bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facultative multiple breeding as a female conditional strategy in Japanese tits: partner's quality affects the initiation of second clutches
Authors: Nomi Daisuke , Yuta Teru , Koizumi Itsuro
Published: February 2018

Multiple breeding within the same season is a typical reproductive strategy among short‐lived species. Despite the apparent increase in the number of offspring, not all individuals become multiple breeders in most species or populations, known as facultative multiple breeding (FMB). Elucidating the mechanisms producing FMB would be a significant contribution to a better understanding of the complex life histories in wild populations. In the present study, we regarded FMB as a female alternative reproductive tactic (ART) and examined the factors affecting reproductive decisions. ARTs have been investigated mostly in males and male conditions. However, in many bird species both parents raise their offspring and, therefore, a partner's condition may also affect ARTs. We analyzed 6 years of data on multiple breeding in Japanese tits (Parus minor) in northern Japan, where nearly half of breeding pairs reproduce multiple times within breeding seasons. We found that females started breeding early were more likely to breed again in that season. Also, females paired with older males start breeding earlier, suggesting that factors associated with male age, such as territory quality, influence whether a female has multiple broods or not. We found no trade‐off between multiple breeding and female apparent survival. Rather, multiple breeders exhibited a higher apparent survival than single breeders. These results suggested that late‐started females may take an alternative tactic by avoiding the cost of second breeding and concentrating on post‐fledging care of the first broods. We also demonstrated the partner's roles in the decision of conditional strategy.
Weak and Strong Type $$A_1$$–$$A_\infty $$ Estimates for Sparsely Dominated Operators
Authors: Frey Dorothee , Nieraeth Zoe
Published: February 2018

We consider operatorsTsatisfying a sparse domination property$$\begin{aligned} |\langle Tf,g\rangle |\le c\sum _{Q\in \mathscr {S}}\langle f\rangle _{p_0,Q}\langle g\rangle _{q_0',Q}|Q| \end{aligned}$$|⟨Tf,g⟩|≤c∑Q∈S⟨f⟩p0,Q⟨g⟩q0′,Q|Q|with averaging exponents$$1\le p_0<q_0\le \infty $$1≤p0<q0≤∞. We prove weighted strong type boundedness for$$p_0<p<q_0$$p0<p<q0and use new techniques to prove weighted weak type$$(p_0,p_0)$$(p0,p0)boundedness with quantitative mixed$$A_1$$A1–$$A_\infty $$A∞estimates, generalizing results of Lerner, Ombrosi, and Pérez and Hytönen and Pérez. Even in the case$$p_0=1$$p0=1we improve upon their results as we do not make use of a Hörmander condition of the operatorT. Moreover, we also establish a dual weak type$$(q_0',q_0')$$(q0′,q0′)estimate. In a last part, we give a result on the optimality of the weighted strong type bounds including those previously obtained by Bernicot, Frey, and Petermichl.
Nasal Bone Assessment and Credibility of Visualization Between 11 and 14 Weeks: Experience in a Tertiary Fetal Medicine Center
Authors: Kandasamy Subapriya , Paul Raj Sherina
Published: February 2018

The objective of our study was to assess the visualization of nasal bone in the first trimester and its credibility, by an experienced operator in a Tertiary Fetal Medicine Center. A total of 1245 women with singleton and multiple pregnancies, who were referred for routine first trimester ultrasound at 11–14 weeks of gestation were assessed for the presence or absence of nasal bone in the fetus. The study was conducted at a Fetal Medicine Center in South India, by a highly experienced Fetal Medicine Consultant, during the period from October 2015 to December 2016. The fetal nasal bone was imaged in 1200 of these fetuses (NB +). Twenty-three patients had isolated absence of nasal bone, with no other associated markers like tricuspid regurgitation (TR), ductus venosus reversal or associated anomalies and three patients had an associated finding of TR. In 19 patients, nasal bone was imaged with difficulty. However, biochemical screening turned out to be negative in these patients and during the second trimester scan, nasal bone was present in all cases. Apart from this, five cases for which we had reported that the nasal bone was visualized normally in the 11–14 weeks scan, nasal bone was found to be absent in the second trimester scan. These patients were given the option of direct sampling. Three were found to have normal karyotype. One patient chose to terminate the pregnancy and the other patient was lost for follow up. The study points the difficulties faced by even experienced sonographers in the application of the fetal nasal bone as an additional screening tool in the first trimester scans. In order to improve the efficacy of nasal bone assessment in the prediction of trisomy 21, we recommended that the nasal bone be re-assessed during the performance of anomaly scan. The detection rate remains the same, however, the errors due to the first trimester technical difficulties can be avoided with re-assessment.
Immediate Weight-bearing as Tolerated has Improved Outcomes Compared to Non–weight-bearing after Surgical Stabilisation of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures in Polytrauma Patients
Authors: Brian Cunningham , Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana , Hrayr Basmajian , Ryan Mclemore , Brian Miller , Anthony Rhorer , Gilbert Ortega
Published: February 2018

Background

Clavicle fractures are common injuries in the polytrauma population and frequently limit early mobilisation. This study evaluates the effect of immediate crutch weight-bearing (WB) in polytrauma patients after surgical stabilisation of a displaced midshaft clavicle fracture.

