bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Noninhibitory Serpin Maspin on the Actin Cytoskeleton: A Quantitative Image Modeling Approach
Authors: Al-Mamun Mohammed , Ravenhill Lorna , Srisukkham Worawut , Hossain Alamgir , Fall Charles , Ellis Vincent , Bass Rosemary
Published: February 2016

Recent developments in quantitative image analysis allow us to interrogate confocal microscopy images to answer biological questions. Clumped and layered cell nuclei and cytoplasm in confocal images challenges the ability to identify subcellular compartments. To date, there is no perfect image analysis method to identify cytoskeletal changes in confocal images. Here, we present a multidisciplinary study where an image analysis model was developed to allow quantitative measurements of changes in the cytoskeleton of cells with different maspin exposure. Maspin, a noninhibitory serpin influences cell migration, adhesion, invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis in ways that are consistent with its identification as a tumor metastasis suppressor. Using different cell types, we tested the hypothesis that reduction in cell migration by maspin would be reflected in the architecture of the actin cytoskeleton. A hybrid marker-controlled watershed segmentation technique was used to segment the nuclei, cytoplasm, and ruffling regions before measuring cytoskeletal changes. This was informed by immunohistochemical staining of cells transfected stably or transiently with maspin proteins, or with added bioactive peptides or protein. Image analysis results showed that the effects of maspin were mirrored by effects on cell architecture, in a way that could be described quantitatively.
ON THE TOTAL COMPONENT OF THE PARTIAL SCHUR MULTIPLIER
Authors: DE LIMA H. G. G. , PINEDO H.
Published: February 2016

In this paper we determine the structure of the total component of the Schur multiplier over an algebraically closed field of some relevant families of groups, such as dihedral groups, dicyclic groups, the infinite cyclic group and the direct product of two finite cyclic groups.
Omnidirectional multi-band stacked microstrip patch antenna with wide impedance bandwidth and suppressed cross-polarization
Authors: Keshari Jaishanker Prasad , Kanaujia Binod Kumar , Khandelwal Mukesh Kumar , Bakariya Pritam Singh , Mehra Ram Mohan
Published: February 2016

In this paper, triple-band stacked microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) are presented with wide impedance bandwidth and suppressed cross-polarization level. Triangular and circular shaped slots are embedded in the patch of antenna. Slot-loaded microstrip patches are fed with meandered microstrip line supported by a semi-ground plane structure. Triangular shaped slot-loaded MPA shows triple resonance at frequencies 2.2, 4.45, and 5.3 GHz having bandwidth of 45.9, 19.23, and 15.67%, respectively. Circular shaped slot-loaded MPA also shows triple resonance at frequencies 2.2, 4.42, and 5.38 GHz having bandwidth of 50.24, 33.21, and 13.43%, respectively. Using circular slot in place of triangular; bandwidth of the first and the second band is improved by 4.34 and 13.98%, respectively. Both the proposed antennas show an omnidirectional radiation pattern at all three resonance frequencies in the xz-plane with almost 0 dBi gain. Both the proposed antennas are fabricated on a FR-4 epoxy substrate and show a minimum level of cross-polarization radiations.
A Conversation on Conversations: A Research Journey with Professor Anne Sigismund Hufe - Technische Universität München (TUM)
Authors: Kemp Sharon
Published: February 2016

Anne S. Huff has a reputation that goes before her for helping other academics, particularly in their endeavours to have their work published. I attended one of Anne's sessions on writing for scholarly publication and had my eyes opened to the traps a researcher can fall into; I was also made aware of ways to focus my effort to maximum effect In the workshop sessions that Anne conducts she shares her successes but also acknowledges she too had difficulties in getting her research accepted for publication. I trusted that her advice was sound because she has been there and done that.

Some time after the workshop I felt the need to bring the conversations that we had during that workshop to a wider audience. I asked Anne if she would consent to an interview that would take readers along one of her research journeys. To my surprise Anne was more than delighted to do the interview and she found the idea of having the focus of our conversation on the process or research journey she undertook rather than the outcomes that are usually reported in journals quite novel. We agreed to meet at the EURAM 2005 conference which she co-organised.

Research is reported in a different way than it was first conceived An interesting (but often undiscussed) aspect of research is the process or journey that is undertaken to reach the reported outcomes. Junior and senior staff alike can learn a great deal from understanding the research journey that eminent scholars have undertaken. In this conversation Professor Huff takes us along the research path she followed in several projects, especially work with Professor Louis Pondy between 1979 and 1986. Anne discusses how the research changed shape over time as well as detailing how and why the research came to an end. She gives us an insight into problems that resulted in deviations from an initial research plan. Through Anne's discussion of the research we discover how issues were handled and with the benefit of hindsight what aspects of the research she would change. Finally, Anne shares some general lessons for undertaking research.
Teaching the Integration of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences
Authors: Boehnert Jennifer , Dobson J. , Wilhelmi Olga
Published: February 2016

Atmospheric scientists spent a decade incorporating geographic information systems into their research and operations. Now it is time to incorporate GIS into atmospheric science education.
Can We Predict How Volcanic Ash Disperses After an Eruption?
Authors: Yan Wudan
Published: February 2016

