bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in a Monoethanolamine Capture Medium
Authors: Chen Lu , Li Fengwang , Zhang Ying , Bentley Cameron L. , Horne Mike , Bond Alan M. , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2017

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in a 30 % (w/w) monoethanolamine (MEA) aqueous solution was undertaken at In, Sn, Bi, Pb, Pd, Ag, Cu and Zn metal electrodes. Upon the dissolution of CO2, the non‐conducting MEA solution is transformed into a conducting one, as is required for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. Both an increase in the electrode surface porosity and the addition of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) suppress the competing hydrogen evolution reaction; the latter has a significantly stronger impact. The combination of a porous metal electrode and the addition of 0.1 % (w/w) CTAB results in the reduction of molecular CO2 to CO and formate ions, and the product distribution is highly dependent on the identity of the metal electrode used. At a potential of −0.8 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with an indium electrode with a coralline‐like structure, the faradaic efficiencies for the generation of CO and [HCOO]− ions are 22.8 and 54.5 %, respectively compared to efficiencies of 2.9 and 60.8 % with a porous lead electrode and 38.2 and 2.4 % with a porous silver electrode. Extensive data for the other five electrodes are also provided. The optimal conditions for CO2 reduction are identified, and mechanistic details for the reaction pathways are proposed in this proof‐of‐concept electrochemical study in a CO2 capture medium. The conditions and features needed to achieve industrially and commercially viable CO2 reduction in an amine‐based capture medium are considered.
Neuroprotective activity of cannabinoid receptor‐2 against oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat pups having experimentally‐induced congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Alcigir Mehmet Eray , Dogan Halef Okan , Atalay Vural Sevil , Yilmaz Fatma Meric
Published: August 2017

In this study, it was aimed to show the cannabinoid receptor‐2 (CB2) role, which is a part of neuroprotective endocannabinoidal system, against increasing nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS, eNOS) levels and the apoptotic activity (caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and DNA in situ fragmentation) within the postnatal critical period in pups of pregnant rats with artificially induced maternal thyroid hormone (TH) deficiency. Each of the three groups established comprised one male and two female rats, and they were coupled. Their pups were used. In the first two groups, the mothers were treated with 0.025% MMI during the critical period of the pregnancy. In the third group, as the control group, the mothers and pups were not treated. Euthanasia was applied to the pups in Group I on Day 10, and to the pups in Groups II and III on Day 21. In the biochemical analyses, total T4 levels of both mothers and pups in Group I and II were found to be lower than those of the control group. Histopathologically, karyopyknosis in migrating neurons and demyelinization were observed in both groups. Caspase‐3 and −9 expressions and TUNEL reactions showed parallelism to these findings. eNOS and iNOS activities were also increased in Groups I and II. CB2 receptor activity was observed in the fore and mid brain in Group I, and in the whole brain in Group II. In conclusion, apoptosis was triggered via oxidative stress in hypothyroid pups. Accordingly, neuroprotective activity of CB2 receptors were motivated spontaneously to resist to CNS lesions during the first 3 weeks of postnatal period. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1334–1347, 2017
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling during early vertebrate neural development
Authors: Brafman David , Willert Karl
Published: August 2017

The vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) is comprised of vast number of distinct cell types arranged in a highly organized manner. This high degree of complexity is achieved by cellular communication, including direct cell‐cell contact, cell‐matrix interactions, and cell‐growth factor signaling. Among the several developmental signals controlling the development of the CNS, Wnt proteins have emerged as particularly critical and, hence, have captivated the attention of many researchers. With Wnts' evolutionarily conserved function as primordial symmetry breaking signals, these proteins and their downstream effects are responsible for simultaneously establishing cellular diversity and tissue organization. With their expansive repertoire of secreted agonists and antagonists, cell surface receptors, signaling cascades and downstream biological effects, Wnts are ideally suited to control the complex processes underlying vertebrate neural development. In this review, we will describe the mechanisms by which Wnts exert their potent effects on cells and tissues and highlight the many roles of Wnt signaling during neural development, starting from the initial induction of the neural plate, the subsequent patterning along the embryonic axes, to the intricately organized structure of the CNS. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1239–1259, 2017
A review of the influence of biogeography, riverine linkages, and marine connectivity on fish assemblages in evolving lagoons and lakes of coastal southern Africa
Authors: Whitfield Alan K. , Weerts Steven P. , Weyl Olaf L. F.
Published: August 2017

