crystal chemistry of this system at high pressures is largely unknown. Here we present evidence that despite the high O/Fe ratio in FeO2Hx, iron remains in the ferrous, spin-paired and non-magnetic state at 60–133 GPa, while the presence of hydrogen has minimal effects on the valence of iron. The reduced iron is accompanied by oxidized oxygen due to oxygen-oxygen interactions. The valence of oxygen is not –2 as in all other major mantle minerals, instead it varies around –1. This result indicates that like iron, oxygen may have multiple valence states in our planet’s interior. Our study suggests a possible change in the chemical paradigm of how oxygen, iron, and hydrogen behave under deep Earth conditions.
Phosphorylation of CENP-A on serine 7 does not control centromere function
Authors: Barra Viviana , Logsdon Glennis A. , Scelfo Andrea , Hoffmann Sebastian , Hervé Solène , Aslanian Aaron , Nechemia-Arbely Yael , Cleveland Don W. , Black Ben E. , Fachinetti Daniele
Published: January 2019

CENP-A is the histone H3 variant necessary to specify the location of all eukaryotic centromeres via its CENP-A targeting domain and either one of its terminal regions. In humans, several post-translational modifications occur on CENP-A, but their role in centromere function remains controversial. One of these modifications of CENP-A, phosphorylation on serine 7, has been proposed to control centromere assembly and function. Here, using gene targeting at both endogenous CENP-A alleles and gene replacement in human cells, we demonstrate that a CENP-A variant that cannot be phosphorylated at serine 7 maintains correct CENP-C recruitment, faithful chromosome segregation and long-term cell viability. Thus, we conclude that phosphorylation of CENP-A on serine 7 is dispensable to maintain correct centromere dynamics and function.
A gene expression map of shoot domains reveals regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Tian Caihuan , Wang Ying , Yu Haopeng , He Jun , Wang Jin , Shi Bihai , Du Qingwei , Provart Nicholas J. , Meyerowitz Elliot M. , Jiao Yuling
Published: January 2019

Gene regulatory networks control development via domain-specific gene expression. In seed plants, self-renewing stem cells located in the shoot apical meristem (SAM) produce leaves from the SAM peripheral zone. After initiation, leaves develop polarity patterns to form a planar shape. Here we compare translating RNAs among SAM and leaf domains. Using translating ribosome affinity purification and RNA sequencing to quantify gene expression in target domains, we generate a domain-specific translatome map covering representative vegetative stage SAM and leaf domains. We discuss the predicted cellular functions of these domains and provide evidence that dome seemingly unrelated domains, utilize common regulatory modules. Experimental follow up shows that the RABBIT EARS and HANABA TARANU transcription factors have roles in axillary meristem initiation. This dataset provides a community resource for further study of shoot development and response to internal and environmental signals.
Metaepigenomic analysis reveals the unexplored diversity of DNA methylation in an environmental prokaryotic community
Authors: Hiraoka Satoshi , Okazaki Yusuke , Anda Mizue , Toyoda Atsushi , Nakano Shin-ichi , Iwasaki Wataru
Published: January 2019

DNA methylation plays important roles in prokaryotes, and their genomic landscapes—prokaryotic epigenomes—have recently begun to be disclosed. However, our knowledge of prokaryotic methylation systems is focused on those of culturable microbes, which are rare in nature. Here, we used single-molecule real-time and circular consensus sequencing techniques to reveal the ‘metaepigenomes’ of a microbial community in the largest lake in Japan, Lake Biwa. We reconstructed 19 draft genomes from diverse bacterial and archaeal groups, most of which are yet to be cultured. The analysis of DNA chemical modifications in those genomes revealed 22 methylated motifs, nine of which were novel. We identified methyltransferase genes likely responsible for methylation of the novel motifs, and confirmed the catalytic specificities of four of them via transformation experiments using synthetic genes. Our study highlights metaepigenomics as a powerful approach for identification of the vast unexplored variety of prokaryotic DNA methylation systems in nature.
Pentatricopeptide repeat poly(A) binding protein KPAF4 stabilizes mitochondrial mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Mesitov Mikhail V. , Yu Tian , Suematsu Takuma , Sement Francois M. , Zhang Liye , Yu Clinton , Huang Lan , Aphasizheva Inna
Published: January 2019

