bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditions of metamorphism of garnet-bearing aluminous gneisses in the Orekhov–Pavlograd zone of the Ukrainian Shield
Authors: Baltybaev Sh.K. , Yurchenko A.V. , Lobach-Zhuchenko S.B. , Balagansky V.V. , Galankina O.L. , Morozov M.V. , Bogomolov E.S.
Published: December 2017

Garnet-bearing aluminous gneisses in the Vasil’kovka area of the Orekhov–Pavlograd zone of the Ukrainian Shield were studied using the THERIAK-DOMINO, THERMOCALC, and WINTWQ software and mineral geothermobarometry methods. The stability fields of parageneses formed at the initial, peak, and post-peak metamorphic stages have been estimated: T = 500–650 °C and P > 7 kbar, T = 800–850 °C and P ≈ 8 kbar, and T = 600–670 °C and P = 4.0–5.5 kbar, respectively. A “clockwise” PT path has been established. Based on the aluminous gneiss, the age of metamorphism is determined as Paleoproterozoic (2014 ± 11 Ma). Unique regularly oriented acicular goethite microinclusions were described in garnet. In contrast to other known oriented Ti-bearing mineral inclusions in garnet, these goethite inclusions suggest not only extremely high P and T values (necessary for the formation of oriented Ti-bearing inclusions) but also a high oxygen fugacity. The obtained data broaden the concepts of the ways and conditions of formation of regularly oriented mineral phases in garnet.
Metal-bearing fluids and the age of the Panimba gold deposit (Yenisei Ridge, Russia)
Authors: Gibsher N.A. , Ryabukha M.A. , Tomilenko A.A. , Sazonov A.M. , Khomenko M.O. , Bul’bak T.A. , Nekrasova N.A.
Published: December 2017

The Panimba gold deposit lies in the rocks of the epidote–amphibolite metamorphism facies and is confined to the exocontact zone of the Chirimba granitoid massif. Fluid inclusions in quartz and sulfides of two sites of the deposit, Mikhailovka and Zolotoi Brook, were studied by thermobarogeochemistry, gas chromatography, and chromatography-mass spectrometry. We have established that gold–quartz veins of the deposit were formed by metal-bearing Mg–Na–Cl-containing water–carbon dioxide–hydrocarbon fluids with salinity of 8–23 wt.% NaCl eq. at temperatures of 180 to 410 °C and pressures of 0.2 to 3.3 kbar. Hydrocarbons and nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds of the fluids can transport gold and might be positive indicators of the gold presence in quartz veins. Fluids with salinity of >30–40 wt.% and sulfur isotope values (δ34S) of 0.9 to 6.7‰ of sulfides are the result of the action of postmagmatic solutions of the nearby Chirimba granitoid massif. The age of hydrothermal gold–sulfide mineralization of the Panimba deposit is within 817.2 ± 5.3–744 ± 17 Ma and falls in the time interval of crystallization of the Chirimba intrusion, 868.9 ± 6.5 to 721.4 ± 1.6 Ma, but it is considerably younger than the age of the regional metamorphism (996.0 ± 32–889.0 ± 26 Ma).
Emerging Ornamental Plant Invaders in Urban Areas—Centranthus ruber in Cape Town, South Africa as a Case Study
Authors: Geerts Sjirk , Rossenrode Taryn , Irlich Ulrike M. , Visser Vernon
Published: December 2017

Plant species that receive significant human introduction effort and assistance generally are the most problematic invaders. Despite this, invasive ornamental species in urban settings have received relatively little attention if not invading natural areas. Here we consider Centranthus ruber in an urban setting in South Africa as a case study and explore when emerging invaders are able to cross the urban–wildland interface and what hinders early eradication in urban environments. Centranthus ruber was introduced into Cape Town, South Africa, more than a century ago as a garden ornamental, but until recently was not considered invasive. We determine the current and potential future distribution in South Africa, evaluate current management activities, and provide recommendations for control and legislation. By August 2013, we had found 64 populations, of which 31 were casual, 27 naturalized, and 6 invasive. This increased to more than 530 identified populations by the end of 2015, due to both spread and increased awareness. Centranthus ruber can invade near-pristine areas, with one population found in natural vegetation in the Table Mountain National Park. However, with only one slowly spreading population, the threat might be limited. We found no difference in plant mortality between chemical and mechanical clearing, but with mechanical clearing stimulating the soil seedbank, we recommend chemical methods. Using a species distribution model, we found large parts of South Africa, including the southwestern Cape where we conducted our surveys, to be climatically suitable for this species. Consequently, the category 1b regional listing in NEM:BA in the Western Cape is justified, but a listing in other parts of the country also might be appropriate. Based on our findings, we suggest that the extirpation of C. ruber in South Africa is possible, but without buy-in from residents in urban environments, reinvasion will render this impossible. This study stresses the importance of managing and legislating emerging invaders at the urban–wildland interface and the monitoring of common ornamental species with invasive traits.
Introduction
Authors: Poteet Mark L.
Published: December 2017

With this issue of the Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice (IOP) journal, the Practice Forum concludes its first full year of operation. The Practice Forum published its first manuscript in Volume 9, Issue 4, and since then, three additional papers have been published.
Italy on Fifth Ave: From the Museum of Modern Art to the Olivetti Showroom
Authors: Carter Jim
Published: December 2017

