bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taming turbulent fronts by bending pipes
Authors: Barkley D.
Published: June 2019

The flow of fluid through a pipe has been instrumental in illuminating the subcritical route to turbulence typical of many wall-bounded shear flows. Especially important in this process are the turbulent–laminar fronts that separate the turbulent and laminar flow. Four years ago Michael Graham (Nature, vol. 526, 2015, p. 508) wrote a commentary entitled ‘Turbulence spreads like wildfire’, which is a picturesque but also accurate characterisation of the way turbulence spreads through laminar flow in a straight pipe. In this spirit, the recent article by Rinaldi et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 866, 2019, pp. 487–502) shows that turbulent wildfires are substantially tamed in bent pipes. These authors find that even at modest pipe curvature, the characteristic strong turbulent–laminar fronts of straight pipe flow vanish. As a result, the propagation of turbulent structures is modified and there are hints that the route to turbulence is fundamentally altered.
Quality of sibling relationship and family functioning in Greek families with school-age children
Authors: Tsamparli Anastasia , Halios Helias
Published: June 2019

The aim of the current study is to examine the quality of sibling relationships in relation to family functioning in Greek families with typically developing school-age children. The sample: 251 intact Greek families with two children (251 parents — 1 parent participated from each family — and 251 children). Research instruments: (a) the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III (FACES III; Olson, 1986 ), administered to both parents and children), (b) the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ; Furman& Buhrmester, 1985 ); and (c) the family constellation: number of children, birth order, gender and socioeconomic level. According to the findings, the quality of a sibling relationship is associated with family cohesion and adaptability. Regarding children’s gender, the Warmth/Closeness scale is lower in families with children of different gender compared to families with children of the same gender. Regarding birth order, first-born children report higher levels of cohesion (ideal and actual), as well as higher Warmth/Closeness (children and parents), in comparison to the second-born children. Regarding parental educational level, parents and children report a higher level when it comes to ideal family and cohesion type (ideal level), as well as higher Warmth/Closeness (parents) when at least one of the parents has a university education background.
Association of diet quality and physical activity with healthy ageing in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort
Authors: Assmann Karen E. , Adjibade Moufidath , Adriouch Solia , Andreeva Valentina A. , Julia Chantal , Hercberg Serge , Galan Pilar , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle
Published: June 2019

A growing number of studies have explored overall health during ageing in a holistic manner by investigating multidimensional models of healthy ageing (HA). However, little attention has been given to the role of adherence to national nutrition guidelines in that context. This study aimed to investigate the prospective association between adherence to the French nutrition guidelines and HA. The authors analysed data from 21 407 participants of the NutriNet-Santé study with a median baseline age of 55·6 years (2009–2014) and initially free of major chronic diseases. HA was defined as not developing major chronic disease, no depressive symptoms, no function-limiting pain, independence in instrumental activities of daily living, good physical, cognitive and social functioning, as well as good self-perceived health. Adherence to guidelines of the French Nutrition and Health Programme (Programme National Nutrition Santé or PNNS) was measured via the PNNS Guideline Score (PNNS-GS), using baseline data from repeated 24-h dietary records and physical activity questionnaires. After a median follow-up of 5·7 years, 46·3 % of participants met our HA criteria. Robust-error-variance Poisson regression revealed that higher PNNS-GS scores, reflecting higher adherence to nutrition recommendations (including both diet and physical activity guidelines), were associated with a higher probability to age healthily (relative riskquartile 4 v. quartile 1 = 1·17 (95 % CI 1·12, 1·22)). Supplementary analyses revealed that this association may, to a small part, be mediated by weight status. The results suggest that high adherence to the French national nutrition recommendations may be linked to better overall health throughout ageing.
Un instrument d’analyse fonctionnelle des langues: la théorie des lieux linguistiques
Authors: S.J. Ernest Richer
Published: June 2019

“To be is to be related.” (Kassius J. Keyser)

Tenu sur la sellette depuis les années de F. de Saussure, le logicisme grammatical voit ses positions reculer constamment, grâce aux fruits sans cesse accumulés de l’investigation structuraliste en matière de langage. La théorie des lieux linguistiques est un système qui s’inscrit dans le grand mouvement contemporain de révision et de progrès. Destinée originellement à concourir au remplacement de la traditionnelle distinction des “parties du discours”, la théorie, depuis son eclosión et après les modestes essais d’application qui en ont été faits, a vu ses cadres s’élargir, pour embrasser finalement l’ensemble des faits de langue, tels que présentés par la chaîne parlée en n’importe quel idiome.
The Apportionment of a Trust Fund: A Review of the Problem in Modern Conditions
Authors: Goodchild W. P.
Published: June 2019

This paper is mainly concerned with the division of a trust fund between the beneficiaries, when an actuary is asked for a solution which, in his opinion, is fair to all parties concerned. It may be that the beneficiaries are all sui juris and form a closed class, in which case they approach the actuary as umpire, and adopt a passive role, at least until they have considered the implications of his recommendations. Alternatively, the actuary's report may be required to assist the Court to approve a scheme involving beneficiaries, e.g. infants, whom it is the Court's object to protect. In that case the actuary's role—as discussed later in the paper—is rather different, but it may still be necessary for him to state what in his judgment would be an impartial solution.
Castiglione and the International Museum of the Red Cross visited
Authors: Lossier J.-G.
Published: June 2019

In his book A Memory of Solferino, Henry Dunant vividly communicates his emotion to the reader when he describes the relentless development of the battle between the French and Sardinian armies and the Austrian forces. But he shows in the second part of the book the wide-spread feeling, in the face of so much misery, which stirred the people from Mantua to Milan and Turin during those June and July days of 1859.
Studies on the properties of New Zealand butterfats: V. The effect of stage of lactation
Authors: McDowall F. H.
Published: June 2019

Milk and butterfat yields, and the properties of butterfats from the milks, were compared in three successive years for early- and late-calving cows of monozygotic twin pairs grazed on the same pastures, over the period when both cows of the twin pairs were in lactation.

