bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychoonkologische Versorgung: eine Herausforderung
Authors: Mehnert Anja , Koranyi Susan
Published: March 2018

Cancer patients and their relatives suffer from multiple psychological and social problems associated with the illness itself and its treatment. The major challenge for an excellent psychooncological support is the further development and nationwide implementation of effective, patient-centered, quality assured, and affordable concepts of treatment and care.
Impact of Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Reproductive and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Ulrich Jan , Goerges Julia , Keck Christoph , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Diederich Sven , Janssen Onno
Published: March 2018

Background Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) has been found to be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this retrospective cohort study using data from a fertility clinic, with patients recruited from 2009 to 2010, was to confirm the higher prevalence of AIT in PCOS and to evaluate the impact of AIT on reproductive and metabolic parameters of PCOS patients.

Methods Patients comprised 827 PCOS subjects seen for reproductive or metabolic complaints. Patients presenting primarily for thyroid problems were excluded. All patients were tested for the presence of AIT by laboratory testing and thyroid ultrasound. The impact of AIT on PCOS was evaluated by determination of reproductive and metabolic parameters.

Results Patients with PCOS and AIT as compared to those only with PCOS, had a lower prevalence of elevated testosterone (45 vs. 61%; p=0,0001), free androgen index (5,96±5,41 vs. 7,02±7,6; p<0,001) and hyperandrogenemia (66 vs. 78%; p<0,001). Also testosterone levels were lower in PCOS patients with AIT (0,50±0,30 vs. 0,63±0,71; p=0,0006). Consequently, in these patients, hirsutism was less frequent (51 vs. 66%; p=0,0021). There was no difference in the prevalence of acne, alopecia, a-/ or oligomenorrhea or PCO-morphology in the two patient groups. Patients with PCOS and AIT were more obese by 2 kg/m² BMI on average. A higher BMI correlated with a higher TSH value, although all patients were euthyroid.

Conclusions AIT is more prevalent in PCOS than in controls. PCOS patients with AIT have less severe hyperandrogenemia and hyperandrogenism but are likely to suffer from an elevated metabolic risk.
Offenes Foramen ovale: gute Gründe, es zu verschließen
Authors: Meier Bernhard
Published: March 2018

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is not to be considered a disease as it is present in about 25 % of people. Yet, it is the prime reason for paradoxical embolism that can cause serious problems, such as death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and peripheral ischemia. The frequency of such events is probably underestimated as other causes tend to be blamed for them. Device PFO closure can be easily accomplished as outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort and risk and it has been referred to as mechanical vaccination. Randomized trials have proved its value for reduction of recurrent stroke. There is also good evidence that PFO closure solves problems like platypnoea orthodeoxia and exercise desaturation, improves migraine, and is helpful in sleep apnoea. In addition, it renders diving and high altitude climbing safer. The absolute risk of a PFO is dependent on its size and its association with an atrial septal aneurysm, a Eustachian valve, or a Chiari network. The number needed to treat to prevent one stroke by PFO closure may be as low as 2 over lifetime in selected patients.
The Beneficial Effects of Trimetazidine on Reperfusion–Induced Arrhythmia in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ramezani-Aliakbari Fatemeh , Badavi Mohammad , Dianat Mahin , Mard Seyed , Ahangarpour Akram
Published: March 2018

Trimetazidine (TMZ), as an anti-ischemic drug, plays a critical role in protecting against cardiovascular complications induced by diabetes. This study was therefore aimed to evaluate the protective effects of TMZ on reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in the diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250±20 g) were randomly assigned to four (n=8): control rats (C), alloxan induced diabetic rats (D), diabetic rats treated with TMZ (10 mg/kg, D+T10), diabetic rats treated with TMZ (30 mg/kg, D+T30). TMZ was treated orally once daily for 8 weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg). Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was carried out via 30 min of ischemia and following120-min reperfusion. The magnitude and score of arrhythmia, the left ventricular function, infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myocardial creatine kinase (CK-MB) and troponin (cTnI) were measured. The findings were evaluated by two-way repeated measures and one-way ANOVA followed by LSD post hoc test and Fisher's exact test for incidence percentage. The duration, incidence and score of arrhythmia (p<0.001), infarct size (p<0.01) were significantly increased, the cardiac contractility (±dp/dt), LDH, CK-MB (p<0.001) and cTnI (p<0.05) were significantly decreased in the diabetic rats in comparison with the control group. However, treatment with TMZ in the diabetic rats was significantly improved the duration (p<0.001), incidence and score of arrhythmia,±dp/dt LDH, CK-MB, cTnI (p<0.05) and infarct size (p<0.01) in comparison with the untreated diabetic group. The present study indicates anti-arrhythmic effect of TMZ in reducing arrhythmias induced by reperfusion in the diabetic rats.
Medizinisches Cannabis zur Behandlung einer pharmakoresistenten Übelkeit im Rahmen einer somatoformen Störung bei einem Post-Polio-Syndrom
Authors: Bleckwenn Markus , Weckbecker Klaus , Voss Sebastian
Published: March 2018

Anamnese und klinischer Befund Wir berichten über einen 79 Jahre alten Patienten mit einem Post-Polio-Syndrom (PPS). Im Verlauf dieser Erkrankung entwickelten sich rezidivierende Oberbauchschmerzen und eine therapieresistente Übelkeit ohne Erbrechen. Zudem war der Patient durch die Kombination von muskulärer Schwäche, Adipositas, diätetisch behandelter Diabetes und einer degenerativen Wirbelsäulenschädigung deutlich in seiner Beweglichkeit und Belastbarkeit eingeschränkt.

