bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluids Along the Plate Interface Influencing the Frictional Regime of the Chilean Subduction Zone, Northern Chile
Authors: Pasten‐Araya F. , Salazar P. , Ruiz S. , Rivera E. , Potin B. , Maksymowicz A. , Torres E. , Villarroel J. , Cruz E. , Valenzuela J. , Jaldín D. , González G. , Bloch W. , Wigger P. , Shapiro S. A.
Published: September 2018

The plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula in Northern Chile is characterized by anomalous seismogenic behaviors, with seismic and aseismic slip, and low coupling values. We analyze this zone through the seismicity pattern and a 3‐D tomography model. We identify high VP/VS values within the oceanic crust and in the lower continental crust, which we interpret as hydrated zones rich in fluids. These zones are correlated with the Mejillones fracture zone and with highly permeable lithologies of the lower continental crust, which allow a greater accumulation of fluids at the plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula. Additionally, these areas exhibit a high rate of seismicity and concentrated swarms and repeaters. We propose that the presence of fluids controls the anomalous seismogenic behavior along the plate interface beneath the Mejillones Peninsula.
The Hydrodynamic Response of the Sediment‐Water Interface to Coherent Turbulent Motions
Authors: Voermans Joey J. , Ghisalberti Marco , Ivey Gregory N.
Published: September 2018

Unique observations of the hydrodynamics across the sediment‐water interface are used to quantify the instantaneous response of the interstitial fluid to the passage of coherent turbulent motions in the overlying flow. Over a range of permeability Reynolds numbers
(where K is the sediment permeability, u∗ is the shear velocity, and ν is the fluid viscosity), the passage of these turbulent motions create velocity fluctuations and momentum fluxes at the sediment‐water interface to greatly exceed their mean values. Sweep motions are observed to penetrate into the sediment bed and induce instantaneous momentum fluxes that can be an order of magnitude larger than the mean bed shear stress. By penetrating into the sediment bed, the turbulent motions increase the effective roughness experienced by the flow and therefore the flow resistance. The properties of the mean flow alone are thus insufficient to describe the interaction of the overlying flow with the sediments.
Seismology Gets Under the Skin of the Antarctic Ice Sheet
Authors: MacAyeal D. R.
Published: September 2018

The compacted firn layer skin of an ice sheet protects it from surface melting. Vibrations of the firn layer measured with seismometers Chaput et al. (2018, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079665) can portray how the firn layer melts, absorbs water, and refreezes, thus giving a sense of how ice sheets are resisting being denuded of their firn layer skin by climate warming.
Nonparametric H Density Estimation Based on Regularized Nonlinear Inversion of the Lyman Alpha Emission in Planetary Atmospheres
Authors: Qin Jianqi , Harding Brian J. , Waldrop Lara
Published: September 2018

Inversion of space‐borne remote sensing measurements of the resonantly scattered solar Lyman alpha (121.6‐nm) emission in planetary atmospheres is the most promising means of quantifying the H density in a vast volume of space near terrestrial planets. Owing to the highly nonlinear nature of the inverse problem and the lack of sufficient data constraints over the large volume of space where H atoms are present, previous inversion methods relied on physics‐based parametric formulations of the H density distributions to guarantee solution uniqueness. Those physical formulations, such as the Chamberlain model, were developed with simple assumptions of the atmospheric conditions. The use of such formulations as constraints significantly limits the range of possible solutions, which might lead to large errors in the case when those assumptions are invalid. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of estimating the H density through regularized nonlinear inversion of the Ly‐α emission in an optically thick atmosphere, without using parametric formulations. Specifically, Occam's inversion algorithm is used to demonstrate that the H density can be estimated in a large volume of space near the planet, with accuracy in different atmospheric regions depending on the observation scheme. Two distinctly different schemes are examined, including a low‐Earth orbit and a geostationary orbit. Modeling results show that the low‐Earth orbit is better for H density estimation in the thermosphere, while the high‐altitude orbit is better for estimation in the exosphere. Our results could provide useful information for designing the observation schemes of future missions.
Source Bearing of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Waves in the Earth‐Ionosphere Cavity With Day‐Night Nonuniformity
Authors: Nickolaenko A. P. , Galuk Yu P. , Hayakawa M.
Published: September 2018

Impact is modeled of the day‐night nonuniformity of the Earth‐ionosphere cavity on the source bearing. The smooth day‐night interface is considered. The source is located at the 22.5° N; 0° E point, and the observer is positioned at 22.5° S; 0° E. Propagation path position corresponds to 4 hr UT (the night side) and to 8 hr UT (the dayside of morning terminator). We apply the full wave solution to determine the propagation parameters of extremely low frequency radio waves and solve the problem by using the 2‐D telegraph equations. The following results were obtained: Terminator impact is absent when the propagation path is at the center of night or day hemisphere. Deviation of source bearing varies with frequency similarly to Schumann resonance pattern and may reach 3–4° at certain frequencies. A weak elliptic polarization is observed for the monochromatic radiation; its sign changes when propagation path shifts from one side of the day‐night interface to the other. Temporal variations of the pulsed orthogonal components of horizontal magnetic field form a hodograph outlining complex loops, which obstructs the source bearing. Waveforms change noticeably due to frequency response of a receiver, but the maximum instantaneous deviations do not exceed 1–2°. Effect of the day‐night nonuniformity on the Schumann resonance fields does not exceed the level of natural fluctuations caused by the background lightning activity. Therefore, deviations in the source bearing caused by the day‐night nonuniformity might be detected exclusively for exceptionally great extremely low frequency transients.
Vegetation‐Climate Interactions on the Loess Plateau: A Nonlinear Granger Causality Analysis
Authors: Kong Dongxian , Miao Chiyuan , Duan Qingyun , Lei Xiaohui , Li Hu
Published: September 2018