The seasonal fluctuations in the properties of the butterfat were closely similar for the two groups of cows in all three trials. This was taken to indicate that the known regular pattern of seasonal change in the properties of New Zealand butterfat over all North Island districts is not due to change in stage of lactation of the cows but is probably the result of a regular change in the feeding conditions.

The average milk and butterfat yields were lower for the early-calving cows during the comparison period, the iodine values were higher, and the Reichert and saponification values were lower. The early-calving cows were uniformly heavier than the late-calving cows. It is suggested that the consistent differences in the butterfat characteristics over the whole comparison period could be due to differences in the extent to which body fat reserves were drawn upon by the cows for maintenance of lactation.

The average carotene and vitamin A contents of the butterfats were not appreciably different for the two groups of cows, indicating that these values are not directly related to stage of lactation of the cows or to yield of milk or butterfat.
Assessment of the Influence of Offshore Wind Farms on Ship Traffic Flow Based on AIS Data
Authors: Yu Qing , Liu Kezhong , Teixeira A.P. , Soares C. Guedes
Published: June 2019

This paper proposes a framework to assess the influence of Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs) on maritime traffic flow based on raw Automatic Identification System (AIS) data collected before and after the installation of the offshore wind turbines. The framework includes modules for data acquisition, data filtering and statistical analysis. The statistical analysis characterises the influence of an OWF on maritime traffic in terms of minimum passing distances and lateral distribution of the ship trajectories near the OWF. The framework is applied to a specific route for which AIS data is available before and after an OWF installation. The impacts of the OWF on marine traffic are diverse and depend on the ship type categories. This paper quantitatively characterises an OWF's influence on a specific route that is probabilistically modelled, which is important for further studies on OWF site selection and maritime traffic risk assessment and management.
Collections de manuscrits et Archives des missions américaines en Afrique
Authors: Collins R. , Duignan P.
Published: June 2019

Si l'on pense à l'importance des relations missionnaires, commerciales, gouvernementales, et individuelles entre les Etats-Unis et l'Afrique depuis 1619, il doit y avoir aux Etats-Unis une quantité considerable de documents ayant trait à l'Afrique. Mais nous ne savons pas au juste quelle est la portée et l'étendue de ces ressources utilisables par les chercheurs. Le Bulletin d'lnformations Africana espère combler cette lacune en publiant régulièrement de brefs rapports sur les collections américaines d'archives et de manuscrits. C'est avec plaisir que nous accueillerons des rapports tel que celui que nous donnons ci-dessous. Le résumé suivant est extrait d'un guide préliminaire qui sera publié ultérieurement par les auteurs.
Studying the Political Problems of French-speaking Tropical Africa in Paris
Authors: Hymans J.
Published: June 2019

Among the principal Parisian libraries with African document collections are:

(1) Library of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques, 27 Rue St. Guillaume, Paris VIeme (metro: St. Germain des Prés).

These facilities are a good starting point for the foreign Africanist visiting Paris. Of particular interest are the “dossiers” of the “Centre de Documentation” (third floor of the library) where under various headings (such as “French relations with Africa”) one may find press clippings from about 100 of the major French newspapers and periodicals. The dossiers of clippings are kept up to date and extend back for several years. In the same third floor library there exists a special card catalog in which thousands of articles which have appeared in French periodicals for the past ten years are listed and briefly analyzed; there are several hundred cards dealing with French-speaking Africa. This special catalog is kept up to date and has trays devoted to each of the new African nations.
Computation also matters: a response to Pater (2018)
Authors: Jardine Adam
Published: June 2019

This article responds to Pater (2018) by arguing for a view of phonology that captures the computational properties of phonological processes. Jardine's (2016) statement that tone is formally more complex than segmental phonology is not a claim, as Pater characterises it, but an empirical observation. This article outlines how phonological theories can incorporate such observations, and integrate them with considerations of phonological substance. The conclusion is that, while computational characterisations are not necessarily alternatives to Optimality Theory, it is extremely diffcult to capture the computational nature of phonological processes in Optimality Theory, due to the expressive power of global optimisation.
Cardiac venous malformation in a teenager
Authors: Kennedy John T. , Wearden Peter D. , Nelson Jennifer S.
Published: June 2019

We present the case of a 17-year-old boy with a cardiac venous malformation. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of such tumours and demonstrates the potential efficacy of a watch-and-wait management approach.
Problematic internet use: an exploration of associations between cognition and COMT rs4818, rs4680 haplotypes
Authors: Ioannidis Konstantinos , Redden Sarah A. , Valle Stephanie , Chamberlain Samuel R. , Grant Jon E.
Published: June 2019

Objective

Problematic internet users suffer from impairment in a variety of cognitive domains. Research suggests that COMT haplotypes exert differential effects on cognition. We sought to investigate differences in the genetic profiles of problematic internet users and whether those could shed light on potential cognitive differences.

