bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the sternocleidomastoid flap as a reconstructive option in head and neck surgery
Authors: Jones L F , Farrar E M , Roberts D J H , Moor J W
Published: August 2019

Background

The sternocleidomastoid can be used as a pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction. It has previously been associated with high complication rates, likely due in part to the variable nature of its blood supply.

Objective

To provide clinicians with an up-to-date review of clinical outcomes of sternocleidomastoid flap surgery in head and neck reconstruction, integrated with a review of vascular anatomical studies of the sternocleidomastoid.

Methods

A literature search of the Medline and Web of Science databases was conducted. Complications were analysed for each study. The trend in success rates was analysed by date of the study.

Results

Reported complication rates have improved over time. The preservation of two vascular pedicles rather than one may have contributed to improved outcomes.

Conclusion

The sternocleidomastoid flap is a versatile option for patients where prolonged free flap surgery is inappropriate. Modern vascular imaging techniques could optimise pre-operative planning.
Pain scores and recovery post tonsillectomy: intracapsular versus extracapsular coblation
Authors: Junaid M , Sood S , Walijee H , Dorgham J , De S
Published: August 2019

Objective

This study compared post-tonsillectomy pain scores and recovery using the coblation-only technique, comparing extracapsular versus intracapsular approaches.

Methods

A prospective study was performed in our paediatric ENT department. Pain scores were recorded on days 0, 2, 4 and 8, using a visual analogue scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain). Information was also collected on: return to normal fluid and solid intake, and any post-operative visits to primary care.

Results

In total, 101 patients were included in the analysis. Average pain scores were statistically lower on days 2, 4 and 8 in the intracapsular group compared to the extracapsular cohort. The intracapsular cohort also returned sooner to normal fluid and solids intake. The extracapsular group were more likely to visit the general practitioner post-operatively.

Conclusion

Intracapsular tonsillectomy appears to result in reduced morbidity overall and should be considered as a viable alternative in relevant cases.
Early adulthood psychiatric diagnoses and the subsequent risk of life-time incarceration: a cohort study
Authors: Walsh Sophie D. , Dohrenwend Bruce P. , Levav Itzhak , Weiser Mark , Gal Gilad
Published: August 2019

Background

The association between incarceration and psychiatric disorders has been noted. Yet, existing studies are cross-sectional or examine the risk of recidivism, which has limited the predictive validity of psychiatric disorders as a risk factor for incarceration. To overcome this limitation, this study used a prospective cohort to examine whether psychiatric diagnoses in early adulthood predicted incarceration throughout a 30-year follow-up. It tested the association between psychiatric diagnoses with future incarcerations, their number and durations, controlling for education and ethnic status.

Methods

This study merged data from three sources in Israel: a prospective 10-year birth cohort study of young adults aged 25–34, conducted in the 1980s (N = 4914) that included a psychiatric interview; data from the Prison Service, including the cause, number and duration of incarcerations; and from the Vital Statistics Registry on death records.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that substance-use disorders, antisocial personality and lower levels of education predicted future incarceration, their number and maximum duration. The remainder diagnoses were not significantly associated with future incarceration.

Conclusions

Results limited the prediction of future incarcerations to persons diagnosed with substance use and antisocial personality, and do not support an independent predictive association between additional psychiatric diagnoses and future incarceration.
“Social” Money and Working-class Subjectivities: Digital Money and Migrant Labour in Shenzhen, China
Authors: McDonald Tom
Published: August 2019

Scholars of Chinese society have predominantly regarded the region's money to represent an unusually “social” artefact. The dramatic proliferation of “digital money” services within Chinese social media platforms in the last decade would seem to further confirm the social character of Chinese money. I present a comparison of the diverse views held by migrant factory workers in Shenzhen towards different digital payment platforms which, however, suggests that rather than digital money necessarily being more or less social, different platforms instead extend the possibilities of sociality in varying ways. I argue that acknowledging the production of such novel working-class subjectivities through digital money ought to be central to efforts to assess the potential of these technologies for addressing the social, institutional and economic exclusions faced by Chinese migrant labourers. This in turn can enrich our understanding of the emergence of a new “digital working-class” in China by revealing how such contemporary working-class subjectivities are shifting, contextual and processual in nature.
Cyclic cliticization in Icelandic
Authors: Sigurðsson Einar Freyr , Wood Jim
Published: August 2019

This squib discusses the clitic DU (-du/-ðu/-tu) in Icelandic and compares it with other reduced forms of personal pronouns, such as’ann(forhann‘he’) and’ún(forhún‘she’). We show that there are various restrictions found on DU which are not found on other reduced forms of personal pronouns in Icelandic. We argue that whereas reduced forms such as’annand ’únare morphophonologically conditioned, DU is syntactically conditioned; it is not only clause-bounded but also phase-bounded.
Survival and extinction of breeding landbirds on San Cristóbal, a highly degraded island in the Galápagos
Authors: DVORAK MICHAEL , FESSL BIRGIT , NEMETH ERWIN , ANCHUNDIA DAVID , COTÍN JAVIER , SCHULZE CHRISTIAN H. , TAPIA WASHINGTON , WENDELIN BEATE
Published: August 2019