Methods

A retrospective review identified 26 polytrauma patients with operatively managed displaced midshaft clavicle fractures and a non–weight-bearing (NWB) lower extremity injury. Patients were allowed immediate WB after surgery or NWB. The primary outcome was total hospital length of stay. Statistical analysis was done using Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The WB group had decreased total hospital length of stay (10.4 vs. 17.0 days, p = 0.012) and improved physical therapy score (3.9 vs. 2.9, p = 0.054) and postoperative length of stay (6.8 vs. 12.7 days, p = 0.006) compared with the NWB group.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that an immediate WB as tolerated protocol for polytrauma patients after surgical fixation of displaced clavicle fractures may decrease the overall length of stay.
Spoof Surface Plasmon Metamaterials
Authors: Huidobro Paloma Arroyo , Fernández-Domínguez Antonio I. , Pendry John B. , Martín-Moreno Luis , Garcia-Vidal Francisco J.
Published: February 2018

Metamaterials offer the possibility to control and manipulate electromagnetic radiation. Spoof surface plasmon metamaterials are the focus of this Element of the Metamaterials Series. The fundamentals of spoof surface plasmons are reviewed, and advances on plasmonic metamaterials based on spoof plasmons are presented. Spoof surface plasmon metamaterials on a wide range of geometries are discussed: from planar platforms to waveguides and localized modes, including cylindrical structures, grooves, wedges, dominos or conformal surface plasmons in ultrathin platforms. The Element closes with a review of recent advances and applications such as Terahertz sensing or integrated devices and circuits.
Three-dimensional doubly diffusive convectons: instability and transition to complex dynamics
Authors: Beaume Cédric , Bergeon Alain , Knobloch Edgar
Published: February 2018

Three-dimensional doubly diffusive convection in a closed vertically extended container driven by competing horizontal temperature and concentration gradients is studied by a combination of direct numerical simulation and linear stability analysis. No-slip boundary conditions are imposed on all six container walls. The buoyancy number $N$ is taken to be $-1$ to ensure the presence of a conduction state. The primary instability is subcritical and generates two families of spatially localized steady states known as convectons. The convectons bifurcate directly from the conduction state and are organized in a pair of primary branches that snake within a well-defined range of Rayleigh numbers as the convectons grow in length. Secondary instabilities generating twist result in secondary snaking branches of twisted convectons. These destabilize the primary convectons and are responsible for the absence of stable steady states, localized or otherwise, in the subcritical regime. Thus all initial conditions in this regime collapse to the conduction state. As a result, once the Rayleigh number for the primary instability of the conduction state is exceeded, the system exhibits an abrupt transition to large-amplitude relaxation oscillations resembling bursts with no hysteresis. These numerical results are confirmed here by determining the stability properties of both convecton types as well as the domain-filling states. The number of unstable modes of both primary and secondary convectons of different lengths follows a pattern that allows the prediction of their stability properties based on their length alone. The instability of the convectons also results in a dramatic change in the dynamics of the system outside the snaking region that arises when the twist instability operates on a time scale faster than the time scale on which new rolls are nucleated. The results obtained are expected to be applicable in various pattern-forming systems exhibiting localized structures, including convection and shear flows.
Justifying the Jury: Reconciling Justice, Equality, and Democracy
Authors: SCHWARTZBERG MELISSA
Published: February 2018

The jury is a paradigmatic example of a democratic institution that may be justified strictly oninstrumentalandepistemicgrounds: its ability to yield just outcomes. Yet why should we have confidence in its ability? The jury's reliability derives from the jurors’ status as local experts (hierarchical equality), as well as near-universal eligibility and selection by lot (horizontal equality): This dual egalitarianism is a condition of the jury's epistemic value. Yet ordinary citizens thereby acquire an interest inepistemic respector recognition of their presumptively equal competence to judge. The instrumental value of the jury and intrinsic (respect-based) value of jury service may thus be reconciled; although trade-offs between just verdicts and respectful treatment are possible, the jury's ability to attain just verdicts may be improved by reforms generated by concerns about respectful treatment of jurors. This framework sheds light on the justification of democratic institutions more generally.
Trust, Economic Development and Attitudes toward Immigration
Authors: Chang Han Il , Kang Woo Chang
Published: February 2018

We examine (1) how trust in foreigners and trust in political institutions affect attitudes toward immigration and (2) the moderating effect of economic development on those impacts, analyzing data from the fifth wave of the World Values Survey. We find that natives who trust foreigners are more tolerant toward immigration and that economic development positively moderates the impact of trust in foreigners on the attitudes. Meanwhile, we find only mixed evidence for the impact of trust in political institutions and the moderating role of economic development in the impact. We conclude by discussing the implications of the findings.
Whole-exome sequencing identifies a Novel SCN5A mutation (C335R) in a Chinese family with arrhythmia
Authors: Huang Hao , Ding Dong-Bo , Fan Liang-Liang , Jin Jie-Yuan , Li Jing-Jing , Guo Shuai , Chen Ya-qin , Xiang Rong
Published: February 2018

Background

SCN5A encodes sodium-channel α-subunit Nav1.5. The mutations of SCN5A can lead to hereditary cardiac arrhythmias such as the long-QT syndrome type 3 and Brugada syndrome. Here we sought to identify novel mutations in a family with arrhythmia.

Methods

Genomic DNA was isolated from blood of the proband, who was diagnosed with atrial flutter. Illumina Hiseq 2000 whole-exome sequencing was performed and an arrhythmia-related gene-filtering strategy was used to analyse the pathogenic genes. Sanger sequencing was applied to verify the mutation co-segregated in the family.

