bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In the shadow of empire: Josef Schmidlin and Protestant–Catholic ecumenism before the Second World War
Authors: Wu Albert
Published: June 2018

This article examines the life and ideas of Josef Schmidlin, the founder of Catholic ‘missionary science’ and the most influential German Catholic missionary theorist of the first half of the twentieth century. An admirer of the German Protestant missionary theologian Gustav Warneck, Schmidlin often appears in the historiography as a forerunner of the Protestant–Catholic ecumenical collaboration that emerged after the Second World War. Yet a close examination of his writing reveals a vigorous critic of Protestantism and the Protestant ecumenical movement. A sceptic of transnational missionary organizations, he remained a firm supporter of the German nation and imperial project. This article gestures towards both the continuities and the discontinuities between the early attempts at fostering confessional cooperation between Protestants and Catholics and the later iterations. It also examines how nineteenth-century entanglements between missions and empire shaped the ideas of Catholic missionary theory during the interwar years.
‘A Christian solution to international tension’: Nikolai Berdyaev, the American YMCA, and Russian Orthodox influence on Western Christian anti-communism, c.1905–60
Authors: Stroop Christopher
Published: June 2018

Building on recent research into the religious aspects of the Cold War and the humanitarian efforts of the American Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in early twentieth-century Europe, this article locates the historical origins of religious anti-communism in late imperial Russian reactions to the revolution of 1905–07. It explores the interactions of Russian Orthodox Christian intellectuals, especially Nikolai Aleksandrovich Berdyaev, with prominent YMCA leaders such as Donald A. Lowrie and Paul B. Anderson, both of whom were mainline Protestants. Using Russian and US archives, the article documents the networks and mechanisms through which Berdyaev influenced his YMCA contacts. It shows that he shaped their efforts to fight communism in the interwar period and early Cold War through the promotion of religious values, or what Anderson referred to as ‘a Christian solution to international tension’. This concept was derived from early twentieth-century Russian ideas about the opposition between Christianity and ‘nihilism’ or ‘humanism’ as integral worldviews.
Law's Presence, Law's Absence: Reporting Stories of Employment Discrimination in the Academy
Authors: Sterett Susan
Published: June 2018

Discussing employment problems in universities enacts an information asymmetry that has recently highlighted sexual harassment as a legal wrong while dampening other potential descriptions of reasons for disparities. Defining sexual harassment as unwanted sexual attention both understates and overstates problems at work, not least because it is not an issue for all women. This focus contrasts with books that popularized other kinds of barriers at work for women just a few years earlier. The stories about sexual harassment contrast with systematic evidence concerning reasons for disadvantage at work, which is less easy to tell as a story with characters, events, and a time line. In this instance, law, along with university leaders’ willingness to publicly act on claims, has proven productive of complaints that women have been reluctant to make since the Office of Civil Rights issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” in 2011 addressing sexual assault in higher education. This article draws on the Chronicle of Higher Education’s reports of discrimination. It concludes by arguing for proliferating stories, motivated by lessons from systematic research, even if law is not a remedy.
Design of reconfigurable monopole antenna with switchable dual band-notches for UWB applications
Authors: Yang Hailong , Xi Xiaoli , Hou Hualong , Zhao Yuchen , Yuan Yanning
Published: June 2018

A compact printed reconfigurable monopole antenna with switchable band-notches is designed and manufactured. The proposed antenna mainly consists of a disc-like radiator with two pairs of T-shaped strips protruded inside a rectangular aperture. Five PIN diode switches are employed to bridge or open the slots, which allow the antenna to be configured into three different structures functioning as an ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna, or an antenna with notched frequencies at WLAN or WiMAX band. Design and optimization of the antenna are done using CST Microwave Studio. After fabrication on an FR4 substrate with dimensions of 35 mm (width) × 41 mm (length) × 1.5 mm (thickness), numerical and experimental results of the proposed reconfigurable antenna are presented and discussed. The experimental results confirm the design as a good candidate for UWB applications.
Tracking Groundwater Levels Using the Ambient Seismic Field
Authors: Clements Timothy , Denolle Marine A.
Published: June 2018

Aquifers are vital groundwater reservoirs for residential, agricultural, and industrial activities worldwide. Tracking their state with high temporal and spatial resolution is critical for water resource management at the regional scale yet is rarely achieved from a single type of groundwater data. Here we show that variations in groundwater levels can be mapped using perturbations in seismic velocity (dv/v). We measure dv/v in the San Gabriel Valley, California, from cross correlation of the ambient seismic field. dv/v reproduces the groundwater level changes that are marked by the multiyear depletions and rapid recharges, typical of California's cycles of droughts and floods. dv/v correlates spatially with vertical surface displacements and deformation measured with the Global Positioning System (GPS). Our results successfully predict the volume of water lost in the San Gabriel Valley during the 2012–2016 drought and thus provide a new, complementary approach to monitor groundwater storage.
Energetic Neutral and Charged Particle Measurements in the Inner Saturnian Magnetosphere During the Grand Finale Orbits of Cassini 2016/2017
Authors: Krupp N. , Roussos E. , Kollmann P. , Mitchell D. G. , Paranicas C. P. , Krimigis S. M. , Hamilton D. C. , Hedman M. , Dougherty M. K.
Published: June 2018

