bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen supply modulates nitrogen remobilization and nitrogen use of wheat under supplemental irrigation in the North China Plain
Authors: Zheng Xuejiao , Yu Zhenwen , Zhang Yongli , Shi Yu
Published: February 2020

Excessive nitrogen (N) input and irrigation exacerbate N leaching in winter wheat production in the North China Plain (NCP). To explore the optimal N for better N remobilization and higher N utilization of wheat under water-saving irrigation will be conductive to less environmental contamination. A field experiment was conducted at 300 (N300), 240 (N240), 180 (N180), and 0 (N0) kg N ha−1 of N application under supplemental irrigation (SI) that brought the relative soil water content (RSWC) to 70% at jointing and 65% at anthesis. Compared with N0, N180 improved the free amino acid content in the flag leaf and grain after anthesis, dry matter and plant N accumulation at maturity, N translocation amount of vegetable organs and its contribution to grain from anthesis to maturity. Compared to N240 and N300, N180 increased the N translocation efficiency of vegetable organs, and reduced the soil NO3-N residue in the 60–180 cm soil layer, which contributing to no significant reduction in grain yield and grain protein yield, but higher grain N recovery efficiency (GREN), N recovery efficiency (REN), and N partial factor productivity (PFPN). Positive relationships were found between leaf N translocation efficiency and grain yield, grain protein yield, PFPN, GREN, and REN. Therefore, N180 is appropriate to obtain a steady grain yield over 7.5 t ha−1 for at least 2 years under SI based on RSWC in the NCP.
Crows control working memory before and after stimulus encoding
Authors: Fongaro Erica , Rose Jonas
Published: February 2020

The capacity of working memory is limited and this limit is comparable in crows and primates. To maximize this resource, humans use attention to select only relevant information for maintenance. Interestingly, attention-cues are effective not only before but also after the presentation of to-be-remembered stimuli, highlighting control mechanisms beyond sensory selection. Here we explore if crows are also capable of these forms of control over working memory. Two crows (Corvus corone) were trained to memorize two, four or six visual stimuli. Comparable to our previous results, the crows showed a decrease in performance with increasing working memory load. Using attention cues, we indicated the critical stimulus on a given trial. These cues were either presented before (pre-cue) or after sample-presentation (retro-cue). On other trials no cue was given as to which stimulus was critical. We found that both pre- and retro-cues enhance the performance of the birds. These results show that crows, like humans, can utilize attention to select relevant stimuli for maintenance in working memory. Importantly, crows can also utilize cues to make the most of their working memory capacity even after the stimuli are already held in working memory. This strongly implies that crows can engage in efficient control over working memory.
SiGe nanocrystals in SiO2 with high photosensitivity from visible to short-wave infrared
Authors: Stavarache Ionel , Logofatu Constantin , Sultan Muhammad Taha , Manolescu Andrei , Svavarsson Halldor Gudfinnur , Teodorescu Valentin Serban , Ciurea Magdalena Lidia
Published: February 2020

Films of SiGe nanocrystals (NCs) in oxide have the advantage of tuning the energy band gap by adjusting SiGe NCs composition and size. In this study, SiGe-SiO2 amorphous films were deposited by magnetron sputtering on Si substrate followed by rapid thermal annealing at 700, 800 and 1000 °C. We investigated films with Si:Ge:SiO2 compositions of 25:25:50 vol.% and 5:45:50 vol.%. TEM investigations reveal the major changes in films morphology (SiGe NCs with different sizes and densities) produced by Si:Ge ratio and annealing temperature. XPS also show that the film depth profile of SiGe content is dependent on the annealing temperature. These changes strongly influence electrical and photoconduction properties. Depending on annealing temperature and Si:Ge ratio, photocurrents can be 103 times higher than dark currents. The photocurrent cutoff wavelength obtained on samples with 25:25 vol% SiGe ratio decreases with annealing temperature increase from 1260 nm in SWIR for 700 °C annealed films to 1210 nm for those at 1000 °C. By increasing Ge content in SiGe (5:45 vol%) the cutoff wavelength significantly shifts to 1345 nm (800 °C annealing). By performing measurements at 100 K, the cutoff wavelength extends in SWIR to 1630 nm having high photoresponsivity of 9.35 AW−1.
A minimal model for microbial biodiversity can reproduce experimentally observed ecological patterns
Authors: Marsland Robert , Cui Wenping , Mehta Pankaj
Published: February 2020

Surveys of microbial biodiversity such as the Earth Microbiome Project (EMP) and the Human Microbiome Project (HMP) have revealed robust ecological patterns across different environments. A major goal in ecology is to leverage these patterns to identify the ecological processes shaping microbial ecosystems. One promising approach is to use minimal models that can relate mechanistic assumptions at the microbe scale to community-level patterns. Here, we demonstrate the utility of this approach by showing that the Microbial Consumer Resource Model (MiCRM) – a minimal model for microbial communities with resource competition, metabolic crossfeeding and stochastic colonization – can qualitatively reproduce patterns found in survey data including compositional gradients, dissimilarity/overlap correlations, richness/harshness correlations, and nestedness of community composition. By using the MiCRM to generate synthetic data with different environmental and taxonomical structure, we show that large scale patterns in the EMP can be reproduced by considering the energetic cost of surviving in harsh environments and HMP patterns may reflect the importance of environmental filtering in shaping competition. We also show that recently discovered dissimilarity-overlap correlations in the HMP likely arise from communities that share similar environments rather than reflecting universal dynamics. We identify ecologically meaningful changes in parameters that alter or destroy each one of these patterns, suggesting new mechanistic hypotheses for further investigation. These findings highlight the promise of minimal models for microbial ecology.
A genome-wide association study in mice reveals a role for Rhbdf2 in skeletal homeostasis
Authors: Levy Roei , Levet Clemence , Cohen Keren , Freeman Matthew , Mott Richard , Iraqi Fuad , Gabet Yankel
Published: February 2020

