bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary patterns and hearing loss in older men enrolled in the Caerphilly Study
Authors: Gallagher Nicola E. , Patterson Chris C. , Neville Charlotte E. , Yarnell John , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Fehily Anne , Gallacher John E. , Lyner Natalie , Woodside Jayne V.
Published: January 2019

The association between dietary patterns (DP) and prevalence of hearing loss in men enrolled in the Caerphilly Prospective Study was investigated. During 1979–1983, the study recruited 2512 men aged 45–59 years. At baseline, dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative FFQ, and a 7-d weighed food intake (WI) in a 30 % subsample. Five years later, pure-tone unaided audiometric threshold was assessed at 0·5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three DP and multiple logistic and ordinal logistic regression models examined the association with hearing loss (defined as pure-tone average of frequencies 0·5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz >25 dB). Traditional, healthy and high-sugar/low-alcohol DP were found with both FFQ and WI data. With the FFQ data, fully adjusted models demonstrated significant inverse association between the healthy DP and hearing loss both as a dichotomous variable (OR=0·83; 95 % CI 0·77, 0·90; P<0·001) and as an ordinal variable (OR=0·87; 95 % CI 0·81, 0·94; P<0·001). With the WI data, fully adjusted models showed a significant and inverse association between the healthy DP and hearing loss (OR=0·85; 95 % CI 0·73, 0·99; P<0·03), and a significant association between the traditional DP (per fifth increase) and hearing loss both as a dichotomous variable (OR=1·18; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·35; P=0·02) and as an ordinal variable (OR=1·17; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·33; P=0·02). A healthy DP was significantly and inversely associated with hearing loss in older men. The role of diet in age-related hearing loss warrants further investigation.
Do Parties and Voters Counteract Quota Regulations? The Impact of Legislative Gender Quotas on Ballot Ranking and Preference Voting in Poland
Authors: Gendźwiłł Adam , Żółtak Tomasz
Published: January 2019

This article investigates how the introduction of gender quotas affected female representation in an open-list proportional representation system. Based on the Polish parliamentary elections of 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2015, it attempts to explain the gap between the share of female candidates and the share of female legislators. The authors estimate changes in individual electoral chances using logistic regression. Subsequently, counterfactual reasoning is applied to display the results in the metrics of seat shares. The analyses of candidate-level data demonstrate that after the introduction of quotas, significantly more women ran for office, but parties and voters, on average, changed their preferences to the disadvantage of female candidates, even when incumbency and previous electoral experience were controlled. The article demonstrates that women benefited from the introduction of quotas, but not right away. The desired effect of gender quotas (an increase in female legislative representation) was mitigated mainly by the unequal distribution of “electoral capital” among candidates of both genders. The impact of this factor was moderated by ballot ranking patterns. Once women acquire more electoral capital, the role of party elites’ negative bias in ballot ranking becomes more visible.
Vertebrate remains from the Insect Limestone (latest Eocene), Isle of Wight, UK
Authors: HOOKER Jerry J. , EVANS Susan E. , DAVIS Paul G.
Published: January 2019

A small fauna of vertebrates is recorded from the Insect Limestone, Bembridge Marls Member, Bouldnor Formation, late Priabonian, latest Eocene, of the Isle of Wight, UK. The taxa represented are unidentified teleost fishes, lizards including a scincoid, unidentified birds and the theridomyid rodent Isoptychus. The scincoid represents the youngest record of the group in the UK. Of particular note is the taphonomic interpretation based on the preservation of anatomical parts of land-based tetrapods that would have been most likely transported to the site of deposition by wind, namely bird feathers and pieces of shed lizard skin. These comprise the majority of the specimens and suggest that the dominant transport mechanism was wind.
Krankenhauspflege: Eine Pflege ohne Plan?
Authors: Bensch Sandra
Published: January 2019

Zusammenfassung. Massive Personalnot und weitere Faktoren führen in den Krankenhäusern dazu, dass Pflegearbeit nicht in der notwendig gebotenen Fachlichkeit erbracht wird. Besonders Harnkontinenzförderung erweist sich als Stiefkind der Praxis. Gleichzeitig treiben Richtlinien und Gesetze Pflegeprofessionalierung voran. Im Spagat zwischen Praxis und Papier bewegen sich Pflegestudierende, hinterfragen den Zustand einer nahezu strategiefreien Pflegearbeit und formulieren Lösungen.
„Dafür haben wir doch keine Zeit“ – Wissenszirkulation wider die Umstände
Authors: Bensch Sandra
Published: January 2019

Zusammenfassung. Unsystematische Pflege, kaum wissenschaftsfundierte Praxiskonzepte – Alltag in deutschen Krankenhäusern? Eine Umfrage zeigt, Wissenszirkulation in der Pflege findet statt. Man muss nur länger suchen und verborgene Schätze heben. Praxisaufträge für Pflegestudierende sind weiterhin sinnvoll.
Wie kann das Image des Pflegeberufs aufgewertet werden? – Mit Ergebnissen aus Workshops weiterarbeiten und Wissen zirkulieren lassen
Authors: Knupe Theresa , Zeberer Anna , Buttner Marisa , Becker Alessa , Gobbers Jennifer
Published: January 2019

