bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salmonella Typhimurium in livestock in Great Britain – trends observed over a 32-year period
Authors: Mueller-Doblies D. , Speed K. C. R. , Kidd S. , Davies R. H.
Published: February 2018

In this retrospective study, we describe and analyse Salmonella data from four livestock species in Great Britain between 1983 and 2014, focusing on Salmonella Typhimurium. A total of 96 044 Salmonella isolates were obtained during the study period. S. Typhimurium was the predominant serovar isolated from cattle and pigs and represented 40.7% (18 455/45 336) and 58.3% (4495/7709) of isolates from these species respectively, while it only accounted for 6.7% (2114/31 492) of chicken isolates and 8.1% (926/11 507) of turkey isolates. Over the study period, DT104 was the most common phage type in all four species; however, DT104 peaked in occurrence between 1995 and 1999, but is currently rare.

Monophasic strains of S. Typhimurium represented less than 3% of all Salmonella isolates in cattle and chickens in 2014, but accounted for 10.4% of all turkey isolates and 39.0% of all pig isolates in the same year.

Salmonella isolates were tested for their in vitro susceptibility to 16 antimicrobials. Antimicrobial resistance of S. Typhimurium isolates is largely influenced by the dominance of specific phage types at a certain time, which are commonly associated with particular resistance patterns. Changes in resistance patterns over time were analysed and compared between species.
Severe bicuspid aortic stenosis in pregnancy: balancing the risk of prematurity and maternal mortality
Authors: Nwabuobi Chinedu , McDowell Megan , Običan Sarah
Published: February 2018

We report a case of combined severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation in a pregnant patient with a history of congenital bicuspid aortic valve. The patient presented at 22 weeks of gestation with angina and pre-syncopal symptoms. During her admission, she experienced intermittent episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and hypotension. A multi-disciplinary healthcare team was assembled to decide on the appropriate medical and surgical treatment options. At 28 weeks of gestation, the patient underwent a caesarean delivery immediately followed by a mechanical aortic valve replacement.
Performance evaluation of locally available composts to reduce replant disease in apple orchards of central Europe
Authors: Franke-Whittle Ingrid H. , Juárez Marina Fernández-Delgado , Insam Heribert , Schweizer Simon , Naef Andreas , Topp Anne-Rosemarie , Kelderer Markus , Rühmer Thomas , Baab Gerhard , Henfrey Joana , Manici Luisa M.
Published: February 2018

A study on locally available composts in Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland was conducted to investigate the potential of these non-chemical based tools to increase soil health in orchards afflicted by apple replant disease (ARD). A total of 26 different composts (six to seven per country) were chosen for the study. Composts were divided into ten types according to the waste materials used as substrates in the composting process. Growth reduction is the main symptom associated with replant disease; therefore compost performance was evaluated based on the growth responses of apple rootstock plantlets in compost-amended soils in pots. These greenhouse trials were performed in one research station per country, located in an intensive apple-growing area, and soil was taken from an apple orchard affected by replanting disease. Plant growth response was measured as shoot elongation at the end of each greenhouse trial, and results showed increases in growth compared with the respective controls of 2–26% in 20 out of 26 composts evaluated. The heterogeneous nature of the composts most likely attributed to the finding that similar compost types originating from the different countries had varying effects on plant growth. Overall, no significant changes in chemical and biological properties were observed in amended soils as compared with non-amended controls. The high soil resilience was in part expected given the good organic matter content in the original soils (>2%). The bacterial communities of the composts were investigated using the COMPOCHIP microarray, and analyses showed that differences in plant growth response were mainly attributed to the microbial changes introduced into the soil through composts rather than to changes in soil chemical and biological parameters. However, the bacterial communities of composts appeared to be more influenced by geographical origin than by compost type. The results have shown that soil amendment with composts generated from locally produced wastes have the potential to reduce the effects of ARD, although the effects appear to be both compost and soil specific.
Competition in health care: lessons from the English experience
Authors: Propper Carol
Published: February 2018

The use of competition and the associated increase in choice in health care is a popular reform model, adopted by many governments across the world. Yet it is also a hotly contested model, with opponents seeing it, at best, as a diversion of energy or a luxury and, at worst, as leading to health care inequality and waste. This paper subjects the use of competition in health care to scrutiny. It begins by examining the theoretical case and then argues that only by looking at evidence can we understand what works and when. The body of the paper examines the evidence for England. For 25 years the United Kingdom has been subject to a series of policy changes which exogenously introduced and then downplayed the use of competition in health care. This makes England a very useful test bed. The paper presents the UK reforms and then discusses the evidence of their impact, examining changes in outcomes, including quality, productivity and the effect on the distribution of health care resources across socio-economic groups. The final section reflects on what can be learnt from these findings.
Shared Processing of Language and Music
Authors: Atherton Ryan P. , Chrobak Quin M. , Rauscher Frances H. , Karst Aaron T. , Hanson Matt D. , Steinert Steven W. , Bowe Kyra L.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The present study sought to explore whether musical information is processed by the phonological loop component of the working memory model of immediate memory. Original instantiations of this model primarily focused on the processing of linguistic information. However, the model was less clear about how acoustic information lacking phonological qualities is actively processed. Although previous research has generally supported shared processing of phonological and musical information, these studies were limited as a result of a number of methodological concerns (e.g., the use of simple tones as musical stimuli). In order to further investigate this issue, an auditory interference task was employed. Specifically, participants heard an initial stimulus (musical or linguistic) followed by an intervening stimulus (musical, linguistic, or silence) and were then asked to indicate whether a final test stimulus was the same as or different from the initial stimulus. Results indicated that mismatched interference conditions (i.e., musical – linguistic; linguistic – musical) resulted in greater interference than silence conditions, with matched interference conditions producing the greatest interference. Overall, these results suggest that processing of linguistic and musical information draws on at least some of the same cognitive resources.
Microbiome assembly of avian eggshells and their potential as transgenerational carriers of maternal microbiota
Authors: van Veelen H Pieter J , Salles Joana Falcão , Tieleman B Irene
Published: February 2018

