bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethiopia’s high childhood undernutrition explained: analysis of the prevalence and key correlates based on recent nationally representative data
Authors: Gebreegziabher Tafere , Regassa Nigatu
Published: March 2019

Objective

To examine the contribution of child, maternal and household factors in stunting, wasting and underweight among children under 5 years in Ethiopia.

Design

Quantitative cross-sectional design based on nationally representative data.

Setting

Urban and rural areas of Ethiopia.

Participants

Younger (0–24 months; n 4199) and older age groups (25–59 months; n 5497), giving a total of 9696 children.

Results

Among the younger age group, 29 % were stunted, 14 % were wasted and 19 % were underweight; and among the older age group, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight was 47, 8 and 28 %, respectively. Being female, intake of multiple micronutrients, household having a piped source of drinking-water, high maternal BMI, higher household wealth and higher maternal education were associated with decreased odds of at least one form of undernutrition in both groups. On the other hand, children who were anaemic, had low birth weight, drank from a bottle, and children of stunted or wasted or working mothers were more likely to be stunted, wasted or underweight in both groups (P<0·05). While most predictors and/or risk factors followed a similar pattern across the two age groups, child factors had higher leverage in the younger than the older group across the three forms of undernutrition.

Conclusions

Multiple set of factors predicted childhood undernutrition in Ethiopia. The study underscores the importance of intervening in the first 1000 days through promoting maternal education, maternal–child health services, mother’s nutrition and improving intrahousehold food distribution.
Carrot weed management programs without linuron herbicide
Authors: Colquhoun Jed B. , Rittmeyer Richard A. , Heider Daniel J.
Published: March 2019

Linuron herbicide has been a mainstay of carrot weed management for years, but uncertainty around regulatory registration review and an increased prevalence of herbicide-resistant weeds have spurred interest in identifying alternatives that can be readily adopted in production. With this context in mind, herbicide programs were evaluated on a coarse-textured, low organic matter soil in 2015 and 2016. Season-long weed control without compromising yield was possible with weed management programs that included prometryn POST instead of linuron. With that said, a PRE herbicide such as pendimethalin was critical to establish an early-season competitive advantage for carrot plants over weeds, and careful attention should be paid to the prometryn rate, as selectivity is marginal. Carrot is often interseeded with a grain nurse crop to mitigate risk of wind erosion. Nurse crop injury was minimal where S-metolachlor, pendimethalin, or prometryn was applied at rates labeled for PRE use in carrot, with the exception of where prometryn was applied at rates above 1.1 kg ai ha−1.
On the Relationship(s) Between Color and Taste/Flavor
Authors: Spence Charles
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Experimental psychologists, psychophysicists, food/sensory scientists, and marketers have long been interested in, and/or speculated about, what exactly the relationship, if any, might be between color and taste/flavor. While several influential early commentators argued against there being any relationship, a large body of empirical evidence published over the last 80 years or so clearly demonstrates that the hue and saturation, or intensity, of color in food and/or drink often influences multisensory flavor perception. Interestingly, the majority of this research has focused on vision’s influence on the tasting experience rather than looking for any effects in the opposite direction. Recently, however, a separate body of research linking color and taste has emerged from the burgeoning literature on the crossmodal correspondences. Such correspondences, or associations, between attributes or dimensions of experience, are thought to be robustly bidirectional. When talking about the relationship between color and taste/flavor, some commentators would appear to assume that these two distinct literatures describe the same underlying empirical phenomenon. That said, a couple of important differences (in terms of the bidirectionality of the effects and their relative vs. absolute nature) are highlighted, meaning that the findings from one domain may not necessarily always be transferable to the other, as is often seemingly assumed.
Impacts of Mesoscale Currents on the Diurnal Critical Latitude Dependence of Internal Tides: A Numerical Experiment Based on Barcoo Seamount
Authors: Dong Jihai , Robertson Robin , Dong Changming , Hartlipp Paul Scott , Zhou Tianyu , Shao Zhibo , Lin Weihong , Zhou Muzhi , Chen Jiarui
Published: March 2019

Critical latitudes are a significant area of tidal dissipation. Generally, critical latitudes are taken to be the exact latitude where the tidal frequency equals the inertial frequency. However, the key is really where the tidal frequency equals the combination of planetary vorticity and relative vorticity from background currents. Although the influence of background currents on critical latitude effects and nonlinear interactions have been noted for many years, their exact impacts are not well known. The latitude dependence of critical latitude impacts on the tides, internal tides, and internal waves in the presence of background currents was investigated using the Regional Ocean Modeling System by shifting a small domain including a seamount from 20.6° to 38.6°S and comparing simulations with and without background currents. The diurnal kinetic energy with mesoscale currents was relatively unchanged for most latitudes, except for a slight decrease 1–4° poleward of the critical latitude. However, the semidiurnal and high‐frequency (≥3 cycles per day) kinetic energy increased with the presence of mesoscale currents, especially within the diurnal critical latitude range. Spectral and nonlinear analyses indicated mesoscale currents broadened the range of critical latitude effects and enhanced energy transferring from diurnal frequencies to semidiurnal and high frequencies and from low to high mode waves. Local diffusivities increased, roughly an order of magnitude, when mesoscale currents were present. The impacts of mesoscale currents on the broadening of the critical latitude range and enhancement of nonlinear interactions were attributed to the additional relative vorticity and near‐inertial internal waves generated by mesoscale currents.
Retention and Leakage of Water by Mesoscale Eddies in the East Australian Current System
Authors: Cetina‐Heredia Paulina , Roughan Moninya , van Sebille Erik , Keating Shane , Brassington Gary B.
Published: March 2019

Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous in the ocean, transporting semi‐isolated water masses as well as advecting tracers and biota. The extent to which eddies impact the environment depends on the time they retain water parcels. Here we quantify retention times of mesoscale eddies in a (1/10)° model of the East Australian Current and its extension along the southeast coast of Australia. We find that retention times vary widely, between 3 and 357 days, but peak around 24 and 27 days for anticyclones and cyclones, respectively. Changes in eddy shape, though not in eddy size, relate to water exchange between the eddy and the background flow. An increase in eccentricity (eddy elongation) often leads to water leakage, while a decrease is associated with water retention. Thus, the change in eddy eccentricity can be used as a diagnostic of the eddy's likelihood to exchange water with its surrounding. We find that water within a region of the eddy that is close to uniform rotation and rotating faster than uniform vorticity is more likely to be retained. Typical retention times are long enough for eddies to transport water across regions of contrasting hydrographic properties, develop a biogeochemical response, and influence connectivity patterns.
Clouds in Convection‐Resolving Climate Simulations Over Europe
Authors: Hentgen Laureline , Ban Nikolina , Kröner Nico , Leutwyler David , Schär Christoph
Published: March 2019

Although crucial for the Earth's climate, clouds are poorly represented in current climate models, which operate at too coarse grid resolutions and rely on convection parameterizations. Thanks to advances in high‐performance computing, it is becoming feasible to perform high‐resolution climate simulations with explicitly resolved deep convection. The added value of such convection‐resolving simulations for the representation of precipitation has already been demonstrated in a number of studies, but assessments about clouds are still rare. In the present study, we analyze the representation of clouds in decade‐long convection‐resolving climate simulations (2.2‐km horizontal grid spacing) over a computational domain with 1,536 × 1,536 × 60 grid points covering Europe and compare it against coarser‐resolution convection‐parameterizing simulations (12‐km horizontal spacing). The simulations have been performed with a version of the COSMO model that runs entirely on graphics processing units. The European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Re‐Analysis‐Interim reanalysis‐driven present climate simulations (1999–2008) show that biases in mean summertime cloudiness and top‐of‐the‐atmosphere radiation budget are reduced when convection is resolved instead of parameterized. Especially, the typically underestimated midtropospheric cloud layer is enhanced, thanks to stronger vertical exchange. Future climate simulations (2079–2088) conducted using pseudo global warming experiments for a Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario show a predominating reduction in low‐level and midlevel cloud cover fraction and an increase in cloud top height, implying positive cloud‐amount and cloud‐height feedbacks. These positive feedbacks are only partly compensated by the negative cloud‐thickness feedback. Although the simulations exhibit substantial differences in terms of clouds in the present climate, the simulated cloud feedbacks are similar between the 2.2‐ and 12‐km models.
Seismic Evidence for a Paleoslab in the D" Layer Residing Adjacent to the Southeastern Edge of the Perm Anomaly
Authors: Hu Jinfeng , He Xiaobo
Published: March 2019

The Perm Anomaly, which seismologically resembles the large low‐shear velocity provinces (LLSVPs) in the lowermost mantle under Africa and the South Pacific, but is considerably smaller, has been identified beneath Eurasia. Numerical simulations have indicated that the LLSVPs dynamically interact with subducted slabs in D", producing strong deformation near the edges of the LLSVPs. The existence of deformation has been corroborated by seismic anisotropic observations in the D" layer nearby the borders of the slow anomalies such as the Perm Anomaly (Long & Lynner, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL065506; Thomas & Kendall, 2002, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2002.01760.x). The existence of paleoslabs, however, has rarely been reported. Our purpose of this study, therefore, is to detect fast anomalies associated with paleoslabs near the edges of the Perm Anomaly. Here we find evidence of the existence of the D" discontinuity at a height above the core‐mantle boundary of 250 km with a +3% shear wave velocity increase; it is located adjacent to the southeastern edge of the Perm Anomaly, which is most likely due to a phase transition from perovskite to postperovskite in conjunction with the presence of slab remnants, by analyzing the Scd (the lower mantle triplication) phases recorded at stations in southeastern Europe. The existence of fast anomaly in the D" region (likely due to accumulation of a paleoslab) is further confirmed by analyzing differential traveltime residuals of SKS versus SKKS and SKKKS measured at stations in North America. The subducted slab—probably attributed to the Central China slab—at the base of the mantle may play a role in influencing the shape and location of the Perm Anomaly.
Separation of Methane Emissions From Agricultural and Natural Gas Sources in the Colorado Front Range
Authors: Kille Natalie , Chiu Randall , Frey Matthias , Hase Frank , Sha Mahesh K. , Blumenstock Thomas , Hannigan James W. , Orphal Johannes , Bon Daniel , Volkamer Rainer
Published: March 2019