In Trypanosoma brucei, most mitochondrial mRNAs undergo editing, and 3′ adenylation and uridylation. The internal sequence changes and terminal extensions are coordinated: pre-editing addition of the short (A) tail protects the edited transcript against 3′-5′ degradation, while post-editing A/U-tailing renders mRNA competent for translation. Participation of a poly(A) binding protein (PABP) in coupling of editing and 3′ modification processes has been inferred, but its identity and mechanism of action remained elusive. We report identification of KPAF4, a pentatricopeptide repeat-containing PABP which sequesters the A-tail and impedes mRNA degradation. Conversely, KPAF4 inhibits uridylation of A-tailed transcripts and, therefore, premature A/U-tailing of partially-edited mRNAs. This quality check point likely prevents translation of incompletely edited mRNAs. We also find that RNA editing substrate binding complex (RESC) mediates the interaction between the 5′ end-bound pyrophosphohydrolase MERS1 and 3′ end-associated KPAF4 to enable mRNA circularization. This event appears to be critical for edited mRNA stability.
Suicide among cancer patients
Authors: Zaorsky Nicholas G. , Zhang Ying , Tuanquin Leonard , Bluethmann Shirley M. , Park Henry S. , Chinchilli Vernon M.
Published: January 2019

Our purpose is to identify cancer patients at highest risk of suicide compared to the general population and other cancer patients. This is a retrospective, population-based study using nationally representative data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, 1973-2014. Among 8,651,569 cancer patients, 13,311 committed suicide; the rate of suicide was 28.58/ 100,000-person years, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of suicide was 4.44 (95% CI, 4.33, 4.55). The predominant patients who committed suicide were male (83%) and white (92%). Cancers of the lung, head and neck, testes, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma had the highest SMRs ( > 5-10) through the follow up period. Elderly, white, unmarried males with localized disease are at highest risk vs other cancer patients. Among those diagnosed at < 50 years of age, the plurality of suicides is from hematologic and testicular tumors; if > 50, from prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer patients.
Feature-specific prediction errors and surprise across macaque fronto-striatal circuits
Authors: Oemisch Mariann , Westendorff Stephanie , Azimi Marzyeh , Hassani Seyed Alireza , Ardid Salva , Tiesinga Paul , Womelsdorf Thilo
Published: January 2019

To adjust expectations efficiently, prediction errors need to be associated with the precise features that gave rise to the unexpected outcome, but this credit assignment may be problematic if stimuli differ on multiple dimensions and it is ambiguous which feature dimension caused the outcome. Here, we report a potential solution: neurons in four recorded areas of the anterior fronto-striatal networks encode prediction errors that are specific to feature values of different dimensions of attended multidimensional stimuli. The most ubiquitous prediction error occurred for the reward-relevant dimension. Feature-specific prediction error signals a) emerge on average shortly after non-specific prediction error signals, b) arise earliest in the anterior cingulate cortex and later in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, caudate and ventral striatum, and c) contribute to feature-based stimulus selection after learning. Thus, a widely-distributed feature-specific eligibility trace may be used to update synaptic weights for improved feature-based attention.
Intensiometric biosensors visualize the activity of multiple small GTPases in vivo
Authors: Kim Jihoon , Lee Sangkyu , Jung Kanghoon , Oh Won Chan , Kim Nury , Son Seungkyu , Jo YoungJu , Kwon Hyung-Bae , Heo Won Do
Published: January 2019