In this study, we used a multiyear normalized difference vegetation index data set (1981–2015), and corresponding data sets for observed climatic factors, to investigate vegetation‐climate interactions on the Loess Plateau using an innovative nonlinear Granger causality approach. From eight selected local near‐surface climate factors, we found that the diurnal temperature range, precipitation, and relative humidity were the dominant climate factors influencing the variability of vegetation on the plateau, Granger causing changes in vegetation over 26%, 49%, and 23% of the plateau, respectively. The reverse causality analysis showed that all of the climate factors except precipitation and sunshine hours were sensitive to normalized difference vegetation index on the Loess Plateau. Taken together, these results suggest that there is indeed an interaction between the local climate and changes in vegetation on the Loess Plateau.
Distributed Deformation in an Oceanic Transform System: Applying Statistical Tools to Structural and Paleomagnetic Data Near the Húsavík‐Flatey Fault, Northern Iceland
Authors: Titus Sarah J. , Chapman William , Horst Andrew J. , Brown Maxwell , Davis Joshua R.
Published: September 2018

The right‐lateral Húsavík‐Flatey fault is part of the Tjörnes Fracture Zone, which links the offshore and onshore rift axes in northern Iceland. There has been debate about whether rocks near this fault have accommodated distributed off‐fault deformation, which is testable using paleomagnetic data. Recent studies from Flateyjarskagi show clockwise declination deflections that are largest near the fault. We augment these data with new structural and paleomagnetic measurements from 106 lava flows across three peninsulas—Flateyjarskagi, Tröllaskagi, and Tjörnes—also finding clockwise deflections that vary with distance from the fault. To test whether the deflections could be caused by off‐fault deformation, we combine our measurements with other regional data sets, applying several statistical tools including regressions of structural or paleomagnetic directions versus fault‐normal distance. To evaluate the significance and uncertainties of the regressions, we use permutation tests and bootstrapping. For Flateyjarskagi, our analysis suggests that lavas and dikes were deformed together; the regression results predict 4°–6° of rotation per kilometer about a steep, but not vertical, axis. Rocks on Tröllaskagi hint at similar spatial patterns with fault distance, but the data quality precludes a full analysis. Rocks on Tjörnes show no spatial patterns, but they preserve a temporal history, where rotation seems to have ceased after deposition of the Pliocene‐age Tjörnes beds. Using constraints from our statistical analyses, geochronology, and comparisons with the transform system in southern Iceland, we propose several modifications to models for the evolution of axial rift zones in northern Iceland.
Assessing Climate Change Impact on the Spatial Dependence of Extreme Snow Depth Maxima in the French Alps
Authors: Nicolet Gilles , Eckert Nicolas , Morin Samuel , Blanchet Juliette
Published: September 2018

Modeling extreme snow depths in space is important for water storage, tourism industry, mountain ecosystems, collapse of buildings, and avalanche prevention. However, studies modeling the spatial dependence structure of extremes generally assume temporal stationarity which is clearly questionable in a climate change context. We model climatic trends within the spatial dependence structure of extremes, with application to a data set of snow depth winter maxima. From 82 stations spanning the 1970–2012 period in the French Alps, we infer a strong decrease in the range of spatial extremal dependence. This finding is related to a strong decrease in both the snow precipitation ratio and the winter cumulated snowfall, due to increasing temperatures. Hence, we demonstrate that the spatial dependence of extreme snow depths is impacted by climate change in a similar way as has been observed for extreme snowfalls. Furthermore, snow depths maxima are more spatially dependent than snowfalls. The space‐time approach that we introduce may be very useful for assessing past and future evolutions under ongoing climate change in various hydrological quantities.
The Effect of Global Warming on Future Water Availability: CMIP5 Synthesis
Authors: Ferguson C. R. , Pan M. , Oki Taikan
Published: September 2018

Changes in the spatiotemporal dynamics of the global water cycle will constitute some of the greatest challenges to socioeconomic‐environmental well‐being in a warming world. Large multimodel, multiscenario intercomparisons such as the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) experiment support our best estimates of projected climate change and associated uncertainty thereof. It is important to continually reevaluate how this information is synthesized and communicated and at what point it becomes actionable. In this study, we demonstrate a systematic and holistic framework for synthesizing multimodel ensemble projections of water availability at large river basin scale—the scale at which water resources are both managed and monitored. We identify statistically significant shifts in mean water availability at annual and monthly scales, its interannual variations, and its relative seasonality, as computed from CMIP5 historical (1976–2005) and Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (2070–2099) scenario multimodel ensemble output. Water availability is addressed separately through the lens of meteorologists (precipitation), hydrologists (runoff), and agriculturalists (precipitation minus evapotranspiration). We illustrate limitations in CMIP5 model representativeness through comparisons of atmosphere‐only model (Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project) output against observational best estimates. And we find that warming‐induced shifts in water availability projected by CMIP5 carbon‐cycling Earth system models are comparatively less substantial than those projected by traditional general circulation models. As we show, knowing the seasonality of both projected changes and of the biased model background climatology onto which they are imposed is paramount to ensuring proper interpretation and ascribing confidence.
The Nexus of Water, Ecosystems, and Agriculture in Endorheic River Basins: A System Analysis Based on Integrated Ecohydrological Modeling
Authors: Sun Zan , Zheng Yi , Li Xi , Tian Yong , Han Feng , Zhong Ye , Liu Jie , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: September 2018

