bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengths and limitations of Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae for managing Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) adults and grubs with caveats for cross‐order activity to monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) larvae
Authors: Redmond Carl T , Wallis Lindsey , Geis Matthew , Williamson R Chris , Potter Daniel A
Published: June 2019

BACKGROUND

Target‐selective biopesticides are needed to facilitate integrated pest and pollinator management in urban landscapes and gardens. Bacillus thuringiensis galleriae, strain SDS‐502 (Btg), recently registered in the USA and Canada, produces Cry8Da protein active against scarab beetles. We evaluated Btg formulations for managing the Japanese beetle [Popillia japonica Newman (JB)], a polyphagous invasive pest, including residual spray effectiveness for reducing adult feeding on Rosa and Tilia spp., and granular formulations for early‐ or late‐curative control of root‐feeding grubs in turfgrass. We also tested for cross‐order activity to monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) larvae and other non‐target insects.

RESULTS

Field‐weathered Btg residues reduced JB feeding on foliage for 3–14 days. Most beetles were still flight‐capable after 24 h confinement with Btg‐treated leaves. Granular Btg failed to control early‐ or late‐instar JB grubs in soils under several turfgrass species at multiple field sites. In three trials, feeding on Btg‐sprayed milkweed resulted in 97–100% mortality of early instar monarchs, with symptoms of B. thuringiensis pathogenesis. Fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) fed Btg‐treated grass had reduced body mass, but there were no adverse effects on lady beetle larvae preying on Btg‐sprayed aphids or on the aphids themselves.

CONCLUSION

This study supports efficacy of Btg strain SDS‐502 for reducing defoliation by adult JB in urban landscape settings. Granular formulations, however, failed to control JB grubs in turfgrass soils. Btg should not be used in gardens with larval host plants of the monarch butterfly or other non‐pest Lepidoptera, especially species of conservation concern. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Stable Intracerebral Transplantation of Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Paralysis Due to Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhang Guangzhu , Li Ying , Reuss James L. , Liu Nan , Wu Cuiying , Li Jingpo , Xu Shuangshuang , Wang Feng , Hazel Thomas G. , Cunningham Miles , Zhang Hongtian , Dai Yiwu , Hong Peng , Zhang Ping , He Jianghong , Feng Huiru , Lu Xiangdong , Ulmer John L. , Johe Karl K. , Xu Ruxiang
Published: June 2019

NSI-566 is a stable, primary adherent neural stem cell line derived from a single human fetal spinal cord and expanded epigenetically with no genetic modification. This cell line is being tested in clinical trials in the U.S. for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal cord injury. In a single-site, phase I study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of NSI-566 transplantation for the treatment of hemiparesis due to chronic motor stroke and determined the maximum tolerated dose for future trials. Three cohorts (n = 3 per cohort) were transplanted with one-time intracerebral injections of 1.2 × 107, 2.4 × 107, or 7.2 × 107 cells. Immunosuppression therapy with tacrolimus was maintained for 28 days. All subjects had sustained chronic motor strokes, verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), initiated between 5 and 24 months prior to surgery with modified Rankin Scores [MRSs] of 2, 3, or 4 and Fugl-Meyer Motor Scores of 55 or less. At the 12-month visit, the mean Fugl-Meyer Motor Score (FMMS, total score of 100) for the nine participants showed 16 points of improvement (p = .0078), the mean MRS showed 0.8 points of improvement (p = .031), and the mean National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale showed 3.1 points of improvement (p = .020). For six participants who were followed up for 24 months, these mean changes remained stable. The treatment was well tolerated at all doses. Longitudinal MRI studies showed evidence indicating cavity-filling by new neural tissue formation in all nine patients. Although this was a small, one-arm study of feasibility, the results are encouraging to warrant further studies. Stem Cells Translational Medicine  2019;8:999–1007
Carbon Dots, Unconventional Preparation Strategies, and Applications Beyond Photoluminescence
Authors: Tian Xue‐Tao , Yin Xue‐Bo
Published: June 2019

