bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermophoretic effects on instabilities of nanoflows in porous media
Authors: Dastvareh B. , Azaiez J.
Published: October 2018

Instabilities of nanoparticle-laden non-isothermal flows in homogeneous porous media are investigated. The study is conducted for two representative systems; a hot fluid displacing a cold one (HDC) and a cold fluid displacing a hot one (CDH). The effects of Brownian diffusion and of thermophoresis, representing the average motion of the nanoparticles as a result of temperature gradients, are analysed. In the HDC case, the synergetic Brownian and thermophoretic effects induce a migration of nanoparticles towards the cold fluid and tend systematically to enhance the instability. In particular, because of these combined effects, an initially stable displacement can actually be destabilized. In the CDH case however, Brownian diffusion still acts towards the transport of nanoparticles downstream into the hot fluid while thermophoresis tends to resist such migration. These counteracting effects lead to the generation of local accumulations of nanoparticles at the front and engender the development of local stable regions in the flow. These stable regions hinder the growth of the instabilities, especially those of backward-developing fingers. It is concluded that, in this case, thermophoresis acts against Brownian diffusion and results in less unstable displacements compared to flows where thermophoresis is absent. This effect, exclusively associated with thermophoresis, will not be observed in nanoparticle-free non-isothermal displacements. Finally, it is found that the main effects of Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis arise mainly from their contributions to nanoparticle transport while their effects on the energy balance are negligible and can be disregarded.
THE LAW-MAKING EFFECTS OF THE FAO DEEP-SEA FISHERIES GUIDELINES
Authors: Korseberg Lene
Published: October 2018

The second half of the twentieth century saw major improvements in the legal regime for fisheries management. This notwithstanding, the deep seas remain largely unregulated under international law, until recently only being covered by the general environmental and management provisions found in UNCLOS. In light of this regulatory gap, this article evaluates the potential law-making effects, if any, of the FAO Deep-Sea Fisheries Guidelines, a voluntary instrument designed to provide States with a regulatory framework for the management of their deep-sea fisheries. It considers how the Guidelines may inform, interpret and influence the content of the general high-sea obligations in UNCLOS. Despite the vagueness and generality of those provisions, some indication of their substantive content has been given in recent decisions, particularly the South China Sea Arbitration. By assessing their compatibility, and their level of acceptance by the international community, this article argues that the FAO Deep-Sea Guidelines are beginning to have a law-making effect by providing an authoritative interpretation of the general high-sea obligations found in UNCLOS relating to deep-sea fisheries.
JUSTICIABILITY
Authors: Mance Lord
Published: October 2018

This article explores traditional conceptions of non-justiciability in British Courts in honour of Francis Mann. It highlights the move by domestic courts away from traditional ‘no-go’ areas towards a more nuanced and balanced understanding of the respective roles and competences of the executive and the judiciary; and sees this as a not unfavourable development in an era when domestic recourse is often the only practicable means by which an individual, as opposed to a State, may obtain redress for alleged misconduct on the international plane.
Single-stage helical rim reconstruction using a post-auricular bipedicled flap
Authors: Lin D J , Lewis C J , Alrawi M
Published: October 2018

Background

Middle-third helical rim defects may arise from trauma or oncological resection, and pose a challenging reconstructive problem. Reconstructing defects larger than 2 cm using traditional methods commits patients to the inconvenience of staged procedures.

Method

This paper describes a single-stage helical rim reconstruction technique using a post-auricular bipedicled flap and ipsilateral conchal cartilage graft for delayed middle-third helical rim reconstruction.

Results

Two examples of this technique used in post-trauma and oncological reconstruction cases are presented, with pre- and post-operative photographs provided for demonstration.

Conclusion

Contralateral graft harvest and staged operations for helical rim reconstruction are associated with donor site morbidity and the inconvenience of multiple operations to achieve the desired reconstructive outcome. Our single-stage helical rim reconstruction technique was well tolerated by patients, and showed satisfactory aesthetic results in terms of size and symmetry.
Nonlinear dust-acoustic wave propagation in a Lorentzian dusty plasma in presence of negative ions
Authors: Denra Raicharan , Paul Samit , Ghosh Uttam , Sarkar Susmita
Published: October 2018

In this paper we have studied the effect of the density and temperature of negative ions on the nonlinear dust-acoustic wave propagation in a Lorentzian dusty plasma. We have considered both adiabatic and non-adiabatic dust charge variation. The presence of both low and high populations of negative ions are considered. Separate models have been developed because the two populations give rise to opposite polarity of grain charges. In both models electrons are assumed to follow a kappa velocity distribution while the positive and negative ions satisfy a Maxwellian velocity distribution. Adiabatic dust charge variation shows the propagation of a dust-acoustic soliton in cases of both a high and low population of negative ions whose amplitude depends on the negative ion temperature and negative ion density. On the other hand, non-adiabatic dust charge variation generates a stable oscillatory dust-acoustic shock when the negative ion population is low. An unstable potential has been predicted from this analysis when the negative ion population is high and the dust charge variation is non-adiabatic.
The democratic deficit on salient issues: immigration and healthcare in the states
Authors: Hare Christopher , Monogan James E.
Published: October 2018