We documented the consequences of large-scale habitat loss on a community of Galápagos native bird species on San Cristóbal island, based on point counts conducted between 2010 and 2017. Surprisingly, despite considerable habitat change and a variety of other threats, the landbirds of San Cristóbal have fared much better than on the neighbouring islands Floreana or Santa Cruz. While two species went extinct very soon after human colonisation, the majority have adapted well to subsequent vegetation change and habitat loss. The endemic San Cristóbal MockingbirdMimus melanotisis more widespread than previously thought and its population seems to be stable since the 1980s. We thus propose a change in IUCN classification from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Near threatened’. We present evidence gained by interviewing locals which suggests that a small population of the Least Vermilion FlycatcherPyrocephalus dubius, classified as ‘Extinct’ by BirdLife International, may have persisted until very recently. Although extensive searches in 2018 and 2019 were unsuccessful, the possibility remains that a few birds may have survived in remote parts of the island. Further searches that involve the general public and other interested parties are therefore deemed necessary.
Taming Leviathan as Merchant: Lingering Questions about the Practical Application of Trans-Pacific Partnership's State-Owned Enterprises Rules
Authors: Matsushita Mitsuo , Lim C. L.
Published: August 2019

The suspended provisions of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP will not substantially affect the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Chapter 17 on State-owned enterprises (SOEs). As a consequence, the original TPP scheme remains an important treaty model and poses complex questions notwithstanding a growing literature. This article discusses TPP but unlike current writings which focus on comparative treaty methods of SOE regulation, we focus on how TPP/CPTPP will actually operate, paying attention to how its framers have defined an SOE not least in how they have viewed complex crossholdings, excluded non-profits, and preserved a role for State monopolies. Our answers differ from some of the existing literature – particularly on complex cross-holdings. We also provide detailed illustrations of how TPP's non-discrimination, commercial basis, and non-commercial assistance rules might work and comment on the chances of a rule cascade triggered by TPP, particularly in the current state of heightened Sino-American rivalry and allegations of State control in China's economy.
Not always on an equal footing: power, partiality and the conditional effect of multiparty government on public spending
Authors: Ylisalo Juha
Published: August 2019

Public spending arguably increases with the number of parties in government as each party seeks to secure benefits to its target groups. In this study, two factors that affect the budgetary consequences of multiparty government are identified. The first is the distribution ofa priorivoting power. An uneven distribution of voting power implies that all government parties are not expected to be equally successful in budgetary negotiations. The second is the degree of impartiality of the public sector. If the public sector is characterized by corruption and other forms of partiality, distributive issues can be expected to gain importance in representative politics. An analysis of data from 30 European countries suggests that changes in the number of government parties are associated with changes in public spending in cases where equally powerful parties are in government and the public sector is relatively partial.
Measurement of foliar spray retention on creeping bentgrass
Authors: Zhang Pingyuan , Branham Bruce E.
Published: August 2019

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of spray volume, nozzle type, adjuvants, the presence of dew, and their interactions on foliar retention of creeping bentgrass. Tartrazine, a common food dye, was used as a tracer in this study. Increasing spray volume from 95 L ha−1 to 1,500 L ha−1 decreased foliar retention efficiency from 98% to approximately 85%. Compared with flat-fan nozzles, air-induction nozzles delivered similar retention efficiency at all spray volumes evaluated. However, flat-fan nozzles provided higher uniformity and more thorough coverage. Adding nonionic surfactants, organosilicone adjuvants, or methylated seed oils at typical concentrations yielded retention efficiency of approximately 90% to 93% regardless of spray volumes. In contrast, with water alone, increasing spray volume reduced retention efficiency from 95.9% to 87.3%. Simulated dew applied at 1,950 L ha−1 increased retention efficiency by approximately 3% when spray application volume was 190 L ha−1, while no difference was observed at 750 L ha−1. The presence of dew reduced the impact of adjuvants on retention efficiency. Large quantities of dew, 3,800 L ha−1, did reduce retention efficiency.
Time‐Lapse Photogrammetry of Distributed Snow Depth During Snowmelt
Authors: Filhol S. , Perret A. , Girod L. , Sutter G. , Schuler T. V. , Burkhart J. F.
Published: August 2019

Characterizing snowmelt both spatially and temporally from in situ observation remains a challenge. Available sensors (i.e., sonic ranger, lidar, airborne photogrammetry) provide either time series of local point measurements or sporadic surveys covering larger areas. We propose a methodology to recover from a minimum of three synchronized time‐lapse cameras changes in snow depth and snow cover extent over area smaller or equivalent to 0.12 km2. Our method uses photogrammetry to compute point clouds from a set of three or more images and automatically repeat this task for the entire time series. The challenges were (1) finding an optimal experimental setup deployable in the field, (2) estimating the error associated with this technique, and (3) being able to minimize the input of manual work in the data processing pipeline. Developed and tested in the field in Finse, Norway, over 1 month during the 2018 melt season, we estimated a median melt of 2.12 ± 0.48 m derived from three cameras 1.2 km away from the region of interest. The closest weather station recorded 1.94 m of melt. Other parameters like snow cover extent and duration could be estimated over a 300 × 400m region. The software is open source and applicable to a broader range of geomorphologic processes like glacier dynamic, snow accumulation, or any other processes of surface deformation, with the conditions of (1) having fixed visible points within the area of interest and (2) resolving sufficient surface textures in the photographs.
On negative Sprites and the Polarity Paradox
Authors: Chen Alfred Bing‐Chih , Chen Han , Chuang Chia‐Wen , Cummer Steven A. , Lu Gaopeng , Fang Hui‐Kuan , Su Han‐Tzong , Hsu Rue‐Ron
Published: August 2019