Ras and Rho small GTPases are critical for numerous cellular processes including cell division, migration, and intercellular communication. Despite extensive efforts to visualize the spatiotemporal activity of these proteins, achieving the sensitivity and dynamic range necessary for in vivo application has been challenging. Here, we present highly sensitive intensiometric small GTPase biosensors visualizing the activity of multiple small GTPases in single cells in vivo. Red-shifted sensors combined with blue light-controllable optogenetic modules achieved simultaneous monitoring and manipulation of protein activities in a highly spatiotemporal manner. Our biosensors revealed spatial dynamics of Cdc42 and Ras activities upon structural plasticity of single dendritic spines, as well as a broad range of subcellular Ras activities in the brains of freely behaving mice. Thus, these intensiometric small GTPase sensors enable the spatiotemporal dissection of complex protein signaling networks in live animals.
Enhanced growth after extreme wetness compensates for post-drought carbon loss in dry forests
Authors: Jiang Peng , Liu Hongyan , Piao Shilong , Ciais Philippe , Wu Xiuchen , Yin Yi , Wang Hongya
Published: January 2019

While many studies have reported that drought events have substantial negative legacy effects on forest growth, it remains unclear whether wetness events conversely have positive growth legacy effects. Here, we report pervasive and substantial growth enhancement after extreme wetness by examining tree radial growth at 1929 forest sites, satellite-derived vegetation greenness, and land surface model simulations. Enhanced growth after extreme wetness lasts for 1 to 5 years and compensates for 93 ± 8% of the growth deficit after extreme drought across global water-limited regions. Remarkable wetness-enhanced growths are observed in dry forests and gymnosperms, whereas the enhanced growths after extreme wetness are much smaller in wet forests and angiosperms. Limited or no enhanced growths are simulated by the land surface models after extreme wetness. These findings provide new evidence for improving climate-vegetation models to include the legacy effects of both drought and wet climate extremes.
Stout camphor tree genome fills gaps in understanding of flowering plant genome evolution
Authors: Chaw Shu-Miaw , Liu Yu-Ching , Wu Yu-Wei , Wang Han-Yu , Lin Chan-Yi Ivy , Wu Chung-Shien , Ke Huei-Mien , Chang Lo-Yu , Hsu Chih-Yao , Yang Hui-Ting , Sudianto Edi , Hsu Min-Hung , Wu Kun-Pin , Wang Ling-Ni , Leebens-Mack James H. , Tsai Isheng J.
Published: January 2019

We present reference-quality genome assembly and annotation for the stout camphor tree (Cinnamomum kanehirae (Laurales, Lauraceae)), the first sequenced member of the Magnoliidae comprising four orders (Laurales, Magnoliales, Canellales and Piperales) and over 9,000 species. Phylogenomic analysis of 13 representative seed plant genomes indicates that magnoliid and eudicot lineages share more recent common ancestry than monocots. Two whole-genome duplication events were inferred within the magnoliid lineage: one before divergence of Laurales and Magnoliales and the other within the Lauraceae. Small-scale segmental duplications and tandem duplications also contributed to innovation in the evolutionary history of Cinnamomum. For example, expansion of the terpenoid synthase gene subfamilies within the Laurales spawned the diversity of Cinnamomum monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes.
Population dynamics and transcriptomic responses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a complex laboratory microbial community
Authors: Cheng Yingying , Yam Joey Kuok Hoong , Cai Zhao , Ding Yichen , Zhang Lian-Hui , Deng Yinyue , Yang Liang
Published: January 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa tends to be among the dominant species in multi-species bacterial consortia in diverse environments. To understand P. aeruginosa’s physiology and interactions with co-existing bacterial species in different conditions, we established physiologically reproducible 18 species communities, and found that P. aeruginosa dominated in mixed-species biofilm communities but not in planktonic communities. P. aeruginosa’s H1 type VI secretion system was highly induced in mixed-species biofilm consortia, compared with its monospecies biofilm, which was further demonstrated to play a key role in P. aeruginosa's enhanced fitness over other bacterial species. In addition, the type IV pili and Psl exopolysaccharide were required for P. aeruginosa to compete with other bacterial species in the biofilm community. Our study showed that the physiology of P. aeruginosa is strongly affected by interspecies interactions, and both biofilm determinants and type VI secretion system contribute to higher P. aeruginosa's fitness over other species in complex biofilm communities.
From contextuality of a single photon to realism of an electromagnetic wave
Authors: Markiewicz Marcin , Kaszlikowski Dagomir , Kurzyński Paweł , Wójcik Antoni
Published: January 2019