Zusammenfassung. Bei einer studentischen Veranstaltung an der KSH München wurden die aktuellen Perspektiven auf das Fremd- und Selbstbild der Pflege in verschiedenen Workshops erfasst und mögliche Lösungswege erarbeitet. Aus dem Workshop „Pflege als Marke – Das Image der Pflege gestalten“ wurden Erkenntnissen und Ergebnissen generierten und mögliche Strategien für die Zukunft entwickelt, die für weitere Lehr-Lernsituationen und die potentiell folgende Wissenszirkulation genutzt werden können.
“Eco-friendly” Flame Retardant May Have Eco-poor Breakdown
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: January 2019

These flame retardants replaced earlier chemicals known to degrade into environmentally harmful by-products. The newer compounds may do the same thing.
Thymine DNA glycosylase as a novel target for melanoma
Authors: Mancuso Pietro , Tricarico Rossella , Bhattacharjee Vikram , Cosentino Laura , Kadariya Yuwaraj , Jelinek Jaroslav , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Einarson Margret , Beeharry Neil , Devarajan Karthik , Katz Richard A. , Dorjsuren Dorjbal G. , Sun Hongmao , Simeonov Anton , Giordano Antonio , Testa Joseph R. , Davidson Guillaume , Davidson Irwin , Larue Lionel , Sobol Robert W. , Yen Timothy J. , Bellacosa Alfonso
Published: January 2019

Melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm with increasing incidence that is classified by the NCI as a recalcitrant cancer, i.e., a cancer with poor prognosis, lacking progress in diagnosis and treatment. In addition to conventional therapy, melanoma treatment is currently based on targeting the BRAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and immune checkpoints. As drug resistance remains a major obstacle to treatment success, advanced therapeutic approaches based on novel targets are still urgently needed. We reasoned that the base excision repair enzyme thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) could be such a target for its dual role in safeguarding the genome and the epigenome, by performing the last of the multiple steps in DNA demethylation. Here we show thatTDGknockdown in melanoma cell lines causes cell cycle arrest, senescence, and death by mitotic alterations; alters the transcriptome and methylome; and impairs xenograft tumor formation. Importantly, untransformed melanocytes are minimally affected byTDGknockdown, and adult mice with conditional knockout ofTdgare viable. Candidate TDG inhibitors, identified through a high-throughput fluorescence-based screen, reduced viability and clonogenic capacity of melanoma cell lines and increased cellular levels of 5-carboxylcytosine, the last intermediate in DNA demethylation, indicating successful on-target activity. These findings suggest that TDG may provide critical functions specific to cancer cells that make it a highly suitable anti-melanoma drug target. By potentially disrupting both DNA repair and the epigenetic state, targeting TDG may represent a completely new approach to melanoma therapy.
Thymidine phosphorylase promotes malignant progression in hepatocellular carcinoma through pentose Warburg effect
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Qin Yuan , Zhao Jianmin , Tang Yuanhao , Hu Xuejiao , Zhong Weilong , Li Mimi , Zong Shumin , Li Meng , Tao Honglian , Zhang Zhen , Chen Shuang , Liu Huijuan , Yang Lan , Zhou Honggang , Liu Yanrong , Sun Tao , Yang Cheng
Published: January 2019

Tumor progression is dependent on metabolic reprogramming. Metastasis and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) are typical characteristics of tumor progression. The relationship among metastasis, VM, and metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. In this study, we identified the novel role of Twist1, a VM regulator, in the transcriptional regulation of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) expression. TP promoted the extracellular metabolism of thymidine into ATP and amino acids through the pentose Warburg effect by coupling the pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis. Moreover, Twist1 relied on TP-induced metabolic reprogramming to promote hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis and VM formation mediated by VE–Cad, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 in vitro and in vivo. The TP inhibitor tipiracil reduced the effect of TP on promoting HCC VM formation and metastasis. Hence, TP, when transcriptionally activated by Twist1, promotes HCC VM formation and metastasis through the pentose Warburg effect and contributes to tumor progression.
Age and pattern of the southern high-latitude continental end-Permian extinction constrained by multiproxy analysis
Authors: Fielding Christopher R. , Frank Tracy D. , McLoughlin Stephen , Vajda Vivi , Mays Chris , Tevyaw Allen P. , Winguth Arne , Winguth Cornelia , Nicoll Robert S. , Bocking Malcolm , Crowley James L.
Published: January 2019

Past studies of the end-Permian extinction (EPE), the largest biotic crisis of the Phanerozoic, have not resolved the timing of events in southern high-latitudes. Here we use palynology coupled with high-precision CA-ID-TIMS dating of euhedral zircons from continental sequences of the Sydney Basin, Australia, to show that the collapse of the austral Permian Glossopteris flora occurred prior to 252.3 Ma (~370 kyrs before the main marine extinction). Weathering proxies indicate that floristic changes occurred during a brief climate perturbation in a regional alluvial landscape that otherwise experienced insubstantial change in fluvial style, insignificant reorganization of the depositional surface, and no abrupt aridification. Palaeoclimate modelling suggests a moderate shift to warmer summer temperatures and amplified seasonality in temperature across the EPE, and warmer and wetter conditions for all seasons into the Early Triassic. The terrestrial EPE and a succeeding peak in Ni concentration in the Sydney Basin correlate, respectively, to the onset of the primary extrusive and intrusive phases of the Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province.
No mass extinction for land plants at the Permian–Triassic transition
Authors: Nowak Hendrik , Schneebeli-Hermann Elke , Kustatscher Evelyn
Published: January 2019

