bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum miRNAs are potential biomarkers for the detection of disc degeneration, among which miR‐26a‐5p suppresses Smad1 to regulate disc homeostasis
Authors: Fan Yunshan , Zhao Lan , Xie Wanqing , Yi Dan , He Shisheng , Chen Di , Huang Jian
Published: July 2019

Disc degeneration is a common clinical condition in which damaged discs cause chronic pain; however, a laboratory diagnosis method for its detection is not available. As circulating miRNAs have potential as biomarkers, their application in disc degeneration has not been explored. Here, we prepared serum miRNAs from a mouse disc degeneration model and performed miRNA‐Seq and quantitative PCR to characterize disc degeneration–associated miRNAs. We identified three miRNAs, including miR‐26a‐5p, miR‐122‐5p and miR‐215‐5p, undergoing perturbation during the pathogenesis of disc degeneration. Specifically, the levels of miR‐26a‐5p in the serum demonstrated steady increases in the model of disc degeneration, compared with those in the pre‐injury samples of younger age or compared with normal controls of the same age but without disc degeneration, whereas the miRNAs miR‐122‐5p and miR‐215‐5p exhibited lower expression in post‐injury samples than in their counterparts without the surgery. Moreover, we found that miR‐26a‐5p targets Smad1 expression, and Smad1 negatively regulates Vegfa expression in disc cells, and thus, miR‐26a‐5p promotes disc degeneration. In summary, we established a method that consistently profiles circulating miRNAs and identified multiple miRNAs as promising biomarkers for disc degeneration, among which miR‐26a‐5p enhances VEGF expression during disc degeneration through targeting Smad1 signalling.
Identifying carrot appearance quality by transfer learning
Authors: Zhu Hongfei , Deng Limiao , Wang Dawei , Gao Jiyue , Ni Jiangong , Han Zhongzhi
Published: July 2019

It is extremely important to correctly identify the carrot appearance quality in design and manufacturing of Carrot sorter. In this paper, we have established a carrot appearance quality control system based on deep learning framework. The information of carrot is collected using the image, and thereafter the recognition model is erect on AlexNet network, which is pre‐trained by a large‐scale computer vision database (Image‐Net). Our framework uses transfer learning, which trains neural networks with small amounts of data compared to the traditional CNN. Applying this approach to the data set of carrot images, to demonstrate the classification performance of the proposed model, we compared it with human experts. The carrots of different grades can be recognized from a large number of carrots under the different surface condition with great accuracy. For binary classification recognition, the accuracy rate was 98.70%, the sensitivity was 98.34%, and the specificity was 98.99%. At the same time, when the number of training samples is small, high recognition accuracy can still be achieved through transfer learning. The model can not only meet the requirements of classification recognitionbut also greatly reduce the cost paid in sample collection.

Practical Applications

It is extremely important to correctly identify the carrot appearance quality in design and manufacturing of Carrot sorter. Using transfer learning, the training model can be constructed quickly, achieving high recognition accuracy and saving a lot of costs. Because the appearance of carrot plays an important role in quality. Therefore, this work has practical application value.
Significant association between skeletal bone mineral density and moderate to severe periodontitis in fair oral hygiene individuals
Authors: Mongkornkarn Sanutm , Suthasinekul Rapatchata , Sritara Chanika , Lertpimonchai Attawood , Tamsailom Suphot , Udomsak Artit
Published: July 2019

Aim

This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate the association between skeletal bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontitis in Thai adults and elders.

Methods

This study comprised 3282 participants aged 30‐82 years. BMD was assessed at 3 skeletal sites using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Each participant's BMD status was classified as normal, osteopenia or osteoporosis. Periodontal assessments were the number of remaining teeth, plaque score, probing depth and clinical attachment level (CAL). The participants were classified into no/mild or moderate/severe periodontitis groups. The mean periodontal variables between BMD categories were compared. The association between the BMD status and moderate/severe periodontitis was analyzed using binary logistic regression.

Results

Among the BMD categories, the greatest mean CAL and the lowest mean number of remaining teeth were found in the osteoporosis group. The mean CAL difference between the osteoporosis and normal BMD groups was 0.3 mm. In 337 participants with a plaque score of less than 40%, there was a significant association between osteoporosis and moderate/severe periodontitis.

Conclusion

Skeletal BMD in the osteoporosis range was associated with moderate/severe periodontitis in individuals with fair oral hygiene, suggesting the benefit of special attention to the skeletal bone health of these individuals.
Microbial translocation into amniotic fluid of vervet monkeys is common and unrelated to adverse infant outcomes
Authors: Kendziorski Jessica A. , Sherrill Chrissy , Davis Ashley T. , Kavanagh Kylie
Published: July 2019

Amniotic fluid was collected from pregnant female African green monkeys (n = 20). Analyses indicate microbial translocation into amniotic fluid during pregnancy is typical, and microbial load reduces across gestation. Microbial translocation does not relate to infant outcome or maternal factors. Lastly, we demonstrate that sample contamination is easily introduced and detectable.
Inhibition of Notch1 signaling promotes neuronal differentiation and improves functional recovery in spinal cord injury through suppressing the activation of Ras homolog family member A
Authors: Peng Zhiming , Li Xiang , Fu Mengxia , Zhu Kai , Long Lingli , Zhao Xiaoyang , Chen Qingui , Deng David Y. B. , Wan Yong
Published: July 2019

Neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation represents a promising strategy for the repair of injured neurons, since NSCs not only produce multiple neurotrophic growth factors but also differentiate into mature cells to replace damaged cells. Previous studies have shown that Notch signaling pathway had negative effects on neuronal differentiation; however, the precise mechanism remained inadequately understood. This research aimed to investigate whether inhibition of Notch1 signaling promotes neuronal differentiation and improves functional recovery in rat spinal cord injury through suppressing the activation of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA). QPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence experiments were used to analyze Notch1 signaling pathways, RhoA, Ras homologous ‐associated coiled‐coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), cleaved caspased‐3, and neuronal/astrocytic differentiation markers. The expression of RhoA and ROCK1 was inhibited by lentivirus or specific biochemical inhibitors. In spinal cord injury (SCI), motor function was assessed by hind limbs movements and electrophysiology. Tissue repairing was measured by immunofluorescence, Nissl staining, Fluorogold, HE staining, QPCR, western blot, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of Notch1 in NSCs can promote the differentiation of NSCs to neurons. Knockdown of RhoA and inhibition of ROCK1 both can promote neuronal differentiation through inhibiting the activation of Notch1 signaling pathway in NSCs. In SCI, silencing RhoA enhanced neuronal differentiation and improved tissue repairing/functional recovery by inhibiting the activation of Notch1 signaling pathway. Since Notch1 inhibits neuronal differentiation through activating the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway in NSCs, our data suggest that the Notch1/RhoA/ROCK1/Hes1/Hes5 signaling pathway may serve as a novel target for the treatment of SCI.

image
The Reappearance of An Extremely Rare and Critically Endangered Nitella translucens (Charophyceae) in Poland
Authors: Rosińska Joanna , Piotrowicz Ryszard , Celiński Konrad , Dabert Mirosława , Rzymski Piotr , Klimaszyk Piotr
Published: July 2019

We report the reappearance of the rare charophyte Nitella translucens in Poland. It was identified in the soft‐water lobelian Lake Jeleń (North Poland) during 2013 and 2018 phytolittoral surveys. This species is considered critically endangered in various European countries and was previously classified as extinct in Poland. Its occurrence was confirmed using morphological and molecular data (ITS1‐18S, ITS2‐28S, rDNA, and rbcL). The N. translucens occupied ~20% of the lake bottom, at depths of 1.5–6.5 m, water pH 7.5–8.6, conductivity of 59–66 μS · cm−1, and total nitrogen and phosphorus during growing season in the range of 1.1–1.4 mg · L−1 and 0.07–0.1 mg · L−1, respectively. It co‐occurred mainly with plant species typical for lobelia lakes: Isoetes lacustris, Littorella uniflora, and Myriophyllum alterniflorum, as well as Ceratophyllum demersum and Elodea canadensis, which are characteristic for eutrophicated waters. It appears that N. translucens may thrive in lobelia lakes during their transformation to more eutrophic states.
Optimal dividend policies with random profitability
Authors: Reppen A. Max , Rochet Jean‐Charles , Soner H. Mete
Published: July 2019

We study an optimal dividend problem under a bankruptcy constraint. Firms face a trade‐off between potential bankruptcy and extraction of profits. In contrast to previous works, general cash flow drifts, including Ornstein–Uhlenbeck and CIR processes, are considered. We provide rigorous proofs of continuity of the value function, whence dynamic programming, as well as comparison between discontinuous sub‐ and supersolutions of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, and we provide an efficient and convergent numerical scheme for finding the solution. The value function is given by a nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) with a gradient constraint from below in one direction. We find that the optimal strategy is both a barrier and a band strategy and that it includes voluntary liquidation in parts of the state space. Finally, we present and numerically study extensions of the model, including equity issuance and gambling for resurrection.
Faster speciation of fig‐wasps than their host figs leads to decoupled speciation dynamics: Snapshots across the speciation continuum
Authors: Souto‐Vilarós Daniel , Machac Antonin , Michalek Jan , Darwell Clive Terence , Sisol Mentap , Kuyaiva Thomas , Isua Brus , Weiblen George D. , Novotny Vojtech , Segar Simon T.
Published: July 2019

Even though speciation involving multiple interacting partners, such as plants and their pollinators, has attracted much research, most studies focus on isolated phases of the process. This currently precludes an integrated understanding of the mechanisms leading to cospeciation. Here, we examine population genetic structure across six species‐pairs of figs and their pollinating wasps along an elevational gradient in New Guinea. Specifically, we test three hypotheses on the genetic structure within the examined species‐pairs and find that the hypothesized genetic structures represent different phases of a single continuum, from incipient cospeciation to the full formation of new species. Our results also illuminate the mechanisms governing cospeciation, namely that fig wasps tend to accumulate population genetic differences faster than their figs, which initially decouples the speciation dynamics between the two interacting partners and breaks down their one‐to‐one matching. This intermediate phase is followed by genetic divergence of both partners, which may eventually restore the one‐to‐one matching among the fully formed species. Together, these findings integrate current knowledge on the mechanisms operating during different phases of the cospeciation process. They also reveal that the increasingly reported breakdowns in one‐to‐one matching may be an inherent part of the cospeciation process. Mechanistic understanding of this process is needed to explain how the extraordinary diversity of species, especially in the tropics, has emerged. Knowing which breakdowns in species interactions are a natural phase of cospeciation and which may endanger further generation of diversity seems critical in a constantly changing world.
Patterns of population structure and complex haplotype sharing among field isolates of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Craig Rory J. , Böndel Katharina B. , Arakawa Kazuharu , Nakada Takashi , Ito Takuro , Bell Graham , Colegrave Nick , Keightley Peter D. , Ness Rob W.
Published: July 2019

