bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partitioning Dynamics of Gravity‐Driven Unsaturated Flow Through Simple T‐Shaped Fracture Intersections
Authors: Yang Zhibing , Xue Song , Zheng Xiaokang , Chen Yi‐Feng
Published: August 2019

A fundamental understanding of the fluid movement and dynamic partitioning process at fracture intersections is important to accurately predict water infiltration and contaminant transport in networks of fractures. We present an experimental study on the flow‐splitting behavior at a T‐shaped intersection. Different combinations of apertures of the vertical (bv) and horizontal (bh) fractures are considered. Experimental results confirm that the gravity‐driven flow in the vertical fracture transitions from droplet to rivulet mode as the flow rate increases. We quantify the flow dynamics through the intersection and especially focus on the partitioning efficiency (η) defined as the percentage of flow partitioned into the horizontal fracture. We identify three regimes of flow partitioning at the intersection for the case of bv < bh: total partitioning (η → 1), splitting or partial bypass (0 < η < 1), and total bypass (η → 0). The total bypass regime is associated with the rivulet mode with a flow rate higher than ~1.5 ml/min. We find a simple relationship between η and the flow rate Q for droplet flow, η = min(1, ChQ−1), where Ch is a threshold flow rate below which droplets almost completely imbibe into the horizontal fracture, leading to η → 1. A force balance analysis links Ch to a critical droplet length for the transition from complete partitioning to path splitting. The obtained relationship is further supported by numerical simulations of droplet flow through intersections. The results and analysis from this study may provide insights and physical constraints on construction of reduced order unsaturated flow models based on simplified discrete fracture networks.
AGU Advances Goes Online
Authors: Trumbore Susan , Barros Ana , Davidson Eric , Ehlmann Bethany , Famiglietti Jay , Gruber Nicolas , Hudson Mary , Illangasekare Tissa , Kang Sarah , Parsons Tom , Rizzoli Paola , Salters Vincent , Stevens Bj�rn , Wuebbles Donald , Zeitler Peter , Zhu Tong
Published: August 2019

Featuring high-impact papers and a streamlined process, AGU’s new journal is ready to launch.
The Missing Solar Cycle Response of the Polar Summer Mesosphere
Authors: Hervig Mark E. , Siskind David E. , Bailey Scott M. , Merkel Aimee W. , DeLand Matthew T. , Russell James M.
Published: August 2019

The response of the polar mesosphere to the 11‐year solar cycle is investigated using satellite observations from 1979 to 2018. Solar maximum is expected to cause higher temperatures and lower water vapor in the upper mesosphere, thus reducing the amount of ice in polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs). While PMCs showed a clear anticorrelation with the solar cycle before roughly 2002, this response is absent during recent years. PMCs are controlled by temperature and water vapor, which were examined using mesospheric observations during 1992–2018. The main cause of the diminished solar cycle in PMCs near 68°S and 68°N appears to be a dramatic suppression of the solar cycle response of water vapor. The solar cycle response of temperature also decreases after 2002, but calculations show that the decreased H2O response had more than 3 times the impact on PMCs than the reduction in temperature response.
The 2018 Martian Global Dust Storm Over the South Polar Region Studied With MEx/VMC
Authors: Hernández‐Bernal J. , Sánchez‐Lavega A. , del Río‐Gaztelurrutia T. , Hueso R. , Cardesín‐Moinelo A. , Ravanis E. M. , de Burgos‐Sierra A. , Titov D. , Wood S.
Published: August 2019

We study the 2018 Martian global dust storm (GDS 2018) over the Southern Polar Region using images obtained by the Visual Monitoring Camera (VMC) on board Mars Express (MEx) during June and July 2018. Dust penetrated into the polar cap region but never covered the cap completely, and its spatial distribution was nonhomogeneous and rapidly changing. However, we detected long but narrow aerosol curved arcs with a length of ~2,000–3,000 km traversing part of the cap and crossing the terminator into the nightside. Tracking discrete dust clouds allowed measurements of their motions that were toward the terminator with velocities up to 100 m/s. The images of the dust projected into the Martian limb show maximum altitudes of ~70 km but with large spatial and temporal variations. We discuss these results in the context of the predictions of a numerical model for dust storm scenario.
Thermoluminescence and Optically Stimulated Luminescence Measured in Marine Sediments Indicate Precipitation Changes Over Northeastern Brazil
Authors: R. Mendes Vinícius , Sawakuchi André O. , M. Chiessi Cristiano , F. Giannini Paulo C. , Rehfeld Kira , Mulitza Stefan
Published: August 2019