The most severe mass extinction among animals took place in the latest Permian (ca. 252 million years ago). Due to scarce and impoverished fossil floras from the earliest Triassic, the common perception has been that land plants likewise suffered a mass extinction, but doubts remained. Here we use global occurrence data of both plant macro- and microfossils to analyse plant biodiversity development across the Permian–Triassic boundary. We show that the plant fossil record is strongly biased and that evidence for a mass extinction among plants in the latest Permian is not robust. The taxonomic diversities of gymnosperm macrofossils and of the pollen produced by this group are particularly incongruent. Our results indicate that gymnosperm macrofossils are considerably undersampled for the Early Triassic, which creates the impression of increased gymnosperm extinction in the latest Permian.
Exploring the landscape of focal amplifications in cancer using AmpliconArchitect
Authors: Deshpande Viraj , Luebeck Jens , Nguyen Nam-Phuong D. , Bakhtiari Mehrdad , Turner Kristen M. , Schwab Richard , Carter Hannah , Mischel Paul S. , Bafna Vineet
Published: January 2019

Focal oncogene amplification and rearrangements drive tumor growth and evolution in multiple cancer types. We present AmpliconArchitect (AA), a tool to reconstruct the fine structure of focally amplified regions using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and validate it extensively on multiple simulated and real datasets, across a wide range of coverage and copy numbers. Analysis of AA-reconstructed amplicons in a pan-cancer dataset reveals many novel properties of copy number amplifications in cancer. These findings support a model in which focal amplifications arise due to the formation and replication of extrachromosomal DNA. Applying AA to 68 viral-mediated cancer samples, we identify a large fraction of amplicons with specific structural signatures suggestive of hybrid, human-viral extrachromosomal DNA. AA reconstruction, integrated with metaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and PacBio sequencing on the cell-line UPCI:SCC090 confirm the extrachromosomal origin and fine structure of a Forkhead box E1 (FOXE1)-containing hybrid amplicon.
Unveiling coherently driven hyperpolarization dynamics in signal amplification by reversible exchange
Authors: Lindale Jacob R. , Eriksson Shannon L. , Tanner Christian P. N. , Zhou Zijian , Colell Johannes F. P. , Zhang Guannan , Bae Junu , Chekmenev Eduard Y. , Theis Thomas , Warren Warren S.
Published: January 2019

Signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) is an efficient method to hyperpolarize spin-1/2 nuclei and affords signals that are orders of magnitude larger than those obtained by thermal spin polarization. Direct polarization transfer to heteronuclei such as 13C or 15N has been optimized at static microTesla fields or using coherence transfer at high field, and relies on steady state exchange with the polarization transfer catalyst dictated by chemical kinetics. Here we demonstrate that pulsing the excitation field induces complex coherent polarization transfer dynamics, but in fact pulsing with a roughly 1% duty cycle on resonance produces more magnetization than constantly being on resonance. We develop a Monte Carlo simulation approach to unravel the coherent polarization dynamics, show that existing SABRE approaches are quite inefficient in use of para-hydrogen order, and present improved sequences for efficient hyperpolarization.
Importance of Experimental Environmental Conditions in Estimating Risks and Associated Uncertainty of Transgenic Fish Prior to Entry into Nature
Authors: Vandersteen Wendy E. , Leggatt Rosalind , Sundström L. Fredrik , Devlin Robert H.
Published: January 2019

Salmonids show a high degree of phenotypic plasticity that can differ among genotypes, and this variation is one of the major factors contributing to uncertainty in extrapolating laboratory-based risk assessment data to nature. Many studies have examined the relative growth and survival of transgenic and non-transgenic salmonids, and the results have been highly variable due to genotype × environment interactions. The relative survival of fast- and slow-growing strains can reverse depending on the environment, but it is not clear which specific environmental characteristics are driving these responses. To address this question, two experiments were designed where environmental conditions were varied to investigate the contribution of rearing density, food amount, food type, habitat complexity, and risk of predation on relative growth and survival of fast-growing transgenic and slow-growing wild-type coho salmon. The first experiment altered density (high vs. low) and food amount (high vs. low). Density impacted the relative growth of the genotypes, where transgenic fish grew more than non-transgenic fish in low density streams, regardless of food level. Density also affected survival, with high density causing increased mortality for both genotypes, but the mortality of transgenic relative to non-transgenic fish was lower within the high-density streams, regardless of food level. The second experiment altered habitat complexity (simple vs. complex), food type (artificial vs. natural), amount of food (normal vs. satiation), and risk of predation (present vs. absent). Results from this experiment showed that genotype affected growth and survival, but genotype effects were modulated by one or more environmental factors. The effect of genotype on survival was influenced by all examined environmental factors, such that no predictable trend in relative survival of transgenic versus non-transgenic fry emerged. This was primarily due to variations in survival of non-transgenic fish under different environmental conditions (non-transgenic fry had highest survival in hatchery conditions, and lowest survival in complex conditions with natural food fed at a normal level with or without predators). Transgenic fry survival was only significantly influenced by predator presence. The effects of genotype on mass and length were significantly modulated by food type only. Transgenic fry were able to gain a large size advantage over non-transgenic fish when fed artificial food under all habitat types. These experiments support the observations of dynamic responses in growth and survival depending on the environment, and demonstrate the challenge of applying laboratory-based experiments to risk assessment in nature.
Risk factors of stillbirth in rural China: A national cohort study
Authors: Qu Yimin , Chen Shi , Pan Hui , Zhu Huijuan , Yan Chengsheng , Zhang Shikun , Jiang Yu
Published: January 2019