Energetic positive and negative cloud‐to‐ground (CG) flashes are both capable of producing sprites. Negative CGs typically outnumber the positive ones by 10 to 1. However, >99.9 % of reported sprites were found to be initiated by positive CGs—thus the polarity paradox. Here, sprites recorded by the Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) mission were analyzed along with extremely low‐frequency band magnetic field data to resolve this paradox. Approximately twenty‐five percent of the sprites are found to be associated with negative CG lightning. “Negative” sprites mainly congregate in the latitudinal regions below 20°, while positive sprites scatter up to 50°. The ISUAL negative sprites are evidently beyond the observable ranges of the ground sites reported in previous studies. Hence, the sprite polarity paradox is likely a selection effect of the middle‐ to high‐altitudinal observation sites. The charge moment changes and accompanying transient luminous events of sprites were also examined and found to be polarity dependent.
The Sustainability of Free‐Surface‐Induced Supershear Rupture on Strike‐Slip Faults
Authors: Hu Feng , Oglesby David D. , Chen Xiaofei
Published: August 2019

While prior numerical simulations indicate that the Earth's free surface can induce supershear propagation on strike‐slip faults, copious observations of strike‐slip earthquakes have produced only a few instances of such supershear rupture. Our dynamic rupture simulations with varying initial normal stresses and fault strengths show that free‐surface‐induced supershear rupture on strike‐slip faults may return to sub‐Rayleigh speed as the rupture progresses. Such a phenomenon is defined as unsustained free‐surface‐induced supershear rupture, indicating that a rupture on a strike‐slip fault, even if it encounters the free surface, may not generate supershear rupture that is sustained long enough to be observable. The shape of the rupture front contour on the fault may also lead to a false impression about the rupture velocity, since the daughter crack may also propagate at sub‐Rayleigh speed, with near‐field fault‐perpendicular ground motion. Shallower hypocenter depths increase the likelihood of an unsustained free‐surface‐induced supershear rupture.
Optimal True Time Delay Filter With Application to FPGA Firmware‐Based Phased Array Radar Signal Processing
Authors: Lehtinen Markku , Damtie Baylie , Orispää Mikko
Published: August 2019

The European Incoherent Scatter‐3D phased array radar system will be largely based on field‐programmable gate array (FPGA) firmware electronics that carry out the signal processing by using different digital filters. In this paper we have presented a method of designing an optimal true time delay finite impulse response filter with applications to an FPGA firmware‐based multichannel signal processing system. The method provides an optimal true time delay finite impulse response filter with the desired responses at both band pass and stopband. This is possible by finding a mathematical minimization solution for the total power of all filter coefficients longer than a prespecified half‐length. The analysis is based on freely choosing the responses in the transition band until user‐specified desired responses are achieved. We have investigated the performance of these optimal digital filters in terms of the required digital signal processing (DSP) resources in GMACs (giga multiply accumulates per second) by considering both all‐in‐one stage filtering and cascaded solutions for ion and plasma line incoherent scatter radar measurements. We have shown that the cascaded solution provides more efficient utilization of DSP resources and hence represents the optimal choice for processing the proposed European Incoherent Scatter‐3D phased array radar signals. An example is demonstrated in which 906.88 GMACs are required to process 208 ion line beams with 2×4‐bit resolution in all‐in‐one stage processing, as compared to the 79.16 GMACs needed for a similar task in a cascaded solution.
Cavity-control of interlayer excitons in van der Waals heterostructures
Authors: Förg Michael , Colombier Léo , Patel Robin K. , Lindlau Jessica , Mohite Aditya D. , Yamaguchi Hisato , Glazov Mikhail M. , Hunger David , Högele Alexander
Published: August 2019

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides integrated in optical microcavities host exciton-polaritons as a hallmark of the strong light-matter coupling regime. Analogous concepts for hybrid light-matter systems employing spatially indirect excitons with a permanent electric dipole moment in heterobilayer crystals promise realizations of exciton-polariton gases and condensates with inherent dipolar interactions. Here, we implement cavity-control of interlayer excitons in vertical MoSe2-WSe2 heterostructures. Our experiments demonstrate the Purcell effect for heterobilayer emission in cavity-modified photonic environments, and quantify the light-matter coupling strength of interlayer excitons. The results will facilitate further developments of dipolar exciton-polariton gases and condensates in hybrid cavity – van der Waals heterostructure systems.
Electrical pulse-induced electrochemical biosensor for hepatitis E virus detection
Authors: Chowdhury Ankan Dutta , Takemura Kenshin , Li Tian-Cheng , Suzuki Tetsuro , Park Enoch Y.
Published: August 2019

