bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Widespread intronic polyadenylation diversifies immune cell transcriptomes
Authors: Singh Irtisha , Lee Shih-Han , Sperling Adam S. , Samur Mehmet K. , Tai Yu-Tzu , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Munshi Nikhil C. , Mayr Christine , Leslie Christina S.
Published: April 2018

Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (ApA) is known to alter untranslated region (3ʹUTR) length but can also recognize intronic polyadenylation (IpA) signals to generate transcripts that lose part or all of the coding region. We analyzed 46 3ʹ-seq and RNA-seq profiles from normal human tissues, primary immune cells, and multiple myeloma (MM) samples and created an atlas of 4927 high-confidence IpA events represented in these cell types. IpA isoforms are widely expressed in immune cells, differentially used during B-cell development or in different cellular environments, and can generate truncated proteins lacking C-terminal functional domains. This can mimic ectodomain shedding through loss of transmembrane domains or alter the binding specificity of proteins with DNA-binding or protein–protein interaction domains. MM cells display a striking loss of IpA isoforms expressed in plasma cells, associated with shorter progression-free survival and impacting key genes in MM biology and response to lenalidomide.
Increased proteasomal activity supports photoreceptor survival in inherited retinal degeneration
Authors: Lobanova Ekaterina S. , Finkelstein Stella , Li Jing , Travis Amanda M. , Hao Ying , Klingeborn Mikael , Skiba Nikolai P. , Deshaies Raymond J. , Arshavsky Vadim Y.
Published: April 2018

Inherited retinal degenerations, affecting more than 2 million people worldwide, are caused by mutations in over 200 genes. This suggests that the most efficient therapeutic strategies would be mutation independent, i.e., targeting common pathological conditions arising from many disease-causing mutations. Previous studies revealed that one such condition is an insufficiency of the ubiquitin–proteasome system to process misfolded or mistargeted proteins in affected photoreceptor cells. We now report that retinal degeneration in mice can be significantly delayed by increasing photoreceptor proteasomal activity. The largest effect is observed upon overexpression of the 11S proteasome cap subunit, PA28α, which enhanced ubiquitin-independent protein degradation in photoreceptors. Applying this strategy to mice bearing one copy of the P23H rhodopsin mutant, a mutation frequently encountered in human patients, quadruples the number of surviving photoreceptors in the inferior retina of 6-month-old mice. This striking therapeutic effect demonstrates that proteasomes are an attractive target for fighting inherited blindness.
Tailoring supercurrent confinement in graphene bilayer weak links
Authors: Kraft Rainer , Mohrmann Jens , Du Renjun , Selvasundaram Pranauv Balaji , Irfan Muhammad , Kanilmaz Umut Nefta , Wu Fan , Beckmann Detlef , von Löhneysen Hilbert , Krupke Ralph , Akhmerov Anton , Gornyi Igor , Danneau Romain
Published: April 2018

The Josephson effect is one of the most studied macroscopic quantum phenomena in condensed matter physics and has been an essential part of the quantum technologies development over the last decades. It is already used in many applications such as magnetometry, metrology, quantum computing, detectors or electronic refrigeration. However, developing devices in which the induced superconductivity can be monitored, both spatially and in its magnitude, remains a serious challenge. In this work, we have used local gates to control confinement, amplitude and density profile of the supercurrent induced in one-dimensional nanoscale constrictions, defined in bilayer graphene-hexagonal boron nitride van der Waals heterostructures. The combination of resistance gate maps, out-of-equilibrium transport, magnetic interferometry measurements, analytical and numerical modelling enables us to explore highly tunable superconducting weak links. Our study opens the path way to design more complex superconducting circuits based on this principle, such as electronic interferometers or transition-edge sensors.
Controlled mechanical assembly of complex 3D mesostructures and strain sensors by tensile buckling
Authors: Guo Xiaogang , Wang Xueju , Ou Dapeng , Ye Jilong , Pang Wenbo , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A. , Zhang Yihui
Published: April 2018

Recent research establishes methods of controlled mechanical assembly as versatile routes to three-dimensional (3D) mesostructures from patterned 2D films, with demonstrated applicability to a broad range of materials (e.g., semiconductors, polymers, metals, and their combinations) and length scales (e.g., from sub-microscale to centimeter scale). Previously reported schemes use pre-stretched elastomeric substrates as assembly platforms to induce compressive buckling of 2D precursor structures, thereby enabling their controlled transformation into 3D architectures. Here, we introduce tensile buckling as a different, complementary strategy that bypasses the need for a pre-stretched platform, thereby simplifying the assembly process and opening routes to additional classes of 3D geometries unobtainable with compressive buckling. A few basic principles in mechanics serve as guidelines for the design of 2D precursor structures that achieve large out-of-plane motions and associated 3D transformations due to tensile buckling. Experimental and computational studies of nearly 20 examples demonstrate the utility of this approach in the assembly of complex 3D mesostructures with characteristic dimensions from micron to millimeter scales. The results also establish the use of nonlinear mechanics modeling as a mechanism for designing systems that yield desired 3D geometries. A strain sensor that offers visible readout and large detectable strain range through a collection of mechanically triggered electrical switches and LEDs serves as an application example.
Publisher Correction: PAFAH1B1 haploinsufficiency disrupts GABA neurons and synaptic E/I balance in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Dinday Matthew T. , Girskis Kelly M. , Lee Sunyoung , Baraban Scott C. , Hunt Robert F.
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Potential Protective Effect of Osteocalcin in Middle-Aged Men with Erectile Dysfunction: Evidence from the FAMHES Project
Authors: Chen Yang , Li Jie , Liao Jinling , Hu Yanling , Zhang Haiying , Yang Xiaobo , Wang Qiuyan , Mo Zengnan , Cheng Jiwen
Published: April 2018