People living in rural China are more frequently exposed to some specific risk factors which made stillbirth rate higher than urban areas. National Free Preconception Health Examination Project was launched to investigate these risk factors and collected a representative sample of 248501 participants from 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2013. Parental risk factors were ascertained twice before and during pregnancy respectively by questionnaires. Stillbirth or live birth were recorded by trained physicians. In the analysis, nested case-control study was conducted, and propensity score matching method was used to adjust the confounding. Multi-level logistic regression was used to fit for multi-level sampling. The overall stillbirth rate was 0.35% in rural China, it was higher in North (0.42%) and West (0.64%) areas. Maternal exposure to pesticide (OR (95%CI 1.06, 3.39)), hypertension (OR = 1.58 (95%CI 1.07, 2.34)), lack of appetite for vegetables (OR = 1.99 (95%CI 1.00, 3.93)), stress (compared with no pressure, OR of a little pressure was 1.34(95% CI 1.02, 1.76)); paternal exposure to smoking (OR = 1.22 (95% CI 1.02, 1.46)), organic solvents (OR = 1.64 (95% CI 1.01, 2.69)) were found independent risk factors of stillbirth. Folacin intake 3 months before pregnancy (OR = 0.72 (95%) CI 0.59, 0.89), folacin intake 1-2 months before pregnancy (OR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.55, 0.92)), folacin intake after pregnancy (OR = 0.81 (95% CI 0.65, 1.02) for) were protect factors of stillbirth. Maternal pesticide exposure, lack of vegetables, stress, paternal smoking and exposure to organic solvents were risk factors of stillbirth. Folic acid intake was protective factor of stillbirth, no matter when the intake began.
Large Scale Mapping of Fractures and Groundwater Pathways in Crystalline Hardrock By AEM
Authors: Chandra Subash , Auken Esben , Maurya Pradip K. , Ahmed Shakeel , Verma Saurabh K.
Published: January 2019

In hardrocks that cover about 20% of the Earth’s surface, it is difficult to locate steady sources for groundwater due to inadequate understanding of the fracture networks. A comprehensive knowledge of fracture distribution at the regional scale is necessary to delineate sustainable aquifers and manage them efficiently. The resistivity maps derived from the airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey over the Ankasandra watershed in Karnataka, India, reveal sharp and deep zones of low formation resistivity, which indicate groundwater-bearing zones. It is found that some of these zones are hydrogeologically connected through fracture networks resulting in augmented yield. AEM results in combination with an in-depth understanding of the geological structures successfully map these groundwater-saturated fracture networks (or hydrogeological lineaments) that we term as ‘Hydrolins’. As groundwater occurrence is generally associated with lineaments, we analyzed the drilling and geophysical logs from 21 wells within a 380 sq.km area to study the relationships of various lineaments with ‘Hydrolins’, particularly in respect of their groundwater potential. AEM results, though calibrated and correlated with a limited number of well data, revealed a threshold groundwater horizon (TGWH), found to be at 80 m depth for Ankasandra watershed, beyond which a strong correlation exists between the depth of a well and its yield. While the TGWH may differ for different watersheds, the approach presented here can be readily adopted to map sustainable groundwater sources in hardrocks worldwide.
A novel approach for assessing neuromodulation using phase-locked information measured with TMS-EEG
Authors: Miyauchi Eri , Ide Masayuki , Tachikawa Hirokazu , Nemoto Kiyotaka , Arai Tetsuaki , Kawasaki Masahiro
Published: January 2019

Neuromodulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are used to treat several neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent work has highlighted the use of combined transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to evaluate the therapeutic effects of neuromodulation; particularly, the phase locking factor (PLF) and phase locking value (PLV) can reportedly assess neuromodulation-induced functional changes in cortical networks. To examine changes in TMS-induced PLV and PLF before and after ECT, and their relationship with depression severity in patients with MDD, TMS-EEG and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS; depression severity) were implemented before and after ECT in 10 patients with MDD. Single-pulse TMS was applied to the visual and motor areas to induce phase propagation in the visuo-motor network at rest. Functional changes were assessed using PLF and PLV data. Pre-ECT TMS-induced alpha band (9–12 Hz) PLV was negatively correlated with depression severity, and increments of post-ECT from pre-ECT TMS-induced alpha band PLV were positively correlated with the reduction in depression severity. Moreover, we found a negative correlation between pre-ECT TMS-induced PLF at TMS-destination and depression severity. Finally, differences in post-ECT TMS-induced PLF peak latencies between visual and motor areas were positively correlated with depression severity. TMS-EEG-based PLV and PLF may be used to assess the therapeutic effects of neuromodulation and depressive states, respectively. Furthermore, our results provide new insights about the neural mechanisms of ECT and depression.
Defects and dopant properties of Li3V2(PO4)3
Authors: Kuganathan Navaratnarajah , Chroneos Alexander
Published: January 2019

