bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mammalian cell growth dynamics in mitosis
Authors: Miettinen Teemu P , Kang Joon Ho , Yang Lucy F , Manalis Scott R
Published: May 2019

The extent and dynamics of animal cell biomass accumulation during mitosis are unknown, primarily because growth has not been quantified with sufficient precision and temporal resolution. Using the suspended microchannel resonator and protein synthesis assays, we quantify mass accumulation and translation rates between mitotic stages on a single-cell level. For various animal cell types, growth rates in prophase are commensurate with or higher than interphase growth rates. Growth is only stopped as cells approach metaphase-to-anaphase transition and growth resumes in late cytokinesis. Mitotic arrests stop growth independently of arresting mechanism. For mouse lymphoblast cells, growth in prophase is promoted by CDK1 through increased phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and cap-dependent protein synthesis. Inhibition of CDK1-driven mitotic translation reduces daughter cell growth. Overall, our measurements counter the traditional dogma that growth during mitosis is negligible and provide insight into antimitotic cancer chemotherapies.
CNS myelination and remyelination depend on fatty acid synthesis by oligodendrocytes
Authors: Dimas Penelope , Montani Laura , Pereira Jorge A , Moreno Daniel , Trötzmüller Martin , Gerber Joanne , Semenkovich Clay F , Köfeler Harald C , Suter Ueli
Published: May 2019

Oligodendrocytes (OLs) support neurons and signal transmission in the central nervous system (CNS) by enwrapping axons with myelin, a lipid-rich membrane structure. We addressed the significance of fatty acid (FA) synthesis in OLs by depleting FA synthase (FASN) from OL progenitor cells (OPCs) in transgenic mice. While we detected no effects in proliferation and differentiation along the postnatal OL lineage, we found that FASN is essential for accurate myelination, including myelin growth. Increasing dietary lipid intake could partially compensate for the FASN deficiency. Furthermore, FASN contributes to correct myelin lipid composition and stability of myelinated axons. Moreover, we depleted FASN specifically in adult OPCs to examine its relevance for remyelination. Applying lysolecithin-induced focal demyelinating spinal cord lesions, we found that FA synthesis is essential to sustain adult OPC-derived OLs and efficient remyelination. We conclude that FA synthesis in OLs plays key roles in CNS myelination and remyelination.
'Palaeoshellomics’ reveals the use of freshwater mother-of-pearl in prehistory
Authors: Sakalauskaite Jorune , Andersen Søren H , Biagi Paolo , Borrello Maria A , Cocquerez Théophile , Colonese André Carlo , Dal Bello Federica , Girod Alberto , Heumüller Marion , Koon Hannah , Mandili Giorgia , Medana Claudio , Penkman Kirsty EH , Plasseraud Laurent , Schlichtherle Helmut , Taylor Sheila , Tokarski Caroline , Thomas Jérôme , Wilson Julie , Marin Frédéric , Demarchi Beatrice
Published: May 2019

The extensive use of mollusc shell as a versatile raw material is testament to its importance in prehistoric times. The consistent choice of certain species for different purposes, including the making of ornaments, is a direct representation of how humans viewed and exploited their environment. The necessary taxonomic information, however, is often impossible to obtain from objects that are small, heavily worked or degraded. Here we propose a novel biogeochemical approach to track the biological origin of prehistoric mollusc shell. We conducted an in-depth study of archaeological ornaments using microstructural, geochemical and biomolecular analyses, including ‘palaeoshellomics’, the first application of palaeoproteomics to mollusc shells (and indeed to any invertebrate calcified tissue). We reveal the consistent use of locally-sourced freshwater mother-of-pearl for the standardized manufacture of ‘double-buttons’. This craft is found throughout Europe between 4200–3800 BCE, highlighting the ornament-makers’ profound knowledge of the biogeosphere and the existence of cross-cultural traditions.
Planning during pregnancy
Authors: Kuehn Bridget M
Published: May 2019

Colleagues, funders and institutions can support pregnant researchers in a variety of ways.
Ação de herbicidas pré-emergentes no estabelecimento inicial de plântulas de espécies nativas do Cerrado
Authors: De Marchi Sidnei Roberto , Marques Ricardo Fagundes , Araújo Prissila Pereira dos Santos , Marques Anney Silva , De Souza Rodrigo Marques
Published: May 2019

A dificuldade de controle das plantas daninhas tem sido considerada como um dos principais entraves ao sucesso dos projetos de recuperação da vegetação em áreas degradadas. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes herbicidas pré-emergentes sobre a emergência, sobrevivência e desenvolvimento inicial de plantas das espécies nativas amendoim bravo (Platypodium elegans), mutamba (Guazuma ulmifolia), carobinha (Jacaranda micrantha) e angico cuiabano (Anadenanthera colubrina). O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação no delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pela aplicação em pré-emergência dos seguintes herbicidas e doses: isoxaflutole (75, 150 e 300 g i.a. ha-1), pendimenthalin (500, 1000 e 2000 g i.a. ha-1), trifluralin (600, 1200 e 2400 g i.a. ha-1) e uma testemunha padrão sem a aplicação de herbicidas. O efeito dos herbicidas foi avaliado quanto ao número de plântulas emergidas, número de folhas por plântula, altura de plântulas, diâmetro de plântulas na altura do coleto e matéria seca de raiz e folhas aos 35 dias após a germinação. Com os resultados obtidos foi possível afirmar que todos os herbicidas e doses utilizadas não prejudicaram a emergência e o desenvolvimento inicial das espécies P. elegans e J. micrantha. As doses de 150 e 300 g i.a. ha-1 do herbicida isoxaflutole foram não seletivas para a espécie arbórea G. ulmifolia. Apenas a dose de 600 g i.a. ha-1 do herbicida trifluralin apresentou seletividade para a espécie A. colubrina.
Nigeria Rice Output Forecast: Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Approach
Authors: Umar H. S. , Girei A. A. , Aliyu O. A.
Published: May 2019