We give an overview of the charged and neutral particle measurements during the Grand Finale of Cassini performed by the Magnetosphere Imaging Instrument, MIMI, on board. The first in situ measurements of MeV particles between the D‐ring and the atmosphere of the planet showed protons with energies above 300 MeV with higher count rates when magnetically connected to the D‐ring which was less dense than expected, while more material was present at the inner edge. The variability in the count rates was a combination of sensor look direction, pitch angle coverage, changes in the L‐range, and latitude. Enhanced emissions of energetic neutral atoms during ring current activity was detected and confirmed the existence of a low‐energy ion radiation belt discovered by Cassini in 2004. No detection of low‐energy ions was indicative of a source population from a region closer than 1,800 km above the 1 bar cloud level.
Readers’ Mindreading Challenges, and how They Can Inform Cognitive Science
Authors: van Duijn Max
Published: June 2018

What does dealing with fictional stories involve at a cognitive level? A capacity that has received ample attention in this context, both from psychologists and literary scholars, is “theory of mind” or “mindreading.” A dominant tradition in cognitive literary scholarship, mostly associated with Lisa Zunshine's work, puts particular emphasis on the importance of “recursive mindreading” or “multiple-order intentionality” (A thinks that B believes that C wants …). The current paper first discusses the key claims of this tradition, using passages from Virginia Woolf's novel Mrs Dalloway as illustrations. Next, textual analyses are offered of three excerpts from more recent literary texts; two by Haruki Murakami, one by Dave Eggers. Discussing these examples reveals various merits of applying recursively embedded mindstates in a framework for literary analysis, but also shows how it is problematic. While some interesting insights into structural properties of a text can be gained, it is argued that recursive mindreading falls short as a model for the cognitive tasks readers of a text have to complete. An alternative framework, based on narrative spaces/blending theory, is suggested and discussed. Overall, the article shows how literary analysis cannot only benefit from the application of ideas from the cognitive sciences, but also the other way around: narrative excerpts can provide detailed “test cases” for psychological models and theories, thereby casting light on their strengths and weaknesses in ways research within traditional paradigms cannot do.
Thermal camouflage based on the phase-changing material GST
Authors: Qu Yurui , Li Qiang , Cai Lu , Pan Meiyan , Ghosh Pintu , Du Kaikai , Qiu Min
Published: June 2018

Camouflage technology has attracted growing interest for many thermal applications. Previous experimental demonstrations of thermal camouflage technology have not adequately explored the ability to continuously camouflage objects either at varying background temperatures or for wide observation angles. In this study, a thermal camouflage device incorporating the phase-changing material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) is experimentally demonstrated. It has been shown that near-perfect thermal camouflage can be continuously achieved for background temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 50 °C by tuning the emissivity of the device, which is attained by controlling the GST phase change. The thermal camouflage is robust when the observation angle is changed from 0° to 60°. This demonstration paves the way toward dynamic thermal emission control both within the scientific field and for practical applications in thermal information.
Uncovering hidden brain state dynamics that regulate performance and decision-making during cognition
Authors: Taghia Jalil , Cai Weidong , Ryali Srikanth , Kochalka John , Nicholas Jonathan , Chen Tianwen , Menon Vinod
Published: June 2018

Human cognition is influenced not only by external task demands but also latent mental processes and brain states that change over time. Here, we use novel Bayesian switching dynamical systems algorithm to identify hidden brain states and determine that these states are only weakly aligned with external task conditions. We compute state transition probabilities and demonstrate how dynamic transitions between hidden states allow flexible reconfiguration of functional brain circuits. Crucially, we identify latent transient brain states and dynamic functional circuits that are optimal for cognition and show that failure to engage these states in a timely manner is associated with poorer task performance and weaker decision-making dynamics. We replicate findings in a large sample (N = 122) and reveal a robust link between cognition and flexible latent brain state dynamics. Our study demonstrates the power of switching dynamical systems models for investigating hidden dynamic brain states and functional interactions underlying human cognition.
Extremely strong polarization of an active asteroid (3200) Phaethon
Authors: Ito Takashi , Ishiguro Masateru , Arai Tomoko , Imai Masataka , Sekiguchi Tomohiko , Bach Yoonsoo P. , Kwon Yuna G. , Kobayashi Masanori , Ishimaru Ryo , Naito Hiroyuki , Watanabe Makoto , Kuramoto Kiyoshi
Published: June 2018

The near-Earth asteroid (3200) Phaethon is the parent body of the Geminid meteor stream. Phaethon is also an active asteroid with a very blue spectrum. We conducted polarimetric observations of this asteroid over a wide range of solar phase angles α during its close approach to the Earth in autumn 2016. Our observation revealed that Phaethon exhibits extremely large linear polarization: P = 50.0 ± 1.1% at α = 106.5°, and its maximum is even larger. The strong polarization implies that Phaethon’s geometric albedo is lower than the current estimate obtained through radiometric observation. This possibility stems from the potential uncertainty in Phaethon’s absolute magnitude. An alternative possibility is that relatively large grains (~300 μm in diameter, presumably due to extensive heating near its perihelion) dominate this asteroid’s surface. In addition, the asteroid’s surface porosity, if it is substantially large, can also be an effective cause of this polarization.
mTORC1 accelerates retinal development via the immunoproteasome
Authors: Choi Ji-Heon , Jo Hong Seok , Lim Soyeon , Kim Hyoung-Tai , Lee Kang Woo , Moon Kyeong Hwan , Ha Taejeong , Kwak Sang Soo , Kim Yeha , Lee Eun Jung , Joe Cheol O. , Kim Jin Woo
Published: June 2018