The microbiome is essential for development, health and homeostasis throughout an animal’s life. Yet, the origins and transmission processes governing animal microbiomes remain elusive for non-human vertebrates, oviparous vertebrates in particular. Eggs may function as transgenerational carriers of the maternal microbiome, warranting characterisation of egg microbiome assembly. Here, we investigated maternal and environmental contributions to avian eggshell microbiota in wild passerine birds: woodlark Lullula arborea and skylark Alauda arvensis. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we demonstrated in both lark species, at the population and within-nest levels, that bacterial communities of freshly laid eggs were distinct from the female cloacal microbiome. Instead, soil-borne bacteria appeared to thrive on freshly laid eggs, and eggshell microbiota composition strongly resembled maternal skin, body feather and nest material communities, sources in direct contact with laid eggs. Finally, phylogenetic structure analysis and microbial source tracking underscored species sorting from directly contacting sources rather than in vivo-transferred symbionts. The female-egg-nest system allowed an integrative assessment of avian egg microbiome assembly, revealing mixed modes of symbiont acquisition not previously documented for vertebrate eggs. Our findings illuminated egg microbiome origins, which suggested a limited potential of eggshells for transgenerational transmission, encouraging further investigation of eggshell microbiome functions in vertebrates.
Real-time fMRI neurofeedback to down-regulate superior temporal gyrus activity in patients with schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Orlov Natasza D. , Giampietro Vincent , O’Daly Owen , Lam Sheut-Ling , Barker Gareth J. , Rubia Katya , McGuire Philip , Shergill Sukhwinder S. , Allen Paul
Published: February 2018

Neurocognitive models and previous neuroimaging work posit that auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) arise due to increased activity in speech-sensitive regions of the left posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG). Here, we examined if patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and AVH could be trained to down-regulate STG activity using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI-NF). We also examined the effects of rtfMRI-NF training on functional connectivity between the STG and other speech and language regions. Twelve patients with SCZ and treatment-refractory AVH were recruited to participate in the study and were trained to down-regulate STG activity using rtfMRI-NF, over four MRI scanner visits during a 2-week training period. STG activity and functional connectivity were compared pre- and post-training. Patients successfully learnt to down-regulate activity in their left STG over the rtfMRI-NF training. Post- training, patients showed increased functional connectivity between the left STG, the left inferior prefrontal gyrus (IFG) and the inferior parietal gyrus. The post-training increase in functional connectivity between the left STG and IFG was associated with a reduction in AVH symptoms over the training period. The speech-sensitive region of the left STG is a suitable target region for rtfMRI-NF in patients with SCZ and treatment-refractory AVH. Successful down-regulation of left STG activity can increase functional connectivity between speech motor and perception regions. These findings suggest that patients with AVH have the ability to alter activity and connectivity in speech and language regions, and raise the possibility that rtfMRI-NF training could present a novel therapeutic intervention in SCZ.
The mark of vegetation change on Earth’s surface energy balance
Authors: Duveiller Gregory , Hooker Josh , Cescatti Alessandro
Published: February 2018

Changing vegetation cover alters the radiative and non-radiative properties of the surface. The result of competing biophysical processes on Earth’s surface energy balance varies spatially and seasonally, and can lead to warming or cooling depending on the specific vegetation change and background climate. Here we provide the first data-driven assessment of the potential effect on the full surface energy balance of multiple vegetation transitions at global scale. For this purpose we developed a novel methodology that is optimized to disentangle the effect of mixed vegetation cover on the surface climate. We show that perturbations in the surface energy balance generated by vegetation change from 2000 to 2015 have led to an average increase of 0.23 ± 0.03 °C in local surface temperature where those vegetation changes occurred. Vegetation transitions behind this warming effect mainly relate to agricultural expansion in the tropics, where surface brightening and consequent reduction of net radiation does not counter-balance the increase in temperature associated with reduction in transpiration. This assessment will help the evaluation of land-based climate change mitigation plans.
Fourier transform spectrometer on silicon with thermo-optic non-linearity and dispersion correction
Authors: Souza Mario C. M. M. , Grieco Andrew , Frateschi Newton C. , Fainman Yeshaiahu
Published: February 2018