Nigeria has implemented various policies and programs aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency in rice production since 1970. The trade policy instruments employed included tariffs, quotas, subsidies,  import restrictions and outright ban on rice import at various times. All these policies failed to bridge ever increasing demand-supply deficit in rice production. However, there is considerable potential for expansion of rice production in the five rice-growing ecosystems in Nigeria in order to attain self-sufficiency. The current government has again placed a total ban on the importation of rice with the target of attaining self- sufficiency in rice production by 2020. Given the current production level, this study intended to forecast the rice output from 2018 to 2025 so as to ascertain the likelihood of attaining the self-sufficiency level within the target period, and also to describe trends in rice output from 1980-2016. The study was based on annual time series data collected on national rice output from 1980 to 2016. Descriptive statistics and ARIMA (111) model were used to analyze data collected. Results shows that on the average, national rice output maintain a steady increase of 69% per decade from 1980 to 2016, with the peak of 93% increase recorded within the years 2000- 2009. Given the current production environment, the national paddy-rice output was projected to reach 7.4 million tonnes (equivalent of 4.9 million tonnes of milled-rice) by the year 2020. This is short of 6 million tonnes of milled-rice target. However, the projected result also show that self-sufficiency level of 6 million tonnes of milled rice (about 10 million tonnes of paddy-rice) could only be attainable by the year 2025. It is recommended that until 2025 when the country was projected to attain self-sufficiency in rice production, effort should be geared towards bridging demand –supply gap by ensuring strict quota policy of rice import. This would eliminate price increase associated with disequilibrium in demand –supply of rice commodity in the market.
Demography of an endangered, long‐lived fish: Informing management options in the face of cyclic and stochastic climate variation
Authors: Belk Mark C. , Tuckfield R. Cary
Published: May 2019

June sucker (Chasmistes liorus) is a long‐lived, endangered fish endemic to Utah Lake, Utah. For several decades June sucker have failed to recruit sufficient numbers to the adult size classes such that the current wild population consists of a small number of old adults and it continues to decline. Vital rates of June sucker are influenced by climate‐driven variation in lake level and inflow from the Provo River. We used population projection matrix modeling to assess effects of cyclic and stochastic environmental variation on population growth trajectories of June sucker in Utah Lake. The stable stage distribution is dominated by stage 1 individuals (93% of the total population) in contrast to the current situation where old age classes are the most abundant. Total population size is highly influenced by the stochastic component of climate variation; whereas, the adult population of June sucker closely tracks the systematic drought cycle. If changes in survival of larvae and juveniles can be coordinated such that positive changes in both parameters can occur somewhat simultaneously, then each parameter would only have to be increased by a factor of about 8.8 to achieve sustainable population growth (compared to a 77‐fold increase for each parameter separately). Stochastic climatic variation has relatively little long‐term effect on population growth. However, the multidecadal cyclic pattern of lake level and river discharge imposes a similar pattern on population growth rates of the June sucker, such that during some periods, populations decline even when the long‐term trend is positive.
Experimental verification of a tuned mass damper system with two‐phase support mechanism
Authors: Sone Takayuki , Ogino Kazuomi , Kamoshita Naoto , Muto Kei , Ide Yutaka , Murata Koji , Hamaguchi Hiroki , Yamamoto Masashi
Published: May 2019

The study involved proposing a tuned mass damper (TMD) system with a novel mechanism for supporting the mass, which is called the two‐phase support (TPS) mechanism. The system can make the configuration of a TMD compact with low frictional characteristics; the TMD can operate effectively during not only earthquakes, but also strong winds in the interior of an existing building. The TPS mechanism consists of multi‐stage rubber bearings (MRBs) and linear motion bearings (LMBs). Each LMB is equipped with a vertical clearance of a few millimeters in its block portion. LMBs do not support the mass under small deformations of the MRBs so that the TMD can achieve low friction. Conversely, LMBs support the mass under large deformations of the MRBs, hence slender MRBs do not buckle and function as horizontal springs. We describe two types of experiments, namely experiments using a small specimen and tests using an actual TMD with a large mass of 7000 kN. We verified that the slender MRBs functioned without buckling and stably as restoring springs through the TPS mechanism even when large deformations occurred. Furthermore, we confirmed that the frictional and dynamic characteristics of the TMD agreed with the desired ones.
Zinc‐Tiered Synthesis of 3D Graphene for Monolithic Electrodes
Authors: Jiang Xiang‐Fen , Li Ruiqing , Hu Ming , Hu Zheng , Golberg Dmitri , Bando Yoshio , Wang Xue‐Bin
Published: May 2019