This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that methane (CH4) emissions from natural gas (NG) and agriculture can be disentangled using the concept of excess column observations. A network of cost‐effective sensors measured excess column‐averaged dry‐air mole fractions for CH4 (ΔXCH4), ethane (ΔXC2H6 as NG tracer), and ammonia (ΔXNH3 from agriculture) in the Denver‐Julesburg Basin during March 2015. ΔXCH4 varied up to 17 ppb and was >3 times higher with winds from directions where NG is produced. The ΔXCH4 variance is explained by variations in the C2H6‐NH3 tracer pair, attributing 63 ± 17% to NG, 25 ± 10% to agriculture, and 12 ± 12% to other sources. The ratios ΔXC2H6/ΔXCH4 (16 ± 2%; indicates wet NG) and ΔXNH3/ΔXCH4 (43 ± 12%) were compatible with in situ measured ratios. Excess columns are independent of boundary layer height, characterize gases in the open atmosphere, are inherently calibrated, average over extended spatial scales, and provide a complementary perspective to quantify and attribute CH4 emissions on regional scales.
Domestication of previously uncultivated Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator from a deep aquifer in Siberia sheds light on its physiology and evolution
Authors: Karnachuk Olga V , Frank Yulia A , Lukina Anastasia P , Kadnikov Vitaly V , Beletsky Alexey V , Mardanov Andrey V , Ravin Nikolai V
Published: March 2019

An enigmatic uncultured member of Firmicutes, Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator (CDA), is known by its genome retrieved from the deep gold mine in South Africa, where it formed a single-species ecosystem fuelled by hydrogen from water radiolysis. It was believed that in situ conditions CDA relied on scarce energy supply and did not divide for hundreds to thousand years. We have isolated CDA strain BYF from a 2-km-deep aquifer in Western Siberia and obtained a laboratory culture growing with a doubling time of 28.5 h. BYF uses not only H2 but also various organic electron donors for sulfate respiration. Growth required elemental iron, and ferrous iron did not substitute for it. A complex intracellular organization included gas vesicles, internal membranes, and electron-dense structures enriched in phosphorus, iron, and calcium. Genome comparison of BYF with the South African CDA revealed minimal differences mostly related to mobile elements and prophage insertions. Two genomes harbored <800 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and had nearly identical CRISPR loci. We suggest that spores with the gas vesicles may facilitate global distribution of CDA followed by colonization of suitable subsurface environments. Alternatively, a slow evolution rate in the deep subsurface could result in high genetic similarity of CDA populations at two sites spatially separated for hundreds of millions of years.
Evidence for non-steady-state carbon emissions from snow-scoured alpine tundra
Authors: Knowles John F. , Blanken Peter D. , Lawrence Corey R. , Williams Mark W.
Published: March 2019

High-latitude warming is capable of accelerating permafrost degradation and the decomposition of previously frozen carbon. The existence of an analogous high-altitude feedback, however, has yet to be directly evaluated. We address this knowledge gap by coupling a radiocarbon-based model to 7 years (2008–2014) of continuous eddy covariance data from a snow-scoured alpine tundra meadow in Colorado, USA, where solifluction lobes are associated with discontinuous permafrost. On average, the ecosystem was a net annual source of 232 ± 54 g C m−2 (mean ± 1 standard deviation) to the atmosphere, and respiration of relatively radiocarbon-depleted (i.e., older) substrate contributes to carbon emissions during the winter. Given that alpine soils with permafrost occupy 3.6 × 106 km2 land area and are estimated to contain 66.3 Pg of soil organic carbon (4.5% of the global pool), this scenario has global implications for the mountain carbon balance and corresponding resource allocation to lower elevations.
Targeting glutamine-addiction and overcoming CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Qie Shuo , Yoshida Akihiro , Parnham Stuart , Oleinik Natalia , Beeson Gyda C. , Beeson Craig C. , Ogretmen Besim , Bass Adam J. , Wong Kwok-Kin , Rustgi Anil K. , Diehl J. Alan
Published: March 2019

The dysregulation of Fbxo4-cyclin D1 axis occurs at high frequency in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), where it promotes ESCC development and progression. However, defining a therapeutic vulnerability that results from this dysregulation has remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that Rb and mTORC1 contribute to Gln-addiction upon the dysregulation of the Fbxo4-cyclin D1 axis, which leads to the reprogramming of cellular metabolism. This reprogramming is characterized by reduced energy production and increased sensitivity of ESCC cells to combined treatment with CB-839 (glutaminase 1 inhibitor) plus metformin/phenformin. Of additional importance, this combined treatment has potent efficacy in ESCC cells with acquired resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in vitro and in xenograft tumors. Our findings reveal a molecular basis for cancer therapy through targeting glutaminolysis and mitochondrial respiration in ESCC with dysregulated Fbxo4-cyclin D1 axis as well as cancers resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Capturing site-specific heterogeneity with large-scale N-glycoproteome analysis
Authors: Riley Nicholas M. , Hebert Alexander S. , Westphall Michael S. , Coon Joshua J.
Published: March 2019

