bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quasi 10‐ and 16‐Day Wave Activities Observed Through Meteor Radar and MST Radar During Stratospheric Final Warming in 2015 Spring
Authors: Yu Fan Rong , Huang Kai Ming , Zhang Shao Dong , Huang Chun Ming , Yi Fan , Gong Yun , Wang Rui , Li Guozhu , Ning Baiqi
Published: May 2019

By combining observations from three meteor radars and a mesosphere‐stratosphere‐troposphere radar arranged along the 120°E meridian with reanalysis data from 20 February to 20 May 2015, we study the stratospheric final warming (SFW) in 2015 spring and planetary wave activities from the troposphere to the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) at different latitudes. There are two successive warming events with the polar mean temperature rises of 24 and 9 K at 10‐hPa level. By means of the two warming events separated by only several days, the mean temperature increases by nearly 20 K, and the mean zonal wind decreases from more than 30 m/s to about −10 m/s; thus, seasonal transition of the polar circulation is completed. The investigation shows that the quasi 10‐ (Q10DW) and 16− (Q16DW)day waves occur around the SFW. In the troposphere, their amplitudes are close to 10 m/s in the wind field. At 10‐hPa level of the stratosphere, the strong wave activities arise before the SFW, while in the MLT, the waves are amplified following the SFW with the amplitude peaks about 10 days after the SFW onset. The wave amplitude in the MLT tends to increase in the zonal wind but decrease in the meridional wind with decreasing latitude, which is roughly consistent with the Hough modes. Hence, the Q10DW and Q16DW in the MLT are distinct from those in the stratosphere, and they are likely to be generated and strengthened in situ in the upper stratosphere and MLT.
Competing Effects of Droplet Sedimentation and Wind Shear on Entrainment in Stratocumulus
Authors: Schulz Bernhard , Mellado Juan Pedro
Published: May 2019

The joint effect of droplet sedimentation and wind shear on cloud top entrainment in stratocumulus is investigated with direct numerical simulations. Although it is well understood that droplet sedimentation weakens entrainment while wind shear enhances entrainment, there is no consensus on the magnitude of each process. We find that the entrainment reduction by droplet sedimentation is sufficiently strong to completely compensate the entrainment enhancement by wind shear, and thus, droplet sedimentation and wind shear effects can be equally important for cloud top entrainment. For instance, for the subtropical conditions considered here, droplet sedimentation weakens entrainment by up to 40% while wind shear enhances entrainment by up to 40%. This result implies that the droplet size distribution can substantially affect cloud lifetimes not only because of its effect on rain formation but also because of its effect on cloud top entrainment, which emphasizes the need for a better characterization of droplet size distributions in stratocumulus. A second implication is that entrainment velocity parametrizations should pay equal attention to droplet sedimentation and to wind shear effects.
NiO nanoparticle-decorated SnO2 nanosheets for ethanol sensing with enhanced moisture resistance
Authors: Niu Gaoqiang , Zhao Changhui , Gong Huimin , Yang Zhitao , Leng Xiaohui , Wang Fei
Published: May 2019

In a high relative humidity (RH) environment, it is challenging for ethanol sensors to maintain a high response and excellent selectivity. Herein, tetragonal rutile SnO2 nanosheets decorated with NiO nanoparticles were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal process. The NiO-decorated SnO2 nanosheet-based sensors displayed a significantly improved sensitivity and excellent selectivity to ethanol gas. For example, the 3 mol% NiO-decorated SnO2 (SnO2-3Ni) sensor reached its highest response (153 at 100 ppm) at an operating temperature of 260 °C. Moreover, the SnO2-3Ni sensor had substantially improved moisture resistance. The excellent properties of the sensors can be attributed to the uniform dispersion of the NiO nanoparticles on the surface of the SnO2 nanosheets and the formation of NiO-SnO2 p–n heterojunctions. Considering the long-term stability and reproducibility of these sensors, our study suggests that the NiO nanoparticle-decorated SnO2 nanosheets are a promising material for highly efficient detection of ethanol.
Elevational differences in hydrogeomorphic disturbance regime influence sediment residence times within mountain river corridors
Authors: Sutfin Nicholas A. , Wohl Ellen
Published: May 2019

High-elevation mountain streams are commonly viewed as erosive environments, but they can retain sediment along river corridors for thousands of years. In 2013, an extreme flood evacuated floodplain sediment in the Colorado Front Range, USA. We use fifty-two14C ages collected along four streams prior to the flood to estimate mean residence time of floodplain sediment. Here we show that mountain streams above the elevation of the Pleistocene terminal moraine retain floodplain sediment for longer durations than those at lower elevation, but that wildfires may decrease floodplain sediment residence time at high elevations. Comparison of field sites and differencing of pre- and post-flood lidar show that valley confinement is a significant predictor of residence time, sediment flux, and floodplains disturbed by the 2013 flood. Elevational trends in floodplain disturbance regime also reflect differences in forest type, precipitation pattern, and wildfire regime, which are expected to shift under a changing climate.
Engram-specific transcriptome profiling of contextual memory consolidation
Authors: Rao-Ruiz Priyanka , Couey Jonathan J. , Marcelo Ivo M. , Bouwkamp Christian G. , Slump Denise E. , Matos Mariana R. , van der Loo Rolinka J. , Martins Gabriela J. , van den Hout Mirjam , van IJcken Wilfred F. , Costa Rui M. , van den Oever Michel C. , Kushner Steven A.
Published: May 2019

