bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bilingualism reveals fundamental variation in language processing
Authors: FRICKE MELINDA , ZIRNSTEIN MEGAN , NAVARRO-TORRES CHRISTIAN , KROLL JUDITH F.
Published: June 2018

Although variation in the ways individuals process language has long been a topic of interest and discussion in the psycholinguistic literature, only recently have studies of bilingualism and its cognitive consequences begun to reveal the fundamental dynamics between language and cognition. We argue that the active use of two languages provides a lens through which the interactions between language use, language processing, and the contexts in which these take place can be fully understood. Far from bilingualism being considered a special case, it may provide the common basis upon which the principles of language learning and use can be modeled.
Adjustment Outcomes of Native and Immigrant Youth in Spain: A Mediation Model
Authors: López-Rodríguez Lucía , Navas Marisol , Cuadrado Isabel , Tatar Moshe
Published: June 2018

This work proposes a conceptual model of psychological adjustment of native and immigrant adolescents who live in Spain. Psychological adjustment was expected to mediate between perceived family support and adolescents’ school adjustment and problem behaviors. Spanish adolescents (n = 156) and immigrant adolescents (n = 137) filled out a self-report questionnaire regarding their perceived family support, psychological adjustment (i.e., self-esteem and life satisfaction), school adjustment, and problem behaviors. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine the relational patterns among these variables. The specific model –with psychological adjustment mediating between family support and school adjustment (z = 2.70, β = .21, p = .007 for Spanish adolescents, and z = 2.42, β = .16, p = .015 for immigrant adolescents), and school adjustment mediating between psychological adjustment and problem behaviors (z = –2.51, β = –.14, p = .012 for Spanish adolescents, and z = –2.01, β = –.11, p = .044 for immigrant adolescents) was confirmed for both samples. An implication of this study is the relevance of adolescents’ family support to their well-being, and the mediating role of psychological adjustment between family support and school adjustment.
Indicators of outcome quality in peripheral arterial disease revascularisations – a Delphi expert consensus
Authors: Rieß Henrik Christian , Debus Eike Sebastian , Schwaneberg Thea , Hischke Sandra , Maier Julius , Bublitz Maria , Kriston Levente , Härter Martin , Marschall Ursula , Zeller Thomas , Schellong Sebastian M. , Behrendt Christian-Alexander
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects a continuously increasing number of people worldwide leading to more invasive treatments. Indication to perform invasive revascularisations usually arises from consensus-based recommendations of practice guidelines and from few randomized controlled trials where outcome measures focus mainly on risk factors associated with mortality and morbidity. To date, no broad consensual agreement of experts on valid indicators of outcome quality exists for PAD. Methods: A literature review was conducted to collect indicators of outcome quality from studies of PAD. The Delphi technique was used to achieve a consensual agreement on a set of core indicators. The expert panel of the two-round Delphi approach was formed by leading vascular specialists joining the IDOMENEO study, physician assistants, wound nurses, and patient representatives. Items were scored via a web-based anonymised electronic questionnaire using a five-point Likert-scale. Results: Out of 40 invited experts 30 joined the panel and completed round one. Twenty-four experts completed the second and final round. Forty-three indicators of outcome quality were initially identified and validated by the panel. After two Delphi rounds, 12 indicators (27.9 %) achieved the limit of agreement for relevance and four (9.3 %) for practicability. Major adverse limb events (MALE), major amputation, and major re-intervention (or re-operation) were consented as both highly relevant and practicable. Additionally, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, stroke or transient ischaemic attack, all-cause death, all re-intervention (or re-operation), wound infection, vascular access-related major complication, walking distance, and Rutherford-classification were consented as highly relevant. Ankle-brachial-index was consented as highly practicable. Conclusions: This Delphi approach of vascular experts identified three indicators as highly relevant and clinically practicable to be recommended as indicators of outcome quality in invasive PAD treatment. Among others, these consented items may help in harmonising future studies and quality benchmarking increasing their comparability, validity, and efficiency.
Ventilation of a Monsoon‐Dominated Ocean: Subduction and Obduction in the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Liu Lingling , Huang Rui Xin , Wang Fan
Published: June 2018

Based on the characteristics of oceanic circulation in a monsoon‐dominated ocean, a new framework of annual ventilation, including subduction and obduction, is postulated and applied to the North Indian Ocean based on both SODA and GODAS. It is revealed that besides the winter season, ventilation can also occur in summer. Considering the horizontal resolution, SODA results are mainly discussed, with GODAS results given for validity of key conclusions. The annual subduction/obduction rate in the North Indian Ocean based on SODA is estimated at 10.2 Sv/11 Sv averaged from 1960 to 2009, with 4.2 Sv/6.2 Sv occurring during winter monsoon period and 6 Sv/4.8 Sv during summer monsoon period, respectively. Both subduction and obduction feature great interannual variability, with the vertical pumping term of decisive importance. Furthermore, the concepts of the penetration depth through subduction and the origin depth through obduction are postulated. The penetration depth in the Arabian Sea is on the order of 50 to 200 m; the origin depth through obduction in the Arabian Sea is deeper than that in the Bay of Bengal, with the deepest on the order of 200 to 250 m along the western boundary.
Reexamination of Early Lunar Chronology With GRAIL Data: Terranes, Basins, and Impact Fluxes
Authors: Evans Alexander J. , Andrews‐Hanna Jeffrey C. , Head James W. , Soderblom Jason M. , Solomon Sean C. , Zuber Maria T.
Published: June 2018