In a similar manner to erectile dysfunction (ED), osteocalcin (OC) is also said to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the effect of OC in ED is unclear. This study was conducted based on the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES) project that ran between September and December 2009. ED was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). OC was shown to be associated with mild (unadjusted: OR = 0.647; P = 0.016) or moderate (unadjusted: OR = 0.453; P = 0.007) ED. Meanwhile, higher OC levels were more prominently associated with ED (unadjusted: OR = 0.702; P = 0.014). When subdividing the groups by age, the correlation between OC and ED presented in those aged 40–49 years, even in the multi-adjusted model, for those with moderate (OR = 0.255, P = 0.044) and severe (OR = 0.065, P = 0.005) ED. The relationship between OC and ED was also associated with a high level of testosterone, non-obesity, drinking, and non-metabolic syndrome. In summary, OC may play a protective role in middle-aged (40–49 years) men with moderate-severe ED, especially those with a high level of testosterone, non-obesity, drinking, and non-metabolic syndrome.
A Comparison of the Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Thiosulfinate Analogues of Allicin
Authors: Leontiev Roman , Hohaus Nils , Jacob Claus , Gruhlke Martin C. H. , Slusarenko Alan J.
Published: April 2018

Allicin (diallylthiosulfinate) is a defence molecule from garlic (Allium sativumL.) with broad antimicrobial activities in the low µM range against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, including antibiotic resistant strains, and fungi. Allicin reacts with thiol groups and can inactivate essential enzymes. However, allicin is unstable at room temperature and antimicrobial activity is lost within minutes upon heating to >80 °C. Allicin’s antimicrobial activity is due to the thiosulfinate group, so we synthesized a series of allicin analogues and tested their antimicrobial properties and thermal stability. Dimethyl-, diethyl-, diallyl-, dipropyl- and dibenzyl-thiosulfinates were synthesized and testedin vitroagainst bacteria and the model fungusSaccharomyces cerevisiae, human and plant cells in culture andArabidopsisroot growth. The more volatile compounds showed significant antimicrobial properties via the gas phase. A chemogenetic screen with selected yeast mutants showed that the mode of action of the analogues was similar to that of allicin and that the glutathione pool and glutathione metabolism were of central importance for resistance against them. Thiosulfinates differed in their effectivity against specific organisms and some were thermally more stable than allicin. These analogues could be suitable for applications in medicine and agriculture either singly or in combination with other antimicrobials.
Three-dimensional computational model simulating the fracture healing process with both biphasic poroelastic finite element analysis and fuzzy logic control
Authors: Wang Monan , Yang Ning
Published: April 2018

A dynamic model regulated by both biphasic poroelastic finite element analysis and fuzzy logic control was established. Fuzzy logic control was an easy and comprehensive way to simulate the tissue differentiation process, and it is convenient for researchers and medical experts to communicate with one another to change the fuzzy logic rules and improve the simulation of the tissue differentiation process. In this study, a three-dimensional fracture healing model with two different interfragmentary movements (case A: 0.25 mm and case B: 1.25 mm) was analysed with the new set-up computational model. As the healing process proceeded, both simulated interfragmentary movements predicted a decrease and the time that the decrease started for case B was later than that for case A. Compared with experimental results, both cases corresponded with experimental data well. The newly established dynamic model can simulate the healing process under different mechanical environments and has the potential to extend to the multiscale healing model, which is essential for reducing the animal experiments and helping to characterise the complex dynamic interaction between tissue differentiations within the callus region.
Nanoscale synchrotron X-ray speciation of iron and calcium compounds in amyloid plaque cores from Alzheimer's disease subjects
Authors: Everett James , Collingwood Joanna F. , Tjendana-Tjhin Vindy , Brooks Jake , Lermyte Frederik , Plascencia-Villa Germán , Hands-Portman Ian , Dobson Jon , Perry George , Telling Neil D.
Published: April 2018

Synchrotron soft X-ray nano-imaging and spectromicroscopy reveals iron and calcium biomineralization in Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaques.
An isothermal single base extension based lateral flow biosensor and electrochemical assay for gene point mutation detection
Authors: Sun Ning , Guo Qi , Li Xiaomei , Chen Jitao , Liu Xiaowen , Wong Kwok-Yin , Fang Zhiyuang
Published: April 2018

