bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of TFPIα expression by miR-27a/b-3p in human endothelial cells under normal conditions and in response to androgens
Authors: B. Arroyo Ana , Salloum-Asfar Salam , Pérez-Sánchez Carlos , Teruel-Montoya Raúl , Navarro Silvia , García-Barberá Nuria , Luengo-Gil Ginés , Roldán Vanessa , Hansen John-Bjarne , López-Pedrera Chary , Vicente Vicente , González-Conejero Rocío , Martínez Constantino
Published: February 2017

The increased risk of cardiovascular events in older men is multifactorial, but the significant reduction of testosterone levels has been involved. As this hormone regulates the expression of TFPI by unknown mechanisms, we aimed to evaluate the role of miRNAs in the regulation of TFPIα expression under normal conditions and in response to androgens. In silico studies allowed the selection of 4 miRNAs as potential TFPIα regulators. Only miR-27a/b-3p significantly reduced TFPIα expression in two endothelial cell lines. Luciferase assays demonstrated a direct interaction between miR-27a/b-3p and TFPI 3′UTR. Ex vivo analysis of TFPI and miRNA levels in 74 HUVEC samples from healthy subjects, showed a significant and inverse correlation between TFPI and miR-27a-3p. Moreover, anticoagulant activity of TFPIα from cells supernatants decreased ~30% with miR-27a/b-3p and increased ~50% with anti-miR-27a/b-3p. Interestingly, treatment of EA.hy926 with a physiological dose of dihydrotestosterone (30 nM) significantly increased (~40%) TFPIα expression with a parallel decreased (~50%) of miR-27a/b-3p expression. In concordance, increased levels of miR-27a/b-3p normalized the up-regulation induced by testosterone. Our results suggest that testosterone is a hinge in miR-27/TFPIα regulation axis. Future studies are needed to investigate whether testosterone variations are involved in a miR-27/TFPIα dysregulation that could increase the cardiovascular risk.
Continuous Purification of Colloidal Quantum Dots in Large-Scale Using Porous Electrodes in Flow Channel
Authors: Lim Hosub , Woo Ju Young , Lee Doh C. , Lee Jinkee , Jeong Sohee , Kim Duckjong
Published: February 2017

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) afford huge potential in numerous applications owing to their excellent optical and electronic properties. After the synthesis of QDs, separating QDs from unreacted impurities in large scale is one of the biggest issues to achieve scalable and high performance optoelectronic applications. Thus far, however, continuous purification method, which is essential for mass production, has rarely been reported. In this study, we developed a new continuous purification process that is suitable to the mass production of high-quality QDs. As-synthesized QDs are driven by electrophoresis in a flow channel and captured by porous electrodes and finally separated from the unreacted impurities. Nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared absorption spectroscopic data clearly showed that the impurities were efficiently removed from QDs with the purification yield, defined as the ratio of the mass of purified QDs to that of QDs in the crude solution, up to 87%. Also, we could successfully predict the purification yield depending on purification conditions with a simple theoretical model. The proposed large-scale purification process could be an important cornerstone for the mass production and industrial use of high-quality QDs.
Pneumococcal galactose catabolism is controlled by multiple regulators acting on pyruvate formate lyase
Authors: Al-Bayati Firas A. Y. , Kahya Hasan F. H. , Damianou Andreas , Shafeeq Sulman , Kuipers Oscar P. , Andrew Peter W. , Yesilkaya Hasan
Published: February 2017

Catabolism of galactose by Streptococcus pneumoniae alters the microbe’s metabolism from homolactic to mixed acid fermentation, and this shift is linked to the microbe’s virulence. However, the genetic basis of this switch is unknown. Pyruvate formate lyase (PFL) is a crucial enzyme for mixed acid fermentation. Functional PFL requires the activities of two enzymes: pyruvate formate lyase activating enzyme (coded by pflA) and pyruvate formate lyase (coded by pflB). To understand the genetic basis of mixed acid fermentation, transcriptional regulation of pflA and pflB was studied. By microarray analysis of ΔpflB, differential regulation of several transcriptional regulators were identified, and CcpA, and GlnR’s role in active PFL synthesis was studied in detail as these regulators directly interact with the putative promoters of both pflA and pflB, their mutation attenuated pneumococcal growth, and their expression was induced on host-derived sugars, indicating that these regulators have a role in sugar metabolism, and multiple regulators are involved in active PFL synthesis. We also found that the influence of each regulator on pflA and pflB expression was distinct in terms of activation and repression, and environmental condition. These results show that active PFL synthesis is finely tuned, and feed-back inhibition and activation are involved.
Selection for Oil Content During Soybean Domestication Revealed by X-Ray Tomography of Ancient Beans
Authors: Zong Yunbing , Yao Shengkun , Crawford Gary W. , Fang Hui , Lang Jianfeng , Fan Jiadong , Sun Zhibin , Liu Yang , Zhang Jianhua , Duan Xiulan , Zhou Guangzhao , Xiao Tiqiao , Luan Fengshi , Wang Qing , Chen Xuexiang , Jiang Huaidong
Published: February 2017