The Holocene evolution of eight South African coastal lakes and lagoons is examined and related to changes in fish composition over that period. Historical and current connectivity with riverine and marine environments are the primary determinants of present‐day fish assemblages in these systems. A small and remarkably consistent group of relict estuarine species have persisted in these coastal lakes and lagoons. The loss or reduction of connectivity with the sea has impacted on the diversity of marine fishes in all eight study systems, with no marine fishes occurring in those water bodies where connectivity has been completely broken (e.g. Sibaya, Groenvlei). In systems that have retained tenuous linkages with the sea (e.g., Verlorenvlei, Wilderness lakes), elements of the marine fish assemblage have persisted, especially the presence of facultative catadromous species. Freshwater fish diversity in coastal lakes and lagoons is a function of historical and present biogeography and salinity. From a freshwater biogeography perspective, the inflowing rivers of the four temperate systems reviewed here contain three or fewer native freshwater fishes, while the subtropical lakes that are fed by river systems contain up to 40 freshwater fish species. Thus, the significantly higher fish species diversity in subtropical versus temperate coastal lakes and lagoons comes as no surprise. Fish species diversity has been increased further in some systems (e.g., Groenvlei) by alien fish introductions. However, the impacts of fish introductions and translocations have not been studied in the coastal lakes and lagoons of South Africa. In these closed systems, it is probable that predation impacts on small estuarine fishes are significant. The recent alien fish introductions is an example of the growing threats to these systems during the Anthropocene, a period when human activities have had significant negative impacts and show potential to match the changes recorded during the entire Holocene.
Comparisons of photosynthesis‐related traits of 27 abundant or subordinate bryophyte species in a subalpine old‐growth fir forest
Authors: Wang Zhe , Bader Maaike Y. , Liu Xin , Zhu Zhangming , Bao Weikai
Published: August 2017

Bryophyte communities can exhibit similar structural and taxonomic diversity as vascular plant communities, just at a smaller scale. Whether the physiological diversity can be similarly diverse, and whether it can explain local abundance patterns is unknown, due to a lack of community‐wide studies of physiological traits. This study re‐analyzed data on photosynthesis‐related traits (including the nitrogen, phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations, photosynthetic capacities, and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiencies) of 27 bryophyte species in a subalpine old‐growth fir forest on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. We explored differences between taxonomic groups and hypothesized that the most abundant bryophyte species had physiological advantages relative to other subdominant species. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to summarize the differences among species and trait values of the most abundant and other co‐occurring subdominant species. Species from the Polytrichaceae were separated out on both PCA axes, indicating their high chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic capacities (axis 1) and relatively high‐light requirements (axis 2). Mniaceae species also had relatively high photosynthetic capacities, but their light saturation points were low. In contrast, Racomitrium joseph‐hookeri and Lepidozia reptans, two species with a high shoot mass per area, had high‐light requirements and low nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations and photosynthetic capacities. The nutrient concentrations, photosynthetic capacities, and photosynthetic nutrient use efficiencies of the most abundant bryophyte species did not differ from co‐occurring subdominant species. Our research confirms the links between the photosynthesis‐related traits and adaptation strategies of bryophytes. However, species relative abundance was not related to these traits.
Interactions between Vitamin C and Nanocolloidal Silver Particles Studied by Cyclic Voltammetry and UV‐Vis Spectrophotometry
Authors: Samide Adriana , Tutunaru Bogdan
Published: August 2017

The effect of silver nanoparticles on human health has been investigated and the controversial opinions about their use in a wide variety of commercial products were expressed. Their interactions with vitamins and salts constitute an important step to elucidate the possible improper transformations knowing that the silver nanoparticles could have the effect on cell viability. In this circumstance, in our study we investigated the electrochemical behavior of ascorbic acid, in NaCl blank solution and NaCl solution containing the silver nanoparticles using the cyclic voltammetry and current constant electrolysis associated to UV‐Vis spectrophotommetry. The presence of silver nanoparticles (nAg) leads to a more rapid electrodegradation of vitamin C (VitC) in solution of NaCl, the zero‐order reaction kinetics being followed. The rate constant value of 0.78 u.A. min−1 was obtained compared to the value of 0.39 u.A. min−1 that was computed in the absence of nAg. The Vitamin C degradation mechanism was also proposed.
Analysis of MHD micropolar nanofluid flow and heat transfer between a porous plate and a nonporous plate filled with porous medium
Authors: Basiri Parsa Amir , Sayehvand Habib‐Olah
Published: August 2017

This article presents an analytical study on magnetohydrodynamic micropolar nanofluid flow through parallel, coaxial discs filled with a porous medium with uniform blowing from the upper plate. Three different types of nanoparticles, namely copper, aluminum oxide, and titanium dioxide are considered with water and used as base fluids. The governing equations are solved via Differential Transformation Method. The validity of this method has been verified with the results of numerical solution (fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta scheme). The analytical investigation is carried out for different governing parameters. The results indicate that skin friction coefficient has a direct relationship with Hartmann number and the micropolar parameter. It is also found that Nusselt number is increased with increment in Prandtl number and Eckert number. Additionally, this analysis concluded that an increase in volume fraction of nanofluid increases the Nusselt number on the top plate and decreases it on the lower plate.
Flow and heat transfer in a porous medium saturated with a Sisko nanofluid over a nonlinearly stretching sheet with heat generation/absorption
Authors: Eid Mohamed R. , Mahny Kasseb L.
Published: August 2017

