bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation of the Iberian‐European Convergent Plate Boundary Fault and Its Effect on Intraplate Deformation in Central Europe
Authors: Dielforder Armin , Frasca Gianluca , Brune Sascha , Ford Mary
Published: May 2019

With the Late Cretaceous onset of Africa‐Iberia‐Europe convergence Central Europe experienced a pulse of intraplate shortening lasting some 15–20 Myr. This deformation event documents area‐wide deviatoric compression of Europe and has been interpreted as a far‐field response to Africa‐Iberia‐Europe convergence. However, the factors that governed the compression of Europe and conditioned the transient character of the deformation event have remained unclear. Based on mechanical considerations, numerical simulations, and geological reconstructions, we examine how the dynamics of intraplate deformation were governed by the formation of a convergent plate boundary fault between Iberia and Europe. During the Late Cretaceous, plate convergence was accommodated by the inversion of a young hyperextended rift system separating Iberia from Europe. Our analysis shows that the strength of the lithosphere beneath this rift was initially sufficient to transmit large compressive stresses far into Europe, though the lithosphere beneath the rift was thinned and thermally weakened. Continued convergence forced the formation of the plate boundary fault between Iberia and Europe. The fault evolved progressively and constituted a lithospheric‐scale structure at the southern margin of Europe that weakened rheologically. This development caused a decrease in mechanical coupling between Iberia and Europe and a reduction of compressional far field stresses, which eventually terminated intraplate deformation in Central Europe. Taken together, our findings suggest that the Late Cretaceous intraplate deformation event records a high force transient that relates to the earliest strength evolution of a lithospheric‐scale plate boundary fault.
Lateral Motion of Mantle Plumes in 3‐D Geodynamic Models
Authors: Li Mingming , Zhong Shijie
Published: May 2019

It has been proposed that hot spot tracks are caused by moving rigid plates above relatively stationary hot spots. However, the fixity of hot spots remains under debate. Here, we perform 3‐D very high resolution (<25 km laterally) global mantle convection models with realistic convection vigor to investigate the lateral motion of mantle plumes. We find that the lateral motion of plumes beneath the Pacific plate is statistically similar to that beneath the Indo‐Atlantic plates. In the past 80 Ma, the majority (>90%) of plumes move laterally with an average speed of 0–20 mm/year under the no‐net‐rotation reference frame, and there are a small portion (~10–20%) of plumes whose lateral motion is less than 5 mm/year. The geodynamic modeling results are statistically in a good agreement with the hot spot motions in the last 5 Ma estimated from observation‐based kinematic models. Our results suggest a small‐to‐moderate (0–20 mm/year) lateral motion of most plume‐induced hot spots.
Leveraging Commercial Cubesat Constellations for Auroral Science: A Case Study
Authors: Parham J. Brent , Beukelaers Vincent , Leung Lawrence , Mason James , Walsh Brian , Semeter Joshua
Published: May 2019

Magnetometers deployed on the largest satellite constellation to date are leveraged as a space‐based sensor network to study space‐time variability in auroral field‐aligned currents (FACs). The cubesat constellation of Planet Labs Inc. consists of nearly 200 satellites in two polar Sun‐synchronous orbits, with median spacecraft separations on the order of 375 km, and some occasions of opportunity providing much closer spacing. Each spacecraft contains a magnetoinductive magnetometer, able to sample the ambient magnetic field at 0.1 to 10 Hz with <200‐nT sensitivity. In this study, seven satellites from the Planet constellation were used to investigate space‐time variations in FACs over an active auroral display during a 10‐min interval. The aurora occurred during the early recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm and was characterized by large‐scale vortical motions and embedded rayed structure. Clear signatures of the large‐scale auroral current system were detected by the orbital magnetometers. Estimation of FAC patterns was carried out using three different methods. The results suggest a high degree of spatial and temporal variability during the 10‐min interval. The location of upward and downward current channels relative to the aurora was consistent with theoretical expectations, but current densities were not well correlated with visible features in the available imagery, suggesting unresolved small‐scale structure not captured by the collaborative observations. Advantages, limitations, and caveats in using opportunistic networks of low‐quality space‐based magnetometers to study dynamic auroral phenomena are discussed.
Observation‐Based Radiative Kernels From CloudSat/CALIPSO
Authors: Kramer Ryan J. , Matus Alexander V. , Soden Brian J. , L'Ecuyer Tristan S.
Published: May 2019

Radiative kernels describe the differential response of radiative fluxes to small perturbations in state variables and are widely used to quantify radiative feedbacks on the climate system. Radiative kernels have traditionally been generated using simulated data from a global climate model, typically sourced from the model's base climate. Consequently, these radiative kernels are subject to model bias from the climatological fields used to produce them. Here, we introduce the first observation‐based temperature, water vapor, and surface albedo radiative kernels, developed from CloudSat's fluxes and heating rates data set, 2B‐FLXHR‐LIDAR, which is supplemented with cloud information from the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO). We compare the radiative kernels to a previously published set generated from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) model and find general agreement in magnitude and structure. However, several key differences illustrate the sensitivity of radiative kernels to the distribution of clouds. The radiative kernels are used to quantify top‐of‐atmosphere and surface cloud feedbacks in an ensemble of global climate models from the Climate Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5, showing that biases in the GFDL low clouds likely cause the GFDL kernel to underestimate longwave surface cloud feedback. Since the CloudSat kernels are free of model bias in the base state, they will be ideal for future analysis of radiative feedbacks and forcing in both models and observations and for evaluating biases in model‐derived radiative kernels.
Effects of a Cold Ocean Eddy on Local Atmospheric Boundary Layer Near the Kuroshio Extension: In Situ Observations and Model Experiments
Authors: Jiang Yuxi , Zhang Suping , Xie Shang‐ping , Chen Yang , Liu Haikun
Published: May 2019