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In this work, a pulse-triggered ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor was fabricated using graphene quantum dots and gold-embedded polyaniline nanowires, prepared via an interfacial polymerization and then self-assembly approach. Introducing an external electrical pulse during the virus accumulation step increases the sensitivity towards HEV due to the expanded surface of the virus particle as well as the antibody-conjugated polyaniline chain length, compared to other conventional electrochemical sensors. The sensor was applied to various HEV genotypes, including G1, G3, G7 and ferret HEV obtained from cell culture supernatant and in a series of fecal specimen samples collected from G7 HEV-infected monkey. The sensitivity is similar to that detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain (RT-qPCR). These results suggests that the proposed sensor can pave the way for the development of robust, high-performance sensing methodologies for HEV detection.
IP3 receptor isoforms differently regulate ER-mitochondrial contacts and local calcium transfer
Authors: Bartok Adam , Weaver David , Golenár Tünde , Nichtova Zuzana , Katona Máté , Bánsághi Száva , Alzayady Kamil J. , Thomas V. Kaye , Ando Hideaki , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Joseph Suresh K. , Yule David I. , Csordás György , Hajnóczky György
Published: August 2019

Contact sites of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria locally convey calcium signals between the IP3 receptors (IP3R) and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter, and are central to cell survival. It remains unclear whether IP3Rs also have a structural role in contact formation and whether the different IP3R isoforms have redundant functions. Using an IP3R-deficient cell model rescued with each of the three IP3R isoforms and an array of super-resolution and ultrastructural approaches we demonstrate that IP3Rs are required for maintaining ER-mitochondrial contacts. This role is independent of calcium fluxes. We also show that, while each isoform can support contacts, type 2 IP3R is the most effective in delivering calcium to the mitochondria. Thus, these studies reveal a non-canonical, structural role for the IP3Rs and direct attention towards the type 2 IP3R that was previously neglected in the context of ER-mitochondrial calcium signaling.
Periodicity of molecular clusters based on symmetry-adapted orbital model
Authors: Tsukamoto Takamasa , Haruta Naoki , Kambe Tetsuya , Kuzume Akiyoshi , Yamamoto Kimihisa
Published: August 2019

The periodic table has always contributed to the discovery of a number of elements. Is there no such principle for larger-scale substances than atoms? Many stable substances such as clusters have been predicted based on the jellium model, which usually assumes that their structures are approximately spherical. The jellium model is effective to explain subglobular clusters such as icosahedral clusters. To broaden the scope of this model, we propose the symmetry-adapted orbital model, which explicitly takes into account the level splittings of the electronic orbitals due to lower structural symmetries. This refinement indicates the possibility of an abundance of stable clusters with various shapes that obey a certain periodicity. Many existing substances are also governed by the same rule. Consequently, all substances with the same symmetry can be unified into a periodic framework in analogy to the periodic table of elements, which will act as a useful compass to find missing substances.
Deep multiomics profiling of brain tumors identifies signaling networks downstream of cancer driver genes
Authors: Wang Hong , Diaz Alexander K. , Shaw Timothy I. , Li Yuxin , Niu Mingming , Cho Ji-Hoon , Paugh Barbara S. , Zhang Yang , Sifford Jeffrey , Bai Bing , Wu Zhiping , Tan Haiyan , Zhou Suiping , Hover Laura D. , Tillman Heather S. , Shirinifard Abbas , Thiagarajan Suresh , Sablauer Andras , Pagala Vishwajeeth , High Anthony A. , Wang Xusheng , Li Chunliang , Baker Suzanne J. , Peng Junmin
Published: August 2019

High throughput omics approaches provide an unprecedented opportunity for dissecting molecular mechanisms in cancer biology. Here we present deep profiling of whole proteome, phosphoproteome and transcriptome in two high-grade glioma (HGG) mouse models driven by mutated RTK oncogenes, PDGFRA and NTRK1, analyzing 13,860 proteins and 30,431 phosphosites by mass spectrometry. Systems biology approaches identify numerous master regulators, including 41 kinases and 23 transcription factors. Pathway activity computation and mouse survival indicate the NTRK1 mutation induces a higher activation of AKT downstream targets including MYC and JUN, drives a positive feedback loop to up-regulate multiple other RTKs, and confers higher oncogenic potency than the PDGFRA mutation. A mini-gRNA library CRISPR-Cas9 validation screening shows 56% of tested master regulators are important for the viability of NTRK-driven HGG cells, including TFs (Myc and Jun) and metabolic kinases (AMPKa1 and AMPKa2), confirming the validity of the multiomics integrative approaches, and providing novel tumor vulnerabilities.
Heterogeneity in respiratory electron transfer and adaptive iron utilization in a bacterial biofilm
Authors: Qin Yuxuan , He Yinghao , She Qianxuan , Larese-Casanova Philip , Li Pinglan , Chai Yunrong
Published: August 2019

In Bacillus subtilis, robust biofilm formation requires large quantities of ferric iron. Here we show that this process requires preferential production of a siderophore precursor, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, instead of the siderophore bacillibactin. A large proportion of iron is associated extracellularly with the biofilm matrix. The biofilms are conductive, with extracellular iron potentially acting as electron acceptor. A relatively small proportion of ferric iron is internalized and boosts production of iron-containing enzymes involved in respiratory electron transfer and establishing strong membrane potential, which is key to biofilm matrix production. Our study highlights metabolic diversity and versatile energy generation strategies within B. subtilis biofilms.
High-throughput screen reveals sRNAs regulating crRNA biogenesis by targeting CRISPR leader to repress Rho termination
Authors: Lin Ping , Pu Qinqin , Wu Qun , Zhou Chuanmin , Wang Biao , Schettler Jacob , Wang Zhihan , Qin Shugang , Gao Pan , Li Rongpeng , Li Guoping , Cheng Zhenyu , Lan Lefu , Jiang Jianxin , Wu Min
Published: August 2019

Discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems is one of paramount importance in the field of microbiology. Currently, how CRISPR-Cas systems are finely regulated remains to be defined. Here we use small regulatory RNA (sRNA) library to screen sRNAs targeting type I-F CRISPR-Cas system through proximity ligation by T4 RNA ligase and find 34 sRNAs linking to CRISPR loci. Among 34 sRNAs for potential regulators of CRISPR, sRNA pant463 and PhrS enhance CRISPR loci transcription, while pant391 represses their transcription. We identify PhrS as a regulator of CRISPR-Cas by binding CRISPR leaders to suppress Rho-dependent transcription termination. PhrS-mediated anti-termination facilitates CRISPR locus transcription to generate CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and subsequently promotes CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity against bacteriophage invasion. Furthermore, this also exists in type I-C/-E CRISPR-Cas, suggesting general regulatory mechanisms in bacteria kingdom. Our findings identify sRNAs as important regulators of CRISPR-Cas, extending roles of sRNAs in controlling bacterial physiology by promoting CRISPR-Cas adaptation priming.
Interband resonant high-harmonic generation by valley polarized electron–hole pairs
Authors: Yoshikawa Naotaka , Nagai Kohei , Uchida Kento , Takaguchi Yuhei , Sasaki Shogo , Miyata Yasumitsu , Tanaka Koichiro
Published: August 2019

High-harmonic generation in solids is a unique tool to investigate the electron dynamics in strong light fields. The systematic study in monolayer materials is required to deepen the insight into the fundamental mechanism of high-harmonic generation. Here we demonstrated nonperturbative high harmonics up to 18th order in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides. We found the enhancement in the even-order high harmonics which is attributed to the resonance to the band nesting energy. The symmetry analysis shows that the valley polarization and anisotropic band structure lead to polarization of the high-harmonic radiation. The calculation based on the three-step model in solids revealed that the electron–hole polarization driven to the band nesting region should contribute to the high harmonic radiation, where the electrons and holes generated at neighboring lattice sites are taken into account. Our findings open the way for attosecond science with monolayer materials having widely tunable electronic structures.
Publisher Correction: PRKCSH contributes to tumorigenesis by selective boosting of IRE1 signaling pathway
Authors: Shin Gu-Choul , Moon Sung Ung , Kang Hong Seok , Choi Hyo-Sun , Han Hee Dong , Kim Kyun-Hwan
Published: August 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Optically invariant InGaN nanowire light-emitting diodes on flexible substrates under mechanical manipulation
Authors: Asad Mohsen , Wang Renjie , Ra Yong-Ho , Gavirneni Pranav , Mi Zetian , Wong William S.
Published: August 2019

The integration of GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) onto flexible platforms provides opportunities for conformal lighting, wearable electronics, and bendable displays. While this technology may enhance the functionality of the light source, the development of flexible GaN LEDs suffers from performance degradation, when mechanical bending is applied during operation. A unique approach to eliminate the degradation employs dot-in-wire structures, using cylindrical light-emitting heterostructures that protrude above the flexible platform, separating the active light-emitting region from the bending substrate. Here, we demonstrate the optical enhancement of nanowire light emitters by changing the geometric orientation within a 1 × 1 mm2 array of nanowires on a flexible platform through bending of the substrate platform. The flexible structures were achieved by transferring GaN nanowire LEDs from sapphire substrates onto flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using a “paste-and-cut” integration process. The I–V characteristics of the nanowire LEDs showed negligible change after integration onto the PET, with a turn-on voltage of 2.5 V and a forward current of 400 μA at 4 V. A significant advantage for the nanowire devices on PET was demonstrated by tilting the LEDs through substrate bending that increased the electroluminescence (EL) intensity, while the I–V characteristics and the EL peak position remained constant. Through finite-element analysis and three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain modeling, it was determined that tilting the protruding devices changed the effective distance between the structures, enhancing their electromagnetic coupling to increase light output without affecting the electrical properties or peak emission wavelength of the LEDs.
Electronic band tuning under pressure in MoTe2 topological semimetal
Authors: Dissanayake Sachith , Duan Chunruo , Yang Junjie , Liu Jun , Matsuda Masaaki , Yue Changming , Schneeloch John A. , Teo Jeffrey C. Y. , Louca Despina
Published: August 2019