Miniaturized integrated spectrometers will have unprecedented impact on applications ranging from unmanned aerial vehicles to mobile phones, and silicon photonics promises to deliver compact, cost-effective devices. Mirroring its ubiquitous free-space counterpart, a silicon photonics-based Fourier transform spectrometer (Si-FTS) can bring broadband operation and fine resolution to the chip scale. Here we present the modeling and experimental demonstration of a thermally tuned Si-FTS accounting for dispersion, thermo-optic non-linearity, and thermal expansion. We show how these effects modify the relation between the spectrum and interferogram of a light source and we develop a quantitative correction procedure through calibration with a tunable laser. We retrieve a broadband spectrum (7 THz around 193.4 THz with 0.38-THz resolution consuming 2.5 W per heater) and demonstrate the Si-FTS resilience to fabrication variations—a major advantage for large-scale manufacturing. Providing design flexibility and robustness, the Si-FTS is poised to become a fundamental building block for on-chip spectroscopy.
Publisher Correction: Mapping microscale wetting variations on biological and synthetic water-repellent surfaces
Authors: Liimatainen Ville , Vuckovac Maja , Jokinen Ville , Sariola Veikko , Hokkanen Matti J. , Zhou Quan , Ras Robin H. A.
Published: February 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 2b. The y-axis label in Fig. 2b was incorrectly labelled ‘Snap-in force (μN)’. In the correct version, the axis is labelled ‘Snap-in force (nN)’. In the original version of this Article, the “Butterfly wings” section of the Methods incorrectly stated the name of the butterfly as ‘Golden bird’. In the correct version, the name of the butterfly is ‘Golden birdwing’. These have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article.
Plastic pollution of the world’s seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge in ocean governance
Authors: Haward Marcus
Published: February 2018

The pervasive nature of marine plastic pollution was highlighted at the recent United Nations Environment Assembly. This meeting saw strong commitments for action, but at the same time reinforced the challenges for contemporary ocean governance in addressing marine plastic pollution.
Current-induced magnetization switching in atom-thick tungsten engineered perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with large tunnel magnetoresistance
Authors: Wang Mengxing , Cai Wenlong , Cao Kaihua , Zhou Jiaqi , Wrona Jerzy , Peng Shouzhong , Yang Huaiwen , Wei Jiaqi , Kang Wang , Zhang Youguang , Langer Jürgen , Ocker Berthold , Fert Albert , Zhao Weisheng
Published: February 2018

Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions based on MgO/CoFeB structures are of particular interest for magnetic random-access memories because of their excellent thermal stability, scaling potential, and power dissipation. However, the major challenge of current-induced switching in the nanopillars with both a large tunnel magnetoresistance ratio and a low junction resistance is still to be met. Here, we report spin transfer torque switching in nano-scale perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with a magnetoresistance ratio up to 249% and a resistance area product as low as 7.0 Ω µm2, which consists of atom-thick W layers and double MgO/CoFeB interfaces. The efficient resonant tunnelling transmission induced by the atom-thick W layers could contribute to the larger magnetoresistance ratio than conventional structures with Ta layers, in addition to the robustness of W layers against high-temperature diffusion during annealing. The critical switching current density could be lower than 3.0 MA cm−2 for devices with a 45-nm radius.
Hydroxynitrile lyases from cyanogenic millipedes: molecular cloning, heterologous expression, and whole-cell biocatalysis for the production of (R)-mandelonitrile
Authors: Yamaguchi Takuya , Nuylert Aem , Ina Atsutoshi , Tanabe Tsutomu , Asano Yasuhisa
Published: February 2018

Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs), which are key enzymes in cyanogenesis, catalyze the cleavage of cyanohydrins into carbonyl compounds and hydrogen cyanide. Since HNLs also catalyze the reverse reaction, they are used industrially for the asymmetric synthesis of cyanohydrins, which are valuable building blocks of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. HNLs have been isolated from cyanogenic plants and bacteria. Recently, an HNL from the cyanogenic millipede Chamberlinius hualienensis was shown to have the highest specific activity for (R)-mandelonitrile synthesis, along with high stability and enantioselectivity. However, no HNLs have been isolated from other cyanogenic millipedes. We identified and characterized HNLs from 10 cyanogenic millipedes in the Paradoxosomatidae and Xystodesmidae. Sequence analyses showed that HNLs are conserved among cyanogenic millipedes and likely evolved from one ancestral gene. The HNL from Parafontaria tonominea was expressed in Escherichia coli SHuffle T7 and showed high specific activity for (R)-mandelonitrile synthesis and stability at a range of pHs and temperatures. The stability of millipede HNLs is likely due to disulfide bond(s). The E. coli cells expressing HNL produced (R)-mandelonitrile with 97.6% enantiomeric excess without organic solvents. These results demonstrate that cyanogenic millipedes are a valuable source of HNLs with high specific activity and stability.
Thermodynamically induced in Situ and Tunable Cu Plasmonic Behaviour
Authors: Inwati Gajendra Kumar , Rao Yashvant , Singh Man
Published: February 2018

The Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) were grown in soda-lime glass matrix through Cu+ ↔ Na+ ion exchange methods under thermal annealing in an open environment and studied variation in their size on tunable plasmonic behaviour, optical absorption spectra and photoluminescence (PL). A blue shift from 570 to 560 nm was observed in localized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Cu NPs from 550 to 650 °C. A mutual relation between size and surface plasmon resonance with full width half maxima (FWHM) has been derived for plasmonic properties at variable temperatures. Structural investigations of embedded Cu NPs have been confirmed by using HRTEM and EDX. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) had identified a crystalline nature of Cu NPs under annealed conditions. XPS, Raman and secondary ion mass spectroscopies (SIMS) have identified an embedding behaviour of Cu NPs in glass matrix. Plasmonic and thermodynamic properties of embedded Cu NPs have explained their in situ thermal growth mechanism for efficient distribution where enthalpy (∆H), entropy (∆S) and Gibbs free energy (∆G) have interpreted their temperature driven Cu NPs growth. An interdependence of ∆H, ∆S and ∆G has been developed vis-a-vis activation energy on an extent of 12.54 J/mol.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia promotes myocardial ischemia-related ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
Authors: Morand Jessica , Arnaud Claire , Pepin Jean-Louis , Godin-Ribuot Diane
Published: February 2018

We investigated the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH), such as that encountered in severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, on the development and severity of myocardial ischemia-related ventricular arrhythmias. Rats were exposed to 14 days of IH (30 s at 5%O2 and 30 s at 21%O2, 8 h·day−1) or normoxia (N, similar air-air cycles) and submitted to a 30-min coronary ligature. Arterial blood pressure (BP) and ECG were recorded for power spectral analysis, ECG interval measurement and arrhythmia quantification. Left ventricular monophasic action potential duration (APD) and expression of L-type calcium (LTCC) and transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels were assessed in adjacent epicardial and endocardial sites. Chronic IH enhanced the incidence of ischemic arrhythmias, in particular ventricular fibrillation (66.7% vs. 33.3% in N rats, p < 0.05). IH also increased BP and plasma norepinephine levels along with increased low-frequency (LF), decreased high-frequency (HF) and increased LF/HF ratio of heart rate and BP variability. IH prolonged QTc and Tpeak-to-Tend intervals, increased the ventricular APD gradient and upregulated endocardial but not epicardial LTCC, TRPC1 and TRPC6 (p < 0.05). Chronic IH, is a major risk factor for sudden cardiac death upon myocardial ischemia through sympathoactivation and alterations in ventricular repolarization, transmural APD gradient and endocardial calcium channel expression.
Projective measurement onto arbitrary superposition of weak coherent state bases
Authors: Izumi Shuro , Takeoka Masahiro , Wakui Kentaro , Fujiwara Mikio , Ema Kazuhiro , Sasaki Masahide
Published: February 2018

One of the peculiar features in quantum mechanics is that a superposition of macroscopically distinct states can exist. In optical system, this is highlighted by a superposition of coherent states (SCS), i.e. a superposition of classical states. Recently this highly nontrivial quantum state and its variant have been demonstrated experimentally. Here we demonstrate the superposition of coherent states in quantum measurement which is also a key concept in quantum mechanics. More precisely, we propose and implement a projection measurement onto an arbitrary superposition of two weak coherent states in optical system. The measurement operators are reconstructed experimentally by a novel quantum detector tomography protocol. Our device is realized by combining the displacement operation and photon counting, well established technologies, and thus has implications in various optical quantum information processing applications.
N1-methylnicotinamide is a signalling molecule produced in skeletal muscle coordinating energy metabolism
Authors: Ström Kristoffer , Morales-Alamo David , Ottosson Filip , Edlund Anna , Hjort Line , Jörgensen Sine W. , Almgren Peter , Zhou Yuedan , Martin-Rincon Marcos , Ekman Carl , Pérez-López Alberto , Ekström Ola , Perez-Suarez Ismael , Mattiasson Markus , de Pablos-Velasco Pedro , Oskolkov Nikolay , Ahlqvist Emma , Wierup Nils , Eliasson Lena , Vaag Allan , Groop Leif , Stenkula Karin G. , Fernandez Céline , Calbet Jose A. L. , Holmberg Hans-Christer , Hansson Ola
Published: February 2018

Obesity is a major health problem, and although caloric restriction and exercise are successful strategies to lose adipose tissue in obese individuals, a simultaneous decrease in skeletal muscle mass, negatively effects metabolism and muscle function. To deeper understand molecular events occurring in muscle during weight-loss, we measured the expressional change in human skeletal muscle following a combination of severe caloric restriction and exercise over 4 days in 15 Swedish men. Key metabolic genes were regulated after the intervention, indicating a shift from carbohydrate to fat metabolism. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) was the most consistently upregulated gene following the energy-deficit exercise. Circulating levels of N1-methylnicotinamide (MNA), the product of NNMT activity, were doubled after the intervention. The fasting-fed state was an important determinant of plasma MNA levels, peaking at ~18 h of fasting and being lowest ~3 h after a meal. In culture, MNA was secreted by isolated human myotubes and stimulated lipolysis directly, with no effect on glucagon or insulin secretion. We propose that MNA is a novel myokine that enhances the utilization of energy stores in response to low muscle energy availability. Future research should focus on applying MNA as a biomarker to identify individuals with metabolic disturbances at an early stage.
Reversal of stress fibre formation by Nitric Oxide mediated RhoA inhibition leads to reduction in the height of preformed thrombi
Authors: Atkinson L. , Yusuf M. Z. , Aburima A. , Ahmed Y. , Thomas S. G. , Naseem K. M. , Calaminus S. D. J.
Published: February 2018