Results and conclusions

A novel missense mutation in SCN5A (C335R) was identified, and this mutation co-segregated within the affected family members. This missense mutation was predicted to result in amplitude reduction in peak Na+ current, further leading to channel protein dysfunction. Our study expands the spectrum of SCN5A mutations and contributes to genetic counselling of families with arrhythmia.
Quantitative peptidomics of endogenous peptides involved in TGF-β1-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition of renal epithelial cells
Authors: Kanlaya Rattiyaporn , Thongboonkerd Visith
Published: February 2018

TGF-β1 is a key fibrotic factor mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of epithelial cells through various signaling pathways. However, roles of proteolytic cleavage and endogenous peptide dynamics in TGF-β1-induced EMT remain unknown. We therefore performed quantitative peptidomics of TGF-β1-induced EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells. The acquired mesenchymal characteristics were confirmed, including morphological change (from cobblestone-like to fibroblast-like), decreased epithelial marker (ZO-1), and increased mesenchymal marker (vimentin). Quantitative peptidomics using stable isotope labeling revealed significantly altered levels of 70 unique endogenous peptides (derived from internal and C-terminal parts of 39 unique precursor proteins) after EMT induction. Interestingly, the majority of these peptides were derived from non-short-lived proteins, and analysis of P1 position revealed predominance of hydrophobic residues, suggesting that these endogenous peptides were generated mainly from proteasome cleavage. This hypothesis was confirmed by treating the cells with MG132 (a proteasome inhibitor), which provided almost identical endogenous peptide pattern as of the TGF-β1-treated cells. Moreover, validation assay showed marked reduction of proteasome peptidase activity in both TGF-β1-treated and MG132-treated cells. This is the first peptidome dataset that provides several novel aspects of mechanisms for TGF-β1-induced EMT. Our data also suggest that TGF-β1 exerts inhibitory effect against proteasome activity during EMT induction.
The p55TNFR-IKK2-Ripk3 axis orchestrates arthritis by regulating death and inflammatory pathways in synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Armaka Marietta , Ospelt Caroline , Pasparakis Manolis , Kollias George
Published: February 2018

NFκB activation and regulated cell death are important in tissue homeostasis, inflammation and pathogenesis. Here we show the role of the p55TNFR–IKK2l–Ripk3 axis in the regulation of synovial fibroblast homeostasis and pathogenesis in TNF-mediated mouse models of arthritis. Mesenchymal-specific p55TNFR triggering is indispensable for arthritis in acute and chronic TNF-dependent models. IKK2 in joint mesenchymal cells is necessary for the development of cartilage destruction and bone erosion; however, in its absence synovitis still develops. IKK2 deletion affects arthritic and antiapoptotic gene expression leading to hypersensitization of synovial fibroblasts to TNF/Ripk1-mediated death via district mechanisms, depending on acute or chronic TNF signals. Moreover, Ripk3 is dispensable for TNF-mediated arthritis, yet it is required for synovitis in mice with mesenchymal-specific IKK2 deletion. These results demonstrate that p55TNFR–IKK2–Ripk3 signalling orchestrates arthritogenic and death responses in synovial fibroblasts, suggesting that therapeutic manipulation of this pathway in arthritis may require combinatorial blockade of both IKK2 and Ripk3 signals.
Protactinium and the intersection of actinide and transition metal chemistry
Authors: Wilson Richard E. , De Sio Stephanie , Vallet Valérie
Published: February 2018

The role of the 5f and 6d orbitals in the chemistry of the actinide elements has been of considerable interest since their discovery and synthesis. Relativistic effects cause the energetics of the 5f and 6d orbitals to change as the actinide series is traversed left to right imparting a rich and complex chemistry. The 5f and 6d atomic states cross in energy at protactinium (Pa), making it a potential intersection between transition metal and actinide chemistries. Herein, we report the synthesis of a Pa-peroxo cluster, A6(Pa4O(O2)6F12) [A = Rb, Cs, (CH3)4N], formed in pursuit of an actinide polyoxometalate. Quantum chemical calculations at the density functional theory level demonstrate equal 5f and 6d orbital participation in the chemistry of Pa and increasing 5f orbital participation for the heavier actinides. Periodic changes in orbital character to the bonding in the early actinides highlights the influence of the 5f orbitals in their reactivity and chemical structure.
The plant-specific histone residue Phe41 is important for genome-wide H3.1 distribution
Authors: Lu Li , Chen Xiangsong , Qian Shuiming , Zhong Xuehua
Published: February 2018

The dynamic incorporation of histone variants influences chromatin structure and many biological processes. In Arabidopsis, the canonical variant H3.1 differs from H3.3 in four residues, one of which (H3.1Phe41) is unique and conserved in plants. However, its evolutionary significance remains unclear. Here, we show that Phe41 first appeared in H3.1 in ferns and became stable during land plant evolution. Unlike H3.1, which is specifically enriched in silent regions, H3.1F41Y variants gain ectopic accumulation at actively transcribed regions. Reciprocal tail and core domain swap experiments between H3.1 and H3.3 show that the H3.1 core, while necessary, is insufficient to restrict H3.1 to silent regions. We conclude that the vascular-plant-specific Phe41 is critical for H3.1 genomic distribution and may act collaboratively with the H3.1 core to regulate deposition patterns. This study reveals that Phe41 may have evolved to provide additional regulation of histone deposition in plants.
CARM1-expressing ovarian cancer depends on the histone methyltransferase EZH2 activity
Authors: Karakashev Sergey , Zhu Hengrui , Wu Shuai , Yokoyama Yuhki , Bitler Benjamin G. , Park Pyoung-Hwa , Lee Jeong-Heon , Kossenkov Andrew V. , Gaonkar Krutika Satish , Yan Huihuang , Drapkin Ronny , Conejo-Garcia Jose R. , Speicher David W. , Ordog Tamas , Zhang Rugang
Published: February 2018