Untersuchungen und Diagnose Trotz einer umfangreichen Diagnostik konnte keine somatische Ursache weder für die Übelkeit, noch für die Oberbauchschmerzen gefunden werden. Durch die psychische Belastung im Rahmen des PPS kam es möglicherweise zu der Entwicklung einer somatoformen autonomen Funktionsstörung des oberen Gastrointestinaltrakts.

Therapie und Verlauf Auch unter einer Kombinationstherapie von Antiemetika und schmerzmodulierenden Medikamenten konnte keine ausreichende Symptomkontrolle erreicht werden. Bei Fehlen von Therapiealternativen und einem zunehmenden Leidensdruck wurde dem Patienten medizinischer Cannabis verordnet. Darunter kam es zu einer Erleichterung der Übelkeit-Symptomatik und Rückgang der Schmerzen.

Folgerung Cannabis stellt eine Behandlungsoption bei therapieresistenten Beschwerden im Rahmen eines PPS dar.
Seasonal Variation in Month of Diagnosis of Polish Children with Type 1 Diabetes - A Multicenter Study
Authors: Szypowska Agnieszka , Ramotowska Anna , Wysocka-Mincewicz Marta , Mazur Artur , Lisowicz Lucyna , Beń-Skowronek Iwona , Sieniawska Joanna , Klonowska Bożenna , Charemska Dorota , Nawrotek Jolanta , Jałowiec Irena , Bossowski Artur , Jamiołkowska Milena , Pyrżak Beata , Miszkurka Grażyna , Szalecki Mieczysław
Published: March 2018

Aim The seasonal variation of incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) theory supports the hypothesis that environmental factors play a role in the onset of the disease. The aim of this study is to assess seasonality of month of diagnosis in children with T1D in Poland.

Material and methods the study group consisted of 2174 children from eastern and central Poland diagnosed with T1D between 2010 and 2014. Analysis was performed in different age groups, based on place of residence (rural/urban area) and depending on sex.

Results We noted significant seasonality in the incidence of T1D with a peak in diagnosis of diabetes in January and the minimum rate in June. A total of 423 (19%) children were diagnosed in the warmest months (June to August with a mean temperature of 16.8°C) compared to 636 (29%) recognised in the coldest months (December to February with a mean temperature of −1.6°C), OR 0.57 95%CI [0.51-0.67], p<0.0001. We noted a more flat seasonal pattern in children 0-4 years of age compared with subjects 5–17 years old with a week correlation of trend comparison between both groups, r=0.69, p=0.001. Similar seasonal variation in the incidence of T1D was noted in children from urban and rural setting. For girls, seasonal pattern peaks were observed one month earlier as compared to boys.

Conclusions Seasonal variation in incidence of T1D diagnosis of Polish children supports the role of different environmental factors in diabetes onset. The majority of children were diagnosed with diabetes in autumn and winter.
First Line Sorafenib Treatment for Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Efficacy and Safety Analysis
Authors: Kocsis Judit , Szekanecz Éva , Bassam Ali , Uhlyarik Andrea , Pápai Zsuzsanna , Rubovszky Gábor , Mezősi Emese , Rucz Károly , Garai Ildikó , Nagy Endre , Uray Iván , Horváth Zsolt
Published: March 2018

Background Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare disease, the prognosis of advanced and metastatic disease is poor and few therapeutic options are available in this setting. Based on the results of phase II and III studies with sorafenib in differentiated thyroid cancer and the lack of availability of registered tyrosine kinase inhibitors, vandetabin and cabozantinib in Hungary, we designed a uncontrolled, prospective efficacy and safety study of patients with metastatic MTC treated with first-line sorafenib in five Hungarian oncology centers.

Methods Ten consecutive patients with progressive or symptomatic metastatic MTC were included and started sorafenib 400  mg twice a day between June 2012 and March 2016. The primary end point was median progression-free survival (mPFS). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate, biochemical response, symptomatic response and toxicity.

Results Four patients achieved partial remission (40%) according to RECIST 1.1 evaluation. Five patients had stable disease beyond 12 months (50%) and one patient had progressive disease (10%). Median PFS was 19.1 months. The disease control rate was 90%. Association between radiologic response and biochemical or symptomatic response was inconsistent. Most common side effects were Grade 1-2 fatigue (60%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, rash/dermatitis 50-50%, alopecia 40%.

