bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relative effects of forest amount, forest configuration, and urban matrix quality on forest breeding birds
Authors: Shoffner Alexandra , Wilson Andrew M. , Tang Wenwu , Gagné Sara A.
Published: November 2018

Urbanization modifies landscape structure in three major ways that impact avian diversity in remnant habitat: habitat amount is reduced and habitat configuration and matrix quality are altered. The relative effects of these three components of landscape structure are relatively well-studied in agricultural landscapes, but little is known about the relative effect of urban matrix quality. We addressed this gap by investigating the relative effects of forest amount, forest configuration, and matrix quality, indicated by degree of urbanization and agriculture amount, on the diversity of three guilds of forest birds using data from 13,763 point counts from Pennsylvania, USA. Forest amount had the largest independent effect on forest bird diversity, followed by matrix quality, then forest configuration. In particular, urbanization had strong negative effects on the relative abundance and species evenness of all forest birds and the relative abundance of forest generalist birds. To our knowledge, these are the first results of the effect of urban matrix quality on forest bird relative abundance and species evenness independent of forest amount and forest configuration. Our results imply that conservation practitioners in human-modified landscapes prioritize maximizing forest amount, then reducing the effects of disturbances originating in the matrix, and then preserving large, spatially-dispersed forest patches to most effectively conserve forest birds.
Author Correction: Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 is Associated with Subsequent Renal Injury Events in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography
Authors: Wu Cheng-Hsueh , Chou Ruey-Hsing , Kuo Chin-Sung , Huang Po-Hsun , Chang Chun-Chin , Leu Hsin-Bang , Huang Chin-Chou , Chen Jaw-Wen , Lin Shing-Jong
Published: November 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.
Collagen density modulates triple-negative breast cancer cell metabolism through adhesion-mediated contractility
Authors: Mah Emma J. , Lefebvre Austin E. Y. T. , McGahey Gabrielle E. , Yee Albert F. , Digman Michelle A.
Published: November 2018

Extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanical properties upregulate cancer invasion, cell contractility, and focal adhesion formation. Alteration in energy metabolism is a known characteristic of cancer cells (i.e., Warburg effect) and modulates cell invasion. There is little evidence to show if collagen density can alter cancer cell metabolism. We investigated changes in energy metabolism due to collagen density in five breast cell lines by measuring the fluorescence lifetime of NADH. We found that only triple-negative breast cancer cells, MDA-MB231 and MDA-MB468 cells, had an increased population of bound NADH, indicating an oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) signature, as collagen density decreased. When inhibiting ROCK and cell contractility, MDA-MB231 cells on glass shifted from glycolysis (GLY) to OXPHOS, confirming the intricate relationship between mechanosensing and metabolism. MCF10A cells showed less significant changes in metabolism, shifting towards GLY as collagen density decreased. The MCF-7 and T-47D, less invasive breast cancer cells, compared to the MDA-MB231 and MDA-MB468 cells, showed no changes regardless of substrate. In addition, OXPHOS or GLY inhibitors in MDA-MB231 cells showed dramatic shifts from OXPHOS to GLY or vice versa. These results provide an important link between cellular metabolism, contractility, and collagen density in human breast cancer.
A single-cycle replicable Rift Valley fever phlebovirus vaccine carrying a mutated NSs confers full protection from lethal challenge in mice
Authors: Terasaki Kaori , Juelich Terry L. , Smith Jennifer K. , Kalveram Birte , Perez David D. , Freiberg Alexander N. , Makino Shinji
Published: November 2018

Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV) is a pathogen of Rift Valley fever, which is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease for domestic livestock and humans in African countries. Currently, no approved vaccine is available for use in non-endemic areas. The MP-12 strain is so far the best live attenuated RVFV vaccine candidate because of its good protective efficacy in animal models. However, there are safety concerns for use of MP-12 in humans. We previously developed a single-cycle replicable MP-12 (scMP-12) which lacks NSs gene and undergoes only a single round of viral replication because of its impaired ability to induce membrane-membrane fusion. In the present study, we generated an scMP-12 mutant (scMP-12-mutNSs) carrying a mutant NSs, which degrades double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase R but does not inhibit host transcription. Immunization of mice with a single dose (105 PFU) of scMP-12-mutNSs elicited RVFV neutralizing antibodies and high titers of anti-N IgG production and fully protected the mice from lethal wild-type RVFV challenge. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of scMP-12-mutNSs were better than scMP-12, demonstrating that scMP-12-mutNSs is a more efficacious vaccine candidate than scMP-12. Furthermore, our data suggested that RVFV vaccine efficacy can be improved by using this specific NSs mutant.
Variations in oral microbiome profiles in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis with potential biomarkers for arthritis screening
Authors: Chen Bin , Zhao Yan , Li Shufeng , Yang Lanxiu , Wang Haiying , Wang Tao , Bin Shi  , Gai Zhongtao , Heng Xueyuan , Zhang Chunling , Yang Junjie , Zhang Lei
Published: November 2018