Violations of Bell inequalities have been an incontestable indicator of non-classicality since the seminal paper by John Bell. However, recent claims of Bell inequalities violations with classical light have cast some doubts on their significance as hallmarks of non-classicality. Here, we challenge those claims. The crux of the problem is that such classical experiments simulate quantum probabilities with intensities of classical fields. However, fields intensities measurements are radically different from single-photon detections, which are primitives of any genuine Bell experiment. We show that this fundamental difference between field intensities measurements and single photon detections shifts the classical bound of relevant Bell inequalities to its non-signaling limit, leaving no place for their violations.
Interaction between temperature and sublethal infection with the amphibian chytrid fungus impacts a susceptible frog species
Authors: Campbell Lachlan , Bower Deborah S. , Clulow Simon , Stockwell Michelle , Clulow John , Mahony Michael
Published: January 2019

The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is an emerging infectious pathogen present on every continent except Antarctica. It causes the disease chytridiomycosis in a subset of species but does not always result in disease or death for every host. Ambient temperature influences both amphibian metabolism and chytrid pathogenicity, however the interactive effects on host physiology is not well understood. We investigated the sublethal effect of B. dendrobatidis infection on a susceptible host, Litoria aurea to test (1) whether the infection load, metabolic activity, body fat and gonad size differed in L. aurea at either 24 °C or 12 °C ambient temperatures and (2) whether previous Bd infection caused long-term changes to body fat and gonad size. Litoria aurea in 12 °C treatments had higher infection loads of B. dendrobatidis and lower survivorship. Metabolic rate was higher and fat mass was lower in infected individuals and in animals in 24 °C treatments. Male L. aurea previously infected with B. dendrobatidis had smaller testes 5 months-post clearance of infection, an effect likely to translate to fitness costs in wild populations. These experiments demonstrate a physiological cost to sublethal B. dendrobatidis infection, which suggests a reduction in host fitness mediated by temperature in the host’s environment regardless of whether infection leads to mortality.
Obesity Aggravates Acute Pancreatitis via Damaging Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Changing Microbiota Composition in Rats
Authors: Ye Cheng , Liu Ling , Ma Xiao , Tong Huan , Gao Jinhang , Tai Yang , Huang Libin , Tang Chengwei , Wang Rui
Published: January 2019

Obesity may aggravate acute pancreatitis (AP) through damaging the intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB). The underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study was aimed to provide further data to clarify the mechanism. 48 rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal control (NC), chow-fed rats with sham operation, 2) no-obese rats with AP (NAP), chow-fed rats with taurocholate infusion, 3) obese control (OC), high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats with sham operation, and 4) obese rats with AP (OAP), HFD-fed rats with taurocholate infusion. Pancreatic pathologic score (11.39 ± 1.76 vs. 14.11 ± 1.05, p = 0.005), intestinal permeability to FD4 (0.91 ± 0.25 μg/ml vs. 7.06 ± 3.67 μg/ml, p < 0.001), serum leptin (10.25 ± 5.59 ng/ml vs. 79.73 ± 38.44 ng/ml, p < 0.001) and ileal apoptosis (2.05 ± 0.73% vs. 4.53 ± 2.28%, p = 0.006) were significantly higher in OAP than in NAP group. The intestinal bacterial richness (Chao 1 and OTUs) was significantly lower in OAP than in NAP rats. The higher abundance of Proteobacteria and reduced proportions of intestinal Actinobacteria, Allobaculum and Barnesiella were detected in OAP group. Obesity may result in decreased intestinal leptin/ObR-b binding, distinct phylogenetic clusters of ileal bacterial communities, increased intestinal inflammatory injury and the insufficient intestinal epithelial cells proliferation during AP attack. Pancreatic injury was aggravated due to obesity associated dysfunction of IMB.
Tailored Interface Energetics for Efficient Charge Separation in Metal Oxide-Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Ehrenreich Philipp , Groh Arthur , Goodwin Heather , Huster Jeldrik , Deschler Felix , Mecking Stefan , Schmidt-Mende Lukas
Published: January 2019