Protein glycosylation is a highly important, yet poorly understood protein post-translational modification. Thousands of possible glycan structures and compositions create potential for tremendous site heterogeneity. A lack of suitable analytical methods for large-scale analyses of intact glycopeptides has limited our abilities both to address the degree of heterogeneity across the glycoproteome and to understand how this contributes biologically to complex systems. Here we show that N-glycoproteome site-specific microheterogeneity can be captured via large-scale glycopeptide profiling methods enabled by activated ion electron transfer dissociation (AI-ETD), ultimately characterizing 1,545 N-glycosites (>5,600 unique N-glycopeptides) from mouse brain tissue. Our data reveal that N-glycosylation profiles can differ between subcellular regions and structural domains and that N-glycosite heterogeneity manifests in several different forms, including dramatic differences in glycosites on the same protein. Moreover, we use this large-scale glycoproteomic dataset to develop several visualizations that will prove useful for analyzing intact glycopeptides in future studies.
Breeders that receive help age more slowly in a cooperatively breeding bird
Authors: Hammers Martijn , Kingma Sjouke A. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Bebbington Kat , Dugdale Hannah L. , Burke Terry , Komdeur Jan , Richardson David S.
Published: March 2019

Helping by group members is predicted to lead to delayed senescence by affecting the trade-off between current reproduction and future survival for dominant breeders. Here we investigate this prediction in the Seychelles warbler,Acrocephalus sechellensis, in which mainly female subordinate helpers (both co-breeders and non-breeding helpers) often help dominants raise offspring. We find that the late-life decline in survival usually observed in this species is greatly reduced in female dominants when a helper is present. Female dominants with a female helper show reduced telomere attrition, a measure that reflects biological ageing in this and other species. Finally, the probability of having female, but not male, helpers increases with dominant female age. Our results suggest that delayed senescence is a key benefit of cooperative breeding for elderly dominants and support the idea that sociality and delayed senescence are positively self-reinforcing. Such an effect may help explain why social species often have longer lifespans.
Accurate autocorrelation modeling substantially improves fMRI reliability
Authors: Olszowy Wiktor , Aston John , Rua Catarina , Williams Guy B.
Published: March 2019

Given the recent controversies in some neuroimaging statistical methods, we compare the most frequently used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) analysis packages: AFNI, FSL and SPM, with regard to temporal autocorrelation modeling. This process, sometimes known as pre-whitening, is conducted in virtually all task fMRI studies. Here, we employ eleven datasets containing 980 scans corresponding to different fMRI protocols and subject populations. We found that autocorrelation modeling in AFNI, although imperfect, performed much better than the autocorrelation modeling of FSL and SPM. The presence of residual autocorrelated noise in FSL and SPM leads to heavily confounded first level results, particularly for low-frequency experimental designs. SPM’s alternative pre-whitening method, FAST, performed better than SPM’s default. The reliability of task fMRI studies could be improved with more accurate autocorrelation modeling. We recommend that fMRI analysis packages provide diagnostic plots to make users aware of any pre-whitening problems.
Autophagy within the mushroom body protects from synapse aging in a non-cell autonomous manner
Authors: Bhukel Anuradha , Beuschel Christine Brigitte , Maglione Marta , Lehmann Martin , Juhász Gabor , Madeo Frank , Sigrist Stephan J.
Published: March 2019

Macroautophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular maintenance program, meant to protect the brain from premature aging and neurodegeneration. How neuronal autophagy, usually loosing efficacy with age, intersects with neuronal processes mediating brain maintenance remains to be explored. Here, we show that impairing autophagy in the Drosophila learning center (mushroom body, MB) but not in other brain regions triggered changes normally restricted to aged brains: impaired associative olfactory memory as well as a brain-wide ultrastructural increase of presynaptic active zones (metaplasticity), a state non-compatible with memory formation. Mechanistically, decreasing autophagy within the MBs reduced expression of an NPY-family neuropeptide, and interfering with autocrine NPY signaling of the MBs provoked similar brain-wide metaplastic changes. Our results in an exemplary fashion show that autophagy-regulated signaling emanating from a higher brain integration center can execute high-level control over other brain regions to steer life-strategy decisions such as whether or not to form memories.
The Arabidopsis H3K27me3 demethylase JUMONJI 13 is a temperature and photoperiod dependent flowering repressor
Authors: Zheng Shuzhi , Hu Hongmiao , Ren Huimin , Yang Zhenlin , Qiu Qi , Qi Weiwei , Liu Xinye , Chen Xiaomei , Cui Xiekui , Li Sisi , Zhou Bing , Sun Daye , Cao Xiaofeng , Du Jiamu
Published: March 2019

In plants, flowering time is controlled by environmental signals such as day-length and temperature, which regulate the floral pathway integrators, including FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Here, we identify an H3K27me3 demethylase, JUMONJI 13 (JMJ13), which regulates flowering time in Arabidopsis. Structural characterization of the JMJ13 catalytic domain in complex with its substrate peptide reveals that H3K27me3 is specifically recognized through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Under short-day conditions, the jmj13 mutant flowers early and has increased FT expression at high temperatures, but not at low temperatures. In contrast, jmj13 flowers early in long-day conditions regardless of temperature. Long-day condition and higher temperature induce the expression of JMJ13 and increase accumulation of JMJ13. Together, our data suggest that the H3K27me3 demethylase JMJ13 acts as a temperature- and photoperiod-dependent flowering repressor.
Liquid metal-filled magnetorheological elastomer with positive piezoconductivity
Authors: Yun Guolin , Tang Shi-Yang , Sun Shuaishuai , Yuan Dan , Zhao Qianbin , Deng Lei , Yan Sheng , Du Haiping , Dickey Michael D. , Li Weihua
Published: March 2019