Sparse populations of neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus are causally implicated in the encoding of contextual fear memories. However, engram-specific molecular mechanisms underlying memory consolidation remain largely unknown. Here we perform unbiased RNA sequencing of DG engram neurons 24 h after contextual fear conditioning to identify transcriptome changes specific to memory consolidation. DG engram neurons exhibit a highly distinct pattern of gene expression, in which CREB-dependent transcription features prominently (P = 6.2 × 10−13), including Atf3 (P = 2.4 × 10−41), Penk (P = 1.3 × 10−15), and Kcnq3 (P = 3.1 × 10−12). Moreover, we validate the functional relevance of the RNAseq findings by establishing the causal requirement of intact CREB function specifically within the DG engram during memory consolidation, and identify a novel group of CREB target genes involved in the encoding of long-term memory.
Author Correction: Dynamic fibroblast contractions attract remote macrophages in fibrillar collagen matrix
Authors: Pakshir Pardis , Alizadehgiashi Moien , Wong Boaz , Coelho Nuno Miranda , Chen Xingyu , Gong Ze , Shenoy Vivek B. , McCulloch Christopher A. , Hinz Boris
Published: May 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Christopher A. McCulloch, which was incorrectly given as Christopher McCulloch. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
The computational landscape of general physical theories
Authors: Barrett Jonathan , de Beaudrap Niel , Hoban Matty J. , Lee Ciarán M.
Published: May 2019

There is good evidence that quantum computers are more powerful than classical computers, and that various simple modifications of quantum theory yield computational power that is dramatically greater still. However, these modifications also violate fundamental physical principles. This raises the question of whether there exists a physical theory, allowing computation more powerful than quantum, but which still respects those fundamental physical principles. Prior work by two of us introduced this question within a suitable framework for theories that make good operational sense, and showed that in any theory satisfying tomographic locality, the class of problems that can be solved efficiently is contained in the complexity class AWPP. Here, we show that this bound is tight, in the sense that there exists a theory, satisfying tomographic locality, as well as a basic principle of causality, which can efficiently decide everything in AWPP. Hence this theory can efficiently simulate any computation in this framework, including quantum computation.
A gapmer antisense oligonucleotide targeting SRRM4 is a novel therapeutic medicine for lung cancer
Authors: Shimojo Masahito , Kasahara Yuuya , Inoue Masaki , Tsunoda Shin-ichi , Shudo Yoshie , Kurata Takayasu , Obika Satoshi
Published: May 2019

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive neuroendocrine phenotype of the deadliest human lung cancers. However the therapeutic landscape for SCLC has not changed in over 30 years. Effective treatment and prognosis are needed to combat this aggressive cancer. Herein we report that Ser/Arg repetitive matrix 4 (SRRM4), a splicing activator, is abnormally expressed at high levels in SCLC and thus is a potential therapeutic target. We screened an effective gapmer antisense oligonucleotide (gASO) targeting SRRM4 in vitro which led to cell death of SCLC. Our gASO, which is stabilized by containing artificial nucleotides, effectively represses SRRM4 mRNA. We found that our gASO repressed SRRM4 synthesis leading to a dramatic tumor reduction in a lung cancer mouse model. We also analyzed miRNA microarray and found that the miR-4516 is abnormally increased in exosomes in the blood of SCLC patients. Treating with gASO suppressed tumors in the SCLC model mouse concurrently reduced plasma miR-4516. In conclusion this study reports that administration of an SRRM4-targeted gASO coupled with a novel miRNA diagnostic methodology represents a potential breakthrough in the therapeutic treatment of high mortality SCLC.
Classification of arm swing as a clinical marker of advancing spinal deformity among community-dwelling female volunteers 60 years or older
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuya , Jimbo Shizuo , Senoo Issei , Shimizu Mutsuya , Ito Hiroshi , Hisashi Chiba P. T.
Published: May 2019