Conclusions In our prospective case series in patients with MTC first-line sorafenib showed at least similar efficacy as in other small phase II trials and case reports. Based on comparable efficacy with registered tyrosine kinase inhibitors and it’s manageable toxicity profile, we believe that sorafenib has role in the sequential treatment of MTC.
Perspective: Ab initio force field methods derived from quantum mechanics
Authors: Xu Peng , Guidez Emilie B. , Bertoni Colleen , Gordon Mark S.
Published: March 2018

It is often desirable to accurately and efficiently model the behavior of large molecular systems in the condensed phase (thousands to tens of thousands of atoms) over long time scales (from nanoseconds to milliseconds). In these cases, ab initio methods are difficult due to the increasing computational cost with the number of electrons. A more computationally attractive alternative is to perform the simulations at the atomic level using a parameterized function to model the electronic energy. Many empirical force fields have been developed for this purpose. However, the functions that are used to model interatomic and intermolecular interactions contain many fitted parameters obtained from selected model systems, and such classical force fields cannot properly simulate important electronic effects. Furthermore, while such force fields are computationally affordable, they are not reliable when applied to systems that differ significantly from those used in their parameterization. They also cannot provide the information necessary to analyze the interactions that occur in the system, making the systematic improvement of the functional forms that are used difficult. Ab initio force field methods aim to combine the merits of both types of methods. The ideal ab initio force fields are built on first principles and require no fitted parameters. Ab initio force field methods surveyed in this perspective are based on fragmentation approaches and intermolecular perturbation theory. This perspective summarizes their theoretical foundation, key components in their formulation, and discusses key aspects of these methods such as accuracy and formal computational cost. The ab initio force fields considered here were developed for different targets, and this perspective also aims to provide a balanced presentation of their strengths and shortcomings. Finally, this perspective suggests some future directions for this actively developing area.
Direct measurement of fast transients by using boot-strapped waveform averaging
Authors: Olsson Mattias , Edman Fredrik , Karki Khadga Jung
Published: March 2018

An approximation to coherent sampling, also known as boot-strapped waveform averaging, is presented. The method uses digital cavities to determine the condition for coherent sampling. It can be used to increase the effective sampling rate of a repetitive signal and the signal to noise ratio simultaneously. The method is demonstrated by using it to directly measure the fluorescence lifetime from Rhodamine 6G by digitizing the signal from a fast avalanche photodiode. The obtained lifetime of 4.0 ns is in agreement with the known values.
The influence of ligand charge and length on the assembly of Brome mosaic virus derived virus-like particles with magnetic core
Authors: Mieloch Adam A. , Kręcisz Monika , Rybka Jakub D. , Strugała Aleksander , Krupiński Michał , Urbanowicz Anna , Kozak Maciej , Skalski Bohdan , Figlerowicz Marek , Giersig Michael
Published: March 2018

Virus-like particles (VLPs) have sparked a great interest in the field of nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. The introduction of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) as a core, provides potential use of VLPs in the hyperthermia therapy, MRI contrast agents and magnetically-powered delivery agents. Magnetite NPs also provide a significant improvement in terms of VLPs stability. Moreover employing viral structural proteins as self-assembling units has opened a new paths for targeted therapy, drug delivery systems, vaccines design, and many more. In many cases, the self-assembly of a virus strongly depends on electrostatic interactions between positively charged groups of the capsid proteins and negatively charged nucleic acid. This phenomenon imposes the negative net charge as a key requirement for the core nanoparticle. In our experiments, Brome mosaic virus (BMV) capsid proteins isolated from infected plants Hordeum vulgare were used. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) with 15 nm in diameter were synthesized by thermal decomposition and functionalized with COOH-PEG-PL polymer or dihexadecylphosphate (DHP) in order to provide water solubility and negative charge required for the assembly. Nanoparticles were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometry. TEM and DLS study were conducted to verify VLPs creation. This study demonstrates that the increase of negative surface charge is not a sufficient factor determining successful assembly. Additional steric interactions provided by longer ligands are crucial for the assembly of BMV SPION VLPs and may enhance the colloidal stability.
A new simple technique for improving the random properties of chaos-based cryptosystems
Authors: Garcia-Bosque M. , Pérez-Resa A. , Sánchez-Azqueta C. , Celma S.
Published: March 2018

A new technique for improving the security of chaos-based stream ciphers has been proposed and tested experimentally. This technique manages to improve the randomness properties of the generated keystream by preventing the system to fall into short period cycles due to digitation. In order to test this technique, a stream cipher based on a Skew Tent Map algorithm has been implemented on a Virtex 7 FPGA. The randomness of the keystream generated by this system has been compared to the randomness of the keystream generated by the same system with the proposed randomness-enhancement technique. By subjecting both keystreams to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tests, we have proved that our method can considerably improve the randomness of the generated keystreams. In order to incorporate our randomness-enhancement technique, only 41 extra slices have been needed, proving that, apart from effective, this method is also efficient in terms of area and hardware resources.
Anomalies in the coil-stretch transition of flexible polymers
Authors: Ghosal Aishani , Cherayil Binny J.
Published: March 2018