Hybrid organic-inorganic heterointerfaces in solar cells suffer from inefficient charge separation yet the origin of performance limitations are widely unknown. In this work, we focus on the role of metal oxide-polymer interface energetics in a charge generation process. For this purpose, we present novel benzothiadiazole based thiophene oligomers that tailor the surface energetics of the inorganic acceptor TiO2 systematically. In a simple bilayer structure with the donor polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), we are able to improve the charge generation process considerably. By means of an electronic characterization of solar cell devices in combination with ultrafast broadband transient absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate that this remarkable improvement in performance originates from reduced recombination of localized charge transfer states. In this context, fundamental design rules for interlayers are revealed, which assist the charge separation at organic-inorganic interfaces. Beside acting as a physical spacer in between electrons and holes, interlayers should offer (1) a large energy offset to drive exciton dissociation, (2) a push-pull building block to reduce the Coulomb binding energy of charge transfer states and (3) an energy cascade to limit carrier back diffusion towards the interface.
Association of functional dorsal attention network alterations with breast cancer and chemotherapy
Authors: Shen Chao-Yu , Chen Vincent Chin-Hung , Yeh Dah-Cherng , Huang Shu-Ling , Zhang Xuan-Ru , Chai Jyh-Wen , Huang Yen-Hsun , Chou Ming-Chih , Weng Jun-Cheng
Published: January 2019

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Adjuvant chemotherapy has significantly reduced mortality but increased cognitive impairments, including attention function, making quality of life issues a crucial concern. This study enrolled nineteen breast cancer patients who were treated with standard chemotherapy within 6 months and 20 sex-matched healthy controls to investigate the brain effects of chemotherapy. All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) with mean fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (mfALFF) analysis and were correlated with neuropsychological tests, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), to explore the possible underlying mechanism of cognitive alternations. We found increased mfALFF over the frontoparietal lobe and decreased mfALFF over the occipital lobe in the cancer patients compared with the healthy controls; the altered brain regions may be associated with the dorsal attention network (DAN) and may be explained by a compensatory mechanism. Both MMSE and CAMS-R scores showed a positive correlation with mfALFF in the occipital lobe but a negative correlation in the frontoparietal lobe. By contrast, IES-R scores showed a positive correlation with mfALFF in the frontoparietal lobe but a negative correlation in the occipital lobe. These alterations are potentially related to the effects of both chemotherapy and psychological distress. Future research involving a larger sample size of patients with breast cancer is recommended.
A tonal-language benefit for pitch in normally-hearing and cochlear-implanted children
Authors: Deroche Mickael L. D. , Lu Hui-Ping , Kulkarni Aditya M. , Caldwell Meredith , Barrett Karen C. , Peng Shu-Chen , Limb Charles J. , Lin Yung-Song , Chatterjee Monita
Published: January 2019