In this proof-of-concept study, an isothermal single base extension (SBE) reaction was developed for simple and fast amplification of mutations.
Retraction: ZnO nanoparticles affect intestinal function in an in vitro model
Authors: Moreno-Olivas Fabiola , Tako Elad , Mahler Gretchen J.
Published: April 2018

Retraction of ‘ZnO nanoparticles affect intestinal function in an in vitro model’ by Fabiola Moreno-Olivas et al., Food Funct., 2018, 9, 1475–1491.
Proximity-induced magnetism and an anomalous Hall effect in Bi2Se3/LaCoO3: a topological insulator/ferromagnetic insulator thin film heterostructure
Authors: Zhu Shanna , Meng Dechao , Liang Genhao , Shi Gang , Zhao Peng , Cheng Peng , Li Yongqing , Zhai Xiaofang , Lu Yalin , Chen Lan , Wu Kehui
Published: April 2018

A high-quality Bi2Se3/LaCoO3 heterostructure is fabricated as a new TI/FMI system for investigating a proximity-induced ferromagnetic phase in topological insulators.
Total synthesis of the natural HDAC inhibitor Cyl-1
Authors: Servatius Phil , Kazmaier Uli
Published: April 2018

A chelate enolate Claisen rearrangement was used as a key step in the first total synthesis of Cyl-1, a cyclic tetrapeptide from Cylindrocladium scoparium.
Push–pull quinoidal porphyrins
Authors: Smith Martin J. , Blake Iain M. , Clegg William , Anderson Harry L.
Published: April 2018

Quinoidal porphyrins with electron-donating 1,3-dithiolane and electron-withdrawing dicyanomethylene groups form tightly π-stacked layer structures, despite their curved geometries and bulky aryl substituents. The crystal structures of these quinoidal porphyrins indicate that there is no significant contribution from singlet biradical or zwitterionic resonance forms.
Kekulé diradicaloids derived from a classical N-heterocyclic carbene
Authors: Rottschäfer Dennis , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans-Georg , Andrada Diego M. , Ghadwal Rajendra S.
Published: April 2018

Two-electron reduction of bis(1,3-imidazolinium) salts 2 and 3 with KC8 gives rise to stable diradicaloids 4 and 5, respectively. Calculations reveal a very low singlet–triplet energy gap ΔES–T for 5 (10.7 kcal mol−1), while ΔES–T for 4 (29.1 kcal mol−1) is rather large.
Mechanical characterization and modeling of sponge-reinforced hydrogel composites under compression
Authors: Wu Lei , Mao Guoyong , Nian Guodong , Xiang Yuhai , Qian Jin , Qu Shaoxing
Published: April 2018

A model is proposed to predict the compressive moduli of sponge-reinforced hydrogel composites validated by experiments and numerical simulations.
Controllable and re‐usable patch for transdermal iontophoresis drug delivery
Authors: Talbi Y. , Campo E. , Brulin D. , Fourniols J.Y.
Published: April 2018

Transdermal active drug delivery is one way to propose new disease treatment as an improvement to passive patches diffusion based on concentration gradient. Although skin limitations due to low permeability active transdermal delivery approach are investigated, by the proposition of an iontophoretic reusable and controllable patch. Making such an e‐health care device offers active control and permanent actuating link able to control the amount of drug delivered. In vitro experiment is conducted to investigate the current effect on the permeation. Modelling and simulations are carried out to optimise the design and the electrical stimulation and finally a global overview of the architecture of the patch is presented.
Morphology‐based structure‐preserving projection for spectral–spatial feature extraction and classification of hyperspectral data
Authors: Imani Maryam , Ghassemian Hassan
Published: April 2018

Incorporation of spatial information besides rich spectral information of hyperspectral image significantly enhances data classification accuracy. A morphology‐based feature extraction and classification framework is proposed here, which includes the local neighbourhood information in a spatial window for extension of training set. The proposed method is morphology‐based structure‐preserving projection (MSPP) and tries to preserve the data structure in spectral–spatial feature space. Moreover, MSPP increases the class discrimination ability by defining a similarity matrix constructed by extended spectral–spatial training samples. The experimental results show the superiority of MSPP compared to some state‐of‐the‐art classification methods from the classification accuracy point of view.
Design and implementation of a packeted DC power system using a modified power packet structure
Authors: Reza C.M.F.S. , Lu Dylan Dah‐Chuan
Published: April 2018

Recently, energy internet is introduced aiming to improve power system reliability, security and efficiency through advanced information and power electronic technologies. Power packet (PP) distribution system which integrates information transfer into electric power transfer is a potential candidate for energy internet implementation. It can reduce stand‐by power, eliminate voltage conversion stage in the traditional power distribution system, and actively control the load demand intelligently from the source side. This paper improves three areas of the existing PP distribution system, namely (i) a systematic approach to selecting the energy buffer based on the payload, identification bits, the load resistance and bit rate; (ii) a new algorithm to transfer PPs using a modified PP structure to the targeted loads with reduced footer bit, hence it can reduce more than 50% of the switching loss and information overhead; (iii) a simplified algorithm for a mixer to generate PPs according to multiple load requests. Experimental results of the improved packeted DC power system are reported.
Reliable and resilient access network design for advanced metering infrastructures in smart grid
Authors: Xu Shengjie , Qian Yi , Qingyang Hu Rose
Published: April 2018