Researchers investigate what factors influence how particles from a plume spread following a volcanic eruption.
Panel sequencing for clinically oriented variant screening and copy number detection in 142 untreated multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Kortuem K M , Braggio E , Bruins L , Barrio S , Shi C S , Zhu Y X , Tibes R , Viswanatha D , Votruba P , Ahmann G , Fonseca R , Jedlowski P , Schlam I , Kumar S , Bergsagel P L , Stewart A K
Published: February 2016

We employed a customized Multiple Myeloma (MM)-specific Mutation Panel (M3P) to screen a homogenous cohort of 142 untreated MM patients for relevant mutations in a selection of disease-specific genes. M3Pv2.0 includes 77 genes selected for being either actionable targets, potentially related to drug–response or part of known key pathways in MM biology. We identified mutations in potentially actionable genes in 49% of patients and provided prognostic evidence of STAT3 mutations. This panel may serve as a practical alternative to more comprehensive sequencing approaches, providing genomic information in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus allowing clinically oriented variant screening in MM.
Phosphatidylserine is a global immunosuppressive signal in efferocytosis, infectious disease, and cancer
Authors: Birge R B , Boeltz S , Kumar S , Carlson J , Wanderley J , Calianese D , Barcinski M , Brekken R A , Huang X , Hutchins J T , Freimark B , Empig C , Mercer J , Schroit A J , Schett G , Herrmann M
Published: February 2016

Apoptosis is an evolutionarily conserved and tightly regulated cell death modality. It serves important roles in physiology by sculpting complex tissues during embryogenesis and by removing effete cells that have reached advanced age or whose genomes have been irreparably damaged. Apoptosis culminates in the rapid and decisive removal of cell corpses by efferocytosis, a term used to distinguish the engulfment of apoptotic cells from other phagocytic processes. Over the past decades, the molecular and cell biological events associated with efferocytosis have been rigorously studied, and many eat-me signals and receptors have been identified. The externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) is arguably the most emblematic eat-me signal that is in turn bound by a large number of serum proteins and opsonins that facilitate efferocytosis. Under physiological conditions, externalized PS functions as a dominant and evolutionarily conserved immunosuppressive signal that promotes tolerance and prevents local and systemic immune activation. Pathologically, the innate immunosuppressive effect of externalized PS has been hijacked by numerous viruses, microorganisms, and parasites to facilitate infection, and in many cases, establish infection latency. PS is also profoundly dysregulated in the tumor microenvironment and antagonizes the development of tumor immunity. In this review, we discuss the biology of PS with respect to its role as a global immunosuppressive signal and how PS is exploited to drive diverse pathological processes such as infection and cancer. Finally, we outline the rationale that agents targeting PS could have significant value in cancer and infectious disease therapeutics.
Seasonal variation in nifH abundance and expression of cyanobacterial communities associated with boreal feather mosses
Authors: Warshan Denis , Bay Guillaume , Nahar Nurun , Wardle David A , Nilsson Marie-Charlotte , Rasmussen Ulla
Published: February 2016

Dinitrogen (N2)-fixation by cyanobacteria living in symbiosis with pleurocarpous feather mosses (for example, Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens) represents the main pathway of biological N input into N-depleted boreal forests. Little is known about the role of the cyanobacterial community in contributing to the observed temporal variability of N2-fixation. Using specific nifH primers targeting four major cyanobacterial clusters and quantitative PCR, we investigated how community composition, abundance and nifH expression varied by moss species and over the growing seasons. We evaluated N2-fixation rates across nine forest sites in June and September and explored the abundance and nifH expression of individual cyanobacterial clusters when N2-fixation is highest. Our results showed temporal and host-dependent variations of cyanobacterial community composition, nifH gene abundance and expression. N2-fixation was higher in September than June for both moss species, explained by higher nifH gene expression of individual clusters rather than higher nifH gene abundance or differences in cyanobacterial community composition. In most cases, ‘Stigonema cluster’ made up less than 29% of the total cyanobacterial community, but accounted for the majority of nifH gene expression (82–94% of total nifH expression), irrespective of sampling date or moss species. Stepwise multiple regressions showed temporal variations in N2-fixation being greatly explained by variations in nifH expression of the ‘Stigonema cluster’. These results suggest that Stigonema is potentially the most influential N2-fixer in symbiosis with boreal forest feather mosses.
Mutation allele burden remains unchanged in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia responding to hypomethylating agents
Authors: Merlevede Jane , Droin Nathalie , Qin Tingting , Meldi Kristen , Yoshida Kenichi , Morabito Margot , Chautard Emilie , Auboeuf Didier , Fenaux Pierre , Braun Thorsten , Itzykson Raphael , de Botton Stéphane , Quesnel Bruno , Commes Thérèse , Jourdan Eric , Vainchenker William , Bernard Olivier , Pata-Merci Noemie , Solier Stéphanie , Gayevskiy Velimir , Dinger Marcel E. , Cowley Mark J. , Selimoglu-Buet Dorothée , Meyer Vincent , Artiguenave François , Deleuze Jean-François , Preudhomme Claude , Stratton Michael R. , Alexandrov Ludmil B. , Padron Eric , Ogawa Seishi , Koscielny Serge , Figueroa Maria , Solary Eric
Published: February 2016

