bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of a circularly polarized laser beam in an obliquely magnetized plasma channel
Authors: Hemlata  , Upadhyay A.K. , Jha P.
Published: September 2017

The evolution of the spot size and amplitude of a circularly polarized laser beam propagating in a plasma channel embedded in an obliquely applied magnetic field has been investigated. The wave equation describing the evolution of the radiation field is set up and a variational technique is used to obtain the equations governing the evolution of the spot size and amplitude. Numerical methods are used to analyze the evolution of the laser beam spot size and amplitude. It is seen that the amplitudes of the two transverse components of the electric field of the laser beam evolve differently, since they are driven by unequal current densities. This leads to the conversion of a circularly polarized laser beam into an elliptically polarized beam, under appropriate conditions.
Study of ion-acoustic solitary wave structures in multi-component plasma containing positive and negative ions and q-exponential distributed electron beam
Authors: Sarkar J. , Goswami J. , Chandra S. , Ghosh B.
Published: September 2017

Using reductive perturbation technique, small-amplitude ion-acoustic solitary wave has been investigated in multi-component dense plasma, in which an electron beam propagates along the general streaming motion. The electrons in plasma have the q-exponential distribution. The positive and negative ions follow a regular Maxwellian distribution. It has been found that the positive and negative ion densities as well as the beam concentration have significant effect on the formation and properties of solitary structures. The streaming velocities of corresponding particles also have pronounced effect on the features of the solitons.
Crystal structure of new triple molybdate AgMg3Ga(MoO4)5 from Rietveld refinement
Authors: Kotova Irina Yu. , Savina Aleksandra A. , Khaikina Elena G.
Published: September 2017

A polycrystalline sample of a new triple molybdate AgMg3Ga(MoO4)5 was obtained by solid-state reaction techniques. Structural refinement based on X-ray powder diffraction data showed that the crystal structure is isotypic with NaMg3In(MoO4)5 (sp. gr. P$\bar 1$). In the structure pairs of edge-shared (Mg, Ga)O6,  octahedra are connected by common vertices to form a three-dimensional framework. Large framework cavities involve Ag+ cations. The title compound was found to melt at 1079 K.
Death and the City: The Cemeteries of Amarna in Their Urban Context
Authors: Stevens Anna
Published: September 2017

Burial grounds are increasingly being considered as components of lived urban environments in the past. This paper considers how the ancient Egyptian city of Akhetaten, built by king Akhenaten (c. 1349–1332 bc), was constructed and experienced as a space inhabited both by the living and the dead. Drawing upon results from ongoing excavations at the burial grounds of the general population, it considers how the archaeological record of the settlement and its cemeteries segue and explores how the nature of burial landscapes and the need to maintain reflexive relationships between the living and the dead in the midst of a changing religious milieu contributed to the unique character of Akhetaten as a city. It asks what kind of city Akhetaten was, and what it was like to live through the Amarna period.
A FUJITA-TYPE RESULT FOR A SEMILINEAR EQUATION IN HYPERBOLIC SPACE
Authors: WU HUI
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we study the positive solutions for a semilinear equation in hyperbolic space. Using the heat semigroup and by constructing subsolutions and supersolutions, a Fujita-type result is established.
Rapid autopsy of a patient with recurrent anaplastic ependymoma
Authors: Lange Katharine Rae , Fischer Cheryl , Rajappa Prajwal , Connors Scott , Pisapia David , Greenfield Jeffrey P. , Beltran Himisha , Rubin Mark , Mosquera Juan Miguel , Khakoo Yasmin
Published: September 2017

Objective:

Our aim was to outline a procedure for obtaining a rapid autopsy in order to collect high-quality postmortem tissue for genomic analysis.

Methods:

This report details a bi-institutional collaborative effort to coordinate a rapid autopsy for a pediatric patient who had died at home. We discuss the scientific rationale for offering a rapid autopsy to caregivers of pediatric patients as well as parental perspectives on broaching the subject of autopsy. We then review the logistics and coordination involved with planning a rapid autopsy and the sequence of events needed to maximize tissue quality.

Results:

We report the successful coordination of a rapid autopsy for a patient who died in a hospice setting at her out-of-state home. The time interval from death to the start of the rapid autopsy procedure was 4.5 hours, despite the logistical considerations demanded by the location of the patient. Tumor aliquots and nonneoplastic tissues were successfully snap frozen for downstream genomic studies.

Significance of Results:

Physicians should consider trialing a rapid autopsy program at their institution that could be offered to caregivers of pediatric patients. This case report offers a framework to help clinicians develop their own rapid autopsy programs as well as guidelines to help streamline this process for appropriate candidates going forward.
THE SPIRITS OF EDMUND BURKE
Authors: HAMPSHER-MONK IAIN
Published: September 2017