We update past work on the democratic deficit, defined as incongruence between majority public preference and public policy in the American states. We reconsider public opinion and state policy on seven issues related to immigration and health questions. Using original data from the 2014 Cooperative Congressional Election Survey as well as new data on state policy and other predictors, we show that these seven issues have distinct qualities from Lax and Phillips’s larger basket of 39 policy questions in different issue areas. From 2008 to 2014, the democratic deficit on these issues diminished somewhat in the presence of a heightened level of issue salience.
X-ray powder diffraction data for (S)-methyl-2-hexanamido-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C16H23NO4
Authors: Wang Qing , Chen Xiaolin , Suo Zili
Published: October 2018

X-ray powder diffraction data for (S)-methyl-2-hexanamido-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoate, C16H23NO4, are reported [a = 17.795(4) Å, b = 15.101(1) Å, c = 12.746(3) Å, unit-cell volume V = 3425.51 Å3, Z = 8, and space group P212121]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the P212121 space group. No detectable impurities were observed. The single crystallographic data of the compound are also reported [a = 12.5998(3) Å, b = 17.6856(5) Å, c = 14.6711(5) Å, unit-cell volume V = 3269.25(16) Å3, Z = 8, and space group P212121]. Because of the single-crystal diffraction data were measured at low temperature (110 K), the cell parameters, volume, and calculated density of single-crystal experiment have slight differences with powder diffraction results.
Emerging trends: APIs for speech and machine translation and more
Authors: CHURCH KENNETH WARD
Published: October 2018

Lots of companies are offering lots of APIs. Reviews are not always as constructive as they could be. Some reviews encourage unproductive work on checkbox features that no one wants. It makes no sense to do the wrong thing badly. Constructive reviews should help focus priorities on what matters. Users care more about a great box opening experience than small improvements in word error rate and BLEU, popular metrics for speech and translation. In 15 minutes or less, can we teach potential users something new (and fun) that does something useful, such as how to translate PowerPoint between English and Chinese, preserving many of the features that are important to PowerPoint such as graphics and animations? See Appendix for the solution.
MUSED: A multimedia multi-document dataset for topic segmentation
Authors: MOTA PEDRO , ESKENAZI MAXINE , COHEUR LUÍSA
Published: October 2018

Research on topic segmentation has recently focused on segmenting documents by taking advantage of documents covering the same topics. In order to properly evaluate such approaches, a dataset of related documents is needed. However, existing datasets are limited in the number of related documents per domain. In addition, most of the available datasets do not consider documents from different media sources (PowerPoints, videos, etc.), which pose specific challenges to segmentation. We fill this gap with the MUltimedia SEgmentation Dataset (MUSED), a collection of documents manually segmented, from different media sources, in seven different domains, with an average of twenty related documents per domain. In this paper, we describe the process of building MUSED. A multi-annotator study is carried out to determine if it is possible to observe agreement among human judges and characterize their disagreement patterns. In addition, we use MUSED to compare the state-of-the-art topic segmentation techniques, including the ones that take advantage of related documents. Moreover, we study the impact of having documents from different media sources in the dataset. To the best of our knowledge, MUSED is the first dataset that allows a straightforward evaluation of both single- and multiple-documents topic segmentation techniques, as well as to study how these behave in the presence of documents from different media sources. Results show that some techniques are, indeed, sensitive to different media sources, and also that current multi-document segmentation models do not outperform previous models, pointing to a research line that needs to be boosted.
The Ratification of CEDAW and the Liberalization of Abortion Laws
Authors: Hunt Kate , Gruszczynski Mike
Published: October 2018

Do international treaties lead to cross-national increases in women's rights? In contrast to Asal, Brown, and Figueroa's (2008) suggestion that the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is not an important factor in explaining the liberalization of abortion rights polices, this article argues that the treaty contributes to increases in abortion rights when the terms of ratification are disaggregated. Previous excursions into this question have only considered whether a state has ratified the treaty, which is problematic from both a methodological and theoretical standpoint given that many states ratified with conditions, while only six states did not ratify at all. Additionally, some states ratified the Optional Protocol and some have not. We demonstrate that the disaggregation of levels of treaty ratification is associated with increases in women's rights in a model replicating that of Asal, Brown, and Figueroa. Further, we extend our knowledge of the dynamics of treaty ratification through the use of structural equations to more fully model how political, cultural, and economic factors, as well as exogenous international pressures, interact to produce changes in women's rights around the world.
Viewing Agricultural Water Management Through a Systems Analysis Lens
Authors: Zhu Tingju , Ringler Claudia , Rosegrant Mark W.
Published: October 2018

Appropriate agricultural water management (AWM) is crucial not only for alleviating water scarcity but also for food and nutrition security and healthy ecosystems. The multidimensional nature of AWM and inherently complex feedbacks between its components necessitate a systems approach. This paper proposes six dimensions of AWM and illustrates the importance of a systems approach using six separate, but linked, classical AWM topics. By emphasizing the whole picture of AWM and interactions among its subsystems at multiple levels, a systems approach offers the opportunity to holistically scrutinize the pros and cons of proposed AWM interventions beyond their direct effects at the locus that a single‐dimensional approach foretells.
Capturing 50 Years of Postseismic Mantle Flow at Nankai Subduction Zone
Authors: Johnson Kaj M. , Tebo Douglas
Published: October 2018