In arid and semiarid areas, the issues of water security, ecological security, and food security are tightly interlinked. Understanding the water‐ecosystem‐agriculture (WEA) nexus in such areas is critical to their sustainable development. This study presents a basin‐scale integrated ecohydrological model and a paradigm for analyzing the WEA nexus through physically based modeling. The integrated model is successfully applied to the Heihe River Basin (HRB), the second largest endorheic river basin in China. A system analysis of the WEA nexus in the HRB is performed using the validated model. The major findings are as follows. First, reducing the amount of irrigation water applied to the midstream of the HRB produces widely varying effects on the water balance of the basin. Second, a threshold of 11.5 × 108 m3/yr is found for the streamflow from the midstream region to the downstream region, beyond which the contribution of the streamflow to the recovery of vegetation is trivial in the short term. Third, the trade‐off among water conservation, ecosystem protection, and food production in the HRB is strong, and it is highly sensitive to the water management strategy employed. Evaporative water‐saving practices are more desirable than direct water‐saving regulation of irrigation water from the perspective of the WEA nexus. Overall, the results of the study provide insights into the allocation of water resources, ecosystem conservation, and agricultural development in the vast arid and semiarid areas of the world.
Aquatic Carbon‐Nutrient Dynamics as Emergent Properties of Hydrological, Biogeochemical, and Ecological Interactions: Scientific Advances
Authors: Covino Tim , Golden Heather E. , Li Hong‐Yi , Tang Jinyun
Published: September 2018

Carbon and nutrient dynamics in aquatic systems often emerge as the result of hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological interactions. Due to the multiscale and multidisciplinary nature of these process interactions, research into aquatic carbon and nutrient dynamics is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. The motivation for this special issue came from an international workshop titled “Hydro‐Biogeochemical Processes: Mechanisms, Coupling, and Impact,” which took place from 27 to 31 October 2015 at China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China. During this workshop, scientists from various countries and disciplines met to discuss current work and future advances on topics such as the hydro‐biogeochemistry of Earth's critical zone, stream‐groundwater interaction zones, aquatic ecosystem processes, and dynamics at land‐atmosphere, land‐ocean, and human‐natural interfaces. Contributions to this special issue on “Emergent aquatic carbon‐nutrient dynamics as products of hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological interactions” include papers from authors who attended the workshop and from those who responded to the open solicitation for papers. Our aim in organizing this special issue is to stimulate continued discussion and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries in order to further our collective understanding of aquatic carbon‐nutrient dynamics.
Restoration of GLP-1 secretion by Berberine is associated with protection of colon enterocytes from mitochondrial overheating in diet-induced obese mice
Authors: Sun Yongning , Jin Chenxi , Zhang Xiaoying , Jia Weiping , Le Jiamei , Ye Jianping
Published: September 2018

Objective

L-cell dysfunction is reported for GLP-1 reduction in type 2 diabetes. However, the mechanism of dysfunction remains unknown. In this study, we examined mitochondrial function in the mechanistic study in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice.

Subjects

C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks to establish the DIO model for GLP-1 reduction. The mice were then treated with berberine (BBR) (100 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks to test the impact on GLP-1 expression. Mitochondrial activities of the colon enterocytes were compared among three groups of mice (lean, DIO, and DIO + BBR) at the end of treatment. Gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were examined to understand the mitochondrial responses. A cellular model treated with palmitic acid (PA) was used in the mechanism study.

Results

A reduction in GLP-1 expression was observed in DIO mice with mitochondrial stress responses in the colon enterocytes. The mitochondria exhibited cristae loss, membrane rupture, and mitochondrial swelling, which was observed with an increase in ATP abundance, complex I activity, and deficiency in the activities of complexes II and IV. Those changes were associated with dysbiosis and a reduction in SCFAs in the colon of DIO mice. In the cellular model, an increase in ATP abundance, loss of mitochondrial potential, and elevation of apoptosis were induced by PA. All of the alterations in DIO mice and the cellular model were attenuated by BBR.

Conclusion

The mitochondrial stress responses were observed in the colon enterocytes of DIO mice for GLP-1 reduction. The stress was prevented by BBR in the restoration of GLP-1 expression, in which BBR may act through direct and indirect mechanisms.
Feasibility of treatment discontinuation in chronic myeloid leukemia in clinical practice: results from a nationwide series of 236 patients
Authors: Hernández-Boluda Juan Carlos , Pereira Arturo , Pastor-Galán Irene , Alvarez-Larrán Alberto , Savchuk Alisa , Puerta José Manuel , Sánchez-Pina José María , Collado Rosa , Díaz-González Alvaro , Angona Anna , Sagüés Miguel , García-Gutiérrez Valentín , Boqué Concepción , Osorio Santiago , Vallansot Rolando , Palomera Luis , Mendizábal Arantxa , Casado Luis Felipe , Pérez-Encinas Manuel , Pérez-López Raúl , Ferrer-Marín Francisca , Sánchez-Guijo Fermín , García Carmen , Heras Natalia de las , López-Lorenzo José Luis , Cervantes Francisco , Steegmann Juan Luis ,   on behalf of the Grupo Español de Leucemia Mieloide Crónica (GELMC)
Published: September 2018