The numbers and types of cells constituting vertebrate neural tissues are determined by cellular mechanisms that couple neurogenesis to the proliferation of neural progenitor cells. Here we identified a role of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the development of neural tissue, showing that it accelerates progenitor cell cycle progression and neurogenesis in mTORC1-hyperactive tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1)-deficient mouse retina. We also show that concomitant loss of immunoproteasome subunit Psmb9, which is induced by Stat1 (signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 1), decelerates cell cycle progression ofTsc1-deficient mouse retinal progenitor cells and normalizes retinal developmental schedule. Collectively, our results establish a developmental role for mTORC1, showing that it promotes neural development through activation of protein turnover via a mechanism involving the immunoproteasome.
The role of PANSS symptoms and adverse events in explaining the effects of paliperidone on social functioning: a causal mediation analysis approach
Authors: Zou Xue , Zhu Yiwen , Jackson John W. , Bellavia Andrea , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Centorrino Franca , Valeri Linda
Published: June 2018

To date, no study has evaluated the joint role of symptoms and adverse events as mediators of the effect of second-generation antipsychotics on patients’ social functioning. We used recently developed methods for mediation analysis with multiple mediators to clarify the interplay of adverse events and symptoms in explaining the effects of paliperidone (R code for implementing the mediation analysis for multiple mediators is provided). We used data from 490 participants in a 6-week randomized dose–response trial that assigned three fixed dosages of ER OROS paliperidone (3, 9, and 15 mg/day). The primary outcome was an individual’s score on the social performance scale assessed after 6 weeks. The sum of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), weight gain, and extrapyramidal symptoms measured via the Simpson–Angus Scale after 5 weeks were investigated as potential mediators and effect modifiers of treatment effects. Results from mediation analyses showed that the improvements in social functioning are partly explained by reduction in PANSS symptoms. Suggestive evidence that adverse events could play a role as mediators was found. In particular, weight gain displayed a non-linear relationship with social functioning, whereby beneficial effects observed at small levels of weight gain were reduced in the presence of excessive weight gain. In conclusion, we found that the short-term effects of paliperidone on social functioning were dependent on the successful reduction in PANSS symptoms and possibly the occurrence of excessive weight gain, thus suggesting future directions for treatment and interventions.
Cross-Cultural Evidence for Apparent Racial Outgroup Advantage: Congruence between Perceived Facial Aggressiveness and Fighting Success
Authors: Třebický Vít , Saribay S. Adil , Kleisner Karel , Akoko Robert Mbe , Kočnar Tomáš , Valentova Jaroslava Varella , Varella Marco Antonio Correa , Havlíček Jan
Published: June 2018

Research into face processing consistently shows an outgroup disadvantage in areas such as recognition memory and emotional identification. Potential ingroup advantage with respect to inferences regarding personality and behavioural outcomes, on the other hand, has not yet been studied. In the present study, we used the faces of male professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters of apparent African, European, or mixed-race origin as targets and males from four distant populations that vary in ethnic composition as perceivers. We compared the perceivers’ inferences about targets’ aggressiveness with the fighters’ actual performance in professional MMA championships. Surprisingly, across three distant populations used in the study (Cameroon, Czech Republic, and Turkey), perceivers’ inferences based on face rating were more congruent with real-world performance for targets belonging to an apparent racial outgroup (as opposed to ingroup). In an ethnically mixed population (Brazil), perceivers showed the lowest congruence for apparently mixed-race targets. It thus seems that the outgroup disadvantage observed in other face processing domains does not carry over to inferences about aggressive behavioural outcomes. In fact, it seems that this relationship is, if anything, reversed.
Characterizing human subchondral bone properties using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy
Authors: Afara Isaac O. , Florea Cristina , Olumegbon Ismail A. , Eneh Chibuzor T. , Malo Markus K. H. , Korhonen Rami K. , Töyräs Juha
Published: June 2018

Degenerative joint conditions are often characterized by changes in articular cartilage and subchondral bone properties. These changes are often associated with subchondral plate thickness and trabecular bone morphology. Thus, evaluating subchondral bone integrity could provide essential insights for diagnosis of joint pathologies. This study investigates the potential of optical spectroscopy for characterizing human subchondral bone properties. Osteochondral samples (n = 50) were extracted from human cadaver knees (n = 13) at four anatomical locations and subjected to NIR spectroscopy. The samples were then imaged using micro-computed tomography to determine subchondral bone morphometric properties, including: plate thickness (Sb.Th), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), volume fraction (BV/TV), and structure model index (SMI). The relationship between the subchondral bone properties and spectral data in the 1st (650–950 nm), 2nd (1100–1350 nm) and 3rd (1600–1870 nm) optical windows were investigated using partial least squares (PLS) regression multivariate technique. Significant correlations (p < 0.0001) and relatively low prediction errors were obtained between spectral data in the 1st optical window and Sb.Th (R2 = 92.3%, error = 7.1%), Tb.Th (R2 = 88.4%, error = 6.7%), BV/TV (R2 = 83%, error = 9.8%) and SMI (R2 = 79.7%, error = 10.8%). Thus, NIR spectroscopy in the 1st tissue optical window is capable of characterizing and estimating subchondral bone properties, and can potentially be adapted during arthroscopy.
Author Correction: Omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid induces pyroptosis cell death in triple-negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Pizato Nathalia , Luzete Beatriz Christina , Kiffer Larissa Fernanda Melo Vasconcelos , Corrêa Luís Henrique , Santos Igor de Oliveira , Assumpção José Antônio Fagundes , Ito Marina Kiyomi , Magalhães Kelly Grace
Published: June 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Structural basis of the correct subunit assembly, aggregation, and intracellular degradation of nylon hydrolase
Authors: Negoro Seiji , Shibata Naoki , Lee Young-Ho , Takehara Ikki , Kinugasa Ryo , Nagai Keisuke , Tanaka Yusuke , Kato Dai-ichiro , Takeo Masahiro , Goto Yuji , Higuchi Yoshiki
Published: June 2018