Methods

We recruited 206 non-treatment seeking participants with heightened impulsive traits and obtained cross-sectional demographic, clinical, and cognitive data as well as the genetic haplotypes of COMT rs4680 and rs4818. We identified 24 participants who presented with problematic internet use (PIU) and compared PIU and non-PIU participants using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi square as appropriate.

Results

PIU was associated with worse performance on decision making, rapid visual processing, and spatial working memory tasks. Genetic variants were associated with altered cognitive performance, but rates of PIU did not statistically differ for particular haplotypes of COMT.

Conclusion

This study indicates that PIU is characterized by deficits in decision making and working memory domains; it also provides evidence for elevated impulsive responses and impaired target detection on a sustained attention task, which is a novel area worth exploring further in future work. The effects observed in the genetic influences on cognition of PIU subjects imply that the genetic heritable components of PIU may not lie within the genetic loci influencing COMT function and cognitive performance; or that the genetic component in PIU involves many genetic polymorphisms each conferring only a small effect.
HOUDINI AMONG THE SPIRITS: A LESSON IN CRITICAL THINKING
Authors: Guzzo Guilherme Brambatti
Published: June 2019

In spite of the widespread recognition of critical thinking as an elementary aim of education, and an important tool for people to evaluate information and make reasonable decisions in their daily lives, to think critically is a difficult task. We are consciously and unconsciously biased, and our basic beliefs strongly influence the way we assess evidence, so our cognitive default condition seems to move us away from critical thinking. However, it is possible appropriately to exercise critical thinking to evaluate subjects to which we are emotionally attached, and the experience of the illusionist Harry Houdini investigating Spiritualism is a striking example of it. My objective here is to discuss how Houdini incorporated core elements of critical thinking, such as the ability to evaluate reasons, and the disposition to calibrate his beliefs accordingly, in his assessment of the claim that Spiritualist mediums could contact the spirits of dead people, as described in his book A Magician among the Spirits.
SELF-INTEREST AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY: A REPLY TO SOME IMPLICATIONS OF JEROME MORAN'S ‘ARISTOTLE ON EUDAIMONIA (“HAPPINESS”)’
Authors: Miles Tim
Published: June 2019

Moran argues that the ancient Greek philosophers did not really do moral philosophy because they conflated self-regard with other-regard. I argue that on the contrary questions of what is in a person's own interest are moral questions and that self-interest should play a part in moral philosophy.
NO WALL WITHOUT REPRESENTATION: TRUMP, TAXES, AND DEMOCRATIC INCLUSION
Authors: Saunders Ben
Published: June 2019

Donald Trump promised to build a wall along the US–Mexico border and to make Mexico pay for it, but this seems to violate the principle of ‘no taxation without representation’ on which the United States was founded. Some democratic theorists propose even more radical principles of inclusion, such as that all those affected by or subject to a decision should have a say in it. But even a more moderate principle, requiring that those who pay must be represented, is sufficient to show that Trump's proposed border wall lacks democratic legitimacy.
Distinct Degassing Pulses During Magma Invasion in the Stratified Karoo Basin—New Insights From Hydrothermal Fluid Flow Modeling
Authors: Galerne C. Y. , Hasenclever J.
Published: June 2019

Magma emplacement in organic‐rich sedimentary basins is a main driver of past environmental crises. Using a 2‐D numerical model, we investigate the process of thermal cracking in contact aureoles of cooling sills and subsequent transport and emission of thermogenic methane by hydrothermal fluids. Our model includes a Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion to initiate hydrofracturing and a dynamic porosity/permeability. We investigate the Karoo Basin, taking into account host‐rock material properties from borehole data, realistic total organic carbon content, and different sill geometries. Consistent with geological observations, we find that thermal plumes quickly rise at the edges of saucer‐shaped sills, guided along vertically fractured high‐permeability pathways. Contrastingly, less focused and slower plumes rise from the edges and the central part of flat‐lying sills. Using a novel upscaling method based on sill‐to‐sediment ratio, we find that degassing of the Karoo Basin occurred in two distinct phases during magma invasion. Rapid degassing triggered by sills emplaced within the top 1.5 km emitted ~1.6·103 Gt of thermogenic methane, while thermal plumes originating from deeper sills, carrying a 13‐times‐greater mass of methane, may not reach the surface. We suggest that these large quantities of methane could be remobilized by the heat provided by neighboring sills. We conclude that the Karoo large igneous province may have emitted as much as ~22.3·103 Gt of thermogenic methane in the half million years of magmatic activity, with emissions up to 3 Gt/year. This quantity of methane and the emission rates can explain the negative δ13C excursion of the Toarcian environmental crisis.
Ionospheric Plasma Bubble Zonal Drift Derived From Total Electron Content Measurements
Authors: Silva R. P. , Souza J. R. , Sobral J. H. A. , Denardini C. M. , Borba G. L. , Santos M. A. F.
Published: June 2019