In the 1970s, when I began to take interest in Burke, not only was there was no collected Correspondence, but there was not even any modern edition of his Works. I successively purchased secondhand copies of the six-volume Bohn edition, and then (in the flush of a modest pay rise) of the Boston Little, Brown edition. The interpretive work was not extensive, and heavily influenced by two kinds of presentist preoccupation—both distinctively anglophone. One was the preoccupation with Burke's “contribution” to elements of the English Constitution—party government, the nature of representation, financial management—and his success in characterizing its customary, gradualist, pragmatic political culture, subsequently identified as “conservatism.” The other—prominent in American readings—comprised energetic attempts to recruit Burke into Cold War polemics: the clash between Burke and the French Revolutionaries (and their British supporters) presaging the clash between Marxism–Leninism and Western, free-market democracy. For scholars of a Straussian persuasion this involved reading into Burke a commitment to neo-Thomist natural law. These parameters spun an intellectually vertiginous confusion of issues. Quite how Burke's opposition to Paine was supposed to cohere with their shared defence of the America he (Paine) helped to create raised a number of historical issues. But instead of resolving these it was the implications of merely supposing them to be coherent that constituted the interpretive field. Controversies focused on whether Burke's political identity was conservative or liberal—anachronistic lexical markers, further complicated by their different connotations on either side of the Atlantic—and on how to characterize the “philosophical core” of his thinking. These too were contested in often disarmingly proleptic categories: liberal, utilitarian, collectivist. Looking back, this ideological fog was only made possible by the absence of any reasonably clear sense of eighteenth-century political-theoretical discourse within the categories and preoccupations of which to situate the man.
Economic freedom and growth across German districts
Authors: SPRUK ROK , KEŠELJEVIĆ ALEKSANDAR
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we revisit the relationship between economic freedom and growth across 407 German districts (Kreise). We build six indicators of economic freedom and cluster them into categories reflecting tax rates and size of the government and public sector. Exploiting the variation in the constructed indices of economic freedom, the evidence suggests less indebted districts with a lower share of taxes and a relatively smaller public sector achieve consistently higher growth rates and income levels. The beneficial effect of economic freedom on growth is robust to the variety of specification checks and does not appear to be driven by sample selection. The evidence does not indicate a lower level of economic freedom in former East German districts or greater economic freedom in West German districts but unveils a persistent north–south divide in the post-unification period. In the counterfactual scenario, a transition to the 90th percentile of economic freedom is associated with large income and growth gains. Such a transition would yield higher income levels and growth rates with a notable decrease in regional economic inequality within Germany.
Two-dimensional scattering of a Gaussian beam by a homogeneous gyrotropic circular cylinder
Authors: Mao Shi-Chun , Wu Zhen-Sen , Zhang Zhaohui , Gao Jiansen
Published: September 2017

Two-dimensional scattering of a Gaussian beam by a homogeneous gyrotropic circular cylinder is presented. The incident Gaussian beam source is expanded as an approximate expression with Taylor's series. The transmitted field in the homogeneous gyrotropic cylinder is expressed in terms of the series of wave functions based on the integral equation. The unknown coefficients of the scattered fields are obtained with the aid of the boundary conditions of continuous tangential electric and magnetic fields. Some numerical results are presented and discussed. The result is in agreement with that available as expected when the Gaussian beam degenerates to a plane wave incidence case.
Modifiable risk factors for external cause mortality after release from prison: a nested case–control study
Authors: Spittal M. J. , Forsyth S. , Borschmann R. , Young J. T. , Kinner S. A.
Published: September 2017

Aim.

People released from prison are at higher risk of mortality from potentially preventable causes than their peers in the general population. Because most studies of this phenomenon are reliant on registry data, there is little health and behavioural information available on those at risk, hampering the development of targeted, evidence-based preventive responses. Our aim was to identify modifiable risk and protective factors for external cause and cause-specific mortality after release from prison.

Methods.

We undertook a nested case–control study using data from a larger retrospective cohort study of mortality after release from prison in Queensland, Australia between 1994 and 2007. Cases were 286 individuals who had died from external causes (drug overdose, suicide, transport accidents, or violence) matched with 286 controls on sex, Indigenous status, and release date. We extracted data from detention, case-management, and prison medical records.

Results.

Factors associated with increased risk of external cause mortality included use of heroin and other opioids in the community [odds ratio (OR) = 2.20, 95% CI 1.41–3.43,p< 0.001], a prescription for antidepressants during the current prison sentence (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.02–3.67,p= 0.042), a history of problematic alcohol use in the community (OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.05–2.26,p= 0.028), and having ever served two or more custodial sentences (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.01–2.25,p= 0.045). Being married (OR = 0.45, 95% CI 0.29–0.70,p< 0.001) was protective. Fewer predictors were associated with cause-specific mortality.

Conclusions.

We identified several behavioural, psychosocial, and clinical markers associated with mortality from preventable causes in people released from prison. Emerging evidence points to interventions that could be targeted at those at increased risk of external cause mortality. These include treatment and harm reduction programmes (for substance use), improving transitional support programmes and continuity of care (for mental health), diversion and drug reform (for repeat incarceration) and nurturing stable relationships during incarceration. The period of imprisonment and shortly after release provides a unique opportunity to improve the long-term health of ex-prisoners and overcome the disadvantage associated with imprisonment.
Necroptotic debris including damaged mitochondria elicits sepsis-like syndrome during late-phase tularemia
Authors: Singh Anju , Periasamy Sivakumar , Malik Meenakshi , Bakshi Chandra Shekhar , Stephen Laurie , Ault Jeffrey G , Mannella Carmen A , Sellati Timothy J
Published: September 2017