A high‐surface‐area conductive cellular carbon monolith is highly desired as the optimal electrode for achieving high energy, power, and lifetime in electrochemical energy storage. 3D graphene can be regarded as a first‐ranking member of cellular carbons with the pore‐wall thickness down to mono/few‐atomic layers. Current 3D graphenes, derived from either gelation or pyrolysis routes, still suffer from low surface area, conductivity, stability, and/or yield, being subjected to methodological inadequacies including patchy assembly, wet processing, and weak controllability. Herein, a strategy of zinc‐assisted solid‐state pyrolysis to produce a superior 3D graphene is established. Zinc unprecedentedly impregnates and delaminates a solid (“nonhollow”) char into multiple membranes, which eliminates the morphological impurities ever‐present in the previous pyrolyses using solid‐state carbon precursors. Zinc also catalyzes the carbonization and graphitization, and its in situ thermal extraction and recycling enables the scaled‐up production. The created 3D graphene network consists integrally of morphologically and chemically pure graphene membranes. It possesses unrivaled surface area, outstanding stability, and conductivity both in air and electrolyte, exceeding preexisting 3D graphenes. The advanced 3D graphene thus equips a porous monolithic electrode with unparalleled energy density, power density, and lifetime in electric‐double‐layer capacitive devices.
Accumulation of rare coding variants in genes implicated in risk of human cleft lip with or without cleft palate
Authors: Marini Nicholas J. , Asrani Kripa , Yang Wei , Rine Jasper , Shaw Gary M.
Published: May 2019

Cleft lip with/without cleft palate (CLP) is a common craniofacial malformation with complex etiologies, reflecting both genetic and environmental factors. Most of the suspected genetic risk for CLP has yet to be identified. To further classify risk loci and estimate the contribution of rare variants, we sequenced the exons in 49 candidate genes in 323 CLP cases and 211 nonmalformed controls. Our findings indicated that rare, protein‐altering variants displayed markedly higher burdens in CLP cases at relevant loci. First, putative loss‐of‐function mutations (nonsense, frameshift) were significantly enriched among cases: 13 of 323 cases (~4%) harbored such alleles within these 49 genes, versus one such change in controls (p = 0.01). Second, in gene‐level analyses, the burden of rare alleles showed greater case‐association for several genes previously implicated in cleft risk. For example, BHMT displayed a 10‐fold increase in protein‐altering variants in CLP cases (p = .03), including multiple case occurrences of a rare frameshift mutation (K400 fs). Other loci with greater rare, coding allele burdens in cases were in signaling pathways relevant to craniofacial development (WNT9B, BMP4, BMPR1B) as well as the methionine cycle (MTRR). We conclude that rare coding variants may confer risk for isolated CLP.
Mechanisms investigation of the WGSR catalyzed by single noble metal atoms supported on vanadium oxide clusters
Authors: Hao Zijun , Guo Sibei , Guo Ling
Published: May 2019

The redox and carbonyl mechanisms of the water gas shift reaction (WGSR) catalyzed by the single noble metal (NM) atoms of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag (from the 4d row) and Os, Ir, Pt, Au (from the 5d row) supported on vanadium oxide cluster ion V2O6+ have been firstly investigated through the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Natural population analysis (NPA) shows NMs possess positive charges in the model systems and usually act as reactant molecule trapper and an effective electron store to accept or release electrons. The carbonyl mechanism avoiding the oxygen vacancy (Ov) formation and directing NM‐H bond cleavage is strongly preferred over the redox mechanism. Our computations identified single‐atom catalysts (SAC), especially RhV2O6+ and PdV2O6+ exhibit improved overall catalytic performance because of the lower rate‐control step activation barriers via the associate carbonyl mechanism. This work aims to provide some detailed insights into the effects of NM in bimetallic oxide clusters for WGSR at a molecular level, and serves as a starting point for further theoretical studies on the mechanisms of related SAC catalytic reactions.
Preparation and characterization of amphoteric cellulose–montmorillonite composite beads with a controllable porous structure
Authors: Xie Hualei , Pan Yuanfeng , Xiao Huining , Liu Haiyan
Published: May 2019

Conventional amphoteric and porous materials are often synthetic and polymer based; this tends to raise environmental concerns because of their poor biodegradability. To address this issue, novel natural‐polymer‐ or amphoteric‐modified cellulose and MOt (ACeOMt) composite beads with a typical mesoporous structure were developed in this study. These green‐based porous beads, consisting of regenerated bagasse cellulose and oxalic acid modified montmorillonite (OMt), were successfully prepared by a facile coagulation method with fine calcium carbonate as a pore‐forming agent. The beads with the best sphericity were obtained at a 1:1 weight ratio of cellulose to OMt. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed that ACeOMt possessed a smooth surface with abundant macropores. X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis characterizations demonstrated the success of the modification of montmorillonite and cellulose. The results of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicate the presence of a typical mesoporous structure in the composite with a relatively high specific surface area. The resulting ACeOMt are expected to be biodegradable, nonhazardous, and applicable for various uses, including adsorption, chromatography, and soil remediation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47941.
Next‐Generation Additive Manufacturing: Tailorable Graphene/Polylactic(acid) Filaments Allow the Fabrication of 3D Printable Porous Anodes for Utilisation within Lithium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Foster Christopher W. , Zou Guo‐Qiang , Jiang Yunling , Down Michael P. , Liauw Christopher M. , Garcia‐Miranda Ferrari Alejandro , Ji Xiaobo , Smith Graham C. , Kelly Peter J. , Banks Craig E.
Published: May 2019