The cytidine analogues azacytidine and 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (decitabine) are commonly used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes, with or without a myeloproliferative component. It remains unclear whether the response to these hypomethylating agents results from a cytotoxic or an epigenetic effect. In this study, we address this question in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia. We describe a comprehensive analysis of the mutational landscape of these tumours, combining whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. We identify an average of 14±5 somatic mutations in coding sequences of sorted monocyte DNA and the signatures of three mutational processes. Serial sequencing demonstrates that the response to hypomethylating agents is associated with changes in DNA methylation and gene expression, without any decrease in the mutation allele burden, nor prevention of new genetic alteration occurence. Our findings indicate that cytosine analogues restore a balanced haematopoiesis without decreasing the size of the mutated clone, arguing for a predominantly epigenetic effect.
Multiplexed pancreatic genome engineering and cancer induction by transfection-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in mice
Authors: Maresch Roman , Mueller Sebastian , Veltkamp Christian , Öllinger Rupert , Friedrich Mathias , Heid Irina , Steiger Katja , Weber Julia , Engleitner Thomas , Barenboim Maxim , Klein Sabine , Louzada Sandra , Banerjee Ruby , Strong Alexander , Stauber Teresa , Gross Nina , Geumann Ulf , Lange Sebastian , Ringelhan Marc , Varela Ignacio , Unger Kristian , Yang Fengtang , Schmid Roland M. , Vassiliou George S. , Braren Rickmer , Schneider Günter , Heikenwalder Mathias , Bradley Allan , Saur Dieter , Rad Roland
Published: February 2016

Mouse transgenesis has provided fundamental insights into pancreatic cancer, but is limited by the long duration of allele/model generation. Here we show transfection-based multiplexed delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 to the pancreas of adult mice, allowing simultaneous editing of multiple gene sets in individual cells. We use the method to induce pancreatic cancer and exploit CRISPR/Cas9 mutational signatures for phylogenetic tracking of metastatic disease. Our results demonstrate that CRISPR/Cas9-multiplexing enables key applications, such as combinatorial gene-network analysis, in vivo synthetic lethality screening and chromosome engineering. Negative-selection screening in the pancreas using multiplexed-CRISPR/Cas9 confirms the vulnerability of pancreatic cells to Brca2-inactivation in a Kras-mutant context. We also demonstrate modelling of chromosomal deletions and targeted somatic engineering of inter-chromosomal translocations, offering multifaceted opportunities to study complex structural variation, a hallmark of pancreatic cancer. The low-frequency mosaic pattern of transfection-based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery faithfully recapitulates the stochastic nature of human tumorigenesis, supporting wide applicability for biological/preclinical research.
Orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L10-MnAl films
Authors: Zhu L. J. , Nie S. H. , Xiong P. , Schlottmann P. , Zhao J. H.
Published: February 2016

The orbital two-channel Kondo effect displaying exotic non-Fermi liquid behaviour arises in the intricate scenario of two conduction electrons compensating a pseudo-spin-1/2 impurity of two-level system. Despite extensive efforts for several decades, no material system has been clearly identified to exhibit all three transport regimes characteristic of the two-channel Kondo effect in the same sample, leaving the interpretation of the experimental results a subject of debate. Here we present a transport study suggestive of a robust orbital two-channel Kondo effect in epitaxial ferromagnetic L10-MnAl films, as evidenced by a magnetic field-independent resistivity upturn with a clear transition from logarithmic- to square-root temperature dependence and deviation from it in three distinct temperature regimes. Our results also provide an experimental indication of the presence of two-channel Kondo physics in a ferromagnet, pointing to considerable robustness of the orbital two-channel Kondo effect even in the presence of spin polarization of the conduction electrons.
Local T/B cooperation in inflamed tissues is supported by T follicular helper-like cells
Authors: Vu Van Dana , Beier Katja C. , Pietzke Lea-Jean , Al Baz Maysun S. , Feist Randi K. , Gurka Stephanie , Hamelmann Eckard , Kroczek Richard A. , Hutloff Andreas
Published: February 2016

Autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions are characterized by large lymphocytic tissue infiltrates in which T and B cells can be found in close contact. Here, using a murine airway inflammation model, we compare antigen-specific T and B cells in lung tissue versus lung-draining lymph node. In the lung we identify a B-cell population exhibiting a classical germinal centre phenotype without being organized into ectopic lymphoid tissue. By contrast, classical CXCR5+ Bcl-6+ T follicular helper cells are not present. Nevertheless, lung-infiltrating T cells exhibit follicular helper-like properties including the potential to provide help to naive B cells. The lung tissue is also a survival niche for memory T and B cells remaining in residual peribronchial infiltrates after resolution of inflammation. Collectively, this study shows the importance of T/B cooperation not only in lymph nodes but also in inflamed peripheral tissues for local antibody responses to infection and autoimmunity.
On the tuning of electrical and thermal transport in thermoelectrics: an integrated theory–experiment perspective
Authors: Yang Jiong , Xi Lili , Qiu Wujie , Wu Lihua , Shi Xun , Chen Lidong , Yang Jihui , Zhang Wenqing , Uher Ctirad , Singh David J
Published: February 2016