Infection with Francisella tularensis ssp. tularensis (Ft) strain SchuS4 causes an often lethal disease known as tularemia in rodents, non-human primates, and humans. Ft subverts host cell death programs to facilitate their exponential replication within macrophages and other cell types during early respiratory infection (⩽72 h). The mechanism(s) by which cell death is triggered remains incompletely defined, as does the impact of Ft on mitochondria, the host cell’s organellar ‘canary in a coal mine’. Herein, we reveal that Ft infection of host cells, particularly macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes, drives necroptosis via a receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/3-mediated mechanism. During necroptosis mitochondria and other organelles become damaged. Ft-induced mitochondrial damage is characterized by: (i) a decrease in membrane potential and consequent mitochondrial oncosis or swelling, (ii) increased generation of superoxide radicals, and (iii) release of intact or damaged mitochondria into the lung parenchyma. Host cell recognition of and response to released mitochondria and other damage-associated molecular patterns engenders a sepsis-like syndrome typified by production of TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, and IFN-γ during late-phase tularemia (⩾72 h), but are absent early during infection.
Synthetic microparticles conjugated with VEGF165 improve the survival of endothelial progenitor cells via microRNA-17 inhibition
Authors: Aday Sezin , Zoldan Janet , Besnier Marie , Carreto Laura , Saif Jaimy , Fernandes Rui , Santos Tiago , Bernardino Liliana , Langer Robert , Emanueli Costanza , Ferreira Lino
Published: September 2017

Several cell-based therapies are under pre-clinical and clinical evaluation for the treatment of ischemic diseases. Poor survival and vascular engraftment rates of transplanted cells force them to work mainly via time-limited paracrine actions. Although several approaches, including the use of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (sVEGF)—VEGF165, have been developed in the last 10 years to enhance cell survival, they showed limited efficacy. Here, we report a pro-survival approach based on VEGF-immobilized microparticles (VEGF-MPs). VEGF-MPs prolong VEGFR-2 and Akt phosphorylation in cord blood-derived late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells (OEPCs). In vivo, OEPC aggregates containing VEGF-MPs show higher survival than those treated with sVEGF. Additionally, VEGF-MPs decrease miR-17 expression in OEPCs, thus increasing the expression of its target genes CDKN1A and ZNF652. The therapeutic effect of OEPCs is improved in vivo by inhibiting miR-17. Overall, our data show an experimental approach to improve therapeutic efficacy of proangiogenic cells for the treatment of ischemic diseases.
SPA70 is a potent antagonist of human pregnane X receptor
Authors: Lin Wenwei , Wang Yue-Ming , Chai Sergio C. , Lv Lili , Zheng Jie , Wu Jing , Zhang Qijun , Wang Yong-Dong , Griffin Patrick R. , Chen Taosheng
Published: September 2017

Many drugs bind to and activate human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) to upregulate drug-metabolizing enzymes, resulting in decreased drug efficacy and increased resistance. This suggests that hPXR antagonists have therapeutic value. Here we report that SPA70 is a potent and selective hPXR antagonist. SPA70 inhibits hPXR in human hepatocytes and humanized mouse models and enhances the chemosensitivity of cancer cells, consistent with the role of hPXR in drug resistance. Unexpectedly, SJB7, a close analog of SPA70, is an hPXR agonist. X-ray crystallography reveals that SJB7 resides in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of hPXR, interacting with the AF-2 helix to stabilize the LBD for coactivator binding. Differential hydrogen/deuterium exchange analysis demonstrates that SPA70 and SJB7 interact with the hPXR LBD. Docking studies suggest that the lack of the para-methoxy group in SPA70 compromises its interaction with the AF-2, thus explaining its antagonism. SPA70 is an hPXR antagonist and promising therapeutic tool.
Slow-wave sleep is controlled by a subset of nucleus accumbens core neurons in mice
Authors: Oishi Yo , Xu Qi , Wang Lu , Zhang Bin-Jia , Takahashi Koji , Takata Yohko , Luo Yan-Jia , Cherasse Yoan , Schiffmann Serge N. , de Kerchove d’Exaerde Alban , Urade Yoshihiro , Qu Wei-Min , Huang Zhi-Li , Lazarus Michael
Published: September 2017

Sleep control is ascribed to a two-process model, a widely accepted concept that posits homoeostatic drive and a circadian process as the major sleep-regulating factors. Cognitive and emotional factors also influence sleep–wake behaviour; however, the precise circuit mechanisms underlying their effects on sleep control are unknown. Previous studies suggest that adenosine has a role affecting behavioural arousal in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain area critical for reinforcement and reward. Here, we show that chemogenetic or optogenetic activation of excitatory adenosine A2A receptor-expressing indirect pathway neurons in the core region of the NAc strongly induces slow-wave sleep. Chemogenetic inhibition of the NAc indirect pathway neurons prevents the sleep induction, but does not affect the homoeostatic sleep rebound. In addition, motivational stimuli inhibit the activity of ventral pallidum-projecting NAc indirect pathway neurons and suppress sleep. Our findings reveal a prominent contribution of this indirect pathway to sleep control associated with motivation.
Super-resolution microscopy reveals functional organization of dopamine transporters into cholesterol and neuronal activity-dependent nanodomains
Authors: Rahbek-Clemmensen Troels , Lycas Matthew D. , Erlendsson Simon , Eriksen Jacob , Apuschkin Mia , Vilhardt Frederik , Jørgensen Trine N. , Hansen Freja H. , Gether Ulrik
Published: September 2017