When and under what circumstances domestication related traits evolved in soybean (Glycine max) is not well understood. Seed size has been a focus of archaeological attention because increased soybean seed weight/size is a trait that distinguishes most modern soybeans from their ancestors; however, archaeological seed size analysis has had limited success. Modern domesticated soybean has a significantly higher oil content than its wild counterpart so oil content is potentially a source of new insight into soybean domestication. We investigated soybean oil content using X-ray computed tomography (CT; specifically, synchrotron radiation X-ray CT or SRX-CT) of charred, archaeological soybean seeds. CT identified holes in the specimens that are associated with oil content. A high oil content facilitates the development of small holes, whereas a high protein content results in larger holes. The volume of small holes increased slowly from 7,500 to 4,000 cal B.P. We infer that human selection for higher oil content began as early as 7,500 cal B.P. and that high oil content cultivars were well established by 4,000 cal B.P.
Analysis of Co-Associated Transcription Factors via Ordered Adjacency Differences on Motif Distribution
Authors: Pan Gaofeng , Tang Jijun , Guo Fei
Published: February 2017

Transcription factors (TFs) binding to specific DNA sequences or motifs, are elementary to the regulation of transcription. The gene is regulated by a combination of TFs in close proximity. Analysis of co-TFs is an important problem in understanding the mechanism of transcriptional regulation. Recently, ChIP-seq in mapping TF provides a large amount of experimental data to analyze co-TFs. Several studies show that if two TFs are co-associated, the relative distance between TFs exhibits a peak-like distribution. In order to analyze co-TFs, we develop a novel method to evaluate the associated situation between TFs. We design an adjacency score based on ordered differences, which can illustrate co-TF binding affinities for motif analysis. For all candidate motifs, we calculate corresponding adjacency scores, and then list descending-order motifs. From these lists, we can find co-TFs for candidate motifs. On ChIP-seq datasets, our method obtains best AUC results on five datasets, 0.9432 for NMYC, 0.9109 for KLF4, 0.9006 for ZFX, 0.8892 for ESRRB, 0.8920 for E2F1. Our method has great stability on large sample datasets. AUC results of our method on all datasets are above 0.8.
Aorta macrophage inflammatory and epigenetic changes in a murine model of obstructive sleep apnea: Potential role of CD36
Authors: Cortese Rene , Gileles-Hillel Alex , Khalyfa Abdelnaby , Almendros Isaac , Akbarpour Mahzad , Khalyfa Ahamed A. , Qiao Zhuanghong , Garcia Tzintzuni , Andrade Jorge , Gozal David
Published: February 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects 8–10% of the population, is characterized by chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), and causally associates with cardiovascular morbidities. In CIH-exposed mice, closely mimicking the chronicity of human OSA, increased accumulation and proliferation of pro-inflammatory metabolic M1-like macrophages highly expressing CD36, emerged in aorta. Transcriptomic and MeDIP-seq approaches identified activation of pro-atherogenic pathways involving a complex interplay of histone modifications in functionally-relevant biological pathways, such as inflammation and oxidative stress in aorta macrophages. Discontinuation of CIH did not elicit significant improvements in aorta wall macrophage phenotype. However, CIH-induced aorta changes were absent in CD36 knockout mice, Our results provide mechanistic insights showing that CIH exposures during sleep in absence of concurrent pro-atherogenic settings (i.e., genetic propensity or dietary manipulation) lead to the recruitment of CD36(+)high macrophages to the aortic wall and trigger atherogenesis. Furthermore, long-term CIH-induced changes may not be reversible with usual OSA treatment.
Influence of extracellular zinc on M1 microglial activation
Authors: Higashi Youichirou , Aratake Takaaki , Shimizu Shogo , Shimizu Takahiro , Nakamura Kumiko , Tsuda Masayuki , Yawata Toshio , Ueba Tetuya , Saito Motoaki
Published: February 2017

Extracellular zinc, which is released from hippocampal neurons in response to brain ischaemia, triggers morphological changes in microglia. Under ischaemic conditions, microglia exhibit two opposite activation states (M1 and M2 activation), which may be further regulated by the microenvironment. We examined the role of extracellular zinc on M1 activation of microglia. Pre-treatment of microglia with 30–60 μM ZnCl2resulted in dose-dependent increases in interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) secretion when M1 activation was induced by lipopolysaccharide administration. In contrast, the cell-permeable zinc chelator TPEN, the radical scavenger Trolox, and the P2X7 receptor antagonist A438079 suppressed the effects of zinc pre-treatment on microglia. Furthermore, endogenous zinc release was induced by cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion, resulting in increased expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and the microglial M1 surface marker CD16/32, without hippocampal neuronal cell loss, in addition to impairments in object recognition memory. However, these effects were suppressed by the zinc chelator CaEDTA. These findings suggest that extracellular zinc may prime microglia to enhance production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via P2X7 receptor activation followed by reactive oxygen species generation in response to stimuli that trigger M1 activation, and that these inflammatory processes may result in deficits in object recognition memory.
Synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic behaviour of a family of [CoIII2LnIII2] butterfly compounds
Authors: Funes Alejandro V. , Carrella Luca , Rechkemmer Yvonne , van Slageren Joris , Rentschler Eva , Alborés Pablo
Published: February 2017