The 1952 MoMA exhibitionOlivetti: Design in Industryhas come to mark the moment when the established art world recognized the cultural legitimacy of mass-produced goods. This article contests such an interpretation by showing how the exhibition was organised and paid for by the Olivetti company. This enables a comparative analysis of the MoMA exhibition with a second New York space, the Olivetti showroom. Located on Fifth Ave, less than a half kilometre from the museum, the Olivetti showroom sold the company’s products to the same American public. The article concludes that the MoMA exhibition and the New York Olivetti showroom must be understood together as a clever case of corporate marketing.
Prolyl oligopeptidase-like deficient Trypanosoma evansi parasites are associated with reduced interleukin-10 concentrations in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Kangethe Richard T. , Winger Eva M. , Settypalli Tirumala B.K. , Wijewardana Viskam , Slaets Johanna , Coetzer Theresa H. T. , Diallo Adama
Published: December 2017

The protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma evansiis responsible for causing Surra in a variety of mammalian hosts over a wide geographical area. In the absence of an effective vaccine and increasing resistance to current chemotherapeutic agents, peptidases from the S9 prolyl oligopeptidase family have been identified as potential drug and vaccine targets. In order to understand the function of these peptidases during infection, three null mutant clones for prolyl oligopeptidase (Δpop), prolyl oligopeptidase-like (Δpop-like) and oligopeptidase B (Δopb) were generated inT. evansiRoTat 1.2 parasites and used for infection of mice. Mice inoculated withT. evansi Δpop-likemutants were able to survive longer than other groups of mice inoculated withΔpop,Δopbmutants or wild-type parasites. The regression analysis of plasma from mice-infected over time usingΔpop-likemutants showed stable levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) (non-significant slope,P= 0·171) and declining IL-1b levels (negative slope,P= 0·04) when compared with the wild-type control that demonstrated increasing levels of IL-10 and IL-1b (P< 0·01 for both). Further analysis using mouse spleen cells in anin vitro24 h incubation assay revealed that the percentage of IL-10 producing CD3 positive cells display significantly lower values when incubated withΔpop-likeparasites than the wild-type clone (P= 0·002). These results suggest that prolyl oligopeptidase-like peptidase may play a role in immune responses duringT. evansiinfections by affecting interleukin concentrations in the host.
Time Framing Early Medieval Stone Building North of the Alps—A Discussion of Recent Challenging Results
Authors: Hueglin Sophie
Published: December 2017

Early Medieval stone building began earlier and was more widespread than previously thought. This conclusion is the result of scientific dating that challenges traditional views of the “petrification” process in architecture north of the Alps after the Roman period. Radiocarbon (14C) dating is not precise enough to answer detailed questions connected to historical contexts, but recently there have been a number of surprising dates: “Roman” city walls have now Early Medieval phases or meter-high, obscure “dark earth” strata were subdivided and dated. Results not in line with clients’ expectations can be the subject of heated debates, or worse, tend to remain unpublished. To the archaeologist, who is trying to connect scientific dates with historical events, usually is not clear, that mortar dating is a methodology still being developed, while dating organic material like charcoal from mortar is a standard procedure. But even the latter has downfalls like the possible “old-wood-effect,” if such complications are not carefully considered and avoided during the sampling process. Drawing on examples from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and France, recent challenging results will be discussed from an archaeologist’s point of view.
The effects of gelled konjac glucomannan fibre on appetite and energy intake in healthy individuals: a randomised cross-over trial
Authors: Au-Yeung Fei , Jovanovski Elena , Jenkins Alexandra L. , Zurbau Andreea , Ho Hoang V. T. , Vuksan Vladimir
Published: December 2017

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a viscous dietary fibre that can form a solid, low-energy gel when hydrated and is commonly consumed in a noodle form (KGM-gel). Increased meal viscosity from gel-forming fibres have been associated with prolonged satiety, but no studies to date have evaluated this effect with KGM-gel. Thus, our objective was to evaluate subsequent food intake and satiety of KGM-gel noodles when replacing a high-carbohydrate preload, in a dose–response manner. Utilising a randomised, controlled, cross-over design, sixteen healthy individuals (twelve females/four males; age: 26·0 (sd11·8) years; BMI: 23·1 (sd3·2) kg/m2) received 325 ml volume-matched preloads of three KGM-gel noodle substitution levels: (i) all pasta with no KGM-gel (1849 kJ (442 kcal), control), half pasta and half KGM-gel (1084 kJ (259 kcal), 50-KGM) or no pasta and all KGM-gel (322 kJ (77 kcal), 100-KGM). Satiety was assessed over 90 min followed by anad libitumdessert. Compared with control, cumulative energy intake was 47 % (−1761 kJ (−421 kcal)) and 23 % (−841 kJ (−201 kcal)) lower for 100-KGM and 50-KGM, respectively (bothP<0·001), but no differences in subsequent energy intake was observed. Ratings of hunger were 31 % higher (P=0·03) for 100-KGM when compared with control, and were 19 % lower (P=0·04) for fullness and 28 % higher (P=0·04) for prospective consumption when comparing 100-KGM to 50-KGM. Palatability was similar across all treatments. Replacement of a high-carbohydrate preload with low-energy KGM-gel noodles did not promote additional food intake despite large differences in energy. The energy deficit incurred from partial KGM-gel substitution may have relevance in weight loss regimens, and should be further evaluated beyond the healthy population.
On the Objective Meaningful Life Argument: A Response to Kirk Lougheed
Authors: PENNER MYRON A.
Published: December 2017