Dopamine regulates reward, cognition, and locomotor functions. By mediating rapid reuptake of extracellular dopamine, the dopamine transporter is critical for spatiotemporal control of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Here, we use super-resolution imaging to show that the dopamine transporter is dynamically sequestrated into cholesterol-dependent nanodomains in the plasma membrane of presynaptic varicosities and neuronal projections of dopaminergic neurons. Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy reveals irregular dopamine transporter nanodomains (∼70 nm mean diameter) that were highly sensitive to cholesterol depletion. Live photoactivated localization microscopy shows a similar dopamine transporter membrane organization in live heterologous cells. In neurons, dual-color dSTORM shows that tyrosine hydroxylase and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 are distinctively localized adjacent to, but not overlapping with, the dopamine transporter nanodomains. The molecular organization of the dopamine transporter in nanodomains is reversibly reduced by short-term activation of NMDA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors, implicating dopamine transporter nanodomain distribution as a potential mechanism to modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission in response to excitatory input.
Species-dependent structural polymorphism of Y145Stop prion protein amyloid revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Theint Theint , Nadaud Philippe S. , Aucoin Darryl , Helmus Jonathan J. , Pondaven Simon P. , Surewicz Krystyna , Surewicz Witold K. , Jaroniec Christopher P.
Published: September 2017

One of the most puzzling aspects of the prion diseases is the intricate relationship between prion strains and interspecies transmissibility barriers. Previously we have shown that certain fundamental aspects of mammalian prion propagation, including the strain phenomenon and species barriers, can be reproduced in vitro in seeded fibrillization of the Y145Stop prion protein variant. Here, we use solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to gain atomic level insight into the structural differences between Y145Stop prion protein amyloids from three species: human, mouse, and Syrian hamster. Remarkably, we find that these structural differences are largely controlled by only two amino acids at positions 112 and 139, and that the same residues appear to be key to the emergence of structurally distinct amyloid strains within the same protein sequence. The role of these residues as conformational switches can be rationalized based on a model for human Y145Stop prion protein amyloid, providing a foundation for understanding cross-seeding specificity.
Elucidating the origins of multimode vibrational coherences of polyatomic molecules induced by intense laser fields
Authors: Wei Zhengrong , Li Jialin , Wang Lin , See Soo Teck , Jhon Mark Hyunpong , Zhang Yingfeng , Shi Fan , Yang Minghui , Loh Zhi-Heng
Published: September 2017

Strong-field laser–molecule interaction forms much of the basis for initiating and probing ultrafast quantum dynamics. Previous studies aimed at elucidating the origins of vibrational coherences induced by intense laser fields have been confined to diatomic molecules. Furthermore, in all cases examined to date, vibrational wave packet motion is found to be induced by R-selective depletion; wave packet motion launched by bond softening, though theoretically predicted, remains hitherto unobserved. Here we employ the exquisite sensitivity of femtosecond extreme ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy to sub-picometer structural changes to observe both bond softening-induced vibrational wave packets, launched by the interaction of intense laser pulses with iodomethane, as well as multimode vibrational motion of the parent ion produced by strong-field ionization. In addition, we show that signatures of coherent vibrational motion in the time-dependent extreme ultraviolet absorption spectra directly furnish vibronic coupling strengths involving core-level transitions, from which geometrical parameters of transient core-excited states are extracted.
Biogenic manganese oxide nanoparticle formation by a multimeric multicopper oxidase Mnx
Authors: Romano Christine A. , Zhou Mowei , Song Yang , Wysocki Vicki H. , Dohnalkova Alice C. , Kovarik Libor , Paša-Tolić Ljiljana , Tebo Bradley M.
Published: September 2017

Bacteria that produce Mn oxides are extraordinarily skilled engineers of nanomaterials that contribute significantly to global biogeochemical cycles. Their enzyme-based reaction mechanisms may be genetically tailored for environmental remediation applications or bioenergy production. However, significant challenges exist for structural characterization of the enzymes responsible for biomineralization. The active Mn oxidase in Bacillus sp. PL-12, Mnx, is a complex composed of a multicopper oxidase (MCO), MnxG, and two accessory proteins, MnxE and MnxF. MnxG shares sequence similarity with other, structurally characterized MCOs. MnxE and MnxF have no similarity to any characterized proteins. The ~200 kDa complex has been recalcitrant to crystallization, so its structure is unknown. Here, we show that native mass spectrometry defines the subunit topology and copper binding of Mnx, while high-resolution electron microscopy visualizes the protein and nascent Mn oxide minerals. These data provide critical structural information for understanding Mn biomineralization by such unexplored enzymes.
Boosting the down-shifting luminescence of rare-earth nanocrystals for biological imaging beyond 1500 nm
Authors: Zhong Yeteng , Ma Zhuoran , Zhu Shoujun , Yue Jingying , Zhang Mingxi , Antaris Alexander L. , Yuan Jie , Cui Ran , Wan Hao , Zhou Ying , Wang Weizhi , Huang Ngan F. , Luo Jian , Hu Zhiyuan , Dai Hongjie
Published: September 2017