Maintaining a high overall network reliability remains one of the most critical requirements for advanced metering infrastructures (AMIs) in smart grid. Ensuring reliable networks not only determines the robust communications of an AMI, but also guarantees assured information delivery in the access network. To prevent any communication failures, incremental designs based on legacy networks should be carried out in advance to improve the overall redundancy. Current communication architecture of an AMI follows a traditional access network structure with a tree‐based topology, which does not always satisfy high robustness and is prone to network failures. To address the challenge, this study conducts a reliability study of the access network in an AMI. Specifically, this study first examines the basic network topology adopted in an AMI access network and its underlying connectivity issues. Secondly, this study proposes two practical solutions as parts of incremental network design to improve the communication robustness of existing communication architectures. Thirdly, mathematical models are formulated to solve network connectivity problems, for maintaining a high overall network reliability, while minimising the communication deployment cost at the same time. Simulation results are provided from the aspects of minimal path sets and minimal cut sets to demonstrate the redundancy analysis.
New detections of (sub)millimeter hydrogen radio recombination lines towards high-mass star-forming clumps
Authors: Kim W.-J. , Urquhart J. S. , Wyrowski F. , Menten K. M. , Csengeri T.
Published: April 2018

Aims. Previous radio recombination line (RRL) observations of dust clumps identified in the APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL) have led to the detection of a large number of RRLs in the 3 mm range. Here, we aim to study their excitation with shorter wavelength (sub)millimeter radio recombination line (submm-RRL) observations.

Methods. We made observations of submm-RRLs with low principal quantum numbers (n ≤ 30) using the APEX 12 m telescope, toward 104 H II regions associated with massive dust clumps from ATLASGAL. The observations covered the H25α, H28α, and H35β transitions. Toward a small subsample the H26α, H27α, H29α, and H30α lines were observed to avoid contamination by molecular lines at adjacent frequencies.

Results. We have detected submm-RRLs (signal-to-noise (S∕N)≥ 3 σ) from compact H II regions embedded within 93 clumps. The submm-RRLs are approximately a factor of two brighter than the mm-RRLs and consistent with optically thin emission in local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). The average ratio (0.31) of the measured H35β/H28α fluxes is close to the LTE value of 0.28. No indication of RRL maser emission has been found. The Lyman photon flux, bolometric, and submm-RRL luminosities toward the submm-RRL detected sources present significant correlations. The trends of dust temperature and the ratio of bolometric luminosity to clump mass, Lbol ∕Mclump, indicate that the H II regions are related to the most massive and luminous clumps. By estimating the production rate of ionizing photons, Q, from the submm-RRL flux, we find that the Q(H28α) measurements provide estimates of the Lyman continuum photon flux consistent with those determined from 5 GHz radio continuum emission. Six RRL sources show line profiles that are a combination of a narrow and a broad Gaussian feature. The broad features are likely associated with high-velocity ionized flows.

Conclusions. We have detected submm-RRLs toward 93 ATLASGAL clumps. Six RRL sources have high-velocity RRL components likely driven by high-velocity ionized flows. Their observed properties are consistent with thermal emission that correlates well with the Lyman continuum flux of the H II regions. The sample of H II regions with mm/submm-RRL detections probes, in our Galaxy, luminous clumps (Lbol > 104 L⊙) with high Lbol∕Mclump. We also provide suitable candidates for further studies of the morphology and kinematics of embedded, compact H II regions with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).
Consommation alimentaire et apports nutritionnels chez les femmes allaitantes, en France
Authors: Hébel Pascale , Francou Aurée , Egroo Louis Dominique Van , Rougé Carole , Mares Pierre
Published: April 2018

Une bonne alimentation pendant la période d’allaitement est un facteur important pour la santé optimale des femmes et de leur enfant. Pour autant, aucune évaluation nutritionnelle n’a été effectuée sur cette population spécifique. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer pour la première fois l’apport alimentaire et nutritionnel de femmes allaitantes vivant en France métropolitaine et d’évaluer son adéquation avec les recommandations locales. L’étude s’est déroulée entre septembre et octobre 2014 sur un échantillon de 250 femmes allaitantes. La majorité des participantes étaient âgées entre 25 et 34 ans (71,5 %), avaient un niveau d’étude supérieur (bac + 1 ou plus) (60,2 %) et étaient mariées ou vivent maritalement (94,9 %). Les données de consommations alimentaires ont été recueillies avec un carnet de consommation alimentaire de 7 jours consécutifs. La majorité des participantes a renseigné le carnet sur 7 jours consécutifs (88 %). Le rythme alimentaire des participantes suit le modèle traditionnel français avec 3 repas principaux. Les participantes ingèrent en moyenne 2056 ± 51,6 g/j d’aliments et de boissons, dont plus de la moitié sous forme liquide 1168,4 ± 42,6 mL/j. L’apport moyen en eau est de 617,6 ± 36,5 mL/j. Un faible pourcentage de participantes a suivi les recommandations nutritionnelles en fruits et légumes, produits laitiers et produits céréaliers. L’apport énergétique moyen est de 1669,2 ± 32,8 kcal/j, 80 % des femmes allaitantes sont en dessous des recommandations. L’apport en protéines représente 16 % de l’apport énergétique total sans alcool. La moyenne totale d’apport de matières grasses s’élève à 66,2 ± 1,5 g/j, valeur inférieure aux recommandations. L’apport en acides gras essentiels est inférieur aux recommandations pour la quasi-totalité des femmes. L’étude suggère l’existence d’une inadéquation des apports alimentaires et nutritionnels et une faible observance des recommandations du PNNS et des Apports Nutritionnels Conseillés (ANC) chez des femmes allaitantes.
Visible-Light-Mediated Synthesis of Oxidized Amides via Organic Photoredox Catalysis
Authors: Wang Ting , Du Yuliu , Wei Zheng
Published: April 2018