Shipboard observations captured clear modulations of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) over a 300‐km‐diameter cold eddy in the Kuroshio Extension in April 2014. Regional atmospheric model experiments, with 30‐km and 10‐km horizontal resolutions for outer and inner domains, respectively, are conducted to aid the interpretations of the in situ observations. Enhanced turbulent heat fluxes promoted a well‐mixed MABL up to 1900‐m deep and a stratocumulus layer over the warm water west of the eddy. Over the cold sea surface of the eddy, the MABL was free of cloud and shrank to 1,200‐m deep. In the transition zone from the warm water in the west to the cold eddy, the MABL deepened and convective cumulus developed under a temperature inversion at 2,800 m. Model results indicate that, via the vertical mixing and pressure adjustment mechanisms, low sea surface temperatures of the cold eddy drives anomalous easterly winds in the transition zone, causing surface convergence to deepen the MABL and clouds. The model further shows that the atmospheric asymmetric responses in surface divergence and secondary circulation are due to the combined effects of the vertical mixing and pressure adjustment.
Historic and Projected Changes in Coupling Between Soil Moisture and Evapotranspiration (ET) in CMIP5 Models Confounded by the Role of Different ET Components
Authors: Berg Alexis , Sheffield Justin
Published: May 2019

The coupling of soil moisture (SM) and evapotranspiration (ET) is a critical process of the terrestrial climate and water cycle, whose simulation in climate models exhibits substantial uncertainties. Here we investigate, across phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models in present‐day and future simulations, how this coupling manifests itself across the different components of ET: soil evaporation, transpiration, and canopy interception. We characterize summertime SM‐ET coupling by (interannual) correlations, which we decompose into terms attributable to each ET component. The transpiration and soil evaporation terms share similar spatial patterns, but the contribution of transpiration, globally, is less positive. Canopy interception contributes a positive term to SM‐ET coupling, reflecting the noncausal, rainfall‐forced positive correlation between SM and canopy interception. Model differences are greatest for the transpiration term, which explains most of the model spread in SM‐ET coupling. Models project a robust pattern of more positive SM‐ET correlations in the future. In parts of the midlatitudes and Tropics, this increase reflects reduced precipitation and increased SM limitation on transpiration and soil evaporation. However, at higher latitudes (north of 50°N), increased SM‐ET coupling is driven by the increased contribution of canopy interception induced by the increase in vegetation and precipitation. Analysis of ET partitioning is thus essential to the interpretation of simulated changes in ET and its drivers: While increased SM‐ET correlations may suggest a widespread increase in SM limitation on ET in a warmer world, increases in actual SM control on land‐atmosphere water fluxes are generally limited to regions of negative precipitation change.
Water, Water Everywhere—But How Much H2O?
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: May 2019

A new study quantifies the abundance of single and bonded H2O molecules in the ocean.
Halite Precipitation From Double‐Diffusive Salt Fingers in the Dead Sea: Numerical Simulations
Authors: Ouillon Raphael , Lensky Nadav G. , Lyakhovsky Vladimir , Arnon Ali , Meiburg Eckart
Published: May 2019

We employ direct numerical simulations in order to analyze the role of double‐diffusive salt fingering in halite precipitation from hypersaline lakes. Guided by field observations from the Dead Sea, which represents the only modern deep stratified lake that precipitates halite under hydrological crisis, we consider a saturated layer of warm, salty brine (epilimnion) overlying a layer of colder, less salty brine (hypolimnion) that is also saturated. The double‐diffusive instability originating in the metalimnion gives rise to an asymmetrical pattern of less salty ascending fingers, accompanied by descending salt fingers that lose heat as they propagate through the metalimnion. The net result is a strong, downward salinity flux that leads to the undersaturation of the epilimnion, while the hypolimnion becomes oversaturated and precipitates halite. These interfacial processes within deep, hypersaline water columns in warm and dry regions suggest a potential route toward the formation of thick halite layers found in the geological record.
The ecological drivers of variation in global language diversity
Authors: Hua Xia , Greenhill Simon J. , Cardillo Marcel , Schneemann Hilde , Bromham Lindell
Published: May 2019

Language diversity is distributed unevenly over the globe. Intriguingly, patterns of language diversity resemble biodiversity patterns, leading to suggestions that similar mechanisms may underlie both linguistic and biological diversification. Here we present the first global analysis of language diversity that compares the relative importance of two key ecological mechanisms – isolation and ecological risk – after correcting for spatial autocorrelation and phylogenetic non-independence. We find significant effects of climate on language diversity, consistent with the ecological risk hypothesis that areas of high year-round productivity lead to more languages by supporting human cultural groups with smaller distributions. Climate has a much stronger effect on language diversity than landscape features, such as altitudinal range and river density, which might contribute to isolation of cultural groups. The association between biodiversity and language diversity appears to be an incidental effect of their covariation with climate, rather than a causal link between the two.
The pharynx of the stem-chondrichthyan Ptomacanthus and the early evolution of the gnathostome gill skeleton
Authors: Dearden Richard P. , Stockey Christopher , Brazeau Martin D.
Published: May 2019