Flooding of the lunar surface by ancient mare basalts has rendered uncertain the ages of lunar geochemical terranes and several impact basins. Here we combine craters having recognizable surface expressions with craters identified only by their gravitational signatures in Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory data to reassess the chronological sequence of lunar impact basins and the ages of major lunar geochemical terranes. Our results indicate that although volcanically flooded regions are deficient in craters with diameters greater than 20 km by more than 50% relative to unflooded regions, craters with diameters greater than 90 km can be readily recognized either by topography or by gravity anomaly. On the basis of the areal density of craters with diameters greater than 90 km we conclude that (1) the Serenitatis basin could be as young as the Imbrium basin; (2) the areal density of craters within the Procellarum KREEP Terrane is significantly lower than that for the South Pole‐Aitken basin and the Feldspathic Highlands Terrane; (3) if the youngest age of final crystallization of the lunar magma ocean is adopted as a lower bound on the age of the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, a minimum age of approximately 4.3 Ga is inferred for ~40% of lunar impact basins, including South Pole‐Aitken; and (4) the flux of impactors capable of forming craters with diameters of at least 90 km decreased substantially through the Nectarian and Imbrian periods.
Experimental and Modeling Study of Methane Adsorption onto Partially Saturated Shales
Authors: Wang Lu , Wan Jiamin , Tokunaga Tetsu K. , Kim Yongman , Yu Qingchun
Published: June 2018

Shale gas equilibrates through gas‐liquid‐solid interactions in reservoirs, but the role of moisture is rarely investigated. To determine how adsorbed water influences methane behavior, three carboniferous shale samples from the Qaidam Basin, China, were humidified at five levels up to a relative humidity of 89%, and their methane capacities at pressures up to 12 MPa were studied. The experimental results indicate that two water‐related mechanisms, “water blocking for methane transport” and “surface competition for gas‐solid interaction,” are primarily responsible for the methane capacity variations. A compositional comparison suggests that a high abundance of clay minerals plays a favorable role in methane migration by retaining water in interlayer pores. Based on the experimental data, an optimized method for calculating the adsorption amount based on an approximation of density distribution is proposed. The model predicts the average thickness of the adsorption layer and the adsorbed methane density distribution on the surface at a given pressure. The methane adsorption layer “thins” in a stepped pattern by up to 45% in the presence of water, with little further change observed at relative humidities greater than 75% in the studied samples.
Rapid Modification of Urban Land Surface Temperature During Rainfall
Authors: Omidvar Hamidreza , Song Jiyun , Yang Jiachuan , Arwatz Gilad , Wang Zhi‐Hua , Hultmark Marcus , Kaloush Kamil , Bou‐Zeid Elie
Published: June 2018

This paper examines runoff dynamics and heat transfer during rainfall over urban surfaces, in particular pavements. A kinematic wave approach is combined with heat storage and transfer schemes to develop a model for pervious and impervious pavements. The resulting framework is a numerical prognostic model that can simulate the temperature fields in the subsurface and runoff layers to capture the rapid cooling of the surface, as well as the thermal pollution advected in the runoff. Extensive field measurements are conducted over several types of experimental pavements in Arizona to probe the physics and then to validate the model. The experimental data and the model results are in good agreement, and their joint analysis elucidates the physics of the rapid heat transfer from the subsurface to the runoff. A demonstrative application of the model over a (hypothetical) parking lot, with impervious or pervious asphalt, is then presented. It illustrates that the rate of ground surface temperature cooling for the impervious pavement is lower than the pervious one (where infiltration is very effective at removing heat). Finally, the analysis of the energy budgets unravels the relative importance of the various physical mechanisms in transferring heat from the subsurface to the runoff and the atmosphere. This transfer is dominated by terms associated with water flux and subsurface heat extraction, while latent, sensible, and radiative heat fluxes are minor contributors. The findings underline the importance of including rainfall‐induced cooling in geophysical models that seek to study urban heat islands or urban precipitation modification.
Soil Structural Degradation During Low‐Severity Burns
Authors: Jian M. , Berli M. , Ghezzehei T. A.
Published: June 2018

Low‐severity wildfires and prescribed burns have been steadily increasing for over three decades, currently accounting for more than half of total burned area in the southwestern United States. Most observations immediately after low‐severity burns report little adverse impacts on soil properties and processes. In a few studies, however, significant deterioration of soil structure has been observed several months after such fires. Here we show that rapid vaporization of pore water during low‐severity burns raises pneumatic gas pressure inside large aggregates (20–30 mm) to damaging levels, on the order of aggregate tensile strength and high enough to cause viscoplastic deformation. However, the impact on soil structure was not immediately perceptible. This suggests that other natural forces, such as wetting‐drying and thermal cycles, are required to disrupt the weakened aggregates. Thus, adverse consequences of the suggested mechanism on soil processes and services (e.g., infiltration, erodibility, and organic matter protection) are likely overlooked.
Describing Snow Instability by Failure Initiation, Crack Propagation, and Slab Tensile Support
Authors: Reuter B. , Schweizer J.
Published: June 2018