Polyanion phosphate based Li3V2(PO4)3 material has attracted considerable attention as a novel cathode material for potential use in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. The defect chemistry and dopant properties of this material are studied using well-established atomistic scale simulation techniques. The most favourable intrinsic defect process is the Li Frenkel (0.45 eV/defect) ensuring the formation of Li vacancies required for Li diffusion via the vacancy mechanism. Long range lithium paths via the vacancy mechanism were constructed and it is confirmed that the lowest activation energy of migration (0.60 eV) path is three dimensional with curved trajectory. The second most stable defect energy process is calculated to be the anti-site defect, in which Li and V ions exchange their positions (0.91 eV/defect). Tetravalent dopants were considered on both V and P sites in order to form Li vacancies needed for Li diffusion and the Li interstitials to increase the capacity respectively. Doping by Zr on the V site and Si on the P site are calculated to be energetically favourable.
Forming social impressions from voices in native and foreign languages
Authors: Baus Cristina , McAleer Phil , Marcoux Katherine , Belin Pascal , Costa Albert
Published: January 2019

We form very rapid personality impressions about speakers on hearing a single word. This implies that the acoustical properties of the voice (e.g., pitch) are very powerful cues when forming social impressions. Here, we aimed to explore how personality impressions for brief social utterances transfer across languages and whether acoustical properties play a similar role in driving personality impressions. Additionally, we examined whether evaluations are similar in the native and a foreign language of the listener. In two experiments we asked Spanish listeners to evaluate personality traits from different instances of the Spanish word “Hola” (Experiment 1) and the English word “Hello” (Experiment 2), native and foreign language respectively. The results revealed that listeners across languages form very similar personality impressions irrespective of whether the voices belong to the native or the foreign language of the listener. A social voice space was summarized by two main personality traits, one emphasizing valence (e.g., trust) and the other strength (e.g., dominance). Conversely, the acoustical properties that listeners pay attention to when judging other’s personality vary across languages. These results provide evidence that social voice perception contains certain elements invariant across cultures/languages, while others are modulated by the cultural/linguistic background of the listener.
Synthetic CpG-ODN rapidly enriches immune compartments in neonatal chicks to induce protective immunity against bacterial infections
Authors: Gunawardana Thushari , Ahmed Khawaja Ashfaque , Goonewardene Kalhari , Popowich Shelly , Kurukulasuriya Shanika , Karunarathna Ruwani , Gupta Ashish , Lockerbie Betty , Foldvari Marianna , Tikoo Suresh K. , Willson Philip , Gomis Susantha
Published: January 2019

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) induce innate immunity against bacterial infections. Despite recent advances, how CpG-ODN alone protects against bacterial infections remained elusive. Here, we report for the first time, to our knowledge, that CpG-ODN orchestrates anti-microbial protective immunity by inducing a rapid enrichment of various immune compartments in chickens. In this study, eighteen-day-old embryonated eggs were injected with either 50 µg of CpG-ODN or saline (~n = 90 per group). In the first experiment, four days after CpG-ODN treatment, chicks were challenged subcutaneously with a virulent strain ofEscherichia coli(E.coli) and mortality was monitored for 8 days. We found significant protection, and reduced clinical scores in CpG-ODN treated chicks. To gain insights into mechanisms of protection induced by CpG-ODN, first we investigated cytokine expression kinetics elicited by CpG-ODN. The spleen and lung were collected from embryos or chicks (n = 3–4 per group) at 10 time points post-CpG-ODN inoculation. Multiplex gene analysis (interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-γ, IFN-α, and lipopolysaccharide induced tumor necrosis factor (LITAF), revealed a significantly higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines following CpG-ODN treatment compared to the saline controls. In our study, LITAF stands out in the cytokine profiles of spleen and lungs, underscoring its role in CpG-ODN-induced protection. The third experiment was designed to examine the effects of CpG-ODN on immune cell populations in spleen, lungs, and thymus. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted at 24, 48 and 72 hrs (thymus only collected at 72 hr) after CpG-ODN administration to examine the changes in CD4+and CD8+T-cell subsets, monocyte/macrophage cell populations and their expression of maturation markers (CD40 and CD86). Flow cytometry data indicated a significant enrichment of macrophages, CD4+and CD8+T-cell subsets in both spleen and lungs of CpG-ODN treated embryos and chicks. Macrophages in spleen and lungs showed an upregulation of CD40 but not CD86, whereas thymocytes revealed significantly high CD4 and CD8 expression. Overall, the present study has demonstrated that CpG-ODN provides protection in neonatal chicks againstE.coliinfection not only by eliciting cytokine responses and stimulating immune cells but also through enriching immunological niches in spleen and lungs.
Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Saccharum and Erianthus genera using microsatellite (SSR) markers
Authors: Ali Ahmad , Pan Yong-Bao , Wang Qin-Nan , Wang Jin-Da , Chen Jun-Lü , Gao San-Ji
Published: January 2019

In order to understand the genetic diversity and structure within and between the genera of Saccharum and Erianthus, 79 accessions from five species (S. officinarum, S. spontaneum, S. robustum, S. barberi, S. sinense), six accessions of E. arundinaceus, and 30 Saccharum spp. hybrids were analyzed using 21 pairs of fluorescence-labeled highly poloymorphic SSR primers and a capillary electrophoresis (CE) detection system. A total of 167 polymorphic SSR alleles were identified by CE with a mean value of polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.92. Genetic diversity parameters among these 115 accessions revealed that Saccharum spp. hybrids were more diverse than those of Saccharum and Erianthus species. Based on the SSR data, the 115 accessions were classified into seven main phylogenetic groups, which corresponded to the Saccharum and Erianthus genera through phylogenetic analysis and principle component analysis (PCA). We propose that seven core SSR primer pairs, namely, SMC31CUQ, SMC336BS, SMC597CS, SMC703BS, SMC24DUQ, mSSCIR3, and mSSCIR43, may have a wide appicability in genotype identification of Saccharum species and Saccharum spp. hybrids. Thus, the information from this study contibites to manage sugarcane genetic resources.
Parieto-frontal mechanisms underlying observation of complex hand-object manipulation
Authors: Errante Antonino , Fogassi Leonardo
Published: January 2019