Low bone mass and an increased risk of fracture are predictors of osteoporosis. Individuals who share the same bone-mineral density (BMD) vary in their fracture risk, suggesting that microstructural architecture is an important determinant of skeletal strength. Here, we utilized the rich diversity of the Collaborative Cross mice to identify putative causal genes that contribute to the risk of fractures. Using microcomputed tomography, we examined key structural features that pertain to bone quality in the femoral cortical and trabecular compartments of male and female mice. We estimated the broad-sense heritability to be 50–60% for all examined traits, and we identified five quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly associated with six traits. We refined each QTL by combining information inferred from the ancestry of the mice, ranging from RNA-Seq data and published literature to shortlist candidate genes. We found strong evidence for new candidate genes, particularly Rhbdf2, whose close association with the trabecular bone volume fraction and number was strongly suggested by our analyses. We confirmed our findings with mRNA expression assays of Rhbdf2 in extreme-phenotype mice, and by phenotyping bones of Rhbdf2 knockout mice. Our results indicate that Rhbdf2 plays a decisive role in bone mass accrual and microarchitecture.
Laterals take it better – Emerging and young lateral roots survive lethal salinity longer than the primary root in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ambastha Vivek , Friedmann Yael , Leshem Yehoram
Published: February 2020

Plant responses to salinity have been extensively studied over the last decades. Despite the vast accumulated knowledge, the ways Arabidopsis lateral roots (LR) cope with lethal salinity has not been fully resolved. Here we compared the primary root (PR) and the LR responses during events leading to lethal salinity (NaCl 200 mM) in Arabidopsis. We found that the PR and young LR responded differently to lethal salinity: While the PR died, emerging and young LR’s remained strikingly viable. Moreover, “age acquired salt tolerance” (AAST) was observed in the PR. During the 2 days after germination (DAG) the PR was highly sensitive, but at 8 DAG there was a significant increase in the PR cell survival. Nevertheless, the young LR exhibited an opposite pattern and completely lost its salinity tolerance, as it elongated beyond 400 µm. Examination of several cell death signatures investigated in the young LR showed no signs of an active programmed cell death (PCD) during lethal salinity. However, Autophagic PCD (A-PCD) but not apoptosis-like PCD (AL-PCD) was found to be activated in the PR during the high salinity conditions. We further found that salinity induced NADPH oxidase activated ROS, which were more highly distributed in the young LR compared to the PR, is required for the improved viability of the LR during lethal salinity conditions. Our data demonstrated a position-dependent resistance of Arabidopsis young LR to high salinity. This response can lead to identification of novel salt stress coping mechanisms needed by agriculture during the soil salinization challenge.
A novelty-retrieval-extinction paradigm leads to persistent attenuation of remote fear memories
Authors: Huang Fulian , Zou Guangjing , Li Can , Meng Hui , Liu Xiaoyan , Yang Zehua
Published: February 2020

Exposure to a novel environment can enhance the extinction of recent contextual fear in mice. This has been explained by a tagging and capture hypothesis. Consistently, we show in mice that exposure to a novel environment before extinction training promoted the extinction of recent auditory fear. However, such a promoting effect of novelty was absent for remote memories. In the present study, we replaced the regular extinction training with a retrieval-extinction session which capitalized on a reconsolidation window. When novelty exposure was followed by a retrieval-extinction session, remote fear was distinguished more easily and permanently. We have termed it as a “novelty-retrieval-extinction” paradigm. This paradigm played a greater role in the extinction of remote fear when fear conditioning and retrieval-extinction occurred in two different contexts other than in one identical context. The mechanism underlying the facilitating effect of this paradigm might involve up-regulation of histone acetylation in the hippocampus, which has been reported to increase functional and structural neuroplasticity. The present work proposes an effective, drug-free paradigm for the extinction of remote fear, which could be easily adapted in humans with least side effects.
Transcriptome analyses reveal the synergistic effects of feeding and eyestalk ablation on ovarian maturation in black tiger shrimp
Authors: Sittikankaew Kanchana , Pootakham Wirulda , Sonthirod Chutima , Sangsrakru Duangjai , Yoocha Thippawan , Khudet Jutatip , Nookaew Intawat , Uawisetwathana Umaporn , Rungrassamee Wanilada , Karoonuthaisiri Nitsara
Published: February 2020