Conductive elastic composites have been used widely in soft electronics and soft robotics. These composites are typically a mixture of conductive fillers within elastomeric substrates. They can sense strain via changes in resistance resulting from separation of the fillers during elongation. Thus, most elastic composites exhibit a negative piezoconductive effect, i.e. the conductivity decreases under tensile strain. This property is undesirable for stretchable conductors since such composites may become less conductive during deformation. Here, we report a liquid metal-filled magnetorheological elastomer comprising a hybrid of fillers of liquid metal microdroplets and metallic magnetic microparticles. The composite’s resistivity reaches a maximum value in the relaxed state and drops drastically under any deformation, indicating that the composite exhibits an unconventional positive piezoconductive effect. We further investigate the magnetic field-responsive thermal properties of the composite and demonstrate several proof-of-concept applications. This composite has prospective applications in sensors, stretchable conductors, and responsive thermal interfaces.
Aborted propagation of the Ethiopian rift caused by linkage with the Kenyan rift
Authors: Corti Giacomo , Cioni Raffaello , Franceschini Zara , Sani Federico , Scaillet Stéphane , Molin Paola , Isola Ilaria , Mazzarini Francesco , Brune Sascha , Keir Derek , Erbello Asfaw , Muluneh Ameha , Illsley-Kemp Finnigan , Glerum Anne
Published: March 2019

Continental rift systems form by propagation of isolated rift segments that interact, and eventually evolve into continuous zones of deformation. This process impacts many aspects of rifting including rift morphology at breakup, and eventual ocean-ridge segmentation. Yet, rift segment growth and interaction remain enigmatic. Here we present geological data from the poorly documented Ririba rift (South Ethiopia) that reveals how two major sectors of the East African rift, the Kenyan and Ethiopian rifts, interact. We show that the Ririba rift formed from the southward propagation of the Ethiopian rift during the Pliocene but this propagation was short-lived and aborted close to the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary. Seismicity data support the abandonment of laterally offset, overlapping tips of the Ethiopian and Kenyan rifts. Integration with new numerical models indicates that rift abandonment resulted from progressive focusing of the tectonic and magmatic activity into an oblique, throughgoing rift zone of near pure extension directly connecting the rift sectors.
Inhibiting hydrogen embrittlement in ultra-strong steels for automotive applications by Ni-alloying
Authors: Kim Sung Jin , Hwang Eun Hye , Park Jin Sung , Ryu Seung Min , Yun Dae Won , Seong Hwan Goo
Published: March 2019

With the stricter international regulations on CO2 emissions, fuel economy, and auto-safety, the application of novel materials with both higher strength and lower weight is becoming a major technical issue in automotive industries. Among the various lightweight concepts, ultra-strong GIGA STEEL with a tensile strength of more than 2 GPa is a major breakthrough in light of the remarkable weight reduction of vehicle without a decrease in auto-safety. Despite the outstanding mechanical performance, hydrogen embrittlement induced by aqueous and/or atmospheric corrosion is a serious problem that has restricted the application of steel to auto-parts. This study reports that such a critical challenge can be overcome by Ni-alloying, which leads to a lower cathodic reduction rate on the steel surface and slower H-infusion kinetics in the steel matrix. In contrast to the beneficial effects of Ni-alloying, conflicting results can be obtained when steel with a higher Ni content (≥1 wt.%) is exposed to neutral-corrosive environments, but the results have not been verified using conventional metallurgical approaches. This paper proposes a mechanism for these conflicting results, and provides a new and economic strategy for superior resistance to corrosion-induced hydrogen embrittlement, by making optimal use of Ni-alloying of ultra-strong steel.
Phaeobacter inhibens induces apoptosis-like programmed cell death in calcifying Emiliania huxleyi
Authors: Bramucci Anna R. , Case Rebecca J.
Published: March 2019

The model coccolithophore,Emiliania huxleyi, forms expansive blooms dominated by the calcifying cell type, which produce calcite scales called coccoliths. Blooms last several weeks, after which the calcified algal cells rapidly die, descending into the deep ocean.E. huxleyibloom collapse is attributed toE. huxleyiviruses (EhVs) that infect and kill calcifying cells, while otherE. huxleyipathogens, such as bacteria belonging to the roseobacter clade, are overlooked. EhVs kill calcifyingE. huxleyiby inducing production of bioactive viral-glycosphingolipids (vGSLs), which trigger algal programmed cell death (PCD). The roseobacterPhaeobacter inhibenswas recently shown to interact with and kill the calcifying cell type ofE. huxleyi, but the mechanism of algal death remains unelucidated. Here we demonstrate thatP. inhibenskills calcifyingE. huxleyiby inducing a highly specific type of PCD called apoptosis-like-PCD (AL-PCD). Host death can successfully be abolished in the presence of a pan-caspase inhibitor, which prevents the activation of caspase-like molecules. This finding differentiatesP. inhibensand EhV pathogenesis ofE. huxleyi, by demonstrating that bacterial-induced AL-PCD requires active caspase-like molecules, while the viral pathogen does not. This is the first demonstration of a bacterium inducing AL-PCD in an algal host as a killing mechanism.
Facial Complexity in Sun Bears: Exact Facial Mimicry and Social Sensitivity
Authors: Taylor Derry , Hartmann Daniela , Dezecache Guillaume , Te Wong Siew , Davila-Ross Marina
Published: March 2019