CARM1 is an arginine methyltransferase that asymmetrically dimethylates protein substrates on arginine residues. CARM1 is often overexpressed in human cancers. However, clinically applicable cancer therapeutic strategies based on CARM1 expression remain to be explored. Here, we report that EZH2 inhibition is effective in CARM1-expressing epithelial ovarian cancer. Inhibition of EZH2 activity using a clinically applicable small molecule inhibitor significantly suppresses the growth of CARM1-expressing, but not CARM1-deficient, ovarian tumors in two xenograft models and improves the survival of mice bearing CARM1-expressing ovarian tumors. The observed selectivity correlates with reactivation of EZH2 target tumor suppressor genes in a CARM1-dependent manner. Mechanistically, CARM1 promotes EZH2-mediated silencing of EZH2/BAF155 target tumor suppressor genes by methylating BAF155, which leads to the displacement of BAF155 by EZH2. Together, these results indicate that pharmacological inhibition of EZH2 represents a novel therapeutic strategy for CARM1-expressing cancers.
Absolute marine gravimetry with matter-wave interferometry
Authors: Bidel Y. , Zahzam N. , Blanchard C. , Bonnin A. , Cadoret M. , Bresson A. , Rouxel D. , Lequentrec-Lalancette M. F.
Published: February 2018

Measuring gravity from an aircraft or a ship is essential in geodesy, geophysics, mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, and navigation. Today, only relative sensors are available for onboard gravimetry. This is a major drawback because of the calibration and drift estimation procedures which lead to important operational constraints. Atom interferometry is a promising technology to obtain onboard absolute gravimeter. But, despite high performances obtained in static condition, no precise measurements were reported in dynamic. Here, we present absolute gravity measurements from a ship with a sensor based on atom interferometry. Despite rough sea conditions, we obtained precision below 10−5 m s−2. The atom gravimeter was also compared with a commercial spring gravimeter and showed better performances. This demonstration opens the way to the next generation of inertial sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) based on atom interferometry which should provide high-precision absolute measurements from a moving platform.
Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom exerts an anti-metastatic effect by inhibiting Smad- and NF-κB-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition in HepG2 cells
Authors: Lee Hyunkyoung , Pyo Min Jung , Bae Seong Kyeong , Heo Yunwi , Choudhary Indu , Hwang Duhyeon , Yang Hyeryeon , Kim Je-hein , Chae Jinho , Han Chang Hoon , Kang Changkeun , Yum Seungshic , Kim Euikyung
Published: February 2018

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key initial step in metastasis for malignant cancer cells to obtain invasive and motile properties. Inhibiting EMT has become a new strategy for cancer therapy. In our previous in vivo study, Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom (NnV) -treated HepG2 xenograft mice group showed that E-cadherin expression was strongly detected compared with non-treated groups. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether NnV could inhibit the invasive and migratory abilities of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to examine its effect on EMT. Our results revealed that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 induced cell morphological changes and downregulated E-cadherin and β-catenin expression, but upregulated N-cadherin and vimentin expression through the Smad and NF-κB pathways in HepG2 cells. Treatment of TGF-β1-stimulated HepG2 cells with NnV reversed the EMT-related marker expression, thereby inhibiting cell migration and invasion. NnV also significantly suppressed the activation of p-Smad3, Smad4, and p-NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that NnV can significantly suppress cell migration and invasion by inhibiting EMT in HepG2 cells, and therefore might be a promising target for hepatocellular carcinoma therapeutics.
Three-dimensional (3D) tetra-culture brain on chip platform for organophosphate toxicity screening
Authors: Koo Youngmi , Hawkins Brian T. , Yun Yeoheung
Published: February 2018

Organophosphate-based compounds (OPs) represent a significant threat to warfighters (nerve agents) and civilian populations (pesticides). There is a pressing need to develop in vitro brain models that correlate to the in vivo brain to rapidly study OPs for neurotoxicity. Here we report on a microfluidic-based three-dimensional, four-cell tissue construct consisting of 1) a blood-brain barrier that has dynamic flow and membrane-free culture of the endothelial layer, and 2) an extracellular matrix (ECM)-embedded tissue construct with neuroblastoma, microglia, and astrocytes. We demonstrated this platform’s utility by measuring OP effects on barrier integrity, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, viability and residual OP concentration with four model OPs. The results show that the OPs penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB) and rapidly inhibit AChE activity, and that in vitro toxicity was correlated with available in vivo data. This paper demonstrates the potential utility of a membrane-free tetra-cultured brain on chip that can be scaled to high throughput as a cost-effective alternative method to animal testing.
Galectin-3 Plays an Important Role in Preterm Birth Caused by Dental Infection of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Miyauchi Mutsumi , Ao Min , Furusho Hisako , Chea Chanbora , Nagasaki Atsuhiro , Sakamoto Shinnichi , Ando Toshinori , Inubushi Toshihiro , Kozai Katsuyuki , Takata Takashi
Published: February 2018