Nylon hydrolase (NylC) is initially expressed as an inactive precursor (36 kDa). The precursor is cleaved autocatalytically at Asn266/Thr267 to generate an active enzyme composed of an α subunit (27 kDa) and a β subunit (9 kDa). Four αβ heterodimers (molecules A-D) form a doughnut-shaped quaternary structure. In this study, the thermostability of the parental NylC was altered by amino acid substitutions located at the A/D interface (D122G/H130Y/D36A/L137A) or the A/B interface (E263Q) and spanned a range of 47 °C. Considering structural, biophysical, and biochemical analyses, we discuss the structural basis of the stability of nylon hydrolase. From the analytical centrifugation data obtained regarding the various mutant enzymes, we conclude that the assembly of the monomeric units is dynamically altered by the mutations. Finally, we propose a model that can predict whether the fate of the nascent polypeptide will be correct subunit assembly, inappropriate protein-protein interactions causing aggregation, or intracellular degradation of the polypeptide.
Keratinocyte differentiation induces APOBEC3A, 3B, and mitochondrial DNA hypermutation
Authors: Wakae Kousho , Nishiyama Tomoaki , Kondo Satoru , Izuka Takashi , Que Lusheng , Chen Cong , Kase Kina , Kitamura Kouichi , Mohiuddin Md , Wang Zhe , Ahasan Md Monjurul , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Yoshizaki Tomokazu , Hosomochi Kazuyoshi , Tajima Atsushi , Nakahara Tomomi , Kiyono Tohru , Muramatsu Masamichi
Published: June 2018

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are found in many types of cancers and suspected to be involved in carcinogenesis, although the mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we report that consecutive C-to-T mutations (hypermutations), a unique feature of mutations induced by APOBECs, are found in mtDNA from cervical dysplasia and oropharyngeal cancers. In vitro, we found that APOBEC3A (A3A) and 3B (A3B) expression, as well as mtDNA hypermutation, were induced in a cervical dysplastic cell line W12 when cultured in a differentiating condition. The ectopic expression of A3A or A3B was sufficient to hypermutate mtDNA. Fractionation of W12 cell lysates and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that A3A and A3B could be contained in mitochondrion. These results suggest that mtDNA hypermutation is induced upon keratinocyte differentiation, and shed light on its molecular mechanism, which involves A3s. The possible involvement of mtDNA hypermutations in carcinogenesis is also discussed.
Positron Annihilation Studies on Chemically Synthesized FeCo Alloy
Authors: Rajesh P. , Sellaiyan S. , Uedono A. , Arun T. , Joseyphus R. Justin
Published: June 2018

Equiatomic flower-like FeCo magnetic nanoparticles are synthesized through a modified one-pot polyol technique. The as-prepared samples are annealed at 700 and 800 °C under reducing atmosphere. The saturation magnetization and coercivity of the flower-like FeCo are found to be 198 (1) emu/g and 243 (10) Oe respectively. The magnetic properties of FeCo approach the bulk behavior with annealing. Positron lifetime studies on the chemically synthesized equiatomic FeCo magnetic nanoparticles with flower-like morphology are reported and compared with Fe, Co and FeCo annealed at various temperatures. The FeCo is characterized by different lifetime components corresponding to positron annihilation events in vacancies and various open volume defects due to their unique morphology. The studies suggest defects arising out of cluster vacancies and interpetal gap that reduce on annealing. The average pore size obtained from positron annihilation studies closely matches with the interpetal distance obtained from the electron microscopic analysis for the flower-like FeCo.
Origin and classification of spontaneous discharges in mouse superficial dorsal horn neurons
Authors: Lucas-Romero Javier , Rivera-Arconada Ivan , Roza Carolina , Lopez-Garcia Jose A.
Published: June 2018