We report a family of butterfly-like [CoIII2LnIII2] complexes with Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Yb. All of them are isostructural but the complex with Ln = Gd strings in a one dimensional chain. The Dy member shows slow relaxation of magnetization under zero DC applied field, while all the others only after a small DC field is applied.
Influence of pH and Mg(ii) on the catalytic core domain 5 of a bacterial group II intron
Authors: Pechlaner M. , Dominguez-Martin A. , Sigel R. K. O.
Published: February 2017

The combination of NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy was used to elucidate how Mg(ii) and pH influence the local conformation and metal ion binding in domain 5 ofAzotobacter vinelandiigroup II intron.
Characterization of iron–organic matter nano-aggregate networks through a combination of SAXS/SANS and XAS analyses: impact on As binding
Authors: Guénet Hélène , Davranche Mélanie , Vantelon Delphine , Gigault Julien , Prévost Sylvain , Taché Olivier , Jaksch Sebastian , Pédrot Mathieu , Dorcet Vincent , Boutier Antoine , Jestin Jacques
Published: February 2017

The present work highlights the fractal organization of iron nanoparticles associated with organic matter and the impact of the aggregate structure on arsenic adsorption.
Nonlinear optical properties of a one-dimensional coordination polymer
Authors: Liu Min , Quah Hong Sheng , Wen Shuangchun , Wang Junyong , Kumar P. Sanjay , Eda Goki , Vittal Jagadese J. , Ji Wei
Published: February 2017

A one-dimensional coordination polymer shows nonlinear properties of PL, SHG and THG.
Quantitative prediction and interpretation of spin energy gaps in polyradicals: the virtual magnetic balance
Authors: Barone Vincenzo , Cacelli Ivo , Ferretti Alessandro , Prampolini Giacomo
Published: February 2017

Open-shell organic molecules possessing more than two unpaired electrons and sufficient stability at room temperature are very unusual, but some of them were recently synthesized and promise a number of fascinating applications.
Effect of chirality on monoacylglycerol ester monolayer characteristics: 3-monostearoyl-sn-glycerol
Authors: Vollhardt D. , Brezesinski G.
Published: February 2017

The effect of chirality on the thermodynamic behavior, morphological features, and 2D lattice structures of 3-monostearoyl-sn-glycerol monolayers is studied.
Anisotropic ion diffusion in α-Cr2O3: an atomistic simulation study
Authors: Cao Penghui , Wells Daniel , Short Michael Philip
Published: February 2017

Chromia (α-Cr2O3) is one of the most technologically important oxides, as it is the basis behind the passivation of many structural materials like stainless steel.
Synthesis and methane cracking activity of a silicon nitride supported vanadium nitride nanoparticle composite
Authors: AlShibane Ihfaf , Hargreaves Justin S. J. , Hector Andrew L. , Levason William , McFarlane Andrew
Published: February 2017

Vanadium nitride–silicon nitride nanocomposites from triflate-catalysed co-ammonolysis are active for COx-free H2 production from methane.
Octahedral manganese(i) and ruthenium(ii) complexes containing 2-(methylamido)pyridine–borane as a tripod κ3N,H,H-ligand
Authors: Brugos Javier , Cabeza Javier A. , García-Álvarez Pablo , Pérez-Carreño Enrique , Van der Maelen Juan F.
Published: February 2017

The borane adduct of the 2-(methylamido)pyridine anion has been incorporated into octahedral metal (Mn, Ru) complexes and their bonding has been studied by theoretical methods (DFT, QTAIM).
Literacy Outcomes for Primary School Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: A Cohort Comparison Study
Authors: Harris Margaret , Terlektsi Emmanouela , Kyle Fiona E.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

In this study, we compared the language and literacy of two cohorts of children with severe–profound hearing loss, recruited 10 years apart, to determine if outcomes had improved in line with the introduction of newborn hearing screening and access to improved hearing aid technology.

Method

Forty-two children with deafness, aged 5–7 years with a mean unaided loss of 102 DB, were assessed on language, reading, and phonological skills. Their performance was compared with that of a similar group of 32 children with deafness assessed 10 years earlier and also a group of 40 children with normal hearing of similar single word reading ability.

Results

English vocabulary was significantly higher in the new cohort although it was still below chronological age. Phonological awareness and reading ability had not significantly changed over time. In both cohorts, English vocabulary predicted reading, but phonological awareness was only a significant predictor for the new cohort.

Conclusions

The current results show that vocabulary knowledge of children with severe–profound hearing loss has improved over time, but there has not been a commensurate improvement in phonological skills or reading. They suggest that children with severe–profound hearing loss will require continued support to develop robust phonological coding skills to underpin reading.
Compensatory Strategies in the Developmental Patterns of English /s/: Gender and Vowel Context Effects
Authors: Bang Hye-Young , Clayards Meghan , Goad Heather
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The developmental trajectory of English /s/ was investigated to determine the extent to which children's speech productions are acoustically fine-grained. Given the hypothesis that young children have adultlike phonetic knowledge of /s/, the following were examined: (a) whether this knowledge manifests itself in acoustic spectra that match the gender-specific patterns of adults, (b) whether vowel context affects the spectra of /s/ in adults and children similarly, and (c) whether children adopt compensatory production strategies to match adult acoustic targets.