Kirk Lougheed has argued that the Objective Meaningful Life Argument establishes a type of anti-theism, the view that a theistic God’s existence would make things worse and thus it’s rational to prefer that God not exist. The objective version of this argument is said to be an improvement over my subjective version of the Meaningful Life Argument. I argue that Lougheed’s version fares no better than the subjective version.
Moral authority and status in International Relations: Good states and the social dimension of status seeking
Authors: Wohlforth William C. , de Carvalho Benjamin , Leira Halvard , Neumann Iver B.
Published: December 2017

We develop scholarship on status in international politics by focusing on the social dimension of small and middle power status politics. This vantage opens a new window on the widely-discussed strategies social actors may use to maintain and enhance their status, showing how social creativity, mobility, and competition can all be system-supporting under some conditions. We extract lessons for other thorny issues in status research, notably questions concerning when, if ever, status is a good in itself; whether it must be a positional good; and how states measure it.
No short-term effect of closing a rubbish dump on reproductive parameters of an Egyptian Vulture population in Turkey
Authors: KATZENBERGER JAKOB , TABUR EVRIM , ŞEN BİLGECAN , İSFENDİYAROĞLU SÜREYYA , ERKOL ITRİ LEVENT , OPPEL STEFFEN
Published: December 2017

Changes in food availability that lead to lower reproductive output or lower survival probability are important drivers of the widespread declines in vulture populations. Permanent feeding stations for scavengers, such as vulture restaurants or rubbish dumps, may have both positive and negative effects on reproductive parameters. Here we examine the effects of the closure of a large communal rubbish dump on breeding success and fledging rate of a dense population of the ’Endangered’ Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus in central Turkey to assess whether the closure may have affected the population. We monitored territories from 2011 to 2016, and tested whether the closure of the rubbish dump in early 2015 coincided with changes in reproductive parameters while accounting for confounding variables such as weather and the availability of other predictable foraging opportunities. We found an average productivity of 0.78 fledglings per territorial pair before the dump closed and 0.82 after the closure, an average breeding success of 0.64 before and 0.71 after the closure, and an average fledging rate of 1.17 fledglings per successful pair before and 1.26 after the closure of the rubbish dump. Once confounding variables were accounted for, the closure of the rubbish dump did not have a significant effect on reproductive parameters (P = 0.426 for nest survival and P = 0.786 for fledging rate). We speculate that the Egyptian Vulture population in central Turkey may have sufficient alternative food sources and high levels of intra-specific competition due to its density, so that the closure of the rubbish dump may not have resulted in detectable positive or negative effects. We recommend the maintenance of small traditional animal husbandry farms and disposal practices that mimic the spatio-temporally unpredictable supply of food sources that appears to be most beneficial for avian scavengers.
175 years of financial risks and returns in central banking: Danmarks Nationalbank, 1839–2014
Authors: Abildgren Kim
Published: December 2017

This article explores long-term trends in risks and returns within central banking using Danmarks Nationalbank as a case study. Core earnings generated by the basic functions and the associated risks typical of a central bank accounted on average for most of the Nationalbank's financial returns over the past 175 years. For a long period, this was the result of a passive risk-management strategy under which financial risks and returns just reflected the various functions performed by the Nationalbank and not the outcome of a deliberate decision-making process. A formalised and holistic risk-management framework was introduced only in the 1990s.
Neuronal traffic signals in tardive dyskinesia: not enough “stop” in the motor striatum
Authors: Stahl Stephen M.
Published: December 2017

Tardive dyskinesia is a disturbance in the balance between dopamine receptor stimulation and dopamine receptor blockade in the motor striatum, with hypothetically too much stimulation of supersensitive D2 receptors, resulting in “don’t stop” signaling to motor output.
CALR mutational status identifies different disease subtypes of essential thrombocythemia showing distinct expression profiles
Authors: Zini Roberta , Guglielmelli Paola , Pietra Daniela , Rumi Elisa , Rossi Chiara , Rontauroli Sebastiano , Genovese Elena , Fanelli Tiziana , Calabresi Laura , Bianchi Elisa , Salati Simona , Cazzola Mario , Tagliafico Enrico , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Manfredini Rossella ,   on behalf of the AGIMM (AIRC Gruppo Italiano Malattie Mieloproliferative) investigators
Published: December 2017

Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) characterized by erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis, respectively. Approximately 95% of PV and 50–70% of ET patients harbor the V617F mutation in the exon 14 of JAK2 gene, while about 20–30% of ET patients carry CALRins5 or CALRdel52 mutations. These ET CALR-mutated subjects show higher platelet count and lower thrombotic risk compared to JAK2-mutated patients. Here, we showed that CALR-mutated and JAK2V617F-positive CD34+ cells display different gene and miRNA expression profiles. Indeed, we highlighted several pathways differentially activated between JAK2V617F- and CALR-mutated progenitors, i.e., mTOR, MAPK/PI3K, and MYC pathways. Furthermore, we unveiled that the expression of several genes involved in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, splicing, and chromatid cohesion are decreased in CALR-mutated cells. According to the low risk of thrombosis in CALR-mutated patients, we also found the downregulation of several genes involved in thrombin signaling and platelet activation. As a whole, these data support the model that CALR-mutated ET could be considered as a distinct disease entity from JAK2V617F-positive MPNs and may provide the molecular basis supporting the different clinical features of these patients.
A mechanistic theory for aquatic food chain length
Authors: Ward Colette L. , McCann Kevin S.
Published: December 2017