Facial mimicry is a central feature of human social interactions. Although it has been evidenced in other mammals, no study has yet shown that this phenomenon can reach the level of precision seem in humans and gorillas. Here, we studied the facial complexity of group-housed sun bears, a typically solitary species, with special focus on testing for exact facial mimicry. Our results provided evidence that the bears have the ability to mimic the expressions of their conspecifics and that they do so by matching the exact facial variants they interact with. In addition, the data showed the bears produced the open-mouth faces predominantly when they received the recipient’s attention, suggesting a degree of social sensitivity. Our finding questions the relationship between communicative complexity and social complexity, and suggests the possibility that the capacity for complex facial communication is phylogenetically more widespread than previously thought.
Inhibition increases response variability and reduces stimulus discrimination in random networks of cortical neurons
Authors: Haroush Netta , Marom Shimon
Published: March 2019

Much of what is known about the contribution of inhibition to stimulus discrimination is due to extensively studied sensory systems, which are highly structured neural circuits. The effect of inhibition on stimulus representation in less structured networks is not as clear. Here we exercise a biosynthetic approach in order to study the impacts of inhibition on stimulus representation in non-specialized network anatomy. Combining pharmacological manipulation, multisite electrical stimulation and recording fromex-vivorandomly rewired networks of cortical neurons, we quantified the effects of inhibition on response variability and stimulus discrimination at the population and single unit levels. We find that blocking inhibition quenches variability of responses evoked by repeated stimuli and enhances discrimination between stimuli that invade the network from different spatial loci. Enhanced stimulus discrimination is reserved for representation schemes that are based on temporal relation between spikes emitted in groups of neurons. Our data indicate that – under intact inhibition – the response to a given stimulus is a noisy version of the response evoked in the absence of inhibition. Spatial analysis suggests that the dispersion effect of inhibition is due to disruption of an otherwise coherent, wave-like propagation of activity.
Evolutionary diversification of the RomR protein of the invasive deltaproteobacterium, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus
Authors: Lowry Rebecca C. , Milner David S. , Al-Bayati Asmaa M. S. , Lambert Carey , Francis Vanessa I. , Porter Steven L. , Sockett R. E.
Published: March 2019

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predatory deltaproteobacterium that encounters individual Gram-negative prey bacteria with gliding or swimming motility, and then is able to invade such prey cells via type IVa pilus-dependent mechanisms. Movement control (pili or gliding) in other deltaproteobacteria, such as the pack hunting Myxococcus xanthus, uses a response regulator protein, RomRMx (which dynamically relocalises between the cell poles) and a GTPase, MglAMx, previously postulated as an interface between the FrzMx chemosensory system and gliding or pilus-motility apparatus, to produce regulated bidirectional motility. In contrast, B. bacteriovorus predation is a more singular encounter between a lone predator and prey; contact is always via the piliated, non-flagellar pole of the predator, involving MglABd, but no Frz system. In this new study, tracking fluorescent RomRBd microscopically during predatory growth shows that it does not dynamically relocalise, in contrast to the M. xanthus protein; instead having possible roles in growth events. Furthermore, transcriptional start analysis, site-directed mutagenesis and bacterial two-hybrid interaction studies, indicate an evolutionary loss of RomRBd activation (via receiver domain phosphorylation) in this lone hunting bacterium, demonstrating divergence from its bipolar role in motility in pack-hunting M. xanthus and further evolution that may differentiate lone from pack predators.
Energy of injection-induced seismicity predicted from in-situ experiments
Authors: De Barros Louis , Cappa Frédéric , Guglielmi Yves , Duboeuf Laure , Grasso Jean-Robert
Published: March 2019

The ability to predict the magnitude of an earthquake caused by deep fluid injections is an important factor for assessing the safety of the reservoir storage and the seismic hazard. Here, we propose a new approach to evaluate the seismic energy released during fluid injection by integrating injection parameters, induced aseismic deformation, and the distance of earthquake sources from injection. We use data from ten injection experiments performed at a decameter scale into fault zones in limestone and shale formations. We observe that the seismic energy and the hydraulic energy similarly depend on the injected fluid volume (V), as they both scale as V3/2. They show, however, a large discrepancy, partly related to a large aseismic deformation. Therefore, to accurately predict the released seismic energy, aseismic deformation should be considered in the budget through the residual deformation measured at the injection. Alternatively, the minimal hypocentral distance from injection points and the critical fluid pressure for fault reactivation can be used for a better prediction of the seismic moment in the total compilation of earthquakes observed during these experiments. Complementary to the prediction based only on the injected fluid volume, our approach opens the possibility of using alternative monitoring parameters to improve traffic-light protocols for induced earthquakes and the regulation of operational injection activities.
Uncertainty in hydrological analysis of climate change: multi-parameter vs. multi-GCM ensemble predictions
Authors: Her Younggu , Yoo Seung-Hwan , Cho Jaepil , Hwang Syewoon , Jeong Jaehak , Seong Chounghyun
Published: March 2019