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Prof. Banks. The cover picture illustrates the future of 3D‐printing/additive manufacturing for battery storage systems. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/batt.201800148.
“Locked” cancer cells are more sensitive to chemotherapy
Authors: Lyu Yaqi , Xiao Qingqing , Li Yi , Wu Yubing , He Wei , Yin Lifang
Published: May 2019

The treatment of metastatic cancer is a great challenging issue throughout the world. Conventional chemotherapy can kill the cancer cells and, whereas, would exacerbate the metastasis and induce drug resistance. Here, a new combinatorial treatment strategy of metastatic cancer was probed via subsequentially dosing dual nanomedicines, marimastat‐loaded thermosensitive liposomes (MATT‐LTSLs) and paclitaxel nanocrystals (PTX‐Ns), via intravenous and intratumoral injection. First, the metastasis was blocked and cancer cells were locked in the tumor microenvironment (TME) by delivering the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, MATT, to the tumor with LTSLs, downregulating the MMPs by threefold and reducing the degradation of the extracellular matrix. And then, the “locked” cancer cells were efficiently killed via intratumoral injection of the other cytotoxic nanomedicine, PTX‐Ns, along with no metastasis and 100% inhibition of tumor growth. This work highlights the importance of the TME's integrity in the chemotherapy duration. We believe this is a generalized strategy for cancer treatment and has potential guidance for the clinical administration.
Diethyl‐Ether Flower Washings of Dianthus cruentusGriseb. (Caryophyllaceae): Derivatization Reactions Leading to the Identification of New Wax Constituents
Authors: Dekić Biljana R. , Ristić Milenko N. , Mladenović Marko Z. , Dekić Vidoslav S. , Ristić Novica R. , Ranđelović Vladimir , Radulović Niko S.
Published: May 2019

Some carnation species (Dianthus spp., Caryophyllaceae) exhibit a strong resistance to drought stress that is connected with the increased surface wax formation. Wax composition is unknown for the majority of Dianthus spp. Herein, mass spectral and gas chromatographic data, in combination with synthesis and chemical transformations (transesterification and synthesis of dimethyl disulfide adducts), enabled the identification of 151 constituents of diethyl‐ether washings of fresh flowers of Dianthus cruentus Griseb. from Serbia. The flower wax contained, along with the dominant ubiquitous long‐chain n‐alkanes, homologous series of n‐ and branched (iso‐ and anteiso‐) long‐chain hexyl alkanoates/alkenoates and alkyl/alkenyl benzoates. The branching position in the mentioned hexyl esters was probed by synthesis of esters of three isomeric hexanols that were spectrally characterized (1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, IR, MS). The washings also contained long‐chain (Z)‐ and (E)‐alkenes (C23−C35) with several different double bond regiochemistries. Fifty‐five of these constituents (eight hexyl esters, two benzoates, and forty‐five alkenes) were detected for the first time in Plantae, while ten of these represent completely new compounds. The rare occurrence of these wax constituents makes them possible chemotaxonomic markers of this particular Dianthus sp.
Assessment of reattempted percutaneous coronary intervention strategy for chronic total occlusion after prior failed procedures: Analysis of the Japanese CTO‐PCI Expert Registry
Authors: Sekiguchi Makoto , Muramatsu Toshiya , Kishi Koichi , Muto Makoto , Oikawa Yuji , Kawasaki Tomohiro , Fujita Tsutomu , Hamazaki Yuji , Okada Hisayuki , Tsuchikane Etsuo
Published: May 2019

Objectives

We aimed to investigate strategies for reattempted percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs) by highly skilled operators after a failed attempt.

Background

Development of complex techniques and algorithms has been standardized for CTO‐PCI. However, there is no appropriate strategy for CTO‐PCI after a failed procedure.

Method

From 2014 to 2016, the Japanese CTO‐PCI Expert Registry included 4,053 consecutive CTO‐PCIs (mean age: 66.8 ± 10.9 years; male: 85.6%; Japanese CTO [J‐CTO] score: 1.92 ± 1.15). Initial outcomes and strategies for reattempted CTO‐PCIs were evaluated and compared with first‐attempt CTO‐PCIs.

Results

Reattempt CTO‐PCIs were performed in 820 (20.2%) lesions. The mean J‐CTO score of reattempt CTO‐PCIs was higher than that of first‐attempt CTO‐PCIs (2.86 ± 1.03 vs. 1.68 ± 1.05, p < .001). The technical success rate of reattempt CTO‐PCIs was lower than that of first‐attempt CTO‐PCIs (86.7% vs. 90.8%, p < .001). Regarding successful CTO‐PCIs, the strategies comprised antegrade alone (reattempt: 36.1%, first attempt: 63.8%), bidirectional approach (reattempt: 54.4%, first attempt: 30.3%), and antegrade approach following a failed bidirectional approach (reattempt: 9.4%, first attempt: 5.4%). Parallel wire technique, intravascular ultrasound guide crossing, and bidirectional approach technique were frequently performed in reattempt CTO‐PCIs. Reattempt CTO‐PCIs showed higher rates of myocardial infarction (2.1% vs. 0.9%, p < .001) and coronary perforation (6.9% vs. 4.2%, p = .002) than first‐attempt CTO‐PCIs.