The nature of population structure in microbial eukaryotes has long been debated. Competing models have argued that microbial species are either ubiquitous, with high dispersal and low rates of speciation, or that for many species gene flow between populations is limited, resulting in evolutionary histories similar to those of macroorganisms. However, population genomic approaches have seldom been applied to this question. Here, we analyse whole‐genome resequencing data for all 36 confirmed field isolates of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. At a continental scale, we report evidence for putative allopatric divergence, between both North American and Japanese isolates, and two highly differentiated lineages within N. America. Conversely, at a local scale within the most densely sampled lineage, we find little evidence for either spatial or temporal structure. Taken together with evidence for ongoing admixture between the two N. American lineages, this lack of structure supports a role for substantial dispersal in C. reinhardtii and implies that between‐lineage differentiation may be maintained by reproductive isolation and/or local adaptation. Our results therefore support a role for allopatric divergence in microbial eukaryotes, while also indicating that species may be ubiquitous at local scales. Despite the high genetic diversity observed within the most well‐sampled lineage, we find that pairs of isolates share on average ~9% of their genomes in long haplotypes, even when isolates were sampled decades apart and from different locations. This proportion is several orders of magnitude higher than the Wright–Fisher expectation, raising many further questions concerning the evolutionary genetics of C. reinhardtii and microbial eukaryotes generally.
Transcriptional initiation of a small RNA, not R‐loop stability, dictates the frequency of pilin antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Prister Lauren L. , Ozer Egon A. , Cahoon Laty A. , Seifert Hank S.
Published: July 2019

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the sole causative agent of gonorrhea, constitutively undergoes diversification of the Type IV pilus. Gene conversion occurs between one of the several donor silent copies located in distinct loci and the recipient pilE gene, encoding the major pilin subunit of the pilus. A guanine quadruplex (G4) DNA structure and a cis‐acting sRNA (G4‐sRNA) are located upstream of the pilE gene and both are required for pilin antigenic variation (Av). We show that the reduced sRNA transcription lowers pilin Av frequencies. Extended transcriptional elongation is not required for Av, since limiting the transcript to 32 nt allows for normal Av frequencies. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, we show that cellular G4s are less abundant when sRNA transcription is lower. In addition, using ChIP, we demonstrate that the G4‐sRNA forms a stable RNA:DNA hybrid (R‐loop) with its template strand. However, modulating R‐loop levels by controlling RNase HI expression does not alter G4 abundance quantified through ChIP. Since pilin Av frequencies were not altered when modulating R‐loop levels by controlling RNase HI expression, we conclude that transcription of the sRNA is necessary, but stable R‐loops are not required to promote pilin Av.
Identification of the Toxoplasma gondii mitochondrial ribosome, and characterisation of a protein essential for mitochondrial translation
Authors: Lacombe Alice , Maclean Andrew E. , Ovciarikova Jana , Tottey Julie , Mühleip Alexander , Fernandes Paula , Sheiner Lilach
Published: July 2019

Apicomplexan parasites cause diseases such as malaria and toxoplasmosis. The apicomplexan mitochondrion shows striking differences from common model organisms, including fundamental processes such as mitochondrial translation. Despite evidence that mitochondrial translation is essential for parasite survival, it is largely understudied. Progress has been restricted by the absence of functional assays to detect apicomplexan mitochondrial translation, a lack of knowledge of proteins involved in the process and the inability to identify and detect mitoribosomes. We report the localization of 12 new mitochondrial proteins, including 6 putative mitoribosomal proteins. We demonstrate the integration of three mitoribosomal proteins in macromolecular complexes, and provide evidence suggesting these are apicomplexan mitoribosomal subunits, detected here for the first time. Finally, a new analytical pipeline detected defects in mitochondrial translation upon depletion of the small subunit protein 35 (TgmS35), while other mitochondrial functions remain unaffected. Our work lays a foundation for the study of apicomplexan mitochondrial translation.
Age‐related morphological changes in the pancreas and their association with pancreatic carcinogenesis
Authors: Matsuda Yoko
Published: July 2019

Age‐related pathological changes in the pancreas have been unclear because they are often minor and nonspecific. However, recent studies have shown that they are closely related to various pathological conditions such as pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus. Knowledge of age‐related changes is important to determine appropriate prevention, detection, and treatment strategies for various diseases observed in elderly patients. We present a review of the pathological age‐related non‐neoplastic changes in the exocrine pancreas such as pancreatic fatty replacement, lobulocentric pancreatic atrophy, pancreatic duct ectasia, and metaplasia of exocrine pancreas, as well as changes in islet cells. We have discussed common pancreatic neoplasms in elderly patients, such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Age‐related pathological changes play a key role in pancreatic carcinogenesis via telomere dysfunction. Further studies are warranted to clarify molecular mechanisms of pancreatic carcinogenesis in elderly patients.
Indacaterol/glycopyrronium versus tiotropium or glycopyrronium in long‐acting bronchodilator‐naïve COPD patients: A pooled analysis
Authors: Muro Shigeo , Yoshisue Hajime , Kostikas Konstantinos , Olsson Petter , Gupta Pritam , Wedzicha Jadwiga A.
Published: July 2019

Background and objective

Indacaterol/glycopyrronium (IND/GLY) 110/50 μg once daily (q.d.) has demonstrated greater improvements in lung function, patient‐reported outcomes and lower exacerbation rates versus mono long‐acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, data are limited on initial treatment with IND/GLY 110/50 μg q.d. versus mono LAMA in COPD patients, not previously on maintenance treatment with long‐acting bronchodilators (LABD).