We combine Global Positioning System, leveling, and tide gauge records of vertical motion in southwest Japan spanning postseismic deformation following the 1944 M8.1 Tonankai and 1946 M8.4 Nankai earthquakes. Continuous tide gauge records from 1950 to 2015 are combined with leveling data recorded from 1947 to 1980 and Global Positioning System data beginning in 2003 to estimate the spatiotemporal evolution of the vertical velocity field. The combined field shows postseismic subsidence centered approximately 250 km inland from the trench that steadily decreases in rate from 1947 until about 1995. Postseismic uplift is observed in a 50‐km‐wide belt along the southeast coastline that rapidly decays and reverses to subsidence by the mid‐1960s. Both afterslip and viscoelastic mantle flow mechanisms are required to explain the 50‐year postseismic deformation transient. We develop a 2‐D postseismic deformation model consisting of a linear Maxwell viscoelastic mantle and an elastic subducting slab and overriding plate. Rate‐strengthening afterslip on the subduction interface between 20‐ and 45‐km depth and viscoelastic mantle flow relax imposed coseismic stress. Mantle flow with material relaxation time of 8–15 years (viscosity of order 1019 Pa s) is required to fit the data. The inland postseismic subsidence signal is diagnostic of postseismic flow in the mantle wedge. Models with rate‐strengthening afterslip in an elastic half‐space without mantle flow do not produce inland subsidence. The coastal postseismic uplift is largely driven by afterslip. We conclude that vertical deformation data in southwest Japan unambiguously capture 50 years of postseismic mantle flow.
How Do Weak Tropical Cyclones Produce Heavy Rainfall When Making Landfall Over China
Authors: Feng Xibin , Shu Shoujuan
Published: October 2018

In this study, we investigate rainfall characteristics, such as rainfall intensity, rainfall coverage, and the location of heavy rain, associated with tropical cyclones (TCs) that made landfall over China during 2005–2014, using the observations of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and environmental fields. Results show that before landfall, the stronger the TC itself is, the stronger the TC rainfall intensity is in both eyewall and inner rainband regions. However, there is no obvious difference in rainfall intensity in the outer core region for the TCs with different intensity. The coverage of heavy rainfall is also found to be correlated with increasing TC intensity before landfall. It is found that the weak TC with heavy rainfall is usually under strong westward vertical wind shear (VWS), resulting from the impact of enhanced upper‐level easterlies associated with a significant northward‐shifted South Asia high. In particular, when the TC is located under the right‐hand side of the entrance of the upper‐level easterly jet, the updraft over the downshear side of the TC circulation is further enhanced under the combined influence of VWS and anomalous upper‐tropospheric divergence caused by the jet. The precipitation thus manifests a clear asymmetric feature with severe rainfall over the downshear sector of the weak TC. Our results suggest that the interaction between a weak TC and synoptic systems deserves as much attention as that between a strong TC and surrounding systems in landfalling TC forecasting and research.
Application of the Beer–Lambert Model to Attenuation of Photosynthetically Active Radiation in a Shallow, Eutrophic Lake
Authors: Weiskerger Chelsea J. , Rowe Mark D. , Stow Craig A. , Stuart Dack , Johengen Tom
Published: October 2018

Models of primary production in aquatic systems must include a means to estimate subsurface light. Such models often use the Beer–Lambert law, assuming exponential attenuation of light with depth. It is further assumed that the diffuse attenuation coefficient may be estimated as a summation of scattering/absorbing constituent concentrations multiplied by their respective specific attenuation coefficients. While theoretical deviations from these assumptions have been documented, it is useful to consider the empirical performance of this common approach. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) levels and water quality conditions were recorded weekly from six to eight monitoring stations in western Lake Erie between 2012 and 2016. Exponential PAR extinction models yielded a mean attenuation coefficient of 1.55 m (interquartile range = 0.74–1.90 m). While more complex light attenuation models are available, analysis of residuals indicated that the simple Beer–Lambert model is adequate for shallow, eutrophic waters similar to western Lake Erie (R2 > 0.9 for 96% of samples). Three groups of water quality variables were predictive of PAR attenuation: total and nonvolatile suspended particles, dissolved organic substances (dissolved organic carbon and chromophoric dissolved organic matter), and organic solids (volatile suspended solids and chlorophyll). Multiple regression models using these variables predicted 3–90% of the variability in PAR attenuation, with a median adjusted R2 = 0.86. Explanatory variables within these groups may substitute for each other while maintaining similar model performance, indicating that various combinations of water quality variables may be useful to predict PAR attenuation, depending on availability within a model framework or monitoring program.
Altered hippocampal gene expression and structure in transgenic mice overexpressing neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) type I
Authors: Deakin Inga H. , Godlewska Beata R. , Walker Mary A. , Huang Guo-Jen , Schwab Markus H. , Nave Klaus-Armin , Law Amanda J. , Harrison Paul J.
Published: October 2018