The gill apparatus of gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) is fundamental to feeding and ventilation and a focal point of classic hypotheses on the origin of jaws and paired appendages. The gill skeletons of chondrichthyans (sharks, batoids, chimaeras) have often been assumed to reflect ancestral states. However, only a handful of early chondrichthyan gill skeletons are known and palaeontological work is increasingly challenging other pre-supposed shark-like aspects of ancestral gnathostomes. Here we use computed tomography scanning to image the three-dimensionally preserved branchial apparatus in Ptomacanthus, a 415 million year old stem-chondrichthyan. Ptomacanthus had an osteichthyan-like compact pharynx with a bony operculum helping constrain the origin of an elongate elasmobranch-like pharynx to the chondrichthyan stem-group, rather than it representing an ancestral condition of the crown-group. A mixture of chondrichthyan-like and plesiomorphic pharyngeal patterning in Ptomacanthus challenges the idea that the ancestral gnathostome pharynx conformed to a morphologically complete ancestral type.
Molecular determinants regulating selective binding of autophagy adapters and receptors to ATG8 proteins
Authors: Wirth Martina , Zhang Wenxin , Razi Minoo , Nyoni Lynet , Joshi Dhira , O’Reilly Nicola , Johansen Terje , Tooze Sharon A. , Mouilleron Stéphane
Published: May 2019

Autophagy is an essential recycling and quality control pathway. Mammalian ATG8 proteins drive autophagosome formation and selective removal of protein aggregates and organelles by recruiting autophagy receptors and adaptors that contain a LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif. LIR motifs can be highly selective for ATG8 subfamily proteins (LC3s/GABARAPs), however the molecular determinants regulating these selective interactions remain elusive. Here we show that residues within the core LIR motif and adjacent C-terminal region as well as ATG8 subfamily-specific residues in the LIR docking site are critical for binding of receptors and adaptors to GABARAPs. Moreover, rendering GABARAP more LC3B-like impairs autophagy receptor degradation. Modulating LIR binding specificity of the centriolar satellite protein PCM1, implicated in autophagy and centrosomal function, alters its dynamics in cells. Our data provides new mechanistic insight into how selective binding of LIR motifs to GABARAPs is achieved, and elucidate the overlapping and distinct functions of ATG8 subfamily proteins.
Predicting interfacial thermal resistance by machine learning
Authors: Wu Yen-Ju , Fang Lei , Xu Yibin
Published: May 2019

Various factors affect the interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) between two materials, making ITR prediction a high-dimensional mathematical problem. Machine learning is a cost-effective method to address this. Here, we report ITR predictive models based on experimental data. The physical, chemical, and material properties of ITR are categorized into three sets of descriptors, and three algorithms are used for the models. Those descriptors assist the models in reducing the mismatch between predicted and experimental values and reaching high predictive performance of 96%. Over 80,000 material systems composed of 293 materials were inputs for predictions. Among the top-100 high-ITR predictions by the three different algorithms, 25 material systems are repeatedly predicted by at least two algorithms. One of the 25 material systems, Bi/Si achieved the ultra-low thermal conductivity in our previous work. We believe that the predicted high-ITR material systems are potential candidates for thermoelectric applications. This study proposed a strategy for material exploration for thermal management by means of machine learning.
Publisher Correction: Simple Tyrosine Derivatives Act as Low Molecular Weight Organogelators
Authors: Aykent Güzide , Zeytun Cansu , Marion Antoine , Özçubukçu Salih
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.
Hypoallergenic diet may control refractory epilepsy in allergic children: A quasi experimental study
Authors: Gorjipour H. , Darougar S. , Mansouri M. , Karimzadeh P. , Amouzadeh M. Hassanvand , Sohrabi M. R.
Published: May 2019

Recent data has suggested a definitive role for inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. In this study we hypothesized that food allergies, as chronic inflammatory processes, underlie the pathophysiology of refractory idiopathic epilepsy and investigated whether food elimination diets may assist in managing refractory epilepsy. The study was conducted on 34 patients up to 16 years of age with refractory convulsions who attended the Allergy Outpatient Clinic, Mofid Children Hospital between 2015 and 2016 with youngest and oldest participants at ages of 3 months and 16 years old, respectively. The participants were categorized into three groups according to the results of skin prick test and serum specific IgE measurements. Elimination diets were instituted for the patients with non IgE-mediated and mixed food allergies. The study was conducted for a period of 12 weeks. The participants were assessed for at least 50% reduction in number of seizures following the intervention. There was a significant reduction in number of seizures (p < 0.001) following the intervention. Seventeen patients (50%) did not experience any seizures after 8 weeks of treatment and 12 patients (35%) had a significant (51–99%) decrease in the number of their seizures. Five patients did not show any changes in their daily seizure frequency. The obtained data suggest that food allergy may play a role in triggering refractory epilepsies and their adequate response to treatment. A trial of elimination diet showed more than 50% seizure reduction in more than 85% of the children studied. However, we believe these results are preliminary and they motivate a fully controlled study in the future.
Clinical and Echocardiographic Risk Factors Predict Late Recurrence after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kim Yun Gi , Choi Jong-Il , Boo Ki Yung , Kim Do Young , Oh Suk-Kyu , Park Hee-Soon , Lee Kwang-No , Shim Jaemin , Kim Jin Seok , Park Sang Weon , Park Seong-Mi , Shim Wan Joo , Kim Young-Hoon
Published: May 2019