The key to arthritis management is early diagnosis and treatment to prevent further joint destruction and maximize functional ability. Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two common types of arthritis that the primary care provider must differentiate, in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Effective and non-invasive strategies for early detection and disease identification are sorely needed. Growing evidence suggests that RA has a correlation with oral microbiome and may be affected by its dynamic variations. There is already a study comparing oral microbiome in patients with RA and OA, however, it did not screen for potential biomarkers for arthritis. In this study, we assessed the oral microbiome in saliva samples from 110 RA patients, 67 OA patients and 155 healthy subjects, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The structure and differences in oral microbiome between RA, OA and healthy subjects were analyzed. Eight oral bacterial biomarkers were identified to differentiate RA from OA. This report provides proof of oral microbiota as an informative source for discovering non-invasive biomarkers for arthritis screening.
Evaluation of dormancy breaking methods for enhanced germination in four biotypes of Brassica tournefortii
Authors: Mahajan Gulshan , Mutti Navneet Kaur , Jha Prashant , Walsh Michael , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: November 2018

Brassica tournefortii is an important broadleaf weed of the winter season in the northern grain region of Australia. Knowledge of germination ecology of this weed would help in implementing effective weed control programs. A series of experiments were conducted to study the germination and dormancy behavior of four biotypes of B. tournefortii seeds, biotypes A (collected from barley crop), B (barley fence lines), C (chickpea crop), and D (chickpea fence lines), collected from the St George region of Queensland. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness of various methods on the seed dormancy release of B. tournefortii. Water, potassium nitrate and a soil extract did not release dormancy in B. tournefortii seeds (biotype A) at 20/10 °C in the light/dark regime. Cold stratification (5 °C) also did not improve germination. However, gibberellic acid (GA3; 100–300 mg kg−1) stimulated germination (>88%). Germination also improved when seeds were immersed in sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; 42 g L−1) for 10 minutes and the effect was more pronounced under the complete dark environment (89% germination at a day/night temperature of 20/10 °C). The NaOCl treatment makes seeds more porous and decreases sensitivity to light. Another experiment in light/dark conducted at 25/15 °C with two biotypes (A and D) showed that, without NaOCl treatment, biotype A was more sensitive to light (29% germination) as compared to biotype D (92% germination). Our results suggest that dormancy in B. tournefortii seeds can be broken by the combination of NaOCl (10 min) and a dark environment. A day/night temperature of 25/15 °C was found best for optimum germination (>87%) for all the biotypes (A-D) when incubated in dark after treating with NaOCl. This research indicated a high degree of variability in germination responses for various biotypes of B. tournefortii seeds to various sets of conditions, which may be due to metabolic changes in response to maternal environments or genetically controlled mechanisms. Information gained from this study will be important in developing a better understanding of the dormancy behavior of B. tournefortii seeds in response to tillage systems or maternal environments that could influence the weed seed bank in the soil and therefore help in designing suitable weed management programs.
High-Density Porous Graphene Arrays Enable Detection and Analysis of Propagating Cortical Waves and Spirals
Authors: Liu Xin , Lu Yichen , Kuzum Duygu
Published: November 2018

Cortical propagating waves have recently attracted significant attention by the neuroscience community. These travelling waves have been suggested to coordinate different brain areas and play roles in assisting neural plasticity and learning. However, it is extremely challenging to record them with very fine spatial scales over large areas to investigate their effect on neural dynamics or network connectivity changes. In this work, we employ high-density porous graphene microelectrode arrays fabricated using laser pyrolysis on flexible substrates to study the functional network connectivity during cortical propagating waves. The low-impedance porous graphene arrays are used to record cortical potentials during theta oscillations and drug-induced seizures in vivo. Spatiotemporal analysis on the neural recordings reveal that theta oscillations and epileptiform activities have distinct characteristics in terms of both synchronization and resulting propagating wave patterns. To investigate the network connectivity during the propagating waves, we perform network analysis. The results show that the propagating waves are consistent with the functional connectivity changes in the neural circuits, suggesting that the underlying network states are reflected by the cortical potential propagation patterns.
Single photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with a windowless RF-discharge lamp for high temporal resolution monitoring of the initial stage of methanol-to-olefins reaction
Authors: Li QingYun , Hua Lei , Xie Yuanyuan , Jiang Jichun , Li Hanwei , Hou Keyong , Tian Di , Li HaiYang
Published: November 2018

The highly sensitive TOFMS with a time resolution of 0.5 s, has broad application in the fields of on-site rapid analysis, especially the major industrial reaction process monitoring.
Detection of microplastics in local marine organisms using a multi-technology system
Authors: Ding Jinfeng , Li Jingxi , Sun Chengjun , Jiang Fenghua , Ju Peng , Qu Lingyun , Zheng Yifan , He Changfei
Published: November 2018

Microplastics with complex polymer compositions are present in a lot of local marine organisms.
Diazachlorin and diazabacteriochlorin for one- and two-photon photodynamic therapy
Authors: Longevial Jean-François , Yamaji Ayaka , Aggad Dina , Kim Gakhyun , Chia Wen Xi , Nishimura Tsubasa , Miyake Yoshihiro , Clément Sébastien , Oh Juwon , Daurat Morgane , Nguyen Christophe , Kim Dongho , Gary-Bobo Magali , Richeter Sébastien , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: November 2018

Diazachlorin and diazabacteriochlorin were prepared and their activity for photodynamic therapy was investigated.
Low-temperature route to prepare rare earth fluorides in a molten NH4NO3 system: a systematic study on the effects of NaF/Ln ratio and the reaction temperature and time
Authors: Huang Xinyang , Xiong Liang , Qiu Xiaoqing
Published: November 2018

A low-temperature strategy has been applied to synthesize a host of rare earth fluorides including NaLnF4 and LnF3 (Ln = rare earth) with NaF and rare earth nitrates as initial raw materials in NH4NO3 flux.
Double-excitation manifold's effect on exciton transfer dynamics and the efficiency of coherent light harvesting
Authors: Hu Zixuan , Engel Gregory S. , Kais Sabre
Published: November 2018