Topological superconductors (TSC) can host exotic quasiparticles such as Majorana fermions, poised as the fundamental qubits for quantum computers. TSC’s are predicted to form a superconducting gap in the bulk, and gapless surface/edges states which can lead to the emergence of Majorana zero energy modes. A candidate TSC is the layered dichalcogenide MoTe2, a type-II Weyl (semi)metal in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic (Td) phase. It becomes superconducting upon cooling below 0.25 K, while under pressure, superconductivity extends well beyond the structural boundary between the orthorhombic and monoclinic (1T′) phases. Here, we show that under pressure, coupled with the electronic band transition across the Td to 1T′ phase boundary, evidence for a new phase, we call Td* is observed and appears as the volume fraction of the Td phase decreases in the coexistence region. Td* is most likely centrosymmetric. In the region of space where Td* appears, Weyl nodes are destroyed. Td* disappears upon entering the monoclinic phase as a function of temperature or on approaching the suppression of the orthorhombic phase under pressure above 1 GPa. Our calculations in the orthorhombic phase under pressure show significant band tilting around the Weyl nodes that most likely changes the spin-orbital texture of the electron and hole pockets near the Fermi surface under pressure that may be linked to the observed suppression of magnetoresistance with pressure.
Mechanistically detailed systems biology modeling of the HGF/Met pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Jafarnejad Mohammad , Sové Richard J. , Danilova Ludmila , Mirando Adam C. , Zhang Yu , Yarchoan Mark , Tran Phuoc T. , Pandey Niranjan B. , Fertig Elana J. , Popel Aleksander S.
Published: August 2019

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling through its receptor Met has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression. Met interaction with integrins is shown to modulate the downstream signaling to Akt and ERK (extracellular-regulated kinase). In this study, we developed a mechanistically detailed systems biology model of HGF/Met signaling pathway that incorporated specific interactions with integrins to investigate the efficacy of integrin-binding peptide, AXT050, as monotherapy and in combination with other therapeutics targeting this pathway. Here we report that the modeled dynamics of the response to AXT050 revealed that receptor trafficking is sufficient to explain the effect of Met–integrin interactions on HGF signaling. Furthermore, the model predicted patient-specific synergy and antagonism of efficacy and potency for combination of AXT050 with sorafenib, cabozantinib, and rilotumumab. Overall, the model provides a valuable framework for studying the efficacy of drugs targeting receptor tyrosine kinase interaction with integrins, and identification of synergistic drug combinations for the patients.
TRPM1 Mutations are the Most Common Cause of Autosomal Recessive Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) in the Palestinian and Israeli Populations
Authors: AlTalbishi Alaa , Zelinger Lina , Zeitz Christina , Hendler Karen , Namburi Prasanthi , Audo Isabelle , Sheffer Ruth , Yahalom Claudia , Khateb Samer , Banin Eyal , Sharon Dror
Published: August 2019

Precise genetic and phenotypic characterization of congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) patients is needed for future therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CSNB in our populations and to study clinical and genetic aspects of the autosomal recessive (AR) form of CSNB. This is a retrospective cohort study of Palestinian and Israeli CSNB patients harboring mutations in TRPM1 underwent comprehensive ocular examination. Genetic analysis was performed using homozygosity mapping and sequencing. 161 patients (from 76 families) were recruited for this study, leading to a prevalence of 1:6210 in the vicinity of Jerusalem, much higher than the worldwide prevalence. 61% of the families were consanguineous with AR inheritance pattern. Biallelic pathogenic TRPM1 mutations were identified in 36 families (72 patients). Two founder mutations explain the vast majority of cases: a nonsense mutation c.880A>T (p.Lys294*) identified in 22 Palestinian families and a large genomic deletion (36,445 bp) encompassing exons 2–7 of TRPM1 present in 13 Ashkenazi Jewish families. Most patients were myopic (with mean BCVA of 0.40 LogMAR) and all had absent rod responses in full field electroretinography. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest report of a clinical and genetic analysis of patients affected with CSNB due to TRPM1 mutations.
Biochar amendment improves degraded pasturelands in Brazil: environmental and cost-benefit analysis
Authors: Latawiec Agnieszka E. , Strassburg Bernardo B. N. , Junqueira André B. , Araujo Ednaldo , D. de Moraes Luiz Fernando , Pinto Helena A. N. , Castro Ana , Rangel Marcio , Malaguti Gustavo A. , Rodrigues Aline F. , Barioni Luis Gustavo , Novotny Etelvino H. , Cornelissen Gerard , Mendes Maiara , Batista Nilcileny , Guerra Jose Guilherme , Zonta Everaldo , Jakovac Catarina , Hale Sarah E.
Published: August 2019

Most deforested lands in Brazil are occupied by low-productivity cattle ranching. Brazil is the second biggest meat producer worldwide and is projected to increase its agricultural output more than any other country. Biochar has been shown to improve soil properties and agricultural productivity when added to degraded soils, but these effects are context-dependent. The impact of biochar, fertilizer and inoculant on the productivity of forage grasses in Brazil (Brachiaria spp. and Panicum spp.) was investigated from environmental and socio-economic perspectives. We showed a 27% average increase in Brachiaria production over two years but no significant effects of amendment on Panicum yield. Biochar addition also increased the contents of macronutrients, soil pH and CEC. Each hectare amended with biochar saved 91 tonnes of CO2eq through land sparing effect, 13 tonnes of CO2eq sequestered in the soil, equating to U$455 in carbon payments. The costs of biochar production for smallholder farmers, mostly because of labour cost, outweighed the potential benefits of its use. Biochar is 617% more expensive than common fertilizers. Biochar could improve productivity of degraded pasturelands in Brazil if investments in efficient biochar production techniques are used and biochar is subsidized by low emission incentive schemes.
The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Impulsivity and its Neurobiological Correlates in Healthy Adults
Authors: Korponay Cole , Dentico Daniela , Kral Tammi R. A. , Ly Martina , Kruis Ayla , Davis Kaley , Goldman Robin , Lutz Antoine , Davidson Richard J.
Published: August 2019