The clinical characteristics of adult spinal deformity (ASD) include worsening of deformity during gait, which leads to unstable posture and propensity to fall. The purpose of this study was to classify arm swing and to analyse its clinical implications. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed with 168 community-dwelling female volunteers recruited from a population register in Hokkaido, Japan, with a mean age of 67.3 ± 4.7 years, and arm swing was classified into four groups according to maximum forward and backward arm swing distance: (1) predominantly forward swing with forward swing always larger than backward swing (FS, n = 138), (2) equal or equivocal swing (ES, n = 8), (3) predominantly backward swing with backward swing always larger than forward swing (BS, n = 20), and (4) thigh-hand type without arm swing with their hands placed on thighs (TH, n = 2). BS and FS showed significant differences in radiographic lumbar lordosis (BS 19.4 ± 18.1° vs. FS 40.6 ± 14.5°, P < 0.01 ANOVA), pelvic tilt (BS 40.0 ± 7.3° vs. FS 22.9 ± 8.9°, p < 0.01), number of vertebral fractures (BS 1.2 ± 1.4 vs. FS 0.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.01), and trunk extensor muscle strength (BS 374.9 ± 134.8 N vs. FS 478.1 ± 172.6 N, p < 0.05). Arm swing correlated with severity of radiographic ASD, osteoporotic changes, and back muscle weakness. The number of ASD patients, which includes patients with de novo/idiopathic scoliosis, degenerative/osteoporotic kyphosis, and other neuromuscular deformities, has been increasing, and further study should clarify the importance of dynamic evaluation of ASD among elderly patients.
Amido-bridged nucleic acid (AmNA)-modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting α-synuclein as a novel therapy for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Uehara Takuya , Choong Chi-Jing , Nakamori Masayuki , Hayakawa Hideki , Nishiyama Kumiko , Kasahara Yuuya , Baba Kousuke , Nagata Tetsuya , Yokota Takanori , Tsuda Hiroshi , Obika Satoshi , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: May 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. A characteristic pathological feature of PD is cytoplasmic accumulation of α-synuclein (SNCA) protein. Multiplication of theSNCAgene in familial PD and pathological accumulation of SNCA protein during progression of sporadic PD suggest that increased SNCA protein levels increase the risk of PD. Thus, reducing SNCA expression levels could delay PD onset or modify the disease course. For efficient knock down, we designed and synthesized an amido-bridged nucleic acids (AmNA)-modified antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that targeted SNCA with improved stability and cellular uptakein vivo. AmNA-ASO efficiently downregulated SNCA at both the mRNA and protein levelin vitroandin vivo. Notably, AmNA-ASO was efficiently delivered into the mouse brain by intracerebroventricular injection without the aid of additional chemicals. Furthermore, administration of AmNA-ASO ameliorated neurological defects in PD model mice expressing human wild type SNCA. Taken together, these findings suggest that AmNA-ASO is a promising therapeutic strategy for SNCA-associated pathology in PD.
Author Correction: Species replacement dominates megabenthos beta diversity in a remote seamount setting
Authors: Victorero Lissette , Robert Katleen , Robinson Laura F. , Taylor Michelle L. , Huvenne Veerle A. I.
Published: May 2019

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.
Author Correction: First assessment of the comparative toxicity of ivermectin and moxidectin in adult dung beetles: Sub-lethal symptoms and pre-lethal consequences
Authors: Verdú José R. , Cortez Vieyle , Martinez-Pinna Juan , Ortiz Antonio J. , Lumaret Jean-Pierre , Lobo Jorge M. , Sánchez-Piñero Francisco , Numa Catherine
Published: May 2019

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.
Posterior cingulate cortex can be a regulatory modulator of the default mode network in task-negative state
Authors: Wang Regina W. Y. , Chang Wei-Li , Chuang Shang-Wen , Liu I-Ning
Published: May 2019

In recent years, the regulation of brain networks and interactions between different brain regions have become important issues in neuroscience. Effective connectivity can be employed to understand the modulatory mechanisms of brain networks. Previous studies have used the task-positive mode to examine effective connectivity between brain regions and very few studies have considered the task-negative mode to explore effective connectivity using electroencephalography (EEG). In the present study, high-density EEG experiments were conducted in 85 participants to measure EEG effective connectivity in relevant default mode network (DMN) brain regions (i.e., the medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC], posterior cingulate cortex [PCC], precuneus, and right frontal and left occipital regions) to observe the effects of different task-negative modes (eyes-open/eyes-closed state) and personality traits (introversion/extroversion). The results showed that in the eyes-closed state, the PCC had significantly increased effective connectivity and played a prominent role as a regulatory modulator of outflow to other regions mediated by alpha rhythms. The mPFC was a regulatory modulator of outflow in the eyes-open state mediated by delta rhythms. The introvert group showed stronger co-modulations in the relevant DMN regions than the extrovert group.
Increased response to sequential infections of honeybee, Apis mellifera scutellata, colonies by socially parasitic Cape honeybee, A. m. capensis, workers
Authors: Neumann Peter , Pirk Christian W. W.
Published: May 2019

Cape honeybee, Apis mellifera capensis, workers can be social parasites and host colonies can defend themselves by rejection of such workers. Using the pseudo-clonal obligate parasitic lineage of A. m. capensis and wild-type A. m. capensis workers, which are facultative parasites, we show that host colonies significantly increase their defence behaviour towards social parasites upon secondary exposure. Most obligate and facultative social parasites were rejected before they could even produce significant amounts of the queen-like mandibular gland pheromone secretion or activate their ovaries. This suggests that other signals, like cuticular hydrocarbons, could be used by host colonies to identify potential invaders. Honeybee colonies seem to be able to utilise these potential cues, learn from their initial exposure to hive intruders and enable them to improve their defensive behaviour during subsequent infestations, resulting in increased removal rates of parasites.
Multiplexed temporally focused light shaping through a gradient index lens for precise in-depth optogenetic photostimulation
Authors: Accanto Nicolò , Chen I-Wen , Ronzitti Emiliano , Molinier Clément , Tourain Christophe , Papagiakoumou Eirini , Emiliani Valentina
Published: May 2019

In the past 10 years, the use of light has become irreplaceable for the optogenetic study and control of neurons and neural circuits. Optical techniques are however limited by scattering and can only see through a depth of few hundreds µm in living tissues. GRIN lens based micro-endoscopes represent a powerful solution to reach deeper regions. In this work we demonstrate that cutting edge optical methods for the precise photostimulation of multiple neurons in three dimensions can be performed through a GRIN lens. By spatio-temporally shaping a laser beam in the two-photon regime we project several tens of spatially confined targets in a volume of at least 100 × 150 × 300 µm3. We then apply such approach to the optogenetic stimulation of multiple neurons simultaneously in vivo in mice. Our work paves the way for an all-optical investigation of neural circuits in previously inaccessible brain areas.
A low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet promotes ganglioside synthesis via the transcriptional regulation of ganglioside metabolism-related genes
Authors: Okuda Tetsuya
Published: May 2019