Evidence has emerged to suggest that thrombi are dynamic structures with distinct areas of differing platelet activation and inhibition. We hypothesised that Nitric oxide (NO), a platelet inhibitor, can modulate the actin cytoskeleton reversing platelet spreading, and therefore reduce the capability of thrombi to withstand a high shear environment. Our data demonstrates that GSNO, DEANONOate, and a PKG-activating cGMP analogue reversed stress fibre formation and increased actin nodule formation in adherent platelets. This effect is sGC dependent and independent of ADP and thromboxanes. Stress fibre formation is a RhoA dependent process and NO induced RhoA inhibition, however, it did not phosphorylate RhoA at ser188 in spread platelets. Interestingly NO and PGI2 synergise to reverse stress fibre formation at physiologically relevant concentrations. Analysis of high shear conditions indicated that platelets activated on fibrinogen, induced stress fibre formation, which was reversed by GSNO treatment. Furthermore, preformed thrombi on collagen post perfused with GSNO had a 30% reduction in thrombus height in comparison to the control. This study demonstrates that NO can reverse key platelet functions after their initial activation and identifies a novel mechanism for controlling excessive thrombosis.
Parental micronutrient deficiency distorts liver DNA methylation and expression of lipid genes associated with a fatty-liver-like phenotype in offspring
Authors: Skjærven Kaja H. , Jakt Lars Martin , Fernandes Jorge M. O. , Dahl John Arne , Adam Anne-Catrin , Klughammer Johanna , Bock Christoph , Espe Marit
Published: February 2018

Micronutrient status of parents can affect long term health of their progeny. Around 2 billion humans are affected by chronic micronutrient deficiency. In this study we use zebrafish as a model system to examine morphological, molecular and epigenetic changes in mature offspring of parents that experienced a one-carbon (1-C) micronutrient deficiency. Zebrafish were fed a diet sufficient, or marginally deficient in 1-C nutrients (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, methionine, choline), and then mated. Offspring livers underwent histological examination, RNA sequencing and genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. Parental 1-C micronutrient deficiency resulted in increased lipid inclusion and we identified 686 differentially expressed genes in offspring liver, the majority of which were downregulated. Downregulated genes were enriched for functional categories related to sterol, steroid and lipid biosynthesis, as well as mitochondrial protein synthesis. Differential DNA methylation was found at 2869 CpG sites, enriched in promoter regions and permutation analyses confirmed the association with parental feed. Our data indicate that parental 1-C nutrient status can persist as locus specific DNA methylation marks in descendants and suggest an effect on lipid utilization and mitochondrial protein translation in F1 livers. This points toward parental micronutrients status as an important factor for offspring health and welfare.
Spatially-explicit valuation of coastal wetlands for cyclone mitigation in Australia and China
Authors: Ouyang Xiaoguang , Lee Shing Yip , Connolly Rod M. , Kainz Martin J.
Published: February 2018

Coastal wetlands are increasingly recognised for their pivotal role in mitigating the growing threats from cyclones (including hurricanes) in a changing climate. There is, however, insufficient information about the economic value of coastal wetlands for cyclone mitigation, particularly at regional scales. Analysis of data from 1990–2012 shows that the variation of cyclone frequencies is related to EI Niño strength in the Pacific Ocean adjacent to Australia, but not China. Among the cyclones hitting the two countries, there are significant relationships between the ratio of total economic damage to gross domestic production (TD/GDP) and wetland area within cyclone swaths in Australia, and wetland area plus minimum cyclone pressure despite a weak relationship in China. The TD/GDP ratio is significantly higher in China than in Australia. Despite their extensive and growing occurrence, seawalls in China appear not to play a critical role in cyclone mitigation, and cannot replace coastal wetlands, which provide other efficient ecosystem services. The economic values of coastal wetlands in Australia and China are respectively estimated at US$52.88 billion and 198.67 billion yr−1for cyclone mitigation, albeit with large within-country geographic variation. This study highlights the urgency to integrate this value into existing valuations of coastal wetlands.
Enhanced viral-mediated cochlear gene delivery in adult mice by combining canal fenestration with round window membrane inoculation
Authors: Yoshimura Hidekane , Shibata Seiji B. , Ranum Paul T. , Smith Richard J. H.
Published: February 2018