In tonal languages, voice pitch inflections change the meaning of words, such that the brain processes pitch not merely as an acoustic characterization of sound but as semantic information. In normally-hearing (NH) adults, this linguistic pressure on pitch appears to sharpen its neural encoding and can lead to perceptual benefits, depending on the task relevance, potentially generalizing outside of the speech domain. In children, however, linguistic systems are still malleable, meaning that their encoding of voice pitch information might not receive as much neural specialization but might generalize more easily to ecologically irrelevant pitch contours. This would seem particularly true for early-deafened children wearing a cochlear implant (CI), who must exhibit great adaptability to unfamiliar sounds as their sense of pitch is severely degraded. Here, we provide the first demonstration of a tonal language benefit in dynamic pitch sensitivity among NH children (using both a sweep discrimination and labelling task) which extends partially to children with CI (i.e., in the labelling task only). Strong age effects suggest that sensitivity to pitch contours reaches adult-like levels early in tonal language speakers (possibly before 6 years of age) but continues to develop in non-tonal language speakers well into the teenage years. Overall, we conclude that language-dependent neuroplasticity can enhance behavioral sensitivity to dynamic pitch, even in extreme cases of auditory degradation, but it is most easily observable early in life.
An MR technique for simultaneous quantitative imaging of water content, conductivity and susceptibility, with application to brain tumours using a 3T hybrid MR-PET scanner
Authors: Liao Yupeng , Oros-Peusquens Ana-Maria , Lindemeyer Johannes , Lechea Nazim , Weiß -Lucas Carolin , Langen Karl-Josef , Shah N. Jon
Published: January 2019

Approaches for the quantitative mapping of water content, electrical conductivity and susceptibility have been developed independently. The purpose of this study is to develop a method for simultaneously acquiring quantitative water content, electrical conductivity and susceptibility maps based on a 2D multi-echo gradient echo sequence. Another purpose is to investigate the changes in these properties caused by brain tumours. This was done using a 3T hybrid magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography (MR-PET) scanner. Water content maps were derived after performing T2* and transmit-receive field bias corrections to magnitude images essentially reflecting only the H2O content contrast. Phase evolution during the multi-echo train was used to generate field maps and derive quantitative susceptibility, while the conductivity maps were retrieved from the phase value at zero echo time. Performance of the method is demonstrated on phantoms and two healthy volunteers. In addition, the method was applied to three patients with brain tumours and a comparison to maps obtained from PET using O-(2-[18 F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine and clinical MR images is presented. The combined information of the water content, conductivity and susceptibility may provide additional information about the tissue viability. Future studies can benefit from the evaluation of these contrasts with shortened acquisition times.
Counting circulating endothelial cells in allo-HSCT: an ad hoc designed polychromatic flowcytometry-based panel versus the CellSearch System
Authors: Almici Camillo , Neva Arabella , Skert Cristina , Bruno Benedetto , Verardi Rosanna , Di Palma Andrea , Bianchetti Andrea , Braga Simona , Piovani Giovanna , Cancelli Valeria , Omedè Paola , Baeten Kurt , Rotta Gianluca , Russo Domenico , Marini Mirella
Published: January 2019

Physio-pathologic interrelationships between endothelial layer and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) have been described leading to assess the entity “endothelial GVHD” as the early step for clinical manifestations of acute GVHD. The availability of the CellSearch system has allowed us to monitor Circulating Endothelial Cells (CEC) changes in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as useful tool to help clinicians in GVHD diagnostic definition. We have compared CEC counts generated by an ad hoc designed polychromatic-flowcytometry (PFC) Lyotube with those of the CellSearch system. CEC were counted in parallel at 5 timepoints in 50 patients with malignant hematologic disorders undergoing allo-HSCT (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02064972). Spearman rank correlation showed significant association between CEC values at all time points (p = 0.0001). The limits of agreement was demonstrated by Bland Altman plot analysis, showing bias not significant at T1, T3, T4, while at T2 and T5 resulted not estimable. Moreover, Passing Bablok regression analysis showed not significant differences between BD Lyotube and CellSearch system. We show that CEC counts, generated with either the CellSearch system or the PFC-based panel, have a superimposable kinetic in allo-HSCT patients and that both counting procedures hold the potential to enter clinical routine as a suitable tool to assist clinicians in GVHD diagnosis.
Tunable plasmonic resonances in Si-Au slanted columnar heterostructure thin films
Authors: Kılıç Ufuk , Mock Alyssa , Feder René , Sekora Derek , Hilfiker Matthew , Korlacki Rafał , Schubert Eva , Argyropoulos Christos , Schubert Mathias
Published: January 2019