Unilateral eyestalk ablation in the female black tiger shrimpPenaeus monodonis commonly employed to induce ovarian maturation. However, the importance of complementing this practice with the provision of live feed supplement (such as polychaetes) has not been emphasized in previous studies. Indeed, it has been less emphasized that female broodstock must be fed with live feeds such as polychaetes for this practice to be effective. While the effects of eyestalk ablation have been thoroughly studied in various aspects, the synergistic effects of feeding with live feeds and the ablation have never been elucidated at a transcriptome-wide level. With recent advances in the next-generation sequencing platforms, it is now possible to investigate the effects of eyestalk ablation and live feeds at the transcriptomic levels. This study employed both short-read Illumina RNA sequencing and long-read Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) isoform sequencing (Iso-seq) to generate the first high-quality ovarian reference transcriptome inP.monodon. This novel assembly allowed us to dissect the effects of feeds and eyestalk ablation and reveal their synergistic effects at the transcriptomic level through the regulation of important genes involved in fatty acid regulation, energy production, and hormone-mediated oocyte maturation pathways. The synergistic effects between the polychaete feeding and the eyestalk ablation in the process of ovarian maturation in black tiger shrimp suggest that without having proper nutrients from the polychaetes, female broodstock might not be ready to develop its ovary. However, even with proper nutrients, the eyestalk ablation is still necessary to perhaps manipulate the female endocrine of the black tiger shrimp. These findings shed the light on molecular mechanisms and key molecular pathways that lead to successful ovarian maturation.
Emergence of global synchronization in directed excitatory networks of type I neurons
Authors: Ziaeemehr Abolfazl , Zarei Mina , Sheshbolouki Aida
Published: February 2020

The collective behaviour of neural networks depends on the cellular and synaptic properties of the neurons. The phase-response curve (PRC) is an experimentally obtainable measure of cellular properties that quantifies the shift in the next spike time of a neuron as a function of the phase at which stimulus is delivered to that neuron. The neuronal PRCs can be classified as having either purely positive values (type I) or distinct positive and negative regions (type II). Networks of type 1 PRCs tend not to synchronize via mutual excitatory synaptic connections. We study the synchronization properties of identical type I and type II neurons, assuming unidirectional synapses. Performing the linear stability analysis and the numerical simulation of the extended Kuramoto model, we show that feedforward loop motifs favour synchronization of type I excitatory and inhibitory neurons, while feedback loop motifs destroy their synchronization tendency. Moreover, large directed networks, either without feedback motifs or with many of them, have been constructed from the same undirected backbones, and a high synchronization level is observed for directed acyclic graphs with type I neurons. It has been shown that, the synchronizability of type I neurons depends on both the directionality of the network connectivity and the topology of its undirected backbone. The abundance of feedforward motifs enhances the synchronizability of the directed acyclic graphs.
Factors influencing vehicle passenger fatality have changed over 10 years: a nationwide hospital-based study
Authors: Ishii Wataru , Hitosugi Masahito , Takeda Arisa , Baba Mineko , Iizuka Ryoji
Published: February 2020

Traffic injury trends have changed with safety developments. To establish effective preventive measures against traffic fatalities, the factors influencing fatalities must be understood. The present study evaluated data from a national medical database to determine the changes in these factors over time, as this has not been previously investigated. This observational study retrospectively analysed data from the Japanese Trauma Data Bank. Vehicle passengers involved in collisions from 2004–2008 and 2016–2017 were included. Data were compared between the two study periods, and between fatal and non-fatal patients within each period. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors influencing fatalities. In 2016–2017, patients were older and had lower fatality rates. In 2004–2008, fatalities were more likely to involve older male front-seat passengers with low d-BP, BT, and GCS values, and high AIS of the neck and abdomen. However, in 2016–2017, fatalities were more likely to involve older males with low GCS, high AIS of the abdomen, and positive focused assessment with sonography for trauma results. Our study identified independent factors influencing vehicle passenger fatalities, which will likely continue to evolve with the aging of the population and changing manners of injury.
Aedes aegypti Odorant Binding Protein 22 selectively binds fatty acids through a conformational change in its C-terminal tail
Authors: Wang Jing , Murphy Emma J. , Nix Jay C. , Jones David N. M.
Published: February 2020

Aedes aegyptiis the primary vector for transmission of Dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Previously it was shown that Dengue virus infection of the mosquito led to an in increased expression of the odorant binding protein 22 (AeOBP22) within the mosquito salivary gland and that siRNA mediated knockdown of AeOBP22 led to reduced mosquito feeding behaviors. Insect OBPs are implicated in the perception, storage and transport of chemosensory signaling molecules including air-borne odorants and pheromones. AeOBP22 is unusual as it is additionally expressed in multiple tissues, including the antenna, the male reproductive glands and is transferred to females during reproduction, indicating multiple roles in the mosquito life cycle. However, it is unclear what role it plays in these tissues and what ligands it interacts with. Here we present solution and X-ray crystallographic studies that indicate a potential role of AeOBP22 binding to fatty acids, and that the specificity for longer chain fatty acids is regulated by a conformational change in the C-terminal tail that leads to creation of an enlarged binding cavity that enhances binding affinity. This study sheds light onto the native ligands for AeOBP22 and provides insight into its potential functions in different tissues.
Preserved cortical thickness, surface area and volume in adolescents with PTSD after childhood sexual abuse
Authors: Rinne-Albers Mirjam A. , Boateng Charlotte P. , van der Werff Steven J. , Lamers-Winkelman Francien , Rombouts Serge A. , Vermeiren Robert R. , van der Wee Nic J.
Published: February 2020