Low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets (LCKDs) are used for treating obesity and epilepsy; however, the molecular mechanism of LCKDs in tissues has not been fully investigated. In this study, novel LCKD-associated molecular targets were explored using gene expression profiling in the liver of mice fed a LCKD. The result showed that the LCKD promoted the expression of glycosyltransferase genes involved in ganglioside synthesis and suppressed the expression of Gm2a, the gene encoding GM2 ganglioside activator protein, a lysosomal protein indispensable for ganglioside degradation. These changes were correlated with increased ganglioside content in the liver and serum. As gangliosides are mainly expressed in central nervous tissues, we also analyzed LCKD effect on cerebral cortex. Although ganglioside levels were unchanged in mice on the LCKD, Gm2a expression was significantly down-regulated. Further analyses suggested that the LCKD altered the expression levels of gangliosides in a limited area of central nervous system tissues susceptible to Gm2a.
Symbiotic N fixation is sufficient to support net aboveground biomass accumulation in a humid tropical forest
Authors: Brookshire E. N. J. , Wurzburger Nina , Currey Bryce , Menge Duncan N. L. , Oatham Michael P. , Roberts Carlton
Published: May 2019

Symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation has been shown to support carbon storage in young regenerating tropical forests, but N-fixing trees can also be strong competitors with non-fixing trees, making it unclear which mechanism drives long term patterns in biomass accretion. Many tropical forests have excess N, but factors such as rising atmospheric CO2or selective cutting practices might induce additional N demand. Here we combine decades of stem inventory data,in-situmeasures of symbiotic N fixation, and simulations of N demand to evaluate demographic and biogeochemical controls on biomass dynamics in legume-rich lowland forests of Trinidad. We document sustained net biomass accumulation and high rates of N fixation in these forests, regardless of the timing of selective timber harvests, including an old growth stand. The biomass accumulation was explained by growth of non-fixing trees, not N-fixing trees, but the total amount of symbiotic N fixation was sufficient to account for most of net above ground N demands, suggesting that N-fixers could contribute to the long-term C sink in these forests via fertilizing non-fixers.
A quantitative analysis of the contribution of melanopsin to brightness perception
Authors: Yamakawa Masahiko , Tsujimura Sei-ichi , Okajima Katsunori
Published: May 2019

In the retina, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) which express photopigment melanopsin have been identified as photoreceptors which differ from cones and rods. It has been established that such melanopsin-expressing RGCs are involved in the circadian photo-entrainment and pupillary light reflexes. An additional projection from ipRGCs to the lateral geniculate nucleus has been identified, which indicates the association of ipRGCs with visual perception induced by the image-forming pathway. Reportedly, ipRGCs modulate brightness perception but quantitative analysis of brightness perception involving melanopsin and cones-based signals has not been elucidated. We conducted brightness perception experiments that involved melanopsin using a novel projector with six primary colors and formulated the results for melanopsin and cone stimuli. The white visual stimuli (5 degrees in size) that we used had a single xy-chromaticity values but melanopsin stimuli were modulated by designing different spectral distributions. Perceived brightness was measured using a magnitude estimation method at several luminance levels in the near periphery (7 degrees). Additionally, pupil diameter was measured for estimating the intensity of visual stimuli on the retina. The results showed that the perceived brightness of a white visual stimulus with different spectral distributions can be described by a summation of the nearly linear melanopsin response and the non-linear cone response with weighted coefficients, and the contribution ratio of melanopsin in brightness perception increased to 50% and more with increasing visual stimulus. These suggest that melanopsin signals play a crucial role in the estimation of the absolute intensity of the light environment by obtaining absolute brightness information even when cones are adapted by light.
Ontogenetic changes in the body plan of the sauropodomorph dinosaur Mussaurus patagonicus reveal shifts of locomotor stance during growth
Authors: Otero Alejandro , Cuff Andrew R. , Allen Vivian , Sumner-Rooney Lauren , Pol Diego , Hutchinson John R.
Published: May 2019

Ontogenetic information is crucial to understand life histories and represents a true challenge in dinosaurs due to the scarcity of growth series available. Mussaurus patagonicus was a sauropodomorph dinosaur close to the origin of Sauropoda known from hatchling, juvenile and mature specimens, providing a sufficiently complete ontogenetic series to reconstruct general patterns of ontogeny. Here, in order to quantify how body shape and its relationship with locomotor stance (quadruped/biped) changed in ontogeny, hatchling, juvenile (~1 year old) and adult (8+ years old) individuals were studied using digital models. Our results show that Mussaurus rapidly grew from about 60 g at hatching to ~7 kg at one year old, reaching >1000 kg at adulthood. During this time, the body’s centre of mass moved from a position in the mid-thorax to a more caudal position nearer to the pelvis. We infer that these changes of body shape and centre of mass reflect a shift from quadrupedalism to bipedalism occurred early in ontogeny in Mussaurus. Our study indicates that relative development of the tail and neck was more influential in determining the locomotor stance in Sauropodomorpha during ontogeny, challenging previous studies, which have emphasized the influence of hindlimb vs. forelimb lengths on sauropodomorph stance.
A comprehensive metabolomics investigation of hippocampus, serum, and feces affected by chronic fluoxetine treatment using the chronic unpredictable mild stress mouse model of depression
Authors: Zhao Jing , Jung Yang-Hee , Jin Yan , Kang Seulgi , Jang Choon-Gon , Lee Jeongmi
Published: May 2019