This work is focused on steady flow and heat transfer in a porous medium saturated with a Sisko nanofluid (non‐Newtonian power‐law) over a nonlinearly stretching sheet in the presence of heat generation/absorption. Nonlinear PDEs are transformed into a system of coupled nonlinear ODEs with related boundary conditions using similarity transformation. The reduced equations are then solved numerically using the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth–fifth order method (RKF45) with Maple 14.0 software. The solutions depend on the power‐law index n and the effect of pertinent parameter such as the Brownian motion parameter, thermophoresis parameter, Lewis number, the permeability, and the heat generation/absorption on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, and nanoparticles volume fraction and also on the skin friction, local Nusselt, and Sherwood numbers are produced for values of the influence parameter. A rapprochement of the numerical results of the actual study with formerly published data detected an excellent agreement.
Three‐dimensional correlative single‐cell imaging utilizing fluorescence and refractive index tomography
Authors: Schürmann Mirjam , Cojoc Gheorghe , Girardo Salvatore , Ulbricht Elke , Guck Jochen , Müller Paul
Published: August 2017

Cells alter the path of light, a fact that leads to well‐known aberrations in single cell or tissue imaging. Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) measures the biophysical property that causes these aberrations, the refractive index (RI). ODT is complementary to fluorescence imaging and does not require any markers. The present study introduces RI and fluorescence tomography with optofluidic rotation (RAFTOR) of suspended cells, facilitating the segmentation of the 3D‐correlated RI and fluorescence data for a quantitative interpretation of the nuclear RI. The technique is validated with cell phantoms and used to confirm a lower nuclear RI for HL60 cells. Furthermore, the nuclear inversion of adult mouse photoreceptor cells is observed in the RI distribution. The applications shown confirm predictions of previous studies and illustrate the potential of RAFTOR to improve our understanding of cells and tissues.
On the exponential stabilization of the electromagneto‐elastic system with Wentzell conditions
Authors: Kasri Hicham , Heminna Amar
Published: August 2017

We consider the stabilization of the electromagneto‐elastic system with Wentzell conditions in a bounded domain of
. Using the multiplier method we prove an exponential stability result under some geometric condition. Previous results of this type have recently been obtained for the coupled Maxwell/wave system with Wentzell conditions by H. Kasri and A. Heminna (Evol Equ and Control Theo 5: 235‐250, 2016)
Whole‐brain arteriography and venography: Using improved velocity‐selective saturation pulse trains
Authors: Li Wenbo , Xu Feng , Schär Michael , Liu Jing , Shin Taehoon , Zhao Yansong , van Zijl Peter C.M. , Wasserman Bruce A. , Qiao Ye , Qin Qin
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To develop velocity‐selective (VS) MR angiography (MRA) protocols for arteriography and venography with whole‐brain coverage.

Methods

Tissue suppression using velocity‐selective saturation (VSS) pulse trains is sensitive to radiofrequency field (B1+) inhomogeneity. To reduce its sensitivity, we replaced the low‐flip‐angle hard pulses in the VSS pulse train with optimal composite (OCP) pulses. Additionally, new pulse sequences for arteriography and venography were developed by placing spatially selective inversion pulses with a delay to null signals from either venous or arterial blood. The VS MRA techniques were compared to the time‐of‐flight (TOF) MRA in six healthy subjects and two patients at 3T.

Results

More uniform suppression of stationary tissue was observed when the hard pulses were replaced by OCP pulses in the VSS pulse trains, which improved contrast ratios between blood vessels and tissue background for both arteries (0.87 vs. 0.77) and veins (0.80 vs. 0.59). Both arteriograms and venograms depicted all major cervical and intracranial arteries and veins, respectively. Compared to TOF MRA, VS MRA not only offers larger spatial coverage but also depicts more small vessels. Initial clinical feasibility was shown in two patients with comparisons to TOF protocols.

Conclusion

Noncontrast‐enhanced whole‐brain arteriography and venography can be obtained without losing sensitivity to small vessel detection. Magn Reson Med 79:2014–2023, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Sustainable urbanism in temperate‐arid climates: Models, challenges and opportunities for the Anthropocene
Authors: Balsas Carlos J. L.
Published: August 2017

Climate change requires more sustainable urbanism developments. Locales in temperate and arid climates are under added pressure to create more economical, ecological, and just neighborhoods. Do sustainable urbanism developments have advantages over traditional urbanism projects in temperate–arid climates? The main purpose of this paper is to examine four distinct neighborhoods in the southwest of the United States in order to clarify the evolution of sustainable urbanism developments according to the three C's framework of compactness, connectedness, and completeness. The methods included a study of each development's history, motivations, design principles, and built environment features. The key finding is an up‐to‐date understanding of how neighborhood development models have been implemented to help create more sustainable cities as well as the identification of a set of challenges and opportunities for advancing sustainable urbanism research.
Climate change, carbon market instruments, and biodiversity: focusing on synergies and avoiding pitfalls
Authors: Essl Franz , Erb Karl‐Heinz , Glatzel Stephan , Pauchard Aníbal
Published: August 2017