Snow instability is a generic term describing the propensity of a snow slope to avalanche. In need of a concise mechanics‐based concept we suggest a framework based on failure initiation, crack propagation, and slab tensile support. Following these three steps we modeled three metrics from mechanical data, which we derived from snow micropenetrometer signals. Verifying the metrics with field measurements confirmed that slab thickness and weak layer strength typically influence failure initiation, elastic modulus and weak layer fracture energy largely control crack propagation, and slab thickness and tensile strength provide the required tensile support. For all three metrics, considering slab layering was essential. Validation with signs of instability showed that the most accurate model includes all three steps – suggesting that snow instability can be described by failure initiation, crack propagation, and slab tensile support. Further validation is needed to assess the framework's potential for operational use.
Equatorial Noise With Quasiperiodic Modulation: Multipoint Observations by the Van Allen Probes Spacecraft
Authors: Němec F. , Santolík O. , Boardsen S. A. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Kurth W. S.
Published: June 2018

Electromagnetic wave measurements performed by the two Van Allen Probes spacecraft are used to analyze equatorial noise emissions with a quasiperiodic modulation of the wave intensity. These waves are confined to the vicinity of the geomagnetic equator, and they occur primarily on the dayside. In situ plasma number density measurements are used to evaluate density variations related to the wave occurrence. It is shown that the events are sometimes effectively confined to low‐density regions, being observed at successive satellite passes over a time duration as long as 1 hr. The events typically occur outside the plasmasphere, and they often cease to exist just at the plasmapause. The analysis of the spatial separations of the spacecraft at the times when the events were observed simultaneously by both of them allows us to estimate the event spatial dimensions. It is found that the event spatial extent is typically lower than about 0.25RE in radial distance and within about 1 hr in magnetic local time. Modulation periods of the events decrease with increasing plasma number density up to about 100 cm−3. Principally no dependence is observed at larger densities, possibly indicating a propagation from other locations.
Spatial, Seasonal, and Solar Cycle Variations of the Martian Total Electron Content (TEC): Is the TEC a Good Tracer for Atmospheric Cycles?
Authors: Sánchez‐Cano Beatriz , Lester Mark , Witasse Olivier , Blelly Pierre‐Louis , Indurain Mikel , Cartacci Marco , González‐Galindo Francisco , Vicente‐Retortillo Álvaro , Cicchetti Andrea , Noschese Raffaella
Published: June 2018

We analyze 10 years of Mars Express total electron content (TEC) data from the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) instrument. We describe the spatial, seasonal, and solar cycle behavior of the Martian TEC. Due to orbit evolution, data come mainly from the evening, dusk terminator and postdusk nightside. The annual TEC profile shows a peak at Ls = 25–75° which is not related to the solar irradiance variation but instead coincides with an increase in the thermospheric density, possibly linked with variations in the surface pressure produced by atmospheric cycles such as the CO2 or water cycles. With the help of numerical modeling, we explore the contribution of the ion species to the TEC and the coupling between the thermosphere and ionosphere. These are the first observations which show that the TEC is a useful parameter, routinely measured by Mars Express, of the dynamics of the lower‐upper atmospheric coupling and can be used as tracer for the behavior of the thermosphere.
Estimating Basin‐Scale Water Budgets With SMAP Soil Moisture Data
Authors: Koster Randal D. , Crow Wade T. , Reichle Rolf H. , Mahanama Sarith P.
Published: June 2018

Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Level‐2 soil moisture retrievals collected during 2015–2017 are used in isolation to estimate 10‐day warm season precipitation and streamflow totals within 145 medium‐sized (2,000–10,000 km2) unregulated watersheds in the conterminous United States. The precipitation estimation algorithm, derived from a well‐documented approach, includes a locally calibrated loss function component that significantly improves its performance. For the basin‐scale water budget analysis, the precipitation and streamflow algorithms are calibrated with 2 years of SMAP retrievals in conjunction with observed precipitation and streamflow data and are then applied to SMAP retrievals alone during a third year. While estimation accuracy (as measured by the square of the correlation coefficient, r2, between estimates and observations) varies by basin, the average r2 for the basins is 0.53 for precipitation and 0.22 for streamflow. For the subset of 22 basins that calibrate particularly well, the r2 increases to 0.63 for precipitation and to 0.51 for streamflow. The magnitudes of the estimated variables are also accurate, with sample pairs generally clustered about the 1:1 line. The chief limitation to the estimation involves large biases induced during periods of high rainfall; the accuracy of the estimates (in terms of r2 and root‐mean‐square error) increases significantly when periods of higher rainfall are not considered. The potential for transferability is also demonstrated by calibrating the streamflow estimation equation in one basin and then applying the equation in another. Overall, the study demonstrates that SMAP retrievals contain, all by themselves, information that can be used to estimate large‐scale water budgets.
Evaporation From Deep Aquifers in Arid Regions: Analytical Model for Combined Liquid and Vapor Water Fluxes
Authors: Kamai Tamir , Assouline Shmuel
Published: June 2018