Dental infection is risk for preterm birth (PTB) through unclear mechanisms. We established a dental infection-induced PTB mouse model, in whichPorphyromonas gingivalis(P.g.) induced PTB by 2 days. We analysed pathogenic factors contributing to PTB and their effects on trophoblastsin vitro. TNF-α, IL-8, and COX-2 were upregulated inP.g.-infected placenta. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), an immune regulator, was significantly upregulated in placenta, amniotic fluid, and serum.In vitro,P.g.-lipopolysaccharide (P.g.-LPS) increased TNF-α and Gal-3 in trophoblasts via NF-κB/MAPK signalling. Gal-3 inhibition significantly downregulatedP.g.-LPS-induced TNF-α production. TNF-α upregulated Gal-3. Gal-3 also increased cytokines and Gal-3 through NF-κB/MAPK signalling. Moreover, Gal-3 suppressed CD-66a expression at the maternal-foetal interface. Co-stimulation with Gal-3 andP.g.-LPS upregulated cytokine levels, while Gal-3 plusAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.)-orEscherichia coli (E. coli)-LPS treatment downregulated them, indicating the critical role of Gal-3 especially inP.g. dental infection-induced PTB.P.g.-dental infection induced PTB, which was associated with Gal-3-dependent cytokine production. New therapies and/or diagnostic systems targeting Gal-3 may reduce PTB.
Dynamically tunable band stop filter enabled by the metal-graphene metamaterials
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhong Renbin , Lian Zhen , Bu Chen , Liu Shenggang
Published: February 2018

Dynamically tunable band stop filter based on metal-graphene metamaterials is proposed and numerically investigated at mid-infrared frequencies. The proposed filter is constructed by unit cells with simple gold strips on the stack of monolayer graphene and the substrate of BaF2. A stable modulation depth up to −23.26 dB can be achieved. Due to the cooperative effect of the “bright-bright” elements, the amount of the gold strips in each unit cell determines the number of the stop-bands, providing a simple and flexible approach to develop multispectral devices. Further investigations illustrate that the location of the stop bands not only can be adjusted by varying the length of gold strips, but also can be dynamically controlled by tuning the Fermi energy level of graphene, and deep modulation is acquired through designing the carrier mobility. With the sensitivity as high as 2393 nm/RIU of the resonances to the varieties of surrounding medium, the structure is also enabled to be an index based sensor. The results will benefit the on plane or integrated micro-structure research with simple structure and flexible tunability, and can be applied in multi-band stop filters, sensors and other graphene-based multispectral devices.
Induction of differentiation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells to functional hepatocytes using an organoid culture system
Authors: Saito Yoshimasa , Nakaoka Toshiaki , Muramatsu Toshihide , Ojima Hidenori , Sukeda Aoi , Sugiyama Yuko , Uchida Ryoei , Furukawa Ryo , Kitahara Aya , Sato Toshiro , Kanai Yae , Saito Hidetsugu
Published: February 2018

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is thought to originate from cholangiocytes, which are the component cells of intrahepatic bile ducts. However, as patients with viral hepatitis often develop IHCC, it has been suggested that transformed hepatocytes may play a role in IHCC development. To investigate whether IHCC cells can be converted to functional hepatocytes, we established organoids derived from human IHCC and cultured them under conditions suitable for hepatocyte differentiation. IHCC organoids after hepatocyte differentiation acquired functions of mature hepatocytes such as albumin secretion, bile acid production and increased CYP3A4 activity. Studies using a mouse model of IHCC indicate that Wnt3a derived from macrophages recruited upon inflammation in the liver may promote the malignant transformation of hepatocytes to IHCC cells. The results of the present study support the recently proposed hypothesis that IHCC cells are derived from hepatocytes.
Plastic roles of phenylalanine and tyrosine residues of TLS/FUS in complex formation with the G-quadruplexes of telomeric DNA and TERRA
Authors: Kondo Keiko , Mashima Tsukasa , Oyoshi Takanori , Yagi Ryota , Kurokawa Riki , Kobayashi Naohiro , Nagata Takashi , Katahira Masato
Published: February 2018

The length of a telomere is regulated via elongation and shortening processes. Telomeric DNA and telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA), which both contain G-rich repeated sequences, form G-quadruplex structures. Previously, translocated in liposarcoma (TLS) protein, also known as fused in sarcoma (FUS) protein, was found to form a ternary complex with the G-quadruplex structures of telomeric DNA and TERRA. We then showed that the third RGG motif of TLS, the RGG3 domain, is responsible for the complex formation. However, the structural basis for their binding remains obscure. Here, NMR-based binding assaying revealed the interactions in the binary and ternary complexes of RGG3 with telomeric DNA or/and TERRA. In the ternary complex, tyrosine bound exclusively to TERRA, while phenylalanine bound exclusively to telomeric DNA. Thus, tyrosine and phenylalanine each play a central role in the recognition of TERRA and telomeric DNA, respectively. Surprisingly in the binary complexes, RGG3 used both tyrosine and phenylalanine residues to bind to either TERRA or telomeric DNA. We propose that the plastic roles of tyrosine and phenylalanine are important for RGG3 to efficiently form the ternary complex, and thereby regulate the telomere shortening.
Quantification of glioblastoma mass effect by lateral ventricle displacement
Authors: Steed Tyler C. , Treiber Jeffrey M. , Brandel Michael G. , Patel Kunal S. , Dale Anders M. , Carter Bob S. , Chen Clark C.
Published: February 2018