The quantification of uncertainty in the ensemble-based predictions of climate change and the corresponding hydrological impact is necessary for the development of robust climate adaptation plans. Although the equifinality of hydrological modeling has been discussed for a long time, its influence on the hydrological analysis of climate change has not been studied enough to provide a definite idea about the relative contributions of uncertainty contained in both multiple general circulation models (GCMs) and multi-parameter ensembles to hydrological projections. This study demonstrated that the impact of multi-GCM ensemble uncertainty on direct runoff projections for headwater watersheds could be an order of magnitude larger than that of multi-parameter ensemble uncertainty. The finding suggests that the selection of appropriate GCMs should be much more emphasized than that of a parameter set among behavioral ones. When projecting soil moisture and groundwater, on the other hand, the hydrological modeling equifinality was more influential than the multi-GCM ensemble uncertainty. Overall, the uncertainty of GCM projections was dominant for relatively rapid hydrological components while the uncertainty of hydrological model parameterization was more significant for slow components. In addition, uncertainty in hydrological projections was much more closely associated with uncertainty in the ensemble projections of precipitation than temperature, indicating a need to pay closer attention to precipitation data for improved modeling reliability. Uncertainty in hydrological component ensemble projections showed unique responses to uncertainty in the precipitation and temperature ensembles.
A risk stratification tool for hospitalisation in Australia using primary care data
Authors: Khanna Sankalp , Rolls David A. , Boyle Justin , Xie Yang , Jayasena Rajiv , Hibbert Marienne , Georgeff Michael
Published: March 2019

Predictive risk models using general practice (GP) data to predict the risk of hospitalisation have the potential to identify patients for targeted care. Effective use can help deliver significant reductions in the incidence of hospitalisation, particularly for patients with chronic conditions, the highest consumers of hospital resources. There are currently no published validated risk models for the Australian context using GP data to predict hospitalisation. In addition, published models for other contexts typically rely on a patient’s history of prior hospitalisations, a field not commonly available in GP information systems, as a predictor. We present a predictive risk model developed for use by GPs to assist in targeting coordinated healthcare to patients most in need. The algorithm was developed and validated using a retrospective primary care cohort, linked to records of hospitalisation in Victoria, Australia, to predict the risk of hospitalisation within one year. Predictors employed include demographics, prescription history, pathology results and disease diagnoses. Prior hospitalisation information was not employed as a predictor. Our model shows good performance and has been implemented within primary care practices participating in Health Care Homes, an Australian Government initiative being trialled for providing ongoing comprehensive care for patients with chronic and complex conditions.
Noninvasive monitoring of blood flow using a single magnetic microsphere
Authors: Liebl Maik , Gleich Bernhard , Eberbeck Dietmar , Radon Patricia , Rahmer Jürgen , Trahms Lutz , Wiekhorst Frank
Published: March 2019

Noninvasive medical imaging of blood flow relies on mapping the transit of a contrast medium bolus injected intravenously. This has the draw-back that the front of the bolus widens until the tissue of interest is reached and quantitative flow parameters are not easy to obtain. Here, we introduce high resolution (millimeter/millisecond) 3D magnetic tracking of a single microsphere locally probing the flow while passing through a vessel. With this, we successfully localize and evaluate diameter constrictions in an arteria phantom after a single passage of a microsphere. We further demonstrate the potential for clinical application by tracking a microsphere smaller than a red blood cell.
Amyloid beta in nasal secretions may be a potential biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kim Young Hyo , Lee Sang-Myung , Cho Sungbo , Kang Ju-Hee , Minn Yang-Ki , Park Hyelim , Choi Seong Hye
Published: March 2019

We investigated the level of amyloid beta (Aβ) in nasal secretions of patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD) using interdigitated microelectrode (IME) biosensors and determined the predictive value of Aβ in nasal secretions for ADD diagnosis. Nasal secretions were obtained from 35 patients with ADD, 18 with cognitive decline associated with other neurological disorders (OND), and 26 cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants. Capacitance changes in IMEs were measured by capturing total Aβ (ΔCtAβ). After 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinepropanesulfonic acid (EPPS) was injected, additional capacitance changes due to the smaller molecular weight Aβ oligomers disassembled from the higher molecular weight oligomeric Aβ were determined (ΔCoAβ). By dividing two values, the capacitance ratio (ΔCoAβ/ΔCtAβ) was determined and then normalized to the capacitance change index (CCI). The CCI was higher in the ADD group than in the OND (p = 0.040) and CU groups (p = 0.007). The accuracy of the CCI was fair in separating into the ADD and CU groups (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.718, 95% confidence interval = 0.591–0.845). These results demonstrate that the level of Aβ in nasal secretions increases in ADD and the detection of Aβ in nasal secretions using IME biosensors may be possible in predicting ADD.
Type–II superlattices base visible/extended short–wavelength infrared photodetectors with a bandstructure–engineered photo–generated carrier extractor
Authors: Dehzangi Arash , McClintock Ryan , Haddadi Abbas , Wu Donghai , Chevallier Romain , Razeghi Manijeh
Published: March 2019