Fundamental economic and societal transformations are necessary to avoid dangerous climate change. One broad policy approach that addresses the close relationship between conservation and climate change mitigation is based on correcting a market failure, that is, to establish a price signal for carbon, or more generally, greenhouse gas emissions. While many synergies between climate policy instruments and biodiversity conservation do exist, current policies often fall short of harvesting this potential. Here, we present six key challenges: (1) establishing a strong price signal for greenhouse gas emissions from all emission sources (including land‐use and the terrestrial biosphere) that takes into account long‐term societal and ecological costs; (2) expand carbon market instruments to cover the full range of greenhouse gases; (3) develop an ambitious, yet accountable architecture for rising emission prices; (4) develop guidelines and ensure enforcement to avoid greenhouse gas leakage; (5) improve greenhouse gas emission measurements from land‐use and the biosphere; and (6) integrate emission reduction as a priority into relevant policies. Substantial synergies, but also trade‐offs between climate policy and conservation exist, and we identify key risks and challenges. We call for (1) evidence‐based evaluations of policy options; (2) avoiding too narrow framings of contested issues such as forest plantations, biofuels, or land‐use decisions that exclude (or downplay) indirect effects (e.g., indirect land‐use changes or creating carbon debts); and (3) strengthening integrated analyzes beyond sector policy goals. We conclude that avoiding bio‐perverse impacts of climate policies on biodiversity will be crucial for the success of global climate change mitigation.WIREs Clim Change2018, 9:e486. doi: 10.1002/wcc.486

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Ecology, and Conservation > Conservation Strategies
Dispute Settlement Reports 2015
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: August 2017

The Dispute Settlement Reports of the World Trade Organization (WTO) include Panel and Appellate Body reports, as well as arbitration awards, in disputes concerning the rights and obligations of WTO members under the provisions of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. These are the WTO authorized and paginated reports in English. An essential addition to the library of all practicing and academic trade lawyers and needed by students worldwide taking courses in international economic or trade law. DSR 2015: Volume 8 reports on United States - Measures Affecting the Importation of Animals, Meat and Other Animal Products from Argentina (WT/DS447).
Dispute Settlement Reports 2015
Authors: World Trade Organization
Published: August 2017

The Dispute Settlement Reports of the World Trade Organization (WTO) include Panel and Appellate Body reports, as well as arbitration awards, in disputes concerning the rights and obligations of WTO members under the provisions of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. These are the WTO authorized and paginated reports in English. An essential addition to the library of all practicing and academic trade lawyers and needed by students worldwide taking courses in international economic or trade law. DSR 2015: Volume 6 reports on Ukraine - Definitive Safeguard Measures on Certain Passenger Cars (WT/DS468) and Peru - Additional Duty on Imports of Certain Agricultural Products (WT/DS457).
Investigation of the Analytical F14C Bone Background Value at SUERC
Authors: Dunbar E , Naysmith P , Cook G T , Scott E M , Xu S , Tripney B G
Published: August 2017

The SUERC Radiocarbon Laboratory employs a one-step “background subtraction” method when calculating 14C ages. An interglacial wood (VIRI Sample K) is employed as the non-bone organic background standard, while a mammoth bone (LQH12) from Latton Quarry is used as the bone background standard. Results over several years demonstrate that the bone background is consistently around a factor of two higher and more variable than the wood background. As a result, the uncertainty on routine bone measurements is higher than for other sample types. This study investigates the factors that may contribute to the difference in F14C values and the higher variability. Preparations of collagen using modified Longin or ultrafiltration methods show no significant difference, nor does eliminating the collagen dissolution step. Two bone samples of known infinite age with respect to radiocarbon are compared and again no significant difference is observed. Finally, the quantity and age of the organic matter in the water used during the pretreatment is investigated and it is shown that there is insufficient organic matter in the reverse osmosis water to influence background values significantly. The attention is now on determining if incomplete demineralization could lead to contaminants being retained by the phosphate in the hydroxyapatite.
The humanitarian protectorate of South Sudan? Understanding insecurity for humanitarians in a political economy of aid
Authors: Jansen Bram J.
Published: August 2017

This paper aims to contribute to debates about humanitarian governance and insecurity in post-conflict situations. It takes the case of South Sudan to explore the relations between humanitarian agencies, the international community, and local authorities, and the ways international and local forms of power become interrelated and contested, and to what effect. The paper is based on eight months of ethnographic research in various locations in South Sudan between 2011 and 2013, in which experiences with and approaches to insecurity among humanitarian aid actors were studied. The research found that many security threats can be understood in relation to the everyday practices of negotiating and maintaining humanitarian access. Perceiving this insecurity as violation or abuse of a moral and practical humanitarianism neglects how humanitarian aid in practice was embedded in broader state building processes. This paper posits instead that much insecurity for humanitarian actors is a symptom of the blurring of international and local forms of power, and this mediates the development of a humanitarian protectorate.
A neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity-based framework for early intervention in psychotic disorders
Authors: Bora E.
Published: August 2017