Marine sediment cores offer a great number of proxies for reconstructions of past environmental conditions, such as ocean temperature, salinity, primary productivity, stratification of the upper water column, and continental precipitation. Up to date, continental precipitation archived in marine sediment cores is reconstructed based mainly on the hydrogen isotopic composition of plant‐wax compounds (i.e., n‐alkane δD) or on the ratio between terrigenous and marine sediments expressed as elemental ratios (e.g., ln (Fe/Ca)). Although these proxies provide reliable precipitation reconstructions, there are some inherent limitations, as plant‐wax δD application depends on the availability of n‐alkanes in marine sediments and elemental ratios can be influenced by other factors like the relative sea‐level, primary productivity, and postdepositional processes. Here we introduce new precipitation proxies based on optically stimulated luminescence and thermoluminescence signals of quartz and feldspar. The rationale is that when precipitation changes over the catchment through time, different sediment sources regarding weathering intensity and parent rock types are drained, supplying sediments with varying signals of luminescence to the ocean. We compared our new proxy records with records of well‐established proxies, for the same (ln (Fe/Ca)) and neighboring (n‐alkane δD) marine sediment cores. The comparison among all proxies as well as with a state‐of‐art transient climate model run (TraCE‐21ka) demonstrates that the new proxies accurately constrain precipitation changes over northeastern Brazil for the last 30,000 years. The main advantage of these new proxies relies on their fast response to precipitation changes over the continent. Furthermore, they are straightforward to measure and not expensive.
Publisher Correction: Acetate attenuates inflammasome activation through GPR43-mediated Ca2+-dependent NLRP3 ubiquitination
Authors: Xu Mengda , Jiang Zhengyu , Wang Changli , Li Na , Bo Lulong , Zha Yanping , Bian Jinjun , Zhang Yan , Deng Xiaoming
Published: August 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Morphine coordinates SST and PV interneurons in the prelimbic cortex to disinhibit pyramidal neurons and enhance reward
Authors: Jiang Changyou , Wang Xueying , Le Qiumin , Liu Peipei , Liu Cao , Wang Zhilin , He Guanhong , Zheng Ping , Wang Feifei , Ma Lan
Published: August 2019

Opioids, such as morphine, are clinic analgesics which induce euphoria. Morphine exposure modifies the excitability and functional interactions between neurons, while the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, especially how morphine assembles heterogeneous interneurons (INs) in prelimbic cortex (PrL) to mediate disinhibition and reward, are not clear. Using approaches of optogenetics, electrophysiology, and cell type-specific RNA-seq, we show that morphine attenuates the inhibitory synaptic transmission from parvalbumin+ (PV)-INs onto pyramidal neurons in PrL via μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in PV-INs. Meanwhile, morphine enhances the inhibitory inputs from somatostatin+ (SST)-INs onto PV-INs, and thus disinhibits pyramidal neurons via δ-opioid receptor (DOR)-dependent Rac1 upregulation in SST-INs. We show that MOR in PV-INs is required for morphine-induced behavioral sensitization, while DOR as well as Rac1 activity in SST-INs is required for morphine-induced conditioned place preference and hyper-locomotion. These results reveal that SST- and PV-INs, functioning in PrL as a disinhibitory architecture, are coordinated by morphine via different opioid receptors to disinhibit pyramidal neurons and enhance reward.
Correction: Progressive decline in hippocampal CA1 volume in individuals at ultra-high-risk for psychosis who do not remit: findings from the longitudinal youth at risk study
Authors: Ho New Fei , Holt Daphne J. , Cheung Mike , Iglesias Juan Eugenio , Goh Alex , Wang Mingyuan , Lim Joseph K. W. , de Souza Joshua , Poh Joann S. , See Yuen Mei , Adcock R. Alison , Wood Stephen J. , Chee Michael W. L. , Lee Jimmy , Zhou Juan
Published: August 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy of single and multi-layer graphene
Authors: Virga A. , Ferrante C. , Batignani G. , De Fazio D. , Nunn A. D. G. , Ferrari A. C. , Cerullo G. , Scopigno T.
Published: August 2019

Spontaneous Raman spectroscopy is a powerful characterization tool for graphene research. Its extension to the coherent regime, despite the large nonlinear third-order susceptibility of graphene, has so far proven challenging. Due to its gapless nature, several interfering electronic and phononic transitions concur to generate its optical response, preventing to retrieve spectral profiles analogous to those of spontaneous Raman. Here we report stimulated Raman spectroscopy of the G-phonon in single and multi-layer graphene, through coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering. The nonlinear signal is dominated by a vibrationally non-resonant background, obscuring the Raman lineshape. We demonstrate that the vibrationally resonant coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering peak can be measured by reducing the temporal overlap of the laser excitation pulses, suppressing the vibrationally non-resonant background. We model the spectra, taking into account the electronically resonant nature of both. We show how coherent anti-Stokes Raman Scattering can be used for graphene imaging with vibrational sensitivity.
A general approach for detecting expressed mutations in AML cells using single cell RNA-sequencing
Authors: Petti Allegra A. , Williams Stephen R. , Miller Christopher A. , Fiddes Ian T. , Srivatsan Sridhar N. , Chen David Y. , Fronick Catrina C. , Fulton Robert S. , Church Deanna M. , Ley Timothy J.
Published: August 2019

Virtually all tumors are genetically heterogeneous, containing mutationally-defined subclonal cell populations that often have distinct phenotypes. Single-cell RNA-sequencing has revealed that a variety of tumors are also transcriptionally heterogeneous, but the relationship between expression heterogeneity and subclonal architecture is unclear. Here, we address this question in the context of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) by integrating whole genome sequencing with single-cell RNA-sequencing (using the 10x Genomics Chromium Single Cell 5’ Gene Expression workflow). Applying this approach to five cryopreserved AML samples, we identify hundreds to thousands of cells containing tumor-specific mutations in each case, and use the results to distinguish AML cells (including normal-karyotype AML cells) from normal cells, identify expression signatures associated with subclonal mutations, and find cell surface markers that could be used to purify subclones for further study. This integrative approach for connecting genotype to phenotype is broadly applicable to any sample that is phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous.
Autophagy inhibition elicits emergence from metastatic dormancy by inducing and stabilizing Pfkfb3 expression
Authors: La Belle Flynn Alyssa , Calhoun Benjamin C. , Sharma Arishya , Chang Jenny C. , Almasan Alexandru , Schiemann William P.
Published: August 2019