Exposure to childhood adverse events is associated with severe consequences for general health and structural and functional changes in the brain of its survivors. In order to unravel and in the end influence the pathway linking adversity and pathology, neuroimaging research is crucial. Up till now studies in minors are scarce and differ in type of adversity or methodology. Almost all studies report lower cortical thickness, but in a broad variety of regions. In this study we investigated cortical thickness measures and clinical data in a well circumscribed group of adolescents with PTSD related to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) (N = 21) and a healthy non-traumatised control group (N = 21). The ventromedial PFC (vmPFC), ACC, insula, and middle/superior temporal gyrus were chosen as ROI’s due to their respective roles in emotion and information processing. No significant effect of group was found for cortical thickness, surface area or volume in any of the ROIs. This is in line with the results of research in adult women with sexual abuse related PTSD, suggesting that this may be specific to this group, independent of age. Recent research points to differential biological and pathological consequences of different types of childhood adversity.
Precision cell-free DNA extraction for liquid biopsy by integrated microfluidics
Authors: Lee Hoyoon , Park Chanhee , Na Wonhwi , Park Kyong Hwa , Shin Sehyun
Published: February 2020

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been implicated as an important biomarker in cancer management. Thus, efficient techniques for cfDNA extraction are necessary for precision medicine. We developed a centrifugation-free cfDNA extraction microfluidic chip capable of extracting cfDNA from plasma samples through microfluidic circuits within 15 min under vacuum pressure using an immiscible solvent. The microfluidic chip had excellent performance that was comparable to the most widely used commercial product (QIAamp kit) in terms of extraction efficiency, purity, and quality of DNA samples. The microfluidic chip was validated for the continuous monitoring ofHER-2type breast cancer and was able to successfully detect a point mutation in phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PIK3CA) during severe liver metastasis. The chip effectively eliminates the repetitive centrifugation processes and dramatically shortened the sample preparation time. The proposed platform could facilitate the development of a sample-to-answer system for use in liquid biopsy of cancers.
Removal of organic micropollutants in anaerobic membrane bioreactors in wastewater treatment: critical review
Authors: Lim Michael , Patureau Dominique , Heran Marc , Lesage Geoffroy , Kim Jeonghwan
Published: February 2020

The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising technology for achieving an energy-saving or even energy-positive wastewater treatment process as it produces high effluent quality and renewable energy in the form of methane.
Copper halide diselenium: predicted two-dimensional materials with ultrahigh anisotropic carrier mobilities
Authors: Shojaei Fazel , Azizi Maryam , Mahdavifar Zabiollah , Wang Busheng , Frapper Gilles
Published: February 2020

The physical and bonding properties of a new class of two-dimensional materials – CuXSe2 (X = Cl, Br) – are investigated using first-principles methods. 2D CuXSe2 are indirect band gap and possess extremely anisotropic and very high carrier mobilities.
Narrowing band gap and enhanced visible-light absorption of metal-doped non-toxic CsSnCl3 metal halides for potential optoelectronic applications
Authors: Islam Jakiul , Hossain A. K. M. Akther
Published: February 2020

Non-toxic (lead-free) inorganic perovskites have seized the leading position in the race for the commercialization of solar cells and other photovoltaic devices.
Femtosecond laser-induced surface structuring of the porous transport layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
Authors: Suermann Michel , Gimpel Thomas , Bühre Lena V. , Schade Wolfgang , Bensmann Boris , Hanke-Rauschenbach Richard
Published: February 2020

Experimentally determined reduction of both ohmic and mass transport overpotential due to femtosecond laser-induced surface structuring of titanium-based porous transport layers at the interface to the catalyst layer.
Lead-free perovskite [H3NC6H4NH3]CuBr4 with both a bandgap of 1.43 eV and excellent stability
Authors: Li Xiao-Lei , Li Zhen , Zhang Gao , Yang Guan-Jun
Published: February 2020

A novel lead-free layered perovskite material features both excellent stability and an ideal bandgap of 1.43 eV.
Strain effects on the Co oxidation state and the oxygen dissociation activity in barium lanthanum cobaltite thin films on Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2
Authors: Fluri A. , Kusaba H. , Druce J. , Döbeli M. , Lippert T. , Matsuda J. , Ishihara T.
Published: February 2020

Tensile strain increases surface activity of cobaltite cathode oxides like Ba(La)CoO3 for solid oxide fuel cells and electrolysers (SOFCs/SOECs).
Decoding the crystal engineering of graphite-like energetic materials: from theoretical prediction to experimental verification
Authors: Song Siwei , Wang Yi , Wang Kangcai , Chen Fang , Zhang Qinghua
Published: February 2020

A set of systematically method for discovering new graphite-like energetic materials is presented.
Quasi-solid-state fiber-shaped aqueous energy storage devices: recent advances and prospects
Authors: Pan Zhenghui , Yang Jie , Zhang Yifu , Gao Xiaorui , Wang John
Published: February 2020

The on-going surge in wearable electronics has inspired ever-increasing rise in requirement for quasi-solid-state fiber-shaped energy storage devices, which possess 1D unique architecture with a tiny volume, and remarkable flexibility.
Recent progress of anion-based 2D perovskites with different halide substitutions
Authors: Li Chia-Hsin , Liao Ming-Yun , Chen Chiung-Han , Chueh Chu-Chen
Published: February 2020