Over half of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in deep molecular response do not lose the major molecular response (MMR) after stopping treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). This strategy is safe in clinical trials, but its applicability in the real-life setting remains unsettled. We describe the outcomes after TKI discontinuation in a nationwide series of 236 CML patients. Median follow-up from treatment discontinuation was 21.5 months and 5 patients died from CML-unrelated causes. TKI therapy was reinitiated due to MMR loss (n = 52), increase ≥ 1 log in BCR-ABL transcript level without losing MMR (n = 12), patient preference (n = 2), and withdrawal syndrome (n = 1). Treatment-free remission rate at 4 years was 64% (95% confidence interval, CI: 55%–72%). Cumulative incidence of molecular recurrence at 3 years was 33% (95% CI: 26%–38%). TKI treatment for < 5 years and MR4.5 duration shorter than 4 years were both associated with higher incidence of molecular recurrence. No patient had disease progression. Response status at last control was: MR4.5 (n = 196), MR4 (n = 15), MMR (n = 14), complete cytogenetic response (n = 10), and other (n = 1). A significant increase in Hb and cholesterol levels was observed after imatinib withdrawal. Our results demonstrate that TKI treatment discontinuation is feasible in real-life clinical practice.
Innate and adaptive signals enhance differentiation and expansion of dual-antibody autoreactive B cells in lupus
Authors: Sang Allison , Danhorn Thomas , Peterson Jacob N. , Rankin Andrew L. , O’Connor Brian P. , Leach Sonia M. , Torres Raul M. , Pelanda Roberta
Published: September 2018

Autoreactive B cells have a major function in autoimmunity. A small subset of B cells expressing two distinct B-cell-antigen-receptors (B2Rcells) is elevated in many patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in the MRL(/lpr) mouse model of lupus, and is often autoreactive. Here we show, using RNAseq and in vitro and in vivo analyses, signals that are required for promoting B2Rcell numbers and effector function in autoimmune mice. Compared with conventional B cells, B2Rcells are more responsive to Toll-like receptor 7/9 and type I/II interferon treatment, display higher levels of MHCII and co-receptors, and depend on IL-21 for their homeostasis; moreover they expand better upon T cell-dependent antigen stimulation, and mount a more robust memory response, which are characteristics essential for enhanced (auto)immune responses. Our findings thus provide insights on the stimuli for the expansion of an autoreactive B cell subset that may contribute to the etiology of SLE.
Activatable probes for diagnosing and positioning liver injury and metastatic tumors by multispectral optoacoustic tomography
Authors: Wu Yinglong , Huang Shuailing , Wang Jun , Sun Lihe , Zeng Fang , Wu Shuizhu
Published: September 2018

Optoacoustic tomography (photoacoustic tomography) is an emerging imaging technology displaying great potential for medical diagnosis and preclinical research. Rationally designing activatable optoacoustic probes capable of diagnosing diseases and locating their foci can bring into full play the role of optoacoustic tomography (OAT) as a promising noninvasive imaging modality. Here we report two xanthene-based optoacoustic probes (C1X-OR1 and C2X-OR2) for temporospatial imaging of hepatic alkaline phosphatase (or β-galactosidase) for evaluating and locating drug-induced liver injury (or metastatic tumor). The probes rapidly respond to the disease-specific biomarkers by displaying red-shifted NIR absorption bands and generate prominent optoacoustic signals. Using multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT), we can precisely localize the focus of drug-induced liver injury in mice using C1X-OR1, and the metastatic tumors using C2X-OR2. This work suggests that the activatable optoacoustic chromophores may potentially be applied for diagnosing and localizing disease foci, especially smaller and deeper ones.
A Novel iRFP-Incorporated in vivo Murine Atherosclerosis Imaging System
Authors: Kulathunga Kaushalya , Hamada Michito , Hiraishi Yukiko , Otake Mao , Tran Mai Thi Nhu , Cheng Olivia , Tanaka Junko , Sakasai Tomoki , Sakaguchi Shota , Sugiyama Yuka , Fleischmann Bernd K. , Takahashi Satoru , Miwa Yoshihiro
Published: September 2018

By using near-infrared fluorescent protein (iRFP)-expressing hematopoietic cells, we established a novel, quantitative, in vivo, noninvasive atherosclerosis imaging system. This murine atherosclerosis imaging approach targets macrophages expressing iRFP in plaques. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLR−/−) mice transplanted with beta-actin promoter-derived iRFP transgenic (TG) mouse bone marrow (BM) cells (iRFP → LDLR−/−) were used. Atherosclerosis was induced by a nonfluorescent 1.25% cholesterol diet (HCD). Atherosclerosis was compared among the three differently induced mouse groups. iRFP → LDLR−/− mice fed a normal diet (ND) and LDLR−/− mice transplanted with wild-type (WT) BM cells were used as controls. The in vivo imaging system (IVIS) detected an enhanced iRFP signal in the thoracic aorta of HCD-fed iRFP → LDLR−/− mice, whereas iRFP signals were not observed in the control mice. Time-course imaging showed a gradual increase in the signal area, which was correlated with atherosclerotic plaque progression. Oil red O (ORO) staining of aortas and histological analysis of plaques confirmed that the detected signal was strictly emitted from plaque-positive areas of the aorta. Our new murine atherosclerosis imaging system can noninvasively image atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta and generate longitudinal data, validating the ability of the system to monitor lesion progression.
Author Correction: Deciphering microvascular changes after myocardial infarction through 3D fully automated image analysis
Authors: Gkontra Polyxeni , Norton Kerri-Ann , Żak Magdalena M. , Clemente Cristina , Agüero Jaume , Ibáñez Borja , Santos Andrés , Popel Aleksander S. , Arroyo Alicia G.
Published: September 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Two step porosification of biomimetic thin-film hydroxyapatite/alpha-tri calcium phosphate coatings by pulsed electron beam irradiation
Authors: Stuart Bryan W. , Murray James W. , Grant David M.
Published: September 2018