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are unique in their ability to undergo unlimited self-renewal, an essential process in breast cancer recurrence following metastatic dormancy. Emergent metastatic lesions were subjected to microarray analysis, which identified 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (Pfkfb3) as a differentially expressed gene coupled to metastatic recurrence. Here, we report that elevated Pfkfb3 expression correlates with the appearance of aggressive breast cancers and reduces relapse-free survival, as well as enhances BCSC self-renewal and metastatic outgrowth. We observe an inverse relationship between Pfkfb3 expression and autophagy, which reduces Pfkfb3 expression and elicits cellular dormancy. Targeted depletion of Atg3, Atg7, or p62/sequestosome-1 to inactivate autophagy restores aberrant Pfkfb3 expression in dormant BCSCs, leading to their reactivation of proliferative programs and outgrowth. Moreover, Pfkfb3 interacts physically with autophagy machinery, specifically the UBA domain of p62/sequestosome-1. Importantly, disrupting autophagy and this event enables Pfkfb3 to drive dormant BCSCs and metastatic lesions to recur.
Rainfall drives variation in rates of change in intrinsic water use efficiency of tropical forests
Authors: Adams Mark A. , Buckley Thomas N. , Turnbull Tarryn L.
Published: August 2019

Rates of change in intrinsic water use efficiency (W) of trees relative to those in atmospheric [CO2] (ca) have been mostly assessed via short-term studies (e.g., leaf analysis, flux analysis) and/or step increases in ca (e.g., FACE studies). Here we use compiled data for abundances of carbon isotopes in tree stems to show that on decadal scales, rates of change (dW/dca) vary with location and rainfall within the global tropics. For the period 1915–1995, and including corrections for mesophyll conductance and photorespiration, dW/dca for drier tropical forests (receiving ~ 1000 mm rainfall) were at least twice that of the wettest (receiving ~ 4000 mm). The data also empirically confirm theorized roles of tropical forests in changes in atmospheric 13C/12C ratios (the 13C Suess Effect). Further formal analysis of geographic variation in decade-to-century scale dW/dca will be needed to refine current models that predict increases in carbon uptake by forests without hydrological cost.
Author Correction: A split fluorescent reporter with rapid and reversible complementation
Authors: Tebo Alison G. , Gautier Arnaud
Published: August 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Whole-exome and whole-transcriptome sequencing of canine mammary gland tumors
Authors: Kim Ka-Kyung , Seung Byung-Joon , Kim Dohyun , Park Hee-Myung , Lee Sejoon , Song Doo-Won , Lee Gunho , Cheong Jae-Ho , Nam Hojung , Sur Jung-Hyang , Kim Sangwoo
Published: August 2019

Studies of naturally occurring cancers in dogs, which share many genetic and environmental factors with humans, provide valuable information as a comparative model for studying the mechanisms of human cancer pathogenesis. While individual and small-scale studies of canine cancers are underway, more generalized multi-omics studies have not been attempted due to the lack of large-scale and well-controlled genomic data. Here, we produced reliable whole-exome and whole-transcriptome sequencing data of 197 canine mammary cancers and their matched controls, annotated with rich clinical and biological features. Our dataset provides useful reference points for comparative analysis with human cancers and for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for cancers in pet dogs.
HENA, heterogeneous network-based data set for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Sügis Elena , Dauvillier Jerome , Leontjeva Anna , Adler Priit , Hindie Valerie , Moncion Thomas , Collura Vincent , Daudin Rachel , Loe-Mie Yann , Herault Yann , Lambert Jean-Charles , Hermjakob Henning , Pupko Tal , Rain Jean-Christophe , Xenarios Ioannis , Vilo Jaak , Simonneau Michel , Peterson Hedi
Published: August 2019

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are the top cause for disabilities in later life and various types of experiments have been performed to understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease with the aim of coming up with potential drug targets. These experiments have been carried out by scientists working in different domains such as proteomics, molecular biology, clinical diagnostics and genomics. The results of such experiments are stored in the databases designed for collecting data of similar types. However, in order to get a systematic view of the disease from these independent but complementary data sets, it is necessary to combine them. In this study we describe a heterogeneous network-based data set for Alzheimer’s disease (HENA). Additionally, we demonstrate the application of state-of-the-art graph convolutional networks, i.e. deep learning methods for the analysis of such large heterogeneous biological data sets. We expect HENA to allow scientists to explore and analyze their own results in the broader context of Alzheimer’s disease research.
Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy reliably determines galectin-ligand interactions
Authors: Sindrewicz Paulina , Li Xiaoxin , Yates Edwin A. , Turnbull Jeremy E. , Lian Lu-Yun , Yu Lu-Gang
Published: August 2019