Dynamical dark states make the double-excitation manifold important in exciton transfer dynamics.
Apparent power-law behavior of water's isothermal compressibility and correlation length upon supercooling
Authors: Späh Alexander , Pathak Harshad , Kim Kyung Hwan , Perakis Fivos , Mariedahl Daniel , Amann-Winkel Katrin , Sellberg Jonas A. , Lee Jae Hyuk , Kim Sangsoo , Park Jaehyun , Nam Ki Hyun , Katayama Tetsuo , Nilsson Anders
Published: November 2018

Apparent power-law analysis of water's isothermal compressibility and correlation length in the temperature range from 280 K to 229 K.
Cyanine platelet single crystals: growth, crystal structure and optical spectra
Authors: Leclaire Nicolas A. , Li Musen , Véron Anna C. , Neels Antonia , Heier Jakob , Reimers Jeffrey R. , Nüesch Frank A.
Published: November 2018

Micro transmittance spectroscopy of ultrathin crystalline organic salt semiconductors reveals strong low-energy and weak high-energy bands polarized along the crystallographic b- and c-axis. While the excitonic coupling pattern explains the occurrence of polarized bands, the observed intensities are opposite of expectations based on chromophore alignment within the crystal.
Two dimensional allotropes of arsenene with a wide range of high and anisotropic carrier mobility
Authors: Jamdagni Pooja , Thakur Anil , Kumar Ashok , Ahluwalia P. K. , Pandey Ravindra
Published: November 2018

Considering the rapid development of experimental techniques for fabricating 2D materials in recent years, various monolayers are expected to be experimentally realized in the near future.
Polarized absorbance and Davydov splitting in bulk and thin-film pentacene polymorphs
Authors: Cocchi Caterina , Breuer Tobias , Witte Gregor , Draxl Claudia
Published: November 2018

In a combined theoretical and experimental investigation the optical excitations of three polymorphs of crystalline pentacene are characterized in detail.
Interfacial structure and electrochemical stability of electrolytes: methylene methanedisulfonate as an additive
Authors: Wang Yamin , Yu Xiaoying , Liu Yingchun , Wang Qi
Published: November 2018

MMDS has a higher affinity for electrode surfaces than solvents and could reduce the probability of finding solvent–ion complexes at the electrolyte–electrode interface.
Recent applications of C–H functionalization in complex natural product synthesis
Authors: Abrams Dylan J. , Provencher Philip A. , Sorensen Erik J.
Published: November 2018

In this review, recent examples featuring C–H functionalization in the synthesis of complex natural products are discussed.
A radial microfluidic platform for higher throughput chemotaxis studies with individual gradient control
Authors: Wu Jiandong , Kumar-Kanojia Aditya , Hombach-Klonisch Sabine , Klonisch Thomas , Lin Francis
Published: November 2018

We developed a radial microfluidic platform with individual gradient control for higher throughput cell migration and chemotaxis studies.
Wrinkling of two-dimensional materials: methods, properties and applications
Authors: Chen Wenjun , Gui Xuchun , Yang Leilei , Zhu Hai , Tang Zikang
Published: November 2018

This review addresses the formation, fabrication methods, properties and applications of wrinkled patterns in 2D materials.
Nanoparticles based on lipidyl-β-cyclodextrins: synthesis, characterization, and experimental and computational biophysical studies for encapsulation of atazanavir
Authors: Furlan Aurélien L. , Buchoux Sébastien , Miao Yong , Banchet Vincent , Létévé Mathieu , Lambertyn Virginie , Michel Jean , Sarazin Catherine , Bonnet Véronique
Published: November 2018

After showing tensioactive properties of the compounds, the formation, stability and morphology of nanoparticles were demonstrated.
In silico design, synthesis, characterization and pharmacological evaluation of captopril conjugates in the treatment of renal fibrosis
Authors: Jadhav Swapnil Dashrath , Choudhari Prafulla Balkrishna , Bhatia Manish Sudesh
Published: November 2018

Application of glutamic acid and taurine conjugates of captopril for kidney targeting.
Selective chemotherapy and imaging of colorectal and breast cancer cells by a modified MUC-1 aptamer conjugated to a poly(ethylene glycol)-dimethacrylate coated Fe3O4–AuNCs nanocomposite
Authors: Binaymotlagh Roya , Hajareh Haghighi Farid , Aboutalebi Fatemeh , Mirahmadi-Zare Seyede Zohreh , Hadadzadeh Hassan , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad-Hossein
Published: November 2018

The combination of diagnosis and targeted therapy within a single nanoplatform is one of the remarkable advances in molecular medicine.
Self-reversible mechanochromism and aggregation induced emission in neutral triarylmethanes and their application in water sensing
Authors: Divya Thekke Thattariyil , Ramshad Kalluruttimmal , Saheer Velluvakandi Chaluvalappil , Chakkumkumarath Lakshmi
Published: November 2018

Neutral triarylmethanes exhibit intramolecular exciplex formation, self-reversible mechanochromism, and aggregation induced/viscosity-dependent emission and sense water in organic solvents.
A pillar[5]arene-calix[4]pyrrole enantioselective receptor for mandelate anion recognition
Authors: Lv Yongjun , Xiao Chao , Yang Cheng
Published: November 2018