During the last two decades, we have witnessed great progress in research on thermoelectrics. There are two primary focuses. One is the fundamental understanding of electrical and thermal transport, enabled by the interplay of theory and experiment; the other is the substantial enhancement of the performance of various thermoelectric materials, through synergistic optimisation of those intercorrelated transport parameters. Here we review some of the successful strategies for tuning electrical and thermal transport. For electrical transport, we start from the classical but still very active strategy of tuning band degeneracy (or band convergence), then discuss the engineering of carrier scattering, and finally address the concept of conduction channels and conductive networks that emerge in complex thermoelectric materials. For thermal transport, we summarise the approaches for studying thermal transport based on phonon–phonon interactions valid for conventional solids, as well as some quantitative efforts for nanostructures. We also discuss the thermal transport in complex materials with chemical-bond hierarchy, in which a portion of the atoms (or subunits) are weakly bonded to the rest of the structure, leading to an intrinsic manifestation of part-crystalline part-liquid state at elevated temperatures. In this review, we provide a summary of achievements made in recent studies of thermoelectric transport properties, and demonstrate how they have led to improvements in thermoelectric performance by the integration of modern theory and experiment, and point out some challenges and possible directions.
Summer precipitation anomalies in Asia and North America induced by Eurasian non-monsoon land heating versus ENSO
Authors: Zhao Ping , Wang Bin , Liu Jiping , Zhou Xiuji , Chen Junming , Nan Sulan , Liu Ge , Xiao Dong
Published: February 2016

When floods ravage Asian monsoon regions in summer, megadroughts often attack extratropical North America, which feature an intercontinental contrasting precipitation anomaly between Asia and North America. However, the characteristics of the contrasting Asian-North American (CANA) precipitation anomalies and associated mechanisms have not been investigated specifically. In this article, we firmly establish this summer CANA pattern, providing evidence for a significant effect of the land surface thermal forcing over Eurasian non-monsoon regions on the CANA precipitation anomalies by observations and numerical experiments. We show that the origin of the CANA precipitation anomalies and associated anomalous anticyclones over the subtropical North Pacific and Atlantic has a deeper root in Eurasian non-monsoon land surface heating than in North American land surface heating. The ocean forcing from the ENSO is secondary and tends to be confined in the tropics. Our results have strong implications to interpretation of the feedback of global warming on hydrological cycle over Asia and North America. Under the projected global warming due to the anthropogenic forcing, the prominent surface warming over Eurasian non-monsoon regions is a robust feature which, through the mechanism discussed here, would favor a precipitation increase over Asian monsoon regions and a precipitation decrease over extratropical North America.
Activation of the unfolded protein response promotes axonal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Oñate Maritza , Catenaccio Alejandra , Martínez Gabriela , Armentano Donna , Parsons Geoffrey , Kerr Bredford , Hetz Claudio , Court Felipe A.
Published: February 2016

Although protein-folding stress at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is emerging as a driver of neuronal dysfunction in models of spinal cord injury and neurodegeneration, the contribution of this pathway to peripheral nerve damage remains poorly explored. Here we targeted the unfolded protein response (UPR), an adaptive reaction against ER stress, in mouse models of sciatic nerve injury and found that ablation of the transcription factor XBP1, but not ATF4, significantly delay locomotor recovery. XBP1 deficiency led to decreased macrophage recruitment, a reduction in myelin removal and axonal regeneration. Conversely, overexpression of XBP1s in the nervous system in transgenic mice enhanced locomotor recovery after sciatic nerve crush, associated to an improvement in key pro-regenerative events. To assess the therapeutic potential of UPR manipulation to axonal regeneration, we locally delivered XBP1s or an shRNA targeting this transcription factor to sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia using a gene therapy approach and found an enhancement or reduction of axonal regeneration in vivo, respectively. Our results demonstrate a functional role of specific components of the ER proteostasis network in the cellular changes associated to regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
Enhanced virulence of Histoplasma capsulatum through transfer and surface incorporation of glycans from Cryptococcus neoformans during co-infection
Authors: Cordero Radames J. B. , Liedke Susie Coutinho , de S. Araújo Glauber R. , Martinez Luis R. , Nimrichter Leonardo , Frases Susana , Peralta Jose Mauro , Casadevall Arturo , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Guimaraes Allan J.
Published: February 2016

Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn) and Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) co-exist in the environment and occasionally co-infect individuals, which can lead to severe disease/lethal outcomes. We investigated specific interactions between Cn-Hc to determine the impact of synchronous infection in virulence and disease. Co-infected mice had significantly higher mortality than infection with either species or acapsular Cn-Hc. Coating of Hc with cryptococcal glycans (Cn-gly) resulted in higher pulmonary fungal burden in co-infected animals relative to control. Co-cultivation or addition of Cn-gly resulted in enhanced pellicle formation with a hybrid polysaccharide matrix with higher reactivity to GXM mAbs. Transfer and incorporation of Cn polysaccharide onto Hc surface was time and temperature dependent. Cn-gly transfer altered the zeta potential of Hc and was associated with increased resistance to phagocytosis and killing by macrophages. Mice infected with Hc and subsequently injected with purified Cn-gly died significantly more rapidly than Hc alone infected, establishing the precedent that virulence factors from one fungus can enhance the virulence of unrelated species. These findings suggest a new mechanism of microbial interaction involving the transfer of virulence traits that translates into enhanced lethality during mixed fungal infections and highlights the importance of studying heterogeneous microbial populations in the setting of infection.
Real-Time Control of a Neuroprosthetic Hand by Magnetoencephalographic Signals from Paralysed Patients
Authors: Fukuma Ryohei , Yanagisawa Takufumi , Saitoh Youichi , Hosomi Koichi , Kishima Haruhiko , Shimizu Takeshi , Sugata Hisato , Yokoi Hiroshi , Hirata Masayuki , Kamitani Yukiyasu , Yoshimine Toshiki
Published: February 2016

Neuroprosthetic arms might potentially restore motor functions for severely paralysed patients. Invasive measurements of cortical currents using electrocorticography have been widely used for neuroprosthetic control. Moreover, magnetoencephalography (MEG) exhibits characteristic brain signals similar to those of invasively measured signals. However, it remains unclear whether non-invasively measured signals convey enough motor information to control a neuroprosthetic hand, especially for severely paralysed patients whose sensorimotor cortex might be reorganized. We tested an MEG-based neuroprosthetic system to evaluate the accuracy of using cortical currents in the sensorimotor cortex of severely paralysed patients to control a prosthetic hand. The patients attempted to grasp with or open their paralysed hand while the slow components of MEG signals (slow movement fields; SMFs) were recorded. Even without actual movements, the SMFs of all patients indicated characteristic spatiotemporal patterns similar to actual movements, and the SMFs were successfully used to control a neuroprosthetic hand in a closed-loop condition. These results demonstrate that the slow components of MEG signals carry sufficient information to classify movement types. Successful control by paralysed patients suggests the feasibility of using an MEG-based neuroprosthetic hand to predict a patient’s ability to control an invasive neuroprosthesis via the same signal sources as the non-invasive method.
First evidence of European eels exiting the Mediterranean Sea during their spawning migration
Authors: Amilhat Elsa , Aarestrup Kim , Faliex Elisabeth , Simon Gaël , Westerberg Håkan , Righton David
Published: February 2016

The migration route and the spawning site of the European eel Anguilla anguilla are still uncertain. It has been suggested that the Mediterranean eel stock does not contribute to spawning because there is no evidence of eels leaving the Mediterranean Sea. To test this hypothesis, we equipped eight female silver eels from the south of France with pop-up satellite tags during escapement from coastal waters. Once in deeper water, the eels quickly established diel vertical migration (DVM) between the upper and lower mesopelagic zone. Five tagged eels were taken by predators within the Mediterranean, but two eels reached the Atlantic Ocean after six months and at distances greater than 2000 km from release. These eels ceased their DVM while they negotiated the Gibraltar Strait, and remained in deep water until they reached the Atlantic Ocean, when they recommenced DVM. Our results are the first to show that eels from Mediterranean can cross the Strait of Gibraltar and continue their migration into the Atlantic Ocean. This finding suggests that Mediterranean countries, as for other EU states, have an important role to play in contributing to conservation efforts for the recovery of the European eel stock.
The role of photo-electric properties of silk cocoon membrane in pupal metamorphosis: A natural solar cell
Authors: Tulachan Brindan , Srivastava Shivansh , Kusurkar Tejas Sanjeev , Sethy Niroj Kumar , Bhargava Kalpana , Singh Sushil Kumar , Philip Deepu , Bajpai Alok , Das Mainak
Published: February 2016

Silkworm metamorphosis is governed by the intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One key intrinsic factor is the temporal electrical firing of the neuro-secretory cells of the dormant pupae residing inside the silk cocoon membrane (SCM). Extrinsic factors are environmental like temperature, humidity and light. The firing pattern of the cells is a function of the environmental factors that eventually controls the pupal development. How does the nervous organization of the dormant pupae sense the environment even while enclosed inside the cocoon shell? We propose that the SCM does this by capturing the incident light and converting it to electricity in addition to translating the variation in temperature and humidity as an electrical signal. The light to electricity conversion is more pronounced with ultraviolet (UV) frequency. We discovered that a UV sensitive fluorescent quercetin derivative that is present on the SCM and pupal body surface is responsible for generating the observed photo current. Based on these results, we propose an equivalent circuit model of the SCM where an overall electrical output transfers the weather information to pupae, directing its growth. We further discuss the implication of this electrical energy conversion and its utility for consumable electricity.
Characterization of a novel Achromobacter xylosoxidans specific siphoviruse: phiAxp-1
Authors: Li Erna , Zhao Jiangtao , Ma Yanyan , Wei Xiao , Li Huan , Lin Weishi , Wang Xuesong , Li Chao , Shen Zhiqiang , Zhao Ruixiang , Jiang Aimin , Yang Huiying , Yuan Jing , Zhao Xiangna
Published: February 2016