Galectins are involved in the regulation of divergent physiological and pathological processes and are increasingly recognized to play important roles in a number of diseases. However, a simple and effective way in assessing galectin-ligand interactions is lacking. Our examination of the sequence of all 12 human galectin members reveals the presence of one or more tryptophan residues in the carbohydrate-recognition domains of each galectin. This led us to investigate the possibility that alteration of the galectin intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence could be used in determining the strength of galectin-ligand interactions. One representative member from each of the three subtype galectins, galectin-2 (proto-), galectin-3 (chimera-) and galectin-4 (tandem repeat-type), was selected and analysed for galectin interaction with three ligands of different affinities: galactose, lactose and N-acetyl-lactosamine using tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy (TFS) and, as a comparison, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Good agreement between TFS and ITC measurements were revealed in ligand bindings of all galectin members. Moreover, TFS detected very weak galectin binding where ITC could not reliably do so. The reliability of TFS in determining galectin-ligand interactions was further validated by analysis of galectin-3 interaction with a semisynthetic ligand, F3. Thus, TFS can be used as a simple, sensitive and reliable way to determine galectin-ligand interactions and also as a drug-discovery platform in developing galectin-targeted therapeutic drugs.
The application of poorly crystalline silicotitanate in production of 225Ac
Authors: Fitzsimmons Jonathan , Abraham Alyson , Catalano Demetra , Younes Ali , Cutler Cathy S. , Medvedev Dmitri
Published: August 2019

Actinium-225 (225Ac) can be produced from a Thorium-229/Radium-225 (229Th/225Ra) generator, from high/low energy proton irradiated natural Thorium or Radium-226 target. Titanium based ion exchanger were evaluated for purification of 225Ac. Poorly crystalline silicotitanate (PCST) ion exchanger had high selectivity for Ba, Ag and Th. 225Ac was received with trace amounts of 227Ac, 227Th and 223Ra, and the solution was used to evaluate the retention of the isotopes on PCST ion exchanger. Over 90% of the 225Ac was recovered from PCST, and the radiopurity was >99% (calculated based on 225Ac, 227Th, and 223Ra). The capacity of the PCST inorganic ion exchange for Barium and 232Th was determined to be 24.19 mg/mL for Barium and 5.05 mg/mL for Thorium. PCST ion exchanger could separate 225Ac from isotopes of Ra and Th, and the process represents an interesting one step separation that could be used in an 225Ac generator from 225Ra and/or 229Th. Capacity studies indicated PCST could be used to separate 225Ac produced on small 226Ra targets (0.3–1 g), but PCST did not have a high enough capacity for production scale Th targets (50–100 g).
Competitive percolation strategies for network recovery
Authors: Smith Andrew M. , Pósfai Márton , Rohden Martin , González Andrés D. , Dueñas-Osorio Leonardo , D’Souza Raissa M.
Published: August 2019

Restoring operation of critical infrastructure systems after catastrophic events is an important issue, inspiring work in multiple fields, including network science, civil engineering, and operations research. We consider the problem of finding the optimal order of repairing elements in power grids and similar infrastructure. Most existing methods either only consider system network structure, potentially ignoring important features, or incorporate component level details leading to complex optimization problems with limited scalability. We aim to narrow the gap between the two approaches. Analyzing realistic recovery strategies, we identify over- and undersupply penalties of commodities as primary contributions to reconstruction cost, and we demonstrate traditional network science methods, which maximize the largest connected component, are cost inefficient. We propose a novel competitive percolation recovery model accounting for node demand and supply, and network structure. Our model well approximates realistic recovery strategies, suppressing growth of the largest connected component through a process analogous to explosive percolation. Using synthetic power grids, we investigate the effect of network characteristics on recovery process efficiency. We learn that high structural redundancy enables reduced total cost and faster recovery, however, requires more information at each recovery step. We also confirm that decentralized supply in networks generally benefits recovery efforts.
A BAC Transgene Expressing Human CFTR under Control of Its Regulatory Elements Rescues Cftr Knockout Mice
Authors: Gawenis Lara R. , Hodges Craig A. , McHugh Daniel R. , Valerio Dana M. , Miron Alexander , Cotton Calvin U. , Liu Jinghua , Walker Nancy M. , Strubberg Ashlee M. , Gillen Austin E. , Mutolo Michael J. , Kotzamanis George , Bosch Jürgen , Harris Ann , Drumm Mitchell L. , Clarke Lane L.
Published: August 2019

Small-molecule modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) biology show promise in the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF). A Cftr knockout (Cftr KO) mouse expressing mutants of human CFTR would advance in vivo testing of new modulators. A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) carrying the complete hCFTR gene including regulatory elements within 40.1 kb of DNA 5′ and 25 kb of DNA 3′ to the gene was used to generate founder mice expressing hCFTR. Whole genome sequencing indicated a single integration site on mouse chromosome 8 (8qB2) with ~6 gene copies. hCFTR+ offspring were bred to murine Cftr KO mice, producing hCFTR+/mCftr− (H+/m−) mice, which had normal survival, growth and goblet cell function as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Expression studies showed hCFTR protein and transcripts in tissues typically expressing mCftr. Functionally, nasal potential difference and large intestinal short-circuit (Isc) responses to cAMP stimulation were similar in magnitude to WT mice, whereas small intestinal cAMP ΔIsc responses were reduced. A BAC transgenic mouse with functional hCFTR under control of its regulatory elements has been developed to enable the generation of mouse models of hCFTR mutations by gene editing for in vivo testing of new CF therapies.
Muscle satellite cells and impaired late stage regeneration in different murine models for muscular dystrophies
Authors: Ribeiro Antonio F. , Souza Lucas S. , Almeida Camila F. , Ishiba Renata , Fernandes Stephanie A. , Guerrieri Danielle A. , Santos André L. F. , Onofre-Oliveira Paula C. G. , Vainzof Mariz
Published: August 2019