A metabolomic investigation of depression and chronic fluoxetine treatment was conducted using a chronic unpredictable mild stress model with C57BL/6N mice. Establishment of the depressive model was confirmed by body weight measurement and behavior tests including the forced swim test and the tail suspension test. Behavioral despair by depression was reversed by four week-treatment with fluoxetine. Hippocampus, serum, and feces samples collected from four groups (control + saline, control + fluoxetine, model + saline, and model + fluoxetine) were subjected to metabolomic profiling based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Alterations in the metabolic patterns were evident in all sample types. The antidepressant effects of fluoxetine appeared to involve various metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, tryptophan metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and bile acid metabolism. Predictive marker candidates of depression were identified, including β-citryl-L-glutamic acid (BCG) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in serum and chenodeoxycholic acid and oleamide in feces. This study suggests that treatment effects of fluoxetine might be differentiated by altered levels of tyramine and BCG in serum, and that DHA is a potential serum marker for depression with positive association with hippocampal DHA. Collectively, our comprehensive study provides insights into the biochemical perturbations involved in depression and the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine.
Role of pannexin-1 in the cellular uptake, release and hydrolysis of anandamide by T84 colon cancer cells
Authors: Alhouayek Mireille , Sorti René , Gilthorpe Jonathan D. , Fowler Christopher J.
Published: May 2019

The large pore ion channel pannexin-1 (Panx1) has been reported to play a role in the cellular uptake and release of anandamide (AEA) in the hippocampus. It is not known whether this is a general mechanism or limited to the hippocampus. We have investigated this pharmacologically using T84 colon cancer cells. The cells expressed Panx1 at the mRNA level, and released ATP in a manner that could be reduced by treatment with the Panx1 inhibitors carbenoxolone and mefloquine and the Panx1 substrate SR101. However, no significant effects of these compounds upon the uptake or hydrolysis of exogenously applied AEA was seen. Uptake by T84 cells of the other main endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and the AEA homologue palmitoylethanolamide was similarly not affected by carbenoxolone or mefloquine. Total release of tritium from [3H]AEA-prelabelled T84 cells over 10 min was increased, rather than inhibited by carbenoxolone and mefloquine. Finally, AEA uptake by PC3 prostate cancer and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, which express functional Panx1 channels, was not inhibited by carbenoxolone. Thus, in contrast to the hippocampus, Panx1 does not appear to play a role in AEA uptake and release from the cells studied under the conditions used.
Covalent-bonding-induced strong phonon scattering in the atomically thin WSe2 layer
Authors: Choi Young-Gwan , Jeong Do-Gyeom , Ju H. I. , Roh C. J. , Kim Geonhwa , Mun Bongjin Simon , Kim Tae Yun , Kim Sang-Woo , Lee J. S.
Published: May 2019

In nano-device applications using two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials, a heat dissipation through nano-scale interfaces can be a critical issue for optimizing device performances. By using a time-domain thermoreflectance measurement technique, we examine a cross-plane thermal transport through mono-layered (n = 1) and bi-layered (n = 2) WSe2 flakes which are sandwiched by top metal layers of Al, Au, and Ti and the bottom Al2O3 substrate. In these nanoscale structures with hetero- and homo-junctions, we observe that the thermal boundary resistance (TBR) is significantly enhanced as the number of WSe2 layers increases. In particular, as the metal is changed from Al, to Au, and to Ti, we find an interesting trend of TBR depending on the WSe2 thickness; when referenced to TBR for a system without WSe2, TBR for n = 1 decreases, but that for n = 2 increases. This result clearly demonstrates that the stronger bonding for Ti leads to a better thermal conduction between the metal and the WSe2 layer, but in return gives rise to a large mismatch in the phonon density of states between the first and second WSe2 layers so that the WSe2-WSe2 interface becomes a major thermal resistance for n = 2. By using photoemission spectroscopy and optical second harmonic generation technique, we confirm that the metallization induces a change in the valence state of W-ions, and also recovers a non-centrosymmetry for the bi-layered WSe2.
FAK and Pyk2 activity promote TNF-α and IL-1β-mediated pro-inflammatory gene expression and vascular inflammation
Authors: Murphy James M. , Jeong Kyuho , Rodriguez Yelitza A. R. , Kim Jung-Hyun , Ahn Eun-Young Erin , Lim Ssang-Taek Steve
Published: May 2019

Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity has been implicated in pro-inflammatory gene expression following tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interkeukin-1β (IL-1β) stimulation. However, the identity of responsible PTK(s) in cytokine signaling have not been elucidated. To evaluate which PTK is critical to promote the cytokine-induced inflammatory cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression including VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs), we have tested pharmacological inhibitors of major PTKs: Src and the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) family kinases - FAK and proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2). We found that a dual inhibitor of FAK/Pyk2 (PF-271) most effectively reduced all three CAMs upon TNF-α or IL-1β stimulation compared to FAK or Src specific inhibitors (PF-228 or Dasatinib), which inhibited only VCAM-1 expression.In vitroinflammation assays showed PF-271 reduced monocyte attachment and transmigration on HAoECs. Furthermore, FAK/Pyk2 activity was not limited to CAM expression but was also required for expression of various pro-inflammatory molecules including MCP-1 and IP-10. Both TNF-α and IL-1β signaling requires FAK/Pyk2 activity to activate ERK and JNK MAPKs leading to inflammatory gene expression. Knockdown of either FAK or Pyk2 reduced TNF-α-stimulated ERK and JNK activation and CAM expression, suggesting that activation of ERK or JNK is specific through FAK and Pyk2. Finally, FAK/Pyk2 activity is required for VCAM-1 expression and macrophage recruitment to the vessel wall in a carotid ligation model inApoE−/− mice. Our findings define critical roles of FAK/Pyk2 in mediating inflammatory cytokine signaling and implicate FAK/Pyk2 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents to treat vascular inflammatory disease such as atherosclerosis.
Social noise interferes with learning in a volatile environment
Authors: Shin Dong Woo , Kim Jaejoong , Jeong Bumseok , Kim Ko Woon , Shim Geumsook , Yoon Taekeun
Published: May 2019