Method

Several acoustic variables were measured from word-initial /s/ (and /t/) and the following vowel in the productions of children aged 2 to 5 years and adult controls using 2 sets of corpora from the Paidologos database.

Results

Gender-specific patterns in the spectral distribution of /s/ were found. Acoustically, more canonical /s/ was produced before vowels with higher F1(i.e., lower vowels) in children, a context where lingual articulation is challenging. Measures of breathiness and vowel intrinsic F0provide evidence that children use a compensatory aerodynamic mechanism to achieve their acoustic targets in articulatorily challenging contexts.

Conclusion

Together, these results provide evidence that children's phonetic knowledge is acoustically detailed and gender specified and that speech production goals are acoustically oriented at early stages of speech development.
Lipreading Ability and Its Cognitive Correlates in Typically Developing Children and Children With Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Heikkilä Jenni , Lonka Eila , Ahola Sanna , Meronen Auli , Tiippana Kaisa
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Lipreading and its cognitive correlates were studied in school-age children with typical language development and delayed language development due to specific language impairment (SLI).

Method

Forty-two children with typical language development and 20 children with SLI were tested by using a word-level lipreading test and an extensive battery of standardized cognitive and linguistic tests.

Results

Children with SLI were poorer lipreaders than their typically developing peers. Good phonological skills were associated with skilled lipreading in both typically developing children and in children with SLI. Lipreading was also found to correlate with several cognitive skills, for example, short-term memory capacity and verbal motor skills.

Conclusions

Speech processing deficits in SLI extend also to the perception of visual speech. Lipreading performance was associated with phonological skills. Poor lipreading in children with SLI may be, thus, related to problems in phonological processing.
Rhythm Perception and Its Role in Perception and Learning of Dysrhythmic Speech
Authors: Borrie Stephanie A. , Lansford Kaitlin L. , Barrett Tyson S.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The perception of rhythm cues plays an important role in recognizing spoken language, especially in adverse listening conditions. Indeed, this has been shown to hold true even when the rhythm cues themselves are dysrhythmic. This study investigates whether expertise in rhythm perception provides a processing advantage for perception (initial intelligibility) and learning (intelligibility improvement) of naturally dysrhythmic speech, dysarthria.

Method

Fifty young adults with typical hearing participated in 3 key tests, including a rhythm perception test, a receptive vocabulary test, and a speech perception and learning test, with standard pretest, familiarization, and posttest phases. Initial intelligibility scores were calculated as the proportion of correct pretest words, while intelligibility improvement scores were calculated by subtracting this proportion from the proportion of correct posttest words.

Results

Rhythm perception scores predicted intelligibility improvement scores but not initial intelligibility. On the other hand, receptive vocabulary scores predicted initial intelligibility scores but not intelligibility improvement.

Conclusions

Expertise in rhythm perception appears to provide an advantage for processing dysrhythmic speech, but a familiarization experience is required for the advantage to be realized. Findings are discussed in relation to the role of rhythm in speech processing and shed light on processing models that consider the consequence of rhythm abnormalities in dysarthria.
Speech, Language, and Hearing Careers: Recruiting Students From Diverse Populations
Authors: Bellon-Harn Monica , Weinbaum Rebecca K.
Published: February 2017

A shortage of individuals from racial or ethnic minority groups in speech, language, and hearing (SLH) professions limits the ability to best serve people of diverse cultures and creates health disparities (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2015; Anderson, 2016). To increase the diversity of SLH professionals, university programs must attract, retain, and graduate students from diverse backgrounds. The Speech and Hearing Sciences (SPHS) Department at Lamar University piloted a recruitment and retention program (2014–2016) entitled SPHS Cardinal Careers, which was named after the university department and mascot to connect potential candidates to the university. The purpose of this paper is to describe the pilot recruitment component of the program. Outcomes and future direction of the recruitment program are discussed.
Efficient shapes for microswimming: From three-body swimmers to helical flagella
Authors: Bet Bram , Boosten Gijs , Dijkstra Marjolein , van Roij René
Published: February 2017

We combine a general formulation of microswimmer equations of motion with a numerical bead-shell model to calculate the hydrodynamic interactions with the fluid, from which the swimming speed, power, and efficiency are extracted. From this framework, a generalized Scallop theorem emerges. The applicability to arbitrary shapes allows for the optimization of the efficiency with respect to the swimmer geometry. We apply this scheme to “three-body swimmers” of various shapes and find that the efficiency is characterized by the single-body friction coefficient in the long-arm regime, while in the short-arm regime the minimal approachable distance becomes the determining factor. Next, we apply this scheme to a biologically inspired set of swimmers that propel using a rotating helical flagellum. Interestingly, we find two distinct optimal shapes, one of which is fundamentally different from the shapes observed in nature (e.g., bacteria).
Surface effects on the photoconducting properties of SrTiO3 thin films
Authors: Bachi N. , Bridoux G. , Villafuerte M. , Ferreyra J. M. , Kim J. , Figueroa C. , Heluani S. P.
Published: February 2017