The benefits of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly decrease with late recurrence (LR). We aimed to develop a scoring system to identify patients at high and low risk for LR following RFCA, based on a comprehensive evaluation of multiple risk factors for AF recurrence, including echocardiographic parameters. We studied 2,352 patients with AF undergoing first-time RFCA in a single institution. The LR-free survival rate up to 5 years was measured using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. The influence of clinical and echocardiographic parameters on LR was calculated with a Cox-regression analysis. Duration of AF ≥4 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.75; p < 0.001), non-paroxysmal AF (HR = 3.18; p < 0.001), and diabetes (HR = 1.34; p = 0.015) were associated with increased risk of LR. Left atrial (LA) diameter ≥45 mm (HR = 2.42; p < 0.001), E/e′ ≥ 10 (HR = 1.44; p < 0.001), dense SEC (HR = 3.30; p < 0.001), and decreased LA appendage flow velocity (≤40 cm/sec) (HR = 2.35; p < 0.001) were echocardiographic parameters associated with increased risk of LR following RFCA. The LR score based on the aforementioned risk factors could be used to predict LR (area under curve = 0.717) and to stratify the risk of LR (HR = 1.45 per 1 point increase in the score; p < 0.001). In conclusion, LR after RFCA is affected by multiple clinical and echocardiographic parameters. This study suggests that combining these multiple risk factors enables the identification of patients with AF at high or low risk for having arrhythmia recurrence.
Soil amendments with ethylene precursor alleviate negative impacts of salinity on soil microbial properties and productivity
Authors: Liu Hongwei , Khan Muhammad Yahya , Carvalhais Lilia C. , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Yan Lijuan , Crawford Mark , Dennis Paul G. , Singh Brajesh , Schenk Peer M.
Published: May 2019

Some microbes enhance stress tolerance in plants by minimizing plant ethylene levels via degradation of its immediate precursor, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC), in the rhizosphere. In return, ACC is used by these microbes as a source of nitrogen. This mutualistic relationship between plants and microbes may be used to promote soil properties in stressful environments. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that amendments of ACC in soils reshape the structure of soil microbiome and alleviate the negative impacts of salinity on soil properties. We treated non-saline and artificially-developed saline soils with ACC in different concentrations for 14 days. The structure of soil microbiome, soil microbial properties and productivity were examined. Our results revealed that microbial composition of bacteria, archaea and fungi in saline soils was affected by ACC amendments; whereas community composition in non-saline soils was not affected. The amendments of ACC could not fully counteract the negative effects of salinity on soil microbial activities and productivity, but increased the abundance of ACC deaminase-encoding gene (acdS), enhanced soil microbial respiration, enzymatic activity, nitrogen and carbon cycling potentials and Arabidopsis biomass in saline soils. Collectively, our study indicates that ACC amendments in soils could efficiently ameliorate salinity impacts on soil properties and plant biomass production.
Bus bunching as a synchronisation phenomenon
Authors: Saw Vee-Liem , Chung Ning Ning , Quek Wei Liang , Pang Yi En Ian , Chew Lock Yue
Published: May 2019

Bus bunching is a perennial phenomenon that not only diminishes the efficiency of a bus system, but also prevents transit authorities from keeping buses on schedule. We present a physical theory of buses serving a loop of bus stops as a ring of coupled self-oscillators, analogous to the Kuramoto model. Sustained bunching is a repercussion of the process of phase synchronisation whereby the phases of the oscillators are locked to each other. This emerges when demand exceeds a critical threshold. Buses also bunch at low demand, albeit temporarily, due to frequency detuning arising from different human drivers’ distinct natural speeds. We calculate the critical transition when complete phase locking (full synchronisation) occurs for the bus system, and posit the critical transition to completely no phase locking (zero synchronisation). The intermediate regime is the phase where clusters of partially phase locked buses exist. Intriguingly, these theoretical results are in close correspondence to real buses in a university’s shuttle bus system.
Diagnostic ability of artificial intelligence using deep learning analysis of cyst fluid in differentiating malignant from benign pancreatic cystic lesions
Authors: Kurita Yusuke , Kuwahara Takamichi , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Okuno Nozomi , Matsumoto Shimpei , Obata Masahiro , Koda Hiroki , Tajika Masahiro , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Nakajima Atsushi , Kubota Kensuke , Niwa Yasumasa
Published: May 2019

The diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic ability of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytology, and artificial intelligence (AI) by deep learning using cyst fluid in differentiating malignant from benign cystic lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 85 patients who underwent pancreatic cyst fluid analysis of surgical specimens or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration specimens. AI using deep learning was used to construct a diagnostic algorithm. CEA, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carbohydrate antigen 125, amylase in the cyst fluid, sex, cyst location, connection of the pancreatic duct and cyst, type of cyst, and cytology were keyed into the AI algorithm, and the malignant predictive value of the output was calculated. Area under receiver-operating characteristics curves for the diagnostic ability of malignant cystic lesions were 0.719 (CEA), 0.739 (cytology), and 0.966 (AI). In the diagnostic ability of malignant cystic lesions, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of AI were 95.7%, 91.9%, and 92.9%, respectively. AI sensitivity was higher than that of CEA (60.9%, p = 0.021) and cytology (47.8%, p = 0.001). AI accuracy was also higher than CEA (71.8%, p < 0.001) and cytology (85.9%, p = 0.210). AI may improve the diagnostic ability in differentiating malignant from benign pancreatic cystic lesions.
Deletion of exons 17 and 18 in prestin’s STAS domain results in loss of function
Authors: Takahashi Satoe , Yamashita Tetsuji , Homma Kazuaki , Zhou Yingjie , Zuo Jian , Zheng Jing , Cheatham Mary Ann
Published: May 2019

Cochlear outer hair cells (OHC) express the motor protein, prestin, which is required for sensitivity and frequency selectivity. Because our previous work showed that a calmodulin binding site (CBS) was located in prestin’s C-terminal, specifically within the intrinsically disordered region, we sought to delete the IDR to study the functional significance of calcium-dependent, calmodulin binding on OHC function. Although the construct lacking the IDR (∆IDR prestin) demonstrated wildtype-like nonlinear capacitance (NLC) in HEK293T cells, the phenotype in ∆IDR prestin knockins (KI) was similar to that in prestin knockouts: thresholds were elevated, NLC was absent and OHCs were missing from basal regions of the cochlea. Although ∆IDR prestin mRNA was measured, no prestin protein was detected. At the mRNA level, both of prestin’s exons 17 and 18 were entirely removed, rather than the smaller region encoding the IDR. Our hybrid exon that contained the targeted deletion (17–18 ∆IDR) failed to splice in vitro and prestin protein lacking exons 17 and 18 aggregated and failed to target the cell membrane. Hence, the absence of prestin protein in ∆IDR KI OHCs may be due to the unexpected splicing of the hybrid 17–18 ∆IDR exon followed by rapid degradation of nonfunctional prestin protein.
Gremlin, A Potential Urinary Biomarker of Anca-Associated Crescentic Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Droguett Alejandra , Valderrama Graciela , Burgos María E. , Carpio Daniel , Saka Constanza , Egido Jesús , Ruiz-Ortega Marta , Mezzano Sergio
Published: May 2019

Gremlin renal overexpression has been reported in diabetic nephropathy, pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis and chronic allograft nephropathy and has been implicated in the pathophysiology of the progression of renal damage. However, it is unknown whether urinary Gremlin can be associated with renal functional status, renal biopsy findings and outcome. To examine these associations we studied 20 patients with ANCA+ renal vasculitis and very high urinary Gremlin (354 ± 76 ug/gCr), 86 patients with other glomerular diseases and moderately elevated urinary Gremlin (83 ± 14 ug/gCr) and 11 healthy controls (urinary Gremlin 11.3 ± 2.4 ug/gCr). Urinary Gremlin was significantly correlated with renal expression of Gremlin (r = 0.64, p = 0.013) observed in cellular glomerular crescents, tubular epithelial cells and interstitial inflammatory cells. Moreover, urinary Gremlin levels were correlated with the number of glomerular crescents (r = 0.53; p < 0.001), renal CD68 positive cells (r = 0.71; p < 0.005), tubulointerstitial fibrosis (r = 0.50; p < 0.05), and serum creatinine levels (r = 0.60; p < 0.001). Interestingly, Gremlin expression was colocalized with CD68, CD163 (monocyte/macrophage markers) and CCL18 positive cells. ROC curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of urinary Gremlin in glomerular diseases as 43 ug/gCr with 72% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity [AUC: 0.96 (CI 95% 0.92–0.99] (p < 0.001). For ANCA+ renal vasculitis the value of urinary Gremlin of 241 ug/gCr had 55% of sensitivity and 100% of specificity [AUC: 0.81 (CI 95% 0.68–0.94) (p < 0.001]. Based on these results we propose that urinary Gremlin represents a non-invasive biomarker in ANCA+ renal vasculitis, and suggest a role of Gremlin in the formation of crescents.
Tailoring the Dopant Distribution in ZnO:Mn Nanocrystals
Authors: Ghica Daniela , Vlaicu Ioana D. , Stefan Mariana , Maraloiu Valentin A. , Joita Alexandra C. , Ghica Corneliu
Published: May 2019

The synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals with controlled doping is highly challenging, as often a significant part of the doping ions are found segregated at nanocrystals surface, even forming secondary phases, rather than incorporated in the core. We have investigated the dopant distribution dynamics under slight changes in the preparation procedure of nanocrystalline ZnO doped with manganese in low concentration by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, paying attention to the formation of transient secondary phases and their transformation into doped ZnO. The acidification of the starting solution in the co-precipitation synthesis from nitrate precursors lead to the decrease of the Mn2+ ions concentration in the core of the ZnO nanocrystals and their accumulation in minority phases, until ~79% of the Mn2+ ions were localized in a thin disordered shell of zinc hydroxynitrate (ZHN). A lower synthesis temperature resulted in polycrystalline Mn-doped ZHN. Under isochronal annealing up to 250 °C the bulk ZHN and the minority phases from the ZnO samples decomposed into ZnO. The Mn2+ ions distribution in the annealed nanocrystals was significantly altered, varying from a uniform volume distribution to a preferential localization in the outer layers of the nanocrystals. Our results provide a synthesis strategy for tailoring the dopant distribution in ZnO nanocrystals for applications ranging from surface based to ones involving core properties.
Structural basis of βTrCP1-associated GLI3 processing
Authors: Shafique Shagufta , Rashid Sajid
Published: May 2019