Multiple hypotheses propose an ostensibly disparate array of drivers of food chain length (FCL), with contradictory support from natural settings. Here we posit that the magnitude of vertical energy flux in food webs underlies several drivers of FCL. We show that rising energy flux fuels top-heavy biomass pyramids, promoting omnivory, thereby reducing FCL. We link this theory to commonly evaluated hypotheses for environmental drivers of FCL (productivity, ecosystem size) and demonstrate that effects of these drivers should be context-dependent. We evaluate support for this theory in lake and marine ecosystems and demonstrate that ecosystem size is the most important driver of FCL in low-productivity ecosystems (positive relationship) while productivity is most important in large and high-productivity ecosystems (negative relationship). This work stands in contrast to classical hypotheses, which predict a positive effect of productivity on FCL, and may help reconcile the contradictory nature of published results for drivers of FCL.
Gli1 identifies osteogenic progenitors for bone formation and fracture repair
Authors: Shi Yu , He Guangxu , Lee Wen-Chih , McKenzie Jennifer A. , Silva Matthew J. , Long Fanxin
Published: December 2017

Bone formation in mammals requires continuous production of osteoblasts throughout life. A common molecular marker for all osteogenic mesenchymal progenitors has not been identified. Here, by lineage-tracing experiments in fetal or postnatal mice, we discover that Gli1+ cells progressively produce osteoblasts in all skeletal sites. Most notably, in postnatal growing mice, the Gli1+ cells residing immediately beneath the growth plate, termed here “metaphyseal mesenchymal progenitors” (MMPs), are essential for cancellous bone formation. Besides osteoblasts, MMPs also give rise to bone marrow adipocytes and stromal cells in vivo. RNA-seq reveals that MMPs express a number of marker genes previously assigned to mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells, including CD146/Mcam, CD44, CD106/Vcam1, Pdgfra, and Lepr. Genetic disruption of Hh signaling impairs proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of MMPs. Removal of β-catenin causes MMPs to favor adipogenesis, resulting in osteopenia coupled with increased marrow adiposity. Finally, postnatal Gli1+ cells contribute to both chondrocytes and osteoblasts during bone fracture healing. Thus Gli1 marks mesenchymal progenitors responsible for both normal bone formation and fracture repair.
Live bearing promotes the evolution of sociality in reptiles
Authors: Halliwell Ben , Uller Tobias , Holland Barbara R. , While Geoffrey M.
Published: December 2017

Identifying factors responsible for the emergence and evolution of social complexity is an outstanding challenge in evolutionary biology. Here we report results from a phylogenetic comparative analysis of over 1000 species of squamate reptile, nearly 100 of which exhibit facultative forms of group living, including prolonged parent–offspring associations. We show that the evolution of social groupings among adults and juveniles is overwhelmingly preceded by the evolution of live birth across multiple independent origins of both traits. Furthermore, the results suggest that live bearing has facilitated the emergence of social groups that remain stable across years, similar to forms of sociality observed in other vertebrates. These results suggest that live bearing has been a fundamentally important precursor in the evolutionary origins of group living in the squamates.
The LPS-inducible lncRNA Mirt2 is a negative regulator of inflammation
Authors: Du Meng , Yuan Lin , Tan Xin , Huang Dandan , Wang Xiaojing , Zheng Zhe , Mao Xiaoxiang , Li Xiangrao , Yang Liu , Huang Kun , Zhang Fengxiao , Wang Yan , Luo Xi , Huang Dan , Huang Kai
Published: December 2017

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) with a crucial function in innate immune responses. Activation of TLR4 signaling at the plasma membrane by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates proinflammatory signaling pathways dependent on the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6. Here we show the LPS-induced long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Mirt2 functions as a checkpoint to prevent aberrant activation of inflammation, and is a potential regulator of macrophage polarization. Mirt2 associates with, and attenuates Lys63 (K63)-linked ubiquitination of, TRAF6, thus inhibiting activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways and limiting production of proinflammatory cytokines. Adenovirus mediated gene transfer of Mirt2 protects mice from endotoxemia induced fatality and multi-organ dysfunction. These findings identify lncRNA Mirt2 as a negative feedback regulator of excessive inflammation.
Synaesthesia-type associations and perceptual changes induced by hypnotic suggestion
Authors: Kallio Sakari , Koivisto Mika , Kaakinen Johanna K.
Published: December 2017

Are synaesthetic experiences congenital and so hard-wired, or can a functional analogue be created? We induced an equivalent of form-colour synaesthesia using hypnotic suggestions in which symbols in an array (circles, crosses, squares) were suggested always to have a certain colour. In a Stroop type-naming task, three of the four highly hypnotizable participants showed a strong synaesthesia-type association between symbol and colour. This was verified both by their subjective reports and objective eye-movement behaviour. Two resembled a projector- and one an associator-type synaesthete. Participant interviews revealed that subjective experiences differed somewhat from typical (congenital) synaesthesia. Control participants who mimicked the task using cognitive strategies showed a very different response pattern. Overall, the results show that the targeted, preconsciously triggered associations and perceptual changes seen in association with congenital synaesthesia can rapidly be induced by hypnosis. They suggest that each participant’s subjective experience of the task should be carefully evaluated, especially when studying hypnotic hallucinations. Studying such experiences can increase understanding of perception, automaticity, and awareness and open unique opportunities in cognitive neuroscience and consciousness research.
Controllable Plasmonic Nanostructures induced by Dual-wavelength Femtosecond Laser Irradiation
Authors: Han Weina , Jiang Lan , Li Xiaowei , Wang Qingsong , Wang Shaojun , Hu Jie , Lu Yongfeng
Published: December 2017