The flow-induced coil-stretch transition of high molecular weight polymers has generally been held to be of first order. But evidence of significant slowing down in the rate at which the polymers relax to equilibrium in the vicinity of the transition suggests that the thermodynamic character of the transition may be less clear-cut. The above slowing down effect is actually characteristic of a second-order transition, and it points to the existence of a broad spectrum of conformational states in the transition region, analogous to the existence of fluctuations of all length scales at a critical point. In this paper, using a path integral approach based on a free-draining finitely extensible chain model, we calculate various polymer properties as a function of elongational flow as a way of exploring different statistical mechanical details of the coil-stretch transition. These properties include the molecular weight dependence of the flow-extension curve of the polymer, the distribution of its steady-state end-to-end distances, and the characteristic relaxation time τR of these distances. Among other findings, our calculations indicate that the coil-stretch transition is discontinuous in the N → ∞ limit, that the effective free energy of the chain is unimodal at all values of the flow, becoming broad and flat in the immediate vicinity of the transition, and that the ratio of τR to the Rouse relaxation time increases abruptly at the transition before eventually reaching a plateau value at large flow strengths. These aspects of the coil-stretch transition place it among a larger class of unconventional nominally first-order single chain transitions that include the adsorption transition of surface-tethered polymers and the escape transition of compressed polymers.
Metamaterials for optical Bragg accelerators
Authors: Hanuka Adi , Goldemberg Elron , Zilka Almog , Schächter Levi
Published: March 2018

We present a systematic study of the advantages of using optical artificial materials in designing periodic structures for laser-driven accelerators. As a case study, we investigate the electromagnetic properties of a Bragg waveguide, with its alternating layers being composed of artificial materials. The layers can be optimized to maximize the structure's properties. We show that when the structure's eigenmode interacts with free electrons, the maximum efficiency is nearly four times higher than in configurations that rely on natural materials. As a result, accelerators and radiation sources may be miniaturized significantly.
Optimal control of the orientation and alignment of an asymmetric-top molecule with terahertz and laser pulses
Authors: Coudert L. H.
Published: March 2018

Quantum optimal control theory is applied to determine numerically the terahertz and nonresonant laser pulses leading, respectively, to the highest degree of orientation and alignment of the asymmetric-top H2S molecule. The optimized terahertz pulses retrieved for temperatures of zero and 50 K lead after 50 ps to an orientation with ⟨ΦZx⟩ = 0.959 73 and ⟨⟨ΦZx⟩⟩ = 0.742 30, respectively. For the zero temperature, the orientation is close to its maximum theoretical value; for the higher temperature, it is below the maximum theoretical value. The mechanism by which the terahertz pulse populates high lying rotational levels is elucidated. The 5 ps long optimized laser pulse calculated for a zero temperature leads to an alignment with ⟨ΦZy2⟩=0.944 16 and consists of several kick pulses with a duration of ≈0.1 ps. It is found that the timing of these kick pulses is such that it leads to an increase of the rotational energy of the molecule. The optimized laser pulse retrieved for a temperature of 20 K is 6 ps long and yields a lower alignment with ⟨⟨ΦZy2⟩⟩=0.717 20.
Unusual negative magnetoresistance in Bi2Se3–ySy topological insulator under perpendicular magnetic field
Authors: Singh Rahul , Gangwar Vinod K. , Daga D. D. , Singh Abhishek , Ghosh A. K. , Kumar Manoranjan , Lakhani A. , Singh Rajeev , Chatterjee Sandip
Published: March 2018

The magneto-transport properties of Bi2Se3–ySy were investigated. Magnetoresistance (MR) decreases with an increase in the S content, and finally, for 7% (i.e., y = 0.21) S doping, the magnetoresistance becomes negative. This negative MR is unusual as it is observed when a magnetic field is applied in the perpendicular direction to the plane of the sample. The magneto-transport behavior shows the Shubnikov–de Haas (SdH) oscillation, indicating the coexistence of surface and bulk states. The negative MR has been attributed to the non-trivial bulk conduction.
Hydrogen ion induced ultralow wear of PEEK under extreme load
Authors: Yan Shuai , Wang Anying , Fei Jixiong , Wang Zhenyang , Zhang Xiaofeng , Lin Bin
Published: March 2018

As a high-performance engineering polymer, poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) is a perfect candidate material for applications under extreme working conditions. However, its high wear rate greatly shortens its service life. In this study, ultralow friction and wear between PEEK and silicon nitride (Si3N4) under extreme-load conditions (with a mean contact pressure above 100 MPa) are found in acid lubricating solutions. Both friction and wear decrease sharply with decreasing pH. At pH = 1, the friction coefficient decreases by an order of magnitude and the wear rate of the PEEK decreases by two orders of magnitude compared to the results with water lubrication. These reductions in friction and wear occur for different speed, load, and surface roughness conditions. The underlying mechanism can be attributed to the formation of hydrogen-ion-induced electrical double layers on the surfaces of PEEK and Si3N4. The combined effect of the resulting repulsive force, electro-viscosity, and low shear strength of the water layer dramatically reduces both friction and wear.
Stomatal and photochemical limitations of photosynthesis in coffee (Coffea spp.) plants subjected to elevated temperatures
Authors: Rodrigues Weverton P. , Silva Jefferson R. , Ferreira Luciene S. , Filho José A. Machado , Figueiredo Fabio A. M. M. A. , Ferraz Tiago M. , Bernado Wallace P. , Bezerra Luan B. S. , de Abreu Deivisson P. , Cespom Letícia , Ramalho José C. , Campostrini Eliemar
Published: March 2018