Bacteriophages have recently been considered as an alternative biocontrol tool because of the widespread occurrence of antimicrobial-resistant Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Herein, we isolated a virulent bacteriophage (phiAxp-1) from a water sample of the Bohai sea of China that specifically infects A. xylosoxidans. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phage phiAxp-1 belongs to the Siphoviridae. We sequenced the genome of phiAxp-1, which comprises 45,045 bp with 64 open reading frames. Most of the proteins encoded by phiAxp-1 have no similarity to sequences in the public databases. Twenty-one proteins with assigned functions share weak homology with those of other dsDNA bacteriophages infecting diverse hosts, such as Burkholderia phage KL1, Pseudomonas phage 73, Pseudomonas phage vB_Pae-Kakheti25, Pseudomonas phage vB_PaeS_SCH_Ab26, Acinetobacter phage IME_AB3 and Achromobacter phage JWX. The genome can be divided into different clusters for the head and tail structure, DNA replication and mazG. The sequence and genomic organization of bacteriophage phiAxp-1 are clearly distinct from other known Siphoviridae phages; therefore, we propose that it is a member of a novel genus of the Siphoviridae family. Furthermore, one-step growth curve and stability studies of the phage were performed, and the specific receptor of phiAxp-1 was identified as the lipopolysaccharide of A. xylosoxidans.
The green peach aphid Myzus persicae perform better on pre-infested Chinese cabbage Brassica pekinensis by enhancing host plant nutritional quality
Authors: Cao He-He , Liu Hui-Ru , Zhang Zhan-Feng , Liu Tong-Xian
Published: February 2016

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer, is a notorious pest on vegetables, which often aggregates in high densities on crop leaves. In this study, we investigated whether M. persicae could suppress the resistance level of Chinese cabbage Brassica pekinensis. M. persicae performed better in terms of weight gain (~33% increase) and population growth (~110% increase) when feeding on previously infested (pre-infested) Chinese cabbage compared with those on non-infested plants. However, when given a choice, 64% of the aphids preferred to settle on non-infested leaves, while 29% of aphids chose pre-infested leaves that had a 2.9 times higher concentration of glucosinolates. Aphid feeding significantly enhanced the amino acid:sugar ratio of phloem sap and the absolute amino acid concentration in plant leaves. Aphid infestation significantly increased the expression levels of salicylic acid (SA) marker genes, while it had marginal effects on the expression of jasmonate marker genes. Exogenously applied SA or methyl jasmonate had no significant effects on M. persicae performance, although these chemicals increased glucosinolates concentration in plant leaves. M. persicae infestation increase amino acid:sugar ratio and activate plant defenses, but aphid performed better on pre-infested plants, suggesting that both nutrition and toxics should be considered in insect-plant interaction.
Renal Tumor Necrosis Factor α Contributes to Hypertension in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats
Authors: Huang Baorui , Cheng Yuan , Usa Kristie , Liu Yong , Baker Maria Angeles , Mattson David L. , He Yongcheng , Wang Niansong , Liang Mingyu
Published: February 2016

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is a major proinflammatory cytokine and its level is elevated in hypertensive states. Inflammation occurs in the kidneys during the development of hypertension. We hypothesized that TNFα specifically in the kidney contributes to the development of hypertension and renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats, a widely used model of human salt-sensitive hypertension and renal injury. SS rats were chronically instrumented for renal interstitial infusion and blood pressure measurement in conscious, freely moving state. Gene expression was measured using real-time PCR and renal injury assessed with histological analysis. The abundance of TNFα in the renal medulla of SS rats, but not the salt-insensitive congenic SS.13BN26 rats, was significantly increased when rats had been fed a high-salt diet for 7 days (n = 6 or 9, p < 0.01). The abundance of TNFα receptors in the renal medulla was significantly higher in SS rats than SS.13BN26 rats. Renal interstitial administration of Etanercept, an inhibitor of TNFα, significantly attenuated the development of hypertension in SS rats on a high-salt diet (n = 7–8, p < 0.05). Glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis were also significantly ameliorated. These findings indicate intrarenal TNFα contributes to the development of hypertension and renal injury in SS rats.
Inferring sparse networks for noisy transient processes
Authors: Tran Hoang M. , Bukkapatnam Satish T.S.
Published: February 2016

Inferring causal structures of real world complex networks from measured time series signals remains an open issue. The current approaches are inadequate to discern between direct versus indirect influences (i.e., the presence or absence of a directed arc connecting two nodes) in the presence of noise, sparse interactions, as well as nonlinear and transient dynamics of real world processes. We report a sparse regression (referred to as the "Equation missing"-min) approach with theoretical bounds on the constraints on the allowable perturbation to recover the network structure that guarantees sparsity and robustness to noise. We also introduce averaging and perturbation procedures to further enhance prediction scores (i.e., reduce inference errors), and the numerical stability of "Equation missing"-min approach. Extensive investigations have been conducted with multiple benchmark simulated genetic regulatory network and Michaelis-Menten dynamics, as well as real world data sets from DREAM5 challenge. These investigations suggest that our approach can significantly improve, oftentimes by 5 orders of magnitude over the methods reported previously for inferring the structure of dynamic networks, such as Bayesian network, network deconvolution, silencing and modular response analysis methods based on optimizing for sparsity, transients, noise and high dimensionality issues.
Mesoscopic structural phase progression in photo-excited VO2 revealed by time-resolved x-ray diffraction microscopy
Authors: Zhu Yi , Cai Zhonghou , Chen Pice , Zhang Qingteng , Highland Matthew J. , Jung Il Woong , Walko Donald A. , Dufresne Eric M. , Jeong Jaewoo , Samant Mahesh G. , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Freeland John W. , Evans Paul G. , Wen Haidan
Published: February 2016