Superficial laminae of the spinal cord possess a considerable number of neurons with spontaneous activity as reported in vivo and in vitro preparations of several species. Such neurons may play a role in the development of the nociceptive system and/or in the spinal coding of somatosensory signals. We have used electrophysiological techniques in a horizontal spinal cord slice preparation from adult mice to investigate how this activity is generated and what are the main patterns of activity that can be found. The results show the existence of neurons that fire regularly and irregularly. Within each of these main types, it was possible to distinguish patterns of spontaneous activity formed by single action potentials and different types of bursts according to intra-burst firing frequency. Activity in neurons with irregular patterns was blocked by a mixture of antagonists of the main neurotransmitter receptors present in the cord. Approximately 82% of neurons with a regular firing pattern were insensitive to synaptic antagonists but their activity was inhibited by specific ion channel blockers. It is suggested that these neurons generate endogenous activity due to the functional expression of hyperpolarisation-activated and persistent sodium currents driving the activity of irregular neurons.
Strong activation effect on a Ru-Co-C thin film catalyst for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride
Authors: Arzac G. M. , Paladini M. , Godinho V. , Beltrán A. M. , Jiménez de Haro M. C. , Fernández A.
Published: June 2018

In this work, we prepared a series of Ni foam supported Ru-Co, Ru-Co-B and Ru-Co-C catalysts in the form of columnar thin films by magnetron sputtering for the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. We studied the activity and durability upon cycling. We found a strong activation effect for the Ru-Co-C sample which was the highest ever reported. This catalyst reached in the second cycle an activity 5 times higher than the initial (maximum activity 9310 ml.min−1.gCoRu−1 at 25 °C). Catalytic studies and characterization of the fresh and used samples permitted to attribute the strong activation effect to the following factors: (i) small column width and amorphous character (ii) the presence of Ru and (iii) dry state before each cycle. The presence of boron in the initial composition is detrimental to the durability. Our studies point out to the idea that after the first cycle the activity is controlled by surface Ru, which is the most active of the two metals. Apart from the activation effect, we found that catalysts deactivated in further cycles. We ascribed this effect to the loss of cobalt in the form of hydroxides, showing that deactivation was controlled by the chemistry of Co, the major surface metal component of the alloy. Alloying with Ru is beneficial for the activity but not for the durability, and this should be improved.
Butyrate produced by gut commensal bacteria activates TGF-beta1 expression through the transcription factor SP1 in human intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Martin-Gallausiaux Camille , Béguet-Crespel Fabienne , Marinelli Ludovica , Jamet Alexandre , Ledue Florence , Blottière Hervé M. , Lapaque Nicolas
Published: June 2018

The intestinal microbiota contributes to the global wellbeing of their host by their fundamental role in the induction and maintenance of a healthy immune system. Commensal bacteria shape the mucosal immune system by influencing the proportion and the activation state of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Treg) by metabolites that are still only partially unravelled. Microbiota members such as Clostridiales provide a transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-rich environment that promotes the accumulation of Treg cells in the gut. The intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) take a central part in this process, as they are a major source of TGFβ1 upon bacterial colonisation. In this study, we investigated which gut commensal bacteria were able to regulate the TGFB1 human promoter in IECs using supernatants from cultured bacteria. We reported that Firmicutes and Fusobacteria supernatants were the most potent TGFB1 modulators in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that butyrate was the main metabolite in bacterial supernatants accounting for TGFβ1 increase. This butyrate-driven effect was independent of the G-protein coupled receptors GPR41, GPR43 and GPR109a, the transporter MCT1 as well as the transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1 present on TGFB1 promoter. Interestingly, HDAC inhibitors were inducing a similar TGFB1 increase suggesting that butyrate acted through its HDAC inhibitor properties. Finally, our results showed that SP1 was the main transcription factor mediating the HDAC inhibitor effect of butyrate on TGFB1 expression. This is, to our knowledge, the first characterisation of the mechanisms underlying TGFB1 regulation in IEC by commensal bacteria derived butyrate.
Septicemia due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus)
Authors: Mioni Mateus de Souza Ribeiro , Castro Fernando Favian Castro , Moreno Luisa Zanolli , Apolinário Camila Michelle , Belaz Lais Dario , Peres Marina Gea , Ribeiro Bruna Letícia Davidé , Castro Maria José da Silva , Ferreira Adriano Martison , Cortez Adriana , Moreno Andrea Micke , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Megid Jane
Published: June 2018

Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus dysgalactiae is a well-known pathogen for a wide range of animals and humans. Two subspecies are recognized: (i) equisimilis, associated to disease in horses and humans, and (ii) dysgalactiae mainly isolated from animal illness with only a few humans’ cases. This study describes the isolation and characterization of Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD) from vampire bats, maintained in captivity for research proposes. Animals presented neurologic, respiratory and gastroenteric symptoms and sudden death. Beta-hemolytic Gram-positive cocci were isolated in blood agar plates and further characterized as Lancefield group C. All isolates were identified as S. dysgalactiae by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and subspecies dysgalactiae was confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Genotyping through SE-ALFP resulted in three profiles (A1–A3) with one bat being infected by profiles A1 and A3. This is the first report of SDSD causing illness in bats and especially in Desmodus rotundus species.
Transcriptomics analysis reveals new insights in E171-induced molecular alterations in a mouse model of colon cancer
Authors: Proquin Héloïse , Jetten Marlon J. , Jonkhout Marloes C. M. , Garduño-Balderas Luis Guillermo , Briedé Jacob J. , de Kok Theo M. , van Loveren Henk , Chirino Yolanda I.
Published: June 2018