In this review, the latest developments in low dimensional perovskites and different approaches to constructing 2D perovskites are discussed, involving the traditional way of altering A-site cation and the latest way of varying X-site anion.
Cyclometalated iridium(iii) complexes for mitochondria-targeted combined chemo-photodynamic therapy
Authors: Qin Wei-Wei , Pan Zheng-Yin , Cai Dai-Hong , Li Yi , He Liang
Published: February 2020

The potency of two anticancer iridium-based molecular compounds was greatly enhanced under light irradiation.
Bimetallic PtAu electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Yin Shuai , Ding Yi
Published: February 2020

A discussion of recent advances in bimetallic PtAu electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Theoretical insights into selective separation of trivalent actinide and lanthanide by ester and amide ligands based on phenanthroline skeleton
Authors: Wang Cui , Wu Qun-Yan , Wang Cong-Zhi , Lan Jian-Hui , Nie Chang-Ming , Chai Zhi-Fang , Shi Wei-Qun
Published: February 2020

The nature of the Am(iii)/Eu(iii) separation for two types of ester and amide based ligands with a phenanthroline skeleton was systematically explored from a theoretical perspective.
Tunable hierarchical surfaces of CuO derived from metal–organic frameworks for non-enzymatic glucose sensing
Authors: Luo Yumei , Wang Qingyong , Li Jinghua , Xu Fen , Sun Lixian , Bu Yiting , Zou Yongjin , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard , Rosei Federico
Published: February 2020

A facile thermal treatment is conducted to prepare nanosphere stacking CuO derived from Cu-MOF, which achieves good glucose sensing performance and is expected to be effective for developing non-enzyme and non-invasive glucose sensors.
Ynamides enabled 6-, 7-, and 8-endo-dig iodocyclization of ethoxyethyl ethers: rapid construction of medium-sized oxacycles at room temperature
Authors: Okitsu Takashi , Namura Akihiro , Kondo Shinji , Tada Shoya , Yanagida Marina , Wada Akimori
Published: February 2020

Iodocyclization of ynamides enabled the construction of six, seven-, and eight-membered oxacycles in very short reaction times at room temperature.
Red persistent and photostimulable phosphor SrLiAl3N4:Eu2+
Authors: Zhang Shiyou , Song Zhen , Wang Shuxin , Wang Zhizhen , Wang Feixiong , Liu Quanlin
Published: February 2020

The red persistent luminescence and the photostimulable luminescence in the nitride SrLiAl3N4:Eu2+ are reported, and the mechanism are discussed on the basis of the HRBE diagram.
Naringin protects endothelial cells from apoptosis and inflammation by regulating the Hippo-YAP Pathway
Authors: Zhao Hui , Liu Meirong , Liu Hui , Suo Rong , Lu Chengzhi
Published: February 2020

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of several cardiovascular diseases. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced apoptosis, endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and inflammation are crucial for the progression of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Naringin, a major compound from tomatoes, grapefruits, and related citrus, reportedly exhibits potential protective effects during atherosclerosis development; however, its effect on ox-LDL-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) damage remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities of naringin against ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells, and the underlying mechanism. Naringin pretreatment significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited ox-LDL-induced cell injury and apoptosis. Additionally, naringin restored endothelial barrier integrity by preventing VE-cadherin disassembly and F-actin remodeling, and down-regulated pro-inflammatory factors like IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18, in the HUVECs. We also demonstrated that naringin treatment restored ox-LDL-induced YAP (yes-associated protein) down-regulation, given the YAP-shRNA attenuated cytoprotective effect of naringin on ox-LDL-induced endothelial cell injury and apoptosis. Collectively, our data indicate that naringin reversed ox-LDL-triggered HUVEC apoptosis, EndMT, and inflammation by inhibiting the YAP pathway. Therefore, naringin may have a therapeutic effect on endothelial injury-related disorders.
Myriocin and d-PDMP ameliorate atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− mice via reducing lipid uptake and vascular inflammation
Authors: Yu Zemou , Peng Qing , Li Songyue , Hao Hongjun , Deng Jianwen , Meng Lingbing , Shen Zhiyuan , Yu Weiwei , Nan Ding , Bai Yu , Huang Yining
Published: February 2020

Sphingolipids have been implicated in the etiology of atherosclerosis. The commonly used sphingolipid inhibitors, myriocin (a ceramide inhibitor) and d-PDMP (d-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol, a glycosphingolipid inhibitor), have shown therapeutic potential but their efficacy and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/−) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with a control, myriocin, d-PDMP, or atorvastatin for 12 weeks. We analyzed the effects of these drugs on the size and detailed composition of atherosclerotic plaques. Molecular biological approaches were used to explore how the inhibitors affect lipid metabolism and foam-cell formation. Treatment with myriocin or d-PDMP led to smaller and less vulnerable atherosclerotic lesions and was almost as effective as atorvastatin. Sphingolipid inhibitors down-regulated the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and its receptor chemoattractant cytokine receptor 2 (CCR2), which play a key role in monocyte recruitment. They also decreased pro-inflammatory Ly-6chigh monocytes and influenced the uptake of modified LDL by down-regulating the expression of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and lectin-like oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1). The inhibitors exhibited the advantage of maintaining normal glucose homeostasis compared with atorvastatin. These findings reveal for the first time that the modulation of sphingolipid synthesis can effectively alleviate atherosclerosis progression by preventing lipid uptake and reducing inflammatory responses in the arterial walls.
Constraining the recent star formation history of galaxies: an approximate Bayesian computation approach
Authors: Aufort G. , Ciesla L. , Pudlo P. , Buat V.
Published: February 2020