In vivo fluorescence imaging in the near-infrared region between 1500–1700 nm (NIR-IIb window) affords high spatial resolution, deep-tissue penetration, and diminished auto-fluorescence due to the suppressed scattering of long-wavelength photons and large fluorophore Stokes shifts. However, very few NIR-IIb fluorescent probes exist currently. Here, we report the synthesis of a down-conversion luminescent rare-earth nanocrystal with cerium doping (Er/Ce co-doped NaYbF4 nanocrystal core with an inert NaYF4 shell). Ce doping is found to suppress the up-conversion pathway while boosting down-conversion by ~9-fold to produce bright 1550 nm luminescence under 980 nm excitation. Optimization of the inert shell coating surrounding the core and hydrophilic surface functionalization minimize the luminescence quenching effect by water. The resulting biocompatible, bright 1550 nm emitting nanoparticles enable fast in vivo imaging of blood vasculature in the mouse brain and hindlimb in the NIR-IIb window with short exposure time of 20 ms for rare-earth based probes.
Erratum: Exploring the microbial community (microflora) associated with ovine Haemonchus contortus (macroflora) field strains
Authors: El-Ashram Saeed , Suo Xun
Published: September 2017

A correction has been published and is appended to both the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Epithelial Chloride Transport by CFTR Requires TMEM16A
Authors: Benedetto Roberta , Ousingsawat Jiraporn , Wanitchakool Podchanart , Zhang Yong , Holtzman Michael J. , Amaral Margarida , Rock Jason R. , Schreiber Rainer , Kunzelmann Karl
Published: September 2017

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) is the secretory chloride/bicarbonate channel in airways and intestine that is activated through ATP binding and phosphorylation by protein kinase A, but fails to operate in cystic fibrosis (CF). TMEM16A (also known as anoctamin 1, ANO1) is thought to function as the Ca2+ activated secretory chloride channel independent of CFTR. Here we report that tissue specific knockout of the TMEM16A gene in mouse intestine and airways not only eliminates Ca2+-activated Cl− currents, but unexpectedly also abrogates CFTR-mediated Cl− secretion and completely abolishes cAMP-activated whole cell currents. The data demonstrate fundamentally new roles of TMEM16A in differentiated epithelial cells: TMEM16A provides a mechanism for enhanced ER Ca2+ store release, possibly engaging Store Operated cAMP Signaling (SOcAMPS) and activating Ca2+ regulated adenylyl cyclases. TMEM16A is shown to be essential for proper activation and membrane expression of CFTR. This intimate regulatory relationship is the cause for the functional overlap of CFTR and Ca2+-dependent chloride transport.
Understanding the differences of the ligand binding/unbinding pathways between phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ARH1 using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zhu Jingxuan , Lv Yishuo , Han Xiaosong , Xu Dong , Han Weiwei
Published: September 2017

ADP-ribosylhydrolases (ARH1, ARH2 and ARH3) are a family of enzymes to catalyze ADP-ribosylation, a reversible and covalent post-translational modification (PTM). There are four phosphorylated sites (Tyr-4, Tyr-19, Tyr-20, and Tyr-205) in ARH1. To explore the structural changes and functional impact induced by phosphorylation, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations were performed for the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ARH1 with the ligands. MD simulations results indicate that: (1) Glu-25 is more frequently in the α helix group in the phosphorylated state with the adenosine-5-diphosphate-ribosylarginine (ADP-RA) complex (51.56%) than that of the non-phosphorylated state(2.12%); (2) Ser-124 and Ser-264 become less flexible in the phosphorylated state with ADP-RA complex, which helps two residues form hydrogen bonds with ADP-RA; and (3) Tyr-211 is also less flexible in the phosphorylated state with ADP-RA complex, which helps stabilize the cation-π interaction of Y211-R119. All these changes facilitate ADP-RA to bind ARH1. In addition, according to the crystal structure of adenosine-5-diphosphate-ribose (ADP-ribose) in complex with non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated ARH1, the possible unbinding pathways of ADP-ribose from non-phosphorylated and phosphorylated ARH1 were explored respectively using SMD simulations. Our results show that phosphorylated ARH1 has more ordered structures than the non-phosphorylated type.
Population density gratings induced by few-cycle optical pulses in a resonant medium
Authors: Arkhipov R. M. , Pakhomov A. V. , Arkhipov M. V. , Babushkin I. , Demircan A. , Morgner U. , Rosanov N. N.
Published: September 2017

Creation, erasing and ultrafast control of population density gratings using few-cycle optical pulses coherently interacting with resonant medium is discussed. In contrast to the commonly used schemes, here the pulses do not need to overlap in the medium, interaction between the pulses is mediated by excitation of polarization waves. We investigate the details of the dynamics arising in such ultrashort pulse scheme and develop an analytical theory demonstrating the importance of the phase memory effects in the dynamics.
Space division multiplexing chip-to-chip quantum key distribution
Authors: Bacco Davide , Ding Yunhong , Dalgaard Kjeld , Rottwitt Karsten , Oxenløwe Leif Katsuo
Published: September 2017

Quantum cryptography is set to become a key technology for future secure communications. However, to get maximum benefit in communication networks, transmission links will need to be shared among several quantum keys for several independent users. Such links will enable switching in quantum network nodes of the quantum keys to their respective destinations. In this paper we present an experimental demonstration of a photonic integrated silicon chip quantum key distribution protocols based on space division multiplexing (SDM), through multicore fiber technology. Parallel and independent quantum keys are obtained, which are useful in crypto-systems and future quantum network.
Phosphorylation of FE65 at threonine 579 by GSK3β stimulates amyloid precursor protein processing
Authors: Lee Yat Shing , Chow Wan Ning Vanessa , Lau Kwok-Fai
Published: September 2017