Conclusions

The technical success rate of reattempt CTO‐PCIs is lower than that of first‐attempt CTO‐PCIs. However, using more complex strategies, the success rate of reattempt CTO‐PCI can be improved by highly skilled operators.
Seed treatments affect milling properties and flour quality of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Carter Claudia E. , Manthey Frank A.
Published: May 2019

Background and objectives

Black bean seed contains antinutritional factors that can be reduced or eliminated by seed treatments such as soaking and cooking. This study was carried out to determine the effect of cooked‐dried (cooking for 5–20 min; dried 50°C) and soaked‐dried (soaking for 6–24 hr; dried 50°C) treatments on the physical, milling, and flour qualities of black beans.

Findings

Feed rate was reduced up to 31% and 25% by cooked‐dried and soaked‐dried treatments, respectively. The decline in feed rate was attributed to increased seed size and decreased seed weight caused by cooked‐dried or soaked‐dried processes. Force needed to fracture the black bean seed decreased for both cooked‐dried and soaked‐dried seeds as treatment time increased. Fine‐particle flour yield declined with seed treatment. Cooked‐dried treatment was found to have the greatest impact on starch damage. However, cooking and soaking had little or no effect on total starch, protein, and ash contents.

Conclusions

Cooked‐dried and soaked‐dried treatments affected the size, weight, and fracture force of black bean seeds which subsequently affected milling and flour properties.

Significance and novelty

Limited research has been published, concerning the effect of cooking and soaking pretreatments on milling quality of black beans. Cooked‐dried and soaked‐dried pretreatments caused physical change in grain that must be considered when milling black beans into flour.
A Seedless Method for Gold Nanoparticle Growth inside a Silica Matrix: Fabrication of Materials Capable of Third‐Harmonic Generation in the Near‐Infrared
Authors: Kalwarczyk Ewelina , Kabaciński Piotr , Kardaś Tomasz M. , Górecka Ewa , Bilski Henryk , Fiałkowski Marcin
Published: May 2019

A composite in which gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) approximately 10 nm in size are embedded in amorphous transparent silica matrix has been produced. The synthetic protocol uses HAuCl4 as the Au ion source, tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the SiO2 precursor, and l‐ascorbic acid (AA) as the reducing agent. AA is employed before the sol‐gel process in an amount sufficient only for reduction of Au3+ ions to Au+. By using a cationic surfactant, benzylcetyldimethylammonium chloride hydrate (BDAC) and/or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the Au+ ions are encapsulated within metalomicelles, which prevents them from being reduced to Au0 and enables their homogeneous distribution in the gel. Reduction of Au+ to Au0 and the growth of the AuNPs occurs at room temperature during the gelation, and arises from the release of EtOH during the hydrolysis of TEOS. The composites contain 0.027 wt % of Au. They exhibit nonlinear optical behavior characterized by the third‐order nonlinear refraction index, n2, in the range 3.6–5.7×10−16 cm2 W−1 at λ=1.030 μm. The composites are capable of effective third‐harmonic generation of ultrashort near‐IR (210 fs, 1.030 μm) laser pulse through a direct third‐order mechanism.
All‐Solution‐Processed Red and Orange‐Red Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes with High‐Efficiencies: The Effect of Mixed‐Host Emissive Layers and Thermal Annealing Treatment
Authors: Chang Yu‐Fan , Yang Lan‐Sheng , Su Hsiao‐Tso , Liao Si‐Yi , Niu Mu‐Chun , Mahesh K. P. O. , Chen Chao‐Hsuan , Chao Yu‐Chiang , Meng Hsin‐Fei , Huang Heh‐Lung , Chao Teng‐Chih , Tseng Meu‐Rurng , Luo Chih‐Wei , Zan Hsiao‐Wen , Horng Sheng‐Fu
Published: May 2019

The instability of the organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) during operation can be attributed to the existence of point defects on the organic layers. In this work, the effect of mixed‐host emissive layer and the thermal annealing treatment were investigated to eliminate defects and to boost the device performance. The mixed‐host system includes 4,4′,4′′‐tri (9‐carbazoyl) triphenylamine (TCTA) and 2,7‐bis(diphenylphosphoryl)‐9, 9′‐spirobi[fluorene] (SPPO13). The mixed‐host emissive layer with thermal annealing treatment showed low roughness and few pinholes, and the devices fabricated from this emissive layer exhibited high efficiencies, high stabilities, and long lifetimes. The red and orange‐red OLEDs exhibited efficiencies of 13.9 cd/A and 24.35 cd/A, respectively. The longest half‐lifetime (L0=500 cd/m2) of the red and orange‐red OLEDs were 158 h and 180 h, respectively. Efforts were made to solve problems in large‐area coating and to reduce the number of defects on in organic layer. Large‐active‐area (active area=3 cm×4 cm) red phosphorescent OLEDs (PhOLEDs) devices were realized with very high current efficiency up to 9 cd/A.
Healthy User Bias in Comparative Safety Studies for Brand‐Name vs. Generic Products: The Example of Warfarin
Authors: Bird Steven T. , Flowers Natasha , Zhao Yueqin , McKean Stephen , Izem Rima , Wernecke Michael , Kozlowski Steven , MaCurdy Thomas E. , Kelman Jeffrey A. , Graham David J.
Published: May 2019