Mass effect has demonstrated prognostic significance for glioblastoma, but is poorly quantified. Here we define and characterize a novel neuroimaging parameter, lateral ventricle displacement (LVd), which quantifies mass effect in glioblastoma patients. LVd is defined as the magnitude of displacement from the center of mass of the lateral ventricle volume in glioblastoma patients relative to that a normal reference brain. Pre-operative MR images from 214 glioblastoma patients from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) were segmented using iterative probabilistic voxel labeling (IPVL). LVd, contrast enhancing volumes (CEV) and FLAIR hyper-intensity volumes (FHV) were determined. Associations with patient survival and tumor genomics were investigated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Glioblastoma patients had significantly higher LVd relative to patients without brain tumors. The variance of LVd was not explained by tumor volume, as defined by CEV or FLAIR. LVd was robustly associated with glioblastoma survival in Cox models which accounted for both age and Karnofsky’s Performance Scale (KPS) (p = 0.006). Glioblastomas with higher LVd demonstrated increased expression of genes associated with tumor proliferation and decreased expression of genes associated with tumor invasion. Our results suggest LVd is a quantitative measure of glioblastoma mass effect and a prognostic imaging biomarker.
Unary Non-Structural Fertilizer Response Model for Rice Crops and Its Field Experimental Verification
Authors: Zhang Mingqing , Li Juan , Chen Fang , Kong Qingbo
Published: February 2018

The quadratic polynomial fertilizer response model (QPFM) is the primary method for implementing quantitative fertilization in crop production, but the success rate of this model’s recommended fertilization rates in China is low because the model contains a high setting bias. This paper discusses a new modelling method for expanding the applicability of QPFM. The results of field experiments with 8 levels of N, P, or K fertilization showed that the dynamic trend between rice yield increases and fertilizer application rate exhibited a typical exponential relationship. Therefore, we propose a unary non-structural fertilizer response model (NSFM). The responses of 18 rice field experiments to N, P, or K fertilization indicated that the new models could significantly predict rice yields, while two experimental fitting results using the unary QPFM did not pass statistical significance tests. The residual standard deviations of 13 new models were significantly lower than that of the unary QPFM. The linear correlation coefficient of the recommended application rates between the new model and the unary QPFM reached a significant level. Theoretical analysis showed that the unary QPFM was a simplified version of the new model, and it had a higher fitting precision and better applicability.
Tuning of heat and charge transport by Majorana fermions
Authors: Ricco L. S. , Dessotti F. A. , Shelykh I. A. , Figueira M. S. , Seridonio A. C.
Published: February 2018

We investigate theoretically thermal and electrical conductances for the system consisting of a quantum dot (QD) connected both to a pair of Majorana fermions residing at the edges of a Kitaev wire and two metallic leads. We demonstrate that both quantities reveal pronounced resonances, whose positions can be controlled by tuning of an asymmetry of the couplings of the QD and a pair of MFs. Similar behavior is revealed for the thermopower, Wiedemann-Franz law and dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit. The considered geometry can thus be used as a tuner of heat and charge transport assisted by MFs.
Three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis of the interface between an implanted demineralised dentin matrix and the surrounding newly formed bone
Authors: Tanoue Ryuichiro , Ohta Keisuke , Miyazono Yoshihiro , Iwanaga Joe , Koba Akihiro , Natori Toru , Iwamoto Osamu , Nakamura Kei-ichiro , Kusukawa Jingo
Published: February 2018

Previous investigators have reported that transplanted demineralised dentin matrix (DDM) influences bone formation in vivo. However, the specific mechanism of how dentinal tubules contribute to bone formation has not been determined with regard to DDM transplantation therapy. In this study, we ultrastructurally investigated how DDM contacted the surrounding newly formed bone using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) three-dimensional reconstruction method that is based on focused ion beam slicing and SEM (FIB/SEM). A pulverised and processed DDM derived from human teeth was implanted into rat calvarial bone defects, and a series of X-ray computed tomographic images were obtained over 12 weeks. Implants with surrounding new bone were removed and histologically examined using FIB/SEM. After obtaining objective block-face images, the target boundary face was reconstructed three-dimensionally. The osteocytes of the new bone tissue surrounding the DDM formed a network connected by their cellular processes and formed bone tissue. It is also interesting that the cellular processes of the osteocytes extended into the dentinal tubules, and that bone tissue with canaliculi had formed and filled the DDM surface.
Pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic cotton is constrained by physical isolation measures
Authors: Yan Shuo , Zhu Weilong , Zhang Boyu , Zhang Xinmi , Zhu Jialin , Shi Jizhe , Wu Pengxiang , Wu Fengming , Li Xiangrui , Zhang Qingwen , Liu Xiaoxia
Published: February 2018

The public concern about pollen-mediated gene flow (PGF) from genetically modified (GM) crops to non-GM crops heats up in recent years over China. In the current study, we conducted greenhouse and field experiments to measure PGF with various physical isolation measures, including 90, 80, 60 and 40 holes/cm2 separation nets and Sorghum bicolor, Zea mays and Lycopersicon esculentum separation crops between GM cotton and non-GM line (Shiyuan321) by seed DNA test during 2013 to 2015, and pollen grain dyeing was also conducted to assess the pollen flow in greenhouse during 2013. Our results revealed that (1) PGF varied depending on the physical isolation measures. PGF was the lowest with 90 holes/cm2 separation net and S. bicolor separation crop, and the highest with 40 holes/cm2 separation net and no isolation measure. (2) Similar to PGF results, 90 holes/cm2 separation net and S. bicolor separation crop could minimize the pollen dispersal. (3) PGF declined exponentially with increasing distance between GM cotton and Shiyuan321. Because of the production mode of farm household (limited cultivated area) in China, our study is particularly important, which is not only benefit for constraining PGF, but also has potential application value in practical production and the scientific researches.
Gridded global datasets for Gross Domestic Product and Human Development Index over 1990–2015
Authors: Kummu Matti , Taka Maija , Guillaume Joseph H. A.
Published: February 2018