Dynamical phase separation during a solid-solid phase transition poses a challenge for understanding the fundamental processes in correlated materials. Critical information underlying a phase transition, such as localized phase competition, is difficult to reveal by measurements that are spatially averaged over many phase separated regions. The ability to simultaneously track the spatial and temporal evolution of such systems is essential to understanding mesoscopic processes during a phase transition. Using state-of-the-art time-resolved hard x-ray diffraction microscopy, we directly visualize the structural phase progression in a VO2 film upon photoexcitation. Following a homogenous in-plane optical excitation, the phase transformation is initiated at discrete sites and completed by the growth of one lattice structure into the other, instead of a simultaneous isotropic lattice symmetry change. The time-dependent x-ray diffraction spatial maps show that the in-plane phase progression in laser-superheated VO2 is via a displacive lattice transformation as a result of relaxation from an excited monoclinic phase into a rutile phase. The speed of the phase front progression is quantitatively measured, and is faster than the process driven by in-plane thermal diffusion but slower than the sound speed in VO2. The direct visualization of localized structural changes in the time domain opens a new avenue to study mesoscopic processes in driven systems.
Staphylococcus aureus-derived factors induce IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-17A-expressing FOXP3+CD161+ T-helper cells in a partly monocyte-dependent manner
Authors: Björkander Sophia , Hell Lena , Johansson Maria A. , Forsberg Manuel Mata , Lasaviciute Gintare , Roos Stefan , Holmlund Ulrika , Sverremark-Ekström Eva
Published: February 2016

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a human pathogen as well as a frequent colonizer of skin and mucosa. This bacterium potently activates conventional T-cells through superantigens and it is suggested to induce T-cell cytokine-production as well as to promote a regulatory phenotype in T-cells in order to avoid clearance. This study aimed to investigate how S. aureus impacts the production of regulatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of CD161 and HELIOS by peripheral CD4+FOXP3+ T-cells. Stimulation of PBMC with S. aureus 161:2-cell free supernatant (CFS) induced expression of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-17A in FOXP3+ cells. Further, CD161 and HELIOS separated the FOXP3+ cells into four distinct populations regarding cytokine-expression. Monocyte-depletion decreased S. aureus 161:2-induced activation of FOXP3+ cells while pre-stimulation of purified monocytes with S. aureus 161:2-CFS and subsequent co-culture with autologous monocyte-depleted PBMC was sufficient to mediate activation of FOXP3+ cells. Together, these data show that S. aureus potently induces FOXP3+ cells and promotes a diverse phenotype with expression of regulatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines connected to increased CD161-expression. This could indicate potent regulation or a contribution of FOXP3+ cells to inflammation and repression of immune-suppression upon encounter with S. aureus.
Experimental violation of Bell inequalities for multi-dimensional systems
Authors: Lo Hsin-Pin , Li Che-Ming , Yabushita Atsushi , Chen Yueh-Nan , Luo Chih-Wei , Kobayashi Takayoshi
Published: February 2016

Quantum correlations between spatially separated parts of a d-dimensional bipartite system (d ≥ 2) have no classical analog. Such correlations, also called entanglements, are not only conceptually important, but also have a profound impact on information science. In theory the violation of Bell inequalities based on local realistic theories for d-dimensional systems provides evidence of quantum nonlocality. Experimental verification is required to confirm whether a quantum system of extremely large dimension can possess this feature, however it has never been performed for large dimension. Here, we report that Bell inequalities are experimentally violated for bipartite quantum systems of dimensionality d = 16 with the usual ensembles of polarization-entangled photon pairs. We also estimate that our entanglement source violates Bell inequalities for extremely high dimensionality of d > 4000. The designed scenario offers a possible new method to investigate the entanglement of multipartite systems of large dimensionality and their application in quantum information processing.
Heterologous Production of the Marine Myxobacterial Antibiotic Haliangicin and Its Unnatural Analogues Generated by Engineering of the Biochemical Pathway
Authors: Sun Yuwei , Feng Zhiyang , Tomura Tomohiko , Suzuki Akira , Miyano Seishi , Tsuge Takashi , Mori Hitoshi , Suh Joo-Won , Iizuka Takashi , Fudou Ryosuke , Ojika Makoto
Published: February 2016