Warfarin was selected as a case study to examine confounding when comparing a product across different manufacturers because it is a narrow therapeutic index drug with prevalent beliefs for brand‐name superiority. Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥65 years with atrial fibrillation and an incident outpatient warfarin prescription from July 2006 through July 2015 were included in the study population (N = 746,098). Substantial imbalances were observed between brand‐name warfarin and generics for (i) clinical comorbidity, (ii) socioeconomic status, (iii) prescriber specialty, (iv) recent ambulatory and emergent care, (v) drug adherence, (vi) pharmacy setting (e.g., retail, mail‐order), and (vii) risk scores for bleeding and thrombosis. Patients receiving brand‐name warfarin were healthier than patients receiving generic manufactured warfarin. Utilization of generic warfarin products also differed by geographic region and pharmacy setting. Manufacturer‐level comparative‐safety studies for causal inference should carefully consider the presence of these imbalances and their potential for introducing healthy user bias.
Responses of biomass allocation across two vegetation types to climate fluctuations in the northern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Dai Licong , Ke Xun , Guo Xiaowei , Du Yangong , Zhang Fawei , Li Yikang , Li Qian , Lin Li , Peng Cuoji , Shu Kai , Cao Guangmin
Published: May 2019

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is particularly sensitive to global climate change, especially to elevated temperatures, when compared with other ecosystems. However, few studies use long‐term field measurements to explore the interannual variations in plant biomass under climate fluctuations. Here, we examine the interannual variations of plant biomass within two vegetation types (alpine meadow and alpine shrub) during 2008–2017 and their relationships with climate variables. The following results were obtained. The aboveground biomass (AGB) and belowground biomass (BGB) response differently to climate fluctuations, the AGB in KPM was dominated by mean annual precipitation (MAP), whereas the AGB in PFS was controlled by mean annual air temperature (MAT). However, the BGB of both KPM and PFS was only weakly affected by climate variables, suggesting that the BGB in alpine ecosystems may remain as a stable carbon stock even under future global climate change. Furthermore, the AGB in PFS was significantly higher than KPM, while the BGB and R/S in KPM were significantly higher than PFS, reflecting the KPM be more likely to allocate more photosynthates to roots. Interestingly, the proportion of 0–10 cm root biomass increased in KPM and PFS, whereas the other proportions both decreased, reflecting a shift in biomass toward the surface layer. Our results could provide a new sight for the prediction how alpine ecosystem response to future climate change.
Amplicon sequencing of 42 nuclear loci supports directional gene flow between South Pacific populations of a hydrothermal vent limpet
Authors: Plouviez Sophie , LaBella Abigail Leavitt , Weisrock David W. , von Meijenfeldt F. A. Bastiaan , Ball Bernard , Neigel Joseph E. , Van Dover Cindy L.
Published: May 2019

In the past few decades, population genetics and phylogeographic studies have improved our knowledge of connectivity and population demography in marine environments. Studies of deep‐sea hydrothermal vent populations have identified barriers to gene flow, hybrid zones, and demographic events, such as historical population expansions and contractions. These deep‐sea studies, however, used few loci, which limit the amount of information they provided for coalescent analysis and thus our ability to confidently test complex population dynamics scenarios.

In this study, we investigated population structure, demographic history, and gene flow directionality among four Western Pacific hydrothermal vent populations of the vent limpet Lepetodrilus aff. schrolli. These vent sites are located in the Manus and Lau back‐arc basins, currently of great interest for deep‐sea mineral extraction. A total of 42 loci were sequenced from each individual using high‐throughput amplicon sequencing. Amplicon sequences were analyzed using both genetic variant clustering methods and evolutionary coalescent approaches. Like most previously investigated vent species in the South Pacific, L. aff. schrolli showed no genetic structure within basins but significant differentiation between basins. We inferred significant directional gene flow from Manus Basin to Lau Basin, with low to no gene flow in the opposite direction. This study is one of the very few marine population studies using >10 loci for coalescent analysis and serves as a guide for future marine population studies.
Joint species distribution models with species correlations and imperfect detection
Authors: Tobler Mathias W. , Kéry Marc , Hui Francis K. C. , Guillera‐Arroita Gurutzeta , Knaus Peter , Sattler Thomas
Published: May 2019

Spatiotemporal patterns in biological communities are typically driven by environmental factors and species interactions. Spatial data from communities are naturally described by stacking models for all species in the community. Two important considerations in such multispecies or joint species distribution models (JSDMs) are measurement errors and correlations between species. Up to now, virtually all JSDMs have included either one or the other, but not both features simultaneously, even though both measurement errors and species correlations may be essential for achieving unbiased inferences about the distribution of communities and species co‐occurrence patterns. We developed two presence–absence JSDMs for modeling pairwise species correlations while accommodating imperfect detection: one using a latent variable and the other using a multivariate probit approach. We conducted three simulation studies to assess the performance of our new models and to compare them to earlier latent variable JSDMs that did not consider imperfect detection. We illustrate our models with a large Atlas data set of 62 passerine bird species in Switzerland. Under a wide range of conditions, our new latent variable JSDM with imperfect detection and species correlations yielded estimates with little or no bias for occupancy, occupancy regression coefficients, and the species correlation matrix. In contrast, with the multivariate probit model we saw convergence issues with large data sets (many species and sites) resulting in very long run times and larger errors. A latent variable model that ignores imperfect detection produced correlation estimates that were consistently negatively biased, that is, underestimated. We found that the number of latent variables required to represent the species correlation matrix adequately may be much greater than previously suggested, namely around n/2, where n is community size. The analysis of the Swiss passerine data set exemplifies how not accounting for imperfect detection will lead to negative bias in occupancy estimates and to attenuation in the estimated covariate coefficients in a JSDM. Furthermore, spatial heterogeneity in detection may cause spurious patterns in the estimated species correlation matrix if not accounted for. Our new JSDMs represent an important extension of current approaches to community modeling to the common case where species presence–absence cannot be detected with certainty.
Connecting plant–soil feedbacks to long‐term stability in a desert grassland
Authors: Chung Y. Anny , Collins Scott L. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: May 2019