Controlled ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation is essential for various cellular processes. GLI family regulates the transcriptional events of the sonic hedgehog pathway genes that are implicated in almost one fourth of human tumors. GLI3 phosphorylation by Ser/Thr kinases is a primary factor for their transcriptional activity that incurs the formation of both GLI3 repressor and activator forms. GLI3 processing is triggered in an ubiquitin-dependent manner via SCFβTrCP1 complex; however, structural characterization, mode of action based on sequence of phosphorylation signatures and induced conformational readjustments remain elusive. Here, through structural analysis and molecular dynamics simulation assays, we explored comparative binding pattern of GLI3 phosphopeptides against βTrCP1. A comprehensive and thorough analysis demarcated GLI3 presence in the binding cleft shared by inter-bladed binding grooves of β-propeller. Our results revealed the involvement of all seven WD40 repeats of βTrCP1 in GLI3 interaction. Conversely, GLI3 phosphorylation pattern at primary protein kinase A (PKA) sites and secondary casein kinase 1 (CK1) or glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) sites was carefully evaluated. Our results indicated that GLI3 processing depends on the 19 phosphorylation sites (849, 852, 855, 856, 860, 861, 864, 865, 868, 872, 873, 876, 877, 880, 899, 903, 906, 907 and 910 positions) by a cascade of PKA, GSK3β and CSKI kinases. The presence of a sequential phosphorylation in the binding induction of GLI3 and βTrCP1 may be a hallmark to authenticate GLI3 processing. We speculate that mechanistic information of the individual residual contributions through structure-guided approaches may be pivotal for the rational design of specific and more potent inhibitors against activated GLI3 with a special emphasis on the anticancer activity.
The DNA Alkylguanine DNA Alkyltransferase-2 (AGT-2) Of Caenorhabditis Elegans Is Involved In Meiosis And Early Development Under Physiological Conditions
Authors: Serpe Mario , Forenza Chiara , Adamo Adele , Russo Noemi , Perugino Giuseppe , Ciaramella Maria , Valenti Anna
Published: May 2019

DNA alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferases (AGTs) are evolutionary conserved proteins that repair alkylation damage in DNA, counteracting the effects of agents inducing such lesions. Over the last years AGTs have raised considerable interest for both the peculiarity of their molecular mechanism and their relevance in cancer biology. AGT knock out mice show increased tumour incidence in response to alkylating agents, and over-expression of the human AGT protein in cancer cells is frequently associated with resistance to alkylating chemotherapy. While all data available point to a function of AGT proteins in the cell response to alkylation lesions, we report for the first time that one of the two AGT paralogs of the model organismC.elegans, called AGT-2, also plays unexpected roles in meiosis and early development under physiological conditions. Our data suggest a role for AGT-2 in conversion of homologous recombination intermediates into post-strand exchange products in meiosis, and show thatagt-2gene down-regulation, or treatment of animals with an AGT inhibitor results in increased number of germ cells that are incompatible with producing viable offspring and are eliminated by apoptosis. These results suggest possible functions for AGTs in cell processes distinct from repair of alkylating damage.
Author Correction: A frequency reconfigurable dipole antenna with solid-state plasma in silicon
Authors: Kim Da-Jin , Jo Eon-Seok , Cho Young-Kyun , Hur Jae , Kim Choong-Ki , Kim Cheol Ho , Park Bonghyuk , Kim Dongho , Choi Yang-Kyu
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.
Cellular barriers in apple tissue regulate polyphenol release under different food processing and in vitro digestion conditions
Authors: Liu Dongjie , Lopez-Sanchez Patricia , Gidley Michael J.
Published: May 2019

Polyphenol released from food matrices is the first stage for their potential beneficial effects on human health.
Discovery of new levansucrase enzymes with interesting properties and improved catalytic activity to produce levan and fructooligosaccharides
Authors: Hill Andrea , Chen Lily , Mariage Aline , Petit Jean-Louis , de Berardinis Véronique , Karboune Salwa
Published: May 2019

Mining for new levansucrase enzymes with high levan production, transfructosylating activity, and thermal stability and studying their kinetics and acceptor specificity.
Assessment of fine particles released during paper printing and shredding processes
Authors: Shin Nara , Velmurugan Kalpana , Su Cathy , Bauer Alison K. , Tsai Candace S. J.
Published: May 2019

In this study, we investigated the airborne particles released during paper printing and paper shredding processes in an attempt to characterize and differentiate these particles.
Magnetic fields affect hot electrons in silicon-based photodetectors at telecommunication wavelengths
Authors: Lin Tzu-Yao , Lin Keng-Te , Lin Ching-Che , Lee Yu-Wei , Shiu Lung-Tai , Chen Wei-You , Chen Hsuen-Li
Published: May 2019