Although galaxies are found to follow a tight relation between their star formation rate and stellar mass, they are expected to exhibit complex star formation histories (SFH) with short-term fluctuations. The goal of this pilot study is to present a method that identifies galaxies that undergo strong variation in star formation activity in the last ten to some hundred million years. In other words, the proposed method determines whether a variation in the last few hundred million years of the SFH is needed to properly model the spectral energy distribution (SED) rather than a smooth normal SFH. To do so, we analyzed a sample of COSMOS galaxies with 0.5 <  z <  1 and log M* >  8.5 using high signal-to-noise ratio broadband photometry. We applied approximate Bayesian computation, a custom statistical method for performing model choice, which is associated with machine-learning algorithms to provide the probability that a flexible SFH is preferred based on the observed flux density ratios of galaxies. We present the method and test it on a sample of simulated SEDs. The input information fed to the algorithm is a set of broadband UV to NIR (rest-frame) flux ratios for each galaxy. The choice of using colors is made to remove any difficulty linked to normalization when classification algorithms are used. The method has an error rate of 21% in recovering the correct SFH and is sensitive to SFR variations larger than 1 dex. A more traditional SED-fitting method using CIGALE is tested to achieve the same goal, based on fit comparisons through the Bayesian information criterion, but the best error rate we obtained is higher, 28%. We applied our new method to the COSMOS galaxies sample. The stellar mass distribution of galaxies with a strong to decisive evidence against the smooth delayed-τ SFH peaks at lower M* than for galaxies where the smooth delayed-τ SFH is preferred. We discuss the fact that this result does not come from any bias due to our training. Finally, we argue that flexible SFHs are needed to be able to cover the largest possible SFR-M* parameter space.
The solar wind from a stellar perspective
Authors: Boro Saikia S. , Jin M. , Johnstone C. P. , Lüftinger T. , Güdel M. , Airapetian V. S. , Kislyakova K. G. , Folsom C. P.
Published: February 2020

Context.Due to the effects that they can have on the atmospheres of exoplanets, stellar winds have recently received significant attention in the literature. Alfvén-wave-driven 3D magnetohydrodynamic models, which are increasingly used to predict stellar wind properties, contain unconstrained parameters and rely on low-resolution stellar magnetograms.

Aims.In this paper, we explore the effects of the input Alfvén wave energy flux and the surface magnetogram on the wind properties predicted by the Alfvén Wave Solar Model (AWSoM) model for both the solar and stellar winds.

Methods.We lowered the resolution of two solar magnetograms during solar cycle maximum and minimum using spherical harmonic decomposition. The Alfvén wave energy was altered based on non-thermal velocities determined from a far ultraviolet spectrum of the solar twin 18 Sco. Additionally, low-resolution magnetograms of three solar analogues, 18 Sco, HD 76151, and HN Peg, were obtained using Zeeman Doppler imaging and used as a proxy for the solar magnetogram. Finally, the simulated wind properties were compared to Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) observations.

Results.AWSoM simulations using well constrained input parameters taken from solar observations can reproduce the observed solar wind mass loss and angular momentum loss rates. The simulated wind velocity, proton density, and ram pressure differ from ACE observations by a factor of approximately two. The resolution of the magnetogram has a small impact on the wind properties and only during cycle maximum. However, variation in Alfvén wave energy influences the wind properties irrespective of the solar cycle activity level. Furthermore, solar wind simulations carried out using the low-resolution magnetogram of the three stars instead of the solar magnetogram could lead to an order of a magnitude difference in the simulated solar wind properties.

Conclusions.The choice in Alfvén energy has a stronger influence on the wind output compared to the magnetogram resolution. The influence could be even stronger for stars whose input boundary conditions are not as well constrained as those of the Sun. Unsurprisingly, replacing the solar magnetogram with a stellar magnetogram could lead to completely inaccurate solar wind properties, and should be avoided in solar and stellar wind simulations. Further observational and theoretical work is needed to fully understand the complexity of solar and stellar winds.
Zukunft der Revisionschirurgie bei Implantatlockerung: Pro/Kontra: Die meisten Implantatlockerungen sind mit einer niedrig virulenten Infektion assoziiert – Ein Wandel im Management ist notwendig
Authors: Ringel Florian
Published: February 2020

Lockerungen spinaler Implantate sind ein typisches Problem, das insbesondere Pedikelschrauben betrifft. Meist werden Probleme der Knochenqualität oder technische Aspekte der Instrumentierung für Implantatlockerungen verantwortlich gemacht.