Cochlear gene therapy holds promise for the treatment of genetic deafness. Assessing its impact in adult murine models of hearing loss, however, has been hampered by technical challenges that have made it difficult to establish a robust method to deliver transgenes to the mature murine inner ear. Here in we demonstrate the feasibility of a combined round window membrane injection and semi-circular canal fenestration technique in the adult cochlea. Injection of both AAV2/9 and AAV2/Anc80L65 via this approach in P15–16 and P56–60 mice permits robust eGFP transduction of virtually all inner hair cells throughout the cochlea with variable transduction of vestibular hair cells. Auditory thresholds are not compromised. Transduction rate and cell tropism is primarily influenced by viral titer and AAV serotype but not age at injection. This approach is safe, versatile and efficient. Its use will facilitate studies using cochlear gene therapy in murine models of hearing loss over a wide range of time points.
The Urokinase Receptor Induces a Mesenchymal Gene Expression Signature in Glioblastoma Cells and Promotes Tumor Cell Survival in Neurospheres
Authors: Gilder Andrew S. , Natali Letizia , Van Dyk Danielle M. , Zalfa Cristina , Banki Michael A. , Pizzo Donald P. , Wang Huawei , Klemke Richard L. , Mantuano Elisabetta , Gonias Steven L.
Published: February 2018

PLAUR encodes the urokinase receptor (uPAR), which promotes cell survival, migration, and resistance to targeted cancer therapeutics in glioblastoma cells in culture and in mouse model systems. Herein, we show that patient survival correlates inversely with PLAUR mRNA expression in gliomas of all grades, in glioblastomas, and in the subset of glioblastomas that demonstrate the mesenchymal gene expression signature. PLAUR clusters with genes that define the more aggressive mesenchymal subtype in transcriptome profiles of glioblastoma tissue and glioblastoma cells in neurospheres, which are enriched for multipotent cells with stem cell-like qualities. When PLAUR was over-expressed or silenced in glioblastoma cells, neurosphere growth and expression of mesenchymal subtype biomarkers correlated with uPAR abundance. uPAR also promoted glioblastoma cell survival in neurospheres. Constitutively-active EGF Receptor (EGFRvIII) promoted neurosphere growth; however, unlike uPAR, EGFRvIII did not induce the mesenchymal gene expression signature. Immunohistochemical analysis of human glioblastomas showed that uPAR is typically expressed by a small sub-population of the cancer cells; it is thus reasonable to conclude that this subpopulation of cells is responsible for the effects of PLAUR on patient survival. We propose that uPAR-expressing glioblastoma cells demonstrate a mesenchymal gene signature, an increased capacity for cell survival, and stem cell-like properties.
In vitro cytotoxicity activity of novel Schiff base ligand–lanthanide complexes
Authors: Andiappan Kavitha , Sanmugam Anandhavelu , Deivanayagam Easwaramoorthy , Karuppasamy K. , Kim Hyun-Seok , Vikraman Dhanasekaran
Published: February 2018

A Schiff base ligand (SBL), N2, N3-bis (anthracen-9-ylmethylene) pyridine-2, 3-diamine, was synthesized through the condensation of 2,6-diaminopyridine and anthracene-9-carbaldehyde using a 1:2 ratio.1H NMR spectra confirmed the observation of non-involvement aromatic carboxylic proton in SBL. A novel series of lanthanide (i.e., praseodymium (Pr), erbium (Er), and ytterbium (Yb))-based SBL metal complexes was successfully synthesized, and their functional groups were elaborately demonstrated using UV–visible, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and fluorescence spectroscopy analyses. FT-IR spectral studies revealed that SBL behaved as a bidentate ligand and it was structured with metal ions by the two azomethine nitrogens. The synthesized SBL-based metal complexes were elaborately performed for cytotoxicity activity versus Vero, human breast cancer (MCF7), and cervical (HeLa) anticancer cell lines.
Colorectal Cancer-Associated Genes Are Associated with Tooth Agenesis and May Have a Role in Tooth Development
Authors: Williams Meredith A. , Biguetti Claudia , Romero-Bustillos Miguel , Maheshwari Kanwal , Dinckan Nuriye , Cavalla Franco , Liu Xiaoming , Silva Renato , Akyalcin Sercan , Uyguner Z. Oya , Vieira Alexandre R. , Amendt Brad A. , Fakhouri Walid D. , Letra Ariadne
Published: February 2018

Previously reported co-occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and tooth agenesis (TA) and the overlap in disease-associated gene variants suggest involvement of similar molecular pathways. Here, we took an unbiased approach and tested genome-wide significant CRC-associated variants for association with isolated TA. Thirty single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in CRC-predisposing genes/loci were genotyped in a discovery dataset composed of 440 individuals with and without isolated TA. Genome-wide significant associations were found between TA andATF1rs11169552 (P = 4.36 × 10−10) andDUSP10 rs6687758 (P = 1.25 × 10−9), and positive association found withCASC8rs10505477 (P = 8.2 × 10−5). Additional CRC marker haplotypes were also significantly associated with TA. Genotyping an independent dataset consisting of 52 cases with TA and 427 controls confirmed the association withCASC8. Atf1 and Dusp10 expression was detected in the mouse developing teeth from early bud stages to the formation of the complete tooth, suggesting a potential role for these genes and their encoded proteins in tooth development. While their individual contributions in tooth development remain to be elucidated, these genes may be considered candidates to be tested in additional populations.
Water Droplet Dynamics on a Hydrophobic Surface in Relation to the Self-Cleaning of Environmental Dust
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Ali Haider , Al-Aqeeli Nasser , Al-Sarkhi Abdelsalam
Published: February 2018