The observation of actions performed by others is believed to activate the Action Observation Network (AON). Previous evidence suggests that subjects with a specific motor skill show increased activation of the AON during observation of the same skill. The question arises regarding which modulation of the AON occurs during observation of novel complex manipulative actions that are beyond the personal motor repertoire. To address this issue, we carried out a functional MRI study in which healthy volunteers without specific hand motor skills observed videos displaying hand-object manipulation executed by an expert with high manual dexterity, by an actor with intermediate ability or by a naïve subject. The results showed that the observation of actions performed by a naïve model produced stronger activation in a dorso-medial parieto-premotor circuit including the superior parietal lobule and dorsal premotor cortex, compared to observation of an expert actor. Functional connectivity analysis comparing the observation of the naïve model with that of the expert model, revealed increased connectivity between dorsal areas of the AON. This suggests a possible distinction between ventral and dorsal brain circuits involved in the processing of different aspects of action perception, such as kinematics and final action goal.
Towards Remote Lightning Manipulation by Meters-long Plasma Channels Generated by Ultra-Short-Pulse High-Intensity Lasers
Authors: Papeer Jenya , Dey Indranuj , Botton Moti , Henis Zohar , Lad Amit D. , Shaikh Moniruzzaman , Sarkar Deep , Jana Kamalesh , Tata Sheroy , Roy Sudipta Lodh , Ved Yash M. , Kumar G. Ravindra , Zigler Arie
Published: January 2019

Remote manipulation (triggering and guiding) of lightning in atmospheric conditions of thunderstorms has been the subject of intense scientific research for decades. High power, ultrashort-pulse lasers are considered attractive in generating plasma channels in air that could serve as conductors/diverters for lightning. However, two fundamental obstacles, namely the limited length and lifetime of such plasma channels prevented their realization to this date. In this paper, we report decisive experimental results of our multi-element broken wire concept that extends the generated plasma channels to the required tens of meters range. We obtain 13-meter-long plasma wire, limited only by our current experimental setup, with plasma conditions that could be sufficient for the leader initiation. This advance, coupled with our demonstrated method of laser heating for long time sustenance of the plasma channel, is a major, significant step towards controlling lightning.
Expression of NOTCH3 exon 16 differentiates Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma into molecular subtypes and is associated with prognosis
Authors: Jespersen Ditte Starberg , Schönherz Anna A. , Due Hanne , Bøgsted Martin , Sondergaard Teis Esben , Dybkær Karen
Published: January 2019

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical presentation and outcome. Bio-clinical prognostic models including oncogene expression and cell-of-origin phenotyping has been developed, however, approximately 30% of all patients still die from their disease, illustrating the need for additional prognostic biomarkers associating oncogenesis and phenotypic subclasses. Hence, we tested if alternative splice variations have biomarker potential. Initial alternative splicing analysis of human exon array from clinical DLBCL samples identified candidate genes. Experimental validation by ddPCR was performed in a DLBCL cohort classified into ABC/GCB subclasses, B-cell associated gene signatures (BAGS: naive, centroblast, centrocyte, memory, and plasmablast), and vincristine resistant gene signatures. Prognostic potential was assessed for aberrantly spliced transcripts. Thus, NOTCH3 was identified as alternatively spliced, with differential exon 16 depletion (−exon 16) between differentiation associated BAGS subtypes. Predicted vincristine resistant patients of the GCB subclass had significantly downregulated NOTCH3 −exon 16 transcript expression and tended to display adverse overall survival for R-CHOP treated patients. In conclusion, we have identified a specific alternatively spliced NOTCH3 event that differentiate molecular subtypes of DLBCL and display prognostic and predictive biomarker potential in GCB DLBCL.
Injection-Locked, Single Frequency, Multi-core Yb-doped Phosphate Fiber Laser
Authors: Demir V. , Akbulut M. , Nguyen D. T. , Kaneda Y. , Neifeld M. , Peyghambarian N.
Published: January 2019

For the first time, we demonstrate injection locking and single frequency operation of a multi-core Yb-doped phosphate fiber laser (MCF). The 19 MCF laser cores operated in CW mode at 1030 nm. Each laser core was locked to the frequency and polarization of the single-frequency master laser, and produced milliwatts of power with similar lasing thresholds. The pump beam was homogenized with a simple technique to increase uniform lasing behavior of the cores. This behavior was verified using a MCF laser model developed in-house. This unique MCF laser can be useful for applications of coherent, coupled oscillator networks, for example in an all-optical coherent Ising machine configuration.
Four Wave Mixing control in a photonic molecule made by silicon microring resonators
Authors: Borghi Massimo , Trenti Alessandro , Pavesi Lorenzo
Published: January 2019