The development of visible-light-mediated synthesis of oxidized amides is reported. The reaction shows a broad substrate scope and highlights a mild nature of the reaction conditions. A range of functional groups are well tolerated in the reaction. Relying on the strategy, a variety of α-alkoxy amino acids are synthesized.
Führungsverantwortung übernehmen – Führen darf Spaß machen!
Authors: Freitag-Herse Barbara
Published: April 2018

Ein neuer Kollege fügt sich nicht so geschmeidig in Ihr Team ein, wie Sie es gern hätten? Es gibt Konflikte unter den Therapeuten? Nur zwei Beispiele, bei denen Sie als Praxisinhaber tätig werden müssen, und zwar in Ihrer Funktion als Führungskraft. Das haben Sie in Ihrer Ausbildung vielleicht nicht gelernt, aber es ist auch keine Raketentechnik. Trauen Sie sich – es kann richtig Spaß machen!
A new multi-line cusp magnetic field plasma device (MPD) with variable magnetic field
Authors: Patel A. D. , Sharma M. , Ramasubramanian N. , Ganesh R. , Chattopadhyay P. K.
Published: April 2018

A new multi-line cusp magnetic field plasma device consisting of electromagnets with core material has been constructed with a capability to experimentally control the relative volume fractions of magnetized to unmagnetized plasma volume as well as accurate control on the gradient length scales of mean density and temperature profiles. Argon plasma has been produced using a hot tungsten cathode over a wide range of pressures 5 × 10−5 –1 × 10−3 mbar, achieving plasma densities ranging from 109 to 1011 cm−3 and the electron temperature in the range 1-8 eV. The radial profiles of plasma parameters measured along the non-cusp region (in between two consecutive magnets) show a finite region with uniform and quiescent plasma, where the magnetic field is very low such that the ions are unmagnetized. Beyond that region, both plasma species are magnetized and the profiles show gradients both in temperature and density. The electrostatic fluctuation measured using a Langmuir probe radially along the non-cusp region shows less than 1% (δIisat/Iisat < 1%). The plasma thus produced will be used to study new and hitherto unexplored physics parameter space relevant to both laboratory multi-scale plasmas and astrophysical plasmas.
Impact of amphiphilic molecules on the structure and stability of homogeneous sphingomyelin bilayer: Insights from atomistic simulations
Authors: Kumari Pratibha , Kaur Supreet , Sharma Shobha , Kashyap Hemant K.
Published: April 2018

Modulation of lipid membrane properties due to the permeation of amphiphiles is an important biological process pertaining to many applications in the field of pharmaceutics, toxicology, and biotechnology. Sphingolipids are both structural and functional lipids that constitute an important component of mechanically stable and chemically resistant outer leaflets of plasma membranes. Here, we present an atomistic molecular dynamics simulation study to appreciate the concentration-dependent effects of small amphiphilic molecules, such as ethanol, acetone, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), on the structure and stability of a fully hydrated homogeneous N-palmitoyl-sphingomyelin (PSM) bilayer. The study reveals an increase in the lateral expansion of the bilayer along with disordering of the hydrophobic lipid tails on increasing the concentration of ethanol. At higher concentrations of ethanol, rupturing of the bilayer is quite evident through the analysis of partial electron density profiles and lipid tail order parameters. For ethanol containing systems, permeation of water molecules in the hydrophobic part of the bilayer is allowed through local defects made due to the entry of ethanol molecules via ethanol–ethanol and ethanol–PSM hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the extent of PSM–PSM hydrogen bonding decreases with increasing ethanol concentration. On the other hand, acetone and DMSO exhibit minimal effects on the stability of the PSM bilayer at their lower concentrations, but at higher concentrations they tend to enhance the stability of the bilayer. The simulated potential of mean force (PMF) profiles for the translocation of the three solutes studied reveal that the free-energy of transfer of an ethanol molecule across the PSM lipid head region is lower than that for acetone and DMSO molecules. However, highest free-energy rise in the core hydrophobic part of the bilayer is observed for the DMSO molecule, whereas the ethanol and acetone PMF profiles show a lower barrier in the hydrophobic region of the bilayer.
Industrial grade versus scientific pure: Influence on melt properties
Authors: Jonas I. , Hembree W. , Yang F. , Busch R. , Meyer A.
Published: April 2018