Methods

A pooled analysis of ARISE, SHINE and SPARK trials was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of IND/GLY 110/50 μg q.d. versus open‐label (OL) tiotropium (TIO) 18 μg q.d. and GLY 50 μg q.d. in COPD patients, not on maintenance treatment with LABD at study entry (LABD‐naïve). Efficacy was assessed after 24/26 weeks of treatment.

Results

In total, 998 LABD‐naïve patients were included (IND/GLY: 353; OL TIO: 328; GLY: 317). Patients treated with IND/GLY 110/50 μg q.d. experienced greater improvements in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) versus OL TIO 18 μg q.d. (least squares mean treatment difference (Δ): 0.086 L) and GLY 50 μg q.d. (Δ: 0.080 L) after 24/26 weeks. Improvements in electronic diary (eDiary) symptom scores, transition dyspnoea index (TDI) focal score, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score and rescue medication use were also greater with IND/GLY versus OL TIO and GLY. Greater proportion of patients achieved minimal clinically important difference in trough FEV1, TDI and SGRQ with IND/GLY versus OL TIO and GLY.

Conclusion

LABD‐naïve patients treated with IND/GLY 110/50 μg q.d. achieved improvements in lung function, daily symptoms, dyspnoea, health‐related quality of life and rescue medication use versus those who received single LAMA.
Confidence and Intentions to Help a Person at Risk of Suicide
Authors: Nicholas Angela , Pirkis Jane , Rossetto Alyssia , Jorm Anthony , Spittal Matthew , Reavley Nicola
Published: July 2019

Objective

We aimed to identify Australian adults’ current level of confidence and intentions to help a person close to them in distress or at risk of suicide to inform the content and targeting of suicide prevention messages aimed at family and friends of those at risk.

Methods

We conducted a nationally representative computer‐assisted telephone survey of confidence and intentions to help someone in distress or at risk of suicide (n = 3,002). We used logistic regression to determine whether sociodemographic and exposure variables predicted confidence and intentions to help.

Results

Confidence to help was high. About half of the respondents had intentions inconsistent with best practice. Listening and talking, and encouraging the person to seek professional help were the most common types of intended helping actions. Intentions to ask suicide risk assessment questions were least common. Men were more likely than women to have intentions to carry out nonrecommended actions, and less likely to have intentions to carry out recommended actions.

Conclusions

Suicide prevention messaging aimed at family and friends could encourage them to ask direct questions about suicide risk and could include messages about “what not to do.” Suicide prevention messages aimed specifically at men are indicated.
Whole blood in disaster and major incident planning
Authors: Doughty Heidi , Strandenes Geir
Published: July 2019

Transfusion emergency preparedness is increasingly becoming an integrated part of major incident planning. The spectrum of planning extends from the sophisticated healthcare system dealing with multiple casualties, to the isolated healthcare facility resuscitating the critically ill patient with massive haemorrhage. Transfusion preparedness should follow risk assessment and be nested within the wider emergency planning system. The response should be designed to deliver both safety and sufficiency of transfusion support and includes diagnostics, donation and distribution. The biggest transfusion risks in emergency situations are those of red cell ABO incompatibility and delayed provision. Sufficiency and supply may be compromised when communities are isolated and cannot access mutual support. Planning may need to consider local collection and testing of blood as a further resilience measure. Considerations include demand planning; inventory management and transfusion triage; a whole blood preparedness model; resilience and resupply and the human factor. We suggest a whole blood programme can simplify the whole vein‐to‐vein process for production, laboratory and clinical staff and can be integrated into a range of healthcare systems.
Organizational Commitment in Sports Clubs
Authors: Samur Serdar , Çimen Kubilay , Büyükbasmacı Yunus Emre
Published: July 2019

It is thought that the sustainability of organizations is closely related to the fact that management levels have up-to-date knowledge specific to their respective fields and their ability to conduct their activities in the best possible way. It is believed that what creates the power of this focal point is the sense of belonging to the institutions. The aim of this study is to determine the level of organizational commitment of managers in sports clubs through seven different variables. In this study, the Meyer–Allen (1984) organizational commitment scale was used. The translation of this scale was compared to several scale translations, and no difference in meaning was observed. The scale consists of 18 questions with three sub-dimensions, namely emotional commitment, continuity dependence, and normative commitment. Questions 1–6 were related to emotional commitment, 7–12 dealt with continuation commitment, and 13–18 dealt with normative commitment. The scale is structured according to 5-point Likert scale. While preparing the personal information, support was provided by psychosocial academicians of sports. The study sample involved eleven sport managers from the Super League clubs, eleven from the first league teams, nine from the second league teams, nine from the third league teams, fifteen from the Regional Amateur League (RAL) league teams, and nineteen from the amateur sports clubs. Thus, a total of 74 sports managers participated in the survey. The surveys were constructed in the sports club buildings and in the presence of the managers. The questionnaires were conducted by the footballers who were serving in the sampled clubs. The SPSS 21 package program was used to analyze the data obtained. The Explore test, Mann–Whitney U test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test were employed for the analyses of the variables. At the end of these analyses it is understood that the age of the employees in the clubs, the term of duty, the wages they receive and the age of the club do not significantly affect the level of organizational commitment. Besides, It has been seen that the league, where the club is located, the level of duty of the managers, and having a regular time in the club affect the level of organizational commitment.
Extracellular vesicles derived from ODN-stimulated macrophages transfer and activate Cdc42 in recipient cells and thereby increase cellular permissiveness to EV uptake
Authors: Zhang Ying , Jin Xue , Liang Jiaqi , Guo Yilan , Sun Gaoge , Zeng Xianfeng , Yin Hang
Published: July 2019