In recent years there has been growing interest in early intervention in psychotic disorders and a number of clinical and research programmes have been developed. The clinical staging model has been an essential part of early intervention as it provides the rationale of existing programmes. In medicine, clinical staging is a valuable approach in disorders where primary pathology is progressive in nature. However, the clinical staging model of psychosis has been proposed without establishing first that schizophrenia is a primarily progressive disorder. In reviewing existing evidence, this current paper argues that cross-sectional data interpreted as supportive of clinical staging data does not consider the effects of sampling bias, problems in reliability in assessing ‘soft symptoms’, or false positives. Longitudinal neurobiological studies do not provide a convincing case for primarily progressive pathology in schizophrenia. Clinical progression in schizophrenia can be better conceptualised as neuroplastic changes in response to interaction between core developmental pathology and environmental stimuli. An alternative rationale for early and continuous intervention targeting neurodevelopmental abnormality and neuroplastic changes, as well as medical and psychological comorbidities, is proposed in this paper.
3D-point-cloud registration and real-world dynamic modelling-based virtual environment building method for teleoperation- CORRIGENDUM
Authors: Ni Dejing , Song Aiguo , Xu Xiaonong , Li Huijun , Zhu Chengcheng , Zeng Hong
Published: August 2017

The Figure 4 in the original version has a stylistic error.

It ought to use the figure as follows:

The authors apologise for this error.
The Hounds of Empire: Forensic Dog Tracking in Britain and its Colonies, 1888–1953
Authors: Blum Binyamin
Published: August 2017

On February 23, 1938, a Jerusalem Military Court convicted Mustafa Mansour of the unlawful possession of a weapon and for opening fire at a bus. The prosecution's key witness tying Mansour to the shooting was, however, not human but canine. Due to darkness the police could not pursue the “brigands” immediately following the incident. They returned at dawn accompanied by Doberman Pinschers. The dogs tracked footprints from the crime scene to the defendant's village, and then to his house, where the police discovered a few rounds of ammunition, some of which were spent.
Intravenous sotalol use in a complex critically ill child: balancing the systems in choosing antiarrhythmic medication
Authors: Pasierb Michele M. , Seslar Stephen P.
Published: August 2017

In critically ill children, multi-organ-system disease can influence the choice of antiarrhythmic medication. Intravenous therapy is often necessary. There is a scarcity of paediatric critical-care cases demonstrating the dosing, monitoring, and efficacy of intravenous sotalol. This case demonstrates the effective use of intravenous sotalol in an adolescent with renal, hepatic, and haematological dysfunctions.
Phylogenetically conserved resource partitioning in the coastal microbial loop
Authors: Bryson Samuel , Li Zhou , Chavez Francisco , Weber Peter K , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Hettich Robert L , Pan Chongle , Mayali Xavier , Mueller Ryan S
Published: August 2017

Resource availability influences marine microbial community structure, suggesting that population-specific resource partitioning defines discrete niches. Identifying how resources are partitioned among populations, thereby characterizing functional guilds within the communities, remains a challenge for microbial ecologists. We used proteomic stable isotope probing (SIP) and NanoSIMS analysis of phylogenetic microarrays (Chip-SIP) along with 16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing to characterize the assimilation of six 13C-labeled common metabolic substrates and changes in the microbial community structure within surface water collected from Monterey Bay, CA. Both sequencing approaches indicated distinct substrate-specific community shifts. However, observed changes in relative abundance for individual populations did not correlate well with directly measured substrate assimilation. The complementary SIP techniques identified assimilation of all six substrates by diverse taxa, but also revealed differential assimilation of substrates into protein and ribonucleotide biomass between taxa. Substrate assimilation trends indicated significantly conserved resource partitioning among populations within the Flavobacteriia, Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria classes, suggesting that functional guilds within marine microbial communities are phylogenetically cohesive. However, populations within these classes exhibited heterogeneity in biosynthetic activity, which distinguished high-activity copiotrophs from low-activity oligotrophs. These results indicate distinct growth responses between populations that is not apparent by genome sequencing alone.
Bacterial volatile ammonia regulates the consumption sequence of d-pinitol and d-glucose in a fungus associated with an invasive bark beetle
Authors: Zhou Fangyuan , Xu Letian , Wang Shanshan , Wang Bo , Lou Qiaozhe , Lu Min , Sun Jianghua
Published: August 2017

Interactions among microbial symbionts have multiple roles in the maintenance of insect–microbe symbiosis. However, signals mediating microbial interactions have been scarcely studied. In the classical model system of bark beetles and fungal associates, fungi increase the fitness of insects. However, not all interactions are mutualistic, some of these fungal symbionts compete for sugars with beetle larvae. How this antagonistic effect is alleviated is unknown, and recent research suggests potential roles of bacterial symbionts. Red turpentine beetle (RTB), Dendroctonus valens LeConte, is an invasive pest in China, and it leads to wide spread, catastrophic mortality to Chinese pines. In the symbiotic system formed by RTB, fungi and bacteria, volatiles from predominant bacteria regulate the consumption sequence of carbon sources d-pinitol and d-glucose in the fungal symbiont Leptographium procerum, and appear to alleviate the antagonistic effect from the fungus against RTB larvae. However, active components of these volatiles are unknown. We detected 67 volatiles by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Seven of them were identified as candidate chemicals mediating bacteria-fungus interactions, among which ammonia made L. procerum consume its secondary carbon source D-pinitol instead of its preferred carbohydrate D-glucose. In conclusion, ammonia regulated the consumption sequence of these two carbon sources in the fungal symbiont.
Network analysis of gut microbiota literature: an overview of the research landscape in non-human animal studies
Authors: Pascoe Emily L , Hauffe Heidi C , Marchesi Julian R , Perkins Sarah E
Published: August 2017