Interest has grown in using mindfulness meditation to treat conditions featuring excessive impulsivity. However, while prior studies find that mindfulness practice can improve attention, it remains unclear whether it improves other cognitive faculties whose deficiency can contribute to impulsivity. Here, an eight-week mindfulness intervention did not reduce impulsivity on the go/no-go task or Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), nor produce changes in neural correlates of impulsivity (i.e. frontostriatal gray matter, functional connectivity, and dopamine levels) compared to active or wait-list control groups. Separately, long-term meditators (LTMs) did not perform differently than meditation-naïve participants (MNPs) on the go/no-go task. However, LTMs self-reported lower attentional impulsivity, but higher motor and non-planning impulsivity on the BIS-11 than MNPs. LTMs had less striatal gray matter, greater cortico-striatal-thalamic functional connectivity, and lower spontaneous eye-blink rate (a physiological dopamine indicator) than MNPs. LTM total lifetime practice hours (TLPH) did not significantly relate to impulsivity or neurobiological metrics. Findings suggest that neither short- nor long-term mindfulness practice may be effective for redressing impulsive behavior derived from inhibitory motor control or planning capacity deficits in healthy adults. Given the absence of TLPH relationships to impulsivity or neurobiological metrics, differences between LTMs and MNPs may be attributable to pre-existing differences.
Interaction of microtubules and actin during the post-fusion phase of exocytosis
Authors: Müller M. Tabitha , Schempp Rebekka , Lutz Anngrit , Felder Tatiana , Felder Edward , Miklavc Pika
Published: August 2019

Exocytosis is the intracellular trafficking step where a secretory vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane to release vesicle content. Actin and microtubules both play a role in exocytosis; however, their interplay is not understood. Here we study the interaction of actin and microtubules during exocytosis in lung alveolar type II (ATII) cells that secrete surfactant from large secretory vesicles. Surfactant extrusion is facilitated by an actin coat that forms on the vesicle shortly after fusion pore opening. Actin coat compression allows hydrophobic surfactant to be released from the vesicle. We show that microtubules are localized close to actin coats and stay close to the coats during their compression. Inhibition of microtubule polymerization by colchicine and nocodazole affected the kinetics of actin coat formation and the extent of actin polymerisation on fused vesicles. In addition, microtubule and actin cross-linking protein IQGAP1 localized to fused secretory vesicles and IQGAP1 silencing influenced actin polymerisation after vesicle fusion. This study demonstrates that microtubules can influence actin coat formation and actin polymerization on secretory vesicles during exocytosis.
Insights into Pasteurellaceae carriage dynamics in the nasal passages of healthy beef calves
Authors: Thomas A. C. , Bailey M. , Lee M. R. F. , Mead A. , Morales-Aza B. , Reynolds R. , Vipond B. , Finn A. , Eisler M. C.
Published: August 2019

We investigated three bovine respiratory pathobionts in healthy cattle using qPCR optimised and validated to quantify Histophilus somni, Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida over a wide dynamic range. A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the carriage and density of these bacteria in the nasal passages of healthy beef calves (N = 60) housed over winter in an experimental farm setting. The three pathobiont species exhibited remarkably different carriage rates and density profiles. At housing, high carriage rates were observed for P. multocida (95%), and H. somni (75%), while fewer calves were positive for M. haemolytica (13%). Carriage rates for all three bacterial species declined over the 75-day study, but not all individuals became colonised despite sharing of environment and airspace. Colonisation patterns ranged from continuous to intermittent and were different among pathobiont species. Interval-censored exponential survival models estimated the median duration of H. somni and P. multocida carriage at 14.8 (CI95%: 10.6–20.9) and 55.5 (CI95%: 43.3–71.3) days respectively, and found higher density P. multocida carriage was associated with slower clearance (p = 0.036). This work offers insights into the dynamics of pathobiont carriage and provides a potential platform for further data collection and modelling studies.
Circadian rhythm disruption is associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia: a nationwide population-based study in Korea
Authors: Choi Youn I , Park Dong Kyun , Chung Jun-Won , Kim Kyoung Oh , Kwon Kwang An , Kim Yoon Jae
Published: August 2019

Reduced sleep quality is associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia. However, the potential effects of disturbing the regular circadian rhythm, as occurs with shift work, on the risk of sarcopenia have not been established. Data from 9105 workers from the 2008–2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Sarcopenia, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, was defined as one standard deviation below the mean of the appendicular skeletal muscle/body mass index value of a young reference group. Compared to the group that had never experienced shift work, the odds ratio (OR) for sarcopenia with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the shift work group was 1.7 (1.5–1.9); the association remained even after adjusting for confounding variables, including age, sex, total fat mass, insulin resistance profile, smoking, alcohol intake, diet, and physical activity. The results of the subgroup analysis indicated that the highest risk of sarcopenia was among workers engaging in shift work with an irregular schedule (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.4). Disruption of circadian rhythm by shift work was associated with increased risk of sarcopenia. Intervention strategies are needed to prevent sarcopenia in shift workers.
Citrullination facilitates cross-reactivity of rheumatoid factor with non-IgG1 Fc epitopes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Trela Malgorzata , Perera Shantha , Sheeran Thomas , Rylance Paul , Nelson Paul N. , Attridge Kesley
Published: August 2019

Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are the two most prevalent autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and are thought to have distinct autoantigen targets. Whilst RF targets the Fc region of antibodies, ACPAs target a far broader spectrum of citrullinated peptides. Here we demonstrate significant sequence and structural homology between proposed RF target epitopes in IgG1 Fc and the ACPA target fibrinogen. Two of the three homologous sequences were susceptible to citrullination, and this modification, which occurs extensively in RA, permitted significant cross-reactivity of RF+ patient sera with fibrinogen in both western blots and ELISAs. Crucially, this reactivity was specific to RF as it was absent in RF− patient and healthy control sera, and could be inhibited by pre-incubation with IgG1 Fc. These studies establish fibrinogen as a common target for both RF and ACPAs, and suggest a new mechanism in RF-mediated autoimmune diseases wherein RF may act as a precursor from which the ACPA response evolves.
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Phlebovirus causes lethal viral hemorrhagic fever in cats
Authors: Park Eun-sil , Shimojima Masayuki , Nagata Noriyo , Ami Yasushi , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Iwata-Yoshikawa Naoko , Fukushi Shuetsu , Watanabe Shumpei , Kurosu Takeshi , Kataoka Michiyo , Okutani Akiko , Kimura Masanobu , Imaoka Koichi , Hanaki Kenichi , Suzuki Tadaki , Hasegawa Hideki , Saijo Masayuki , Maeda Ken , Morikawa Shigeru
Published: August 2019

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever caused by the SFTS phlebovirus (SFTSV). SFTS patients were first reported in China, followed by Japan and South Korea. In 2017, cats were diagnosed with SFTS for the first time, suggesting that these animals are susceptible to SFTSV. To confirm whether or not cats were indeed susceptible to SFTSV, animal subjects were experimentally infected with SFTSV. Four of the six cats infected with the SPL010 strain of SFTSV died, all showing similar or more severe symptoms than human SFTS patients, such as a fever, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, weight loss, anorexia, jaundice and depression. High levels of SFTSV RNA loads were detected in the serum, eye swab, saliva, rectal swab and urine, indicating a risk of direct human infection from SFTS-infected animals. Histopathologically, acute necrotizing lymphadenitis and hemophagocytosis were prominent in the lymph nodes and spleen. Severe hemorrhaging was observed throughout the gastrointestinal tract. B cell lineage cells with MUM-1 and CD20, but not Pax-5 in the lesions were predominantly infected with SFTSV. The present study demonstrated that cats were highly susceptible to SFTSV. The risk of direct infection from SFTS-infected cats to humans should therefore be considered.
The Fab portion of immunoglobulin G contributes to its binding to Fcγ receptor III
Authors: Yogo Rina , Yamaguchi Yuki , Watanabe Hiroki , Yagi Hirokazu , Satoh Tadashi , Nakanishi Mahito , Onitsuka Masayoshi , Omasa Takeshi , Shimada Mari , Maruno Takahiro , Torisu Tetsuo , Watanabe Shio , Higo Daisuke , Uchihashi Takayuki , Yanaka Saeko , Uchiyama Susumu , Kato Koichi
Published: August 2019

Most cells active in the immune system express receptors for antibodies which mediate a variety of defensive mechanisms. These receptors interact with the Fc portion of the antibody and are therefore collectively called Fc receptors. Here, using high-speed atomic force microscopy, we observe interactions of human, humanized, and mouse/human-chimeric immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibodies and their cognate Fc receptor, FcγRIIIa. Our results demonstrate that not only Fc but also Fab positively contributes to the interaction with the receptor. Furthermore, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometric analysis reveals that the Fab portion of IgG1 is directly involved in its interaction with FcγRIIIa, in addition to the canonical Fc-mediated interaction. By targeting the previously unidentified receptor-interaction sites in IgG-Fab, our findings could inspire therapeutic antibody engineering.
Comparison of Species Composition and Floristic Components of Soil Sediment Spore pollen in the Ailaoshan Mountain Forest of China
Authors: He Su-Nan , Hao Cheng-Yuan , Zhao Wei
Published: August 2019

As the natural boundary between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains in China, the large-scale prominent terrain of Ailaoshan Mountain leads to obvious regional differences in climate and vegetation. In this article, a comparative analysis is made on both species composition and floristic components of spore pollen (SP) in two sample soil plots near the main peak of Ailaoshan Mountain. The results show that there is a remarkable difference between the western and eastern sample plots. The climate or meteorology characteristics are likely the main reasons accounting for the differences in habitat characteristics and plant sample investigation results. The tropical genera elements of sediment SPs are higher in the western sample plot (6.8%) than in the eastern sample plot (4.7%) because the western plot is controlled by the Indian summer monsoon at all times. The north temperate elements of sediment SP are lower in the western plot (13.4%) than in the eastern plot (26.4%) because the eastern plot is evidently sometimes influenced by the East Asian winter monsoon. In general, Ailaoshan Mountain may be one of important physical geographical boundaries between the interacting regions influenced by both the Indian summer monsoon and the East Asian winter monsoon.