Equatorial plasma bubbles consist of field‐aligned large‐scale depletions, or irregularities, characterized by drastic ion density rarefactions of the nocturnal low latitude/equatorial ionosphere. Understanding their behavior is important because of their degrading effects on radio wave signals and, consequently, their respective technological applications such as, for example, Global Positioning System applications. In this sense, a methodology of pattern recognition was developed and implemented here using the Long‐Term Ionospheric Anomaly Monitoring in order to infer the plasma bubbles zonal drift velocities, using two receiving stations of global navigation satellite systems data from the Brazilian Continuous Monitoring Network, located near to each other, in Salvador (BA) during geomagnetically quiet periods. The study covered the years of 2012, 2013, and 2014 for the months from September to January of the following year, choosing 10 representative days for each month. The average results for the plasma bubble zonal velocities provided by the model calculations were in agreement with the well‐known values. However, monthly individual analysis showed a behavior anticorrelated with that expected for high solar flux. Probably, the unexpected behavior is due to atypical configuration of the solar activity ascending phase.
Paleomagnetism Indicators May Be Flawed
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: June 2019

A new study finds that magnetism in volcanic ash tuff forms through varied processes, calling into question previously reliable signatures used to study variations in Earth’s magnetic field.
The Mineralogical Society of America Turns 100
Authors: Heaney Peter , Gunter Mickey
Published: June 2019

The society that led scientists through some of the most groundbreaking discoveries of the past century looks ahead to the next challenges with a Centennial symposium in late June.
Modulation of Seismic Attenuation at Parkfield, Before and After the 2004 M6 Earthquake
Authors: Malagnini L. , Dreger D.S. , Bürgmann R. , Munafò I. , Sebastiani G.
Published: June 2019

The crack density within a fault's damage zone is thought to vary as seismic rupture is approached, as well as in the postseismic period. Moreover, external stress loads, seasonal or tidal, may also change the crack density in rocks, and all such processes can leave detectable signatures on seismic attenuation. Here we show that attenuation time histories from the San Andreas Fault at Parkfield are affected by seasonal loading cycles, as well as by 1.5–3‐year periodic variations of creep rates, consistent with Turner et al. (2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JB011998), who documented a broad spectral peak, between 1.5 and 4 years, of the spectra calculated over the activity of repeating earthquakes, and over InSAR time series. After the Parkfield main shock, we see a clear modulation between seismic attenuation correlated to tidal forces. Opposite attenuation trends are seen on the two sides of the fault up to the M6.5 2003 San Simeon earthquake, when attenuation changed discontinuously, in the same directions of the relative trends. Attenuation increased steadily of over one year on the SW side of the San Andreas Fault, until the San Simeon earthquake, whereas it decreased steadily on the NE side of the San Andreas Fault, roughly for the six months prior to the event. Random fluctuations are observed up to the 2004 M6 Parkfield main shock, when rebounds in opposite directions are observed, in which attenuation decreased on the SW side, and increased on the NE side.
Sensitivity of Convective Self‐Aggregation to Domain Size
Authors: Patrizio Casey R. , Randall David A.
Published: June 2019

A 3‐D cloud‐resolving model has been used to investigate the domain size dependence of simulations of convective self‐aggregation (CSA) in radiative‐convective equilibrium. We investigate how large a domain is needed to allow multiple convective clusters and also how the properties equilibrated CSA depend on domain size. We used doubly periodic square domains of widths 768, 1,536, 3,072, and 6,144 km, over 350 simulated days. In the 768‐, 1,536‐, and 3,072‐km domains, the simulations produced circular convective clusters surrounded by broader regions of dry, subsiding air. In the 6,144‐km domain, the convection ultimately forms two semiconnected bands. As the domain size increases, equilibrated CSA moistens in two ways. First, as the circulation widens, this leads to stronger boundary layer winds and a more humid boundary layer. Second, the stronger inflow into the convective region boundary layer is associated with a warmer convective region boundary layer, which leads to intensified deep convection, more melting and freezing near the freezing level, enhanced midlevel stability, increased congestus activity, and detrainment of moist air into the dry region. In the larger domains, the deep convection and congestus slowly oscillate out of phase with each other with a time period of about 25 to 30 days. We hypothesize that other important domain size sensitivities, including a decrease in net moist static energy export from the convective region, are fundamentally linked to the increasing relationship between domain size and boundary layer wind speed. Our results suggest that the statistics of CSA converge only for domains wider than about 3,000 km.
c-kit Haploinsufficiency impairs adult cardiac stem cell growth, myogenicity and myocardial regeneration
Authors: Aquila Iolanda , Cianflone Eleonora , Scalise Mariangela , Marino Fabiola , Mancuso Teresa , Filardo Andrea , Smith Andrew J. , Cappetta Donato , De Angelis Antonella , Urbanek Konrad , Isidori Andrea M. , Torella Michele , Agosti Valter , Viglietto Giuseppe , Nadal-Ginard Bernardo , Ellison-Hughes Georgina M. , Torella Daniele
Published: June 2019