Satellite cells (SCs) are the main muscle stem cells responsible for its regenerative capacity. In muscular dystrophies, however, a failure of the regenerative process results in muscle degeneration and weakness. To analyze the effect of different degrees of muscle degeneration in SCs behavior, we studied adult muscle of the dystrophic strains: DMDmdx, Largemyd, DMDmdx/Largemyd, with variable histopathological alterations. Similar results were observed in the dystrophic models, which maintained normal levels of PAX7 expression, retained the Pax7-positive SCs pool, and their proliferation capacity. Moreover, elevated expression of MYOG, an important myogenic factor, was also observed. The ability to form new fibers was verified by the presence of dMyHC positive regenerating fibers. However, those fibers had incomplete maturation characteristics, such as small and homogenous fiber caliber, which could contribute to their dysfunction. We concluded that dystrophic muscles, independently of their degeneration degree, retain their SCs pool with proliferating and regenerative capacities. Nonetheless, the maturation of these new fibers is incomplete and do not prevent muscle degeneration. Taken together, these results suggest that the improvement of late muscle regeneration should better contribute to therapeutic approaches.
First determination of Pu isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu and 241Pu) in radioactive particles derived from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Igarashi Junya , Zheng Jian , Zhang Zijian , Ninomiya Kazuhiko , Satou Yukihiko , Fukuda Miho , Ni Youyi , Aono Tatsuo , Shinohara Atsushi
Published: August 2019

Radioactive particles were released into the environment during the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the chemical composition of released radioactive particles in order to understand their formation process. However, whether radioactive particles contain nuclear fuel radionuclides remains to be investigated. Here, we report the first determination of Pu isotopes in radioactive particles. To determine the Pu isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu and 241Pu) in radioactive particles derived from the FDNPP accident which were free from the influence of global fallout, radiochemical analysis and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry measurements were conducted. Radioactive particles derived from unit 1 and unit 2 or 3 were analyzed. For the radioactive particles derived from unit 1, activities of 239+240Pu and 241Pu were (1.70–7.06) × 10−5 Bq and (4.10–8.10) × 10−3 Bq, respectively and atom ratios of 240Pu/239Pu and 241Pu/239Pu were 0.330–0.415 and 0.162–0.178, respectively. These ratios were consistent with the simulation results from ORIGEN code and measurements from various environmental samples. In contrast, Pu was not detected in the radioactive particles derived from unit 2 or 3. The difference in Pu contents is clear evidence towards different formation processes of radioactive particles, and detailed formation processes can be investigated from Pu analysis.
High rates of maternal depression amongst Syrian refugees in Lebanon - a pilot study
Authors: Stevenson Kerrie , Alameddine Reina , Rukbi Ghaith , Chahrouri Mario , Usta Jinan , Saab Bassem , Bennett Phillip , Glover Vivette , Reynolds Rebecca M.
Published: August 2019

This pilot study compares symptoms of depression and risk factors amongst Syrian refugees and low-income Lebanese mothers accessing a primary care centre in Beirut between January and June 2018. Women who gave birth in the previous two years or who were currently pregnant were included in the study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Arabic Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Correlations between EPDS score and sociodemographic and mental health variables were analysed using Pearson’s coefficient and ANOVA. 35 Syrian and 25 Lebanese women were recruited, 15 of whom were pregnant. EPDS scores were high in the whole group (mean 16.12 (SD 7.72), n = 60). Scores were higher amongst Syrian refugees than Lebanese mothers (17.77, SD 7.66 vs, 13.80, SD 7.34, p < 0.05). Illegal residence (p < 0.001), domestic violence (p < 0.05) and a history of mental illness (p < 0.01) were associated with higher scores. This pilot study demonstrates high rates of symptoms of depression amongst mothers in this population. Symptoms were particularly prevalent amongst Syrian refugees; three-quarters were ‘probably depressed’ and would warrant psychiatric assessment. This highlights the importance of improved mental healthcare for refugee mothers, the importance of addressing the social determinants of maternal mental health and further research into the effects of depression on these women and their children.
A New Clevosaurid from the Triassic (Carnian) of Brazil and the Rise of Sphenodontians in Gondwana
Authors: Hsiou Annie S. , Nydam Randall L. , Simões Tiago R. , Pretto Flávio A. , Onary Silvio , Martinelli Agustín G. , Liparini Alexandre , Martínez Paulo R. Romo de Vivar , Soares Marina B. , Schultz Cesar L. , Caldwell Michael W.
Published: August 2019

The early evolution of lepidosaurs is marked by an extremely scarce fossil record during the Triassic. Importantly, most Triassic lepidosaur specimens are represented by disarticulated individuals from high energy accretion deposits in Laurasia, thus greatly hampering our understanding of the initial stages of lepidosaur evolution. Here, we describe the fragmentary remains of an associated skull and mandible of Clevosaurus hadroprodon sp. nov., a new taxon of sphenodontian lepidosaur from the Late Triassic (Carnian; 237–228 Mya) of Brazil. Referral to Sphenodontia is supported by the combined presence of a marginal dentition ankylosed to the apex of the dentary, maxilla, and premaxilla; the presence of ‘secondary bone’ at the bases of the marginal dentition; and a ventrally directed mental process at the symphysis of the dentary. Our phylogenetic analyses recover Clevosaurus hadroprodon as a clevosaurid, either in a polytomy with the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Clevosaurus and Brachyrhinodon (under Bayesian inference), or nested among different species of Clevosaurus (under maximum parsimony). Clevosaurus hadroprodon represents the oldest known sphenodontian from Gondwana, and its clevosaurid relationships indicates that these sphenodontians achieved a widespread biogeographic distribution much earlier than previously thought.
Natural Frequencies of seiches in Lake Chapala
Authors: Avalos Cueva David , Monzón Cesar O. , Filonov Anatoliy , Tereshchenko Iryna , Limón Covarrubias Pedro , Galaviz González José Roberto
Published: August 2019