Temporal fluctuations in plant species coexistence are key to understanding ecosystem state transitions and long‐term maintenance of species diversity. Although plant microbiomes can alter plant competition in short‐term experiments, their relevance to natural temporal patterns in plant communities is unresolved. In a semiarid grassland, the frequency and magnitude of change in plant species composition through time varied from relatively static to highly dynamic among patches across the landscape. We field tested whether these alternative successional trajectories correlated with alternative plant–soil interactions. In temporally stable patches, we found negative plant–soil feedbacks, where plants grew worse with conspecific than heterospecific soil biota—a mechanism that maintains stability in mathematical models. In contrast, feedbacks in temporally dynamic patches were neutral to positive. Importantly, the magnitude of feedbacks depended on plant frequency, enabling plant species to increase in cover when rare, which theory predicts will promote long‐term, stable coexistence. Although our study does not determine the direction of causality, our results reveal a novel link between plant—microbe interactions and temporal stability of plant species coexistence and help to explain 20+ yr of plant abundance dynamics at the patch‐to‐landscape scales.
Multivariate Analyses and Human Health Assessments of Heavy Metals for Surface Water Quality in the Xiangjiang River Basin, China
Authors: Jiang Dongyi , Wang Yunyan , Zhou Sangyang , Long Zhe , Liao Qi , Yang Jinqin , Fan Juan
Published: May 2019

Pollution by heavy metals in river water is becoming a major subject of global drinking water concern, and the Xiangjiang River is one of the most heavily polluted rivers in China. Water samples were collected from 17 sites spanning the entire Xiangjiang watershed from 2005 to 2016 to investigate spatial–temporal distributions and potential human health risks related to 8 metal pollutants (As, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Se). The results of spatial–temporal distribution analyses proved that most metals were below the guideline limits the majority of the time. However, the hazard index and carcinogenic risk analyses indicated that As and Cr were associated with a potential risk of cancer, although noncarcinogenic heavy metals in general and carcinogenic risk declined year by year. A nonparametric seasonal Mann-Kendall's test revealed that there were notable decreasing trends in As, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb for most sites, whereas Se and Hg significantly increased in some areas over the targeted 12 yr. The results of principal component analysis agreed with those of dual hierarchical cluster analysis in the identification of pollution sources, the results of which are as follows: 1) As, Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn were mainly derived from anthropogenic activities and the smelting industry; 2) Cr and Cu mainly originated from agricultural or industrial activities; and 3) Se was predominantly from natural erosion. The present study will be conducive to optimizing the distribution of water monitoring stations and drafting remediation strategies pertaining to the protection of public health in metal-polluted areas. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1645–1657. © 2019 SETAC
Measures of Agreement Versus Measures of Prediction Accuracy
Authors: Haberman Shelby J.
Published: May 2019

Measures of agreement are compared to measures of prediction accuracy within a general context. Differences in appropriate use are emphasized, and approaches are examined for both numerical and nominal variables. General estimation methods are developed, and their large‐sample properties are compared.
The neural correlates of the awe experience: Reduced default mode network activity during feelings of awe
Authors: van Elk Michiel , Arciniegas Gomez M. Andrea , van der Zwaag Wietske , van Schie Hein T. , Sauter Disa
Published: May 2019

In the present fMRI study, we aimed to obtain insight into the key brain networks involved in the experience of awe—a complex emotion that is typically elicited by perceptually vast stimuli. Participants were presented with awe‐eliciting, positive and neutral videos, while they were instructed to get fully absorbed in the scenery or to count the number of perspective changes. By using a whole‐brain analysis we found that several brain regions that are considered part of the default mode network (DMN), including the frontal pole, the angular gyrus, and the posterior cingulate cortex, were more strongly activated in the absorption condition. But this was less the case when participants were watching awe videos. We suggest that while watching awe videos, participants were deeply immersed in the videos and that levels of self‐reflective thought were as much reduced during the awe videos, as during the perspective counting condition. In contrast, key regions of the fronto‐parietal network (FPN), including the supramarginal gyrus, the medial frontal gyrus, and the insula, were most strongly activated in the analytical condition when participants were watching awe compared to positive and neutral videos. This finding underlines the captivating, immersive, and attention‐grabbing nature of awe stimuli that is considered to be responsible for reductions in self‐reflective thought. Together these findings suggest that a key feature of the experience of awe is a reduced engagement in self‐referential processing, in line with the subjective self‐report measures (i.e., participants perceived their self to be smaller).
Role of psychosocial risk factors in predicting maternal and paternal depressive symptomatology during pregnancy
Authors: Tambelli Renata , Trentini Cristina , Trovato Annamaria , Volpi Barbara
Published: May 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of several psychosocial risk factors in predicting depressive symptomatology during pregnancy in mothers and fathers, respectively. A total of 146 primiparous mothers and 105 primiparous fathers reporting a psychosocial risk condition were recruited independently from maternity and child health services, during the second trimester of pregnancy. All parents were evaluated for depressive symptomatology, anxiety, and perceived social support. Two hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the role of psychosocial factors in predicting depressive symptomatology during pregnancy, in mothers and fathers. Marital dissatisfaction, personal history of depression, and personal trait anxiety were identified as significant predictors of depressive symptomatology during pregnancy, both in mothers and in fathers. Family history of substance abuse, conflictual relationship with the parents in the past year, and bereavement in the past year were identified as significant factors contributing to elevated depressive symptoms during pregnancy in mothers, but not fathers. In this study, several psychosocial risk factors were consistently related to an increase in maternal and paternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy; some of these factors seem to be specifically related to maternal depressive mood.
End‐to‐end elasticity control of cloud‐network slices
Authors: Medeiros Alisson , Neto Augusto , Sampaio Silvio , Pasquini Rafael , Baliosian Javier
Published: May 2019