Excessive generation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) by aberrant proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a key event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. FE65 is a brain-enriched phospho-adaptor protein that interacts with APP and has been shown to modulate APP processing. However, the mechanism(s) that FE65 alters APP processing is still not fully understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that FE65 is phosphorylated at threonine 579 (T579) by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Moreover, FE65 T579 phosphorylation potentiates γ- and β-secretases-mediated APP processing and Aβ liberation. Additionally, the phosphorylation suppresses FE65 PTB2 intermolecular dimerization but enhances FE65/APP complex formation. Hence, our findings reveal a novel mechanism that GSK3β stimulates amyloidogenic processing of APP by phosphorylation of FE65 at T579.
Regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity of three-component reaction of α-amino acid, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones
Authors: Chen Liang , Sun Jing , Huang Ying , Zhang Yu , Yan Chao-Guo
Published: September 2017

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of active azomethine ylide, which were generated in situ from addition reaction of α-amino acids with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, with 2-arylidene-1,3-indanediones showed versatile regioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. The reaction of sarcosine and glycine afforded one kind of functionalized spiro[indene-2,3′-pyrrolidines]. The other primary α-amino acids such as alanine, phenylalanine and leucine gave another kind of regioisomeric spiro[indene-2,3′-pyrrolidines]. The cyclic α-amino acids resulted in the corresponding spiro[indene-2,2′-pyrrolizines] and [indene-2,6’-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazoles].
Comparison of Solid-Water Partitions of Radiocesium in River Waters in Fukushima and Chernobyl Areas
Authors: Takahashi Yoshio , Fan Qiaohui , Suga Hiroki , Tanaka Kazuya , Sakaguchi Aya , Takeichi Yasuo , Ono Kanta , Mase Kazuhiko , Kato Kenji , Kanivets Vladimir V.
Published: September 2017

Adsorption of radiocesium (RCs) on particulate matters in aquatic environment is important to understand its mobility and bioavailability. We here focused on factors controlling partition of RCs on particulate matters and sediments in Kuchibuto (Fukushima) and Pripyat (Chernobyl) Rivers, though RCs level in water was much smaller than WHO guideline. Moreover, Cs speciation and organic matter-clay mineral interaction were studied: (i) extended X-ray absorption fine structure showed that the contribution of outer-sphere complex of Cs on particulate matters is larger in Chernobyl than in Fukushima and (ii) scanning transmission X-ray microscope revealed larger association of humic substances and clay minerals in Chernobyl partly due to high [Ca2+] in the Pripyat River. Consequently, RCs is more soluble in the Pripyat River due to weaker interaction of RCs with clay minerals caused by the inhibition effect of the adsorbed humic substances. In contrast, particulate matters and sediments in the Kuchibuto River display high adsorption affinity with lesser inhibition effect of adsorbed humic substances. This difference is possibly governed by the geology and soil type of provenances surrounding both catchments (Fukushima: weathered granite; Chernobyl: peat wetland and carbonate platform) which leads to high concentrations of organic matter and Ca2+ in the Pripyat River.
Rapid, cool sintering of wet processed yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramic electrolyte thin films
Authors: Park Jun-Sik , Kim Dug-Joong , Chung Wan-Ho , Lim Yonghyun , Kim Hak-Sung , Kim Young-Beom
Published: September 2017

Here we report a photonic annealing process for yttria-stabilized zirconia films, which are one of the most well-known solid-state electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Precursor films were coated using a wet-chemical method with a simple metal-organic precursor solution and directly annealed at standard pressure and temperature by two cycles of xenon flash lamp irradiation. The residual organics were almost completely decomposed in the first pre-annealing step, and the fluorite crystalline phases and good ionic conductivity were developed during the second annealing step. These films showed properties comparable to those of thermally annealed films. This process is much faster than conventional annealing processes (e.g. halogen furnaces); a few seconds compared to tens of hours, respectively. The significance of this work includes the treatment of solid-state electrolyte oxides for SOFCs and the demonstration of the feasibility of other oxide components for solid-state energy devices.
Hedgehog-Interacting Protein (HIP) Regulates Apoptosis Evasion and Angiogenic Function of Late Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Lee Bom Nae Rin , Son Yeon Sung , Lee Dabin , Choi Young-Jin , Kwon Sang-Mo , Chang Hyun-Kyung , Kim Pyung-Hwan , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: September 2017

Late endothelial progenitor cells (LEPCs) are derived from mononuclear cells (MNCs) and are thought to directly incorporate into blood vessels and differentiate into mature endothelial cells (ECs). Using transcriptome and proteome analysis, we identified distinctive LEPC profiles and found that Hedgehog-interacting protein (HIP) is strongly expressed in LEPCs. Inhibition of HIP by lentiviral knockdown activated canonical hedgehog signaling in LEPCs, while it activated non-canonical hedgehog signaling in ECs. In LEPCs, HIP knockdown induced much enhanced tube formation and resistance to apoptosis under oxidative stress conditions via canonical hedgehog signaling. Although HIP is strongly expressed in proliferating LEPCs, HIP expression is down-regulated during angiogenesis and under oxidative stress condition. Moreover, when LEPCs are treated with angiogenic triggers such as VEGF and FGF2, HIP expression is reduced. Our findings suggest that HIP blocks LEPC angiogenesis and regulate survival when there is no angiogenic stimulation. HIP inhibition in LEPCs enhanced tube formation and reduced apoptosis, resulting in improved angiogenesis.
Normobaric hyperoxia does not improve derangements in diffusion tensor imaging found distant from visible contusions following acute traumatic brain injury
Authors: Veenith Tonny V. , Carter Eleanor L. , Grossac Julia , Newcombe Virginia F. J. , Outtrim Joanne G. , Nallapareddy Sri , Lupson Victoria , Correia Marta M. , Mada Marius M. , Williams Guy B. , Menon David K. , Coles Jonathan P.
Published: September 2017