Visible/extended short–wavelength infrared photodetectors with a bandstructure–engineered photo–generated carrier extractor based on type–II InAs/AlSb/GaSb superlattices have been demonstrated. The photodetectors are designed to have a 100% cut-off wavelength of ~2.4 μm at 300K, with sensitivity down to visible wavelengths. The photodetectors exhibit room–temperature (300K) peak responsivity of 0.6 A/W at ~1.7 μm, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of 43% at zero bias under front–side illumination, without any anti–reflection coating where the visible cut−on wavelength of the devices is <0.5 µm. With a dark current density of 5.3 × 10−4 A/cm2 under −20 mV applied bias at 300K, the photodetectors exhibit a specific detectivity of 4.72 × 1010 cm·Hz1/2/W. At 150K, the photodetectors exhibit a dark current density of 1.8 × 10−10 A/cm2 and a quantum efficiency of 40%, resulting in a detectivity of 5.56 × 1013 cm·Hz1/2/W.
The PGC-1/ERR network and its role in precision oncology
Authors: De Vitto Humberto , Bode Ann M. , Dong Zigang
Published: March 2019

Transcriptional regulators include a superfamily of nuclear proteins referred to as co-activators and co-repressors, both of which are involved in controlling the functions of several nuclear receptors (NRs). The Nuclear Receptor Signaling Atlas (NURSA) has cataloged the composition of NRs, co-regulators, and ligands present in the human cell and their effort has been identified in more than 600 potential molecules. Given the importance of co-regulators in steroid, retinoid, and thyroid hormone signaling networks, hypothesizing that NRs/co-regulators are implicated in a wide range of pathologies are tempting. The co-activators known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 (PGC-1) and their key nuclear partner, the estrogen-related receptor (ERR), are emerging as pivotal transcriptional signatures that regulate an extremely broad repertoire of mitochondrial and metabolic genes, making them very attractive drug targets for cancer. Several studies have provided an increased understanding of the functional and structural biology of nuclear complexes. However, more comprehensive work is needed to create different avenues to explore the therapeutic potential of NRs/co-activators in precision oncology. Here, we discuss the emerging data associated with the structure, function, and molecular biology of the PGC-1/ERR network and address how the concepts evolving from these studies have deepened our understanding of how to develop more effective treatment strategies. We present an overview that underscores new biological insights into PGC-1/ERR to improve cancer outcomes against therapeutic resistance. Finally, we discuss the importance of exploiting new technologies such as single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to develop a high-resolution biological structure of PGC-1/ERR, focusing on novel drug discovery for precision oncology.
Rapid synthesis of pristine graphene inside a transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Ignacio G. , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Gemming Thomas , Trzebicka Barbara , Liu Zhongfan , Rummeli Mark H.
Published: March 2019

Multiple methods with distinctive strengths and drawbacks have been devised so far to produce graphene. However, they all need post-synthesis transfer steps to characterize the product. Here we report the synthesis of pristine graphene inside the transmission electron microscope using gold as catalyst and self-removing substrate without employing a specialized specimen holder. The process occurs at room temperature and takes place within milliseconds. The method offers the possibility of precise spatial control for graphene production and immediate characterization. Briefly, the irradiating electrons generate secondary electrons leading to surface charging if the gold particles reside on a poorly conducting support. At a critical charge density, the particle ejects ions mixed with secondary electrons (plasma) causing the particle to shrink. Simultaneously, hydrocarbon contamination within the electron microscope is cracked, thus providing carbon for the growth of graphene on the particle’s surface. The Technique is potentially attractive for the manufacture of in situ graphene-based devices.
Author Correction: Integrated synthesis of nucleotide and nucleosides influenced by amino acids
Authors: Suárez-Marina Irene , Abul-Haija Yousef M. , Turk-MacLeod Rebecca , Gromski Piotr S. , Cooper Geoffrey J. T. , Olivé Andrea Olivé , Colón-Santos Stephanie , Cronin Leroy
Published: March 2019

The previously published version of this Article contained errors in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1a, an oxygen atom was omitted from one structure. In Fig. 1b, one structure was drawn as the incorrect enantiomer. These errors have been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Improved detection of group A Streptococcus during thermal contrast amplification vs. visual reading of clinical rapid diagnostic tests
Authors: Wang Yiru , Louwagie Erin , Larkin Daniel , Sankey Stephanie , Boulware David R. , Bischof John C.
Published: March 2019

Group A Streptococcus causes significant health care costs and burdens.
Relating the blood-thinning effect of pentoxifylline to the reduction in the elastic modulus of human red blood cells: anin vivostudy
Authors: Aifantis Katerina E. , Shrivastava Sanjiv , Pelidou Sygkliti-Henrietta , Ngan Alfonso H. W. , Baloyannis Stavros I.
Published: March 2019

Atomic force microscopy indentation was employed to illustrate that pentoxifylline reduces the elastic modulus of red blood cells (from healthy human subjects), increasing hence their flexibility.
High-temperature shape memory loss in nitinol: a first principles study
Authors: Adeleke Adebayo A. , Yao Yansun
Published: March 2019

Smart alloy, NiTi, is predicted to lose its shape memory when deformed at 10 GPa and heated above 700 K.