We demonstrated an abnormal double-peak (annular shaped) energy deposition through dual-wavelength synthesis of the fundamental frequency (ω) and the second-harmonic frequency (2ω) of a femtosecond (fs) Ti:sapphire laser. The annular shaped distribution of the dual-wavelength fs laser was confirmed through real beam shape detection. This uniquely simple and flexible technique enables the formation of functional plasmonic nanostructures. We applied this double-peak fs-laser-induced dewetting effect to the controlled fabrication and precise deposition of Au nanostructures, by using a simple, lithography-free, and single-step process. In this process, the double-peak energy-shaped fs laser pulse induces surface patterning of a thin film followed by nanoscale hydrodynamic instability, which is highly controllable under specific irradiation conditions. Nanostructure morphology (shape, size, and distribution) modulation can be achieved by adjusting the laser irradiation parameters, and the subsequent ion-beam polishing enables further dimensional reduction and removal of the surrounding film. The unique optical properties of the resulting nanostructure are highly sensitive to the shape and size of the nanostructure. In contrast to a nanoparticle, the resonance-scattering spectrum of an Au nanobump exhibites two resonance peaks. These suggest that the dual-wavelength fs laser-based dewetting of thin films can be an effective means for the scalable manufacturing of patterned-functional nanostructures.
Integration of neurogenesis and angiogenesis models for constructing a neurovascular tissue
Authors: Uwamori Hiroyuki , Higuchi Takuya , Arai Ken , Sudo Ryo
Published: December 2017

Neurovascular unit (NVU) is a basic unit in the brain, including neurons, glial cells, blood vessels and extracellular matrix. This concept implies the importance of a three-dimensional (3D) culture model including these cell types for investigating brain functions. However, little is known about the construction of an in vitro 3D NVU model. In the present study, we aimed at constructing 3D neurovascular tissues by combining in vitro neurogenesis and angiogenesis models using a microfluidic platform, which is a critical step toward the NVU construction in vitro. Three gel conditions, which were fibrin gel, fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel and fibrin-hyaluronan mixed gel, were investigated to optimize the gel components in terms of neurogenesis and angiogenesis. First, fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel was found to promote neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation into neurons and neurite extension. In particular, 3D neural networks were constructed in 2–8 mg/ml fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel. Second, we found that capillary-like structures were also formed in the fibrin-Matrigel mixed gel by coculturing brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Finally, we combined both neural and vascular culture models and succeeded in constructing 3D neurovascular tissues with an optimized seeding condition of NSCs, BMECs and MSCs.
Brain gene expression signature on primate genomic sequence evolution
Authors: Barbash Shahar , Sakmar Thomas P.
Published: December 2017

Considering the overwhelming changes that occurred during primate evolution in brain structure and function, one might expect corresponding changes at the molecular level. Surprisingly, a relatively constrained gene expression pattern is observed in brain compared with other tissues among primates, an observation that calls for reassessment of RNA expression influence on primate genome evolution. We built phylogenetic trees based on genomic sequences of functional genomic regions and tissue-specific RNA expression in eight tissue types for six primate species. Comparisons of the phylogenetic trees from brain tissues revealed that DNA- and RNA-based trees were significantly similar. The similarity was specific for promoter regions and cerebellum and frontal cortex expression, suggesting a major impact of gene regulation in the brain on genome shaping along the primate branch.
How costly punishment, diversity, and density of connectivity influence cooperation in a biological network
Authors: Ezeigbo Ivan C.
Published: December 2017

It has been an old unsolved puzzle to evolutionary theorists on which mechanisms would increase large-scale cooperation in human societies. Thus, how such mechanisms operate in a biological network is still not well understood. This study addresses these questions with empirical evidence from agent-based models designed to understand these network interactions. Repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma games were designed to study how costly punishment, diversity, and density of connectivity interact to influence cooperation in a biological network. There were 1000 rounds in each game made up of 18 players engaged in pairwise relationship with their neighbors. This study shows three important interactions. (1) Introducing diversity to costly punishment favors both cooperation and defection, but not vice versa. Introducing costly punishment to diversity disfavors defection but favors cooperation. (2) Costly Punishment, alone, disfavors defection but decreases average payoff. Decreasing the density of connectivity, D
c
, when there is no costly punishment applied, increases average payoff. (3) A synergy of diversity and decreasing density of connectivity favors cooperation in a biological network. Furthermore, this study also suggests a likelihood from empirical findings that spatial structures may not be favoring cooperation, as is the widely-accepted notion, but rather disfavoring defection in the global scale.
Neutral fitness outcomes contradict inferences of sexual ‘coercion’ derived from male’s damaging mating tactic in a widow spider
Authors: Baruffaldi Luciana , Andrade Maydianne C. B.
Published: December 2017