Titanium dioxide as a food additive (E171) has been demonstrated to facilitate growth of chemically induced colorectal tumours in vivo and induce transcriptomic changes suggestive of an immune system impairment and cancer development. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms behind the tumour stimulatory effects of E171 in combination with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) and compare these results to a recent study performed under the same conditions with E171 only. BALB/c mice underwent exposure to 5 mg/kgbw/day of E171 by gavage for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days. Whole genome mRNA microarray analyses on the distal colon were performed. The results show that E171 induced a downregulation of genes involved in the innate and adaptive immune system, suggesting impairment of this system. In addition, over time, signalling genes involved in colorectal cancer and other types of cancers were modulated. In relation to cancer development, effects potentially associated with oxidative stress were observed through modulation of genes related to antioxidant production. E171 affected genes involved in biotransformation of xenobiotics which can form reactive intermediates resulting in toxicological effects. These transcriptomics data reflect the early biological responses induced by E171 which precede tumour formation in an AOM/DSS mouse model.
Endospore forming bacteria may be associated with maintenance of surgically-induced remission in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Laffin Michael R. , Perry Troy , Park Heekuk , Gillevet Patrick , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Kaplan Gilaad G. , Fedorak Richard N. , Kroeker Karen , Dieleman Levinus A. , Dicken Bryan , Madsen Karen L.
Published: June 2018

Crohn’s disease (CD) patients who undergo ileocolonic resection (ICR) typically have disease recurrence at the anastomosis which has been linked with a gut dysbiosis. The aims of this study were to define the mucosa-associated microbiota at the time of ICR and to determine if microbial community structure at the time of surgery was predictive of future disease relapse. Ileal biopsies were obtained at surgery and after 6 months from CD subjects undergoing ICR. Composition and function of mucosal-associated microbiota was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt analysis. Endoscopic recurrence was assessed using the Rutgeerts score. Analysis of mucosal biopsies taken at the time of surgery showed that decreased Clostridiales together with increased Enterobacteriales predicted disease recurrence. An increase in the endospore-forming Lachnospiraceae from surgery to 6 months post-ICR was associated with remission. A ratio of 3:1 between anaerobic endospore-forming bacterial families and aerobic families within the Firmicutes phylum was predictive of maintenance of remission. Gut recolonization following ICR is facilitated by microbes which are capable of either aerobic respiration or endospore formation. The relative proportions of these species at the time of surgery may be predictive of subsequent microbial community restoration and disease recurrence.
Predicting the Enthalpy and Gibbs Energy of Sublimation by QSPR Modeling
Authors: Meftahi Nastaran , Walker Michael L. , Enciso Marta , Smith Brian J.
Published: June 2018

The enthalpy and Gibbs energy of sublimation are predicted using quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) models. In this study, we compare several approaches previously reported in the literature for predicting the enthalpy of sublimation. These models, which were reproduced successfully, exhibit high correlation coefficients, in the range 0.82 to 0.97. There are significantly fewer examples of QSPR models currently described in the literature that predict the Gibbs energy of sublimation; here we describe several models that build upon the previous models for predicting the enthalpy of sublimation. The most robust and predictive model constructed using multiple linear regression, with the fewest number of descriptors for estimating this property, was obtained with an R2 of the training set of 0.71, an R2 of the test set of 0.62, and a standard deviation of 9.1 kJ mol−1. This model could be improved by training using a neural network, yielding an R2 of the training and test sets of 0.80 and 0.63, respectively, and a standard deviation of 8.9 kJ mol−1.
Gp41 dynamically interacts with the TCR in the immune synapse and promotes early T cell activation
Authors: Yakovian Oren , Schwarzer Roland , Sajman Julia , Neve-Oz Yair , Razvag Yair , Herrmann Andreas , Sherman Eilon
Published: June 2018

The HIV-1 glycoprotein gp41 critically mediates CD4+ T-cell infection by HIV-1 during viral entry, assembly, and release. Although multiple immune-regulatory activities of gp41 have been reported, the underlying mechanisms of these activities remain poorly understood. Here we employed multi-colour single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) to resolve interactions of gp41 proteins with cellular proteins at the plasma membrane (PM) of fixed and live CD4+ T-cells with resolution of ~20–30 nm. We observed that gp41 clusters dynamically associated with the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) at the immune synapse upon TCR stimulation. This interaction, confirmed by FRET, depended on the virus clone, was reduced by the gp41 ectodomain in tight contacts, and was completely abrogated by mutation of the gp41 transmembrane domain. Strikingly, gp41 preferentially colocalized with phosphorylated TCRs at the PM of activated T-cells and promoted TCR phosphorylation. Gp41 expression also resulted in enhanced CD69 upregulation, and in massive cell death after 24–48 hrs. Our results shed new light on HIV-1 assembly mechanisms at the PM of host T-cells and its impact on TCR stimulation.
Enhancing Surface Sensing Sensitivity of Metallic Nanostructures using Blue-Shifted Surface Plasmon Mode and Fano Resonance
Authors: Lee Kuang-Li , Chang Chia-Chun , You Meng-Lin , Pan Ming-Yang , Wei Pei-Kuen
Published: June 2018