An overdose of Isoproterenol (ISO) causes acute cardiomyocyte (CM) dropout and activates the resident cardiac c-kitpos stem/progenitor cells (CSCs) generating a burst of new CM formation that replaces those lost to ISO. Recently, unsuccessful attempts to reproduce these findings using c-kitCre knock-in (KI) mouse models were reported. We tested whether c-kit haploinsufficiency in c-kitCreKI mice was the cause of the discrepant results in response to ISO. Male C57BL/6J wild-type (wt) mice and c-kitCreKI mice were given a single dose of ISO (200 and/or 400 mg/Kg s.c.). CM formation was measured with different doses and duration of BrdU or EdU. We compared the myogenic and regenerative potential of the c-kitCreCSCs with wtCSCs. Acute ISO overdose causes LV dysfunction with dose-dependent CM death by necrosis and apoptosis, whose intensity follows a basal-apical and epicardium to sub-endocardium gradient, with the most severe damage confined to the apical sub-endocardium. The damage triggers significant new CM formation mainly in the apical sub-endocardial layer. c-kit haploinsufficiency caused by c-kitCreKIs severely affects CSCs myogenic potential. c-kitCreKI mice post-ISO fail to respond with CSC activation and show reduced CM formation and suffer chronic cardiac dysfunction. Transplantation of wtCSCs rescued the defective regenerative cardiac phenotype of c-kitCreKI mice. Furthermore, BAC-mediated transgenesis of a single c-kit gene copy normalized the functional diploid c-kit content of c-kitCreKI CSCs and fully restored their regenerative competence. Overall, these data show that c-kit haploinsufficiency impairs the endogenous cardioregenerative response after injury affecting CSC activation and CM replacement. Repopulation of c-kit haploinsufficient myocardial tissue with wtCSCs as well c-kit gene deficit correction of haploinsufficient CSCs restores CM replacement and functional cardiac repair. Thus, adult neo-cardiomyogenesis depends on and requires a diploid level of c-kit.
Potent and specific MTH1 inhibitors targeting gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Wenjuan , Ma Liying , Yang Jing , Qiao Hui , Li Lingyu , Guo Qian , Ma Jinlian , Zhao Lijuan , Wang Junwei , Jiang Guozhong , Wan Xiangbin , Adam Goscinski Mariusz , Ding Lina , Zheng Yichao , Li Wencai , Liu Hongmin , Suo Zhenhe , Zhao Wen
Published: June 2019

Human mutT homolog 1(MTH1), the oxidized dNTP pool sanitizer enzyme, has been reported to be highly expressed in various malignant tumors. However, the oncogenic role of MTH1 in gastric cancer remains to be determined. In the current study, we found that MTH1 was overexpressed in human gastric cancer tissues and cells. Using an in vitro MTH1 inhibitor screening system, the compounds available in our laboratory were screened and the small molecules containing 5-cyano-6-phenylpyrimidine structure were firstly found to show potently and specifically inhibitory effect on MTH1, especially compound MI-743 with IC50 = 91.44 ± 1.45 nM. Both molecular docking and target engagement experiments proved that MI-743 can directly bind to MTH1. Moreover, MI-743 could not only inhibit cell proliferation in up to 16 cancer cell lines, especially gastric cancer cells HGC-27 and MGC-803, but also significantly induce MTH1-related 8-oxo-dG accumulation and DNA damage. Furthermore, the growth of xenograft tumours derived by injection of MGC-803 cells in nude mice was also significantly inhibited by MI-743 treatment. Importantly, MTH1 knockdown by siRNA in those two gastric cancer cells exhibited the similar findings. Our findings indicate that MTH1 is highly expressed in human gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. Small molecule MI-743 with 5-cyano-6-phenylpyrimidine structure may serve as a novel lead compound targeting the overexpressed MTH1 for gastric cancer treatment.
Detection of DNA base modifications by deep recurrent neural network on Oxford Nanopore sequencing data
Authors: Liu Qian , Fang Li , Yu Guoliang , Wang Depeng , Xiao Chuan-Le , Wang Kai
Published: June 2019

DNA base modifications, such as C5-methylcytosine (5mC) and N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA), are important types of epigenetic regulations. Short-read bisulfite sequencing and long-read PacBio sequencing have inherent limitations to detect DNA modifications. Here, using raw electric signals of Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing data, we design DeepMod, a bidirectional recurrent neural network (RNN) with long short-term memory (LSTM) to detect DNA modifications. We sequence a human genome HX1 and a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genome using Nanopore sequencing, and then evaluate DeepMod on three types of genomes (Escherichia coli, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and human genomes). For 5mC detection, DeepMod achieves average precision up to 0.99 for both synthetically introduced and naturally occurring modifications. For 6mA detection, DeepMod achieves ~0.9 average precision on Escherichia coli data, and have improved performance than existing methods on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii data. In conclusion, DeepMod performs well for genome-scale detection of DNA modifications and will facilitate epigenetic analysis on diverse species.
Ultra-selective ligand-driven separation of strategic actinides
Authors: Deblonde Gauthier J.-P. , Ricano Abel , Abergel Rebecca J.
Published: June 2019