Temperature increase assumes a prominent role in the context of expected climate change because of its significant impact on plant metabolism. High temperature can affect the carbon-assimilation pathway at both stomatal and non-stomatal levels, mainly through stomatal closure and photochemical and biochemical limitations. In general, however, plants have some ability to trigger acclimation mechanisms to cope with stressful conditions, especially if the limitations are imposed in a gradual manner during seasonal change. This study aims at evaluating changes at stomatal and photochemical levels in Coffea arabica and C. canephora under exposure to mild temperature (spring) and high temperature (summer). Potted plants were maintained in a greenhouse, watered to field capacity and subject to natural variations of light, temperature and relative humidity. In C. arabica, exposure to summer conditions decreased photosynthetic rates (A), stomatal conductance (gs) and stomatal density and increased intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) compared with spring values, whereas C. canephora plants maintained similar values in both seasons. However, C. canephora presented lower A and gs during spring than C. arabica. Because photosynthetic capacity (Amax), photosynthetic performance index and membrane permeability were similar between genotypes and seasons, and maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and photosynthetic pigments were not affected in C. arabica in summer, we conclude that under high temperature conditions, stomatal closure imposes the major limitation on C. arabica photosynthesis in summer. Finally, both coffee genotypes were able to avoid damage to photochemistry pathway under supra-optimal temperatures.
Breeding for increased drought tolerance in wheat: a review
Authors: Mohammadi Reza
Published: March 2018

Drought, being a yield-limiting factor, has become a major threat to international food security. It is a complex process, and drought tolerance response is carried out by various genes, transcription factors, microRNAs, hormones, proteins, co-factors, ions and metabolites. This complexity has limited the development of crop cultivars for drought tolerance. Breeding for drought tolerance is further complicated because several types of abiotic stress, such as high temperatures, high irradiance, and nutrient toxicities or deficiencies, can challenge crop plants simultaneously. Although marker-assisted selection is now widely deployed in wheat, it has not contributed significantly to cultivar improvement for adaptation to low-yielding environments, and breeding has relied largely on direct phenotypic selection for improved performance in these difficult environments. Advances in plant breeding to produce improved and higher performing wheat cultivars are key to making dryland food-production systems more efficient and more resistant to pressure from drought, extremes of cold and heat, unpredictable rainfall, and new pests and diseases. For optimal performance, wheat cultivars can be targeted to specific farming systems, depending on local conditions and stresses. Genetic gain in wheat yield potential during the last century has been achieved by plant breeding and is well documented. It has been studied by comparing, in the same field trial, the yield of cultivars characterised by different years of release. Genomic selection (GS) and high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) have attracted the interest of plant breeders, and both approaches promise to revolutionise the prediction of complex traits, including growth, yield and adaptation to stress. This review describes the impact of drought on yield, trends in yield for boosting crop yields to meet the projected demands of rising global population by 2050, and genetic gain achieved by plant breeding in the last decades; and gathers known functional information on the genes, metabolites and traits and their direct involvement in conferring drought tolerance in wheat. In addition, it discusses recently developed techniques (i.e. GS and HTP) integrated with approaches such as breeding, genetics, genomics, and agronomic strategies for improving drought in wheat.
Use of 'cageless' barriers to enclose small starfish in short-term field experiments
Authors: Martinez Aline S. , Coleman Ross A.
Published: March 2018

Although small starfish may exert significant grazing effects on hard substrata, quantification of these effects has been difficult because of methodological limitations. Previously, caging small starfish for field experiments has failed because animals can escape through cage meshes and confounding effects may arise as the starfish can feed on organisms growing on the fences themselves, rather than the surface under investigation. Here, we investigated the efficiency of alternative barrier methods, such as antifouling paint and sticky barriers, for shorter-term experimental manipulation of the herbivorous starfish Parvulastra exigua. Laboratory and field manipulations tested the hypotheses that barriers are efficient in retaining starfish within plots and that the chemical repellent of the barriers does not affect the normal functioning of starfish. The results showed that the sticky barrier did not deter P. exigua, but antifouling paint retained greater numbers of individuals within barrier plots than in controls, with no short-term effects on starfish righting response.
A genetic method for sex determination in Ovis spp. by interruption of the zinc finger protein, Y-linked (ZFY) gene on the Y chromosome
Authors: Zhang Yong Sheng , Du Ying Chun , Sun Li Rong , Wang Xu Hai , Liu Shuai Bing , Xi Ji Feng , Li Chao Cheng , Ying Rui Wen , Jiang Song , Wang Xiang Zu , Shen Hong , Jia Bin
Published: March 2018