To learn through feedback, feedback should be reliable. However, if feedback is blurred by irrelevant social information, learning in a volatile environment, which requires fast learning and adaptation, might be disturbed. In this study, we investigated how feedback with social noise interferes with learning in a volatile environment by designing a probabilistic associative learning task in which the association probability changes dynamically, and the outcome was randomly blurred by an emotional face with incongruent valence. Learning in this situation was modelled by HGF-S such that emotionally incongruent feedback induces perceptual uncertainty called social noise. The Bayesian model comparison showed that the HGF-S model explains the subjects’ behaviour well, and the simulation showed that social noise interrupts both learning the association probability and the volatility. Furthermore, the learning interruption influenced the subsequent decision. Finally, we found that the individual difference in how the same emotionally incongruent feedback induces social noise in varying degrees was related to the differences in event-related desynchronization induced by happy and sad faces in the right anterior insula, which encodes the degree of emotional feeling. These results advance our understanding of how feedback with emotional interference affects learning.
Ranking Regions, Edges and Classifying Tasks in Functional Brain Graphs by Sub-Graph Entropy
Authors: Sen Bhaskar , Chu Shu-Hsien , Parhi Keshab K.
Published: May 2019

This paper considers analysis of human brain networks or graphs constructed from time-series collected from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the network of time-series, the nodes describe the regions and the edge weights correspond to the absolute values of correlation coefficients of the time-series of the two nodes associated with the edges. The paper introduces a novel information-theoretic metric, referred assub-graphentropy, to measure uncertainty associated with asub-graph. Nodes and edges constitute two special cases ofsub-graphstructures. Node and edge entropies are used in this paper to rank regions and edges in a functional brain network. The paper analyzes task-fMRI data collected from 475 subjects in the Human Connectome Project (HCP) study for gambling and emotion tasks. The proposed approach is used to rank regions and edges associated with these tasks. Thedifferentialnode (edge) entropy metric is defined as the difference of the node (edge) entropy corresponding to two different networks belonging to two different classes. Differential entropy of nodes and edges are used to rank top regions and edges associated with the two classes of data. Using top node and edge entropy features separately, two-class classifiers are designed using support vector machine (SVM) with radial basis function (RBF) kernel and leave-one-out method to classify time-series for emotion taskvs.no-task, gambling taskvs.no-task and emotion taskvs. gambling task. Using node entropies, the SVM classifier achieves classification accuracies of 0.96, 0.97 and 0.98, respectively. Using edge entropies, the classifier achieves classification accuracies of 0.91, 0.96 and 0.94, respectively.
FABP1 controls hepatic transport and biotransformation of Δ9-THC
Authors: Elmes Matthew W. , Prentis Lauren E. , McGoldrick Luke L. , Giuliano Christopher J. , Sweeney Joseph M. , Joseph Olivia M. , Che Joyce , Carbonetti Gregory S. , Studholme Keith , Deutsch Dale G. , Rizzo Robert C. , Glynn Steven E. , Kaczocha Martin
Published: May 2019

The increasing use of medical marijuana highlights the importance of developing a better understanding of cannabinoid metabolism. Phytocannabinoids, including ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are metabolized and inactivated by cytochrome P450 enzymes primarily within the liver. The lipophilic nature of cannabinoids necessitates mechanism(s) to facilitate their intracellular transport to metabolic enzymes. Here, we test the central hypothesis that liver-type fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) mediates phytocannabinoid transport and subsequent inactivation. Using X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, and in vitro binding approaches we demonstrate that FABP1 accommodates one molecule of THC within its ligand binding pocket. Consistent with its role as a THC carrier, biotransformation of THC was reduced in primary hepatocytes obtained from FABP1-knockout (FABP1-KO) mice. Compared to their wild-type littermates, administration of THC to male and female FABP1-KO mice potentiated the physiological and behavioral effects of THC. The stark pharmacodynamic differences were confirmed upon pharmacokinetic analyses which revealed that FABP1-KO mice exhibit reduced rates of THC biotransformation. Collectively, these data position FABP1 as a hepatic THC transport protein and a critical mediator of cannabinoid inactivation. Since commonly used medications bind to FABP1 with comparable affinities to THC, our results further suggest that FABP1 could serve a previously unrecognized site of drug-drug interactions.
Surface ocean carbon dioxide variability in South Pacific boundary currents and Subantarctic waters
Authors: C. Pardo Paula , Tilbrook Bronte , van Ooijen Erik , Passmore Abraham , Neill Craig , Jansen Peter , Sutton Adrienne J. , Trull Thomas W.
Published: May 2019