Viscosity, density, and the undercooling ability of the Zr-based bulk glass forming melt, which was manufactured in two different degrees of purity, have been studied. Investigations have been carried out by means of Couette rheometry and electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation with the latter under microgravity conditions. We found that oxygen and impurities present in industrial grade metals do not significantly alter the melt viscosity and density, while they clearly affect the undercooling ability. Comparing container based and containerless results showed that Couette rheometry can be applied in the temperature range between 1150 K and 1375 K, where it provides reliable data, but only at a rather low oxygen content. Higher oxygen contents, as in the case of the industrial grade alloy, cause measurement artefacts. In the case of Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 alloys, these findings allow a better localization of the key factors dominating the glass forming ability.
Spin-MEMS microphone integrating a series of magnetic tunnel junctions on a rectangular diaphragm
Authors: Fuji Yoshihiko , Higashi Yoshihiro , Masunishi Kei , Yuzawa Akiko , Nagata Tomohiko , Kaji Shiori , Okamoto Kazuaki , Baba Shotaro , Ono Tomio , Hara Michiko
Published: April 2018

We investigate the enhancement of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of spintronic micro-electro mechanical-system (Spin-MEMS) microphones in which spintronic strain-gauge sensors (Spin-SGSs) are integrated on a micro-electro mechanical-system (MEMS) diaphragm by using a large array of N Spin-SGSs connected in series similar to that in a previous report on magnetic tunnel junction magnetic sensors. Since the strain-gauge properties of Spin-SGSs strongly depend on the angle between the applied uniaxial strain and the magnetization direction of the reference layer, in order to obtain the same signals from each Spin-SGS in an array, it is necessary to locate the Spin-SGS array in a region where the uniaxial strain occurs uniformly on the MEMS diaphragm. We theoretically and experimentally investigate the effect of the diaphragm shape on uniaxial strain on the diaphragm surface. As a result, it is found that a rectangular-shaped diaphragm provides a larger region in which a uniform uniaxial strain is applied to the Spin-SGS array compared with the generic circular diaphragm. Finally, an SNR enhancement of 18 dB by connecting N = 62 Spin-SGSs in series is successfully confirmed in a Spin-MEMS microphone with a rectangular diaphragm.
Magnetic pressure effects in a plasma-liner interface
Authors: García-Rubio F. , Sanz J.
Published: April 2018

A theoretical analysis of magnetic pressure effects in a magnetized liner inertial fusion-like plasma is presented. In previous publications [F. García-Rubio and J. Sanz, Phys. Plasmas 24, 072710 (2017)], the evolution of a hot magnetized plasma in contact with a cold unmagnetized plasma, aiming to represent the hot spot and liner, respectively, was investigated in planar geometry. The analysis was made in a double limit low Mach and high thermal to magnetic pressure ratio β. In this paper, the analysis is extended to an arbitrary pressure ratio. Nernst, Ettingshausen, and Joule effects come into play in the energy balance. The region close to the liner is governed by thermal conduction, while the Joule dissipation becomes predominant far from it when the pressure ratio is low. Mass ablation, thermal energy, and magnetic flux losses are reduced with plasma magnetization, characterized by the electron Hall parameter ωeτe, until β values of order unity are reached. From this point forward, increasing the electron Hall parameter no longer improves the magnetic flux conservation, and mass ablation is enhanced due to the magnetic pressure gradients. A thoughtful simplification of the problem that allows to reduce the order of the system of governing equations while still retaining the finite β effects is presented and compared to the exact case.
Tokunaga self-similarity arises naturally from time invariance
Authors: Kovchegov Yevgeniy , Zaliapin Ilya
Published: April 2018

The Tokunaga condition is an algebraic rule that provides a detailed description of the branching structure in a self-similar tree. Despite a solid empirical validation and practical convenience, the Tokunaga condition lacks a theoretical justification. Such a justification is suggested in this work. We define a geometric branching process G(s) that generates self-similar rooted trees. The main result establishes the equivalence between the invariance of G(s) with respect to a time shift and a one-parametric version of the Tokunaga condition. In the parameter region where the process satisfies the Tokunaga condition (and hence is time invariant), G(s) enjoys many of the symmetries observed in a critical binary Galton-Watson branching process and reproduces the latter for a particular parameter value.
Key preparation improves the efficiency of cryptic key transmissions
Authors: Cockbill Louisa
Published: April 2018

Two alterations in state preparation simplify the protocol for secure key encoding.
Phase behaviors of deeply supercooled bilayer water unseen in bulk water
Authors: Kaneko Toshihiro , Bai Jaeil , Akimoto Takuma , Francisco Joseph S. , Yasuoka Kenji , Zeng Xiao Cheng
Published: April 2018