Allerdings finden sich zunehmende Berichte von Implantat-assoziierten ‚low grade‘ Infektionen als Ursache von Schraubenlockerungen. Diese ‚low grade‘ Infektionen sind oftmals mit der Bildung eines bakteriellen Biofilms assoziiert, sodass zum Infektionsnachweis eine Sonikation der explantierten Implantate erfolgen muss. Zur konsequenten Sanierung von Implantat-assoziierten ‚low grade‘ Infektionen ist eine Entfernung oder ein Wechsel der besiedelten Implantate gefolgt von einer mehrwöchigen Antibiotikatherapie notwendig. Ein einfacher Tausch gelockerter Pedikelschrauben ist nicht ausreichend. Um diesem Problem gerecht zu werden, muss sich zum einen die Behandlung explantierten Materials ändern – Sonikate müssen durchgeführt werden, zum zweiten müssen konsequente Implantatwechsel bzw. -entfernungen erfolgen, und es muss über eine suffiziente Dauer eine Antibiose mit einem Biofilm-gängigen Antibiotikum erfolgen.
Zukunft der operativen Therapie degenerativer Wirbelsäulenerkrankungen: Kontra – Wandel hin zu weniger Operationen aufgrund fehlender Evidenz
Authors: Thomé Claudius
Published: February 2020

Der starke Anstieg von Wirbelsäulenoperationen ist Gegenstand der gesundheitspolitischen Diskussion in Deutschland und bietet Anlass zu einer kritischen Analyse. Teilweise ist die rezente Steigerung um 82 % innerhalb von 10 Jahren durch die demographische Entwicklung, das verbesserte perioperative Patientenmanagement und die technische Weiterentwicklung in der spinalen Chirurgie bedingt. Einen größeren Anteil scheinen jedoch systemimmanente Faktoren aufzuweisen. So sind der Einfluss von finanziellen Anreizen, Patientenerwartungen und Chirurgendichte nicht von der Hand zu weisen. Die Operationshäufigkeiten und die vorliegenden Versorgungsdaten aus Deutschland legen nahe, dass die evidenzbasierten Richtlinien nicht verlässlich bzw. nicht flächendeckend eingehalten werden. Bei oftmals fehlender Evidenz für chirurgische Maßnahmen oder für bestimmte Operationstechniken wird eine strengere Indikationsstellung nicht zu umgehen sein, sodass ein Wandel zu weniger Operationen die Folge sein wird. Ob dies durch bereits angestoßene Maßnahmen beispielsweise der Deutschen Wirbelsäulengesellschaft wie Ausbildungsverbesserung, Wirbelsäulenregister oder Zweitmeinungsportale ausreichend erfolgen wird oder durch politische Intervention aufoktroyiert werden muss, wird sich zeigen.
CAR-T-Zellen: Update 2019
Authors: Dluczek Sarah , Tretbar Sandy , Fricke Stephan , Köhl Ulrike
Published: February 2020

Die chimäre Antigenrezeptortherapie (CAR-Therapie) entwickelte sich zu einem der vielversprechendsten immunonkologischen Therapieansätze für die Behandlung von Krebs. Aufgrund der klinischen Erfolge wurden bisher 2 CD19-spezifische CAR-T-Zell-Therapien in den USA und der EU zugelassen. Die bahnbrechenden Ergebnisse weckten sowohl in der Industrie als auch in der Forschung großes Interesse und sorgten für eine rasante Entwicklung in diesem Feld.
Aktuelle Therapien und Technologien in der Kinderdiabetologie
Authors: Bartelt Heike , Klamt Sabine , Thiele Alena Gerlinde , Sergeyev Elena , Kiess Wieland , Kapellen Thomas Michael
Published: February 2020

In diesem Artikel soll eine kurze Zusammenfassung gegeben werden über einige aktuelle Neuerungen in der Diabetestherapie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen. Angefangen von der Vorstellung neuer Insuline und deren Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der ICT mit Vor- und Nachteilen geht es auch um neue Insulinpumpenmodelle und deren Anwendungsmerkmale bis hin zu FGM, CGM und zur sensorunterstützten Pumpentherapie, deren letztendliche Anwendung in einem Hybrid-Closed-Loop endet. Die komplette Anwendung beim Patienten ist noch nicht für alle vorgestellten Neuerungen möglich, aber in Aussicht oder möglichweise das Ziel.
Next-generation self-powered and ultrafast photodetectors based on III-nitride hybrid structures
Authors: Pant Rohit , Singh Deependra Kumar , Chowdhury Arun Malla , Roul Basanta , Nanda K. K. , Krupanidhi S. B.
Published: February 2020

Energy consumption is one of the most important aspects of any electronic device which needs further improvements in order to achieve a better sustainable future. This is equally true for commercially available photodetectors, which consume a lot of energy by using huge external bias voltage. So far, thin films have been widely used for photodetection of various bands of electromagnetic radiation. The only property which holds them back is the slower performance and lower responsivity compared to nanostructure-based devices. However, the disadvantage associated with nanostructure-based photodetectors is that they lack scalability for mass production or commercialization, due to the complex and expensive device fabrication steps. One of the plausible solutions for this limitation could be the use of hybrid structures, which are the combination of high-quality crystal materials such as ZnO, (Al, Ga, In)N, and GaAs with 2D materials consisting of MoS2, graphene, WSe2, and SnS2. This would provide extensive control over bandgap engineering, which could be used for scalable modular device fabrication. These approaches promise the development of photodetectors with relatively higher responsivities as well as self-powered photodetection. The current perspective focuses on the advancements in III-nitride-based photodetectors and their promising potentials for self-powered, broadband, and ultrafast photodetectors using hybrid III-nitride/2D interfaces.
Molecular characterisation and expression analysis of NAC transcription factor genes in wild Medicago falcata under abiotic stresses
Authors: Zhang Liquan , Jia Xuhui , Zhao Jingwei , Hasi Agula , Niu Yiding
Published: February 2020