The dynamic motion of a water droplet on an inclined hydrophobic surface is analyzed with and without environmental dust particles on the surface. Solution crystallization of a polycarbonate surface is carried out to generate a hydrophobic surface with hierarchical texture composed of micro/nanosize spheroids and fibrils. Functionalized nanosize silica particles are deposited on the textured surface to reduce contact angle hysteresis. Environmental dust particles are collected and characterized using analytical tools prior to the experiments. The droplet motion on the hydrophobic surface is assessed using high-speed camera data, and then, the motion characteristics are compared with the corresponding analytical results. The influence of dust particles on the water droplet motion and the amount of dust particles picked up from the hydrophobic surface by the moving droplet is evaluated experimentally. A 40 μL droplet was observed to roll on the hydrophobic surface with and without dust particles, and the droplet slip velocity was lower than the rotational velocity. The rolling droplet removes almost all dust particles from the surface, and the mechanism for the removal of dust particles from the surface was determined to be water cloaking of the dust particles.
Wireless Data Transmission at Terahertz Carrier Waves Generated from a Hybrid InP-Polymer Dual Tunable DBR Laser Photonic Integrated Circuit
Authors: Carpintero Guillermo , Hisatake Shintaro , de Felipe David , Guzman Robinson , Nagatsuma Tadao , Keil Norbert
Published: February 2018

We report for the first time the successful wavelength stabilization of two hybrid integrated InP/Polymer DBR lasers through optical injection. The two InP/Polymer DBR lasers are integrated into a photonic integrated circuit, providing an ideal source for millimeter and Terahertz wave generation by optical heterodyne technique. These lasers offer the widest tuning range of the carrier wave demonstrated to date up into the Terahertz range, about 20 nm (2.5 THz) on a single photonic integrated circuit. We demonstrate the application of this source to generate a carrier wave at 330 GHz to establish a wireless data transmission link at a data rate up to 18 Gbit/s. Using a coherent detection scheme we increase the sensitivity by more than 10 dB over direct detection.
Interaction between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways and an anti-cancer strategy via degradations of β-catenin and RAS by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Jeong Woo-Jeong , Ro Eun Ji , Choi Kang-Yell
Published: February 2018

Aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways play important roles in the tumorigenesis of many different types of cancer, most notably colorectal cancer (CRC). Genes for these two pathways, such as adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and KRAS are frequently mutated in human CRC, and involved in the initiation and progression of the tumorigenesis, respectively. Moreover, recent studies revealed interaction of APC and KRAS mutations in the various stages of colorectal tumorigenesis and even in metastasis accompanying activation of the cancer stem cells (CSCs). A key event in the synergistic cooperation between Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways is a stabilization of both β-catenin and RAS especially mutant KRAS by APC loss, and pathological significance of this was indicated by correlation of increased β-catenin and RAS levels in human CRC where APC mutations occur as high as 90% of CRC patients. Together with the notion of the protein activity reduction by lowering its level, inhibition of both β-catenin and RAS especially by degradation could be a new ideal strategy for development of anti-cancer drugs for CRC. In this review, we will discuss interaction between the Wnt/β-catenin and RAS-ERK pathways in the colorectal tumorigenesis by providing the mechanism of RAS stabilization by aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin. We will also discuss our small molecular anti-cancer approach controlling CRC by induction of specific degradations of both β-catenin and RAS via targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway especially for the KYA1797K, a small molecule specifically binding at the regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-domain of Axin.
An Fe(TCNQ)2nanowire array on Fe foil: an efficient non-noble-metal catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media
Authors: Xie Maowen , Xiong Xiaoli , Yang Lin , Shi Xifeng , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2018

An Fe-(tetracyanoquinodimethane)2nanowire arrayin situdeveloped on Fe foil (Fe(TCNQ)2/Fe) acts as an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for water oxidation, needing an overpotential of 340 mV to attain a current density of 10 mA cm−2in 1.0 M KOH.
Ion hydration: linking self-diffusion and reorientational motion to water structure
Authors: Shimizu Seishi , Matubayasi Nobuyuki
Published: February 2018

A link between water dynamics and the “water structure” has been established through the combination of the extended jump model, transition state theory and the Kirkwood-Buff theory.
Density functional theory studies on the solvent effects in Al(H2O)63+ water-exchange reactions: the number and arrangement of outer-sphere water molecules
Authors: Liu Li , Zhang Jing , Dong Shaonan , Zhang Fuping , Wang Ye , Bi Shuping
Published: February 2018

The most representative pathway with Nm′ = 6 for the water-exchange reactions in Al(H2O)63+ is obtained by the “One-by-one” method.
Direct measurement of ˙OH and HO2˙ formation in ˙R + O2 reactions of cyclohexane and tetrahydropyran
Authors: Chen Ming-Wei , Rotavera Brandon , Chao Wen , Zádor Judit , Taatjes Craig A.
Published: February 2018

A comparison of two fuels demonstrates how analysis of ˙OH and HO2˙ formation kinetics via the eigenvalues of a system of simplified kinetic equations can give mechanistic insights.
Engineering functional inorganic–organic hybrid systems: advances in siRNA therapeutics
Authors: Shen Jianliang , Zhang Wei , Qi Ruogu , Mao Zong-Wan , Shen Haifa
Published: February 2018