Significance

Bulk water exhibits rich phase behavior with numerous crystalline and amorphous ice phases. Although a recent femtosecond X-ray scattering experiment provides the first evidence of two forms of liquid water in deeply supercooled droplets, coexistence of the two forms of liquid water is still short-lived due to the known “no-man’s land” issue for bulk water. Here, we demonstrate simulation evidence that, in an isolated nanoslit, two forms of 2D liquid water, namely, the bilayer very low density liquid and bilayer high-density liquid, can arise in deeply supercooled states, but separated by the solid phase of bilayer amorphous ice whose melting line exhibits the isochore end point. A hitherto unreported bilayer very low density amorphous ice, largely in the negative pressure region, is also revealed.
Early perception of phrasal prosody and its role in syntactic and
lexical acquisition
Authors: de Carvalho Alex , Dautriche Isabelle , Millotte Séverine , Christophe Anne
Published: April 2018

This chapter will review empirical findings on the perception of
phrasal prosody in very young infants, and how it develops in first
language acquisition. The ability to process phrasal prosody impacts
learning of important aspects of language, specifically word
segmentation and syntactic parsing. We will see that infants are
able to perceive crucial aspects of phrasal prosody before the end
of their first year of life, and that a few months later they are
able to exploit the prosodic structure of an utterance to constrain
its syntactic analysis, and therefore, to infer the meaning of
unknown words.
Early sensitivity and acquisition of prosodic patterns at the
lexical level
Authors: Bhatara Anjali , Boll-Avetisyan Natalie , Höhle Barbara , Nazzi Thierry
Published: April 2018

This chapter reviews sensitivity to prosodic information at the
lexical level during the first year of life, considering
crosslinguistic data that bear on both monolingual and bilingual
acquisition. First, we discuss infants’ early ability to
discriminate lexical stress, and how this sensitivity changes across
development depending on the native language, reflecting the
acquisition of native prosodic properties. Second, we present data
establishing the emergence of language-specific lexical stress
preferences during that same period, also attesting
language-specific acquisition. We then discuss data on the less well
studied perception of lexical pitch accent and tone. Finally, we
consider the role of lexical stress in early word segmentation
abilities, and discuss the representations and processes underlying
early prosodic perception at the lexical level.
Early development of intonation
Authors: Frota Sónia , Butler Joseph
Published: April 2018

This chapter focuses on early development of intonation. Together
with a precocious sensitivity to prosody documented in the
literature, recent research has shown that infants’ early perception
of pitch-based categories is already language-specific by 4–5
months, and that their discrimination abilities differ not only
according to ambient language but also as a function of pitch
properties (e.g., pitch direction, or pitch alignment). On the
production side, and focusing on studies within the
Autosegmental-Metrical framework, findings suggest that key
landmarks in intonational development precede and constrain the
acquisition of other aspects of grammar (e.g., word and phrase size,
and combinatorial speech). Both from a perception and production
point of view, language specific effects emerge very early on in
development, underlying cross-linguistic differences.
The development of prosodic structure
Authors: Vihman Marilyn
Published: April 2018

Scholarly views are divided as to the source of children’s knowledge
of prosodic structure. Within the framework of a usage-based
approach, this chapter compares prosodic structures in children
learning four languages at the end of the single-word period in
order to identify sources of both similarities and differences
between children, within and across language groups. The
similarities can generally be traced back to common constraints on
the neurophysiology of infant vocal production, while the
differences between language groups reflect ambient language
accentual patterning and dominant word shapes. Individual
differences within and across groups additionally relate to
differing child mappings of input forms to familiar production
patterns.
Understanding the development of prosodic words
Authors: Demuth Katherine
Published: April 2018

Children’s early speech productions are not entirely adult-like, with
syllables and morphemes often missing from early utterances.
However, these patterns of development also appear to be influenced
by the language being learned. This chapter explores the role of the
lexicon as a driving force in understanding both lower Prosodic Word
(PW) and higher Phonological Phrase and Intonational Phrase (PP, IP)
aspects of children’s early speech. Using evidence from
cross-linguistic studies, it shows how the prosodic shape and
structure of the ambient lexicon influences the course of PW
development and the implications this has for the acquisition of
grammatical morphemes such as determiners. It concludes by exploring
the implications of these findings for a developmental model of
speech planning and production.
Early development of the prosody-meaning interface
Authors: Esteve-Gibert Núria , Prieto Pilar
Published: April 2018

This chapter reviews evidence on how infants up to 18 months of age
develop the ability to use prosody as a sign of the expression of
pragmatic meanings, from both a comprehension and a production point
of view. Developmental research reveals that pre-lexical infants use
prosodic information not only to comprehend emotions in the speech
of their communicative partners, the intentional value of the
partners’ speech, and their speech act motivation, but also to
express these same pragmatic meanings when they communicate with
others. In essence, before the emergence of lexical and grammatical
skills, infants use prosody to communicate intentionally with the
world around them.
Prosodic development in atypical populations
Authors: Peppé Sue
Published: April 2018

This chapter concerns various atypical conditions in children and how
the development of prosody may be affected in them. Methods for
evaluating prosodic ability are considered, taking into account
receptive and expressive ability. Brief summaries of research into
several conditions in which prosodic development is affected are
given, including hearing impairment, language disorder, Down
syndrome, childhood onset fluency disorder, Williams syndrome and a
more detailed treatment of autism spectrum disorder. The chapter
concludes with a brief summary of current strategies for
rehabilitation.
BNPMDA: Bipartite Network Projection for MiRNA–Disease Association prediction
Authors: Chen Xing , Xie Di , Wang Lei , Zhao Qi , You Zhu-Hong , Liu Hongsheng
Published: April 2018

Motivation

A large number of resources have been devoted to exploring the associations between microRNAs (miRNAs) and diseases in the recent years. However, the experimental methods are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, the computational methods to predict potential miRNA–disease associations have been paid increasing attention.