We report on fabrication of spatially-coherent columnar plasmonic nanostructure superlattice-type thin films with high porosity and strong optical anisotropy using glancing angle deposition. Subsequent and repeated depositions of silicon and gold lead to nanometer-dimension subcolumns with controlled lengths. We perform generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements and finite element method computations to elucidate the strongly anisotropic optical properties of the highly-porous Si-Au slanted columnar heterostructures. The occurrence of a strongly localized plasmonic mode with displacement pattern reminiscent of a dark quadrupole mode is observed in the vicinity of the gold subcolumns. We demonstrate tuning of this quadrupole-like mode frequency within the near-infrared spectral range by varying the geometry of Si-Au slanted columnar heterostructures. In addition, coupled-plasmon-like and inter-band transition-like modes occur in the visible and ultra-violet spectral regions, respectively. We elucidate an example for the potential use of Si-Au slanted columnar heterostructures as a highly porous plasmonic sensor with optical read out sensitivity to few parts-per-million solvent levels in water.
Shared neural representations of tactile roughness intensities by somatosensation and touch observation using an associative learning method
Authors: Kim Junsuk , Bülthoff Isabelle , Kim Sung-Phil , Bülthoff Heinrich H.
Published: January 2019

Previous human fMRI studies have reported activation of somatosensory areas not only during actual touch, but also during touch observation. However, it has remained unclear how the brain encodes visually evoked tactile intensities. Using an associative learning method, we investigated neural representations of roughness intensities evoked by (a) tactile explorations and (b) visual observation of tactile explorations. Moreover, we explored (c) modality-independent neural representations of roughness intensities using a cross-modal classification method. Case (a) showed significant decoding performance in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the supramarginal gyrus (SMG), while in the case (b), the bilateral posterior parietal cortices, the inferior occipital gyrus, and the primary motor cortex were identified. Case (c) observed shared neural activity patterns in the bilateral insula, the SMG, and the ACC. Interestingly, the insular cortices were identified only from the cross-modal classification, suggesting their potential role in modality-independent tactile processing. We further examined correlations of confusion patterns between behavioral and neural similarity matrices for each region. Significant correlations were found solely in the SMG, reflecting a close relationship between neural activities of SMG and roughness intensity perception. The present findings may deepen our understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying intensity perception of tactile roughness.
Calcineurin inhibitor Tacrolimus impairs host immune response against urinary tract infection
Authors: Emal Diba , Rampanelli Elena , Claessen Nike , Bemelman Frederike J. , Leemans Jaklien C. , Florquin Sandrine , Dessing Mark C.
Published: January 2019

Calcineurin inhibitor Tacrolimus, is a potent immunosuppressive drug widely used in order to prevent acute graft rejection. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most frequent infectious complication in renal transplant patients and long-term use of Tacrolimus might be involved in higher susceptibility to bacterial infections. It remains largely unknown how Tacrolimus affects the host innate immune response against lower and upper UTI. To address this issue, we used experimental UTI model by intravesical inoculation of uropathogenic E.coli in female wild-type mice pre-treated with Tacrolimus or solvent (CTR). We found that Tacrolimus pre-treated mice displayed higher bacterial loads (cystitis, pyelonephritis and bacteremia) than CTR mice. Granulocytes from Tacrolimus pre-treated mice phagocytized less E. coli, released less MPO and expressed decreased levels of CXCR2 receptor upon infection. Moreover, Tacrolimus reduced TLR5 expression in bladder macrophages during UTI. This immunosuppressive state can be explained by the upregulation of TLR-signaling negative regulators (A20, ATF3, IRAK-M and SOCS1) and parallel downregulation of TLR5 as observed in Tacrolimus treated granulocytes and macrophages. We conclude that Tacrolimus impairs host innate immune responses against UTI.
The CHRS Data Portal, an easily accessible public repository for PERSIANN global satellite precipitation data
Authors: Nguyen Phu , Shearer Eric J. , Tran Hoang , Ombadi Mohammed , Hayatbini Negin , Palacios Thanh , Huynh Phat , Braithwaite Dan , Updegraff Garr , Hsu Kuolin , Kuligowski Bob , Logan Will S. , Sorooshian Soroosh
Published: January 2019