Transgenic mice overexpressing the type I isoform of neuregulin 1 (Nrg1; NRG1) have alterations in hippocampal gamma oscillations and an age-emergent deficit in hippocampus-dependent spatial working memory. Here, we examined the molecular and morphological correlates of these findings. Microarrays showed over 100 hippocampal transcripts differentially expressed inNrg1tg-type Imice, with enrichment of genes related to neuromodulation and, in older mice, of genes involved in inflammation and immunity.Nrg1tg-type Imice had an enlarged hippocampus with a widened dentate gyrus. The results show thatNrg1type I impacts on hippocampal gene expression and structure in a multifaceted and partly age-related way, complementing the evidence implicatingNrg1signaling in aspects of hippocampal function. The findings are also relevant to the possible role ofNRG1signaling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia or other disorders affecting this brain region.
Soluble TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) enhances poly(I:C)-induced RIPK1-mediated necroptosis
Authors: Anany Mohamed A. , Kreckel Jennifer , Füllsack Simone , Rosenthal Alevtina , Otto Christoph , Siegmund Daniela , Wajant Harald
Published: October 2018

TNF-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide (CHX) sensitize for poly(I:C)-induced cell death. Notably, although CHX preferentially enhanced poly(I:C)-induced apoptosis, TWEAK enhanced primarily poly(I:C)-induced necroptosis. Both sensitizers of poly(I:C)-induced cell death, however, showed no major effect on proinflammatory poly(I:C) signaling. Analysis of a panel of HeLa-RIPK3 variants lacking TRADD, RIPK1, FADD, or caspase-8 expression revealed furthermore similarities and differences in the way how poly(I:C)/TWEAK, TNF, and TRAIL utilize these molecules for signaling. RIPK1 turned out to be essential for poly(I:C)/TWEAK-induced caspase-8-mediated apoptosis but was dispensable for this response in TNF and TRAIL signaling. TRADD-RIPK1-double deficiency differentially affected poly(I:C)-triggered gene induction but abrogated gene induction by TNF completely. FADD deficiency abrogated TRAIL- but not TNF- and poly(I:C)-induced necroptosis, whereas TRADD elicited protective activity against all three death inducers. A general protective activity against poly(I:C)-, TRAIL-, and TNF-induced cell death was also observed in FLIPL and FLIPS transfectrants.
Depletion of MOB1A/B causes intestinal epithelial degeneration by suppressing Wnt activity and activating BMP/TGF-β signaling
Authors: Bae June Sung , Jeon Yoon , Kim Sun Mi , Jang Ji Yun , Park Mi Kyung , Kim In-Hoo , Hwang Deog Su , Lim Dae-Sik , Lee Ho
Published: October 2018

The Hippo pathway is involved in intestinal epithelial homeostasis with Wnt, BMP, Notch, and EGF signaling. We investigated the relationship between Hippo and other signaling pathways and the role of MOB kinase activator 1A/1B (MOB1A/B) in intestinal homeostasis. Mice with intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific depletion of MOB1A/B showed hyperproliferation in IECs, defects in secretory lineage differentiation and loss of intestinal stem cells and eventually died at 10–12 days after tamoxifen treatment. In MOB1A/B-depleted IECs, expression of Wnt target genes were downregulated but Bmp2 and Tgfbr2 were transcriptionally activated with enhanced YAP activity. In in vivo and in vitro experiments with several signaling inhibitors, it has been shown that the BMP inhibitor LDN193189 or TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 had effects on partial restoration of the intestinal degenerative phenotype. Treatment with these inhibitors restored differentiation of secretory lineage cells in MOB1A/B-deficient mice, but not ISC pools in the crypt region. These studies reveal that IEC-specific depletion of MOB1A/B induced overexpression of Bmp2 and Tgfbr2 and inhibited Wnt activity, finally leading to loss of ISCs and functional epithelia in the mouse intestine. These results suggest that MOB1A/B has an essential function for intestinal epithelial homeostasis by regulating YAP, Wnt activity, and BMP/TGF-β signaling.
eLD: entropy-based linkage disequilibrium index between multiallelic sites
Authors: Okada Yukinori
Published: October 2018

Quantification of linkage disequilibrium (LD) is a critical step in studies investigating human genome variations. Commonly used LD indices such as r2 handle LD of biallelic variants for two sites. As shown in a previously introduced LD index of ε, normalized entropy difference of the haplotype frequency between LD and linkage equilibrium (LE) could be utilized to estimate LD of biallelic variants for multiple sites. Here, we developed eLD (entropy-based Linkage Disequilibrium index between multiallelic sites) as publicly available software to calculate ε of multiallelic variants for two sites. Application of eLD could dissect complex LD structures among multiple HLA genes (e.g., strong LD among HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1 in East Asians). Use of eLD is not restricted to haplotype-based LD; it is also applicable to genotype-based LD. Therefore, eLD enables estimation of trans-regional LD of SNP genotypes at two unlinked loci, such as the nonlinear LD between functional missense variants of ADH1B (rs1229984 [Arg47His]) and ALDH2 (rs671 [Glu504Lys]).
Multifunctional molecular modulators for perovskite solar cells with over 20% efficiency and high operational stability
Authors: Bi Dongqin , Li Xiong , Milić Jovana V. , Kubicki Dominik J. , Pellet Norman , Luo Jingshan , LaGrange Thomas , Mettraux Pierre , Emsley Lyndon , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Grätzel Michael
Published: October 2018