Results

In this paper, we proposed a novel computational model of Bipartite Network Projection for MiRNA–Disease Association prediction (BNPMDA) based on the known miRNA–disease associations, integrated miRNA similarity and integrated disease similarity. We firstly described the preference degree of a miRNA for its related disease and the preference degree of a disease for its related miRNA with the bias ratings. We constructed bias ratings for miRNAs and diseases by using agglomerative hierarchical clustering according to the three types of networks. Then, we implemented the bipartite network recommendation algorithm to predict the potential miRNA–disease associations by assigning transfer weights to resource allocation links between miRNAs and diseases based on the bias ratings. BNPMDA had been shown to improve the prediction accuracy in comparison with previous models according to the area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) results of three typical cross validations. As a result, the AUCs of Global LOOCV, Local LOOCV and 5-fold cross validation obtained by implementing BNPMDA were 0.9028, 0.8380 and 0.8980 ± 0.0013, respectively. We further implemented two types of case studies on several important human complex diseases to confirm the effectiveness of BNPMDA. In conclusion, BNPMDA could effectively predict the potential miRNA–disease associations at a high accuracy level.

Availability and implementation

BNPMDA is available via http://www.escience.cn/system/file?fileId=99559.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Malaria and the Microbiome: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ippolito Matthew M , Denny Joshua E , Langelier Charles , Sears Cynthia L , Schmidt Nathan W
Published: April 2018

Background

The microbiome influences malaria parasite fitness and transmission efficiency in mosquitoes and appears to affect malaria dynamics in mammalian hosts as well. Nascent research examining the interrelationship of malaria and the mammalian microbiome has yielded interesting insights inviting further study.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature examining associations between the microbiome and malaria in mammalian hosts. An electronic search algorithm was adapted to PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, and reference lists of relevant sources were manually searched. Identified studies were screened and assessed independently by 2 authors, and results were compiled in a qualitative synthesis of the evidence.

Results

Ten relevant studies were identified. They demonstrate associations between certain intestinal communities and protection against Plasmodium infection and modulation of disease severity. Plasmodium infection acutely and reversibly reshapes gut microbial composition in mice. The makeup of human skin microbial communities may influence mosquito attraction and thus disease transmission.

Conclusions

Early research supports a relationship between malaria and the microbiome. The evidence is incomplete, but the observed associations are evocative and signal a promising avenue of inquiry. Microbiome-based studies of malaria can be readily integrated into field-based research.
Exploring Older Adults’ Video Game Use in the PRISM Computer System
Authors: Boot Walter R , Moxley Jerad H , Roque Nelson A , Andringa Ronald , Charness Neil , Czaja Sara J , Sharit Joseph , Mitzner Tracy , Lee Chin Chin , Rogers Wendy A
Published: April 2018

Background and Objective

As part of the PRISM (Personal Reminder Information & Social Management) randomized field trial, a large group of older adults (N = 150) received a computer system in their home that presented them with the opportunity to play eleven different video games. While researchers have often assessed older adults’ gaming preferences and habits through survey data and focus groups, this trial represented a unique opportunity to study gaming behavior “in the wild” over an entire year.

Research Design and Methods

We present an exploration of game usage data, individual differences in game preferences and gaming habits, and individual difference predictors of game use.

Results

Although few individual difference variables consistently predicted game use and preferences, there were clear favorites among the different games, and results demonstrate that given the opportunity and training many older adults may become active and long-term gamers.

Discussion and Implications

Findings have implications for designing video games that older adults enjoy, supporting enjoyable and meaningful interactions with video games across the life span, and for designing cognitive, social, and health interventions involving games.
When Bodies Meet: Fraught Companionship and Entangled Embodiment in Jeremiah 36
Authors: Graybill Rhiannon
Published: April 2018

This paper uses Donna Haraway’s theoretical work on “companion species” to offer a new perspective on the mutually implicated bodies in chapter 36 of the biblical book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 36 narrates the prophet’s dictation of a scroll to his scribe, Baruch; the scroll is subsequently read aloud, destroyed, and recreated. Though the story is filled with prophets, scribes, secretaries, and a furious king, it is fundamentally the story of a scroll, and of a scroll as body. This paper treats the scroll-body as companion species, foregrounding relations of entanglement and significant otherness. Haraway’s theorization of interdependence, conflict, and co-becoming offers a new model for understanding the individual and compounded bodies of prophet, scribe, king, and nation. The paper experiments in (fraught) companionship and mutual embodiment, offering an alternate framework for imagining the body in and of prophecy. This reading opens new ways of thinking across bodies, texts, and traditions.