The Center for Hydrometeorology and Remote Sensing (CHRS) has created the CHRS Data Portal to facilitate easy access to the three open data licensed satellite-based precipitation datasets generated by our Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN) system: PERSIANN, PERSIANN-Cloud Classification System (CCS), and PERSIANN-Climate Data Record (CDR). These datasets have the potential for widespread use by various researchers, professionals including engineers, city planners, and so forth, as well as the community at large. Researchers at CHRS created the CHRS Data Portal with an emphasis on simplicity and the intention of fostering synergistic relationships with scientists and experts from around the world. The following paper presents an outline of the hosted datasets and features available on the CHRS Data Portal, an examination of the necessity of easily accessible public data, a comprehensive overview of the PERSIANN algorithms and datasets, and a walk-through of the procedure to access and obtain the data.
The OpenEar library of 3D models of the human temporal bone based on computed tomography and micro-slicing
Authors: Sieber Daniel , Erfurt Peter , John Samuel , Santos Gabriel Ribeiro Dos , Schurzig Daniel , Sørensen Mads Sølvsten , Lenarz Thomas
Published: January 2019

Virtual reality surgical simulation of temporal bone surgery requires digitized models of the full anatomical region in high quality and colour information to allow realistic texturization. Existing datasets which are usually based on microCT imaging are unable to fulfil these requirements as per the limited specimen size, and lack of colour information. The OpenEar Dataset provides a library consisting of eight three-dimensional models of the human temporal bone to enable surgical training including colour data. Each dataset is based on a combination of multimodal imaging including Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and micro-slicing. 3D reconstruction of micro-slicing images and subsequent registration to CBCT images allowed for relatively efficient multimodal segmentation of inner ear compartments, middle ear bones, tympanic membrane, relevant nerve structures, blood vessels and the temporal bone. Raw data from the experiment as well as voxel data and triangulated models from the segmentation are provided in full for use in surgical simulators or any other application which relies on high quality models of the human temporal bone.
Consumer Perceptions and Sensory Preferences of Tomato and Tomato Products
Authors: Frez-Muñoz Lucia , Fogliano Vincenzo , Steenbekkers Bea L. P. A.
Published: January 2019

The wide variety of cultivars and tomato products and their versatility allow these commodities to be on the weekly shopping list of many consumers. Therefore, it is paramount to understand consumers’ perceptions and preferences in order to improve or develop new products that meet their needs and requirements. In this chapter, the concepts of consumers’ quality perceptions and preferences are introduced, together with the importance of cross-country studies. Results regarding usage and preferences of consumers (Italian/Dutch/Chilean) for tomato products—with a special focus on canned whole peeled tomatoes (CWPT)—are presented, as well as investigations on fresh tomatoes. Results showed that intrinsic attributes were more important than extrinsic attributes when purchasing fresh tomatoes and CWPT. The red colour of CWPT was the most important intrinsic attribute according to the three groups of consumers; the same applies to fresh tomatoes. Interestingly, for Italians the country and domain of origin (Italy+PDO) was almost as relevant as colour. Contrarily, packaging material was the key extrinsic attribute for the Dutch (easy-open tin) and Chileans (glass). All three groups preferred organic products to conventional ones.