We have proved that the direction of hot electrons is highly related to the polarization direction of the incident light.
MOF-derived manganese monoxide nanosheet-assembled microflowers for enhanced lithium-ion storage
Authors: Guo Yuping , Feng Tingting , Yang Jian , Gong Feng , Chen Cheng , Xu Ziqiang , Hu Cerui , Leng Songming , Wang Junchao , Wu Mengqiang
Published: May 2019

MOF-derived MnO@rGO possesses a microflower structure assembled by nanosheets and exhibits a reversible capacity of 930 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1.
Polymerization-induced self-assembly based on ATRP in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah , Zhou Dewen , Kuchel Rhiannon P. , Zetterlund Per B. , Aldabbagh Fawaz
Published: May 2019

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) based on ATRP has been successfully conducted in scCO2 resulting in polymer particles of high order morphology.
Synthesis and self-assembly of a carborane-containing ABC triblock terpolymer: morphology control on a dual-stimuli responsive system
Authors: Fernandez-Alvarez Roberto , Hlavatovičová Eva , Rodzeń Krzysztof , Strachota Adam , Kereïche Sami , Matějíček Pavel , Cabrera-González Justo , Núñez Rosario , Uchman Mariusz
Published: May 2019

Amphiphilic triblock terpolymers have attractive applications in the preparation of nanoparticles with controlled morphology.
Molecularly-ordered hydrogels with controllable, anisotropic stimulus response
Authors: Boothby Jennifer M. , Samuel Jeremy , Ware Taylor H.
Published: May 2019

Chromonic liquid crystalline monomers are combined with well-known hydrophilic comonomers to create mechanically anisotropic, responsive hydrogels with patternable shape change.
Bis-imidazolium based poly(phenylene oxide) anion exchange membranes for fuel cells: the effect of cross-linking
Authors: Lin Bencai , Xu Fei , Chu Fuqiang , Ren Yurong , Ding Jianning , Yan Feng
Published: May 2019

Cross-linked membranes showed vastly improved alkaline stability, oxidation stability and mechanical properties compared with uncross-linked membranes due to the effective cross-linked structure.
Acidic liquid-swollen polymer membranes exhibiting anhydrous proton conductivity higher than 100 mS cm−1 at around 100 °C
Authors: Kajita Takato , Tanaka Haruka , Noro Atsushi , Matsushita Yushu , Nakamura Naoki
Published: May 2019

Anhydrous proton-conductive membranes are prepared by swelling cross-linked flexible basic polymers with a large amount of H2SO4via ionic interaction.
A novel cobalt-free cathode with triple-conduction for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells with unprecedented performance
Authors: Xia Yunpeng , Jin Zongzi , Wang Huiqiang , Gong Zheng , Lv Huanlin , Peng Ranran , Liu Wei , Bi Lei
Published: May 2019

Bi and Sn co-doped perovskite BaFe0.8−XSn0.2BiXO3−δ materials have been designed and characterized as a series of new cathodes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), providing a new life for the traditional BaFeO3-based cathodes.
Understanding the cathode electrolyte interface formation in aqueous electrolyte by scanning electrochemical microscopy
Authors: Liu Shuai , Liu Dongqing , Wang Shuwei , Cai Xingke , Qian Kun , Kang Feiyu , Li Baohua
Published: May 2019

Cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) evolution in aqueous lithium-ion batteries has been studied for the first time via in situ scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).
A novel strategy to enhance the multiple interface effect using amorphous carbon packaged hydrogenated TiO2for stable and effective microwave absorption
Authors: Xu Jianle , Sun Li , Qi Xiaosi , Wang Zhongchi , Fu Qiang , Pan Chunxu
Published: May 2019

Roe-like B-TiO2/C nanocomposites were preparedviaa one-step method as perfect microwave absorbers.
Keypoint domain triangular features for fast initial alignment of 3D point clouds
Authors: Quan Siwen , Ma Jie
Published: May 2019

The authors propose a keypoint domain triangular feature‐based initial alignment (KDT‐IA) method to achieve fast and automatic registration of three‐dimensional (3D) point clouds. KDT‐IA has two main contributions: a KDT feature and a transformation estimation technique called one point‐based sample consensus (1P‐SAC). KDT is ultrafast because it encodes the spatial geometry of 3D keypoints over sparse keypoints, as opposed to conventional point cloud domain features. The alignment is additionally accelerated by the 1P‐SAC algorithm due to its linear computational complexity. Experiments on real‐world scanned point cloud data confirm that KDT‐IA achieves competitive accuracy performance with classical methods yet being at least one order of magnitude faster.
Context‐aware encoding for clothing parsing
Authors: Yoo C.‐H. , Shin Y.‐G. , Kim S.‐W. , Ko S.‐J.
Published: May 2019

Clothing parsing is a special type of semantic segmentation in which each pixel is assigned with clothing labels. Unlike general scene semantic segmentation, stylish match (e.g. skirts + blouse, jeans + T‐shirt) is an important cue for recognising fine‐grained categories in clothing parsing. In this Letter, the authors propose a context‐aware outfit encoder (COE), as a side branch, that drives the convolutional neural network to take the stylish match into account for clothing parsing. The proposed COE provides information on matching clothes that can be utilised to improve the prediction accuracy of the base network significantly. Experimental results show that fully convolutional network and MobileNet with the COE improve the mean intersection of the union of those without the COE by 2.5 and 2.8%, respectively, on CFPD dataset.
Bearing‐only circumnavigation control of the multi‐agent system around a moving target
Authors: Yu Yangguang , Li Zhongkui , Wang Xiangke , Shen Lincheng
Published: May 2019