Sexual conflict over mating frequency has driven the evolution of morphological and behavioural traits across taxa. Interactions may be termed ‘coercive’ and assumed to arise from conflict when male mating behaviours cause physical injury to females and females appear to resist injurious matings.However, coercion per se occurs only if the behaviour reduces female fitness; and such outcomes are rarely measured. Here we show that a damaging mating tactic, apparently adaptive for males, is not coercive for females. Adult male Latrodectus spiders mate with immature females after tearing the exoskeleton covering the female’s recently-developed reproductive tract, which can cause haemolymph bleeding. We show that, relative to pairings with adult females, males use reduced courtship displays when approaching immature females, which in some cases respond with elevated deterrent behavioural responses. Nevertheless, we found no reproductive cost for immature-mated females in terms of longevity, fertility or fecundity. Moreover, most immature-mated females did not produce sex pheromones as adults, so did not seek additional matings. Thus, despite the appearance of conflict there is no evidence that immature-mating is coercive. These results show it is critical to measure fitness outcomes, in addition to behavioural responses, to test for coercion.
Find_tfSBP: find thermodynamics-feasible and smallest balanced pathways with high yield from large-scale metabolic networks
Authors: Xu Zixiang , Sun Jibin , Wu Qiaqing , Zhu Dunming
Published: December 2017

Biologically meaningful metabolic pathways are important references in the design of industrial bacterium. At present, constraint-based method is the only way to model and simulate a genome-scale metabolic network under steady-state criteria. Due to the inadequate assumption of the relationship in gene-enzyme-reaction as one-to-one unique association, computational difficulty or ignoring the yield from substrate to product, previous pathway finding approaches can’t be effectively applied to find out the high yield pathways that are mass balanced in stoichiometry. In addition, the shortest pathways may not be the pathways with high yield. At the same time, a pathway, which exists in stoichiometry, may not be feasible in thermodynamics. By using mixed integer programming strategy, we put forward an algorithm to identify all the smallest balanced pathways which convert the source compound to the target compound in large-scale metabolic networks. The resulting pathways by our method can finely satisfy the stoichiometric constraints and non-decomposability condition. Especially, the functions of high yield and thermodynamics feasibility have been considered in our approach. This tool is tailored to direct the metabolic engineering practice to enlarge the metabolic potentials of industrial strains by integrating the extensive metabolic network information built from systems biology dataset.
Continuous Radar Tracking Illustrates the Development of Multi-destination Routes of Bumblebees
Authors: Woodgate Joseph L. , Makinson James C. , Lim Ka S. , Reynolds Andrew M. , Chittka Lars
Published: December 2017

Animals that visit multiple foraging sites face a problem, analogous to the Travelling Salesman Problem, of finding an efficient route. We explored bumblebees’ route development on an array of five artificial flowers in which minimising travel distances between individual feeders conflicted with minimising overall distance. No previous study of bee spatial navigation has been able to follow animals’ movement during learning; we tracked bumblebee foragers continuously, using harmonic radar, and examined the process of route formation in detail for a small number of selected individuals. On our array, bees did not settle on visit sequences that gave the shortest overall path, but prioritised movements to nearby feeders. Nonetheless, flight distance and duration reduced with experience. This increased efficiency was attributable mainly to experienced bees reducing exploration beyond the feeder array and flights becoming straighter with experience, rather than improvements in the sequence of feeder visits. Flight paths of all legs of a flight stabilised at similar rates, whereas the first few feeder visits became fixed early while bees continued to experiment with the order of later visits. Stabilising early sections of a route and prioritising travel between nearby destinations may reduce the search space, allowing rapid adoption of efficient routes.
High-fat diet-induced obesity impairs insulin signaling in lungs of allergen-challenged mice: Improvement by resveratrol
Authors: André Diana M. , Calixto Marina C. , Sollon Carolina , Alexandre Eduardo C. , Tavares Edith B. G. , Naime Ana C. A. , Anhê Gabriel F. , Antunes Edson
Published: December 2017

Insulin resistance plays an important role in obesity-associated asthma exacerbations. Using a murine model of allergic airway inflammation, we evaluated the insulin signaling transmission in lungs of obese compared with lean mice. We further evaluated the effects of the polyphenol resveratrol in the pulmonary insulin signaling. In lean mice, insulin stimulation significantly increased phosphorylations of AKT, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and insulin receptor β (IRβ) in lung tissue and isolated bronchi (p < 0.05), which were impaired in obese group. Instead, obese mice displayed increased tyrosine nitrations of AKT, IRβ and IRS-1 (p < 0.05). Two-week therapy of obese mice with resveratrol (100 mg/kg/day) restored insulin-stimulated AKT, IRS-1 and IRβ phosphorylations, and simultaneously blunted the tyrosine nitration of these proteins. Additionally, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and inhibitor of NF-κB Kinase (IκK) phosphorylations were significantly increased in obese group, an effect normalized by resveratrol. In separate experiments, the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg/day, three weeks) mimicked the protective effects exerted by resveratrol in lungs of obese mice. Lungs of obese mice display nitrosative-associated impairment of insulin signaling, which is reversed by resveratrol. Polyphenols may be putative drugs to attenuate asthma exacerbations in obese individuals.
Circulating CCL20 as a New Biomarker of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Soto B. , Gallastegi-Mozos T. , Rodríguez C. , Martínez-González J. , Escudero J.-R. , Vila L. , Camacho M.
Published: December 2017