Engineering functional inorganic–organic hybrid vectors for siRNA delivery systems as a promising approach to overcome many physiological and biological obstacles, which greatly paves the way for a successful, safe and efficient platform in clinical applications.
Polydatin inhibits the IL-1β-induced inflammatory response in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway and ameliorates murine osteoarthritis
Authors: Tang Shangkun , Tang Qian , Jin Jialei , Zheng Gang , Xu Jianchen , Huang Wu , Li Xiaobin , Shang Ping , Liu Haixiao
Published: February 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA), which is characterized by progressive degradation of the articular cartilage, is the most prevalent form of human arthritis.
Integrated dual-modality microfluidic sensor for biomarker detection using lithographic plasmonic crystal
Authors: Ali Md. Azahar , Tabassum Shawana , Wang Qiugu , Wang Yifei , Kumar Ratnesh , Dong Liang
Published: February 2018

This paper reports an integrated dual-modality microfluidic sensor chip, consisting of a patterned periodic array of nanoposts coated with gold (Au) and graphene oxide (GO), to detect target biomarker molecules in a limited sample volume.
Ethyl acetate fraction of Cymbopogon citratus as a potential source of antioxidant compounds
Authors: Hacke Ana Carolina Mendes , Marques Jacqueline Aparecida , Vellosa José Carlos Rebuglio , Boligon Aline Augusti , da Silva Fernanda D’Avila , de Souza Diego , Bonini Juliana Sartori , Rocha João Batista Teixeira , Pereira Romaiana Picada
Published: February 2018

New fraction from a lemongrass acidic aqueous phase as a source of compounds with remarkable antioxidant properties by different in vitro mechanisms.
Direct transformation of syngas to lower olefins synthesis over hybrid Zn–Al2O3/SAPO-34 catalysts
Authors: Raveendra G. , Li Congming , Cheng Yang , Meng Fanhui , Li Zhong
Published: February 2018

Syngas is a key platform chemical for the utilization of non-petroleum carbon resources.
Total synthesis of complex terpenoids employing radical cascade processes
Authors: Hung Kevin , Hu Xirui , Maimone Thomas J.
Published: February 2018

Radical cyclizations have a rich history in organic chemistry and have been particularly generous to the field of natural product synthesis.
High-performance optical projection controllable ZnO nanorod arrays for microweighing sensors
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Jiang Shulan , Zhang Lei , Yu Bingjun , Chen Duoli , Yang Weiqing , Qian Linmao
Published: February 2018

The synergistic effects of optical projection and ZnO nanorods were presented for a large detection range and non-contact optical microweighing sensor.
Branching and molar mass analysis of low density polyethylene using the multiple preparative fractionation concept
Authors: Eselem Bungu P. S. , Pasch H.
Published: February 2018

The multiple preparative fractionation concept provides sample libraries with different degrees of branching and different molar masses that are analyzed regarding the LDPE microstructure.
Effect of OH− on chemical mechanical polishing of β-Ga2O3 (100) substrate using an alkaline slurry
Authors: Huang Chuanjin , Mu Wenxiang , Zhou Hai , Zhu Yongwei , Xu Xiaoming , Jia Zhitai , Zheng Lei , Tao Xutang
Published: February 2018

β-Ga2O3, a semiconductor material, has attracted considerable attention given its potential applications in high-power devices, such as high-performance field-effect transistors.
Anisotropic architecture and electrical stimulation enhance neuron cell behaviour on a tough graphene embedded PVA: alginate fibrous scaffold
Authors: Golafshan Nasim , Kharaziha Mahshid , Fathi Mohammadhossein , Larson Benjamin L. , Giatsidis Giorgio , Masoumi Nafiseh
Published: February 2018

Tough scaffolds comprised of aligned and conductive fibers are promising for peripheral nerve regeneration due to their unique mechanical and electrical properties.
High voltage, solvent-free solid polymer electrolyte based on a star-comb PDLLA–PEG copolymer for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Wang Bingbing , Lou Hongming , Xu Hongli , Zhao Junpeng , Wang Qiujun , Shi Qiao , Deng Yonghong
Published: February 2018

In this work, a novel star-comb copolymer based on PDLLA macromonomer and PEGMA was prepared, and the electrochemical properties were studied, with the aim of using it as a solid polymer electrolyte in lithium ion batteries.
Molecular solar thermal systems – control of light harvesting and energy storage by protonation/deprotonation
Authors: Kilde Martin Drøhse , Arroyo Paloma Garcia , Gertsen Anders S. , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: February 2018

The optical properties of pyridyl-substituted dihydroazulene (DHA) photoswitches can be tuned by protonation/deprotonation as well as the thermal back-reaction rate and amount of heat release from the vinylheptafulvene (VHF) photoisomers.
Synthesis of flexible nanotweezers with various metals and their application in carbon nanotube extraction
Authors: Miyake Yuya , López-Moreno Alejandro , Yang Jian , Xu Hai-Jun , Desbois Nicolas , Gros Claude P. , Komatsu Naoki
Published: February 2018

Flexible nanotweezers including Co(ii) dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes in methanol.