A novel pillar[5]arene-calix[4]pyrrole was synthesized as a chiral receptor for mandelate anions with a maximum enantioselectivity of 2.47.
Facile synthesis of 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones and quinazolinones from amino acids as anti-tubercular agents
Authors: Anil Seegehalli M. , Shobith Rangappa , Kiran Kuppalli. R. , Swaroop Toreshettahally R. , Mallesha Ningegowda , Sadashiva Maralinganadoddi P.
Published: November 2018

A family of 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-diones and quinazolinones with diverse substituents at C-3 position are synthesized by novel, simple and convenient methodology using H2PtCl6as catalyst and were all screened for anti-TB activity.
Liquid crystalline polyurethane composites based on supramolecular structure with reversible bidirectional shape memory and multi-shape memory effects
Authors: Mo Funian , Ban Jianfeng , Pan Lulu , Shi Bo , Lu Shaorong
Published: November 2018

In this study, a novel series of supramolecular liquid crystalline (LC) polyurethane composites, named SMPU–#HOBA (# represents the molar ratio of HOBA/BINA), were successfully prepared by incorporating hexadecyloxybenzoic acid (HOBA) into pyridine-containing polyurethane (PU).
Plasmonic hot carrier-driven oxygen evolution reaction on Au nanoparticles/TiO2 nanotube arrays
Authors: Moon Song Yi , Song Hee Chan , Gwag Eun Heui , Nedrygailov Ievgen I. , Lee Changhwan , Kim Jeong Jin , Doh Won Hui , Park Jeong Young
Published: November 2018

Enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of water splitting on 5–30 nm Au nanoparticles/TiO2 nanotube arrays was demonstrated.
Tunable single-phase magnetic behavior in chemically synthesized AFeO3–MFe2O4 (A = Bi or La, M = Co or Ni) nanocomposites
Authors: Sarkar T. , Muscas G. , Barucca G. , Locardi F. , Varvaro G. , Peddis D. , Mathieu R.
Published: November 2018

Tailoring the magnetic properties of nanocomposites consisting of correlated electron oxide systems via a novel synthesis technique.
Nanomodel visualization of fluid injections in tight formations
Authors: Zhong Junjie , Abedini Ali , Xu Lining , Xu Yi , Qi Zhenbang , Mostowfi Farshid , Sinton David
Published: November 2018

A nanofluidic platform (Nanomodel) in fast screening enhanced tight oil recovery strategies through direct observation.
Regioselectivity of aryl radical attack onto isocyanates and isothiocyanates
Authors: Weragoda Geethika K. , Pilkington Rowan L. , Polyzos Anastasios , O'Hair Richard A. J.
Published: November 2018

Regioselectivity of attack by the N-methyl-pyridinium-4-yl radical cation onto RNCX (X = O and S) depends on R and X.
Aza-tricycles containing a perfluoroalkyl group: synthesis, structure and fluorescence
Authors: Fu Qiang , Wang Rui , Liang Fushun , Guan Wei
Published: November 2018

Perfluoroalkyl-containing aza-tricycles have been prepared in one synthetic operation via an ambient light-promoted three-component reaction of β-oxo esters, perfluoroalkyl iodide and DBU.
A triangular Dy3 single-molecule toroic with high inversion energy barrier: magnetic properties and multiple-step assembly mechanism
Authors: Zhu Zhong-Hong , Ma Xiong-Feng , Wang Hai-Ling , Zou Hua-Hong , Mo Kai-Qiang , Zhang Yi-Quan , Yang Qi-Zhen , Li Bo , Liang Fu-Pei
Published: November 2018

A Dy3 complex with the highest energy barrier of all reported triangular-shaped Ln3 single-molecule toroics.
Enhanced UV-Vis-NIR activated photocatalytic activity from Fe3+-doped BiOBr:Yb3+/Er3+ upconversion nanoplates: synergistic effect and mechanism insight
Authors: Li Yongjin , Yao Lu , Xu Dekang , Hu Yulin , Yang Shenghong , Zhang Yueli
Published: November 2018

A simple strategy for simultaneously enhancing the UC luminescence and UV-Vis-NIR activated photocatalytic activity of BiOBr:Yb3+/Er3+ nanoplates through Fe3+ ion doping.
Polymorphism of nanocrystalline TiO2 prepared in a stagnation flame: formation of the TiO2-II phase
Authors: Manuputty Manoel Y. , Dreyer Jochen A. H. , Sheng Yuan , Bringley Eric J. , Botero Maria L. , Akroyd Jethro , Kraft Markus
Published: November 2018

Flame-made TiO2 nanoparticles with tunable polymorphs, including the metastable TiO2-II phase, were prepared and a phase formation mechanism was proposed.
Precursors of fluidisation in the creep response of a soft glass
Authors: Cabriolu Raffaela , Horbach Jürgen , Chaudhuri Pinaki , Martens Kirsten
Published: November 2018

Viaextensive numerical simulations, we study the fluidisation process of dense amorphous materials subjected to an external shear stress, using a three-dimensional colloidal glass model.
Probing shear-induced rearrangements in Fourier space. II. Differential dynamic microscopy
Authors: Aime S. , Cipelletti L.
Published: November 2018

Differential dynamic microscopy coupled to rheology separately probes affine displacements and non-affine rearrangements in soft matter under shear.
Geometric stabilisation of topological defects on micro-helices and grooved rods in nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Nikkhou Maryam , Muševič Igor
Published: November 2018