Metal ion separations are critical to numerous fields, including nuclear medicine, waste recycling, space exploration, and fundamental research. Nonetheless, operational conditions and performance are limited, imposing compromises between recovery, purity, and cost. Siderophore-inspired ligands show unprecedented charge-based selectivity and compatibility with harsh industry conditions, affording excellent separation efficiency, robustness and process control. Here, we successfully demonstrate a general separation strategy on three distinct systems, for Ac, Pu, and Bk purification. Separation factors (SF) obtained with model compound 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) are orders of magnitude higher than with any other ligand currently employed: 106 between Ac and relevant metal impurities, and over 108 for redox-free Pu purification against uranyl ions and trivalent actinides or fission products. Finally, a one-step separation method (SF > 3 × 106 and radiopurity > 99.999%) enables the isolation of Bk from adjacent actinides and fission products. The proposed approach offers a paradigm change for the production of strategic elements.
Emergent bound states and impurity pairs in chemically doped Shastry-Sutherland system
Authors: Shi Zhenzhong , Steinhardt William , Graf David , Corboz Philippe , Weickert Franziska , Harrison Neil , Jaime Marcelo , Marjerrison Casey , Dabkowska Hanna A. , Mila Frédéric , Haravifard Sara
Published: June 2019

Impurities often play a defining role in the ground states of frustrated quantum magnets. Studies of their effects are crucial in understanding of the phase diagram in these materials. SrCu2(BO3)2, an experimental realization of the Shastry-Sutherland (SS) lattice, provides a unique model system for such studies using both experimental and numerical approaches. Here we report effects of impurities on the crystals of bound states, and doping-induced emergent ground states in Mg-doped SrCu2(BO3)2, which remain stable in high magnetic fields. Using four complementary magnetometry techniques and theoretical simulations, a rich impurity-induced phenomenology at high fields is discovered. The results demonstrate a rare example in which even a small doping concentration interacts strongly with both triplets and bound states of triplets, and thus plays a significant role in the magnetization process even at high magnetic fields. Our findings provide insights into the study of impurity effects in geometrically frustrated quantum magnets.
Author Correction: Statistical optimization of light intensity and CO2 concentration for lipid production derived from attached cultivation of green microalga Ettlia sp.
Authors: Kim Sungwhan , Moon Myounghoon , Kwak Minsoo , Lee Bongsoo , Chang Yong Keun
Published: June 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Experimental study on removing heavy metals from the municipal solid waste incineration fly ash with the modified electrokinetic remediation device
Authors: Ji Hong , Huang Weiqiu , Xing Zhixiang , Zuo Jiaqi , Wang Zhuang , Yang Ke
Published: June 2019

The MSWI fly ash which contains a large number of heavy metal substances is a subsidiary product of waste incineration power generation technology. If the MSWI fly ash is disposed improperly, heavy metal pollutants will pose a great threat to environmental safety and human health. Based on the technology of electrokinetic remediation, the feasibility of removing heavy metal pollutants from the MSWI fly ash using a modified electrokinetic remediation device - cylinder device was evaluated in this study. Differing from the traditional cuboid device with the volume ratio of the cathode chamber to the anode chamber being 1:1, the volume ratio of the cathode chamber to the anode chamber of the cylinder device was 16:1. Changes in parameters, such as pH values and conductivity in the cathode and the anode chambers as well as current and voltage in the sample area were analysed under the voltage gradient of 2 V/cm. After the experiment, the average removal efficiencies for Zn, Pb, Cd and Cu in the sample area were 53.2%, 31.4%, 42.3% and 30.7%, respectively. It indicates that the cylinder device is effective in removing heavy metals from the MSWI fly ash. Adopting the cylinder device for the experimental study on the electrokinetic remediation technology could provide a better way of thinking for the future engineering practices and applications.
Author Correction: Serum GFAP as a biomarker for disease severity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Abdelhak A. , Huss A. , Kassubek J. , Tumani H. , Otto M.
Published: June 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Surface modification of gold nanoparticles with neuron-targeted exosome for enhanced blood–brain barrier penetration
Authors: Khongkow Mattaka , Yata Teerapong , Boonrungsiman Suwimon , Ruktanonchai Uracha Rungsardthong , Graham Duncan , Namdee Katawut
Published: June 2019

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively used as nanomaterials for theranostic applications due to their multifunctional characteristics in therapeutics, imaging, and surface modification. In this study, the unique functionalities of exosome-derived membranes were combined with synthetic AuNPs for targeted delivery to brain cells. Here, we report the surface modification of AuNPs with brain-targeted exosomes derived from genetically engineered mammalian cells by using the mechanical method or extrusion to create these novel nanomaterials. The unique targeting properties of the AuNPs after fabrication with the brain-targeted exosomes was demonstrated by their binding to brain cells under laminar flow conditions as well as their enhanced transport across the blood brain barrier. In a further demonstration of their ability to target brain cells, in vivo bioluminescence imaging revealed that targeted-exosome coated AuNPs accumulated in the mouse brain after intravenous injection. The surface modification of synthetic AuNPs with the brain-targeted exosome demonstrated in this work represents a highly novel and effective strategy to provide efficient brain targeting and shows promise for the future in using modified AuNPs to penetrate the brain.
Robust and accurate detection and sizing of repeats within the DMPK gene using a novel TP-PCR test
Authors: Leferink Maike , Wong Daphne P. W. , Cai Shiwei , Yeo Minli , Ho Jocelin , Lian Mulias , Kamsteeg Erik-Jan , Chong Samuel S. , Haer-Wigman Lonneke , Guan Ming
Published: June 2019