A wealth of human studies have demonstrated the importance of gut microbiota to health. Research on non-human animal gut microbiota is now increasing, but what insight does it provide? We reviewed 650 publications from this burgeoning field (2009–2016) and determined that animals driving this research were predominantly ‘domestic’ (48.2%), followed by ‘model’ (37.5%), with least studies on ‘wild’ (14.3%) animals. Domestic studies largely experimentally perturbed microbiota (81.8%) and studied mammals (47.9%), often to improve animal productivity. Perturbation was also frequently applied to model animals (87.7%), mainly mammals (88.1%), for forward translation of outcomes to human health. In contrast, wild animals largely characterised natural, unperturbed microbiota (79.6%), particularly in pest or pathogen vectoring insects (42.5%). We used network analyses to compare the research foci of each animal group: ‘diet’ was the main focus in all three, but to different ends: to enhance animal production (domestic), to study non-infectious diseases (model), or to understand microbiota composition (wild). Network metrics quantified model animal studies as the most interdisciplinary, while wild animals incorporated the fewest disciplines. Overall, animal studies, especially model and domestic, cover a broad array of research. Wild animals, however, are the least investigated, but offer under-exploited opportunities to study ‘real-life’ microbiota.
CLEC5A is a critical receptor in innate immunity against Listeria infection
Authors: Chen Szu-Ting , Li Fei-Ju , Hsu Tzy-yun , Liang Shu-Mei , Yeh Yi-Chen , Liao Wen-Yu , Chou Teh-Ying , Chen Nien-Jun , Hsiao Michael , Yang Wen-Bin , Hsieh Shie-Liang
Published: August 2017

The C-type lectin member 5A (CLEC5A) is a pattern recognition receptor for members of theFlavivirusfamily and has critical functions in response to dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus. Here we show that CLEC5A is involved in neutrophil extracellular trap formation and the production of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines in response toListeria monocytogenes. Inoculation ofClec5a−/−mice withL. monocytogenescauses rapid bacterial spreading, increased bacterial loads in the blood and liver, and severe liver necrosis. In these mice, IL-1β, IL-17A, and TNF expression is inhibited, CCL2 is induced, and large numbers of CD11b+Ly6ChiCCR2hiCX3CR1lowinflammatory monocytes infiltrate the liver. By day 5 of infection, these mice also have fewer IL-17A+γδ T cells, severe liver necrosis and a higher chance of fatality. Thus, CLEC5A has a pivotal function in the activation of multiple aspects of innate immunity against bacterial invasion.
Quantum correlation of qubit-reservoir system in dissipative environments
Authors: Wu Tao , Shi Jiadong , Yu Lizhi , He Juan , Ye Liu
Published: August 2017

In this work, the dynamics of quantum correlation (QC) in terms of geometric discord and its transfer coupled with dissipative reservoirs are investigated. Taken two canonical cases where the qubits of interest are initially prepared in extended Werner-like state and W-like states into account, we specifically reveal the dynamical behaviors of the geometric discord as each qubit locally interacts with its surrounding infinite degree-of-freedom reservoir. In the scenarios, the short-term and long-term dynamics of the geometric discord for the qubit- and reservoir-subsystem as well as its transfers between them are observed detailedly. It turns out that the geometric discord of qubit-subsystem decays asymptotically to zero while the counterpart of reservoir-subsystem can revive from time t = 0 to steady value, which sheds light on a transfer of the discord from the qubit-subsystem to the corresponding reservoir-subsystem.
Transcriptome Analysis of the Effects of Shell Removal and Exogenous Gibberellin on Germination of Zanthoxylum Seeds
Authors: Sun Jikang , Wang Ping , Zhou Tao , Rong Jian , Jia Hao , Liu Zhiming
Published: August 2017

The zanthoxylum seeds are oil-rich and have a very thick, dense and oily shell. In the natural conditions the seeds have a very low germination rate. Prior to treatment with GAs to promote germination, the seeds were usually soaked in sulfuric acid to remove shells easily. A high-throughput sequencing of mRNAs was performed to investigate the effects of the above treatments on the germination of zanthoxylum seeds. Seven libraries were assembled into 100,982 unigenes and 59,509 unigenes were annotated. We focused on the expression profiles of the key genes related to the oil metabolisms and hormone regulations during seed germination. Our data indicated the endogenous ABA of seeds was rich. The effects that the exogenous GAs promoted germination were apparent in the secong day of germination. Especially, for the first time our results indicated the exogenous GAs lowered the aerobic metabolism including the oil metabolisms during imbibition. We inferred that the exogenous GAs had inhibitory effects on the oil metabolisms to avoide oxidative damages to the imbibed seeds, and the seed shell played the role similiar to the exogenous GAs in the initial stage of germination in the natural conditions.
The chemical signatures underlying host plant discrimination by aphids
Authors: Hopkins David P. , Cameron Duncan D. , Butlin Roger K.
Published: August 2017