Despite their fastidious nature, marine myxobacteria have considerable genetic potential to produce novel secondary metabolites. The marine myxobacterium Haliangium ochraceum SMP-2 produces the antifungal polyketide haliangicin (1), but its productivity is unsatisfactory. The biosynthetic gene cluster hli (47.8 kbp) associated with 1 was identified and heterologously expressed in Myxococcus xanthus to permit the production of 1 with high efficiency (tenfold greater amount and threefold faster in growth speed compared with the original producer), as well as the generation of bioactive unnatural analogues of 1 through gene manipulation. A unique acyl-CoA dehydrogenase was found to catalyse an unusual γ,δ-dehydrogenation of the diketide starter unit, leading to the formation of the terminal alkene moiety of 1. Biological evaluation of the analogues obtained through this study revealed that their bioactivities (anti-oomycete and cytotoxic activities) can be modified by manipulating the vinyl epoxide at the terminus opposite the β-methoxyacrylate pharmacophore.
Network centrality and seasonality interact to predict lice load in a social primate
Authors: Duboscq Julie , Romano Valeria , Sueur Cédric , MacIntosh Andrew J.J.
Published: February 2016

Lice are socially-transmitted ectoparasites. Transmission depends upon their host’s degree of contact with conspecifics. While grooming facilitates ectoparasite transmission via body contact, it also constrains their spread through parasite removal. We investigated relations between parasite burden and sociality in female Japanese macaques following two opposing predictions: i) central females in contact/grooming networks harbour more lice, related to their numerous contacts; ii) central females harbour fewer lice, related to receiving more grooming. We estimated lice load non-invasively using the conspicuous louse egg-picking behaviour performed by macaques during grooming. We tested for covariation in several centrality measures and lice load, controlling for season, female reproductive state and dominance rank. Results show that the interaction between degree centrality (number of partners) and seasonality predicted lice load: females interacting with more partners had fewer lice than those interacting with fewer partners in winter and summer, whereas there was no relationship between lice load and centrality in spring and fall. This is counter to the prediction that increased contact leads to greater louse burden but fits the prediction that social grooming limits louse burden. Interactions between environmental seasonality and both parasite and host biology appeared to mediate the role of social processes in louse burden.
Regulatory T cells inhibit CD34+ cell differentiation into NK cells by blocking their proliferation
Authors: Pedroza-Pacheco Isabela , Shah Divya , Domogala Anna , Luevano Martha , Blundell Michael , Jackson Nicola , Thrasher Adrian , Madrigal Alejandro , Saudemont Aurore
Published: February 2016

Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) remains one of the main complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Due to their ability to suppress effector cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been proposed as a cellular therapy to prevent GvHD, however they also inhibit the functions of natural killer (NK) cells, key effectors of the Graft versus Leukemia effect. In this study, we have explored whether a Tregs therapy will also impact on NK cell differentiation. Using an in vitro model of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation into NK cells, we found that activated Tregs led to a 90% reduction in NK cell numbers when added at the time of commitment to the NK cell lineage. This effect was contact dependent and was reversible upon Tregs depletion. The few NK cells that developed in these cultures were mature and exhibited normal functions. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of activated Tregs in rag-/- γc-/- mice abrogated HSC differentiation into NK cells thus confirming our in vitro findings. Collectively, these results demonstrate for the first time that activated Tregs can inhibit NK cell differentiation from HSC under specific conditions.
Density of States for Warped Energy Bands
Authors: Mecholsky Nicholas A. , Resca Lorenzo , Pegg Ian L. , Fornari Marco
Published: February 2016

Warping of energy bands can affect the density of states (DOS) in ways that can be large or subtle. Despite their potential for significant practical impacts on materials properties, these effects have not been rigorously demonstrated previously. Here we rectify this using an angular effective mass formalism that we have developed. To clarify the often confusing terminology in this field, “band warping” is precisely defined as pertaining to any multivariate energy function E(k) that does not admit a second-order differential at an isolated critical point in k-space, which we clearly distinguish from band non-parabolicity. We further describe band “corrugation” as a qualitative form of band warping that increasingly deviates from being twice differentiable at an isolated critical point. These features affect the density-of-states and other parameters ascribed to band warping in various ways. We demonstrate these effects, providing explicit calculations of DOS and their effective masses for warped energy dispersions originally derived by Kittel and others. Other physical and mathematical examples are provided to demonstrate fundamental distinctions that must be drawn between DOS contributions that originate from band warping and contributions that derive from band non-parabolicity. For some non-degenerate bands in thermoelectric materials, this may have profound consequences of practical interest.
Macroscopic evidence for Abrikosov-type magnetic vortexes in MnSi A-phase
Authors: Lobanova I. I. , Glushkov V. V. , Sluchanko N. E. , Demishev S. V.
Published: February 2016

Intrinsic phase coherence between individual topologically stable knots in spin arrangement – skyrmions – is known to induce the crystalline-like structure in the A-phase of non-centrosymmetric MnSi with chiral spin-orbit interaction. Here we report the experimental evidence for two types of the skyrmion lattice (SL) inside the A-phase of MnSi, which are distinguished by different coupling to the anisotropic magnetic interactions. The transition between these SLs is shown to induce a change in magnetic scattering between isotropic MR discovered in the area inside the A-phase (the A-phase core) and anisotropic MR found on the border of the A-phase. We argue that the SL in the A-phase core corresponds to the dense skyrmion state built from individual skyrmions in a way similar to Abrikosov-type magnetic vortexes.