Cdc42 enhances the uptake of extracellular vesicles by macrophages during the TLR9-activated immune response.
Large sulfur isotope fractionation by bacterial sulfide oxidation
Authors: Pellerin André , Antler Gilad , Holm Simon Agner , Findlay Alyssa J. , Crockford Peter W. , Turchyn Alexandra V. , Jørgensen Bo Barker , Finster Kai
Published: July 2019

The microbial oxidation of sulfide can produce large enrichments in the stable isotopes of sulfur.
Bioinspired mechanically active adhesive dressings to accelerate wound closure
Authors: Blacklow S. O. , Li J. , Freedman B. R. , Zeidi M. , Chen C. , Mooney D. J.
Published: July 2019

Bioinspired adhesive dressings have been shown to shrink at skin temperature, contract the wound, and promote wound healing.
Minimal dosing of leukocyte targeting TRAIL decreases triple-negative breast cancer metastasis following tumor resection
Authors: Jyotsana Nidhi , Zhang Zhenjiang , Himmel Lauren E. , Yu Fang , King Michael R.
Published: July 2019

Minimal delivery of E-selectin–TRAIL liposomes can effectively target postsurgical metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer.
Emotion schemas are embedded in the human visual system
Authors: Kragel Philip A. , Reddan Marianne C. , LaBar Kevin S. , Wager Tor D.
Published: July 2019

Human visual cortex contains distributed representations of emotion categories identified by a convolutional neural network model.
The genome ofPeromyscus leucopus, natural host for Lyme disease and other emerging infections
Authors: Long Anthony D. , Baldwin-Brown James , Tao Yuan , Cook Vanessa J. , Balderrama-Gutierrez Gabriela , Corbett-Detig Russell , Mortazavi Ali , Barbour Alan G.
Published: July 2019

The genome of the white-footed deer mouse will accelerate our understanding of several tick-borne infections.
The CREB coactivator CRTC2 promotes oncogenesis in LKB1-mutant non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Rodón Laura , Svensson Robert U. , Wiater Ezra , Chun Matthew G. H , Tsai Wen-Wei , Eichner Lillian J. , Shaw Reuben J. , Montminy Marc
Published: July 2019

We identify CRTC2 as a key mediator of LKB1-mutant non–small cell lung cancer.
Cell sensing and decision-making in confinement: The role of TRPM7 in a tug of war between hydraulic pressure and cross-sectional area
Authors: Zhao Runchen , Afthinos Alexandros , Zhu Tian , Mistriotis Panagiotis , Li Yizeng , Serra Selma A. , Zhang Yuqi , Yankaskas Christopher L. , He Shuyu , Valverde Miguel A. , Sun Sean X. , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos
Published: July 2019

TRPM7 senses hydraulic pressure and modulates cortical actomyosin to guide migrating cells towards the path of lower resistance.
Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective
Authors: Bratman Gregory N. , Anderson Christopher B. , Berman Marc G. , Cochran Bobby , de Vries Sjerp , Flanders Jon , Folke Carl , Frumkin Howard , Gross James J. , Hartig Terry , Kahn Peter H. , Kuo Ming , Lawler Joshua J. , Levin Phillip S. , Lindahl Therese , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Mitchell Richard , Ouyang Zhiyun , Roe Jenny , Scarlett Lynn , Smith Jeffrey R. , van den Bosch Matilda , Wheeler Benedict W. , White Mathew P. , Zheng Hua , Daily Gretchen C.
Published: July 2019

We provide consensus on the benefits of nature experience for mental health, and a model for integrating them into urban design.
Biomimetic sensory feedback through peripheral nerve stimulation improves dexterous use of a bionic hand
Authors: George J. A. , Kluger D. T. , Davis T. S. , Wendelken S. M. , Okorokova E. V. , He Q. , Duncan C. C. , Hutchinson D. T. , Thumser Z. C. , Beckler D. T. , Marasco P. D. , Bensmaia S. J. , Clark G. A.
Published: July 2019

Sensory feedback improves dexterous use of a bionic arm, and sensory signals that mimic natural ones are more intuitive and useful.
How to save a life
Authors: Jeyasekharan Anand D.
Published: July 2019

A zebrafish model was used to identify successful therapy for a child with lymphatic anomaly.
Dual Role of
gnaA
in Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Xu Qingye , Chen Tao , Yan Biyong , Zhang Linyue , Pi Borui , Yang Yunxing , Zhang Linghong , Zhou Zhihui , Ji Shujuan , Leptihn Sebastian , Akova Murat , Yu Yunsong , Hua Xiaoting
Published: July 2019