Perovskite solar cells present one of the most prominent photovoltaic technologies, yet their stability, scalability, and engineering at the molecular level remain challenging. We demonstrate a concept of multifunctional molecular modulation of scalable and operationally stable perovskite solar cells that exhibit exceptional solar-to-electric power conversion efficiencies. The judiciously designed bifunctional molecular modulator SN links the mercapto-tetrazolium (S) and phenylammonium (N) moieties, which passivate the surface defects, while displaying a structure-directing function through interaction with the perovskite that induces the formation of large grain crystals of high electronic quality of the most thermally stable formamidinium cesium mixed lead iodide perovskite formulation. As a result, we achieve greatly enhanced solar cell performance with efficiencies exceeding 20% for active device areas above 1 cm2 without the use of antisolvents, accompanied by outstanding operational stability under ambient conditions.
Structural delineation of potent transmission-blocking epitope I on malaria antigen Pfs48/45
Authors: Kundu Prasun , Semesi Anthony , Jore Matthijs M. , Morin Merribeth J. , Price Virginia L. , Liang Alice , Li Jingxing , Miura Kazutoyo , Sauerwein Robert W. , King C. Richter , Julien Jean-Philippe
Published: October 2018

Interventions that can block the transmission of malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) between the human host and Anopheles vector have the potential to reduce the incidence of malaria. Pfs48/45 is a gametocyte surface protein critical for parasite development and transmission, and its targeting by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 85RF45.1 leads to the potent reduction of parasite transmission. Here, we reveal how the Pfs48/45 6C domain adopts a (SAG1)-related-sequence (SRS) fold. We structurally delineate potent epitope I and show how mAb 85RF45.1 recognizes an electronegative surface with nanomolar affinity. Analysis of Pfs48/45 sequences reveals that polymorphisms are rare for residues involved at the binding interface. Humanization of rat-derived mAb 85RF45.1 conserved the mode of recognition and activity of the parental antibody, while also improving its thermostability. Our work has implications for the development of transmission-blocking interventions, both through improving vaccine designs and the testing of passive delivery of mAbs in humans.
IL-7 receptor blockade blunts antigen-specific memory T cell responses and chronic inflammation in primates
Authors: Belarif Lyssia , Mary Caroline , Jacquemont Lola , Mai Hoa Le , Danger Richard , Hervouet Jeremy , Minault David , Thepenier Virginie , Nerrière-Daguin Veronique , Nguyen Elisabeth , Pengam Sabrina , Largy Eric , Delobel Arnaud , Martinet Bernard , Le Bas-Bernardet Stéphanie , Brouard Sophie , Soulillou Jean-Paul , Degauque Nicolas , Blancho Gilles , Vanhove Bernard , Poirier Nicolas
Published: October 2018

Targeting the expansion of pathogenic memory immune cells is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent chronic autoimmune attacks. Here we investigate the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of new anti-human IL-7Rα monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in non-human primates and show that, depending on the target epitope, a single injection of antagonistic anti-IL-7Rα mAbs induces a long-term control of skin inflammation despite repeated antigen challenges in presensitized monkeys. No modification in T cell numbers, phenotype, function or metabolism is observed in the peripheral blood or in response to polyclonal stimulation ex vivo. However, long-term in vivo hyporesponsiveness is associated with a significant decrease in the frequency of antigen-specific T cells producing IFN-γ upon antigen restimulation ex vivo. These findings indicate that chronic antigen-specific memory T cell responses can be controlled by anti-IL-7Rα mAbs, promoting and maintaining remission in T-cell mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.
Engineering bacterial vortex lattice via direct laser lithography
Authors: Nishiguchi Daiki , Aranson Igor S , Snezhko Alexey , Sokolov Andrey
Published: October 2018

A suspension of swimming bacteria is possibly the simplest realization of active matter, i.e. a class of systems transducing stored energy into mechanical motion. Collective swimming of hydrodynamically interacting bacteria resembles turbulent flow. This seemingly chaotic motion can be rectified by a geometrical confinement. Here we report on self-organization of a concentrated suspension of motile bacteria Bacillus subtilis constrained by two-dimensional (2D) periodic arrays of microscopic vertical pillars. We show that bacteria self-organize into a lattice of hydrodynamically bound vortices with a long-range antiferromagnetic order controlled by the pillars’ spacing. The patterns attain their highest stability and nearly perfect order for the pillar spacing comparable with an intrinsic vortex size of an unconstrained bacterial turbulence. We demonstrate that the emergent antiferromagnetic order can be further manipulated and turned into a ferromagnetic state by introducing chiral pillars. This strategy can be used to control a wide class of active 2D systems.
A peptide encoded by circular form of LINC-PINT suppresses oncogenic transcriptional elongation in glioblastoma
Authors: Zhang Maolei , Zhao Kun , Xu Xiaoping , Yang Yibing , Yan Sheng , Wei Ping , Liu Hui , Xu Jianbo , Xiao Feizhe , Zhou Huangkai , Yang Xuesong , Huang Nunu , Liu Jinglei , He Kejun , Xie Keping , Zhang Gong , Huang Suyun , Zhang Nu
Published: October 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of transcripts in the mammalian genome. Although the translation of circRNAs was reported, additional coding circRNAs and the functions of their translated products remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that an endogenous circRNA generated from a long noncoding RNA encodes regulatory peptides. Through ribosome nascent-chain complex-bound RNA sequencing (RNC-seq), we discover several peptides potentially encoded by circRNAs. We identify an 87-amino-acid peptide encoded by the circular form of the long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA p53-induced transcript (LINC-PINT) that suppresses glioblastoma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. This peptide directly interacts with polymerase associated factor complex (PAF1c) and inhibits the transcriptional elongation of multiple oncogenes. The expression of this peptide and its corresponding circRNA are decreased in glioblastoma compared with the levels in normal tissues. Our results establish the existence of peptides encoded by circRNAs and demonstrate their potential functions in glioblastoma tumorigenesis.
Flexible and stable high-energy lithium-sulfur full batteries with only 100% oversized lithium
Authors: Chang Jian , Shang Jian , Sun Yongming , Ono Luis K. , Wang Dongrui , Ma Zhijun , Huang Qiyao , Chen Dongdong , Liu Guoqiang , Cui Yi , Qi Yabing , Zheng Zijian
Published: October 2018