Improving surface sensitivities of nanostructure-based plasmonic sensors is an important issue to be addressed. Among the SPR measurements, the wavelength interrogation is commonly utilized. We proposed using blue-shifted surface plasmon mode and Fano resonance, caused by the coupling of a cavity mode (angle-independent) and the surface plasmon mode (angle-dependent) in a long-periodicity silver nanoslit array, to increase surface (wavelength) sensitivities of metallic nanostructures. It results in an improvement by at least a factor of 4 in the spectral shift as compared to sensors operated under normal incidence. The improved surface sensitivity was attributed to a high refractive index sensitivity and the decrease of plasmonic evanescent field caused by two effects, the Fano coupling and the blue-shifted resonance. These concepts can enhance the sensing capability and be applicable to various metallic nanostructures with periodicities.
BALB/c mice infected with DENV-2 strain 66985 by the intravenous route display injury in the central nervous system
Authors: Salomão Natália G. , Rabelo Kíssila , Póvoa Tiago F. , Alves Ada M. B. , da Costa Simone M. , Gonçalves Antônio J. S. , Amorim Juliana F. , Azevedo Adriana S. , Nunes Priscilla C. G. , Basílio-de-Oliveira Carlos A. , Basílio-de-Oliveira Rodrigo P. , Geraldo Luiz H. M. , Fonseca Celina G. , Lima Flávia R. S. , Mohana-Borges Ronaldo , Silva Emiliana M. , dos Santos Flávia B. , Oliveira Edson R. A. , Paes Marciano V.
Published: June 2018

Dengue is a mild flu-like arboviral illness caused by dengue virus (DENV) that occurs in tropical and subtropical countries. An increasing number of reports have been indicating that dengue is also associated to neurological manifestations, however, little is known regarding the neuropathogenesis of the disease. Here, using BALB/c mice intravenously infected with DENV-2 strain 66985, we demonstrated that the virus is capable of invading and damaging the host’s central nervous system (CNS). Brain and cerebellum of infected animals revealed histological alterations such as the presence of inflammatory infiltrates, thickening of pia matter and disorganization of white matter. Additionally, it was also seen that infection lead to altered morphology of neuroglial cells and apoptotic cell death. Such observations highlighted possible alterations that DENV may promote in the host’s CNS during a natural infection, hence, helping us to better understand the neuropathological component of the disease.
Ceratosaur palaeobiology: new insights on evolution and ecology of the southern rulers
Authors: Delcourt Rafael
Published: June 2018

Ceratosaur theropods ruled the Southern Hemisphere until the end of the Late Cretaceous. However, their origin was earlier, during the Early Jurassic, a fact which allowed the group to reach great morphological diversity. The body plans of the two main branches (Noasauridae and new name Etrigansauria: Ceratosauridae + Abelisauridae) are quite different; nevertheless, they are sister taxa. Abelisaurids have lost the ability to grasp in the most derived taxa, but the reduced forelimb might have had some display function. The ontogenetic changes are well known in Limusaurus which lost all their teeth and probably changed the dietary preference at maturity. The results presented here suggest that abelisaurids had different soft tissues on the skull. These tissues might have been associated with evolution of a strong cervicocephalic complex and should have allowed derived taxa (e.g. Majungasaurus and Carnotaurus) to have low-displacement headbutting matches. The ability to live in different semi-arid environment plus high morphological disparity allowed the ceratosaurs to become an evolutionary success.
Fungal endophytes from arid areas of Andalusia: high potential sources for antifungal and antitumoral agents
Authors: González-Menéndez Victor , Crespo Gloria , de Pedro Nuria , Diaz Caridad , Martín Jesús , Serrano Rachel , Mackenzie Thomas A. , Justicia Carlos , González-Tejero M. Reyes , Casares M. , Vicente Francisca , Reyes Fernando , Tormo José R. , Genilloud Olga
Published: June 2018

Native plant communities from arid areas present distinctive characteristics to survive in extreme conditions. The large number of poorly studied endemic plants represents a unique potential source for the discovery of novel fungal symbionts as well as host-specific endophytes not yet described. The addition of adsorptive polymeric resins in fungal fermentations has been seen to promote the production of new secondary metabolites and is a tool used consistently to generate new compounds with potential biological activities. A total of 349 fungal strains isolated from 63 selected plant species from arid ecosystems located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, were characterized morphologically as well as based on their ITS/28S ribosomal gene sequences. The fungal community isolated was distributed among 19 orders including Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes, being Pleosporales the most abundant order. In total, 107 different genera were identified being Neocamarosporium the genus most frequently isolated from these plants, followed by Preussia and Alternaria. Strains were grown in four different media in presence and absence of selected resins to promote chemical diversity generation of new secondary metabolites. Fermentation extracts were evaluated, looking for new antifungal activities against plant and human fungal pathogens, as well as, cytotoxic activities against the human liver cancer cell line HepG2. From the 349 isolates tested, 126 (36%) exhibited significant bioactivities including 58 strains with exclusive antifungal properties and 33 strains with exclusive activity against the HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. After LCMS analysis, 68 known bioactive secondary metabolites could be identified as produced by 96 strains, and 12 likely unknown compounds were found in a subset of 14 fungal endophytes. The chemical profiles of the differential expression of induced activities were compared. As proof of concept, ten active secondary metabolites only produced in the presence of resins were purified and identified. The structures of three of these compounds were new and herein are elucidated.
Elevated serum levels of bone sialoprotein during ICU treatment predict long-term mortality in critically ill patients
Authors: Luedde Mark , Roy Sanchari , Hippe Hans-Joerg , Cardenas David Vargas , Spehlmann Martina , Vucur Mihael , Hoening Pia , Loosen Sven , Frey Norbert , Trautwein Christian , Luedde Tom , Koch Alexander , Tacke Frank , Roderburg Christoph
Published: June 2018