We demonstrate how the geometric shape of a rod in a nematic liquid crystal can stabilise a large number of oppositely charged topological defects.
Self-assembly of granular spheres under one-dimensional vibration
Authors: Amirifar Reza , Dong Kejun , Zeng Qinghua , An Xizhong
Published: November 2018

The self-assembly of granular spheres under simple 1D sinusoidal vibration is studied and the correspondingA–fphase diagram is established.
Phase behavior of main-chain liquid crystalline polymer networks synthesized by alkyne–azide cycloaddition chemistry
Authors: Wang Yongjian , Burke Kelly A.
Published: November 2018

Tuning composition of main-chain liquid crystalline “Click” networks reveals long range order, even when hydrated, and shape morphing behaviors.
Chemotherapy-induced miR-141/MAP4K4 signaling suppresses progression of colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Feifei , Zhao Lianmei , Zhang Juan , Meng Zesong , Zhou Chaoxi , Wang Guanglin , Liu Youqiang , Li Meng , Xi Jinchuan , Niu Wenbo , Wang Guiying
Published: November 2018

One of the treatment failures for colorectal cancer (CRC) is resistance to chemotherapy drugs. miRNAs have been demonstrated to be a new regulator of pathobiological processes in various tumors. While few studies have explored the specific role of miR-141 in mediating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) sensitivity of CRC cells, the present study aimed to detect the contribution of miR-141 in 5-FU sensitivity. The CRC cells viability was measured by MTS assay and cell colony forming. The expression of miR-141 and its downstream targets were assessed by reverse transcription quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The functional assays were conducted using CRC cells and nude mice. At the present study, we found overexpression of miR-141 could inhibit proliferation, migration, tumor-forming and invasive potential of CRC cells in vitro and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 4 (MAP4K4) was verified as a directed target of miR-141. The combination treatment of miR-141 with 5-FU, directly targetting MAP4K4, could better inhibit invasion and metastasis of CRC cells colony than either one alone. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-141, targetting MAP4K4, enhanced the effected of 5-FU and suppressed the malignant biological behaviors, in vivo. Our findings showed that 5-FU inhibited malignant behavior of human CRC cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing the efficiency of miR-141. Our data suggested that targetting the miR-141/MAP4K4 signaling pathway could be a potential molecular target that may enhance chemotherapeutic efficacy in the treatment of CRC.
Knockdown of lncRNA HOTAIR sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation through activating miR-218
Authors: Hu Xuguang , Ding Dan , Zhang Jiayi , Cui Jianguo
Published: November 2018

Radiotherapy is a major therapeutic strategy for breast cancer, while cancer radioresistance remains an obstacle for the successful control of the tumor. Novel radiosensitizing targets are to be developed to overcome radioresistance. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were proved to play critical roles in cancer progression. Among all, lncRNA HOTAIR was found to participate in cancer metastasis and chemoresistance. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of targeting HOTAIR and the underlying mechanism. Our data showed that HOTAIR (HOX antisense intergenic RNA) was up-regulated in breast cancer cells and tissues, and the expression of HOTAIR increased following irradiation. Knockdown of HOTAIR inhibited cell survival and increased cell apoptosis in response to ionizing radiation. Moreover, compared with control group, radiation induced more DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in HOTAIR knockdown cells. Finally, we found that the radiosentizing effects of HOTAIR were related to the up-regulation of miR-218, a ceRNA of HOTAIR. In conclusion, our finding showed that HOTAIR inhibition sensitizes breast cancer cells to ionizing radiation, induced severe DNA damage and activated apoptosis pathways, suggesting a possible role of HOTAIR as a novel target for breast cancer radiosensitization.
Impact of polymorphisms in DNA repair genes XPD, hOGG1 and XRCC4 on colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Jin Dexi , Zhang Min , Hua Hongjun
Published: November 2018

Background: This research aimed to study the associations between XPD (G751A, rs13181), hOGG1 (C326G, rs1052133) and XRCC4 (G1394T, rs6869366) gene polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese Han population. Method: A total of 225 Chinese Han patients with CRC were selected as the study group, and 200 healthy subjects were recruited as the control group. The polymorphisms of XPD G751A, hOGG1 C326G and XRCC4 G1394T loci were detected by the RFLP-PCR technique in the peripheral blood of all subjects. Results: Compared with individuals carrying the XPD751 GG allele, the A allele carriers (GA/AA) had a significantly increased risk of CRC (adjusted OR = 2.109, 95%CI = 1.352–3.287, P=0.003). Similarly, the G allele (CG/GG) of hOGG1 C326G locus conferred increased susceptibility to CRC (adjusted OR = 2.654, 95%CI = 1.915–3.685, P<0.001). In addition, the T allele carriers (GT/TT) of the XRCC4 G1394T locus have an increased risk of developing CRC (adjusted OR = 4.512, 95%CI = 2.785–7.402, P<0.001). The risk of CRC was significantly increased in individuals with both the XPD locus A allele and the hOGG1 locus G allele (adjusted OR = 1.543, 95%CI = 1.302–2.542, P=0.002). Furthermore, individuals with both the hOGG1 locus G allele and the XRCC4 locus T allele were predisposed to CRC development (adjusted OR = 3.854, 95%CI = 1.924–7.123, P<0.001). The risks of CRC in XPD gene A allele carriers (GA/AA) (adjusted OR = 1.570, 95%CI = 1.201–1.976, P=0.001), hOGG1 gene G allele carriers (CG/GG) (adjusted OR = 3.031, 95%CI = 2.184–4.225, P<0.001) and XRCC4 gene T allele carriers (GT/TT) (adjusted OR = 2.793, 95%CI = 2.235–3.222, P<0.001) were significantly higher in patients who smoked ≥16 packs/year. Conclusion: Our results suggest that XPD G751A, hOGG1 C326G and XRCC4 G1394T gene polymorphisms might play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis and increase the risk of developing CRC in the Chinese Han population. The interaction between smoking and these gene polymorphisms would increase the risk of CRC.
Long non-coding RNA ABHD11-AS1 promotes colorectal cancer development through regulation of miR-133a/SOX4 axis
Authors: Lei Xiaoyan , Li Longchao , Duan Xiaoyi
Published: November 2018