Four Wave Mixing (FWM) is the main nonlinear interaction in integrated silicon devices, which finds diffuse use in all-optical signal processing and wavelength conversion. Despite the numerous works on coupled resonator devices, which showed record conversion efficiencies and broadband operation, the possibility to coherently control the strength of the stimulated FWM interaction on a chip has received very limited attention. Here, we demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally, the manipulation of FWM in a photonic molecule based on two side coupled silicon microring resonators. The active tuning of the inter-resonator phase and of their eigenfrequencies allows setting the molecule in a sub-radiant state, where FWM is enhanced with respect to the isolated resonators. On the other hand, we can reconfigure the state of the photonic molecule to have energy equipartition among the resonators, and suppress FWM by making the two Signal waves to interfere destructively in the side coupled waveguides. This work constitutes an experimental demonstration of the control of a nonlinear parametric interaction via coherent oscillation phenomena in an integrated optical device.
Early exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at 1850 MHz affects auditory circuits in early postnatal mice
Authors: Kim Ju Hwan , Huh Yang Hoon , Lee Jae-Hun , Jung Jae Yun , Ahn Seung Cheol , Kim Hak Rim
Published: January 2019

In the present study, we measured the spontaneous post synaptic currents (sPSCs) at the post synaptic principle cells of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) in early postnatal mice after exposure to 1850 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). sPSC frequencies and amplitudes were significantly increased in the RF-EMF exposed group. Moreover, the number of synaptic vesicles in the calyx of Held was significantly increased in presynaptic nerve terminals. Following RF-EMF exposure, the number of docking synaptic vesicles in the active zone increased, thereby expanding the total length of the presynaptic active zone in the calyx of Held. These data suggest that the increased sPSCs are a result of greater synaptic vesicle release from presynaptic nerves. However, we found no morphological changes in the inner hair cell ribbon synapses. Further, there were no significant changes in the hearing threshold of the auditory brainstem response at postnatal day 15. Our results indicate that exposure to RF-EMF at an early postnatal stage might directly affect brainstem auditory circuits, but it does not seem to alter general sound perception.
Lipid Uptake by Alveolar Macrophages Drives Fibrotic Responses to Silica Dust
Authors: Hou Xiaomin , Summer Ross , Chen Ziying , Tian Ying , Ma Jingjing , Cui Jie , Hao Xiaohui , Guo Lingli , Xu Hong , Wang Hongli , Liu Heliang
Published: January 2019

Silicosis is a common occupational disease and represents a significant contributor to respiratory morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lipid-laden macrophages, or foam cells, are observed in the lungs of patients with silicosis but the mechanisms mediating their formation remain poorly understood. In this study, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms by which silica promotes foam cell formation in the lung, and to determine whether uptake of lipids alone is sufficient to drive TGF-β production by alveolar macrophages. Consistent with previous reports, we found that foam cells were markedly increased in the lungs of patients with silicosis and that these findings associated with both higher levels of intracellular lipid levels (oxidized LDL, ox-LDL) and elevated transcript levels for the lipid scavenger receptor CD36 and the nuclear receptor PPARγ. Employing a rat alveolar macrophage cell line, we found that exposure to silica dust or ox-LDL alone had a modest effect on the induction of foam cell formation and only silica was capable of inducing the production of TGF-β. In contrast, foam cell formation and TGF-β production were both dramatically increased when cells were exposed to a combination of silica dust and ox-LDL. Moreover, we found that these endpoints were markedly attenuated by either blocking CD36 or inhibiting the activity of PPARγ. Altogether, our findings suggest that foam cell formation and TGF-β production are driven by the simultaneous uptake of silica and lipids in alveolar macrophages and that strategies aimed at blocking lipid uptake by alveolar macrophages might be effective in ameliorating fibrotic responses to silica in the lung.
SP1 and RARα regulate AGAP2 expression in cancer
Authors: Doush Yegor , Surani Arif A. , Navarro-Corcuera Amaia , McArdle Stephanie , Billett E. Ellen , Montiel-Duarte Cristina
Published: January 2019

AGAP2 (Arf GAP with GTP-binding protein-like domain, Ankyrin repeat and PH domain 2) isoform 2 is considered a proto-oncogene, but not much is known about AGAP2 gene expression regulation. To get some insight into this process, AGAP2 proximal promoter was cloned and characterised using reporter assays. We have identified SP1 as a transcription factor bound to AGAP2 promoter and required for AGAP2 expression in two different types of cancer cells (KU812, a chronic myeloid leukaemia cell line; and DU145, a prostate cancer cell line): silencing SP1 decreased AGAP2 protein levels. We have also found that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment increased AGAP2 protein levels in both cell lines whilst curcumin treatment reduced ATRA-mediated AGAP2 increase. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed the presence of RARα, RXRα and the lysine acetyl transferase PCAF in AGAP2 promoter. Our results provide a novel understanding of AGAP2 expression regulation that could be beneficial to those patients with cancers where AGAP2 is overexpressed.
Hypercapnia Alters Alveolar Epithelial Repair by a pH-Dependent and Adenylate Cyclase-Mediated Mechanism
Authors: Cortes-Puentes Gustavo A. , Westerly Blair , Schiavo Dante , Wang Shaohua , Stroetz Randolph , Walters Bruce , Hubmayr Rolf D. , Oeckler Richard A.
Published: January 2019