The mammalian Y chromosome plays a critical role in spermatogenesis. However, the exact functions of each gene on the Y chromosome have not been completely elucidated, due, in part, to difficulties in gene targeting analysis of the Y chromosome. The zinc finger protein, Y-linked (ZFY) gene was first proposed to be a sex determination factor, although its function in spermatogenesis has recently been elucidated. Nevertheless, ZFY gene targeting analysis has not been performed to date. In the present study, RNA interference (RNAi) was used to generate ZFY-interrupted Hu sheep by injecting short hairpin RNA (shRNA) into round spermatids. The resulting spermatozoa exhibited abnormal sperm morphology, including spermatozoa without tails and others with head and tail abnormalities. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that ZFY mRNA expression was decreased significantly in Hu sheep with interrupted ZFY compared with wild-type Hu sheep. The sex ratio of lambs also exhibited a bias towards females. Together, the experimental strategy and findings of the present study reveal that ZFY also functions in spermatogenesis in Hu sheep and facilitate the use of RNAi in the control of sex in Hu sheep.
How cognitive and reactive fear circuits optimize escape decisions in humans
Authors: Qi Song , Hassabis Demis , Sun Jiayin , Guo Fangjian , Daw Nathaniel , Mobbs Dean
Published: March 2018

Significance

Humans, like other animals, have evolved a set of neural circuits whose primary function is survival. In the case of predation, these circuits include “reactive fear” circuits involved in fast escape decisions and “cognitive fear” circuits that are involved in more complex processing associated with slow strategic escape. Using neuroimaging combined with computational modeling, we support this differentiation of fear circuits by showing that fast escape decisions are elicited by the periaqueductal gray and midcingulate cortex, regions involved in reactive flight. Conversely, slower escape decisions rely on the hippocampus, posterior cingulate cortex, and prefrontal cortex, a circuit implicated in behavioral flexibility. These results support a separation of fear into reactive and cognitive circuits.
RNAi is a critical determinant of centromere evolution in closely related fungi
Authors: Yadav Vikas , Sun Sheng , Billmyre R. Blake , Thimmappa Bhagya C. , Shea Terrance , Lintner Robert , Bakkeren Guus , Cuomo Christina A. , Heitman Joseph , Sanyal Kaustuv
Published: March 2018

Significance

The “centromere paradox” refers to rapidly evolving and highly diverse centromere DNA sequences even in closely related eukaryotes. However, factors contributing to this rapid divergence are largely unknown. Here, we identified large regional, LTR retrotransposon-rich centromeres in a group of human fungal pathogens belonging to the
Cryptococcus
species complex. We provide evidence that loss-of-functional RNAi machinery and possibly cytosine DNA methylation trigger instability of the genome by activation of centromeric retrotransposons presumably suppressed by RNAi. We propose that RNAi, together with cytosine DNA methylation, serves as a critical determinant that maintains repetitive transposon-rich centromere structures. This study explores the direct link between RNAi and centromere structure evolution.
Physical and geometric constraints shape the labyrinth-like nasal cavity
Authors: Zwicker David , Ostilla-Mónico Rodolfo , Lieberman Daniel E. , Brenner Michael P.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Although nasal cavities fulfill similar tasks across animals, their geometry varies widely. One such task is heating and humidifying the inhaled air, which works best if the nasal cavity is narrow. However, narrow geometries have a large resistance to flow. We show that these opposing geometrical requirements are critical for shaping the nasal cavity and strongly restrict the local gap width. In contrast, the overall shape has little influence on the resistance and air conditioning, so the observed labyrinth-like patterns could emerge from geometric constraints imposed by the head. Our theory predicts geometric parameters of nasal cavities quantitatively, and it suggests that the surprisingly small nasal cavities of humans force us to become oral breathers during heavy exercise.
Transmembrane E3 ligase RNF183 mediates ER stress-induced apoptosis by degrading Bcl-xL
Authors: Wu Yanfang , Li Xia , Jia Junying , Zhang Yanpeng , Li Jing , Zhu Zhengmao , Wang Huaqing , Tang Jie , Hu Junjie
Published: March 2018

Significance

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a pathological condition observed in many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Failure to relieve the cellular stress via adaptive mechanisms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) activates apoptotic cell death. We demonstrate that a membrane-anchored RING finger protein, RNF183, is specifically induced by prolonged ER stress. RNF183 is regulated by IRE1, mainly through miR-7. As an E3 ligase, RNF183 ubiquitinates Bcl-xL, causing its degradation and subsequent apoptosis. Our findings imply that manipulation of RNF183 activity may help control cell fate in pathological conditions and suggest that the close contact between the ER and mitochondria plays a key role in cellular signaling.
Manipulating thermal emission with spatially static fluctuating fields in arbitrarily shaped epsilon-near-zero bodies
Authors: Liberal Iñigo , Engheta Nader
Published: March 2018