Recently, lncRNA has been verified to regulate the development and progression of tumor. LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 has been proven to serve as an oncogene in several cancers. However, the role of ABHD11-AS1 in colorectal cancer remains totally unknown. In the present study, qRT-PCR assay revealed that ABHD11-AS1 expression was markedly higher in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. In addition, patients who displayed overexpression of ABHD11-AS1 showed a significantly poorer progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Loss-of-function experiments suggested that silencing of ABHD11-AS1 expression could significantly reduce the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells, and increase cell apoptosis. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis, biotin pull-down assay, luciferase reporter assay, and RIP assay disclosed that ABHD11-AS1 straightly interacted with miR-133a. We also found that SOX4 was a downstream target of miR-133a and ABHD11-AS1 subsequently exerted its biological effects via modulating the expression of SOX4 in colorectal cancer cells. Collectively, these findings manifested that the ABHD11-AS1/miR-133a/SOX4 axis may be a cogitable and promising therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.
LncRNA GAS8-AS1 suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma cell growth through the miR-135b-5p/CCND2 axis
Authors: Chen NingHeng , Yin DeTao , Lun Bing , Guo XueLi
Published: November 2018

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of GAS8 antisense RNA 1 (GAS8-AS1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). PcDNA3.1-GAS8-AS1 and si-GAS8-AS1, miR-135b-5p mimic and si-CCND2 were transfected into PTC cells. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). QRT-PCR was used to determine expressions of GAS8-AS1, miR-135b-5p, and CCND2, and Western blot were detected protein level of CCND2. The miRNA target gene prediction site TargetScan was used to predict potential targets of GAS8-AS1 and miR-135b-5p. Cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry. We found that GAS8-AS1 was down-regulated in PTC cell lines and inhibited proliferation and cycle of PTC cell. GAS8-AS1 directly targets miR-135b-5p, and GAS8-AS1 could regulate a downstream target of miR-135b-5p, Cyclin G2 (CCNG2), in an miR-135b-5p-mediated manner. In addition, we also proved that overexpressed GAS8-AS1 inhibited tumor formation in vivo. GAS8-AS1 suppresses PTC cell growth through the miR-135b-5p/CCND2 axis.
TAPping into the treasures of tubulin using novel protein production methods
Authors: Yu Nuo , Galjart Niels
Published: November 2018

Microtubules are cytoskeletal elements with important cellular functions, whose dynamic behaviour and properties are in part regulated by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The building block of microtubules is tubulin, a heterodimer of α- and β-tubulin subunits. Longitudinal interactions between tubulin dimers facilitate a head-to-tail arrangement of dimers into protofilaments, while lateral interactions allow the formation of a hollow microtubule tube that mostly contains 13 protofilaments. Highly homologous α- and β-tubulin isotypes exist, which are encoded by multi-gene families. In vitro studies on microtubules and MAPs have largely relied on brain-derived tubulin preparations. However, these consist of an unknown mix of tubulin isotypes with undefined post-translational modifications. This has blocked studies on the functions of tubulin isotypes and the effects of tubulin mutations found in human neurological disorders. Fortunately, various methodologies to produce recombinant mammalian tubulins have become available in the last years, allowing researchers to overcome this barrier. In addition, affinity-based purification of tagged tubulins and identification of tubulin-associated proteins (TAPs) by mass spectrometry has revealed the ‘tubulome’ of mammalian cells. Future experiments with recombinant tubulins should allow a detailed description of how tubulin isotype influences basic microtubule behaviour, and how MAPs and TAPs impinge on tubulin isotypes and microtubule-based processes in different cell types.
Proteolytic systems of archaea: slicing, dicing, and mincing in the extreme
Authors: Maupin-Furlow Julie A.
Published: November 2018

Archaea are phylogenetically distinct from bacteria, and some of their proteolytic systems reflect this distinction. Here, the current knowledge of archaeal proteolysis is reviewed as it relates to protein metabolism, protein homeostasis, and cellular regulation including targeted proteolysis by proteasomes associated with AAA-ATPase networks and ubiquitin-like modification. Proteases and peptidases that facilitate the recycling of peptides to amino acids as well as membrane-associated and integral membrane proteases are also reviewed.
Reconfigurable RF receiver using compact distributed switch matrix for array coils
Authors: Lee H.L.
Published: November 2018