We have previously shown that normobaric hyperoxia may benefit peri-lesional brain and white matter following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study examined the impact of brief exposure to hyperoxia using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to identify axonal injury distant from contusions. Fourteen patients with acute moderate/severe TBI underwent baseline DTI and following one hour of 80% oxygen. Thirty-two controls underwent DTI, with 6 undergoing imaging following graded exposure to oxygen. Visible lesions were excluded and data compared with controls. We used the 99% prediction interval (PI) for zero change from historical control reproducibility measurements to demonstrate significant change following hyperoxia. Following hyperoxia DTI was unchanged in controls. In patients following hyperoxia, mean diffusivity (MD) was unchanged despite baseline values lower than controls (p < 0.05), and fractional anisotropy (FA) was lower within the left uncinate fasciculus, right caudate and occipital regions (p < 0.05). 16% of white and 14% of mixed cortical and grey matter patient regions showed FA decreases greater than the 99% PI for zero change. The mechanistic basis for some findings are unclear, but suggest that a short period of normobaric hyperoxia is not beneficial in this context. Confirmation following a longer period of hyperoxia is required.
Synthesis of prenylated flavonols and their potents as estrogen receptor modulator
Authors: Tao Zhenru , Liu Juan , Jiang Yueming , Gong Liang , Yang Bao
Published: September 2017

Prenylated flavonols are known as phytoestrogen and have good bioactivties. However, their abundances in nature are pretty low. It is required to find an efficient synthesis technique. Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside with low cost. It can be used to synthesize different prenylated flavonols. A combination of cellulase and trifluoacetic acid hydrolysis could effectively remove rhamnose and glucose from icariin. Icaritin, anhydroicaritin and wushanicaritin were the leading prenylated flavonol products. Their affinities to estrogen receptors α and β were predicted by docking study. The weak affinity of wushanicaritin indicated that prenyl hydroxylation impaired its affinity to estrogen receptor β. The prenyl cyclization led to a loss of affinity to both receptors. The interactions between icaritin and ligand binding cavity of estrogen receptor β were simulated. π-π stacking and hydrophobic forces were predicted to be the dominant interactions positioning icaritin, which induced the helix (H12) forming an activated conformation.
Declining soil Crustacea in a World Heritage Site caused by land nemertean
Authors: Shinobe Shotaro , Uchida Shota , Mori Hideaki , Okochi Isamu , Chiba Satoshi
Published: September 2017

Invasive non-native species are of great concern throughout the world. Potential severity of the impacts of non-native species is assessed for effective conservation managements. However, such risk assessment is often difficult, and underestimating possible harm can cause substantial issues. Here, we document catastrophic decline of a soil ecosystem in the Ogasawara Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to predation by non-native land nemertineGeonemertes pelaensisof which harm has been previously unnoticed. This nemertine is widely distributed in tropical regions, and no study has shown that it feeds on arthropods. However, we experimentally confirmed thatG. pelaensispredates various arthropod groups. Soil fauna of Ogasawara was originally dominated by isopods and amphipods, but our surveys in the southern parts of Hahajima Island showed that these became extremely scarce in the areas invaded byG. pelaensis. Carnivorous arthropods decreased by indirect effects of its predation. Radical decline of soil arthropods since the 1980s on Chichijima Island was also caused byG. pelaensisand was first recorded in 1981. Thus, the soil ecosystem was already seriously damaged in Ogasawara by the nemertine. The present findings raise an issue and limitation in recognizing threats of non-native species.
Development and validation of a risk score (CHANGE) for cognitive impairment after ischemic stroke
Authors: Chander Russell J. , Lam Bonnie Y. K. , Lin Xuling , Ng Aloysius Y. T. , Wong Adrian P. L. , Mok Vincent C. T. , Kandiah Nagaendran
Published: September 2017

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) warrants early detection and management. We sought to develop a risk score for screening patients at bedside for risk of delayed PSCI. Ischemic stroke survivors with PSCI and no cognitive impairments (NCI) 3–6 months post-stroke were studied to identify candidate variables predictive of PSCI. These variables were used to develop a risk score using regression models. The score, and the best identified clinical cutoff point, underwent development, stability testing, and internal and external validation in three independent cohorts from Singapore and Hong Kong. Across 1,088 subjects, the risk score, dubbed CHANGE, had areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) from 0.74 to 0.82 in detecting significant risk for PSCI, and had predicted values following actual prevalence. In validation data 3–6 and 12–18 months post-stroke, subjects with low, medium, and high scores had PSCI prevalence of 7–23%, 25–58%, and 67–82%. CHANGE was effective in screening ischemic stroke survivors for significant risk of developing PSCI up to 18 months post-stroke. CHANGE used readily available and reliable clinical data, and may be useful in identifying at-risk patients for PSCI.
Global nickel anomaly links Siberian Traps eruptions and the latest Permian mass extinction
Authors: Rampino Michael R. , Rodriguez Sedelia , Baransky Eva , Cai Yue
Published: September 2017