Here we show a new and effective methodology for rapid/controllable porosification of thin-film ceramics, which may be applied in medical devices/electronics and membrane nano-filtration. Dense hydroxyapatite applied to Ti6Al4V by plasma-assisted PVD was electron-beam irradiated to induce flash melting/boiling. Deposited coatings contained amorphous and nano-crystalline/stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (~35 nm). Irradiation (voltages 13–29 kV) led to ablation (up to 45% mass loss) and average/maximum pore areas from (0.07–1.66)/(0.69–92.53) μm2, mimicking the human cortical bone. Vitrification above 1150 °C formed (~62–30 nm) crystallites of α-Tri Calcium Phosphate. Unique porosification resulted from irradiation-induced sub-surface boiling and limited thermal conductivity of hydroxyapatite, causing material to expand/explode through the more quickly solidified top surface. Commercially applicable, roughened Ti6Al4V exacerbated the heating and boiling explosion phenomenon in certain regions, producing an array of pore sizes. Scaffold-like morphologies were generated by interconnection of micron/sub-micron porosity, showing great potential for facile generation of a biomimetic surface treatment for osseointegration.
A study of the correlation between obesity and intestinal flora in school-age children
Authors: Gao Xiaolin , Jia Ruizhen , Xie Liang , Kuang Linghan , Feng Ling , Wan Chaomin
Published: September 2018

With the improvement of living standards and dietary changes, childhood obesity has increased worldwide. This study aimed to understand the differences of intestinal flora structure between obese and normal children at school-age. Using the next generation sequencing platform, Illumina Miseq, 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology, we analyzed the diversity and relative abundance of intestinal flora in 39 obese and 38 normal control school-age children. First, we categorized gut bacteria on the basis of their Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) using the RDP 16s rRNA database in RDP classifier. The alpha (α) diversity was used to measure the diversity within a sample and is calculated as a value for each sample. The beta (β) diversity was used to compare different samples and to measure the dissimilarity between each other sample. Our results indicated that intestinal flora in obese children showed lower diversity than normal controls. Significant differences of relative abundance of intestinal flora were detected at multiple levels of classifications. Identification of intestinal flora with significant difference between obese and normal children may provide important information to uncover the roles of these specific bacteria in the development of obesity and find new strategy to prevent and treat obesity through intervening the intestinal flora.
A soft artificial muscle driven robot with reinforcement learning
Authors: Yang Tao , Xiao Youhua , Zhang Zhen , Liang Yiming , Li Guorui , Zhang Mingqi , Li Shijian , Wong Tuck-Whye , Wang Yong , Li Tiefeng , Huang Zhilong
Published: September 2018

Soft robots driven by stimuli-responsive materials have their own unique advantages over traditional rigid robots such as large actuation, light weight, good flexibility and biocompatibility. However, the large actuation of soft robots inherently co-exists with difficulty in control with high precision. This article presents a soft artificial muscle driven robot mimicking cuttlefish with a fully integrated on-board system including power supply and wireless communication system. Without any motors, the movements of the cuttlefish robot are solely actuated by dielectric elastomer which exhibits muscle-like properties including large deformation and high energy density. Reinforcement learning is used to optimize the control strategy of the cuttlefish robot instead of manual adjustment. From scratch, the swimming speed of the robot is enhanced by 91% with reinforcement learning, reaching to 21 mm/s (0.38 body length per second). The design principle behind the structure and the control of the robot can be potentially useful in guiding device designs for demanding applications such as flexible devices and soft robots.
Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Botanical Variety of 320 Global Peanut Accessions Revealed Through Tunable Genotyping-by-Sequencing
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Sun Ziqi , Fang Yuanjin , Qi Feiyan , Liu Hua , Miao Lijuan , Du Pei , Shi Lei , Gao Wei , Han Suoyi , Dong Wenzhao , Tang Fengshou , Cheng Feng , Hu Haiyan , Huang Bingyan , Zhang Xinyou
Published: September 2018

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) were classified into six botanical varieties according to the morphological characteristics. However, their genetic evolutionary relationships at the genome-wide level were still unclear. A total of 320 peanut accessions, including four of the six botanical varieties, and 37,128 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) detected by tunable genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS) were used to reveal the evolutionary relationships among different botanical varieties and verify the phenotypic classification. A phylogenetic tree indicated that the tested accessions were grouped into three clusters. Almost all of the peanut accessions in cluster C1 belong to var.fastigiata, and clusters C2 and C3 mainly consisted of accessions from var.vulgarisand subsp.hypogaea, respectively. The results of a principal component analysis were consistent with relationships revealed in the phylogenetic tree. Population structure analysis showed that var.fastigiataand var.vulgariswere not separated when K = 2 (subgroup number), whereas they were clearly divided when K = 3. However, var.hypogaeaand var.hirsutacould not be distinguished from each other all the way. The nucleotide diversity (π) value implied that var.vulgarisexhibited the highest genetic diversity (0.048), followed by var.fastigiata(0.035) and subsp.hypogaea(0.012), which is consistent with the result of phylogenetic tree. Moreover, the fixation index (FST) value confirmed that var.fastigiataand var.vulgariswere closely related to each other (FST = 0.284), while both of them were clearly distinct from var.hypogaea(FST > 0.4). The present study confirmed the traditional botanical classifications of cultivated peanut at the genome-wide level. Furthermore, the reliable SNPs identified in this study may be a valuable resource for peanut breeders.
Live Cell Imaging of Bioorthogonally Labelled Proteins Generated With a Single Pyrrolysine tRNA Gene
Authors: Aloush Noa , Schvartz Tomer , König Andres I. , Cohen Sarit , Brozgol Eugene , Tam Benjamin , Nachmias Dikla , Ben-David Oshrit , Garini Yuval , Elia Natalie , Arbely Eyal
Published: September 2018