The design of efficient elasticity control mechanisms for dynamic resource allocation is crucial to increase the efficiency of future cloud‐network slice‐defined systems. Current elasticity control mechanisms proposed for cloud‐ or network‐slicing, only consider cloud‐ or network‐type resources respectively. In this paper, we introduce the elaSticity in cLOud‐neTwork Slices (SLOTS) which aims to extend the horizontal elasticity control to multi‐providers scenarios in an end‐to‐end fashion, as well as to provide a novel vertical elasticity mechanism to deal with critical insufficiency of resources by harvesting underused resources on other slices. Finally, we present a preliminary assessment of the SLOTS prototype in a real testbed, revealing outcomes that suggest the viability of the proposal.
Tuning the “violin” of protein kinases: The role of dynamics‐based allostery
Authors: Ahuja Lalima G. , Taylor Susan S. , Kornev Alexandr P.
Published: May 2019

The intricacies of allosteric regulation of protein kinases continue to engage the research community. Allostery, or control from a distance, is seen as a fundamental biomolecular mechanism for proteins. From the traditional methods of conformational selection and induced fit, the field has grown to include the role of protein motions in defining a dynamics‐based allosteric approach. Harnessing of these continuous motions in the protein to exert allosteric effects can be defined by a “violin” model that focuses on distributions of protein vibrations as opposed to concerted pathways. According to this model, binding of an allosteric modifier causes global redistribution of dynamics in the protein kinase domain that leads to changes in its catalytic properties. This model is consistent with the “entropy‐driven allostery” mechanism proposed by Cooper and Dryden in 1984 and does not require, but does not exclude, any major structural changes. We provide an overview of practical implementation of the violin model and how it stands amidst the other known models of protein allostery. Protein kinases have been described as the biomolecules of interest. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(6):685–696, 2019
Differential functional theory and molecular docking studies of newly synthesized carbamates
Authors: Danish Muhammad , Raza Muhammad A. , Anwar Uzma , Rashid Umer , Ahmed Zaheer
Published: May 2019

Four new carbamates (RZ1–RZ4) were synthesized from different amine moieties through reported methods. The reaction was monitored using thin layer chromatography and characterization was done using m.p., fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were carried out using Gaussian 09 software to compare the theoretical and practical parameters of the synthesized compounds. Highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) were also drawn to calculate the energy difference between orbitals. In‐vitro enzyme inhibition potential against acetylcholine esterase (AChE), butyrylcholine esterase (BChE), and protease was checked through standard protocols that suggested moderate inhibition against selected enzymes. Docking studies were also carried out, which depicted that these compounds have ability to bind on the active site of AChE and BChE.
Selenium uptake and fruit quality of pear (Pyrus communis L.) treated with foliar Se application
Authors: Deng Xiao-Fang , Zhao Zhu-Qing , Han Zeng-Yu , Huang Li-Qiang , Lv Chen-Hao , Zhang Zhi-Hua , Zhang Hai-Qing , Liu Xin-Wei
Published: May 2019

Consuming selenium (Se)‐rich fruit may play an important role in human health by supplementing Se. The aims of this study were to (1) determine the Se tolerance of pear trees and (2) explore the effects of different Se sources and spraying dates on Se concentrations and transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds in various parts of the pear tree and on fruit quality. Spraying Se(IV) or Se(VI) at a concentration of > 40 mg L−1 resulted in leaf yellowing, marginal withering, and finally leaf abscission. Furthermore, fruit growth and appearance were adversely affected at high Se doses. At the same application stage, Se concentrations in different parts of the fruit were 1.1–4.7 times higher under Se(VI) compared to Se(IV) treatment. For the same Se source, Se concentrations under treatment at the fruit expanding stage were 1.9–2.5 times higher than under treatment at the fruit‐setting stage. Of the total Se in the fruit, 40% accumulated in the juice under Se(IV) treatment and > 70% under Se(VI) treatment. However, regardless of the Se source, the Se in the juice was almost all inorganic, while the transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds was > 80% and 70% in the peel and pomace, respectively. Foliar Se application somewhat improved fruit quality by increasing the concentration of soluble solids. Compared to other species, Se tolerance in pear trees was relatively low. Given the high accumulation of Se and efficient transformation of inorganic Se into organic Se compounds in the peel, consumption of unpeeled Se‐rich pears is recommended.