Acinetobacter baumannii
is an important Gram-negative pathogen in hospital-related infections. However, treatment options for
A. baumannii
infections have become limited due to multidrug resistance. Bacterial virulence is often associated with capsule genes found in the K locus, many of which are essential for biosynthesis of the bacterial envelope. However, the roles of other genes in the K locus remain largely unknown.
Murine Genetic Background Has a Stronger Impact on the Composition of the Gut Microbiota than Maternal Inoculation or Exposure to Unlike Exogenous Microbiota
Authors: Korach-Rechtman Hila , Freilich Shay , Gerassy-Vainberg Shiran , Buhnik-Rosenblau Keren , Danin-Poleg Yael , Bar Haim , Kashi Yechezkel
Published: July 2019

The gut microbiota play important roles for their host. The link between host genetics and their microbial composition has received increasing interest. Using a unique reciprocal cross model, generating genetically similar F
1
hybrids with different maternal inoculation, we demonstrate the inheritance of gut persistence of 12 bacterial taxa. No taxa identified as maternally transmitted. Moreover, cohabitation of two genetically different inbred lines did not dramatically affect the microbiota composition. Taken together, our results demonstrate the importance of the genetic effect over maternal inoculation or effect of exposure to unlike exogenous microbiota. These findings may lead to the development of personalized probiotic products, specifically designed according to the genetic makeup.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Enterobacter
sp. Strain AD2-3, Isolated from a Postmining Site in Benguet, Philippines
Authors: Zarate Jocelyn T. , Aquino Genevieve Mae B. , Cruz Joana Marie C. , Villa Neilyn O. , Rosana Albert Remus R.
Published: July 2019

The novel strain
Enterobacter
sp. strain AD2-3 was isolated from postmining soil samples collected from Antamok mine in Benguet, Philippines. Here, we report a draft of its whole-genome sequence, with predicted gene inventories supporting metal tolerance, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and indole acetic acid production.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Rice Yellow Mottle Virus
Isolates from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Authors: Rakotomalala Mbolarinosy , Abera Bayuh Belay , Rakotoarisoa Jacqueline , Alemu Dawit , Hébrard Eugénie , Pinel-Galzi Agnès , Fargette Denis
Published: July 2019

The full-length genomes of two isolates of
Rice yellow mottle virus
from Ethiopia were sequenced. A comparison with 28 sequences from East Africa showed that they clustered within a new strain named S4et, related to the S4mg and S4ug strains found in the Lake Victoria Basin and Madagascar, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of Sporanaerobacter acetigenes Strain F-12, Isolated from a Cattle Rumen
Authors: Kang Seungha , Denman Stuart , Tahmasbi Reza , McSweeney Chris
Published: July 2019

We report the genome sequence of
Sporanaerobacter acetigenes
strain F-12, isolated from the rumen of a steer grazing on Rhodes grass in Townsville (Lansdown Research Station), Queensland, Australia. This draft genome consists of 2,866,191 bp, with 31.23% G+C content and 2,889 predicted coding sequences.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Haemophilus influenzae Biogroup
aegyptius
Strains Isolated from Five Brazilian Purpuric Fever Cases and One Conjunctivitis Case
Authors: Pereira Rafaella F. C. , Mofatto Luciana S. , Silva Ana C. A. , Alves Danilo A. , Machado Daisy , Theizen Thaís H. , Pereira Gonçalo A. G. , Levy Carlos E. , de Hollanda Luciana M. , Carazzolle Marcelo F. , Lancellotti Marcelo
Published: July 2019

Brazilian purpuric fever is a febrile hemorrhagic pediatric disease caused by
Haemophilus influenzae
biogroup
aegyptius
, a bacterium which was formerly associated with only self-limited purulent conjunctivitis. Here, we present draft genomes of strains from five Brazilian purpuric fever cases and one conjunctivitis case.
16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Profiling of Anaerobic Bulking-Associated Prokaryotic Microbiota in a Mesophilic Expanded Granular Sludge Bed Reactor for Beverage Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Yamada Takeshi , Harada Jun , Okazaki Yuki , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Nakano Atsushi
Published: July 2019

Information regarding prokaryotic microbiota associated with anaerobic bulking is limited. Here, we provide 16S rRNA gene-based prokaryotic diversity profiles for anaerobic bulking and healthy granular sludge in a mesophilic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor. These data were tabulated at the phylum level based on high-quality reads.
Utilisation of medications among elderly patients in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study using a nationwide claims database
Authors: Jung Sun-Young , Lee Hyun Joo
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pain and sedation in critically ill patients have been developed and applied; however, there is limited data on medication use among elderly patients. This study identifies current practice patterns for analgo-sedative use in mechanically ventilated elderly patients in Korea using a national claims database.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

Ventilated elderly patients aged 65 years or older in intensive care units (ICUs) from an aged patients’ national claims database in Korea

Primary outcome measures

Use of sedatives including benzodiazepines, opioids and non-opioid analgesics, neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) and antipsychotic drugs were analysed by the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), age and time.