Autoimmunity appears to play a role in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathology. Although the chemokine CCL20 has been involved in autoimmune diseases, its relationship with the pathogenesis of AAA is unclear. We investigated CCL20 expression in AAA and evaluated it as a potential biomarker for AAA. CCL20 was measured in plasma of AAA patients (n = 96), atherosclerotic disease (AD) patients (n = 28) and controls (n = 45). AAA presence was associated with higher plasma levels of CCL20 after adjustments for confounders in the linear regression analysis. Diagnostic performance of plasma CCL20 was assessed by ROC curve analysis, AUC 0.768 (CI:0.678–0.858; p<0.001). Classification and regression tree analysis classified patients into two CCL20 plasma level groups. The high-CCL20 group had a higher number of AAA than the low-CCL20 group (91% vs 54.3%, p< 0.001). mRNA of CCL20 and its receptor CCR6 were higher in AAA (n = 89) than in control aortas (n = 17, p<0.001). A positive correlation was found between both mRNA in controls (R = 0674; p = 0.003), but not in AAA. Immunohistochemistry showed that CCR6 and CCL20 colocalized in the media and endothelial cells. Infiltrating leukocytes immunostained for both proteins but only colocalized in some of them. Our data shows that CCL20 is increased in AAA and circulating CCL20 is a high sensitive biomarker of AAA
Aerosols cause intraseasonal short-term suppression of Indian monsoon rainfall
Authors: Dave Prashant , Bhushan Mani , Venkataraman Chandra
Published: December 2017

Aerosol abundance over South Asia during the summer monsoon season, includes dust and sea-salt, as well as, anthropogenic pollution particles. Using observations during 2000–2009, here we uncover repeated short-term rainfall suppression caused by coincident aerosols, acting through atmospheric stabilization, reduction in convection and increased moisture divergence, leading to the aggravation of monsoon break conditions. In high aerosol-low rainfall regions extending across India, both in deficient and normal monsoon years, enhancements in aerosols levels, estimated as aerosol optical depth and absorbing aerosol index, acted to suppress daily rainfall anomaly, several times in a season, with lags of a few days. A higher frequency of prolonged rainfall breaks, longer than seven days, occurred in these regions. Previous studies point to monsoon rainfall weakening linked to an asymmetric inter-hemispheric energy balance change attributed to aerosols, and short-term rainfall enhancement from radiative effects of aerosols. In contrast, this study uncovers intraseasonal short-term rainfall suppression, from coincident aerosol forcing over the monsoon region, leading to aggravation of monsoon break spells. Prolonged and intense breaks in the monsoon in India are associated with rainfall deficits, which have been linked to reduced food grain production in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Exploiting Anopheles responses to thermal, odour and visual stimuli to improve surveillance and control of malaria
Authors: Hawkes Frances M. , Dabiré Roch K. , Sawadogo Simon P. , Torr Stephen J. , Gibson Gabriella
Published: December 2017

Mosquito surveillance and control are at the heart of efforts to eliminate malaria, however, there remain significant gaps in our understanding of mosquito behaviour that impede innovation. We hypothesised that a combination of human-associated stimuli could be used to attract and kill malaria vectors more successfully than individual stimuli, and at least as well as a real human. To test this in the field, we quantifiedAnophelesresponses to olfactory, visual and thermal stimuli in Burkina Faso using a simple adhesive trap. Traps baited with human odour plus high contrast visual stimuli caught moreAnophelesthan traps with odour alone, showing that despite their nocturnal habit, malaria vectors make use of visual cues in host-seeking. The best performing traps, however, combined odour and visual stimuli with a thermal signature in the range equivalent to human body temperature. When tested against a human landing catch during peak mosquito abundance, this “host decoy” trap caught nearly ten times the number ofAnophelesmosquitoes caught by a human collector. Exploiting the behavioural responses of mosquitoes to the entire suite of host stimuli promises to revolutionise vector surveillance and provide new paradigms in disease control.
Manipulation of dangling bonds of interfacial states coupled in GeTe-rich GeTe/Sb2Te3 superlattices
Authors: Yang Zhe , Xu Ming , Cheng Xiaomin , Tong Hao , Miao Xiangshui
Published: December 2017

Superlattices consisting of stacked nano-sized GeTe and Sb2Te3blocks have attracted considerable attention owing to their potential for an efficient non-melting switching mechanism, associated with complex bonding between blocks. Here, we propose possible atomic models for the superlattices, characterized by different interfacial bonding types. Based on interplanar distances extracted from ab initio calculations and electron diffraction measurements, we reveal possible intercalation of dangling bonds as the GeTe content in the superlattice increases. The dangling bonds were further confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, anisotropic temperature dependent resistivity measurements down to 2 K and magnetotransport analysis. Changes of partially coherent decoupled topological surfaces states upon dangling bonds varying contributed to the switching mechanism. Furthermore, the topological surface states controlled by changing the bonding between stacking blocks may be optimized for multi-functional applications.
Natural Erosion of Sandstone as Shape Optimisation
Authors: Ostanin Igor , Safonov Alexander , Oseledets Ivan
Published: December 2017