To improve estimates of the long-term response of the marine carbon system to climate change a better understanding of the seasonal and interannual variability is needed. We use high-frequency multi-year data at three locations identified as climate change hotspots: two sites located close to South Pacific boundary currents and one in the Subantarctic Zone (SAZ). We investigate and identify the main drivers involved in the seasonal an interannual (2012–2016) variability of the carbon system. The seasonal variability at boundary current sites is temporally different and highly controlled by sea surface temperature. Advection processes also play a significant role on the monthly changes of the carbon system at the western boundary current site. The interannual variability at these sites most likely responds to long-term variability in oceanic circulation ultimately related to climatic indices such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). In the SAZ, advection and entrainment processes drive most of the seasonality, augmented by the action of biological processes in spring. Given the relevance of advection and entrainment processes at SAZ, the interannual variability is most probably modulated by changes in the regional winds linked to the variability of the SAM.
Two-Dimensional-Like Amorphous Indium Tungsten Oxide Nano-Sheet Junctionless Transistors with Low Operation Voltage
Authors: Kuo Po-Yi , Chang Chien-Min , Liu I-Han , Liu Po-Tsun
Published: May 2019

In this work, we have successfully demonstrated the junctionless (JL) transistors with two-dimensional-like (2D-like) nano-sheet (NS) material, amorphous indium tungsten oxide (a-IWO), as an active channel layer. The influences of the different gate insulator (GI) materials and the scalings of GI thickness, a-IWO channel thickness, and channel lengths on the a-IWO NS JL transistors (a-IWO NS-JLTs) have been studied for the purposes of low operation voltage (gate voltage ≤2V) and high performance. The 2D-like a-IWO NS-JLTs exhibit low operation voltage, low source/drain (S/D) contact resistance (RC) and other key electrical characteristics, such as high field-effect mobility (μFE), near ideal subthreshold swing (S.S.), and large ON/OFF currents ratio (ION/IOFF). The remarkable device characteristics also make the proposed 2D-like a-IWO NS-JLTs promising for system-on-panel (SoP) and vertically stacked (VS) hybrid CMOS applications.
Genetic Polymorphisms in the Open Reading Frame of the CCR5 gene From HIV-1 Seronegative and Seropositive Individuals From National Capital Regions of India
Authors: Ronsard Larance , Sood Vikas , Yousif Ashraf S. , Ramesh Janani , Shankar Vijay , Das Jishnu , Sumi N. , Rai Tripti , Mohankumar Kumaravel , Sridharan Subhashree , Dorschel Arianna , Ramachandran Vishnampettai G. , Banerjea Akhil C.
Published: May 2019

C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) serves as a co-receptor for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), enabling the virus to enter human CD4 T cells and macrophages. In the absence of CCR5, HIV strains that require CCR5 (R5 or M-tropic HIV) fail to successfully initiate infection. Various natural mutations of the CCR5 gene have been reported to interfere with the HIV-CCR5 interaction, which influences the rate of AIDS progression. Genetic characterization of the CCR5 gene in individuals from the National Capital Regions (NCRs) of India revealed several natural point mutations in HIV seropositive/negative individuals. Furthermore, we identified novel frame-shifts mutations in the CCR5 gene in HIV seronegative individuals, as well as the well reported CCR5Δ32 mutation. Additionally, we observed a number of mutations present only in HIV seropositive individuals. This is the first report to describe the genetic variations of CCR5 in individuals from the NCRs of India and demonstrates the utility of investigating understudied populations to identify novel CCR5 polymorphisms.
Molecular mechanisms of heterogeneous oligomerization of huntingtin proteins
Authors: Bonfanti Silvia , Lionetti Maria Chiara , Fumagalli Maria Rita , Chirasani Venkat R. , Tiana Guido , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Zapperi Stefano , La Porta Caterina A. M.
Published: May 2019

There is still no successful strategy to treat Huntington’s disease, an inherited autosomal disorder associated with the aggregation of mutated forms of the huntingtin protein containing polyglutamine tracts with more than 36 repeats. Recent experimental evidence is challenging the conventional view of the disease by revealing transcellular transfer of mutated huntingtin proteins which are able to seed oligomers involving wild type forms of the protein. Here we decipher the molecular mechanism of this unconventional heterogeneous oligomerization by performing discrete molecular dynamics simulations. We identify the most probable oligomer conformations and the molecular regions that can be targeted to destabilize them. Our computational findings are complemented experimentally by fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy/fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FLIM-FRET) of cells co-transfected with huntingtin proteins containing short and large polyglutamine tracts. Our work clarifies the structural features responsible for heterogeneous huntingtin aggregation with possible implications to contrast the prion-like spreading of Huntington’s disease.
Human cortical folding across regions within individual brains follows universal scaling law
Authors: Wang Yujiang , Necus Joe , Rodriguez Luis Peraza , Taylor Peter Neal , Mota Bruno
Published: May 2019