Significance

Harnessing thermal fields is a current scientific challenge with far-reaching technological implications on heat and energy management, chemistry, and bioengineering. However, the random nature of thermal field sources, which eliminates phase information, hinders the use of interference-based conventional optical techniques. We propose an alternative route to control thermal fields based on epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) media, a medium with near-zero permittivity. We show how the effective enlargement of the wavelength on ENZ media results on intrinsically (material-based) enhanced spatial coherence, quite independently of the geometry of the ENZ body itself. This provides distinct opportunities in engineering thermal radiation, while maintaining flexibility on the geometrical degrees of freedom (shape of the body and/or position of the particles within it).
Linking imaging to omics utilizing image-guided tissue extraction
Authors: Disselhorst Jonathan A. , Krueger Marcel A. , Ud-Dean S. M. Minhaz , Bezrukov Ilja , Jarboui Mohamed A. , Trautwein Christoph , Traube Andreas , Spindler Christian , Cotton Jonathan M. , Leibfritz Dieter , Pichler Bernd J.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Imaging provides an insight into biological patho-mechanisms of diseases. However, the link between the imaging phenotype and the underlying molecular processes is often not well understood. Methods such as metabolomics and proteomics reveal detailed information about these processes. Unfortunately, they provide no spatial information and thus cannot be easily correlated with functional imaging. We have developed an image-guided milling machine and unique workflows to precisely isolate tissue samples based on imaging data. The tissue samples remain cooled during the entire procedure, preventing sample degradation. This enables us to correlate, at an unprecedented spatial precision, comprehensive imaging information with metabolomics and proteomics data, leading to a better understanding of diseases.
Communicating the nutritional value of sugar inDrosophila
Authors: Abu Farhan , Wang Justin G. , Oh Yangkyun , Deng Jingjing , Neubert Thomas A. , Suh Greg S. B.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Fruit flies release a previously unreported signal when they consume nutritive food. This signal communicates the presence of nutritive food to other flies and guides them to aggregate around the nutritive food. The nutritional value of food, rather than its taste, is critical for the release of calorie-induced secreted factor (CIF) from the gut end. This signal is not detected by the olfactory system and is not limited to one species inDrosophila. We propose that CIF acts as an ethologically important pheromone that informs nutritional food sources to other flies in the wild.
ATP-dependent substrate reduction at an [Fe
8
S
9
] double-cubane cluster
Authors: Jeoung Jae-Hun , Dobbek Holger
Published: March 2018

Significance

Our ability to reduce stable small molecules, such as dinitrogen or carbon dioxide, is as vital as it is demanding and requires energetic electrons and a catalyst. In nature, these requirements are met by two-component enzymes: an electron-donating metallo-ATPase and the principal catalyst, a metalloprotein with a low-potential cofactor. Here, we present a two-component enzyme in which the catalyst houses a double-cubane type [Fe
8
S
9
]-cluster. Iron–sulfur clusters with so high nuclearity were so far only known from nitrogenase, an enzyme notorious for its capacity to reduce various small molecules. The enzyme not only shares structural features with nitrogenase, but is also able to reduce acetylene, indicating its potential employment for reductive reactions of our choice.
Discovery of a hexagonal ultradense hydrous phase in (Fe,Al)OOH
Authors: Zhang Li , Yuan Hongsheng , Meng Yue , Mao Ho-kwang
Published: March 2018

Significance

The lower mantle is potentially the most massive water reservoir in our planet, which largely depends on availability of hydrous minerals which can store and transport water down to the deep lower mantle. Experimentally, it is a great challenge to identify an unknown hydrous phase in a multiphase system under high-pressure–temperature conditions corresponding to the deep Earth. We combined powder X-ray diffraction and multigrain indexation to discover a hexagonal hydrous phase in (Fe,Al)OOH at 107–136 GPa and 2,400 K. Tens of individual crystallites, each with its unique orientation matrix, confirm the existence of the hexagonal phase. This study highlights a candidate for water storage.
B7-H1 maintains the polyclonal T cell response by protecting dendritic cells from cytotoxic T lymphocyte destruction
Authors: Chen Ling , Azuma Takeshi , Yu Weiwei , Zheng Xu , Luo Liqun , Chen Lieping
Published: March 2018

Significance

Antibody blockade of the B7-H1/PD-1 interaction induces regression of advanced human cancers in some patients, while recurrence occurs in others due to tumor escape from T cell attack. Here, we describe a possible mechanism of tumor escape from therapy caused by biased stimulation of T cells to dominant antigen. Based on this finding, we tested a split immunization approach to prevent cancer recurrence in mouse tumor models. These findings may help design approaches for combination cancer immunotherapies.
Cholesterol provides nonsacrificial protection of membrane lipids from chemical damage at air–water interface
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Barraza Kevin M. , Beauchamp J. L.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Comprising 30 mol % of the lipids in cell membranes, cholesterol plays vital biophysical roles in monolayer and bilayer membranes. It increases the lipid-packing density and maintains high membrane fluidity. Most studies of cholesterol in membranes focus on its effects on membrane structure and physical properties, with only minimum concern for possible biochemical consequences that might accompany these changes. In this study, field-induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry is employed to directly measure the chemical degradation of monolayer phospholipids caused by potent reagents OH and HCl at the air–water interface. When added to the lipid layer, cholesterol serves a nonsacrificial chemoprotective function, inhibiting the substantial degradation of both 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) that occurs in the absence of cholesterol.
Liver X receptor β regulates the development of the dentate gyrus and autistic-like behavior in the mouse
Authors: Cai Yulong , Tang Xiaotong , Chen Xi , Li Xin , Wang Ying , Bao Xiaohang , Wang Lian , Sun Dayu , Zhao Jinghui , Xing Yan , Warner Margaret , Xu Haiwei , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Fan Xiaotang
Published: March 2018