Lightweight and flexible energy storage devices are urgently needed to persistently power wearable devices, and lithium-sulfur batteries are promising technologies due to their low mass densities and high theoretical capacities. Here we report a flexible and high-energy lithium-sulfur full battery device with only 100% oversized lithium, enabled by rationally designed copper-coated and nickel-coated carbon fabrics as excellent hosts for lithium and sulfur, respectively. These metallic carbon fabrics endow mechanical flexibility, reduce local current density of the electrodes, and, more importantly, significantly stabilize the electrode materials to reach remarkable Coulombic efficiency of >99.89% for a lithium anode and >99.82% for a sulfur cathode over 400 half-cell charge-discharge cycles. Consequently, the assembled lithium-sulfur full battery provides high areal capacity (3 mA h cm−2), high cell energy density (288 W h kg−1 and 360 W h L−1), excellent cycling stability (260 cycles), and remarkable bending stability at a small radius of curvature (<1 mm).
Activity enhancement of cobalt catalysts by tuning metal-support interactions
Authors: Hernández Mejía Carlos , van Deelen Tom W. , de Jong Krijn P.
Published: October 2018

Interactions between metal nanoparticles and support materials can strongly influence the performance of catalysts. In particular, reducible oxidic supports can form suboxides that can decorate metal nanoparticles and enhance catalytic performance or block active sites. Therefore, tuning this metal-support interaction is essential for catalyst design. Here, we investigate reduction-oxidation-reduction (ROR) treatments as a method to affect metal-support interactions and related catalytic performance. Controlled oxidation of pre-reduced cobalt on reducible (TiO2 and Nb2O5) and irreducible (α-Al2O3) supports leads to the formation of hollow cobalt oxide particles. The second reduction results in a twofold increase in cobalt surface area only on reducible oxides and proportionally enhances the cobalt-based catalytic activity during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at industrially relevant conditions. Such activities are usually only obtained by noble metal promotion of cobalt catalysts. ROR proves an effective approach to tune the interaction between metallic nanoparticles and reducible oxidic supports, leading to improved catalytic performance.
Dietary cholesterol promotes steatohepatitis related hepatocellular carcinoma through dysregulated metabolism and calcium signaling
Authors: Liang Jessie Qiaoyi , Teoh Narcissus , Xu Lixia , Pok Sharon , Li Xiangchun , Chu Eagle S. H. , Chiu Jonathan , Dong Ling , Arfianti Evi , Haigh W. Geoffrey , Yeh Matthew M. , Ioannou George N. , Sung Joseph J. Y. , Farrell Geoffrey , Yu Jun
Published: October 2018

The underlining mechanisms of dietary cholesterol and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in contributing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain undefined. Here we demonstrated that high-fat-non-cholesterol-fed mice developed simple steatosis, whilst high-fat-high-cholesterol-fed mice developed NASH. Moreover, dietary cholesterol induced larger and more numerous NASH-HCCs than non-cholesterol-induced steatosis-HCCs in diethylnitrosamine-treated mice. NASH-HCCs displayed significantly more aberrant gene expression-enriched signaling pathways and more non-synonymous somatic mutations than steatosis-HCCs (335 ± 84/sample vs 43 ± 13/sample). Integrated genetic and expressional alterations in NASH-HCCs affected distinct genes pertinent to five pathways: calcium, insulin, cell adhesion, axon guidance and metabolism. Some of the novel aberrant gene expression, mutations and core oncogenic pathways identified in cholesterol-associated NASH-HCCs in mice were confirmed in human NASH-HCCs, which included metabolism-related genes (ALDH18A1, CAD, CHKA, POLD4, PSPH and SQLE) and recurrently mutated genes (RYR1, MTOR, SDK1, CACNA1H and RYR2). These findings add insights into the link of cholesterol to NASH and NASH-HCC and provide potential therapeutic targets.
A FRET biosensor for necroptosis uncovers two different modes of the release of DAMPs
Authors: Murai Shin , Yamaguchi Yoshifumi , Shirasaki Yoshitaka , Yamagishi Mai , Shindo Ryodai , Hildebrand Joanne M. , Miura Ryosuke , Nakabayashi Osamu , Totsuka Mamoru , Tomida Taichiro , Adachi-Akahane Satomi , Uemura Sotaro , Silke John , Yagita Hideo , Miura Masayuki , Nakano Hiroyasu
Published: October 2018