Evaporation is a significant part of the water cycle in hyper‐arid environments. The subsurface of these deserts is characterized by deep groundwater with negligible recharge, whereby water flows from the water table to the surface and evaporates. We propose an analytical model to predict the evaporation rate and the position of the evaporative front. The model accounts for water table depth, atmospheric conditions, and soil hydraulic properties. We consider steady state flow, with two distinct regions separated by an evaporative front, liquid‐phase flow from the water table to the front and vapor‐phase flow from the front toward the surface. The driving forces are pressure head gradients for Darcian liquid flow, and thermal and relative humidity gradients for Fickian diffusive vapor flow. Evaporation rates are predicted for different soil types. The impact of constitutive models applied for characterizing these soils, groundwater depth, and atmospheric conditions are evaluated. Evaporation increases as groundwater levels are shallower, and as atmospheric temperatures increase and/or relative humidity values decrease. Evaporation decreases exponentially with groundwater depth, approaching a constant value of about 0.02 mm per year under typical atmospheric conditions and water table depths below 500 m. The impact of soil type and other related uncertainties are important when groundwater is shallower than 300 m. The relative portion of the liquid phase region increases compared to that of the vapor one as evaporation rates increase. The actual size of the liquid phase flow region, however, reaches its maximum when the water flux approaches zero at hydrostatic conditions.
An integrated analysis of genes and functional pathways for aggression in human and rodent models
Authors: Zhang-James Yanli , Fernàndez-Castillo Noèlia , Hess Jonathan L , Malki Karim , Glatt Stephen J , Cormand Bru , Faraone Stephen V
Published: June 2018

Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS), transcriptome analyses of animal models, and candidate gene studies have advanced our understanding of the genetic architecture of aggressive behaviors. However, each of these methods presents unique limitations. To generate a more confident and comprehensive view of the complex genetics underlying aggression, we undertook an integrated, cross-species approach. We focused on human and rodent models to derive eight gene lists from three main categories of genetic evidence: two sets of genes identified in GWAS studies, four sets implicated by transcriptome-wide studies of rodent models, and two sets of genes with causal evidence from online Mendelian inheritance in man (OMIM) and knockout (KO) mice reports. These gene sets were evaluated for overlap and pathway enrichment to extract their similarities and differences. We identified enriched common pathways such as the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway, axon guidance, reelin signaling in neurons, and ERK/MAPK signaling. Also, individual genes were ranked based on their cumulative weights to quantify their importance as risk factors for aggressive behavior, which resulted in 40 top-ranked and highly interconnected genes. The results of our cross-species and integrated approach provide insights into the genetic etiology of aggression.
Competitive inter-species interactions underlie the increased antimicrobial tolerance in multispecies brewery biofilms
Authors: Parijs Ilse , Steenackers Hans P
Published: June 2018

Genetic diversity often enhances the tolerance of microbial communities against antimicrobial treatment. However the sociobiology underlying this antimicrobial tolerance remains largely unexplored. Here we analyze how inter-species interactions can increase antimicrobial tolerance. We apply our approach to 17 industrially relevant multispecies biofilm models, based on species isolated from 58 contaminating biofilms in three breweries. Sulfathiazole was used as antimicrobial agent because it showed the highest activity out of 22 biofilm inhibitors tested. Our analysis reveals that competitive interactions dominate among species within brewery biofilms. We show that antimicrobial treatment can reduce the level of competition and therefore cause a subset of species to bloom. The result is a 1.2–42.7-fold lower percentage inhibition of these species and increased overall tolerance. In addition, we show that the presence of Raoultella can also directly enhance the inherent tolerance of Pseudomonas to antimicrobial treatment, either because the species protect each other or because they induce specific tolerance phenotypes as a response to competitors. Overall, our study emphasizes that the dominance of competitive interactions is central to the enhanced antimicrobial tolerance of the multispecies biofilms, and that the activity of antimicrobials against multispecies biofilms cannot be predicted based on their effect against monocultures.
Early deprivation disruption of associative learning is a developmental pathway to depression and social problems
Authors: Sheridan Margaret A. , McLaughlin Katie A. , Winter Warren , Fox Nathan , Zeanah Charles , Nelson Charles A.
Published: June 2018