Different cortical regions vary systematically in their morphology. Here we investigate if the scaling law of cortical morphology, which was previously demonstrated across both human subjects and mammalian species, still holds within a single cortex across different brain regions. By topologically correcting for regional curvature, we could analyse how different morphological parameters co-vary within single cortices. We show in over 1500 healthy individuals that, despite their morphological diversity, regions of the same cortex obey the same universal scaling law, and age morphologically at similar rates. In Alzheimer’s disease, we observe a premature ageing in the morphological parameters that was nevertheless consistent with the scaling law. The premature ageing effect was most dramatic in the temporal lobe. Thus, while morphology can vary substantially across cortical regions, subjects, and species, it always does so in accordance with a common scaling law, suggesting that the underlying processes driving cortical gyrification are universal.
Stiffness tomography of eukaryotic intracellular compartments by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Janel Sébastien , Popoff Michka , Barois Nicolas , Werkmeister Elisabeth , Divoux Séverine , Perez Franck , Lafont Frank
Published: May 2019

After identification by fluorescence microscopy, intracellular compartments are analyzed by stiffness tomography using atomic force microscopy, before further processing for ultrastructural characterization by electron microscopy.
A continuous flow protocol to generate, regenerate, load, and recycle chlorotrityl functionalised resins
Authors: Spare Lawson K. , Menti Maria , Harman David G. , Aldrich-Wright Janice R. , Gordon Christopher P.
Published: May 2019

From a screen of chlorinating agent concentration, flow rates, and reagent addition methodologies, a continuous flow protocol to activate, reactivate, and recycle both 2-chlorotrityl chloride functionalised polystyrene and trityl-hydroxy ChemMatrix functionalised resins was established.
Integrating surface plasmon resonance and slow photon effects in nanoporous anodic alumina photonic crystals for photocatalysis
Authors: Lim Siew Yee , Law Cheryl Suwen , Liu Lina , Markovic Marijana , Abell Andrew D. , Santos Abel
Published: May 2019

This study explores the potential of gold-coated titania-functionalized nanoporous anodic alumina distributed Bragg reflectors (Au-TiO2-NAA-DBRs) as platforms to enhance photocatalytic reactions by integrating “slow photons” and surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
Effect of conduction band potential on cocatalyst-free plasmonic H2 evolution over Au loaded on Sr2+-doped CeO2
Authors: Fudo Eri , Tanaka Atsuhiro , Kominami Hiroshi
Published: May 2019

Au/CeO2:Sr plasmonic photocatalysts produced H2 without the aid of a cocatalyst due to the sufficiently negative potential of electrons injected into the CB of CeO2:Sr.
Crystal phase induced band gap energy enhancing the photo-catalytic properties of Zn–Fe2O4/Au NPs: experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Huerta-Aguilar Carlos Alberto , Ramírez-Alejandre Aida Araceli , Thangarasu Pandiyan , Arenas-Alatorre Jesus Angel , Reyes-Dominguez Ivan Alejandro , de la Luz Corea Monica
Published: May 2019

Au NPs on ZnFe2O4 enhances visible absorption, employed for paracetamol oxidation, where peaks were resolved by 2D HPLC.
Real-time imaging of activation and degradation of carbon supported octahedral Pt–Ni alloy fuel cell catalysts at the nanoscale usingin situelectrochemical liquid cell STEM
Authors: Beermann Vera , Holtz Megan E. , Padgett Elliot , de Araujo Jorge Ferreira , Muller David A. , Strasser Peter
Published: May 2019

In situnanoscale imaging of the electrochemical activation and degradation of carbon-supported octahedral Pt–Ni nanocatalysts in real time.
Neutral fabrication of UV-blocking and antioxidation lignin-stabilized high internal phase emulsion encapsulates for high efficient antibacterium of natural curcumin
Authors: Chen Kai , Qian Yong , Wu Senyi , Qiu Xueqing , Yang Dongjie , Lei Lei
Published: May 2019

Curcumin was encapsulated inside the sulfomethylated lignin stabilized HIPEs and exhibited superior UV and oxidative degradation resistance and antibacterial properties.
Peptide identification from aPorphyra dioicaprotein hydrolysate with antioxidant, angiotensin converting enzyme and dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitory activities
Authors: Cermeño Maria , Stack Julianne , Tobin Paul R. , O'Keeffe Martina B. , Harnedy Pádraigín A. , Stengel Dagmar B. , FitzGerald Richard J.
Published: May 2019

Novel bioactive peptides were identified from aPorphyra dioicaprotein hydrolysate.
New N-phenyl-4,5-dibromopyrrolamides as DNA gyrase B inhibitors
Authors: Zidar Nace , Macut Helena , Tomašič Tihomir , Peterlin Mašič Lucija , Ilaš Janez , Zega Anamarija , Tammela Päivi , Kikelj Danijel
Published: May 2019

A new series of N-phenyl-4,5-dibromopyrrolamides was developed as inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase B with IC50 in the low nanomolar range.
Formation of strong L10-FePd/α-Fe nanocomposite magnets by visualizing efficient exchange coupling
Authors: Matsumoto Kenshi , Sato Ryota , Trinh Thang Thuy , Sakuma Noritsugu , Shoji Tetsuya , Haruta Mitsutaka , Kurata Hiroki , Teranishi Toshiharu
Published: May 2019

FORC analysis distinguished a microscopically undetectable difference in phase-segregation structure in nanocomposite magnets, finding both efficient and inefficient exchange coupling.
Low-cost fabrication of flexible transparent electrodes based on Al doped ZnO and silver nanowire nanocomposites: impact of the network density
Authors: Nguyen Viet Huong , Resende Joao , Papanastasiou Dorina T. , Fontanals Nil , Jiménez Carmen , Muñoz-Rojas David , Bellet Daniel
Published: May 2019

Nanocomposites based on AgNWs and Al doped ZnO yields transparent electrodes with superior performances.