We report a study of the photoconducting properties of semiconducting SrTiO3 thin films. The photoconducting spectrum shows a pronounced rise around 3.2 eV with a typical indirect gap dependence, involving a transversal optical phonon of 25 meV. While these features remain unaltered under the influence of an applied electric field in ambient conditions, in a vacuum the rest of the spectrum does not, shifting to lower energies for higher electric fields. Time dependent photoconductivity response while illumination is applied confirms the loss of efficiency of the 3.7 eV transition. At low-temperatures, the photoconducting spectrum at low-electric fields has striking similarities to the ones at room-temperature for high-electric fields. This ability to control the photoconducting response through external parameters is explained considering a model of a downward band bending generated by oxygen vacancies at the surface in concomitant with recent findings at the surface of SrTiO3.
Effects of polymer topology and morphology on thermal transport: A molecular dynamics study of bottlebrush polymers
Authors: Ma Hao , Tian Zhiting
Published: February 2017

The effects of polymer topology and morphology on thermal transport are of great importance to both fundamental understanding and practical applications. Bottlebrush (BB) polymers are unique polymers that feature a highly extended backbone conformation stabilized by densely packed side-chain polymers, which offer a rich platform to study those effects. In this paper, we report the thermal transport properties of BB polymers using equilibrium molecular dynamics. We find that sidechains dominate heat conduction in aligned BB chains and lead to lower k than aligned linear polymers due to strong localization, while backbones form an effective heat conduction network in amorphous BB polymers and lead to higher k than their linear polymer counterparts. The effect of morphology on k is also discussed.
Alignment dependent ultrafast electron-nuclear dynamics in molecular high-order harmonic generation
Authors: Li Mu-Zi , Jia Guang-Rui , Bian Xue-Bin
Published: February 2017

We investigated the high-order harmonic generation (HHG) process of diatomic molecular ion H2+ in non-Born-Oppenheimer approximations (NBOA). The corresponding three-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation is solved with arbitrary alignment angles. It is found that the nuclear motion can lead to spectral modulation of HHG in both the tunneling and multiphoton ionization regimes. The universal redshifts of the whole spectrum are unique in molecular HHG. The spectral width of HHG increases in NBOA. We calculated possible influences on redshifts of HHG in real experimental conditions and found that redshifts decrease with the increase of alignment angles of the molecules and are sensitive to the initial vibrational states. It can be used to extract the ultrafast electron-nuclear dynamics and image molecular structure. It will be instructive to related experiments.
Direct observation of trapped charges under field-plate in p-GaN gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors by electric field-induced optical second-harmonic generation
Authors: Katsuno Takashi , Manaka Takaaki , Soejima Narumasa , Iwamoto Mitsumasa
Published: February 2017

Trapped charges underneath the field-plate (FP) in a p-gallium nitride (GaN) gate AlGaN/ GaN high electron mobility transistor device were visualized by using electric field-induced optical second-harmonic generation imaging. Second-harmonic (SH) signals in the off-state of the device with FP indicated that the electric field decreased at the p-GaN gate edge and concentrated at the FP edge. Nevertheless, SH signals originating from trapped charges were slightly observed at the p-GaN gate edge and were not observed at the FP edge in the on-state. Compared with the device without FP, reduction of trapped charges at the p-GaN gate edge of the device with FP is attributed to attenuation of the electric field with the aid of the FP. Negligible trapped charges at the FP edge is owing to lower trap density of the SiO2/AlGaN interface at the FP edge compared with that of the SiO2/p-GaN sidewall interface at the p-GaN gate edge and attenuated electric field by the thickness of the SiO2 passivation layer on the AlGaN surface.
Shape formation of helical ribbons induced by material anisotropy
Authors: Yu Xiaojiao , Zhang Lina , Hu Nan , Grover Hannah , Huang Shicheng , Wang Dong , Chen Zi
Published: February 2017

Helices are ubiquitous building blocks in natural and engineered systems. Previous studies showed that helical ribbon morphology can result from anisotropic driving forces and geometric misorientation between the principal axes of the driving forces and the geometric axes. However, helical ribbon shapes induced by elastic modulus anisotropy have not been systematically examined even though most natural and engineered structures are made of composite materials with anisotropic mechanical properties. We build on a previously developed model using continuum elasticity and stationarity principles to predict helical ribbon shapes induced by material anisotropy under both isotropic and anisotropic pre-stretching conditions. Results from finite element analysis and table-top experiments showed that the principal curvatures, chirality, and helix angles can be further tuned in anisotropic ribbons under both isotropic and anisotropic pre-stretching conditions. This work can promote programmable design and fabrication of curved structures and devices.
Productivity in simulated drought and post-drought recovery of eight ryegrass cultivars and a tall fescue cultivar with and without Epichloë endophyte
Authors: He L. , Matthew C. , Jones C. S. , Hatier J.-H. B.
Published: February 2017