The bearing‐based coordinated circumnavigation control for networked multi‐agent systems with only bearing measurements in the presence of moving target is studied. First, a distributed algorithm is proposed to estimate the target's velocity and the distances between the agents and the target, based on the velocity and the bearing information of the local network. Then, a distributed circumnavigation algorithm is designed to drive the agents to circumnavigate around a moving target at a desired distance. The stability of the proposed control algorithm is proven by employing the newly developed bearing rigidity theory. Finally, the simulation experiment is performed based on the Gazebo simulator to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed circumnavigation control law.
Stochastic optimal dispatch of PV/wind/diesel/battery microgrids using state‐space approximate dynamic programming
Authors: Lin Shunjiang , Wang Yaping , Liu Mingbo , Fan Guansheng , Yang Zhibin , Li Qifeng
Published: May 2019

In the operation of microgrids (MGs), the stochastic production of solar/wind, the discrete variables of photovoltaic (PV) inverter's auxiliary service state and diesel generators’ (DGs’) off–on state generally need to be considered, and a stochastic mixed‐integer non‐linear non‐convex programming (MINNP) model is established for the optimal dispatch of MGs. In this model, the expected value of the sum of DGs’ operation as well as start‐up cost, the network‐loss cost and the PV inverter's auxiliary service cost, is considered as the objective function. The stochastic MINNP model is transformed into a stochastic mixed‐integer second‐order cone programming (MISOCP) model to reduce the computational complexity. The state‐space approximate dynamic programming algorithm is adopted to solve the stochastic MISOCP model. In the algorithm, based on the approximate value functions of typical states that are computed according to the Markov decision process, solving the optimisation model of multiple periods is executed by solving each period's optimisation model one by one to improve the computational efficiency. Meanwhile, parallel computing is executed to greatly improve the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. Test results on two modified IEEE‐33 bus and IEEE‐123 bus islanded MGs with PV/wind/diesel/battery demonstrate the correctness and efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm.
On the advance of SFCL: a comprehensive review
Authors: Barzegar‐Bafrooei Mohammad Reza , Akbari Foroud Asghar , Dehghani Ashkezari Jamal , Niasati Mohsen
Published: May 2019

This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of various superconducting fault current limiters (SFCLs) configurations. Regarding the applied technology, the different types of SFCLs are classified into three groups including quench‐type SFCL, non‐quench‐type SFCL, and composite‐type SFCL. Resistive‐type SFCL, hybrid‐type SFCL, magnetic‐shielded iron‐core‐type SFCL, superconducting fault current limiting transformer, transformer‐type SFCL, flux‐lock‐type SFCL, saturated iron‐core‐type SFCL, and resonance‐type SFCL are some of the investigated structures. The structures are fully surveyed in terms of operating principle, technical feasibility, and recent advancements. The study is performed based on published information in papers, reports, and other available online documents. It is expected that this study provides a fundamental foundation for researchers and companies to become familiar with different types of SFCLs. It would be useful to help further studies about the development and the implementation of SFCL for real power systems.
SVRGSA: a hybrid learning based model for short‐term traffic flow forecasting
Authors: Cai Lingru , Chen Qian , Cai Weihong , Xu Xuemiao , Zhou Teng , Qin Jing
Published: May 2019

Accurate and timely short‐term traffic flow forecasting is a critical component for intelligent transportation systems. However, it is quite challenging to develop an efficient and robust forecasting model due to complex non‐linear data pattern of traffic flow. Support vector regression (SVR) has been widely employed in non‐linear regression and time series prediction problems. However, the lack of knowledge of the choice of hyper‐parameters in the SVR model leads to poor forecasting accuracy. In this study, the authors propose a hybrid traffic flow forecasting model combining gravitational search algorithm (GSA) and the SVR model. The GSA is employed to search optimal SVR parameters. Extensive experiments have been conducted to demonstrate the superior performance of the proposal.
Vers une psychanalyse du paysage
Authors: Bidaud Éric
Published: May 2019

Ce travail propose de suivre la trace de ce qui ne fut pas une thématique freudienne : le paysage mais en « pistant » les lieux de ses diverses apparitions dans le rêve, l’inquiétante étrangeté et la représentation de la technique analytique. Il y a ensuite à penser les liens qui unissent les notions d’espace, d’environnement, de limites jusqu’à la question du visage au-devant de son paysage. Une idée défendue dans cet article est que le symptôme comme espace psychique se définit par « son » paysage, dans un rapport à ce qui permettra son ouverture et sa fermeture, sa consistance ou sa déconstruction. Il s’agirait d’approfondir la notion de « paysage-symptôme » aussi bien du côté du rêve que du dessin de l’enfant, le travail du trait et de la trace comme les formes du mouvement qui produisent le paysage du sujet. Il s’agit de penser ce que nous pouvons appeler une image inconsciente du paysage. Notre recherche rend possible une approche renouvelée de l’étude de l’appareil psychique comme « étendu ». Avec les dessins d’enfants, nous pouvons regarder vers la genèse des formes comme production d’un paysage intérieur mis au dehors.