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a multisystem disorder caused by the expansion of a trinucleotide repeat in the DMPK gene. In this study we evaluated the performance of the FastDM1TMDMPK sizing kit in myotonic dystrophy type 1 testing. This commercially available triplet repeat-primed PCR based kit was validated using reference and clinical samples. Based on testing with 19 reference samples, the assay yielded repeat sizes within three repeats from the consensus reference length, demonstrating an accuracy of 100%. Additionally, the assay generated consistent repeat size information with a concentration range of template-DNA, and upon repetition and reproduction (CV 0.36% to 0.41%). Clinical performance was established with 235 archived prenatal and postnatal clinical samples, yielding results of 100% sensitivity (95% CI, 97.29% to 100%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 96.19% to 100%) in classifying the samples into the respective genotype groups of 5–35 (normal), 36–50 (non-pathogenic pre-expansion), 51–150 (unstable intermediate-sized pathogenic) or >150 (unstable pathogenic) CTG repeats, respectively. Furthermore, the assay identified interrupted repeat expansions in all samples known to have interruptions, and also identified interruptions in a subset of the clinical samples.
Prefrontal-posterior coupling mediates transitions between emotional states and influences executive functioning
Authors: Hao Yu , Yao Lin , Smith Derek M. , Sorel Edward , Anderson Adam K. , Schumacher Eric H. , Evans Gary W.
Published: June 2019

Emotions often result from fluctuating experiences with self-regulation unfolding over time. However, most research has been focused on neural responses to static, affective stimuli. We studied emotion transitions, which correspond to dynamic conditions of varying affective valence or intensities. Functional coupling of prefrontal and posterior cortex (EEG coherence) was recorded during exposure to stable versus changing emotion-eliciting images (static vs. dynamic conditions). Prefrontal-posterior coupling was decreased in the dynamic conditions compared to the static conditions. A decrease in prefrontal-posterior coupling implies less control of the prefrontal cortex over perceptual information, which may allow the brain to become more affected by emotional fluctuations. We also assessed the aftereffect of EEG coherence on executive functioning, utilizing the flanker task. Among individuals reporting higher chronic stress, executive functioning decreased after dynamic conditions. This decrease in executive functioning was mediated by the decrease in prefrontal-posterior coupling in the dynamic conditions. These findings suggest that the strength of prefrontal-posterior coupling is not only related to emotional transitions but also to executive functioning. The deterioration of executive functioning after dynamic emotional processing may reflect the additional cognitive effort required to process dynamic shifts in affective stimuli, and this relationship is exacerbated by chronic stress.
Mapping the allosteric network within a SH3 domain
Authors: Malagrinò Francesca , Troilo Francesca , Bonetti Daniela , Toto Angelo , Gianni Stefano
Published: June 2019

SH3 domains are very abundant protein-protein interactions modules, involved in the regulation of several cellular processes. Whilst they have been associated to allosteric communication pathways between contiguous domains in multi-domain proteins, there is lack of information regarding the intra-domain allosteric cross-talk within the SH3 moiety. Here we scrutinize the presence of an allosteric network in the C-terminal SH3 domain of Grb2 protein, upon binding the Grb2-associated binding 2 protein. To explore allostery, we performed double mutant cycle analysis, a powerful quantitative approach based on mutagenesis in conjunction with kinetic experiments. Data reveal the presence of an unexpected allosteric sparse network that modulates the affinity between the SH3 domain and its physiological partner.
Synchronization of megathrust earthquakes to periodic slow slip events in a single-degree-of-freedom spring-slider model
Authors: Ohtani Makiko , Kame Nobuki , Nakatani Masao
Published: June 2019

Recently recognized slow slip events (SSEs) recurring in the deeper extensions of seismogenic zones along plate boundaries are drawing attention to their potential for triggering megathrust earthquakes that rupture the entire seismogenic zone. We describe how earthquakes simulated in a single-degree-of-freedom model are synchronized to the rhythm of imposed periodic SSEs. The time lag tQ from the one most recent SSE to a seismic event varies with system parameters and may take a broad range of eligible values between 0 and TSSE (SSE recurrence period). Earthquakes were found to synchronize with SSEs in various patterns depending on the proportion of SSE-driven loading within an SSE cycle, the recurrence period of the SSEs, and the duration of the SSEs, although synchronization itself remained a prevalent feature. Asynchrony was found only for long SSE durations.
Cultural variation between neighbouring communities of chimpanzees at Gombe, Tanzania
Authors: Pascual-Garrido Alejandra
Published: June 2019

Comparative animal studies have revealed the existence of inter-group differences in socially learned behaviours – so-called cultural variations. However, most research has drawn on geographically and thus environmentally separated populations, rendering it difficult to exclude genetic or ecological influences. To circumvent this problem, the behaviour of neighbouring groups from the same population can be juxtaposed - an approach which in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) has revealed cultural differences in the use of nut-cracking and ant-dipping tools. Here I apply archaeological methods to extend this approach to compare the qualities of termite fishing tools used by wild chimpanzees by comparing the neighbouring Kasekela and Mitumba communities at Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. While no identifiable differences existed between the available plant species and associated vegetal components, members of the Kasekela community selected a larger array of raw materials and manufactured significantly longer and wider tools compared with the Mitumba community. Thus, cultural knowledge is reflected in differentiated behaviour on a small spatial scale. This study emphasizes the use of archaeological methods to identify cultural variation among living chimpanzee communities, adding to the growing research operating within the new field of Primate Archaeology.
One-step procedure for the preparation of functional polysaccharide/fatty acid multilayered coatings
Authors: Micciulla Samantha , Hayward Dominic W. , Gerelli Yuri , Panzarella Alain , von Klitzing Regine , Gradzielski Michael , Chiappisi Leonardo
Published: June 2019

Soft, stratified, amphiphilic systems are recurrent motifs in nature, e.g., in myelin sheaths or thylakoid stacks, and synthetic analogues are increasingly being exploited in the areas of biocatalysis, biosensing, and drug delivery. The synthesis of such complex multilayered systems usually requires lengthy preparation protocols. Here, we demonstrate the formation of multilayered fatty acid/polysaccharide thin films prepared via a single step protocol, which exploits the spontaneous self-assembly of the components into vesicular systems in aqueous solution. The solutions are characterized by light and neutron scattering experiments and the thin films by neutron reflectometry, optical ellipsometry, atomic force microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The thin films exhibit structural features with sub-10 nm dimensions, stemming from the ordered sequence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers and respond strongly to changes in ambient humidity. Using this approach, films with a total thickness varying from tens to hundreds of nanometers can be easily prepared.
A PET and ESIPT based fluorescent probe for the imaging of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in live cells and zebrafish
Authors: Lu Yaru , Dong Baoli , Song Wenhui , Kong Xiuqi , Mehmood Abdul Hadi , Lin Weiying
Published: June 2019

H2S is an important signaling molecule in living systems and participates in a series of physiological and pathological processes.
A rhodium(iii)-catalyzed tunable coupling reaction of indole derivatives with alkylidenecyclopropanesviaC–H activation
Authors: Liu Ruixing , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: June 2019

A Rh(iii)-catalyzed coupling reaction of pyrimidineindoles with alkylidenecyclopropanes has been developed in the presence of potassium chloride, affording functionalized alkenes in moderate to good yields withE-configuration.
A Pd–TSH composite membrane reactor for one-step oxidation of benzene to phenol
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Xiaobin , Zhao Rongrong , Meng Bo , Zuo Cuncun , Tan Xiaoyao
Published: June 2019

A Pd–TSH membrane shows excellent stability and outstanding performance for phenol production in the one-step oxidation of benzene to phenol.
Quick mass-production of MAX (Ti2AlC) book with pages separated by stacking faults benefiting removal of “A” layer
Authors: Wu Chaozhong , Qi Ruifeng , Zhang Xiong , Liu Qiang , Huang Qingsong
Published: June 2019

The red-layer arising from magnetism and vortex current coupling growth, stacks into a book-like MAX phase to boost the “A” etching efficiency.
Self-suppression from metabolin with a precursor in pathology crystallization of gout
Authors: Liu Yonghai , Jing Jie , Ou Chunyan , Zhang Xingde , Jiang Shengyu , Chen Rong , Fu Tingming
Published: June 2019

Hyperuricemia is typically defined as occurring above the saturation point of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM), which occurs at serum urate levels >6.8 mg dL−1.
A poly(pyridine–pyrrole) foldamer that binds isolated water molecules
Authors: Meng Fanxuan , Zhang Xiaoshuai , Sarma Tridib , Yuan Ningning , Yin Ying , Duan Zhiming , Lei Chuanhu , Qian Qun , Ding Lili , Zhang Zhan
Published: June 2019

A poly(pyridine–pyrrole) foldamer binding isolated water molecules were designed, synthesized and characterized.
Vibrational coherence and quantum yield of retinal-chromophore-inspired molecular switches
Authors: Gueye Moussa , Paolino Marco , Gindensperger Etienne , Haacke Stefan , Olivucci Massimo , Léonard Jérémie
Published: June 2019

UV-Vis transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy is used to carry out a systematic investigation of the ultrafast CC double photoisomerization dynamics and quantum yield of each isomer of a set of six chromophores based on the same retinal-inspired, indanylidene pyrrolinium (IP) molecular framework.
Putrescine enhances intestinal immune function and regulates intestinal bacteria in weaning piglets
Authors: Liu Guangmang , Zheng Jie , Wu Xianjian , Xu Xiaomei , Jia Gang , Zhao Hua , Chen Xiaoling , Wu Caimei , Tian Gang , Wang Jing
Published: June 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effect of putrescine on the immune function and intestinal bacteria of weaning piglets.
Simultaneous speciation analysis of chromium and antimony by novel carboxyl-functionalized hybrid monolithic column solid phase microextraction coupled with ICP-MS
Authors: Zhao Ling-yu , Fei Jia-jun , Lian Hong-zhen , Mao Li , Cui Xiao-bing
Published: June 2019

Carboxyl hybrid monolithic columns were prepared from simple silane agents by one-pot for simultaneous speciation analysis of chromium and antimony.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of structurally diverse α-conformationally restricted chalcones and related analogues
Authors: Maguire Casey J. , Carlson Graham J. , Ford Jacob W. , Strecker Tracy E. , Hamel Ernest , Trawick Mary Lynn , Pinney Kevin G.
Published: June 2019

Cyclic chalcones and structural analogues evaluated as cytotoxic agents.