An increasing amount of high-resolution global spatial data are available, and used for various assessments. However, key economic and human development indicators are still mainly provided only at national level, and downscaled by users for gridded spatial analyses. Instead, it would be beneficial to adopt data for sub-national administrative units where available, supplemented by national data where necessary. To this end, we present gap-filled multiannual datasets in gridded form for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Human Development Index (HDI). To provide a consistent product over time and space, the sub-national data were only used indirectly, scaling the reported national value and thus, remaining representative of the official statistics. This resulted in annual gridded datasets for GDP per capita (PPP), total GDP (PPP), and HDI, for the whole world at 5 arc-min resolution for the 25-year period of 1990–2015. Additionally, total GDP (PPP) is provided with 30 arc-sec resolution for three time steps (1990, 2000, 2015).
Quantification of carbon nanotubes in polymer composites
Authors: Nosaka T. , Lankone R. S. , Bi Y. , Fairbrother D. H. , Westerhoff P. , Herckes P.
Published: February 2018

2-Step extraction/detection method was developed for quantification of carbonaceous nanomaterials (CNMs) in polymer composites using Programmed Thermal Analysis (PTA).
Endonuclease restriction-mediated real-time PCR for simultaneous detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Yi , Ye Changyun
Published: February 2018

Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria ivanovii have been identified as the only two pathogenic species in Listeria genus.
Effect of the coverage level of carboxylic acids as a modifier for barium titanate nanoparticles on the performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based nanocomposites for energy storage applications
Authors: Niu Yujuan , Xiang Feng , Wang Yifei , Chen Jie , Wang Hong
Published: February 2018

Changes in the breakdown strength of nanocomposites show diversity as the modifier content increases for different modifiers.
Synthesis, structural characterization and NMR studies of group 10 metal complexes with macrocyclic amine N-heterocyclic carbene ligands
Authors: Lu Taotao , Liu Zhiming , Steren Carlos A. , Fei Fan , Cook Tabitha M. , Chen Xue-Tai , Xue Zi-Ling
Published: February 2018

Two conformers of Ni(ii), Pd(ii) and Pt(ii) complexes with two types of tetradentate macrocyclic amine-NHC ligands have been revealed.
The reaction mechanism and selectivity of acetylene hydrogenation over Ni–Ga intermetallic compound catalysts: a density functional theory study
Authors: Rao De-Ming , Zhang Shi-Tong , Li Chang-Ming , Chen Yu-Di , Pu Min , Yan Hong , Wei Min
Published: February 2018

A Ga-rich NiGa(111) surface significantly reduces the adsorption strength of acetylene and ethylene, and shows high selectivity to ethylene for acetylene semihydrogenation.
Investigation of magneto-structural correlation based on a series of seven-coordinated β-diketone Dy(iii) single-ion magnets with C2v and C3v local symmetry
Authors: Yao Xu , Yan Pengfei , An Guanghui , Li Yuxin , Li Weizuo , Li Guangming
Published: February 2018

Four field-induced single-ion magnets based on seven-coordinated Dy(iii) complexes have been prepared to explore the magnetism–structure relationship.
Polyphenols in Kuding tea help prevent HCl/ethanol-induced gastric injury in mice
Authors: Zhao Xin , Sun Peng , Li Guijie , Yi Ruokun , Qian Yu , Park Kun-Young
Published: February 2018

We conducted the present study to determine the gastric injury preventive effects of polyphenols in Kuding tea (KTPs) in Kunming (KM) mice through the inhibition of gastric-acid secretion and the protection of the gastric mucosa.
Ag photoionization-induced single-pass assembly of Ag2S nanodots in flowing thiol droplets
Authors: Poudel Bijay Kumar , Doh Kyung-Oh , Byeon Jeong Hoon
Published: February 2018

A photoinduced reaction to produce Ag2S nanodots from Ag nanoagglomerates was achieved in a single-pass gas stream.
Impedance-based real-time position sensor for lab-on-a-chip devices
Authors: Brazey B. , Cottet J. , Bolopion A. , Van Lintel H. , Renaud P. , Gauthier M.
Published: February 2018

This paper presents the theoretical and experimental development of an integrated position sensor for lab-on-a chip devices based on impedance measurement.
Use of ionic liquids to minimize sodium induced internal diesel injector deposits (IDIDs)
Authors: Corbett Paul J. , McIntosh Alastair J. S. , Gee Michael , Hallett Jason P.
Published: February 2018

The first successful extraction of up to 99.1% of Na+from a model diesel fuel at a Na+concentration of just 3 mg kg−1using a range of ionic liquids.
One-pot synthesis of microporous nanoscale metal organic frameworks conjugated with laccase as a promising biocatalyst
Authors: Samui Arpita , Sahu Sumanta Kumar
Published: February 2018

Fabrication of amine-functionalized NMOFs followed by immobilization of laccase, a multicopper oxidase,viaa one-pot synthetic procedure.
Synthesis and characterization of Ag(i) and Au(i) complexes with macrocyclic hybrid amine N-heterocyclic carbene ligands
Authors: Lu Taotao , Yang Chu-Fan , Steren Carlos A. , Fei Fan , Chen Xue-Tai , Xue Zi-Ling
Published: February 2018