Bone sialoprotein (BSP), a member of the SIBLINGs (for Small Integrin-Binding LIgand, N-linked Glycoproteins) family, has recently be associated to inflammatory and infectious diseases. We therefore measured BSP concentrations in 136 patients at admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and 3 days of ICU. BSP levels were compared to 36 healthy blood donors and correlated to clinical data. In these analysis, BSP serum levels were strongly elevated at the time point of admission to the ICU when compared to healthy controls. Moreover BSP concentrations were significantly elevated after 3 days of treatment on the intensive care unit. A further increase in BSP levels was detected in patients with higher APACHE-II-scores and in patients with septic disease. While in most patients, BSP levels decreased during the first three days of treatment on a medical ICU, patients with persistently elevated BSP levels displayed an unfavorable outcome. In these patients, persistently elevated BSP concentrations were a superior predictor of mortality than established indicators of patient´ prognosis such as the SAPS2 or the APACHE-II score. In summary, our data argue for a novel utility for BSP as a biomarker in patients treated on a medical ICU.
Microfluidic single-cell analysis of oxidative stress in Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Rodogiannis Kathy , Duong Jessica T. , Kovarik Michelle L.
Published: June 2018

Microfluidic chemical cytometry is a powerful technique for examining chemical contents of individual cells. Here, it is applied to study unicellular organisms for the first time.
Electrochemical sensor for the determination of dimetridazole using a 3D Cu2O/ErGO-modified electrode
Authors: Ma Xionghui , Li Jianping , Luo Jinhui , Liu Chunhua , Li Shuhuai
Published: June 2018

Three-dimensional Cu2O/ErGO was prepared on a GCE. The voltammetric behavior of DMZ was investigated by using a modified electrode through CV and DPV. The proposed method is suitable for DMZ detection because of its low cost, simplicity and accuracy.
Effect of the relief on the measurement of bond rupture force with the help of AFM: the dynamics of interaction and optimization of the procedure
Authors: Kurus N. N. , Dultsev F. N. , Shevelev G. Yu. , Lomzov A. A. , Pyshnyi D. V.
Published: June 2018

Measurement of the forces of unwinding of DNA double helix was conducted.
Structural changes in coordination polymers in response to small changes in steric bulk (H vs. Me): an experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Kyratzis Nicholas , Cao Winnie , Izgorodina Ekaterina I. , Turner David R.
Published: June 2018

Small changes in the steric bulk in bis(amino acid) naphthalene diimides are shown to have a very significant impact on the structural motifs that are observed in coordination polymers containing the dicarboxylate ligands.
The effect of anions on noncovalent interactions in model clusters of chalcogen-containing (CH3)2X (X = O, S, Se) molecules
Authors: McDowell Sean A. C.
Published: June 2018

A computational study of F−⋯(CH3)2O⋯CH3F with F− bound to the protons of the two methyl groups, found significant enhancement of the O⋯C interaction relative to the neutral (CH3)2O⋯CH3F dyad.
Solvent effects on heterogeneous catalysis in the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde over a conventional Pd/C catalyst
Authors: Li Yan , Cheng Haiyang , Lin Weiwei , Zhang Chao , Wu Qifan , Zhao Fengyu , Arai Masahiko
Published: June 2018

The surface of Pd particles is modified by pyridine and this promotes the hydrogenation of CO in CAL over Pd/C.
Deciphering the origin of invariance in magnetic anisotropy in {FeIIS4} complexes: a theoretical perspective
Authors: Sarkar Arup , Velmurugan Gunasekaran , Rajeshkumar Thayalan , Rajaraman Gopalan
Published: June 2018

By employing the state-of-the-art ab initio calculations, we have probed the origin of invariance in ZFS parameters in {FeIIS4} complexes.
A hierarchical nickel–carbon structure templated by metal–organic frameworks for efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Sun Hao , Lian Yuebin , Yang Cheng , Xiong Likun , Qi Pengwei , Mu Qiaoqiao , Zhao Xiaohui , Guo Jun , Deng Zhao , Peng Yang
Published: June 2018

High efficiency overall water splitting enabled by a hierarchical Ni–C structure derived from 2D MOF sheets without heteroatom doping.
Reprogrammable, magnetically controlled polymeric nanocomposite actuators
Authors: Wang Li , Razzaq Muhammad Yasar , Rudolph Tobias , Heuchel Matthias , Nöchel Ulrich , Mansfeld Ulrich , Jiang Yi , Gould Oliver E. C. , Behl Marc , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas
Published: June 2018

Magnetically controllable actuators, whose shape is independent of the applied magnetic field, can be physically re-programmed.
Integration of a functionalized graphene nano-network into a planar perovskite absorber for high-efficiency large-area solar cells
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhang Taiyang , Ju Ming-Gang , Zhang Lin , Kan Miao , Li Yihui , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Padture Nitin. P. , Zhao Yixin
Published: June 2018

The concept of introducing a charge-collection nano-network into a perovskite layer points to a new direction towards up-scaling of high-efficiency PSCs.