Necroptosis is a regulated form of necrosis that depends on receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK)3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL). While danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP)s are involved in various pathological conditions and released from dead cells, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we develop a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensor, termed SMART (a sensor for MLKL activation by RIPK3 based on FRET). SMART is composed of a fragment of MLKL and monitors necroptosis, but not apoptosis or necrosis. Mechanistically, SMART monitors plasma membrane translocation of oligomerized MLKL, which is induced by RIPK3 or mutational activation. SMART in combination with imaging of the release of nuclear DAMPs and Live-Cell Imaging for Secretion activity (LCI-S) reveals two different modes of the release of High Mobility Group Box 1 from necroptotic cells. Thus, SMART and LCI-S uncover novel regulation of the release of DAMPs during necroptosis.
Optimization of carbon and energy utilization through differential translational efficiency
Authors: Al-Bassam Mahmoud M. , Kim Ji-Nu , Zaramela Livia S. , Kellman Benjamin P. , Zuniga Cristal , Wozniak Jacob M. , Gonzalez David J. , Zengler Karsten
Published: October 2018

Control of translation is vital to all species. Here we employ a multi-omics approach to decipher condition-dependent translational regulation in the model acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii. Integration of data from cells grown autotrophically or heterotrophically revealed that pathways critical to carbon and energy metabolism are under strong translational regulation. Major pathways involved in carbon and energy metabolism are not only differentially transcribed and translated, but their translational efficiencies are differentially elevated in response to resource availability under different growth conditions. We show that translational efficiency is not static and that it changes dynamically in response to mRNA expression levels. mRNAs harboring optimized 5′-untranslated region and coding region features, have higher translational efficiencies and are significantly enriched in genes encoding carbon and energy metabolism. In contrast, mRNAs enriched in housekeeping functions harbor sub-optimal features and have lower translational efficiencies. We propose that regulation of translational efficiency is crucial for effectively controlling resource allocation in energy-deprived microorganisms.
Sexual rejection via a vomeronasal receptor-triggered limbic circuit
Authors: Osakada Takuya , Ishii Kentaro K. , Mori Hiromi , Eguchi Ryo , Ferrero David M. , Yoshihara Yoshihiro , Liberles Stephen D. , Miyamichi Kazunari , Touhara Kazushige
Published: October 2018

Mating drive is balanced by a need to safeguard resources for offspring, yet the neural basis for negative regulation of mating remains poorly understood. In rodents, pheromones critically regulate sexual behavior. Here, we observe suppression of adult female sexual behavior in mice by exocrine gland-secreting peptide 22 (ESP22), a lacrimal protein from juvenile mice. ESP22 activates a dedicated vomeronasal receptor, V2Rp4, and V2Rp4 knockout eliminates ESP22 effects on sexual behavior. Genetic tracing of ESP22-responsive neural circuits reveals a critical limbic system connection that inhibits reproductive behavior. Furthermore, V2Rp4 counteracts a highly related vomeronasal receptor, V2Rp5, that detects the male sex pheromone ESP1. Interestingly, V2Rp4 and V2Rp5 are encoded by adjacent genes, yet couple to distinct circuits and mediate opposing effects on female sexual behavior. Collectively, our study reveals molecular and neural mechanisms underlying pheromone-mediated sexual rejection, and more generally, how inputs are routed through olfactory circuits to evoke specific behaviors.
Author Correction: Physico-chemical properties based differential toxicity of graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide in human lung cells mediated through oxidative stress
Authors: Mittal Sandeep , Kumar Veeresh , Dhiman Nitesh , Chauhan Lalit Kumar Singh , Pasricha Renu , Pandey Alok Kumar
Published: October 2018

A correction has been published and is appended to both the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Behavioral evidence for the use of functional categories during group reversal task performance in monkeys
Authors: Hosokawa Takayuki , Honda Yasutaka , Yamada Munekazu , Romero Maria del Carmen , Iijima Toshio , Tsutsui Ken-Ichiro
Published: October 2018

A functional category is a set of stimuli that are regarded as equivalent independently of their physical properties and elicit the same behavioral responses. Major psychological theories suggest the ability to form and utilize functional categories as a basis of higher cognition that markedly increases behavioral flexibility. Vaughan claimed the category use in pigeons on the basis of partition, a mathematical criterion for equivalence, however, there have been some criticisms that the evidence he showed was insufficient. In this study, by using a group reversal task, a procedure originally used by Vaughan, we aimed to gather further evidence to prove the category use in animals. Macaque monkeys, which served as subjects in our study, could efficiently perform the task not only with familiar stimulus sets as Vaughan demonstrated but also with novel sets, and furthermore the task performance was stable even when the number of stimuli in a set was increased, which we consider as further evidence for the category use in animals. In addition, by varying the timing of the reversal, we found that a category formation takes place soon after encountering new stimuli, i.e. in a few blocks of trial after a novel stimulus set was introduced.
Temperature - dependent polymer absorber as a switchable state NIR reactor
Authors: Alston Mark E. , Barber Robert
Published: October 2018