Results

From 2012 to 2016, 22 677 elderly patients underwent MV in 267 general or tertiary ICUs. Mean age was 77.2 (±6.9) years and the median duration of MV was 4.1 days; 77.2% of patients received sedatives, 65.0% analgesics, 29.1% NMBAs and 19.6% antipsychotics. Midazolam (62.0%) was the most commonly prescribed medication. The proportions of sedatives, analgesics and NMBAs increased, whereas the percentages of person-days decreased with longer MV duration (p<0.01). With advanced age, the prevalence and duration of sedative, analgesic and NMBA use decreased (adjusted OR (95% CI) 0.98 (0.97 to 0.98) in all three classes) while antipsychotic did not (adjusted OR 1.00 (1.00–1.01)). Annually, benzodiazepines showed reduced administration (76.2% in 2012 and 71.4% in 2016, p<0.01), while daily opioid dose increased (21.6 in 2012 vs 30.0 mg in 2016, p<0.01).

Conclusions

The prevalence of sedative, analgesic and NMBAs use and daily opioid doses were lower, whereas antipsychotic use was higher compared with those in previous studies in adult patients. The findings warrant further studies investigating appropriateness and safety of medication use that consider clinical severity scores with a focus on elderly patients in ICUs.
The approximate formulas predicting personal somatic telomere length using patient blood test data
Authors: Maeda Toyoki , Horiuchi Takahiko , Makino Naoki
Published: July 2019

Biological aging underlies lifestyle-related diseases. It can be assessed by measuring personal somatic cell telomere length. However, measuring the telomere length is laborious, and its clinical surrogate parameters have not been developed. This study analyzed the correlation between telomere length in peripheral leukocytes and laboratory data to select test items relating closely to biological aging. We established formulas from these clinical data to predict the personal telomere length. The subjects were patients having visited Kyushu University Beppu Hospital from 2012 to 2015. Two hundred and thirty-two patients were enrolled. The blood data were collected and telomere lengths were measured by Southern blotting method. The patients showed significant correlations between the telomere length and several blood test data with a sex-related difference. Candidate formulas are as follows: Predicted telomere length (kb) in men = 8.59 − 0.037 × Age (years) + 0.024 × Hemoglobin (g/dL); Predicted telomere length (kb) in women = 4.83 − 0.019 × Age (years) + 0.23 × Albumin (g/dL) + 0.0001 × White blood cells (/mm3) + 0.0020 × Red blood cells (× 104/mm3) + 0.0032 × Total cholesterol (mg/dL). Thus, the derived formulas allow for the accurate differential prediction of telomeric length in male and female patients.
The Af condition and relative conormal spaces for functions with nonvanishing derivative
Authors: Gaffney Terence , Rangachev Antoni
Published: July 2019

We introduce a join construction, as a way of completing the description of the relative conormal space of an analytic function on a complex analytic space that has a non-vanishing derivative at the origin. Then we show how to obtain a numerical criterion for Thom’s [Formula: see text] condition.
Sampling and periodization of generators of Heisenberg modules
Authors: Jakobsen Mads S. , Luef Franz
Published: July 2019

This paper considers generators of Heisenberg modules in the case of twisted group [Formula: see text]-algebras of closed subgroups of locally compact abelian (LCA) groups and how the restriction and/or periodization of these generators yield generators for other Heisenberg modules. Since generators of Heisenberg modules are exactly the generators of (multi-window) Gabor frames, our methods are going to be from Gabor analysis. In the latter setting, the procedure of restriction and periodization of generators is well known. Our results extend this established part of Gabor analysis to the general setting of LCA groups. We give several concrete examples where we demonstrate some of the consequences of our results. Finally, we show that vector bundles over an irrational noncommutative torus may be approximated by vector bundles for finite-dimensional matrix algebras that converge to the irrational noncommutative torus with respect to the module norm of the generators, where the matrix algebras converge in the quantum Gromov–Hausdorff distance to the irrational noncommutative torus.
Material-dependent d + d cross-section in dense and metallic mesh wire environments at very low energies
Authors: Kilic A. I. , Kustan F. K.
Published: July 2019

New [Formula: see text] resonance parameters have been extracted and interpreted in terms of the experimental neutron–proton branching ratio of [Formula: see text] reactions in strontium and tantalum metallic lattices. The material-dependent cross-section formula, which includes the new [Formula: see text] resonance parameters, the screening effect, and the effective mass, have been applied to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] reactions in metallic environments. The contributions of the [Formula: see text] resonance and effective electron mass are crucial to the understanding of the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental screening values in metallic environments. As a different and connected part of this research, we have proposed a new target material: deuterated metal wire mesh structures. Experimentally confirmed numerical results for Pendry’s effective electron mass for aluminum metal wire have been used to calculate the cross-section and screening energy.
STRUCTURE STABILITY AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF PtmIrn(m+n=8−10) AND ADSORPTION SITES OF NO ON Pt–Ir CLUSTERS AT THE DFT LEVEL
Authors: GAO KUN , ZHANG XIU-RONG , YU ZHI-CHENG
Published: July 2019