Many ryegrass cultivars are available on the market, but little research information exists on their comparative drought tolerance or the role of their commercially associated Epichloë endophytes in drought tolerance. Cloned plants of seven perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars (Grasslands Commando, Ceres One50, Banquet II, Alto, Bealey, Trojan and Avalon) and an unreleased elite line (URL) and one Mediterranean tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivar (Grasslands Flecha), in all cases both endophyte-free (E–) and -infected (E+) plants, were subjected to a cycle of summer drought and rehydration from December 2012 to May 2013. Other clones of the same plants were irrigated. Insecticide was used to protect plants from insect attack. We report data for shoot dry matter (DM), tiller survival rate (TSR) and reproductive development assessed approximately monthly during the experiment. In the second month of drought, only Banquet II and Grasslands Flecha showed no significant shoot DM reduction under water deficit. After 3 months of drought, shoot DM was reduced by 43% (Flecha) to 85% (URL) compared with irrigated plants. For Banquet II, Avalon and Grasslands Flecha, TSR was not significantly reduced by water deficit. During rehydration, growth of previously non-irrigated plants typically exceeded growth of irrigated clones across all cultivars. Banquet II and Grasslands Flecha were drought-tolerant in the sense that they showed a lower percentage yield reduction under drought than other cultivars tested; this was in part because they were not among the highest yielding under irrigation. Irrespective of irrigation treatment, the shoot DM of E+ plants of ryegrasses URL (with AR37 endophyte) and One50 (with AR1 endophyte) was reduced by almost 50% relative to their E– counterparts in each harvest from December to May, whereas the other six ryegrass varieties generally showed a small trend towards reduced shoot DM as E+ plants. This indicates that some novel cultivar–endophyte associations can incur a yield disadvantage compared with E– plants when protected from insect pressure.
Nonnative Trout Invasions Combined with Climate Change Threaten Persistence of Isolated Cutthroat Trout Populations in the Southern Rocky Mountains
Authors: Roberts James J. , Fausch Kurt D. , Hooten Mevin B. , Peterson Douglas P.
Published: February 2017

Effective conservation of Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lineages native to the Rocky Mountains will require estimating effects of multiple stressors and directing management toward the most important ones. Recent analyses have focused on the direct and indirect effects of a changing climate on contemporary ranges, which are much reduced from historic ranges owing to past habitat loss and nonnative trout invasions. However, nonnative trout continue to invade Cutthroat Trout populations in the southern Rocky Mountains. Despite management to isolate and protect these native populations, nonnatives still surmount barriers or are illegally stocked above them. We used data on the incidence of invasions by nonnative Brook Trout (BT) Salvelinus fontinalis and the rate of their invasion upstream to simulate effects on a set of 309 conservation populations of Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (CRCT) O. c. pleuriticus isolated in headwater stream fragments. A previously developed Bayesian network model was used to compare direct and indirect effects of climate change (CC) alone on population persistence versus the added effects of BT invasions. Although CC alone is predicted to extirpate only one CRCT population by 2080, BT invasions and CC together are predicted to completely extirpate 122 populations (39% of the total) if managers do not intervene. Another 113 populations (37%) will be at risk of extirpation after CC and invasions, primarily owing to stochastic risks in short stream fragments that are similar under CC alone. Overall, invasions and CC will reduce the number of stream fragments that are long enough to buffer CRCT populations against negative genetic consequences and stochastic disturbances by 48, a decrease of 38% compared to CC alone. High priorities are (1) research to estimate how CC and human factors alter the incidence and rate of BT invasions and (2) management to prevent new illegal introductions, repair inadequate barriers, and monitor and address new invasions.

Received March 21, 2016; accepted November 9, 2016 Published online February 27, 2017
Size and Age Structure of Anadromous and Landlocked Populations of Rainbow Smelt
Authors: O'Malley Andrew J. , Enterline Claire , Zydlewski Joseph
Published: February 2017

Rainbow Smelt Osmerus mordax are widely distributed in both anadromous and landlocked populations throughout northeastern North America; abundance, size at age, and maximum size vary widely among populations and life histories. In the present study, size at age, von Bertalanffy growth parameters, population age distributions, and precision and bias in age assessment based on scales and sectioned otoliths were compared between ecotypes and among populations of Rainbow Smelt. To compare the ecotypes, we collected spawning adults from four anadromous and three landlocked populations in Maine during spring 2014. A significant bias was identified in only one of four scale comparisons but in four of seven otolith comparisons; however, a comparable level of precision was indicated. Anadromous populations had larger and more variable size at age and von Bertalanffy growth parameters than landlocked fish. Populations were composed of ages 1–4; six populations were dominated by age-2 or age-3 individuals, and one population was dominated by age-1 fish. These data suggest the presence of considerable plasticity among populations. A latitudinal gradient was observed in the anadromous Rainbow Smelt, which may show signs of population stress at the southern extent of their distribution.

Received March 25, 2016; accepted November 16, 2016 Published online February 27, 2017
Approaching the Atrium Through the Intraparietal Sulcus: Mapping the Sulcal Morphology and Correlating the Surgical Corridor to Underlying Fiber Tracts
Authors: Koutsarnakis Christos , Liakos Faidon , Kalyvas Aristotelis V. , Liouta Evangelia , Emelifeonwu John , Kalamatianos Theodosis , Sakas Damianos E. , Johnson Elizabeth , Stranjalis George
Published: February 2017

BACKROUND: Although the operative corridor used during the intraparietal transsulcal approach to the atrium has been previously investigated, most anatomical studies focus on its relationship to the optic radiations.