Magnetic resonance (MR) signals captured by RF array coils should be delivered to analogue‐to‐digital converter (ADC) channels through an independent receiver (Rx) circuitry for precise MRI process. Since different types of RF coils should be utilised by a fixed port configuration on a patient table with a limited number of ADC channels, a highly flexible Rx front‐end design is necessary. In this Letter, a compact distributed switch matrix structure for multi‐channel RF coil Rx is proposed for supporting different types of array coils with small circuit size and sufficient reconfigurability. The proposed structure is configured by a multiple number of unit matrix cells consisting of a single double pole double throw and two single pole double throw RF switches to control the pathways of received MR signals. The proposed structure was implemented and verified at 9.4‐Tesla (9.4 T) MR frequency (400 MHz) by comparing different RF path losses.
Learning to recognise 3D human action from a new skeleton‐based representation using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Pham Huy‐Hieu , Khoudour Louahdi , Crouzil Alain , Zegers Pablo , Velastin Sergio A.
Published: November 2018

Recognising human actions in untrimmed videos is an important challenging task. An effective three‐dimensional (3D) motion representation and a powerful learning model are two key factors influencing recognition performance. In this study, the authors introduce a new skeleton‐based representation for 3D action recognition in videos. The key idea of the proposed representation is to transform 3D joint coordinates of the human body carried in skeleton sequences into RGB images via a colour encoding process. By normalising the 3D joint coordinates and dividing each skeleton frame into five parts, where the joints are concatenated according to the order of their physical connections, the colour‐coded representation is able to represent spatio‐temporal evolutions of complex 3D motions, independently of the length of each sequence. They then design and train different deep convolutional neural networks based on the residual network architecture on the obtained image‐based representations to learn 3D motion features and classify them into classes. Their proposed method is evaluated on two widely used action recognition benchmarks: MSR Action3D and NTU‐RGB+D, a very large‐scale dataset for 3D human action recognition. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms previous state‐of‐the‐art approaches while requiring less computation for training and prediction.
Image restoration via DOST and total variation regularisation
Authors: Bini A.A.
Published: November 2018

In this study, the author proposes a total variational (TV) driven image restoration usingdiscrete orthogonal Stockwell transform (DOST) when the noise (in the image) isan outcome of a Poisson process. Stockwell transform or S‐transform (ST) is wellknown for its efficiency in resolving spatio‐frequency components with highaccuracy compared with many other transforms such as short‐term Fouriertransform, wavelet transform etc. This property of ST makes it more suitable formany image processing applications such as image restoration and imageinpainting. By deriving the objective function and constraints of theoptimisation problem (image restoration problem) based on the ST coefficients,the model becomes more robust in terms of preserving high resolution in thespatio‐frequency domain. Images are modelled as an outcome of a Poisson processin many medical and telescopic imaging applications. The Poisson noisecorruption is mainly due to the lack of a sufficient number of photons toreconstruct the data. In this study, corrupted images are restored due to thePoisson process (by which the data is formed) using the DOST under a non‐localTV framework. The model is analysed and compared with the state‐of‐the‐artPoisson noise removal methods using visual and statistical measures.
GOODS-ALMA: 1.1 mm galaxy survey
Authors: Franco M. , Elbaz D. , Béthermin M. , Magnelli B. , Schreiber C. , Ciesla L. , Dickinson M. , Nagar N. , Silverman J. , Daddi E. , Alexander D. M. , Wang T. , Pannella M. , Le Floc’h E. , Pope A. , Giavalisco M. , Maury A. J. , Bournaud F. , Chary R. , Demarco R. , Ferguson H. , Finkelstein S. L. , Inami H. , Iono D. , Juneau S. , Lagache G. , Leiton R. , Lin L. , Magdis G. , Messias H. , Motohara K. , Mullaney J. , Okumura K. , Papovich C. , Pforr J. , Rujopakarn W. , Sargent M. , Shu X. , Zhou L.
Published: November 2018

Aims. We present a 69 arcmin2 ALMA survey at 1.1 mm, GOODS-ALMA, matching the deepest HST-WFC3 H-band part of the GOODS-South field.

Methods. We tapered the 0″24 original image with a homogeneous and circular synthesized beam of 0″60 to reduce the number of independent beams – thus reducing the number of purely statistical spurious detections – and optimize the sensitivity to point sources. We extracted a catalog of galaxies purely selected by ALMA and identified sources with and without HST counterparts down to a 5σ limiting depth of H = 28.2 AB (HST/WFC3 F160W).

Results. ALMA detects 20 sources brighter than 0.7 mJy at 1.1 mm in the 0″60 tapered mosaic (rms sensitivity σ ≃ 0.18 mJy beam−1) with a purity greater than 80%. Among these detections, we identify three sources with no HST nor Spitzer-IRAC counterpart, consistent with the expected number of spurious galaxies from the analysis of the inverted image; their definitive status will require additional investigation. We detect additional three sources with HST counterparts either at high significance in the higher resolution map, or with different detection-algorithm parameters ensuring a purity greater than 80%. Hence we identify in total 20 robust detections.

Conclusions. Our wide contiguous survey allows us to push further in redshift the blind detection of massive galaxies with ALMA with a median redshift of z = 2.92 and a median stellar mass of M⋆ = 1.1 × 1011 M⊙. Our sample includes 20% HST-dark galaxies (4 out of 20), all detected in the mid-infrared with Spitzer-IRAC. The near-infrared based photometric redshifts of two of them (z ∼ 4.3 and 4.8) suggest that these sources have redshifts z >  4. At least 40% of the ALMA sources host an X-ray AGN, compared to ∼14% for other galaxies of similar mass and redshift. The wide area of our ALMA survey provides lower values at the bright end of number counts than single-dish telescopes affected by confusion.
Wind inhibition by X-ray irradiation in HMXBs: the influence of clumping and the final X-ray luminosity
Authors: Krtička J. , Kubát J. , Krtičková I.
Published: November 2018

Context. In wind-powered X-ray binaries, the radiatively driven stellar wind from the primary may be inhibited by the X-ray irradiation. This creates the feedback that limits the X-ray luminosity of the compact secondary. Wind inhibition might be weakened by the effect of small-scale wind inhomogeneities (clumping) possibly affecting the limiting X-ray luminosity.