Significance

Defects in the neurogenesis of the dentate gyrus (DG) seem to be involved in the genesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD)-like behaviors. Our study reveals that deletion of the Liver X receptor β (LXRβ) in mice causes hypoplasia in the DG, including abnormalities in the formation of progenitor cells and reduced neurogenesis. Behavioral analysis of LXRβ-deficient mice showed autistic-like behaviors, including social interaction deficits and repetitive behavior. These findings provide evidence that early changes in DG neurogenesis is possibly associated with the genesis of autism-related behaviors in LXRβ-deficient mice.
Is Locke’s answer to Molyneux’s question inconsistent? Cross-modal recognition and the sight–recognition error
Authors: Vaughn Anna
Published: March 2018

Molyneux’s question asks whether someone born blind, who could distinguish cubes from spheres using his tactile sensation, could recognize those objects if he received his sight. Locke says no: the newly sighted person would fail to point to the cube and call it a cube. Locke never provided a complete explanation for his negative response, and there are concerns of inconsistency with other important aspects of his theory of ideas. These charges of inconsistency rest upon an unrecognized and unfounded assumption that seeing entails recognition. Locke’s negative answer to Molyneux’s question is consistent with his other philosophical commitments.
Tribological behaviour of the double FeCoNiCrCux middle-entropy alloy coatings
Authors: Cai Yangchuan , Manladan Sunusi Marwana , Luo Zhen
Published: March 2018

In the present research, the double FeCoCrNiCux medium-entropy alloy coatings were manufactured on Cr12MoV die steel by laser cladding technology. The cross-section, microstructure, phase, micro-hardness, and tribological behaviour of the coatings were investigated systemically. The dilution effect of the substrate had the weaker effect on the second layer compared to the first layer. The double FeCoCrNiCux cladding layers only had a single face-centred cubic phase led to the lower micro-hardness and wear resistance. The different atomic radius of the alloying elements in the coatings generated a large lattice dislocation. The face-centred cubic structure of coatings had a higher hardness than that of the traditional face-centred cubic structure. The Cu element is easy to segregate at the grain boundaries to form the Cu-rich solid solution.
Branched actin networks push against each other at adherens junctions to maintain cell–cell adhesion
Authors: Efimova Nadia , Svitkina Tatyana M.
Published: March 2018

Adherens junctions (AJs) are mechanosensitive cadherin-based intercellular adhesions that interact with the actin cytoskeleton and carry most of the mechanical load at cell–cell junctions. Both Arp2/3 complex–dependent actin polymerization generating pushing force and nonmuscle myosin II (NMII)-dependent contraction producing pulling force are necessary for AJ morphogenesis. Which actin system directly interacts with AJs is unknown. Using platinum replica electron microscopy of endothelial cells, we show that vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin colocalizes with Arp2/3 complex–positive actin networks at different AJ types and is positioned at the interface between two oppositely oriented branched networks from adjacent cells. In contrast, actin–NMII bundles are located more distally from the VE-cadherin–rich zone. After Arp2/3 complex inhibition, linear AJs split, leaving gaps between cells with detergent-insoluble VE-cadherin transiently associated with the gap edges. After NMII inhibition, VE-cadherin is lost from gap edges. We propose that the actin cytoskeleton at AJs acts as a dynamic push–pull system, wherein pushing forces maintain extracellular VE-cadherin transinteraction and pulling forces stabilize intracellular adhesion complexes.
An introduction to univalent foundations for mathematicians
Authors: Grayson Daniel
Published: March 2018

We offer an introduction for mathematicians to the univalent foundations of Vladimir Voevodsky, aiming to explain how he chose to encode mathematics in type theory and how the encoding reveals a potentially viable foundation for all of modern mathematics that can serve as an alternative to set theory.
Conformal mapping, convexity and total absolute curvature
Authors: Kourou Maria
Published: March 2018

Let

f
f

be a holomorphic and locally univalent function on the unit disk

D

\mathbb {D}

. Let

C
r

C_r

be the circle centered at the origin of radius

r
r

, where

0
>
r
>
1

0>r >1

. We will prove that the total absolute curvature of

f
(

C
r

)

f(C_r)

is an increasing function of

r
r

. Moreover, we present inequalities involving the

L

p

\mathrm {L}^p

-norm of the curvature of

f
(

C
r

)

f(C_r)

. Using the hyperbolic geometry of

D

\mathbb {D}

, we will prove an analogous monotonicity result for the hyperbolic total curvature. In the case where

f
f

is a hyperbolically convex mapping of

D

\mathbb {D}

into itself, we compare the hyperbolic total curvature of the curves

C
r

C_r

and

f
(

C
r

)

f(C_r)

and show that their ratio is a decreasing function. The last result can also be seen as a geometric version of the classical Schwarz Lemma.