OBJECTIVE: To study the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) morphology and to explore the subcortical anatomy with regard to the surgical trajectory used during the intraparietal transsulcal tranventricular approach.

METHODS: Twenty-five adult, formalin fixed, cerebral hemispheres were investigated. Fifteen underwent the Klingler procedure and were dissected in a lateromedial direction using the fiber microdissection technique. The trajectory of the dissection resembled that of real operative settings. The remaining 10 hemispheres were cut along the longitudinal axis of the sulcus in order to correlate its surface anatomy to corresponding parts of the ventricular system.

RESULTS: IPS demonstrated an interrupted course in 36% of the specimens while its branching pattern was variable. The sulcus anterior half was found to overly the atrium in all occasions. Four discrete, consecutive white matter layers were identified en route to the atrium, ie, the arcuate fibers, the arcuate segment of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the corona radiata and tapetum, with the arcuate segment being near to the dissection trajectory.

CONCLUSION: Given the angle of brain transgression during the intraparietal approach, we found the optimal dissection area to be the very middle of the sulcus. The IPS–postcentral sulcus meeting point, in contrast to previous thought, proved to risk potential injury to the arcuate segment of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, thus affecting surgical outcome.
Subgaleal Retention Sutures: Internal Pressure Dressing Technique for Dolenc Approach
Authors: Burrows Anthony M. , Rayan Tarek , Van Gompel Jamie J.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Extradural approach to the cavernous sinus, the “Dolenc” approach recognizing its developing Dr. Vinko Dolenc, is a critically important skull base approach. However, resection of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, most commonly for cavernous sinus meningiomas, results commonly in a defect that often cannot be reconstructed in a water-tight fashion. This may result in troublesome pseudomeningocele postoperatively.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique designed to mitigate the development of pseudomeningocele.

METHODS: We found the Dolenc approach critical for resection of cavernous lesions. However, a number of pseudomeningoceles were managed with prolonged external pressure wrapping in the early cohort. Therefore, we incorporated subgaleal to muscular sutures, which were designed to close this potential space and retrospectively analyzed our results.

RESULTS: Twenty-one patients treated with a Dolenc approach and resection of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus over a 2-year period were included. Prior to incorporation of this technique, 12 patients were treated and 3 (25%) experienced postoperative pseudomeningoceles requiring multiple clinic visits and frequent dressing. After incorporation of subgaleal retention sutures, no patient (0%) experienced this complication.

CONCLUSION: Although basic, subgaleal to temporalis muscle retention sutures likely aid in eliminating this potential dead space, thereby preventing patient distress postoperatively. This technique is simple and further emphasizes the importance of dead space elimination in complex closures.
Comparison of Starch Physicochemical Properties of Waxy Rice Cultivars with Different Hardening Rates
Authors: Sasaki Tomoko , Kawamata Kai , Okamoto Kazuyuki
Published: February 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the starch characteristics of a novel waxy rice cultivar Hitachimochi 36 (H36) with an extremely slow hardening rate of waxy rice cake and the relationships between starch physicochemical properties and texture of waxy rice cake. Starch isolated from H36 showed significantly higher digestibility than that from other waxy rice cultivars, and the starch digestibility highly correlated with the starch crystallinity. The compressive force of the starch gel prepared from H36 was significantly lower than that from other cultivars when stored at 5°C for five days, which reflected the differences in endothermic enthalpies corresponding to retrograded amylopectin. Various textural parameters of cooked waxy rice cake prepared from H36 were also remarkably different from those of cooked waxy rice cake prepared from other waxy rice cultivars. The cooked waxy rice cake prepared from H36 exhibited the lowest compressive force and breaking force by tensile and rupture tests, respectively. The analysis of amylopectin chain length distribution indicated that amylopectin of H36 contained higher proportions of the short chains. The difference in amylopectin chain length distribution and lower crystallinity of starch contributed to the unique textural properties of waxy rice cake prepared from H36.
Label‐Free Proteomic Analysis of Wheat Gluten Proteins and Their Immunoreactivity to ELISA Antibodies
Authors: Martínez‐Esteso María José , Brohée Marcel , Nørgaard Jørgen , O'Connor Gavin
Published: February 2017

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods are currently the most widely used for gluten quantification. However, the lack of comparable measurements among commercial kits has caused much concern. Here, we studied the immunoreactivity of five commercial ELISA kits to wheat gluten fractionated by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and identified the proteins and peptides in the resulting fractions by mass spectrometry to understand the extent to which these may be contributing to the lack of comparability. The investigated monoclonal antibodies clearly demonstrated divergent responses to the fractioned wheat gluten proteins and sometimes to their initial intended targets. To make comparable gluten measurements a reality, the analytical measurement community requires a set of agreed peptide markers, known conversion factors from these markers to total gluten content, and appropriately characterized (certified) reference materials representative of gluten.
Evaluation of Solanum sisymbriifolium as a Potential Inoculum Source of Verticillium dahliae and Colletotrichum coccodes
Authors: Frederick Z. A. , Cummings T. F. , Brown C. R. , Quick R. A. , Johnson D. A.
Published: February 2017