The geometrical structures, stability and electronic properties of PtmIrn and PtmIrnNO ([Formula: see text]) clusters have been studied by using density functional theory (DFT). Simple cube evolution pattern is revealed for Ir[Formula: see text] and Ir-rich clusters. The curve of the second-order energy difference of PtnIr[Formula: see text] clusters shows the evident even–odd oscillations, indicating that PtIr8, Pt3Ir6, Pt5Ir4 and Pt7Ir2 clusters are more stable than their neighbors. The minimum excess energies values are seen for Pt7Ir, PtIr8 and Pt2Ir8, which means that these clusters show the stronger mixing tendency. Analysis of magnetic properties shows that the total magnetic moment contributed from Ir and Pt atoms, and the magnetic moment mainly comes from localization of the d orbit electron. All ground-state structures show an adsorption of NO at the top site of the bare cluster via the [Formula: see text] atom. In all of the alloy clusters, NO molecule prefers to be adsorbed near the Ir atom site. Fukui function is an accurate predictor of the reactivity on a specific adsorption site in Pt–Ir alloy clusters.
PhaseMax: Stable guarantees from noisy sub-Gaussian measurements
Authors: Li Huiping , Li Song , Xia Yu
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we consider the noisy phase retrieval problem which occurs in many different areas of science and physics. The PhaseMax algorithm is an efficient convex method to tackle with phase retrieval problem. On the basis of this algorithm, we propose two kinds of extended formulations of the PhaseMax algorithm, namely, PhaseMax with bounded and non-negative noise and PhaseMax with outliers to deal with the phase retrieval problem under different noise corruptions. Then we prove that these extended algorithms can stably recover real signals from independent sub-Gaussian measurements under optimal sample complexity. Specially, such results remain valid in noiseless case. As we can see, these results guarantee that a broad range of random measurements such as Bernoulli measurements with erasures can be applied to reconstruct the original signals by these extended PhaseMax algorithms. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our extended PhaseMax algorithm through numerical simulations. We find that with the same initialization, extended PhaseMax algorithm outperforms Truncated Wirtinger Flow method, and recovers the signal with corrupted measurements robustly.
Stable thin-shells from 5-dimensional extremal Einstein–Yang–Mills fields
Authors: Habib Mazharimousavi S. , Halilsoy Mustafa
Published: July 2019

By employing exact Einstein–Yang–Mills (EYM) solution in [Formula: see text] dimensions we establish spherical thin-shells with mass and Yang–Mills charge. Remarkably these shells are stable against linear, radial perturbations with a barotropic fluid presented on the shell with a generic equation of state [Formula: see text] supporting the speed of sound [Formula: see text].
The Estimation Lie Algebra Associated with Quantum Filters
Authors: Amini Nina H. , Gough John E.
Published: July 2019

We introduce the Lie algebra of super-operators associated with a quantum filter, specifically emerging from the Stratonovich calculus. In classical filtering, the analogue algebra leads to a geometric theory of nonlinear filtering which leads to well-known results by Brockett and by Mitter characterizing potential models where the curse-of-dimensionality may be avoided, and finite dimensional filters obtained. We discuss the quantum analogue to these results. In particular, we see that, in the case where all outputs are subjected to homodyne measurement, the Lie algebra of super-operators is isomorphic to a Lie algebra of system operators from which one may approach the question of the existence of finite-dimensional filters.
Bose Liquid Mean-Field Theory with Application to HeI
Authors: Maćkowiak Jan
Published: July 2019

A mean-field theory is developed for a Bose liquid enclosed in a large vessel 𝒱. In accord with liquid structure concepts of Mitus et al., the liquid in 𝒱 is assumed to consist of adjacent macroscopic subregions Λk. In each subregion the bosons perform a locally ordered motion with prevailing orientation k + x, which varies randomly when passing from one subregion to another. |k| is constant, whereas temperature dependence of |x| is governed by a mean-field theory (MFT). The theory is applied to simulate HeI heat capacity CV (T) at T > Tλ = 2.17 K and CV (T) singularity at [Formula: see text]. The MFT numerical heat capacity Cn(T) = ΔE/ΔT exhibits behaviour characteristic of a singularity at [Formula: see text]: rapid increase with decreasing ΔT. Apart from [Formula: see text], good agreement of Cn(T) with CV(T) experimental plot is also found above Tλ, at T ∊ (Tλ, 3K].
Resonant Transitions Due to Changing Boundaries
Authors: Anzà Fabio , Messina Antonino , Militello Benedetto
Published: July 2019

The problem of a particle confined in a box with moving walls is studied, focusing on the case of small perturbations which do not alter the shape of the boundary (‘pantography’). The presence of resonant transitions involving the natural transition frequencies of the system and the Fourier transform of the velocity of the walls of the box is brought to the light. The special case of a pantographic change of a circular box is analyzed in depth, also bringing to light the fact that the movement of the boundary cannot affect the angular momentum of the particle.
Principles of Quantum-like Evolution
Authors: Wichert Andrzej
Published: July 2019

We present a case study of quantum-like probabilities that are motivated by quantum cognition. We introduce quantum-like evolution that is l2 norm preserving but in which the matrix does not need to be unitary. We show how to map any 2 × 2 stochastic matrix to an l2 norm preserving balanced phase matrix that maps real vectors of length one into complex vectors of length one. Quantum-like evolution can simulate a probability distribution of open system in which the operator is not unitary but norm preserving. Such a kind of behaviour is studied in quantum cognition. By tensor product higher dimensional balanced phase matrices can be built. Quantum-like evolution can simulate either unitary open one by coding the phase of input vector into the phase of a balanced phase matrix, a Markov chain or an alternative evolution that can lead to fixed, periodic or chaotic behaviour resulting in strange oscillations.