The diversity of phytophagous insects is largely attributable to speciation involving shifts between host plants. These shifts are mediated by the close interaction between insects and plant metabolites. However, there has been limited progress in understanding the chemical signatures that underlie host preferences. We use the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) to address this problem. Host-associated races of pea aphid discriminate between plant species in race-specific ways. We combined metabolomic profiling of multiple plant species with behavioural tests on two A. pisum races, to identify metabolites that explain variation in either acceptance or discrimination. Candidate compounds were identified using tandem mass spectrometry. Our results reveal a small number of compounds that explain a large proportion of variation in the differential acceptability of plants to A. pisum races. Two of these were identified as L-phenylalanine and L-tyrosine but it may be that metabolically-related compounds directly influence insect behaviour. The compounds implicated in differential acceptability were not related to the set correlated with general acceptability of plants to aphids, regardless of host race. Small changes in response to common metabolites may underlie host shifts. This study opens new opportunities for understanding the mechanistic basis of host discrimination and host shifts in insects.
Transcriptome analysis reveals plant response to colchicine treatment during on chromosome doubling
Authors: Zhou Kai , Fleet Paige , Nevo Eviatar , Zhang Xinquan , Sun Genlou
Published: August 2017

Colchicine was commonly used to artificially double chromosomes while the transcriptome changes in colchicine treated plants has rarely been characterized. To understand the molecular mechanism of colchicine on chromosome doubling, we characterized transcriptome data of diploid orchardgrass root after colchicine treatment. Our results showed that 3381 of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly affected by water stress, 1258 DEGs that were expressed significantly in sample DacR5tr but not in DacR5ck were considered to be mainly affected by colchicine and combination of water and colchicine. These DEGs mainly regulated by colchicine were enriched to gene ontology (GO) accessions of cation binding, catalytic activity, membrane and transporter activity, and enriched to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathways of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction and starch and sucrose metabolism. Genes related to microtubule, spindle, chromosomal kinetochore, vesicle, cellulose and processes of cytoplasm movement, chromatid segregation, membrane and cell wall development were inhibited by colchicine. Our results revealed that colchicine restrained the microtubules and inhibited gene expression of cytokinesis, which might slow down the cell activity, delay the cell into anaerobic respiration, resulting in apoptosis at late stage, and relieving of waterlogging.
Distinct carbon sources affect structural and functional maturation of cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Correia Cláudia , Koshkin Alexey , Duarte Patrícia , Hu Dongjian , Teixeira Ana , Domian Ibrahim , Serra Margarida , Alves Paula M.
Published: August 2017

The immature phenotype of human pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) constrains their potential in cell therapy and drug testing. In this study, we report that shifting hPSC-CMs from glucose-containing to galactose- and fatty acid-containing medium promotes their fast maturation into adult-like CMs with higher oxidative metabolism, transcriptional signatures closer to those of adult ventricular tissue, higher myofibril density and alignment, improved calcium handling, enhanced contractility, and more physiological action potential kinetics. Integrated “-Omics” analyses showed that addition of galactose to culture medium improves total oxidative capacity of the cells and ameliorates fatty acid oxidation avoiding the lipotoxicity that results from cell exposure to high fatty acid levels. This study provides an important link between substrate utilization and functional maturation of hPSC-CMs facilitating the application of this promising cell type in clinical and preclinical applications.
Network robustness assessed within a dual connectivity framework: joint dynamics of the Active and Idle Networks
Authors: Tejedor Alejandro , Longjas Anthony , Zaliapin Ilya , Ambroj Samuel , Foufoula-Georgiou Efi
Published: August 2017