Genetic code expansion enables the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into expressed proteins. ncAAs are usually encoded by a stop codon that is decoded by an exogenous orthogonal aminoacyl tRNA synthetase and its cognate suppressor tRNA, such as the pyrrolysine $${\bf{\text{synthetase}}}{\boldsymbol{/}}{{\bf{\text{tRNA}}}}_{{\bf{\text{CUA}}}}^{{\bf{\text{Pyl}}}}$$

synthetase

/

tRNA

CUA

Pyl

pair. In such systems, stop codon suppression is dependent on the intracellular levels of the exogenous tRNA. Therefore, multiple copies of the tRNAPyl gene (PylT) are encoded to improve ncAA incorporation. However, certain applications in mammalian cells, such as live-cell imaging applications, where labelled tRNAs contribute to background fluorescence, can benefit from the use of less invasive minimal expression systems. Accordingly, we studied the effect of tRNAPyl on live-cell fluorescence imaging of bioorthogonally-labelled intracellular proteins. We found that in COS7 cells, a decrease in PylT copy numbers had no measurable effect on protein expression levels. Importantly, reducing PylT copy numbers improved the quality of live-cell images by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing an immobile tRNAPyl population. This enabled us to improve live cell imaging of bioorthogonally labelled intracellular proteins, and to simultaneously label two different proteins in a cell. Our results indicate that the number of introduced PylT genes can be minimized according to the transfected cell line, incorporated ncAA, and application.
The potential role of sciatic nerve stiffness in the limitation of maximal ankle range of motion
Authors: Andrade Ricardo J. , Freitas Sandro R. , Hug François , Le Sant Guillaume , Lacourpaille Lilian , Gross Raphäel , McNair Peter , Nordez Antoine
Published: September 2018

It is a long held belief that maximal joint range of motion (ROM) is restricted by muscle tension. However, it exists indirect evidence suggesting that this assumption may not hold true for some joint configurations where non-muscular structures, such as the peripheral nerves, are stretched. Direct evidences are lacking. This study aimed to determine whether a static stretching aiming to load the sciatic nerve without stretch within plantar flexors is effective to: (i) alter nerve stiffness; and (ii) increase the ankle’s maximal ROM. Passive maximal ankle ROM in dorsiflexion was assessed with the hip flexed at 90° (HIP-flexed) or neutral (HIP-neutral, 0°). Sciatic nerve stiffness was estimated using shear wave elastography. Sciatic nerve stretching induced both a 13.3 ± 7.9% (P < 0.001) decrease in the nerve stiffness and a 6.4 ± 2.6° increase in the maximal dorsiflexion ROM assessed in HIP-flexed. In addition, the decrease in sciatic nerve stiffness was significantly correlated with the change in maximal ROM in dorsiflexion (r = −0.571, P = 0.026). These effects occurred in the absence of any change in gastrocnemius medialis and biceps femoris stiffness, and ankle passive torque. These results demonstrate that maximal dorsiflexion ROM can be acutely increased by stretching the sciatic nerve, without altering the muscle stiffness.
Hemodynamic Responses to Simulated Long Working Hours with Short and Long Breaks in Healthy Men
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Ikeda Hiroki , Oyama Fuyuki , Wakisaka Keiko , Takahashi Masaya
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to examine hemodynamic responses and the necessity of breaks under long working hours. Thirty-eight healthy males conducted PC-based work from 9:10 to 22:00. Nine 10-minute short breaks and two long breaks (a 1-hour break and a 50-minute break) were provided, and hemodynamic responses were measured regularly during this period. The results showed that systolic blood pressure increased during the working hours and cardiovascular burden increased under long working hours. Cardiac responses decreased, but vascular responses increased continually during work periods without long breaks. The long breaks, however, benefitted workers by preventing excessive decreases in cardiac responses and increases in vascular responses, but this effect may decrease with the extension of working hours. In conclusion, long working hours increase cardiovascular burden, and taking long breaks is important for reducing these burdens when long working hours cannot be avoided.
Multilocus genetic risk score for diabetic retinopathy in the Han Chinese population of Taiwan
Authors: Liao Wen-Ling , Lin Jang-Ming , Chen Wen-Lu , Hsieh Ming-Chia , Wu Chia-Ming , Chang Ya-Wen , Huang Yu-Chuen , Tsai Fuu-Jen
Published: September 2018