Exposure to psychosocial deprivation is associated with elevations in numerous forms of impairment throughout the life-course. Disruptions in associative learning may be a key mechanism through which adversity, particularly psychosocial deprivation, increases risk for impairment. Existing data consistent with this claim come entirely from correlational studies. Here, we present the first experimental evidence relating psychosocial deprivation and disruptions in multiple forms of associative learning. Using data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, we demonstrate that randomized placement into a family caregiving environment during the infant/toddler period as compared to prolonged institutional care normalizes two forms of associative learning in early adolescence: reward responsivity and implicit motor learning. These forms of associative learning significantly mediate the effect of institutional rearing on depressive symptoms and peer relationships. In sum, we provide evidence for a novel pathway linking early experience to psychopathology and peer relationships through basic associative learning mechanisms.
Semen inhibits Zika virus infection of cells and tissues from the anogenital region
Authors: Müller Janis A. , Harms Mirja , Krüger Franziska , Groß Rüdiger , Joas Simone , Hayn Manuel , Dietz Andrea N. , Lippold Sina , von Einem Jens , Schubert Axel , Michel Manuela , Mayer Benjamin , Cortese Mirko , Jang Karen S. , Sandi-Monroy Nathallie , Deniz Miriam , Ebner Florian , Vapalahti Olli , Otto Markus , Bartenschlager Ralf , Herbeuval Jean-Philippe , Schmidt-Chanasit Jonas , Roan Nadia R. , Münch Jan
Published: June 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes severe birth defects and can be transmitted via sexual intercourse. Semen from ZIKV-infected individuals contains high viral loads and may therefore serve as an important vector for virus transmission. Here we analyze the effect of semen on ZIKV infection of cells and tissues derived from the anogenital region. ZIKV replicates in all analyzed cell lines, primary cells, and endometrial or vaginal tissues. However, in the presence of semen, infection by ZIKV and other flaviviruses is potently inhibited. We show that semen prevents ZIKV attachment to target cells, and that an extracellular vesicle preparation from semen is responsible for this anti-ZIKV activity. Our findings suggest that ZIKV transmission is limited by semen. As such, semen appears to serve as a protector against sexual ZIKV transmission, despite the availability of highly susceptible cells in the anogenital tract and high viral loads in this bodily fluid.
HuR regulates telomerase activity through TERC methylation
Authors: Tang Hao , Wang Hu , Cheng Xiaolei , Fan Xiuqin , Yang Fan , Zhang Mengmeng , Chen Yanlian , Tian Yuyang , Liu Cihang , Shao Dongxing , Jiang Bin , Dou Yali , Cong Yusheng , Xing Junyue , Zhang Xiaotian , Yi Xia , Songyang Zhou , Ma Wenbin , Zhao Yong , Wang Xian , Ma Jinbiao , Gorospe Myriam , Ju Zhenyu , Wang Wengong
Published: June 2018

Telomerase consists of the catalytic protein TERT and the RNA TERC. Mutations in TERC are linked to human diseases, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we report that the RNA-binding protein HuR associates with TERC and promotes the assembly of the TERC/TERT complex by facilitating TERC C106 methylation. Dyskeratosis congenita (DC)-related TERC U100A mutation impair the association of HuR with TERC, thereby reducing C106 methylation. Two other TERC mutations linked to aplastic anemia and autosomal dominant DC, G107U, and GC107/108AG, likewise disrupt methylation at C106. Loss-of-HuR binding and hence lower TERC methylation leads to decreased telomerase activity and telomere shortening. Furthermore, HuR deficiency or mutation of mTERC HuR binding or methylation sites impair the renewal of mouse hematopoietic stem cells, recapitulating the bone marrow failure seen in DC. Collectively, our findings reveal a novel function of HuR, linking HuR to telomerase function and TERC-associated DC.
An ensemble code in medial prefrontal cortex links prior events to outcomes during learning
Authors: Maggi Silvia , Peyrache Adrien , Humphries Mark D.
Published: June 2018

The prefrontal cortex is implicated in learning the rules of an environment through trial and error. But it is unclear how such learning is related to the prefrontal cortex’s role in short-term memory. Here we ask if the encoding of short-term memory in prefrontal cortex is used by rats learning decision rules in a Y-maze task. We find that a similar pattern of neural ensemble activity is selectively recalled after reinforcement for a correct decision. This reinforcement-selective recall only reliably occurs immediately before the abrupt behavioural transitions indicating successful learning of the current rule, and fades quickly thereafter. We could simultaneously decode multiple, retrospective task events from the ensemble activity, suggesting the recalled ensemble activity has multiplexed encoding of prior events. Our results suggest that successful trial-and-error learning is dependent on reinforcement tagging the relevant features of the environment to maintain in prefrontal cortex short-term memory.
Multiple communication mechanisms between sensor kinases are crucial for virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Francis Vanessa I. , Waters Elaine M. , Finton-James Sutharsan E. , Gori Andrea , Kadioglu Aras , Brown Alan R. , Porter Steven L.
Published: June 2018

Bacteria and many non-metazoan Eukaryotes respond to stresses and threats using two-component systems (TCSs) comprising sensor kinases (SKs) and response regulators (RRs). Multikinase networks, where multiple SKs work together, detect and integrate different signals to control important lifestyle decisions such as sporulation and virulence. Here, we study interactions between two SKs fromPseudomonas aeruginosa, GacS and RetS, which control the switch between acute and chronic virulence. We demonstrate three mechanisms by which RetS attenuates GacS signalling: RetS takes phosphoryl groups from GacS-P; RetS has transmitter phosphatase activity against the receiver domain of GacS-P; and RetS inhibits GacS autophosphorylation. These mechanisms play important roles in vivo and during infection, and exemplify an unprecedented degree of signal processing by SKs that may be exploited in other multikinase networks.
Diffusive tail anchorage determines velocity and force produced by kinesin-14 between crosslinked microtubules
Authors: Lüdecke Annemarie , Seidel Anja-Maria , Braun Marcus , Lansky Zdenek , Diez Stefan
Published: June 2018

Form and function of the mitotic spindle depend on motor proteins that crosslink microtubules and move them relative to each other. Among these are kinesin-14s, such as Ncd, which interact with one microtubule via their non-processive motor domains and with another via their diffusive tail domains, the latter allowing the protein to slip along the microtubule surface. Little is known about the influence of the tail domains on the protein’s performance. Here, we show that diffusive anchorage of Ncd’s tail domains impacts velocity and force considerably. Tail domain slippage reduced velocities from 270 nm s−1 to 60 nm s−1 and forces from several piconewtons to the sub-piconewton range. These findings challenge the notion that kinesin-14 may act as an antagonizer of other crosslinking motors, such as kinesin-5, during mitosis. It rather suggests a role of kinesin-14 as a flexible element, pliantly sliding and crosslinking microtubules to facilitate remodeling of the mitotic spindle.
Non-fluorescent nanoscopic monitoring of a single trapped nanoparticle via nonlinear point sources
Authors: Yoon Seung Ju , Lee Jungmin , Han Sangyoon , Kim Chang-Kyu , Ahn Chi Won , Kim Myung-Ki , Lee Yong-Hee
Published: June 2018

Detection of single nanoparticles or molecules has often relied on fluorescent schemes. However, fluorescence detection approaches limit the range of investigable nanoparticles or molecules. Here, we propose and demonstrate a non-fluorescent nanoscopic trapping and monitoring platform that can trap a single sub-5-nm particle and monitor it with a pair of floating nonlinear point sources. The resonant photon funnelling into an extremely small volume of ~5 × 5 × 7 nm3 through the three-dimensionally tapered 5-nm-gap plasmonic nanoantenna enables the trapping of a 4-nm CdSe/ZnS quantum dot with low intensity of a 1560-nm continuous-wave laser, and the pumping of 1560-nm femtosecond laser pulses creates strong background-free second-harmonic point illumination sources at the two vertices of the nanoantenna. Under the stable trapping conditions, intermittent but intense nonlinear optical spikes are observed on top of the second-harmonic signal plateau, which is identified as the 3.0-Hz Kramers hopping of the quantum dot trapped in the 5-nm gap.
Uncovering Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 as a potential target for rheumatoid arthritis synovial hyperplasia
Authors: Mosquera Nerea , Rodriguez-Trillo Angela , Mera-Varela Antonio , Gonzalez Antonio , Conde Carmen
Published: June 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease including synovitis and synovial hyperplasia that contribute to joint destruction. Pivotal pathogenic mechanisms in this process are the dysregulated proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Unfortunately, the mechanisms of FLS dysregulation are not completely elucidated. Here, we explored a new hypothesis based in the potent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity of retinoids in some types of cancer. Specifically, we investigated the role of retinoids and of the retinoic acid binding proteins, CRABP2 and FABP5, on the proliferation and apoptosis of FLS from RA by adding all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or silencing CRABP2 and FABP5. We showed an unconventional behaviour of RA FLS, which were relatively insensitive to ATRA. In effect, ATRA increased the resistance to apoptosis despite the high CRABP2/FABP5 ratio of RA FLS; andCRABP2suppression sensitized RA FLS to Fas-induced apoptosis. This latter effect was associated with changes in expression of kinases,ASK1up-regulation andERKdown-regulation, and increased phosphorylation of JNK. In addition, the potentiation of FLS apoptosis by CRABP2 silencing persisted in the presence of pro-inflammatory mediators, TNF e IL1β. Therefore, the results point to CRABP2 as a potential target to decrease synovial hyperplasia in RA.
Accurate and Robust Non-rigid Point Set Registration using Student’s-t Mixture Model with Prior Probability Modeling
Authors: Zhou Zhiyong , Tu Jianfei , Geng Chen , Hu Jisu , Tong Baotong , Ji Jiansong , Dai Yakang
Published: June 2018

A new accurate and robust non-rigid point set registration method, named DSMM, is proposed for non-rigid point set registration in the presence of significant amounts of missing correspondences and outliers. The key idea of this algorithm is to consider the relationship between the point sets as random variables and model the prior probabilities via Dirichlet distribution. We assign the various prior probabilities of each point to its correspondences in the Student’s-t mixture model. We later incorporate the local spatial representation of the point sets by representing the posterior probabilities in a linear smoothing filter and get closed-form mixture proportions, leading to a computationally efficient registration algorithm comparing to other Student’s-t mixture model based methods. Finally, by introducing the hidden random variables in the Bayesian framework, we propose a general mixture model family for generalizing the mixture-model-based point set registration, where the existing methods can be considered as members of the proposed family. We evaluate DSMM and other state-of-the-art finite mixture models based point set registration algorithms on both artificial point set and various 2D and 3D point sets, where DSMM demonstrates its statistical accuracy and robustness, outperforming the competing algorithms.
Glucocorticoids suppress Wnt16 expression in osteoblasts in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Hildebrandt Susanne , Baschant Ulrike , Thiele Sylvia , Tuckermann Jan , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Rauner Martina
Published: June 2018

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis is a frequent complication of systemic glucocorticoid (GC) therapy and mainly characterized by suppressed osteoblast activity. Wnt16 derived from osteogenic cells is a key determinant of bone mass. Here, we assessed whether GC suppress bone formation via inhibiting Wnt16 expression. GC treatment with dexamethasone (DEX) decreased Wnt16 mRNA levels in murine bone marrow stromal cells (mBMSCs) time- and dose-dependently. Similarly, Wnt16 expression was also suppressed after DEX treatment in calvarial organ cultures. Consistently, mice receiving GC-containing slow-release prednisolone pellets showed lower skeletal Wnt16 mRNA levels and bone mineral density than placebo-treated mice. The suppression of Wnt16 by GCs was GC-receptor-dependent as co-treatment of mBMSCs with DEX and the GR antagonist RU-486 abrogated the GC-mediated suppression of Wnt16. Likewise, DEX failed to suppress Wnt16 expression in GR knockout-mBMSCs. In addition, Wnt16 mRNA levels were unaltered in bone tissue of GC-treated GR dimerization-defective GRdim mice, suggesting that GCs suppress Wnt16 via direct DNA-binding mechanisms. Consistently, DEX treatment reduced Wnt16 promoter activity in MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, recombinant Wnt16 restored DEX-induced suppression of bone formation in mouse calvaria. Thus, this study identifies Wnt16 as a novel target of GC action in GC-induced suppression of bone formation.
Automated 3D segmentation of methyl isocyanate-exposed rat trachea using an ultra-thin, fully fiber optic optical coherence endoscopic probe
Authors: Miao Yusi , Jing Joseph C. , Desai Vineet , Mahon Sari B. , Brenner Matthew , Veress Livia A. , White Carl W. , Chen Zhongping
Published: June 2018

Development of effective rescue countermeasures for toxic inhalational industrial chemicals, such as methyl isocyanate (MIC), has been an emerging interest. Nonetheless, current methods for studying toxin-induced airway injuries are limited by cost, labor time, or accuracy, and only provide indirect or localized information. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) endoscopic probes have previously been used to visualize the 3-D airway structure. However, gathering such information in small animal models, such as rat airways after toxic gas exposure, remains a challenge due to the required probe size necessary for accessing the small, narrow, and partially obstructed tracheas. In this study, we have designed a 0.4 mm miniature endoscopic probe and investigated the structural changes in rat trachea after MIC inhalation. An automated 3D segmentation algorithm was implemented so that anatomical changes, such as tracheal lumen volume and cross-sectional areas, could be quantified. The tracheal region of rats exposed to MIC by inhalation showed significant airway narrowing, especially within the upper trachea, as a result of epithelial detachment and extravascular coagulation within the airway. This imaging and automated reconstruction technique is capable of rapid and minimally-invasive identification of airway obstruction. This method can be applied to large-scale quantitative analysis of in vivo animal models.
Understanding the effects of Cr doping in rutile TiO2 by DFT calculations and X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Vásquez G. Cristian , Maestre David , Cremades Ana , Ramírez-Castellanos Julio , Magnano Elena , Nappini Silvia , Karazhanov Smagul Zh.
Published: June 2018

The effects of Cr on local environment and electronic structure of rutile TiO2 are studied combining theoretical and experimental approaches. Neutral and negatively charged substitutional Cr impurities CrTi0 and CrTi1− as well as Cr-oxygen vacancy complex 2CrTi + VO are studied by the density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional. Experimental results based on X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) performed on Cr doped TiO2 at the Synchrotron facility were compared to the theoretical results. It is shown that the electrons of the oxygen vacancy tend to be localized at the t2g states of the Cr ions in order to reach the stable oxidation state of Cr3+. Effects of Cr on crystal field (CF) and structural distortions in the rutile TiO2 cell were analyzed by the DFT calculations and XAS spectra revealing that the CF and tetragonal distortions in TiO2 are very sensitive to the concentration of Cr.
The Dynamic Changes in the Storage of the Danjiangkou Reservoir and the Influence of the South-North Water Transfer Project
Authors: Liu Hai , Yin Jie , Feng Lian
Published: June 2018

Danjiangkou Reservoir is water source of Middle Route Project of the South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) Project, research on the dynamic changes in the water storage within the Danjiangkou Reservoir constitutes an important guide for reservoir water volume management practices. A practical method for estimating the water storage and its dynamics was proposed in this study based on inundated areas from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations between 2000 and 2016. The results show that the mean Danjiangkou Reservoir water storage was 10.548 billion m3 year−1. Significant seasonal changes (ρ < 0.01 in t-test) were observed with annual minima (~9.610 billion m3) occurring between February to July and annual maxima (~11.514 billion m3) occurring from August to the following January. Based on the monthly changes in the probability of the water supply, the guaranteed rate of water supply in the second half year (July–December) was higher than that during the first half year (January–June). The water supply in May was greatly deficient. In addition, the full guaranteed rate of the water supply over the past 17 years only accounted for 17.6%. Therefore, reservoir management practices should reduce the water released prior to May and reserve enough water according to the demands of water receiving areas to improve the efficiency of water resource utilization.
Characterization of a novel MYO3A missense mutation associated with a dominant form of late onset hearing loss
Authors: Dantas Vitor G. L. , Raval Manmeet H. , Ballesteros Angela , Cui Runjia , Gunther Laura K. , Yamamoto Guilherme L. , Alves Leandro Ucela , Bueno André Silva , Lezirovitz Karina , Pirana Sulene , Mendes Beatriz C. A. , Yengo Christopher M. , Kachar Bechara , Mingroni-Netto Regina C.
Published: June 2018

Whole-exome sequencing of samples from affected members of two unrelated families with late-onset non-syndromic hearing loss revealed a novel mutation (c.2090 T > G; NM_017433) in MYO3A. The mutation was confirmed in 36 affected individuals, showing autosomal dominant inheritance. The mutation alters a single residue (L697W or p.Leu697Trp) in the motor domain of the stereocilia protein MYO3A, leading to a reduction in ATPase activity, motility, and an increase in actin affinity. MYO3A-L697W showed reduced filopodial actin protrusion initiation in COS7 cells, and a predominant tipward accumulation at filopodia and stereocilia when coexpressed with wild-type MYO3A and espin-1, an actin-regulatory MYO3A cargo. The combined higher actin affinity and duty ratio of the mutant myosin cause increased retention time at stereocilia tips, resulting in the displacement of the wild-type MYO3A protein, which may impact cargo transport, stereocilia length, and mechanotransduction. The dominant negative effect of the altered myosin function explains the dominant inheritance of deafness.
Novel interaction between Alzheimer’s disease-related protein presenilin 1 and glutamate transporter 1
Authors: Zoltowska Katarzyna Marta , Maesako Masato , Meier Joshua , Berezovska Oksana
Published: June 2018

Neuronal hyperactivity is one of the earliest events observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Moreover, alterations in the expression of glutamate transporters have been reported to exacerbate amyloid pathology and cognitive deficits in transgenic AD mouse models. However, the molecular links between these pathophysiological changes remain largely unknown. Here, we report novel interaction between presenilin 1 (PS1), the catalytic component of the amyloid precursor protein-processing enzyme, γ-secretase, and a major glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1). Our data demonstrate that the interaction occurs between PS1 and GLT-1 expressed at their endogenous levels in vivo and in vitro, takes place in both neurons and astrocytes, and is independent of the PS1 autoproteolysis and γ-secretase activity. This intriguing discovery may shed light on the molecular crosstalk between the proteins linked to the maintenance of glutamate homeostasis and Aβ pathology.
Carriage of critically important antimicrobial resistant bacteria and zoonotic parasites amongst camp dogs in remote Western Australian indigenous communities
Authors: Rusdi Bertha , Laird Tanya , Abraham Rebecca , Ash Amanda , Robertson Ian D. , Mukerji Shewli , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Abraham Sam , O’Dea Mark A.
Published: June 2018

Camp dogs in indigenous communities in the Western Australian Kimberley Region, share the domestic environment with humans and have the potential to act as carriers of, and sentinels for, a wide range of zoonotic agents, including intestinal parasites and antimicrobial resistant bacteria. In this study, we investigated the carriage of extended-spectrum-cephalosporin-resistant (ESC-resistant) Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and species of hookworm and Giardia among camp dogs in remote Western Australian Aboriginal communities. A total of 141 canine faecal samples and 156 nasal swabs were collected from dogs in four communities of the Western Australian Kimberley region. Overall, ESC-resistant E. coli was detected in 16.7% of faecal samples and MRSA was isolated from 2.6% of nasal swabs. Of most significance was the presence of the community-associated Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA ST93 and ST5 clones and ESC-resistant E. coli ST38 and ST131. The most prevalent zoonotic intestinal parasite infection was Ancylostoma caninum (66%). The prevalence of Giardia was 12.1%, with the main genotypes of Giardia detected being dog specific assemblages C and D, which are unlikely to cause disease in humans.
Discovery of pancreastatin inhibitor PSTi8 for the treatment of insulin resistance and diabetes: studies in rodent models of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hossain Zakir , Valicherla Guru R. , Gupta Anand P. , Syed Anees A. , Riyazuddin Mohammed , Chandra Sharat , Siddiqi Mohammad I. , Gayen Jiaur R.
Published: June 2018

Pancreastatin (PST) is an endogenous peptide which regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissues. In type 2 diabetic patients, PST level is high and plays a crucial role in the negative regulation of insulin sensitivity. Novel therapeutic agents are needed to treat the diabetes and insulin resistance (IR) against the PST action. In this regard, we have investigated the PST inhibitor peptide-8 (PSTi8) action against diabetogenic PST. PSTi8 rescued PST-induced IR in HepG2 and 3T3L1 cells. PSTi8 increases the GLUT4 translocation to cell surface to promote glucose uptake in L6-GLUT4myc cells. PSTi8 treatment showed an increase in insulin sensitivity in db/db, high fat and fructose fed streptozotocin (STZ) induced IR mice. PSTi8 improved the glucose homeostasis which is comparable to metformin in diabetic mice, characterized by elevated glucose clearance, enhanced glycogenesis, enhanced glycolysis and reduced gluconeogenesis. PST and PSTi8 both were docked to the GRP78 inhibitor binding site in protein-protein docking, GRP78 expression and its ATPase activity studies. The mechanism of action of PSTi8 may be mediated by activating IRS1/2-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-AKT (FoxO1, Srebp-1c) signaling pathway. The discovery of PSTi8 provides a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of metabolic diseases mainly diabetes.