Network robustness against attacks has been widely studied in fields as diverse as the Internet, power grids and human societies. But current definition of robustness is only accounting for half of the story: the connectivity of the nodes unaffected by the attack. Here we propose a new framework to assess network robustness, wherein the connectivity of the affected nodes is also taken into consideration, acknowledging that it plays a crucial role in properly evaluating the overall network robustness in terms of its future recovery from the attack. Specifically, we propose a dual perspective approach wherein at any instant in the network evolution under attack, two distinct networks are defined: (i) the Active Network (AN) composed of the unaffected nodes and (ii) the Idle Network (IN) composed of the affected nodes. The proposed robustness metric considers both the efficiency of destroying the AN and that of building-up the IN. We show, via analysis of well-known prototype networks and real world data, that trade-offs between the efficiency of Active and Idle Network dynamics give rise to surprising robustness crossovers and re-rankings, which can have significant implications for decision making.
Analysis and comparative genomics of R997, the first SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative element (ICE) of the Indian Sub-Continent
Authors: Ryan Michael P. , Armshaw Patricia , O’Halloran John A. , Pembroke J. Tony
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to analyse R997, the first integrative and conjugative element (ICE) isolated from the Indian Sub-Continent, and to determine its relationship to the SXT/R391 family of ICEs. WGS of Escherichia coli isolate AB1157 (which contains R997) was performed using Illumina sequencing technology. R997 context was assessed by de novo assembly, gene prediction and annotation tools, and compared to other SXT/R391 ICEs. R997 has a size of 85 Kb and harbours 85 ORFs. Within one of the variable regions a HMS-1 β-lactamase resistance gene is located. The Hotspot regions of the element contains restriction digestion systems and insertion sequences. R997 is very closely related to the SXT-like elements from widely dispersed geographic areas. The sequencing of R997 increases the knowledge of the earliest isolated SXT/R391 elements and may provide insight on the emergence of these elements on the Indian sub-continent.
Effects of catalase on chloroplast arrangement in Opuntia streptacantha chlorenchyma cells under salt stress
Authors: Arias-Moreno Diana Marcela , Jiménez-Bremont Juan Francisco , Maruri-López Israel , Delgado-Sánchez Pablo
Published: August 2017

In arid and semiarid regions, low precipitation rates lead to soil salinity problems, which may limit plant establishment, growth, and survival. Herein, we investigated the NaCl stress effect on chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic-pigments, movement and chloroplasts ultrastructure in chlorenchyma cells of Opuntia streptacantha cladodes. Cladodes segments were exposed to salt stress at 0, 100, 200, and 300 mM NaCl for 8, 16, and 24 h. The results showed that salt stress reduced chlorophyll content, F
v
/F
m
, ΦPSII, and qP values. Under the highest salt stress treatments, the chloroplasts were densely clumped toward the cell center and thylakoid membranes were notably affected. We analyzed the effect of exogenous catalase in salt-stressed cladode segments during 8, 16, and 24 h. The catalase application to salt-stressed cladodes counteracted the NaCl adverse effects, increasing the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic-pigments, and avoided chloroplast clustering. Our results indicate that salt stress triggered the chloroplast clumping and affected the photosynthesis in O. streptacantha chlorenchyma cells. The exogenous catalase reverted the H2O2 accumulation and clustering of chloroplast, which led to an improvement of the photosynthetic efficiency. These data suggest that H2O2 detoxification by catalase is important to protect the chloroplast, thus conserving the photosynthetic activity in O. streptacantha under stress.
Identification and Functional Characterization of Tomato CircRNAs Derived from Genes Involved in Fruit Pigment Accumulation
Authors: Tan Jinjuan , Zhou Zhongjing , Niu Yujie , Sun Xiaoyong , Deng Zhiping
Published: August 2017

CircRNAs, a class of widespread circular RNAs produced from precursor mRNA back-splicing, have been implicated in regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes, but their biological functions in plants have not yet been elucidated. By deep sequencing of rRNA-removed and RNase R-digested RNA samples we have identified several thousands of putative back-splicing sites in tomato fruit (Solanum lycopersicum) and show that the abundance of some of these circRNAs derived from fruit pigment biosynthesis genes are regulated by fruit ripening. Herein, we overexpressed a circRNA derived from Phytoene Synthase 1 (PSY1) in tomato ‘Ailsa Craig’ and microTom. The PSY1 mRNA abundance, the lycopene and β-carotene accumulation were decreased significantly in the transgenic tomato fruits, likely due to the continuous highly expressed circRNAs and/or the low abundant linear RNAs generated from the overexpression vector. Besides, overexpression of a circRNA derived from Phytoene Desaturase (PDS) showed similar results. Our results provide biological insights into plant circRNAs.
A new mathematical model and experimental validation on foamy-oil flow in developing heavy oil reservoirs
Authors: Liu Pengcheng , Mu Zhenbao , Li Wenhui , Wu Yongbin , Li Xiuluan
Published: August 2017

To model foamy-oil flow in the development of heavy oil reservoirs, three depletion experiments were conducted with foamy oil treated as a pseudo-single-phase flow. In this pseudo single phase, dispersed bubbles are viewed as a part of the oil, and the redefined effective permeability varies with the changes of pressure depletion rate, oil viscosity, and gas saturation. A mathematical expression for the effective permeability was developed based on experiments, where the viscosity of foamy oil is assumed to be approximately equal to the saturated oil under equivalent conditions. The compressibility coefficient of foamy oil is treated as a volume-weighted compressibility coefficient of that of oil and gas phases. A new mathematical model for foamy-oil flow was proposed with consideration of foamy-oil supersaturation. To validate the mathematical model, the oil recovery and the production gas-oil ratio (GOR) calculated by the new model, conventional black oil model, supersaturation model and pseudo-bubble-point (PBP) model were all compared with those of the experimental data. The new model provided a substantially improved fit to the experimental data compared with the rest three models, which verifies the suitability of the mathematical model presented for simulating foamy-oil flow in the development of heavy oil reservoirs.