Aims. We study the influence of X-ray irradiation on the stellar wind for different radial distributions of clumping.

Methods. We calculate hot star wind models with external irradiation and clumping using our global wind code. The models are calculated for different parameters of the binary. We determine the parameters for which the X-ray wind ionization is so strong that it leads to a decrease of the radiative force. This causes a decrease of the wind velocity and even of the mass-loss rate in the case of extreme X-ray irradiation.

Results. Clumping weakens the effect of X-ray irradiation because it favours recombination and leads to an increase of the wind mass-loss rate. The best match between the models and observed properties of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) is derived with radially variable clumping. We describe the influence of X-ray irradiation on the terminal velocity and on the mass-loss rate in a parametric way. The X-ray luminosities predicted within the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton theory agree nicely with observations when accounting for X-ray irradiation.

Conclusions. The ionizing feedback regulates the accretion onto the compact companion resulting in a relatively stable X-ray source. The wind-powered accretion model can account for large luminosities in HMXBs only when introducing the ionizing feedback. There are two possible states following from the dependence of X-ray luminosity on the wind terminal velocity and mass-loss rate. One state has low X-ray luminosity and a nearly undisturbed wind, and the second state has high X-ray luminosity and exhibits a strong influence of X-rays on the flow.
Compressive strength of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko derived from Philae surface contacts
Authors: Heinisch P. , Auster H.-U. , Gundlach B. , Blum J. , Güttler C. , Tubiana C. , Sierks H. , Hilchenbach M. , Biele J. , Richter I. , Glassmeier K. H.
Published: November 2018

Context. The landing and rebound of the Philae lander, which was part of the ESA Rosetta mission, enabled us to study the mechanical properties of the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, because we could use Philae as an impact probe.

Aims. The aim is to approximate the descent and rebound trajectory of the Philae lander and use this information to derive the compressive strength of the surface material from the different surface contacts and scratches created during the final touchdown. Combined with laboratory measurements, this can give an insight into what comets are made of and how they formed.

Methods. We combined observations from the ROMAP magnetometer on board Philae with observations made by the Rosetta spacecraft, particularly by the OSIRIS camera system and the RPC-MAG magnetometer. Additionally, ballistic trajectory and collision modeling was performed. These results are placed in context using laboratory measurements of the compressibility of different materials.

Results. It was possible to reconstruct possible trajectories of Philae and determine that a pressure of ~100 Pa is enough to compress the surface material up to a depth of ~20 cm. Considering all errors, the derived compressive strength shows little dependence on location, with an overall upper limit for the surface compressive strength of ~800 Pa.
Magnetic field topologies of the bright, weak-field Ap stars θ Aurigae andεUrsae Majoris
Authors: Kochukhov O. , Shultz M. , Neiner C.
Published: November 2018

Context.The brightest magnetic chemically peculiar stars θ Aur andεUMa were targeted by numerous studies of their photometric and spectroscopic variability. Detailed maps of chemical abundance spots were repeatedly derived for both stars. However, owing to the weakness of their surface magnetic fields, very little information on the magnetic field geometries of these stars is available.

Aims.In this study we aim to determine detailed magnetic field topologies of θ Aur andεUMa based on modern, high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations.

Methods.Both targets were observed in all four Stokes parameters using the Narval and ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeters. A multi-line technique of least-squares deconvolution was employed to detect polarisation signatures in spectral lines. These signatures were modelled with a Zeeman-Doppler imaging code.

Results.We succeed in detecting variable circular and linear polarisation signatures for θ Aur. Only circular polarisation was detected forεUMa. We obtain new sets of high-precision longitudinal magnetic field measurements using mean circular polarisation metal line profiles as well as hydrogen line cores, which are consistent with historical data. Magnetic inversions revealed distorted dipolar geometries in both stars. The Fe and Cr abundance distributions, reconstructed simultaneously with magnetic mapping, do not show a clear correlation with the local magnetic field properties, with the exception of a relative element underabundance in the horizontal field regions along the magnetic equators.

Conclusions.Our study provides the first ever detailed surface magnetic field maps for broad-line, weak-field chemically peculiar stars, showing that their field topologies are qualitatively similar to those found in stronger field stars. The Fe and Cr chemical abundance maps reconstructed for θ Aur andεUMa are at odds with the predictions of current theoretical atomic diffusion calculations.
A variational approach to nonlinear stochastic differential equations with linear multiplicative noise
Authors: Barbu Viorel
Published: November 2018

One introduces a new concept of generalized solution for nonlinear infinite dimensional stochastic differential equations of subgradient type driven by linear multiplicative Wiener processes. This is defined as solution of a stochastic convex optimization problem derived from the Brezis-Ekeland variational principle. Under specific conditions on nonlinearity, one proves the existence and uniqueness of a variational solution which is also a strong solution in some significant situations. Applications to the existence of stochastic total variational flow and to stochastic parabolic equations with mild nonlinearity are given.