This research presents an analysis of the frequencies and vibration modes of the structure of the superficial seiches of Lake Chapala using mathematical modelling and measurements. The HAMSOM model was run with wind fields from coastal meteorological stations and for different lake storage levels. The lake water level measurements were carried out in two campaigns in 2003. An analysis of the surface seiches in the lake was performed using the fast Fourier transform method. A spectral analysis of lake water level measurements reveals seiches with periods close to 5.9, 3, 2, and 1.5 h. A comparison with the periods calculated by the HAMSOM model indicates that these periods correspond to superficial seiches of the fundamental longitudinal mode of the lake and the subsequent three modes. The lake has undergone important changes in its storage level over time. Therefore, we modelled it with storage levels from the isobaths 90 to 95 m and found that surface seiche periods decreased to 5.2 h.
Linking type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiac hypertrophy and depression in a diurnal animal model
Authors: Bilu Carmel , Einat Haim , Barak Orly , Zimmet Paul , Vishnevskia-Dai Vicktoria , Govrin Amanda , Agam Galila , Kronfeld-Schor Noga
Published: August 2019

It was recently suggested that the Metabolic Syndrome should be renamed to “Circadian Syndrome”. In this context, we explored the effects of living under standard laboratory conditions, where light is the only cycling variable (relevant to human modern life), in a diurnal mammal, on the relationships between affective-like pathology, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiac hypertrophy. After 20 weeks, some of the animals spontaneously developed T2DM, depressive and anxiety-like behavior and cardiac hypertrophy. There were significant correlations between levels of anxiety-like behavior and glucose tolerance, and between heart/total body weight ratio and glucose tolerance. Our data suggest a relationship between the development of T2DM, emotional and cardiac pathology as seen in diurnal humans. Furthermore, our data show a possible relationship between reduced daily cycling cues in the laboratory and what has been regularly termed “Metabolic Syndrome” and recently proposed by us to be renamed to “Circadian Syndrome”.
Suppression of gut dysbiosis by Bifidobacterium longum alleviates cognitive decline in 5XFAD transgenic and aged mice
Authors: Lee Hae-Ji , Lee Kyung-Eon , Kim Jeon-Kyung , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: August 2019

To understand the role of commensal gut bacteria on the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease via the microbiota-gut-brain axis, we isolated anti-inflammatory Bifidobacterium longum (NK46) from human gut microbiota, which potently inhibited gut microbiota endotoxin production and suppressed NF-κB activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells, and examined whether NK46 could simultaneously alleviate gut dysbiosis and cognitive decline in male 5xFAD-transgenic (5XFAD-Tg, 6 months-old) and aged (18 months-old) mice. Oral administration of NK46 (1 × 109 CFU/mouse/day for 1 and 2 months in aged and Tg mice, respectively) shifted gut microbiota composition, particularly Proteobacteria, reduced fecal and blood LPS levels, suppressed NF-κB activation and TNF-α expression, and increased tight junction protein expression in the colon of 5XFAD-Tg and aged mice. NK46 treatment also alleviated cognitive decline in 5XFAD-Tg and aged mice. Furthermore, NK46 treatment suppressed amyloid-β, β/γ-secretases, and caspase-3 expression and amyloid-β accumulation in the hippocampus of 5XFAD-Tg mice. NK46 treatment also reduced Iba1+, LPS+/CD11b+, and caspase-3+/NeuN+ cell populations and suppressed NF-κB activation in the hippocampus of 5XFAD-Tg and aged mice, while BDNF expression was increased. These findings suggest that the suppression of gut dysbiosis and LPS production by NK46 can mitigate cognitive decline through the regulation of microbiota LPS-mediated NF-κB activation.
The systemic exercise-released chemokine lymphotactin/XCL1 modulates in vitro adult hippocampal precursor cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation
Authors: Leiter Odette , Bernas Stefanie N. , Seidemann Suse , Overall Rupert W. , Horenburg Cindy , Kowal Susann , Kempermann Gerd , Walker Tara L.
Published: August 2019

Physical exercise has well-established anti-inflammatory effects, with neuro-immunological crosstalk being proposed as a mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of exercise on brain health. Here, we used physical exercise, a strong positive modulator of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, as a model to identify immune molecules that are secreted into the blood stream, which could potentially mediate this process. Proteomic profiling of mouse plasma showed that levels of the chemokine lymphotactin (XCL1) were elevated after four days of running. We found that XCL1 treatment of primary cells isolated from both the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone of the adult mice led to an increase in the number of neurospheres and neuronal differentiation in neurospheres derived from the dentate gyrus. In contrast, primary dentate gyrus cells isolated from XCL1 knockout mice formed fewer neurospheres and exhibited a reduced neuronal differentiation potential. XCL1 supplementation in a dentate gyrus-derived neural precursor cell line promoted neuronal differentiation and resulted in lower cell motility and a reduced number of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. This work suggests an additional function of the chemokine XCL1 in the brain and underpins the complexity of neuro-immune interactions that contribute to the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis.
Screening inducers of neuronal BDNF gene transcription using primary cortical cell cultures from BDNF-luciferase transgenic mice
Authors: Fukuchi Mamoru , Okuno Yui , Nakayama Hironori , Nakano Aoi , Mori Hisashi , Mitazaki Satoru , Nakano Yuka , Toume Kazufumi , Jo Michiko , Takasaki Ichiro , Watanabe Kazuki , Shibahara Naotoshi , Komatsu Katsuko , Tabuchi Akiko , Tsuda Masaaki
Published: August 2019