The aim of this study is to explore the effect of genetic variation on diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk in a Taiwanese population. The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between DR status and risk factors, including the conventional parameters and genetic risk score (GRS). Candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GRS were selected based on previous reports with a combined P < 10−4 (genome-wide association) and P < 0.05 (meta-analysis). In total, 58 SNPs in 44 susceptibility loci were selected, and four were used to calculate GRS. After adjustment for age, systolic blood pressure, diabetes duration, and HbA1c, the DR risk was 4.95 times higher for patients in the top GRS third tile than for those in the bottom third tile (95% CI = 2.99–8.18; P < 0.001). The addition of genetic information improved DR prediction, increasing the area under the curve (AUC) from 0.72 to 0.77 (P = 0.0024) and improving the sensitivity of the model such that 40 more subjects were reclassified into DR status. The developed multivariate logistic regression model combining conventional risk factors and the multilocus GRS can predict DR, thus enabling timely treatment to reduce blindness in T2D patients.
Cytoplasmic location of NR4A1 in aggressive lymphomas is associated with a favourable cancer specific survival
Authors: Fechter Karoline , Feichtinger Julia , Prochazka Katharina , Unterluggauer Julia Judith , Pansy Katrin , Steinbauer Elisabeth , Pichler Martin , Haybaeck Johannes , Prokesch Andreas , Greinix Hildegard T. , Beham-Schmid Christine , Neumeister Peter , Thallinger Gerhard G. , Deutsch Alexander J. A.
Published: September 2018

The nuclear orphan receptorNR4A1functions as tumour suppressor in aggressive lymphomas by pro-apoptotic genomic and non-genomic effects. Here, we immunohistochemically studied the clinico-pathological relevance of NR4A1 protein expression patterns in a cohort of 60 diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients and non-neoplastic lymph nodes. We observed a significant association between high cytoplasmic NR4A1 and favourable cancer-specific survival and the germinal centre B cell-like subtype, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of lymphoma cells exhibiting cytoplasmic NR4A1 significantly correlated to those showing cleaved caspase 3. Complementary, functional profiling using gene set enrichment of Reactome pathways based on publicly available microarray data was applied to determine pathways potentially implicated in cytoplasmic localization of NR4A1 and validated by means of semi quantitative real-time PCR. The pathway analysis revealed changes in the ERK1/2 pathway, and this was corroborated by the finding that high cytoplasmic NR4A1 was associated with higher expression of ERK1/2 targets in our cohort. These data indicate that high cytoplasmic NR4A1 is associated with a favourable lymphoma-specific survival and highlights the importance of NR4A1 expression patterns as potential prognostic marker for risk assessment in aggressive lymphomas.
A minimal helical-hairpin motif provides molecular-level insights into misfolding and pharmacological rescue of CFTR
Authors: Krainer Georg , Treff Antoine , Hartmann Andreas , Stone Tracy A. , Schenkel Mathias , Keller Sandro , Deber Charles M. , Schlierf Michael
Published: September 2018

Our meagre understanding of CFTR misfolding and its reversal by small-molecule correctors hampers the development of mechanism-based therapies of cystic fibrosis. Here we exploit a helical-hairpin construct—the simplest proxy of membrane-protein tertiary contacts—containing CFTR’s transmembrane helices 3 and 4 and its corresponding disease phenotypic mutant V232D to gain molecular-level insights into CFTR misfolding and drug rescue by the corrector Lumacaftor. Using a single-molecule FRET approach to study hairpin conformations in lipid bilayers, we find that the wild-type hairpin is well folded, whereas the V232D mutant assumes an open conformation in bilayer thicknesses mimicking the endoplasmic reticulum. Addition of Lumacaftor reverses the aberrant opening of the mutant hairpin to restore a compact state as in the wild type. The observed membrane escape of the V232D hairpin and its reversal by Lumacaftor complement cell-based analyses of the full-length protein, thereby providing in vivo and in vitro correlates of CFTR misfolding and drug-action mechanisms.
Fabrication of an integrated polystyrene microdevice for pre-concentration and amplification ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 from raw milk
Authors: Trinh Kieu The Loan , Minh Chon Nguyen , Lee Nae Yoon
Published: September 2018

A polystyrene microdevice on which sample pre-concentration and subsequent amplification functionalities were integrated was fabricated for the detection of a foodborne pathogen,Escherichia coliO157:H7, in raw milk.
Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-l-glutamate complexed with polyethyleneimine−polyglycine for highly efficient gene delivery in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Guo Zhaopei , Lin Lin , Chen Jie , Zhou Xingzhi , Chan Hon Fai , Chen Xuesi , Tian Huayu , Chen Meiwan
Published: September 2018

The highly efficient gene delivery system with effective serum resistant capacity is promising for cancer therapy.
Super long-life potassium-ion batteries based on an antimony@carbon composite anode
Authors: Liu Qian , Fan Ling , Ma Ruifang , Chen Suhua , Yu Xinzhi , Yang Hongguan , Xie Yong , Han Xu , Lu Bingan
Published: September 2018

An Sb@G@C electrode exhibits an outstanding long cycle stability over 800 cycles with a capacity retention as high as 72.3%.
Spatial confinement of a cationic MOF: a SC–SC approach for high capacity Cr(vi)-oxyanion capture in aqueous solution
Authors: Fu Hong-Ru , Wang Ning , Qin Jian-Hua , Han Min-Le , Ma Lu-Fang , Wang Fei
Published: September 2018

Compound 1 could be used as a single crystal container to capture Cr(vi)-oxyanions via ion exchange with high capacity and selectivity. It is the first report that demonstrates that CrO42− ions could be traced and confirmed through a single-crystal to single-crystal (SC–SC) pattern.
Retracted Article: Sublimable cationic Ir(iii) phosphor using chlorine as a counterion for high-performance monochromatic and white OLEDs
Authors: Ding Lei , Zang Chun-Xiu , Mao Hui-Ting , Shan Guo-Gang , Wen Li-Li , Sun Hai-Zhu , Xie Wen-Fa , Su Zhong-Min
Published: September 2018