N-Heterocyclic carbene Ag(i) and Au(i) complexes with various structures synthesized from four macrocyclic hybrid amine–benzimidazolium salts have been structurally characterized.
Rhodium(triphenylphosphine)carbonyl-2,4-dioxo-3-pentyl-4-decanyloxybenzoate: synthesis, electrochemistry and oxidative addition kinetics
Authors: Stuurman Nomampondomise F. , Buitendach Blenerhassitt E. , Twigge Linette , Swarts Pieter J. , Conradie Jeanet
Published: February 2018

The influence of a sterically large ligand (CH3COC(C10H21OC6H4COO)COCH3)−, substituted on complex [Rh(CH3COC(C10H21OC6H4COO)COCH3)(CO)(PPh3)], on the ease of rhodium oxidation, is described.
Ultra-fast dynamics in the nonlinear optical response of silver nanoprism ordered arrays
Authors: Sánchez-Esquivel Héctor , Raygoza-Sanchez Karen Y. , Rangel-Rojo Raúl , Kalinic Boris , Michieli Niccolò , Cesca Tiziana , Mattei Giovanni
Published: February 2018

The ultra-fast dynamics of the nonlinear optical response of Ag nanoprism arrays is investigated by z-scan and excite–probe techniques.
Composition-driven shape evolution to Cu-rich PtCu octahedral alloy nanocrystals as superior bifunctional catalysts for methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Chaozhong , Liu Taiyang , He Ting , Ni Bing , Yuan Qiang , Wang Xun
Published: February 2018

Cu-Rich PtCu octahedral alloy nanocrystals have been achieved by a composition-driven strategy and used as a robust bifunctional electrocatalyst for MOR and ORR in an acid medium.
Synthesis of indocyanine green functionalized comblike poly(aspartic acid) derivatives for enhanced cancer cell ablation by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Wan Jiaxun , Sun Luyan , Wu Pan , Wang Fang , Guo Jia , Cheng Jianjun , Wang Changchun
Published: February 2018

PTX-loaded comblike polymer PAsp-g-(PEG-ICG) micelles can effectively kill cancer cells via elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress under laser irradiation.
Study on the growth of Al-doped ZnO thin films with (112̄0) and (0002) preferential orientations and their thermoelectric characteristics
Authors: Luo Jing-Ting , Quan Ao-Jie , Zheng Zhuang-Hao , Liang Guang-Xing , Li Fu , Zhong Ai-Hua , Ma Hong-Li , Zhang Xiang-Hua , Fan Ping
Published: February 2018

In this work, using a conventional magnetron sputtering system, Al-doped ZnO (AZO) films with (112̄0) and (0002) preferential orientations were grown on r-sapphire and a-sapphire substrates, respectively.
New ultrasonic assisted co-precipitation for high surface area oxide based nanostructured materials
Authors: Muche Dereck N. F. , Souza Flavio L. , Castro Ricardo H. R.
Published: February 2018

A non-system specific method for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles with high homogeneity, spherical morphology and high surface areas is proposed based on an aqueous precipitation.
From protein engineering to artificial enzymes – biological and biomimetic approaches towards sustainable hydrogen production
Authors: Esmieu C. , Raleiras P. , Berggren G.
Published: February 2018

We review recent efforts aimed at generating efficient H2producing systems, through engineering and mimicking of Nature's platinum, hydrogenases.
The construction of fluorescent heteropore covalent organic frameworks and their applications in spectroscopic and visual detection of trinitrophenol with high selectivity and sensitivity
Authors: Zhu Ming-Wei , Xu Shun-Qi , Wang Xiao-Zhong , Chen Yingqi , Dai Liyan , Zhao Xin
Published: February 2018

Fluorescent heteropore COFs have been constructed and exploited as fluorescent and visual macroscopic chemosensors to detect trinitrophenol with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Impact of Cu(ii) and Zn(ii) ions on the functional properties of new PAMAM metallodendrimers
Authors: Grabchev Ivo , Vasileva-Tonkova Evgenia , Staneva Desislava , Bosch Paula , Kukeva Rositsa , Stoyanova Radostina
Published: February 2018

Two new PAMAM metallodendrimers have been synthesized and characterized and their antimicrobial activity in solution and after deposition on textile fabrics has been described.
A double-click approach to the protecting group free synthesis of glycoconjugates
Authors: Alexander S. R. , Williams G. M. , Brimble M. A. , Fairbanks A. J.
Published: February 2018

The use of a bi-functional linker, containing an alkyne and an alkene, allows the protecting group free conjugation of reducing sugars to thiols via a double click process.
Angled local directional pattern for texture analysis with an application to facial expression recognition
Authors: Shabat Abuobayda M.M. , Tapamo Jules‐Raymond
Published: February 2018

Local binary pattern (LBP) is currently one of the most common feature extraction methods used for texture analysis. However, LBP suffers from random noise, because it depends on image intensity. Recently, a more stable feature method was introduced, local directional pattern (LDP) uses the gradient space instead of the pixel intensity. Typically, LDP generates a code based on the edge response values using Kirsch masks. Yet, despite the great achievement of LDP, it has two drawbacks. The first is the static choice of the number of most significant bits used for LDP code generation. Second, the original LDP method uses the 8‐neighborhood to compute the LDP code, and the value of the centre pixel is ignored. This study presents angled local directional pattern (ALDP), which is an improved version of LDP, for texture analysis. Experimental results on two different texture data sets, using six different classifiers, show that ALDP substantially outperforms both LDP and LBP methods. The ALDP has been evaluated to recognise the facial expressions emotion. Results indicate a very high recognition rate for the proposed method. An added advantage is that ALDP has an adaptive approach for the selection of the number significant bits as opposed to LDP.