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key player in synaptic plasticity, and consequently, learning and memory. Because of its fundamental role in numerous neurological functions in the central nervous system, BDNF has utility as a biomarker and drug target for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we generated a screening assay to mine inducers of Bdnf transcription in neuronal cells, using primary cultures of cortical cells prepared from a transgenic mouse strain, specifically, Bdnf-Luciferase transgenic (Bdnf-Luc) mice. We identified several active extracts from a library consisting of 120 herbal extracts. In particular, we focused on an active extract prepared from Ginseng Radix (GIN), and found that GIN activated endogenous Bdnf expression via cAMP-response element-binding protein-dependent transcription. Taken together, our current screening assay can be used for validating herbal extracts, food-derived agents, and chemical compounds for their ability to induce Bdnf expression in neurons. This method will be beneficial for screening of candidate drugs for ameliorating symptoms of neurological diseases associated with reduced Bdnf expression in the brain, as well as candidate inhibitors of aging-related cognitive decline.
A network-based pathway-extending approach using DNA methylation and gene expression data to identify altered pathways
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Qiaosheng , Chen Zhuo , Xu Dechen , Wang Yadong
Published: August 2019

Pathway analysis allows us to gain insights into a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancers. Currently, high-throughput multi-omics data and various types of large-scale biological networks enable us to identify cancer-related pathways by comprehensively analyzing these data. Combining information from multidimensional data, pathway databases and interaction networks is a promising strategy to identify cancer-related pathways. Here we present a novel network-based approach for integrative analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data to extend original pathways. The results show that the extension of original pathways can provide a basis for discovering new components of the original pathway and understanding the crosstalk between pathways in a large-scale biological network. By inputting the gene lists of the extended pathways into the classical gene set analysis (ORA and FCS), we effectively identified the altered pathways which are correlated well with the corresponding cancer. The method is evaluated on three datasets retrieved from TCGA (BRCA, LUAD and COAD). The results show that the integration of DNA methylation and gene expression data through a network of known gene interactions is effective in identifying altered pathways.
Photoaging in Caucasians
Authors: Ayer Jean , Griffiths Christopher E. M.
Published: August 2019

This chapter discusses the prevalence of photoaging in white Northern Europeans, as well as describing the two main facial photoaging phenotypes, termed ‘hypertrophic’ photoaging (HP) and ‘atrophic’ photoaging (AP). HP individuals have deep, coarse wrinkles, whereas those with AP have relatively smooth, unwrinkled skin with pronounced telangiectasia. Both phenotypes have distinct histological characteristics. AP has a significantly thicker epidermis than HP. Further stratification by gender demonstrates that the AP epidermal thickness is increased significantly in males as compared to females. HP photoaged skin exhibits severe solar elastosis, characterized by extensive deposition of amorphous, abnormally thickened, curled and fragmented elastic material in the dermis. In AP photoaged skin, there are gender differences in elastic fibre deposition; solar elastosis is apparent in females but not in males. Loss of papillary dermal fibrillin-rich microfibrils is a distinctive feature of photoaging occurring in both HP subjects and in AP females. It is important for clinicians to recognize that these two phenotypes exist because individuals with the AP phenotype have an increased propensity for developing keratinocyte cancers. Lastly, tools for measuring and objectively assessing response of photoaged skin to treatment exist and should be used for these purposes.
Photodamage in Skin of Color
Authors: Lim Hester , Kang Sewon , Chien Anna L.
Published: August 2019

The changing trends in global diversity emphasize the need for skin type-specific expertize. This chapter explores structural variations in skin of color, from clinically apparent to microscopic differences, and examines how these contribute to the unique photobiological response exemplified in ethnic skin. Herein, we discuss the acute and chronic effects of the solar spectrum on skin of color, from ultraviolet and visible light to infrared radiation. In light of these structural and functional differences, we also review special considerations in the classification and management of photoaging in this population.
Oxidative Stress, Metabolism and Photoaging – The Role of Mitochondria
Authors: Jackson Matthew , Naidoo Khimara , Birch-Machin Mark
Published: August 2019

The skin is exposed to various endogenous stressors, with solar radiation the most abundant. To modulate cellular dysfunction and repair damage in response to environmental stressors, skin cells are dependent on energy supply. The mitochondria are the primary source of ATP and a decline in mitochondrial function and metabolism is a hallmark of aging, including impairment in mitochondrial morphology, electron transport chain activity, mitochondrial permeability, dynamics and reactive oxygen species formation. Oxidative phosphorylation is the major source of reactive oxygen species underlying mechanism of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Solar radiation is known to increase oxidative stress in the skin, resulting in damage to mitochondrial protein, structure and mtDNA. Augmented oxidative species levels have been shown to damage biomolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, resulting in loss of catalytic activity and/or structural integrity of multiple structures. Decline in mitochondrial efficiency results in elevated reactive species and a free radical vicious cycle hypothesis. Functional decline leads to further decline in energy and insufficient stress response, accelerating the aging process. Understanding the role of mitochondria in the aging pathogenesis is an evolving process. Prevention and alleviation of the oxidative stress, however, remains a paramount strategy in the prevention of cutaneous photoaging.
Topical Retinoids for the Treatment of Photoaged Skin
Authors: Pedersen Elisabeth Schuler , Voorhees John J. , Sachs Dana L.
Published: August 2019