A sublimable cationic Ir(iii) complex using chlorine as a counterion was synthesized to fabricate high-performance WOLEDs via a vacuum-deposition process for the first time.
Operando XAS/Raman/MS monitoring of ethanol steam reforming reaction–regeneration cycles
Authors: Passos Aline Ribeiro , La Fontaine Camille , Martins Leandro , Pulcinelli Sandra Helena , Santilli Celso Valentim , Briois Valérie
Published: September 2018

The catalyst regeneration leads to the redispersion of smaller cobalt particles leading to a similar conversion along successive reaction–regeneration cycles.
Emerging opportunities in exploring the nutritional/functional value of amaranth
Authors: Coelho Laylla Marques , Silva Pedro Miguel , Martins Joana T. , Pinheiro Ana C. , Vicente António A.
Published: September 2018

Amaranthusspp. is a highly nutritive pseudocereal, rich in macronutrients and micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
Impact of composition and texture of protein-added yogurts on oral activity
Authors: Morell Pere , Tárrega Amparo , Foegeding Edward Allen , Fiszman Susana
Published: September 2018

Understanding how oral processing is altered in response to changes in the composition and mechanical properties of food provides useful information to design food with improved satiating capacity which is largely influenced by oral exposure.
High-affinity binding with specific peptides endows EuW10a good luminescence probe for HPV E6 detection
Authors: Liu Yuxue , Yuan Xinxin , Wang Weixian , Wu Yuqing , Wu Lixin
Published: September 2018

EuW10is applied as a sensitive biological probe, which is the first fluorescence detector of HPV E6in vitro.
Interfacing enzymes with silicon nanocrystals through the thiol–ene reaction
Authors: Robidillo Christopher Jay T. , Aghajamali Maryam , Faramus Angelique , Sinelnikov Regina , Veinot Jonathan G. C.
Published: September 2018

Functional photoluminescent catalytic bioinorganic hybrids from silicon nanocrystals and enzymes have been prepared through the photochemical thiol–ene “click” reaction.
Plasmonic and colloidal stability behaviours of Au-acrylic core–shell nanoparticles with thin pH-responsive shells
Authors: Wu Shanglin , Zhu Mingning , Lian Qing , Lu Dongdong , Spencer Ben , Adlam Daman J. , Hoyland Judith A. , Volk Kirsten , Karg Matthias , Saunders Brian R.
Published: September 2018

New Au-copolymer core–shell nanoparticles with thin pH-responsive polymer shells show explainable thickness dependent surface plasmonic behaviour, enhanced dispersion stability or reversible aggregation.
H- and J-aggregates formed from a nontraditional π-gelator depending on the solvent polarity for the detection of amine vapors
Authors: Sun Jingbo , Qian Chong , Xu Shenzheng , Jia Xiaoyu , Zhai Lu , Zhao Jinyu , Lu Ran
Published: September 2018

A difluoroboron β-diketonate complex can self-assemble into H- and J-aggregates in the solvents with different polarity.
Intrinsically stretchable, solution-processable functional poly(siloxane-imide)s for stretchable resistive memory applications
Authors: Hsu Li-Che , Shih Chien-Chung , Hsieh Hui-Ching , Chiang Yun-Chi , Wu Ping-Han , Chueh Chu-Chen , Chen Wen-Chang
Published: September 2018

A stretchable WORM-type resistive memory device was fabricated using poly(siloxane-imide) ODPA-A12 with favorable mechanical properties.
The role of oxygen vacancies in the sensing properties of Ni substituted SnO2 microspheres
Authors: Sun Jianwu , Yin Guilin , Cai Ting , Yu Weiwei , Peng Fang , Sun Yan , Zhang Fang , Lu Jing , Ge Meiying , He Dannong
Published: September 2018

The influence of Ni doping in SnO2 microspheres was investigated in this study.
Sizing and identification of nanoparticles by a tapered fiber
Authors: Pan Huiling , Zhang Weina , Lei Hongxiang
Published: September 2018

Nanoparticles with different sizes or with different refractive index can be distinguished using an optical tapered fiber.
Necessity of two-dimensional visualization of validity in the nanomechanical mapping of atomic force microscopy for sulphur cross-linked rubber
Authors: Ohashi Takumi , Sato Tomoyuki , Nakajima Taichi , Junkong Preeyanuch , Ikeda Yuko
Published: September 2018

The two-dimensional visualization of validity for nanomechanical mapping in atomic force microscopy for sulphur cross-linked rubber is emphasized for accurately interpreting the nanoscale physical properties on the surface of the soft material.
Phenolation of cyclodextrin polymers controls their lead and organic micropollutant adsorption
Authors: Klemes Max J. , Ling Yuhan , Chiapasco Marta , Alsbaiee Alaaeddin , Helbling Damian E. , Dichtel William R.
Published: September 2018

Lead and superior micropollutant sequestration by phenolated cyclodextrin polymer networks.
Smart composite hydrogel with pH-, ionic strength- and temperature-induced actuation
Authors: Shang Jiaojiao , Theato Patrick
Published: September 2018

A facile and versatile photo-patterning method to fabricate “smart” hydrogels with defined lateral and vertical inhomogeneity of hydrogel composition and dimensions has been developed via generating programmable composite hydrogels and bilayer hydrogels based on thermal and ionic strength-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels.