bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolution and shape in bioprinting: Strategizing towards complex tissue and organ printing
Authors: Lee Jia Min , Ng Wei Long , Yeong Wai Yee
Published: March 2019

In 3D bioprinting, printing resolution represents the deposited material in the x- and y-axes, while dimensionality defines the structural resolution of printed constructs. Dimensionality in 3D bioprinting can be defined as the resolution in the z-axis. The printing resolution, together with dimensionality, contributes to the overall shape fidelity of the bioprinted constructs. The in-depth understanding of physical processes for different printing technologies is imperative in controlling the print resolution and definition. In this article, bioprinting technologies are classified according to the physical processes that deposit or form the bioprinted construct. Due to the different fabrication processes in forming fundamental printed units (voxels), the definition of printability differs for each bioprinting technique. Another aspect of resolution is the spatial positioning of cells within each fundamental building unit. The proximity of cells in the bioprinted construct affects the physiological outcomes. The second aspect of 3D bioprinting technologies is the ability to control shape fidelity. Different strategies have been used to improve the construction of a 3D engineered tissue or organ. Lastly, moving toward complex tissue printing involves adding functionalities to the bioprinted construct. Data processing, material formulations, and integration of different fabrication technologies are key areas in bioprinting that can recapture the different hierarchical aspects of native tissues. This article presents a comprehensive overview of enhancing the resolution of the bioprinting construct and identifying methods to improve functionalities of bioprinted tissues.
Chaos in non-autonomous discrete systems and their induced set-valued systems
Authors: Shao Hua , Zhu Hao
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the interactions of some given chaotic properties between a non-autonomous discrete system (X,f0,∞) and its induced set-valued system (K(X),f¯0,∞) are obtained. It is proved that the specification property, property P, topological mixing, mild mixing, and topological exactness of (X,f0,∞) are equivalent to those of (K(X),f¯0,∞), respectively. It is shown that Robinson chaos (resp. Kato chaos) between (X,f0,∞) and (K(X),f¯0,∞) are equivalent under certain conditions. Furthermore, Li-Yorke chaos and distributional chaos of (X,f0,∞) imply those of (K(X),f¯0,∞), respectively. Topological equi-conjugacy between two systems is proved to be preserved by their induced set-valued systems. Topological entropy of (X,f0,∞) is guaranteed to be no larger than that of (K(X),f¯0,∞). Two examples are finally provided with computer simulations for illustration.
Controlled growth and magnetic property of a-plane-oriented Mn3Sn thin films
Authors: Oh Seungjun , Morita Tadashi , Ikeda Tomoki , Tsunoda Masakiyo , Oogane Mikihiko , Ando Yasuo
Published: March 2019

Highly a-plane-oriented Mn3Sn thin films were grown on m-plane sapphire substrates with low-temperature grown Mn3+xSn buffer layers by sputtering deposition technique, and their crystallinity and magnetic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometer, respectively. The crystallographic orientations of Mn3Sn domains are found to be sensitively influenced by substrate temperature, thickness and composition ratio of Mn3+αSn buffer layer. The highly a-plane-oriented Mn3Sn film shows slightly different magnetization behavior from randomly oriented Mn3Sn film, while the saturation magnetization Ms and coercivity of the highly a-plane-oriented Mn3Sn film are corresponding to that of single crystal bulk.
Magnetic properties and microstructure of nanocomposite (La, Pr)3Fe14B ribbons by doping La element
Authors: Li Y. , Peng S. J. , Zhang M. , Wang S. H. , Zhu S. C. , Zhang J. E. , Shen F. R.
Published: March 2019

The research on the mixed rare earth-iron based permanent magnet compounds by doping rare earth elements in Nd-Fe-B or Pr-Fe-B permanent magnet has been a hot topic in recent years. In this paper, La doped Pr-Fe-B ((LaxPr1-x)3Fe14B, x=0, 0.3, 0.6, (La, Pr)-Fe-B) ribbons were prepared by vacuum arc melting technique and subsequently melt-spinning method at the optimal quenching speed. The microstructure, phase distribution and magnetic properties of the nanocomposite magnets were investigated. It is found that the samples present 2:14:1 main phase, La2O3 phase and minor α-Fe phase. No excess amorphous phase is observed, indicating that 20 m/s is an optimization of preparation condition to fabricate the (La, Pr)-Fe-B ribbons in this work. The EBSD results reveal that La-rich phases distribute mostly over the grain boundary. The substitution of La for Pr in Pr-Fe-B has some influence on the coercivity, but little on the saturation magnetization. This is thought to be related with the agglomeration of rare earth-rich intermetallic phase. We hope that this work can provide new ideas in the exploration of mixed rare earth-iron based permanent magnet compounds, which possess a cost advantage and a promising potential for practical applications.
Alignment of solid targets under extreme tight focus conditions generated by an ellipsoidal plasma mirror
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Šmíd Michal , Singh Sushil , Soloviev Alexander , Bohlin Hannes , Burdonov Konstantin , Fente Gashaw , Kotov Alexander , Lancia Livia , Lédl Vit , Makarov Sergey , Morrissey Michael , Perevalov Sergey , Romanovsky Denis , Pikuz Sergey , Kodama Ryousuke , Neely David , McKenna Paul , Laštovička Tomáš , Starodubtsev Mikhail , Weber Stefan , Nakatsutsumi Motoaki , Fuchs Julien
Published: March 2019

The design of ellipsoidal plasma mirrors (EPMs) for the PEARL laser facility is presented. The EPMs achieve a magnification of 0.32 in focal spot size, and the corresponding increase in focused intensity is expected to be about 8. Designing and implementing such focusing optics for short-pulse (<100 fs) systems paves the way for their use in future high-power facilities, where they can be used to achieve intensities beyond 1023 W/cm2. A retro-imaging-based target alignment system is also described, which is used to align solid targets at the output of the ellispoidal mirrors (with a numerical aperture of 0.75 in this case).
On the design of magnetically insulated transmission lines for z-pinch loads
Authors: Spielman R. B. , Reisman D. B.
Published: March 2019

Many papers have been published on the theory of magnetic insulation and the use of Zflow analysis of magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs). We describe herein a novel design process using the circuit code SCREAMER for a real-world MITL for z-pinch loads based on the Zflow model of magnetic insulation. In particular, we design a 15-TW, 10-MA, 100-ns double-disk transmission line using only circuit modeling tools and Zflow analysis of the MITL. Critical issues such as current loss to the anode during the setup of magnetic insulation and the transition from a non-emitting vacuum power feed to an MITL play a large role in the MITL design. This very rapid design process allows us for the first time to explore innovative MITL designs such as variable-impedance MITLs that provide a significantly lower total inductance and improved energy delivery to the load. The tedious process of modeling the final MITL design with highly resolved 2D and 3D electromagnetic particle-in-cell codes occurs as a validation step, not as part of the design process.
Applying modern coexistence theory to priority effects
Authors: Grainger Tess Nahanni , Letten Andrew D. , Gilbert Benjamin , Fukami Tadashi
Published: March 2019

Modern coexistence theory is increasingly used to explain how differences between competing species lead to coexistence versus competitive exclusion. Although research testing this theory has focused on deterministic cases of competitive exclusion, in which the same species always wins, mounting evidence suggests that competitive exclusion is often historically contingent, such that whichever species happens to arrive first excludes the other. Coexistence theory predicts that historically contingent exclusion, known as priority effects, will occur when large destabilizing differences (positive frequency-dependent growth rates of competitors), combined with small fitness differences (differences in competitors’ intrinsic growth rates and sensitivity to competition), create conditions under which neither species can invade an established population of its competitor. Here we extend the empirical application of modern coexistence theory to determine the conditions that promote priority effects. We conducted pairwise invasion tests with four strains of nectar-colonizing yeasts to determine how the destabilizing and fitness differences that drive priority effects are altered by two abiotic factors characterizing the nectar environment: sugar concentration and pH. We found that higher sugar concentrations increased the likelihood of priority effects by reducing fitness differences between competing species. In contrast, higher pH did not change the likelihood of priority effects, but instead made competition more neutral by bringing both fitness differences and destabilizing differences closer to zero. This study demonstrates how the empirical partitioning of priority effects into fitness and destabilizing components can elucidate the pathways through which environmental conditions shape competitive interactions.
Diversifying livestock promotes multidiversity and multifunctionality in managed grasslands
Authors: Wang Ling , Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Wang Deli , Isbell Forest , Liu Jun , Feng Chao , Liu Jushan , Zhong Zhiwei , Zhu Hui , Yuan Xia , Chang Qing , Liu Chen
Published: March 2019

Increasing plant diversity can increase ecosystem functioning, stability, and services in both natural and managed grasslands, but the effects of herbivore diversity, and especially of livestock diversity, remain underexplored. Given that managed grazing is the most extensive land use worldwide, and that land managers can readily change livestock diversity, we experimentally tested how livestock diversification (sheep, cattle, or both) influenced multidiversity (the diversity of plants, insects, soil microbes, and nematodes) and ecosystem multifunctionality (including plant biomass production, plant leaf N and P, above-ground insect abundance, nutrient cycling, soil C stocks, water regulation, and plant–microbe symbiosis) in the world’s largest remaining grassland. We also considered the potential dependence of ecosystem multifunctionality on multidiversity. We found that livestock diversification substantially increased ecosystem multifunctionality by increasing multidiversity. The link between multidiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality was always stronger than the link between single diversity components and functions. Our work provides insights into the importance of multitrophic diversity to maintain multifunctionality in managed ecosystems and suggests that diversifying livestock could promote both multidiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality in an increasingly managed world.
Selective auxin agonists induce specific AUX/IAA protein degradation to modulate plant development
Authors: Vain Thomas , Raggi Sara , Ferro Noel , Barange Deepak Kumar , Kieffer Martin , Ma Qian , Doyle Siamsa M. , Thelander Mattias , Pařízková Barbora , Novák Ondřej , Ismail Alexandre , Enquist Per-Anders , Rigal Adeline , Łangowska Małgorzata , Ramans Harborough Sigurd , Zhang Yi , Ljung Karin , Callis Judy , Almqvist Fredrik , Kepinski Stefan , Estelle Mark , Pauwels Laurens , Robert Stéphanie
Published: March 2019

Auxin phytohormones control most aspects of plant development through a complex and interconnected signaling network. In the presence of auxin, AUXIN/INDOLE-3-ACETIC ACID (AUX/IAA) transcriptional repressors are targeted for degradation by the SKP1-CULLIN1-F-BOX (SCF) ubiquitin-protein ligases containing TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESISTANT 1/AUXIN SIGNALING F-BOX (TIR1/AFB). CULLIN1-neddylation is required for SCF
TIR1/AFB
functionality, as exemplified by mutants deficient in the NEDD8-activating enzyme subunit AUXIN-RESISTANT 1 (AXR1). Here, we report a chemical biology screen that identifies small molecules requiring AXR1 to modulate plant development. We selected four molecules of interest, RubNeddin 1 to 4 (RN1 to -4), among which RN3 and RN4 trigger selective auxin responses at transcriptional, biochemical, and morphological levels. This selective activity is explained by their ability to consistently promote the interaction between TIR1 and a specific subset of AUX/IAA proteins, stimulating the degradation of particular AUX/IAA combinations. Finally, we performed a genetic screen using RN4, the RN with the greatest potential for dissecting auxin perception, which revealed that the chromatin remodeling ATPase BRAHMA is implicated in auxin-mediated apical hook development. These results demonstrate the power of selective auxin agonists to dissect auxin perception for plant developmental functions, as well as offering opportunities to discover new molecular players involved in auxin responses.
Biphasic mechanosensitivity of T cell receptor-mediated spreading of lymphocytes
Authors: Wahl Astrid , Dinet Céline , Dillard Pierre , Nassereddine Aya , Puech Pierre-Henri , Limozin Laurent , Sengupta Kheya
Published: March 2019

Significance

The ability of a T cell to explore environmental mechanical cues, through bonds formed by its special receptors called T cell receptors (TCRs), is crucial for the first steps of immune recognition. Here we show that the response of T cells, quantified in terms of their spreading behavior, is biphasic with substrate stiffness when mediated through TCRs. However, when the ligands of the T cell integrins are additionally involved, the cellular response becomes monotonic. Based on a mesoscale model, this ligand-specific response can be attributed to differences in force sensitivity and effective stiffness of the link formed between the ligand/receptor pairs and the actin cytoskeleton. This may provide a general mechanism for immune cells to discriminate mechanosensitive bonds.
Leishmaniaflagellum attachment zone is critical for flagellar pocket shape, development in the sand fly, and pathogenicity in the host
Authors: Sunter Jack D. , Yanase Ryuji , Wang Ziyin , Catta-Preta Carolina Moura Costa , Moreira-Leite Flavia , Myskova Jitka , Pruzinova Katerina , Volf Petr , Mottram Jeremy C. , Gull Keith
Published: March 2019

Significance

Leishmaniaalternates between an insect vector and human host; in these different environments, the parasite adopts different forms. There are important commonalities between these different forms, particularly the flagellar pocket (FP) and associated flagellum attachment zone (FAZ). We show that the FAZ is important in different forms ofLeishmaniafor FP shape and function, which are altered in mutants lacking a FAZ protein, FAZ5. FAZ5 deletion did not affect parasite proliferation and differentiation in culture; however, it dramatically reduced parasite proliferation in the sand fly and mouse. These results demonstrate the importance of the FAZ for FP function and architecture, and show that deletion of one FAZ protein can have a dramatic effect onLeishmaniadevelopment and pathogenicity.
Spatiotemporal regulation of clonogenicity in colorectal cancer xenografts
Authors: van der Heijden Maartje , Miedema Daniël M. , Waclaw Bartlomiej , Veenstra Veronique L. , Lecca Maria C. , Nijman Lisanne E. , van Dijk Erik , van Neerven Sanne M. , Lodestijn Sophie C. , Lenos Kristiaan J. , de Groot Nina E. , Prasetyanti Pramudita R. , Arricibita Varea Andrea , Winton Douglas J. , Medema Jan Paul , Morrissey Edward , Ylstra Bauke , Nowak Martin A. , Bijlsma Maarten F. , Vermeulen Louis
Published: March 2019

Significance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease, with significant variation in genotype and phenotype within each individual tumor. This intratumor heterogeneity emerges during tumor development due to clonal evolution and in part can explain therapy resistance in CRC. However, a detailed understanding of the spatiotemporal development of tumors underlying cancer evolution and intratumor heterogeneity remains absent. Here, we use lineage-tracing experiments of human CRC cells transplanted into immunocompromised mice, in combination with computational modeling, to study the growth mode of CRC. We found that the clonal position is crucial for clonal outgrowth. This demonstrates that, in addition to the genetic composition, the environment and the geometry of tumor growth play a significant role in shaping tumor evolution.
On a two-truths phenomenon in spectral graph clustering
Authors: Priebe Carey E. , Park Youngser , Vogelstein Joshua T. , Conroy John M. , Lyzinski Vince , Tang Minh , Athreya Avanti , Cape Joshua , Bridgeford Eric
Published: March 2019

Significance

Spectral graph clustering—clustering the vertices of a graph based on their spectral embedding—is of significant current interest, finding applications throughout the sciences. But as with clustering in general, what a particular methodology identifies as “clusters” is defined (explicitly, or, more often, implicitly) by the clustering algorithm itself. We provide a clear and concise demonstration of a “two-truths” phenomenon for spectral graph clustering in which the first step—spectral embedding—is either Laplacian spectral embedding, wherein one decomposes the normalized Laplacian of the adjacency matrix, or adjacency spectral embedding given by a decomposition of the adjacency matrix itself. The two resulting clustering methods identify fundamentally different (true and meaningful) structure.
P-selectin drives complement attack on endothelium during intravascular hemolysis in TLR-4/heme-dependent manner
Authors: Merle Nicolas S. , Paule Romain , Leon Juliette , Daugan Marie , Robe-Rybkine Tania , Poillerat Victoria , Torset Carine , Frémeaux-Bacchi Véronique , Dimitrov Jordan D. , Roumenina Lubka T.
Published: March 2019

Significance

Complement system activation occurs in sickle cell disease and other hemolytic disorders, but the pathological relevance and the acquisition of a complement-activating phenotype by host cells during hemolysis remain unclear. Here we demonstrated that intravascular hemolysis triggered liver damage, which was attenuated in C3-deficient mice or by C5 blockade, showing the importance of complement system for hemolysis-mediated tissue stress response. Heme-dependent complement deposits were detected on endothelium, appeared upon activation of TLR4, and were mediated by P-selectin. This resulted in unconventional complement activation, mediated by anchoring of C3(H2O) on endothelial surface. In conclusion, our data suggest that complement system could be a therapeutic target in hemolytic diseases, such as sickle cell disease.
Divergent kinase regulates membrane ultrastructure of the
Toxoplasma
parasitophorous vacuole
Authors: Beraki Tsebaot , Hu Xiaoyu , Broncel Malgorzata , Young Joanna C. , O’Shaughnessy William J. , Borek Dominika , Treeck Moritz , Reese Michael L.
Published: March 2019

Apicomplexan parasites replicate within a protective organelle, called the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). The
Toxoplasma gondii
PV is filled with a network of tubulated membranes, which are thought to facilitate trafficking of effectors and nutrients. Despite being critical to parasite virulence, there is scant mechanistic understanding of the network’s functions. Here, we identify the parasite-secreted kinase WNG1 (With-No-Gly-loop) as a critical regulator of tubular membrane biogenesis. WNG1 family members adopt an atypical protein kinase fold lacking the glycine rich ATP-binding loop that is required for catalysis in canonical kinases. Unexpectedly, we find that WNG1 is an active protein kinase that localizes to the PV lumen and phosphorylates PV-resident proteins, several of which are essential for the formation of a functional intravacuolar network. Moreover, we show that WNG1-dependent phosphorylation of these proteins is required for their membrane association, and thus their ability to tubulate membranes. Consequently, WNG1 knockout parasites have an aberrant PV membrane ultrastructure. Collectively, our results describe a unique family of
Toxoplasma
kinases and implicate phosphorylation of secreted proteins as a mechanism of regulating PV development during parasite infection.
Cholecystokinin release triggered by NMDA receptors produces LTP and sound–sound associative memory
Authors: Chen Xi , Li Xiao , Wong Yin Ting , Zheng Xuejiao , Wang Haitao , Peng Yujie , Feng Hemin , Feng Jingyu , Baibado Joewel T. , Jesky Robert , Wang Zhedi , Xie Hui , Sun Wenjian , Zhang Zicong , Zhang Xu , He Ling , Zhang Nan , Zhang Zhijian , Tang Peng , Su Junfeng , Hu Ling-Li , Liu Qing , He Xiaobin , Tan Ailian , Sun Xia , Li Min , Wong Kelvin , Wang Xiaoyu , Cheung Hon-Yeung , Shum Daisy Kwok-Yan , Yung Ken K. L. , Chan Ying-Shing , Tortorella Micky , Guo Yiping , Xu Fuqiang , He Jufang
Published: March 2019

Significance

Neuropeptides represent the most diverse family of neurotransmitters with a wide distribution in the rodent brain. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is an octapeptide present in very high concentrations in the cortex, where it is expressed in several circuits. It has emerged as a useful marker, for example as an interneuron subpopulation, but its function is still unclear. Here we show that CCK, via its CCKB receptor, is essential for high-frequency stimulation-induced long-term potentiation, and that release of CCK is controlled by NMDA receptors. Thus, CCK may play an important role in memory formation.
Light-triggered thermal conductivity switching in azobenzene polymers
Authors: Shin Jungwoo , Sung Jaeuk , Kang Minjee , Xie Xu , Lee Byeongdu , Lee Kyung Min , White Timothy J. , Leal Cecilia , Sottos Nancy R. , Braun Paul V. , Cahill David G.
Published: March 2019

Materials that can be switched between low and high thermal conductivity states would advance the control and conversion of thermal energy. Employing in situ time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR) and in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, we report a reversible, light-responsive azobenzene polymer that switches between high (0.35 W m
−1
K
−1
) and low thermal conductivity (0.10 W m
−1
K
−1
) states. This threefold change in the thermal conductivity is achieved by modulation of chain alignment resulted from the conformational transition between planar (
trans
) and nonplanar (
cis
) azobenzene groups under UV and green light illumination. This conformational transition leads to changes in the π-π stacking geometry and drives the crystal-to-liquid transition, which is fully reversible and occurs on a time scale of tens of seconds at room temperature. This result demonstrates an effective control of the thermophysical properties of polymers by modulating interchain π-π networks by light.
Spatially defined molecular emitters coupled to plasmonic nanoparticle arrays
Authors: Liu Jianxi , Wang Weijia , Wang Danqing , Hu Jingtian , Ding Wendu , Schaller Richard D. , Schatz George C. , Odom Teri W.
Published: March 2019

Significance

The precise organization of molecular and functional nanoscale building blocks is a long-standing challenge in nanoscience. In particular, overlapping molecular emission with collective optical excitations at the nanoscale can result in exquisite control over the intensity, wavelength, and direction of emitted light. This work describes how positioning molecules that are components of a crystalline material called metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) around plasmonic nanoparticle arrays can result in strongly enhanced emission at wavelengths determined by the lattice, including the splitting of spectral bands by interference effects that do not require strong lattice–molecule coupling for their interpretation. This hybrid platform provides a framework for both spatially and temporally enhancing the properties of luminescent MOFs.
Regulatory control of Sgs1 and Dna2 during eukaryotic DNA end resection
Authors: Xue Chaoyou , Wang Weibin , Crickard J. Brooks , Moevus Corentin J. , Kwon Youngho , Sung Patrick , Greene Eric C.
Published: March 2019

Significance

DNA end resection is key to determining whether a DNA double-stranded DNA break (DSB) will be repaired by a high-fidelity or error-prone pathway. Here, we establish a single-molecule assay for directly observing the resection of DSBs by conserved protein factors from the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Our work defines important parameters of the end-resection process that precedes high-fidelity repair, such as resection speed and distance, and also unveils mechanistic features of how the RecQ helicase Sgs1 is targeted to DSBs and how Sgs1 is activated by regulatory proteins.
Evolution of the
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
quorum-sensing hierarchy
Authors: Kostylev Maxim , Kim Daniel Y. , Smalley Nicole E. , Salukhe Indraneel , Greenberg E. Peter , Dandekar Ajai A.
Published: March 2019

The bacterial pathogen
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
activates expression of many virulence genes in a cell density-dependent manner by using an intricate quorum-sensing (QS) network. QS in
P. aeruginosa
involves two acyl-homoserine-lactone circuits, LasI-LasR and RhlI-RhlR. LasI-LasR is required to activate many genes including those coding for RhlI-RhlR.
P. aeruginosa
causes chronic infections in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). In these infections, LasR mutants are common, but
rhlR-rhlI
expression has escaped LasR regulation in many CF isolates. To better understand the evolutionary trajectory of
P. aeruginosa
QS in chronic infections, we grew LasR mutants of the well-studied
P. aeruginosa
strain, PAO1, in conditions that recapitulate an environment where QS signal synthesis by other bacteria might still occur. When QS is required for growth, addition of the RhlI product butyryl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL), or bacteria that produce C4-HSL, to LasR mutants results in the rapid emergence of a population with a LasR-independent RhlI-RhlR QS system. These evolved populations exhibit subsequent growth without added C4-HSL. The variants that emerge have mutations in
mexT
, which codes for a transcription factor that controls expression of multiple genes. LasR-MexT mutants have a competitive advantage over both the parent LasR mutant and a LasR-MexT-RhlR mutant. Our findings suggest a plausible evolutionary trajectory for QS in
P. aeruginosa
CF infections where LasR mutants arise during infection, but because these mutants are surrounded by C4-HSL–producing
P. aeruginosa,
variants rewired to have a LasR-independent RhlIR system quickly emerge.
Detection of early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in asymptomatic HBsAg-seropositive individuals by liquid biopsy
Authors: Qu Chunfeng , Wang Yuting , Wang Pei , Chen Kun , Wang Minjie , Zeng Hongmei , Lu Jianquan , Song Qianqian , Diplas Bill H. , Tan Da , Fan Chunsun , Guo Qigao , Zhu Zheng , Yin Huihui , Jiang Liping , Chen Xixi , Zhao Hui , He Huan , Wang Yong , Li Guangyu , Bi Xinyu , Zhao Xinming , Chen Taoyang , Tang Hongping , Lv Chuanguo , Wang Dongmei , Chen Wanqing , Zhou Jianguo , Zhao Hong , Cai Jianqiang , Wang Xiaoyue , Wang Sizhen , Yan Hai , Zeng Yi-Xin , Cavenee Webster K. , Jiao Yuchen
Published: March 2019

Significance

We detected cfDNA somatic mutations in combination with protein markers to efficiently identify early stage HCC from asymptomatic HBsAg-seropositive individuals in a community population. We designed an assay to profile multiple types of genetic variations in parallel so that 2 mL of plasma were sufficient to achieve high sensitivity in the detection of cfDNA mutations. The assay successfully identified four early-stage HCC cases (<3 cm) from 331 HBsAg (+) individuals who were negative based on screening with serum AFP and ultrasonography. The positive predictive value was 17%, which was much higher than in previous studies. This paper shows that the combination of cfDNA and serum protein markers has significant promise for the early detection of HCC in the community population.
Earlier phenology of a nonnative plant increases impacts on native competitors
Authors: Alexander Jake M. , Levine Jonathan M.
Published: March 2019

Significance

Adaptation to climate can promote the spread of nonnative species, but its wider impacts on native species have rarely been studied. Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola), an annual plant that has been introduced from Europe around the world, flowers earlier in arid climates such as those of southern California. By comparingL. serriolapopulations differing in flowering time within common garden experiments, we demonstrated that native California annual plants experienced stronger competition from the local early floweringL. serriolathan later flowering plants from the ancestral European range, making their predicted persistence withL. serriolamore difficult. Our study suggests that climate adaptation can have cascading effects on ecological communities, potentially increasing the impacts of biological invasions.
Point centromere activity requires an optimal level of centromeric noncoding RNA
Authors: Ling Yick Hin , Yuen Karen Wing Yee
Published: March 2019

Significance

Budding yeast harbors a simple point centromere, which is originally believed to be sequence dependent without much epigenetic regulation and is transcription incompatible, as inserting a strong promoter upstream inactivates the centromere completely. Here, we demonstrate that an optimal level centromeric noncoding RNA is required for budding yeast centromere activity. Centromeric transcription is induced in S phase, coinciding with the assembly of new centromeric proteins. Too much or too little centromeric noncoding RNA leads to centromere malfunction. Overexpression of centromeric noncoding RNA reduces the protein levels and chromatin localization of inner centromere and kinetochore proteins, such as CENP-A, CENP-C, and the chromosome passenger complex. This work shows that point centromere is epigenetically regulated by noncoding RNA.
Processing bodies control the selective translation for optimal development of Arabidopsis young seedlings
Authors: Jang Geng-Jen , Yang Jun-Yi , Hsieh Hsu-Liang , Wu Shu-Hsing
Published: March 2019

Significance

Photomorphogenic development allows young plant seedlings to acquire photosynthetic activities and growth competitiveness when they emerge from soil. More than 1,000 mRNAs are translationally inert in dark-grown seedlings but quickly engage in translation when seedlings are first exposed to light signals. However, why some mRNAs undergo selective translation, how the selective translation is regulated, and why it is important remain unknown. Our work fills in this missing gap by demonstrating that processing bodies function as mRNA reservoirs in dark-grown seedlings. Photoreceptors negate the function of a negative regulator CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1), thereby reducing the accumulation of processing bodies in light-grown seedlings to release thousands of mRNAs for translation, which explains in part the light-enhanced global translation in photomorphogenic seedlings.
Erosion of cold sprayed aeronautical coatings
Authors: Cruz D. , Garrido M. A. , Múnez C. J. , Rico A. , Poza P.
Published: March 2019

Aluminium-Silicon alloys, like Al C355, are extensively used in aeronautical applications, where light materials are required. Consequently, it is necessary to develop maintenance and overhaul technologies to extend the life of metallic components used in the aeronautical sector. Cold Spray (CS) represents a promising alternative to repair damaged light alloys surfaces. However, the repaired component should exhibit similar properties as the original substrate. In particular, degradation by erosion is usual during service in aeroplane operation. This is precisely the aim of this research: to evaluate the erosion performance of Al C355 coatings cold sprayed onto the same bulk alloy. Air jet-erosion tests were performed on the coatings and substrate, according to ASTM G76 standard. Coatings processed by CS using standard parameters exhibit lower erosion performance than the substrate. However, the erosion resistance of coatings deposited using improved conditions was similar to that observed in the uncoated substrate.
Reduced CENPU expression inhibits lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and migration through PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Li Jun , Wang Zhi-Guang , Pang Long-Bin , Zhang Rong-Hua , Wang Ya-Yan
Published: March 2019

CENPU (centromere protein U), a centromere component essential for mitosis, relates with some cancers progression. However, it is not well illustrated in lung adenocarcinoma (LAC). Here, we aimed to investigate the potential effect of CENPU on LAC progression and prognosis. In this experiment, expression level of CENPU and association between its expression and LAC patients’ clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. The proliferation, migration and invasive abilities of LAC cells were determined by CCK-8, colony formation, transwell assays. Western blot was used to detect PI3K/AKT signaling key proteins. We found CENPU level was overexpressed in LAC tissues on comparing normal tissues. Moreover, CENPU overexpression correlated with clinicopathological variables and predicted an independent prognostic indicator in LAC patients. Functionally, CENPU downregulation significantly inhibited LAC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in, which was possibly mediated by PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation. Our findings insinuate targeting CENPU may be a potential therapeutic strategy for LAC.
From Liturgy and the Education of Choirboys to Protestant Domestic Music-Making: The History of the ‘Hamond’ Partbooks (GB-Lbl: Add. MSS 30480-4)
Authors: Butler Katherine
Published: March 2019

The so-called ‘Hamond’ partbooks (British Library, Add. MSS 30480-4) were copied over a period of c.40 years by multiple groups of collaborating scribes, resulting in a miscellaneous combination of service music, sacred songs, Latin motets, chansons, madrigals, an In nomine, and even Mass extracts. These partbooks are the only complete manuscript source of Protestant service music from the first decades of Elizabeth's reign. This first holistic study of this set of partbooks re-evaluates the stages of compilation and the copying practices of the scribes to offer new interpretations of the manuscripts’ history and contexts. The article argues that the partbooks began life as a liturgical and educational collection for the training of choirboys. These partbooks therefore offer a unique insight into the repertory and practices of one Protestant institution, highlighting the continued reliance on Edwardian repertories over a decade into Elizabeth's reign, as well as the growing availability of continental printed music. The transmission of these partbooks is then traced to a more domestic and recreational setting, exploring their relationship to the Hamond family. While Thomas Hamond of Hawkedon in Suffolk inscribed his ownership inside the covers in 1615, the re-evaluation of the compilation and history of these partbooks reveals that the books were in the possession of the Hamond family from at least the late 1580s/early 1590s. This family added new pieces, made repairs and engaged with the music copied by previous owners. Ultimately their preservation was assured by the younger Thomas Hamond's interest in older music, and they continued to be a source of historical interest for eighteenth- and nineteenth-century music antiquarians.
Driving organizational entrainment through spiritual leadership
Authors: Sandra Danny , Nandram Sharda
Published: March 2019

Connectedness is considered as one of the defining characteristics of the twenty-first century, with organizational research highlighting the importance of time, pace, rhythm, and cycles in business through the phenomenon of entrainment. Entrainment is a process of synchronization and connectedness within, between, and across rhythmic activities. This conceptual paper argues that applying spiritual leadership at each level of an organization can drive the (inter)connectedness in today’s organizations through entrainment. First, the concept of entrainment is introduced, with a focus on intraentrainment. The learnings from entrainment are then applied to spiritual leadership theory to enrich it. As such, it proposes a basis for new empirical research in the fields of leadership and organizational entrainment.
Maturation-driven transport and AP-1–dependent recycling of a secretory cargo in the Golgi
Authors: Casler Jason C. , Papanikou Effrosyni , Barrero Juan J. , Glick Benjamin S.
Published: March 2019

Golgi cisternal maturation has been visualized by fluorescence imaging of individual cisternae in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but those experiments did not track passage of a secretory cargo. The expectation is that a secretory cargo will be continuously present within maturing cisternae as resident Golgi proteins arrive and depart. We tested this idea using a regulatable fluorescent secretory cargo that forms ER-localized aggregates, which dissociate into tetramers upon addition of a ligand. The solubilized tetramers rapidly exit the ER and then transit through early and late Golgi compartments before being secreted. Early Golgi cisternae form near the ER and become loaded with the secretory cargo. As predicted, cisternae contain the secretory cargo throughout the maturation process. An unexpected finding is that a burst of intra-Golgi recycling delivers additional secretory cargo molecules to cisternae during the early-to-late Golgi transition. This recycling requires the AP-1 adaptor, suggesting that AP-1 can recycle secretory cargo proteins as well as resident Golgi proteins.
A Positive Mood Induction for Reducing the Formation of Nocebo Effects from Side Effect Information
Authors: Geers Andrew L , Close Shane , Caplandies Fawn C , Vase Lene
Published: March 2019

Background

Providing treatment side effect information can increase the occurrence of side effects through nocebo effects. Nocebo effects from side effect information raise a dilemma for health care, as there is an ethical obligation to disclose potential unpleasant treatment information to patients.

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that a positive mood induction can block the development of nocebo effects that result from treatment side effect information.

Methods

In a laboratory setting, healthy participants were assigned to one of four conditions in a between-subjects randomized factorial trial. First, participants took part in a mood induction procedure, with half receiving a positive mood induction and the other half a neutral mood induction. Next, participants were told they would experience transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Prior to a sham tDCS task, half of the participants were informed that headache pain is a side effect of tDCS, whereas the other half were not given this information.

Results

In the neutral mood condition, the provision of headache side effect information lead to a greater occurrence of headaches, more frequent headaches, and a higher maximum level of headache pain as compared to those given no side effect information. In the positive mood condition, a similar increase in headache pain did not manifest from the provision of side effect information.

Conclusions

This is the first experiment to find that a positive mood induction can block the formation of nocebo effects that arise from side effect information. Inducing positive moods may be an effective strategy for reducing nocebo effects in a variety of clinical settings.
Chancy Modus Ponens
Authors: Neth Sven
Published: March 2019

Chancy modus ponens is the following inference scheme: ‘probably φ’, ‘if φ, then ψ’, therefore, ‘probably ψ’ (Yalcin 2010, Moss 2015). I argue that Chancy modus ponens is invalid in general. I further argue that the invalidity of Chancy modus ponens sheds new light on the alleged counterexample to modus ponens presented by McGee (1985). I close by observing that, although Chancy modus ponens is invalid in general, we can recover a restricted sense in which this scheme of inference is valid.
Joint linkage and association mapping of complex traits in shrub willow (Salix purpurea L.)
Authors: Carlson Craig H , Gouker Fred E , Crowell Chase R , Evans Luke , DiFazio Stephen P , Smart Christine D , Smart Lawrence B
Published: March 2019

Background and Aims

Increasing energy demands and the necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are key motivating factors driving the development of lignocellulosic crops as an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. The effects of global climate change will require a better understanding of the genetic basis of complex adaptive traits to breed more resilient bioenergy feedstocks, like willow (Salix spp.). Shrub willow is a sustainable and dedicated bioenergy crop, bred to be fast-growing and high-yielding on marginal land without competing with food crops. In a rapidly changing climate, genomic advances will be vital for the sustained improvement of willow and other non-model bioenergy crops. Here, joint genetic mapping was used to exploit genetic variation garnered from both recent and historical recombination events in S. purpurea.

Methods

A panel of North American naturalized S. purpurea accessions and full-sib F2S. purpurea population were genotyped and phenotyped for a suite of morphological, physiological, pest and disease resistance, and wood chemical composition traits, collected from multi-environment and multi-year replicated field trials. Controlling for population stratification and kinship in the association panel and spatial variation in the F2, a comprehensive mixed model analysis was used to dissect the complex genetic architecture and plasticity of these important traits.

Key Results

Individually, genome-wide association (GWAS) models differed in terms of power, but the combined approach, which corrects for yearly and environmental co-factors across datasets, improved the overall detection and resolution of associated loci. Although there were few significant GWAS hits located within support intervals of QTL for corresponding traits in the F2, many large-effect QTL were identified, as well as QTL hotspots.

Conclusions

This study provides the first comparison of linkage analysis and linkage disequilibrium mapping approaches in Salix, and highlights the complementarity and limits of these two methods for elucidating the genetic architecture of complex bioenergy-related traits of a woody perennial breeding programme.
Disruption of the Prefrontal Cortex Improves Implicit Contextual Memory-Guided Attention: Combined Behavioral and Electrophysiological Evidence
Authors: Rosero Pahi Mario , Cavalli Juliana , Nees Frauke , Flor Herta , Andoh Jamila
Published: March 2019

Many studies have shown that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays an important role in top-down cognitive control over intentional and deliberate behavior. However, recent studies have reported that DLPFC-mediated top-down control interferes with implicit forms of learning. Here we used continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) combined with electroencephalography to investigate the causal role of DLPFC in implicit contextual memory-guided attention. We aimed to test whether transient disruption of the DLPFC would interfere with implicit learning performance and related electrical brain activity. We applied neuronavigation-guided cTBS to the DLPFC or to the vertex as a control region prior to the performance of an implicit contextual learning task. We found that cTBS applied over the DLPFC significantly improved performance during implicit contextual learning. We also noted that beta-band (13–19 Hz) oscillatory power was reduced at fronto-central channels about 140 to 370 ms after visual stimulus onset in cTBS DLPFC compared with cTBS vertex. Taken together, our results provide evidence that DLPFC-mediated top-down control interferes with contextual memory-guided attention and beta-band oscillatory activity.
Pre-test probability prediction in patients with a low to intermediate probability of coronary artery disease: a prospective study with a fractional flow reserve endpoint
Authors: Winther Simon , Nissen Louise , Westra Jelmer , Schmidt Samuel Emil , Bouteldja Nadia , Knudsen Lars Lyhne , Madsen Lene Helleskov , Frost Lars , Urbonaviciene Grazina , Holm Niels Ramsing , Christiansen Evald Høj , Bøtker Hans Erik , Bøttcher Morten
Published: March 2019

Aims

European and North American guidelines currently recommend pre-test probability (PTP) stratification based on simple probability models in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). However, no unequivocal recommendation has yet been established. We aimed to compare the ability of risk factors and different PTP stratification models to predict haemodynamically obstructive CAD with fractional flow reserve (FFR) as reference in low to intermediate probability patients.

Methods and results

We prospectively included 1675 patients with low to intermediate risk who had been referred to coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). Patients with coronary stenosis were subsequently investigated by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with FFR measurement if indicated. Discrimination and calibration were assessed for four models: the updated Diamond–Forrester (UDF), the CAD Consortium Basic, the Clinical, and the Clinical + Coronary artery calcium score (CACS). At coronary CTA, 24% of patients were diagnosed with a suspected stenosis and 10% had haemodynamically obstructive CAD at the ICA. Calibration for all CAD Consortium models increased compared with the UDF score. However, all models overestimated the probability of haemodynamically obstructive CAD. Discrimination increased by area under the receiver operating curve from 67% to 86% for UDF vs. CAD Consortium Clinical + CACS. The proportion of low-probability patients (pre-test score < 15%) was for the UDF, CAD Consortium Basic, Clinical, and Clinical + CACS: 14%, 58%, 51%, and 66%, respectively. The corresponding negative predictive values were 97%, 94%, 95%, and 98%, respectively.

Conclusion

CAD Consortium models improve PTP stratification compared with the UDF score, mainly due to superior calibration in low to intermediate probability patients. Adding the coronary calcium score to the models substantially increases discrimination.

Clinical Trials. gov identifier

NCT02264717.