The No apical meristem–Arabidopsis transcription activation factor–Cup-shaped cotyledon (NAC) proteins play vital roles in plant development processes and responses to abiotic stress. In this study, 146 unigenes were identified as NAC genes from wild Medicago falcata L. by RNA sequencing. Among these were 30 full-length NACs, which, except for MfNAC63, MfNAC64 and MfNAC91, contained a complete DNA-binding domain and a variable transcriptional activation region. Sequence analyses of MfNACs along with their Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. counterparts allowed these proteins to be phylogenetically classified into nine groups. MfNAC35, MfNAC88, MfNAC79, MfNAC26 and MfNAC95 were found to be stress-responsive genes. The eight MfNAC genes that were chosen for further analysis had different expression abilities in the leaves, stems and roots of M. falcata. Additionally, their expression levels were regulated by salinity, drought and cold stress, and ABA. This study will be useful for understanding the roles of MfNACs in wild M. falcata and could provide important information for the selection of candidate genes associated with stress tolerance.
Metabolic screening in primary care for patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and taking antipsychotic medication
Authors: Keenan Rawiri , Chepulis Lynne , Ly Joanna , Carter Sally , Lao Chunhuan , Asim Muhammad , Bhat Abhijit , Deo Shivam , Lim Kee Ping , Mohammed Ruzaimah , Scarlet Sophie , Lawrenson Ross
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTIONLife expectancy in patients with schizophrenia is 15–20 years less than the general population. A dominant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients is cardiovascular disease. Adverse consequences of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors can be reduced by regular monitoring of metabolic outcomes and intervention if required.
AIMTo evaluate the metabolic screening in primary care for patients with schizoaffective disorders managed in primary care. To show the usefulness of combining simple practice audits in evaluating such areas of clinical practice.
METHODSAn audit was undertaken in eight general practices in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions of New Zealand. Specifically, the monitoring of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder whose antipsychotic medication was prescribed by primary care doctors was audited. Patient monitoring was compared to the guideline recommendation of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Best Practice Advisory Centre (BPAC).
RESULTSIn total, 117 patients were included in the audit and none were fully monitored, as recommended by the RANZCP guidelines. Although two-thirds of patients had been evaluated for glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, blood pressure, complete blood count and weight, <10% of patients had had prolactin, waist circumference or electrocardiogram measurements recorded. The proportion of patients having a HbA1c measured was also significantly higher in younger patients and patients who were non-Māori or enrolled with an urban practice (all P<0.05). When using the simplified BPAC guidelines, half of all patients were correctly monitored.
DISCUSSIONThese findings show there is room for improvement in the monitoring of patients receiving antipsychotic medication in primary care. This may indicate the need for clear guidance and general practitioner education around the monitoring requirements of these patients. Alternatively, a more simplified monitoring protocol may need to be developed. This audit has also shown that there is value in several practices completing the same audit and providing a larger cohort of patients for pooled data analysis.
An improved combined vegetation difference index and burn scar index approach for mapping cropland burned areas using combined data from Landsat 8 multispectral and thermal infrared bands
Authors: Liu Shufu , Wang Shudong , Chi Tianhe , Wen Congcong , Wu Taixia , Wang Dacheng
Published: February 2020

The accurate extraction of agricultural burned area is essential for fire-induced air quality models and assessments of agricultural grain loss and wildfire disasters. The present study provides an improved approach for mapping uncontrolled cropland burned areas, which involves pre-classification using a difference vegetation index model for various agricultural land scenarios. Land surface temperature was analysed in burned and unburned areas and integrated into a previous burn scar index (BSI) model, and multispectral and thermal infrared information were combined to create a new temperature BSI (TBSI) to remove background noise. The TBSI model was applied to a winter wheat agricultural region in the Haihe River Basin in northern China. The extracted burned areas were validated using Gaofen-1 satellite data and compared with those produced by the previous BSI model. The producer and user accuracy of the new TBSI model were measured at 92.42 and 95.31% respectively, with an overall kappa value of 0.92, whereas those of the previous BSI model were 83.33, 87.30% and 0.86. The results indicate that the new method is more appropriate for mapping uncontrolled winter wheat burned area. Potential applications of this research include trace gas emission models, agricultural fire management and agricultural wildfire disaster assessment.
Welche juristischen Inhalte für die Dolmetscherausbildung?
Authors: Reichmann Tinka
Published: February 2020

In this paper, I discuss choices concerning the legal content for interpreting students based on the syllabus of a
lecture on Legal Interpreting in the Master of Arts in Conference Interpreting at the University of Leipzig. The topics were
chosen on the basis of the professional experience of sworn interpreters in Germany. The aim is to prepare students for working in
the different legal contexts (court, police, notary public, prison, psychiatric hospital, public administration etc.) in Germany
by offering basic legal knowledge in those fields. Based on this syllabus, students are enabled to discuss the role of
interpreters as seen by themselves and by professional associations in comparison to professionals in the legal field, and also
ethical questions. It entitles them to act professionally and ethically in all these contexts.