Solanum sisymbriifolium, the litchi tomato, is a perennial herbaceous plant from South America that is used as a trap crop to reduce soilborne populations of the pale cyst nematode Globodera pallida, an important potato pathogen. Possible interactions of soilborne potato pathogens Verticillium dahliae and Colletotrichum coccodes with litchi tomato are unknown, yet important for potato production if litchi tomato is to be planted as a trap crop. The goal of this research was to quantitatively assess if litchi tomato is a potential inoculum source for C. coccodes and V. dahliae by comparing colony forming units (CFU) observed in litchi tomato to susceptible and resistant potato cultivars. The potato cvs. Alturas (P = 0.0003), Ranger Russet (P = 0.0193), and Russet Norkotah (P = 0.0022) produced more CFUs of the potato pathotype of V. dahliae than litchi tomato the first of two years of greenhouse trials. Significantly more CFUs of the potato pathotype of V. dahliae were quantified from stems and roots of only cv. Russet Norkotah compared with litchi tomato (P = 0.0001) in the second year. The CFUs for C. coccodes varied between litchi tomato and the potato cvs., perhaps due to varying levels of resistance since litchi tomato is from a selected intermated seed source. Based on these data, the effect of litchi tomato in rotation with potato is likely to have limited effect on the proliferation of V. dahliae or C. coccodes populations in the soil when compared with a susceptible potato cultivar.
The Impact of “Coat Protein-Mediated Virus Resistance” in Applied Plant Pathology and Basic Research
Authors: Lindbo John A. , Falk Bryce W.
Published: February 2017

Worldwide, plant viruses cause serious reductions in marketable crop yield and in some cases even plant death. In most cases, the most effective way to control virus diseases is through genetically controlled resistance. However, developing virus-resistant (VR) crops through traditional breeding can take many years, and in some cases is not even possible. Because of this, the demonstration of the first VR transgenic plants in 1985 generated much attention. This seminal report served as an inflection point for research in both basic and applied plant pathology, the results of which have dramatically changed both basic research and in a few cases, commercial crop production. The typical review article on this topic has focused on only basic or only applied research results stemming from this seminal discovery. This can make it difficult for the reader to appreciate the full impact of research on transgenic virus resistance, and the contributions from fundamental research that led to translational applications of this technology. In this review, we take a global view of this topic highlighting the significant changes to both basic and applied plant pathology research and commercial food production that have accumulated in the last 30 plus years. We present these milestones in the historical context of some of the scientific, economic, and environmental drivers for developing specific VR crops. The intent of this review is to provide a single document that adequately records the significant accomplishments of researchers in both basic and applied plant pathology research on this topic and how they relate to each other. We hope this review therefore serves as both an instructional tool for students new to the topic, as well as a source of conversation and discussion for how the technology of engineered virus resistance could be applied in the future.
A common haplotype lowers PU.1 expression in myeloid cells and delays onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Huang Kuan-lin , Marcora Edoardo , Pimenova Anna A , Di Narzo Antonio F , Kapoor Manav , Jin Sheng Chih , Harari Oscar , Bertelsen Sarah , Fairfax Benjamin P , Czajkowski Jake , Chouraki Vincent , Grenier-Boley Benjamin , Bellenguez Céline , Deming Yuetiva , McKenzie Andrew , Raj Towfique , Renton Alan E , Budde John , Smith Albert , Fitzpatrick Annette , Bis Joshua C , DeStefano Anita , Adams Hieab HH , Ikram M Arfan , van der Lee Sven , Del-Aguila Jorge L. , Fernandez Maria Victoria , Ibañez Laura ,   The International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project,   The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Sims Rebecca , Escott-Price Valentina , Mayeux Richard , Haines Jonathan L , Farrer Lindsay A , Pericak-Vance Margaret A. , Lambert Jean Charles , van Duijn Cornelia , Launer Lenore , Seshadri Sudha , Williams Julie , Amouyel Philippe , Schellenberg Gerard D , Zhang Bin , Borecki Ingrid , Kauwe John S K , Cruchaga Carlos , Hao Ke , Goate Alison M
Published: February 2017

A genome-wide survival analysis of 14,406 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases and 25,849 controls identified eight previously reported AD risk loci and fourteen novel loci associated with age at onset. LD score regression of 220 cell types implicated regulation of myeloid gene expression in AD risk. In particular, the minor allele of rs1057233 (G), within the previously reportedCELF1AD risk locus, showed association with delayed AD onset and lower expression ofSPI1in monocytes and macrophages.SPI1encodes PU.1, a transcription factor critical for myeloid cell development and function. AD heritability is enriched within the PU.1 cistrome, implicating a myeloid PU.1 target gene network in AD. Finally, experimentally altered PU.1 levels affect the expression of mouse orthologs of many AD risk genes and the phagocytic activity of mouse microglial cells. Our results suggest that lowerSPI1expression reduces AD risk by regulating myeloid gene expression and cell function.