Lung cell injury and repair is a hallmark of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Lung protective mechanical ventilation strategies in these patients may lead to hypercapnia (HC). Although HC has been explored in the clinical context of ARDS, its effect upon alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) wounding and repair remains poorly understood. We have previously reported that HC alters the likelihood of AEC repair by a pH-sensitive but otherwise unknown mechanism. Adenylate cyclase (AC) is an attractive candidate as a putative AEC CO2 sensor and effector as it is bicarbonate sensitive and controls key mediators of AEC repair. The effect of HC on AC activity and plasma membrane (PM) wound repair was measured in AEC type 1 exposed to normocapnia (NC, 40 Torr) or HC (80 Torr), ± tromethamine (THAM) or sodium bicarbonate (HCO3) ± AC probes in a micropuncture model of AEC injury relevant to ARDS. Intracellular pH and AC activity were measured and correlated with repair. HC decreased intracellular pH 0.56, cAMP by 37%, and absolute PM repair rate by 26%. Buffering or pharmacologic manipulation of AC reduced or reversed the effects of HC on AC activity (THAM 103%, HCO3 113% of NC cAMP, ns; Forskolin 168%, p < 0.05) and PM repair (THAM 87%, HCO3 108% of NC likelihood to repair, ns; Forskolin 160%, p < 0.01). These findings suggest AC to be a putative AEC CO2 sensor and modulator of AEC repair, and may have implications for future pharmacologic targeting of downstream messengers of the AC-cAMP axis in experimental models of ARDS.
Neuromusculoskeletal model that walks and runs across a speed range with a few motor control parameter changes based on the muscle synergy hypothesis
Authors: Aoi Shinya , Ohashi Tomohiro , Bamba Ryoko , Fujiki Soichiro , Tamura Daiki , Funato Tetsuro , Senda Kei , Ivanenko Yury , Tsuchiya Kazuo
Published: January 2019

Humans walk and run, as well as change their gait speed, through the control of their complicated and redundant musculoskeletal system. These gaits exhibit different locomotor behaviors, such as a double-stance phase in walking and flight phase in running. The complex and redundant nature of the musculoskeletal system and the wide variation in locomotion characteristics lead us to imagine that the motor control strategies for these gaits, which remain unclear, are extremely complex and differ from one another. It has been previously proposed that muscle activations may be generated by linearly combining a small set of basic pulses produced by central pattern generators (muscle synergy hypothesis). This control scheme is simple and thought to be shared between walking and running at different speeds. Demonstrating that this control scheme can generate walking and running and change the speed is critical, as bipedal locomotion is dynamically challenging. Here, we provide such a demonstration by using a motor control model with 69 parameters developed based on the muscle synergy hypothesis. Specifically, we show that it produces both walking and running of a human musculoskeletal model by changing only seven key motor control parameters. Furthermore, we show that the model can walk and run at different speeds by changing only the same seven parameters based on the desired speed. These findings will improve our understanding of human motor control in locomotion and provide guiding principles for the control design of wearable exoskeletons and prostheses.
Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Graphene-based Supercapacitors with an Ultrahigh Energy Density
Authors: Du Chunbao , Cheng Yuan , Xue Rong , Hu Xiaoling
Published: January 2019

With the goals of high specific surface area electrodes, wide operating potentials and excellent energy densities, the development of a graphene-based supercapacitor combined with ionic liquid electrolytes has been summarized. The key to the success of a supercapacitor with an ultrahigh energy density is the ability to make full utilization of the intrinsic surface capacitance and specific surface area of graphene. Ionic liquid electrolytes show great potential in high-rate charge–discharge capability and low interface impedance for graphene-based supercapacitors.
Synthetic Techniques and Functionalization Approaches of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Guan Guijian
Published: January 2019

As typical graphene analogues, two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), including MoS2, WS2, etc., have attracted increasing research interest due to their semiconducting characteristics, sizable bandgap, large surface area, and outstanding performance in various applications such as electronics/optoelectronics, sensing, catalysis, and energy storage. For the widespread exploration of TMD nanosheets in fundamental studies and promising applications, a rapid pace of progress has recently been achieved in developing methodologies for reliable and scale-up production of atomically thin TMD nanosheets. In this chapter, we will present a comprehensive overview of different synthetic techniques of 2D TMDs and evaluate their relative merits and demerits. Particularly, the design principle, fabrication mechanism, typical process and special conditions will be emphasized to understand or follow the effective methods for obtaining required TMD nanosheets in single and few layers. Based on these synthetic techniques, further functionalization of TMD nanosheets with ligands and other nanocomponents are also discussed for gaining some specific properties. Based on our knowledge, we finally propose some possible challenges and potential opportunities in the exploitation of TMD nanosheets for novel applications.
Quantitative surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy chemical analysis using citrate as an in situ calibrant
Authors: Salemmilani Reza , Mirsafavi Rustin Y. , Fountain Augustus W. , Moskovits Martin , Meinhart Carl D.
Published: January 2019

Analyte/citrate competitive adsorption is used as a calibration technique for quantitative surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.
Room temperature, liquid-phase Al2O3 surface coating approach for Ni-rich layered oxide cathode material
Authors: Neudeck Sven , Strauss Florian , Garcia Grecia , Wolf Hannes , Janek Jürgen , Hartmann Pascal , Brezesinski Torsten
Published: January 2019

Solution-based trimethylaluminum treatment of NCM811 cathode material leads to drying and coating in a single step and therefore improved cycling performance.