This research studies a lower down transition temperature composite polymer, modulated by multi microchannel fluidic flows to advance a thermally controllable material. Through modulating volumetric flow rates to manipulate fluid-material interface for heat transport within a microfluidic platform. Determining this optimization at any given flow rate will advance fluidics acting as a filter for invisible irradiation, near IR (NIR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. In principle, filtering out this part of the solar irradiation spectrum can be achieved by selective fluidic absorption. By switchable control of conductance states to make the material switch on for high conductance or switch off for low conductance as a heat seeking targeting material. The challenges in material science is our ability to evaluate heat flow and monitor temperature with time. This research will determine the use of microfluidics based flows to direct the structural assembly of a polymer into a thermal switch. The research is inspired by nature’s vasculature leaf formations to modulate irradiance absorption by laminar fluidic flow. This bio-inspired engineering approach advances the structural assembly of polymers. By finely tuning flows to manipulate thermal gains in microchannel network architecture through flow rate switching to define composite function in differing conductance states. The research determines control of the thermodynamic state of a composite is directed by planar extensional flow in a microfluidic platform for high cooling surfaces.
Author Correction: Task-evoked pupil responses reflect internal belief states
Authors: Colizoli Olympia , de Gee Jan Willem , Urai Anne E. , Donner Tobias H.
Published: October 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations promote leukaemogenesis by repressing TGFβ pathway genes through histone deacetylation
Authors: Saika Makoto , Inoue Daichi , Nagase Reina , Sato Naru , Tsuchiya Akiho , Yabushita Tomohiro , Kitamura Toshio , Goyama Susumu
Published: October 2018

Mutations in ASXL1 and SETBP1 genes have been frequently detected and often coexist in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We previously showed that coexpression of mutant ASXL1 and SETBP1 in hematopoietic progenitor cells induced downregulation of TGFβ pathway genes and promoted the development of MDS/AML in a mouse model of bone marrow transplantation. However, whether the repression of TGFβ pathway in fact contributes to leukaemogenesis remains unclear. Moreover, mechanisms for the repression of TGFβ pathway genes in ASXL1/SETBP1-mutated MDS/AML cells have not been fully understood. In this study, we showed that expression of a constitutively active TGFβ type I receptor (ALK5-TD) inhibited leukaemic proliferation of MDS/AML cells expressing mutant ASXL1/SETBP1. We also found aberrantly reduced acetylation of several lysine residues on histone H3 and H4 around the promoter regions of multiple TGFβ pathway genes. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat reversed histone acetylation at these promoter regions, and induced transcriptional derepression of the TGFβ pathway genes. Furthermore, vorinostat showed robust growth-inhibitory effect in cells expressing mutant ASXL1, whereas it showed only a marginal effect in normal bone marrow cells. These data indicate that HDAC inhibitors will be promising therapeutic drugs for MDS and AML with ASXL1 and SETBP1 mutations.
Comparison of efficacy and toxicity of bevacizumab, endostar and apatinib in transgenic and human lung cancer xenograftzebrafish model
Authors: Jin Yinghua , Wei Lingxiao , Jiang Qiuying , Song Xiaowei , Teng Chong , Fan Chengjuan , Lv Yanju , Liu Ying , Shen Weixi , Li Li , Huang Dayong , Xin Tao
Published: October 2018

The poor prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer has driven the development of novel targeted therapies. Vascular endothelial growth factor is the most potent force in mediating tumor angiogenesis, and many angiogenesis inhibitors have been developed for oncology treatment. We performed a study to characterize the efficacy, safety and tumor suppression of three lung cancer related anti-angiogenic drugs (bevacizumab, endostar and apatinib) using transgenic zebrafish embryo and human lung cancer xenotransplantation model. All three drugs demonstrated remarkable angiogenesis and tumor inhibition effect in the zebrafish model, within the nonlethal dose range. Endostar and bevacizumab showed competitive anti-tumor efficacy. The anti-tumor performance of apatinib was hamstrung by its elevated toxicity at 35 °C. The addition of pemetrexed to anti-angiogenesis therapy had no obvious additional benefit in tumors.
Investigation on nitridation processes of Sr2Nb2O7 and SrNbO3 to SrNbO2N for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Kodera Masanori , Moriya Yosuke , Katayama Masao , Hisatomi Takashi , Minegishi Tsutomu , Domen Kazunari
Published: October 2018

The processes involved in the nitridation of Sr2Nb2O7 and SrNbO3 to SrNbO2N were assessed by varying the nitridation time, and the related effects on the physical and photoelectrochemical properties of the nitrided products were investigated. In the case of the layered perovskite-type oxide Sr2Nb2O7, the introduction of nitrogen and the extraction of oxygen took place concurrently, leading to lattice shrinkage and a porous structure. In contrast, during nitridation of the perovskite-type oxide SrNbO3, nitrogen was initially introduced without any loss of oxygen, which caused phase separation as a result of a lattice expansion and a charge compensation. The photoelectrochemical properties of obtained SrNbO2N under simulated sunlight were found to vary with the oxide precursor used and with the nitridation process.