Anomalous peaks of nickel abundance have been reported in Permian-Triassic boundary sections in China, Israel, Eastern Europe, Spitzbergen, and the Austrian Carnic Alps. New solution ICP-MS results of enhanced nickel from P-T boundary sections in Hungary, Japan, and Spiti, India suggest that the nickel anomalies at the end of the Permian were a worldwide phenomenon. We propose that the source of the nickel anomalies at the P-T boundary were Ni-rich volatiles released by the Siberian volcanism, and by coeval Ni-rich magma intrusions. The peaks in nickel abundance correlate with negative δ13C and δ18O anomalies, suggesting that explosive reactions between magma and coal during the Siberian flood-basalt eruptions released large amounts of CO2 and CH4 into the atmosphere, causing severe global warming and subsequent mass extinction. The nickel anomalies may provide a timeline in P-T boundary sections, and the timing of the peaks supports the Siberian Traps as a contributor to the latest Permian mass extinction.
Apontic directly activates hedgehog and cyclin E for proper organ growth and patterning
Authors: Wang Xian-Feng , Shen Yang , Cheng Qian , Fu Chong-Lei , Zhou Zi-Zhang , Hirose Susumu , Liu Qing-Xin
Published: September 2017

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway and Cyclin E are key players in cell proliferation and organ development. Hyperactivation of hh and cyclin E has been linked to several types of cancer. However, coordination of the expression of hh and cyclin E was not well understood. Here we show that an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor Apontic (Apt) directly activates hh and cyclin E through its binding site in the promoter regions of hh and cyclin E. This Apt-dependent proper expression of hh and cyclin E is required for cell proliferation and development of the Drosophila wing. Furthermore, Fibrinogen silencer-binding protein (FSBP), a mammalian homolog of Apt, also positively regulates Sonic hh (Shh), Desert hh (Dhh), Cyclin E1 (CCNE1) and Cyclin E2 (CCNE2) in cultured human cells, suggesting evolutionary conservation of the mechanism. Apt-mediated expression of hh and cyclin E can direct proliferation of Hh-expressing cells and simultaneous growth, patterning and differentiation of Hh-recipient cells. The discovery of the simultaneous expression of Hh and principal cell-cycle regulator Cyclin E by Apt implicates insight into the mechanism by which deregulated hh and cyclin E promotes tumor formation.
Zfp296 negatively regulates H3K9 methylation in embryonic development as a component of heterochromatin
Authors: Matsuura Takumi , Miyazaki Satsuki , Miyazaki Tatsushi , Tashiro Fumi , Miyazaki Jun-ichi
Published: September 2017

The Cys2/His2-type zinc finger protein Zfp296 has been implicated in stem cell pluripotency and tumor pathogenesis. However, its mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that a Zfp296 deficiency in mice impairs germ-cell development and embryonic growth. Zfp296 was intracellularly localized to heterochromatin in embryos. A GST-Zfp296 pull-down experiment using ES cell nuclear extract followed by LC-MS/MS showed that Zfp296 interacts with component proteins of heterochromatin (such as HP1, Dnmt1, Dnmt3b, and ATRX) and the NuRD complex. We focused on H3K9 methylation as a hallmark of heterochromatin, and found that Zfp296 overexpression in cultured cells reduces the Suv39h1-mediated H3K9 methylation. Consistent with this finding, in Zfp296−/− mouse embryos, we observed a global increase in H3K9 methylation in a developmental stage-dependent manner, and showed, by ChIP-qPCR, that the H3K9me3 levels at major satellite repeats were elevated in Zfp296−/− embryos. Our results demonstrate that Zfp296 is a component of heterochromatin that affects embryonic development by negatively regulating H3K9 methylation.
Whole genome sequencing-based association study to unravel genetic architecture of cooked grain width and length traits in rice
Authors: Misra Gopal , Badoni Saurabh , Anacleto Roslen , Graner Andreas , Alexandrov Nickolai , Sreenivasulu Nese
Published: September 2017

In this study, we used 2.9 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and 393,429 indels derived from whole genome sequences of 591 rice landraces to determine the genetic basis of cooked and raw grain length, width and shape using genome-wide association study (GWAS). We identified a unique fine-mapped genetic region GWi7.1 significantly associated with cooked and raw grain width. Additionally, GWi7.2 that harbors GL7/GW7 a cloned gene for grain dimension was found. Novel regions in chromosomes 10 and 11 were also found to be associated with cooked grain shape and raw grain width, respectively. The indel-based GWAS identified fine-mapped genetic regions GL3.1 and GWi5.1 that matched synteny breakpoints between indica and japonica. GL3.1 was positioned a few kilobases away from GS3, a cloned gene for cooked and raw grain lengths in indica. GWi5.1 found to be significantly associated with cooked and raw grain width. It anchors upstream of cloned gene GW5, which varied between indica and japonica accessions. GWi11.1 is present inside the 3′-UTR of a functional gene in indica that corresponds to a syntenic break in chromosome 11 of japonica. Our results identified novel allelic structural variants and haplotypes confirmed using single locus and multilocus SNP and indel-based GWAS.