Natural arches, pillars and other exotic sandstone formations have always been attracting attention for their unusual shapes and amazing mechanical balance that leave a strong impression of intelligent design rather than the result of a stochastic process. It has been recently demonstrated that these shapes could have been the result of the negative feedback between stress and erosion that originates in fundamental laws of friction between the rock’s constituent particles. Here we present a deeper analysis of this idea and bridge it with the approaches utilized in shape and topology optimisation. It appears that the processes of natural erosion, driven by stochastic surface forces and Mohr-Coulomb law of dry friction, can be viewed within the framework of local optimisation for minimum elastic strain energy. Our hypothesis is confirmed by numerical simulations of the erosion using the topological-shape optimisation model. Our work contributes to a better understanding of stochastic erosion and feasible landscape formations that could be found on Earth and beyond.
Stochastic pumping of non-equilibrium steady-states: how molecules adapt to a fluctuating environment
Authors: Astumian R. D.
Published: December 2017

Fluctuations favour state B = (B,B′) based on kinetic asymmetry combined with moderate dissipation rather than state A = (A,A′) in which the absolute amount of dissipation is greater but where there is no kinetic asymmetry.
A self-assessed photosensitizer: inducing and dual-modal phosphorescence imaging of mitochondria oxidative stress
Authors: Jing Yang , Cao Qian , Hao Liang , Yang Gang-Gang , Hu Wei-Liang , Ji Liang-Nian , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: December 2017

Mitochondria-targeted Ir(iii)–nitroxide conjugates act as self-assessed PDT agents by simultaneously inducing and dual-modal phosphorescence imaging of mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Multifunctional chiral phosphine-catalyzed [3+2] annulation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates with cyclopentenones: asymmetric synthesis of 4-oxo-hexahydropentalenes
Authors: Wang Chang , Gao Zhenzhen , Zhou Leijie , Wang Qijun , Wu Yang , Yuan Chunhao , Liao Jianning , Xiao Yumei , Guo Hongchao
Published: December 2017

A multifunctional chiral phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] annulation of MBH carbonates with cyclopentenones is reported.
A new model linking elastic properties and ionic conductivity of mixed network former glasses
Authors: Wang Weimin , Christensen Randilynn , Curtis Brittany , Martin Steve W. , Kieffer John
Published: December 2017

A new statistical thermodynamic model has been developed to describe the activated process of cation hopping in mixed network former glasses based on the systematic comparison between the adiabatic elastic moduli measured using Brillouin light scattering and the ionic conductivity measured using dielectric impedance spectroscopy.
Angstrom-scale probing of paramagnetic centers location in nanodiamonds by 3He NMR at low temperatures
Authors: Kuzmin Vyacheslav , Safiullin Kajum , Dolgorukov Gleb , Stanislavovas Andrey , Alakshin Egor , Safin Timur , Yavkin Boris , Orlinskii Sergei , Kiiamov Airat , Presnyakov Mikhail , Klochkov Alexander , Tagirov Murat
Published: December 2017

Preadsorbed nitrogen layers allow to localize paramagnetic centers in nanodiamonds.
Shear deformation-induced anisotropic thermal conductivity of graphene
Authors: Cui Liu , Shi Sanqiang , Wei Gaosheng , Du Xiaoze
Published: December 2017

Investigation of anisotropic thermal transport in graphene wrinkles considering the effect of both shear strain and strain-induced wrinkling configurations.
To probe interaction of morphine and IBNtxA with 7TM and 6TM variants of the human μ-opioid receptor using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations with an explicit membrane
Authors: Sader Safaa , Anant Kumar , Wu Chun
Published: December 2017

IBNtxA, a morphine derivative, is 10-fold more potent and has a better safety profile than morphine.
Energy transfer and charge separation dynamics in photoexcited pyrene–bodipy molecular dyads
Authors: Fakis M. , Beckwith J. S. , Seintis K. , Martinou E. , Nançoz C. , Karakostas N. , Petsalakis I. , Pistolis G. , Vauthey E.
Published: December 2017

Energy and/or electron transfer is observed in pyrene–bodipy dyads in apolar/polar solvents using fs spectroscopy.
Novel cell-penetrating-amyloid peptide conjugates preferentially kill cancer cells
Authors: Veloria John R. , Chen Luxi , Li Lin , Breen Gail A. M. , Lee Jiyong , Goux Warren J.
Published: December 2017

The goal of this study was to develop a peptide which could use the toxic effects of amyloid, a substance which is the hallmark of over 25 known human diseases, to selectively kill cancer cells.
Single X-ray crystal structure, DFT studies and topoisomerase I inhibition activity of a tailored ionic Ag(i) nalidixic acid–piperazinium drug entity specific for pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Yousuf Imtiyaz , Usman Mohammad , Ahmad Musheer , Tabassum Sartaj , Arjmand Farukh
Published: December 2017

DFT studies, Topo I inhibition assay and cytotoxic activity of novel ionic Ag(i) nalidixic acid–piperazinium molecular entity.
Controllable supramolecular self-assemblies (rods–wires–spheres) and ICT/PET based perylene probes for palladium detection in solution and the solid state
Authors: Kumar Kapil , Bhargava Gaurav , Kumar Subodh , Singh Prabhpreet
Published: December 2017

AC-PDIshows solvent dependent self-assembly into nanowires, rods and spheres. It could be used for detection of Pd0in 50% HEPES buffer–DMSO (39 nM, UV-Vis; 45 nM, fluorescence) and the solid state (0.58 pg cm−2).