Skin photoaging is characterized by fine and coarse wrinkles, dyspigmentation and textural irregularities. These clinical findings have negative cosmetic and functional implications. Topical retinoids activate retinoid receptors in the skin leading to clinical improvement in wrinkles, dyspigmentation and skin roughness and are considered to be the mainstay of therapy for photoaged skin. Natural and synthetic topical retinoids are reviewed with respect to their molecular mechanisms and clinical effects.
Flexible lipid nanomaterials studied by NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Mallikarjunaiah K. J. , Kinnun Jacob J. , Petrache Horia I. , Brown Michael F.
Published: August 2019

Advances in solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy inform the emergence of material properties from atomistic-level interactions in membrane lipid nanostructures.
Sustained delivery of anti-VEGFs from thermogel depots inhibits angiogenesis without the need for multiple injections
Authors: Xue Kun , Zhao Xinxin , Zhang Zhongxing , Qiu Beiying , Tan Queenie Shu Woon , Ong Kok Haur , Liu Zengping , Parikh Bhav Harshad , Barathi Veluchamy Amutha , Yu Weimiao , Wang Xiaomeng , Lingam Gopal , Hunziker Walter , Su Xinyi , Loh Xian Jun
Published: August 2019

Polyurethane thermogels show sustained delivery of bioactive anti-VEGFs therapeutics to the eye.
Expanding the biological utility of bis-NHC gold(i) complexes through post synthetic carbamate conjugation
Authors: Sen Sajal , Li Yue , Lynch Vincent , Arumugam Kuppuswamy , Sessler Jonathan L. , Arambula Jonathan F.
Published: August 2019

We report the synthesis of a novel hydroxyl-functionalised heteroleptic bis-NHC gold(i) complex that permits conjugation to various amines via carbamate bond formation.
Pyrolysis of a self-supported dodecyl sulfate anion-intercalated Co(OH)2 nanosheet with enlarged amorphous phase content towards enhanced activity for alkaline water oxidation
Authors: Sun Xun , Zhu Guilei , Yang Lin , Zheng Dengchao , Zhang Jie , Wen Hao , Feng Hao , Guan Xin , Wang Hongjing , Yao Yadong
Published: August 2019

Highly active electrocatalysts made of earth-abundant elements are vital for efficient and cost-effective energy storage and conversion systems.
Chemically-driven convective dissolution
Authors: Jotkar M. , Rongy L. , De Wit A.
Published: August 2019

Chemical reactions can trigger convection upon dissolution when the dissolving species reacts with a given solute in the host phase to create non-monotonic density profiles.
Confinement effects on the solar thermal heating process of TiN nanoparticle solutions
Authors: Phan Anh D. , Le Nam B. , Nghiem T. H. Lien , Woods Lilia M. , Ishii Satoshi , Wakabayashi Katsunori
Published: August 2019

We propose a theoretical approach to describe quantitatively the heating process in aqueous solutions of dispersed TiN nanoparticles under solar illumination.
Assessing the accuracy of simplified coupled cluster methods for electronic excited states in f0 actinide compounds
Authors: Nowak Artur , Tecmer Paweł , Boguslawski Katharina
Published: August 2019

We scrutinize the performance of different variants of equation of motion coupled cluster (EOM-CC) methods to predict electronic excitation energies and excited state potential energy surfaces in closed-shell actinide species.
Novel two-dimensional tetragonal vanadium carbides and nitrides as promising materials for Li-ion batteries
Authors: Wu Yi-Yuan , Bo Tao , Zhang Junrong , Lu Zhansheng , Wang Zhiguang , Li Yuhong , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate that tetr-V2C2 and tetr-V2N2 monolayer sheets exhibit low Li diffusion barrier, high theoretical capacity and low average open circuit, suitable as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.
Dehydrogenation of propane over high silica *BEA type gallosilicate (Ga-Beta)
Authors: Nakai Masahiro , Miyake Koji , Inoue Reina , Ono Kaito , Al Jabri Hasna , Hirota Yuichiro , Uchida Yoshiaki , Tanaka Shunsuke , Miyamoto Manabu , Oumi Yasunori , Kong Chang Yi , Nishiyama Norikazu
Published: August 2019

Propane was found to be dehydrogenated over the Brønsted acid sites derived from incorporated Ga in the 12-membered large micropores of a *BEA-type structure.
Partition coefficients of four perfluoroalkyl acid alternatives between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and water in comparison to ten classical perfluoroalkyl acids
Authors: Allendorf Flora , Berger Urs , Goss Kai-Uwe , Ulrich Nadin
Published: August 2019

Alternatives to long-chain PFAAs sorb similarly strongly to serum albumin as the classical PFAAs.
Facile fabrication of 3D ferrous ion crosslinked graphene oxide hydrogel membranes for excellent water purification
Authors: Chen Zhangjingzhi , Wang Jun , Duan Xiaoguang , Chu Yuanyuan , Tan Xiaoyao , Liu Shaomin , Wang Shaobin
Published: August 2019

3D graphene-based macrostructures have been recognized as promising candidates for adsorption and separation of water pollutants due to their well-defined porous structures and high surface areas.