Carbon dots (C‐dots) are generally separated into graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon nanodots (CNDs) based on their respective top‐down and bottom‐up preparation processes. However, GQDs can be prepared by carbonization of small‐molecule precursors as revealed with unconventional preparation strategies. Thus, it is their structures rather than their precursors and preparation strategy that govern whether C‐dots are GQDs or CNDs. Here, the composites, structure, and electronic properties of C‐dots are discussed. C‐dots generally consist of a graphite‐like core and amorphous oxygen‐containing shell. When graphite becomes C‐dots, its conduction and valence bands are separated, and the quantum confinement effect appears. Combined with the light‐harvesting ability inherited from graphite, electrons in the core of C‐dots are transferred from conduction to valence bands, leading to electron–hole pair formation upon light excitation. The photoexcitation activities, such as photovoltaic conversion, photocatalysis, and photodynamic therapy, are influenced by the electronic properties of the core. Different to the semiconductor properties of core, the C‐dot shell is electrochemically active, leading to electrochemiluminescence (ECL). The oxygen‐containing groups in shell can conjugate to functional species for use in imaging and therapy. The applications of C‐dots beyond photoluminescence, including ECL, solar photovoltaics, photocatalysis, and theranostics, are reviewed.
Sparse spectral estimation with missing and corrupted measurements
Authors: Elsener Andreas , van de Geer Sara
Published: June 2019

Supervised learning methods with missing data have been extensively studied not just due to the techniques related to low‐rank matrix completion. Also, in unsupervised learning, one often relies on imputation methods. As a matter of fact, missing values induce a bias in various estimators such as the sample covariance matrix. In the present paper, a convex method for sparse subspace estimation is extended to the case of missing and corrupted measurements. This is done by correcting the bias instead of imputing the missing values. The estimator is then used as an initial value for a nonconvex procedure to improve the overall statistical performance. The methodological and theoretical frameworks are applied to a wide range of statistical problems. These include sparse principal component analysis with different types of randomly missing data. Finally, the statistical performance is demonstrated on synthetic data.
Treatment of petrochemical wastewater and produced water from oil and gas
Authors: Wei Xinchao , Zhang Shicheng , Han Yuexin , Wolfe Frederick Andrew
Published: June 2019

Wastewater in petrochemical processes and produced water from oil and gas production remain a challenge for the industry to minimize their impact on the environment. Recent research and development of treatment technologies for petrochemical wastewater and produced water from oil and gas industries published in 2018 were summarized in this annual review. Great efforts and progresses were made in various treatment options, including membrane processes, advanced oxidation, biological systems, adsorption, coagulation, and combined processes.

Practitioner points

Treatment technologies for petrochemical wastewater are reviewed.

Research development in produced water from oil and gas industries is summarized.

Reviewed technologies include traditional, advanced, and innovative processes.
A comparative analysis of digital forensic readiness models using CFRaaS as a baseline
Authors: Kebande Victor Rigworo , Venter Hein S.
Published: June 2019

Digital forensic readiness (DFR) aims at maximizing the potential of conducting a digital forensic investigation while minimizing the cost of conducting postevent processes when a potential security incident is detected. Conducting digital forensic investigation (DFI) process and changing the functionality of software architectures and/or infrastructures while conducting these processes is a costly exercise; however, the availability of DFR processes can shorten and save the cost of these processes. A comparative analysis of the DFR process models is given that makes a strict comparison with the cloud forensic readiness as a service (CFRaaS) model. The main reason the CFRaaS model has been used as a basis for comparison is because it has been constructed by modifying the functionality of initially considered malicious botnets to allow the removal of potential digital evidence from the cloud without changing the architecture or the infrastructure of the cloud while conducting digital forensic processes. It is worth to note that the CFRaaS processes have been carefully developed based on the guidelines of ISO/IEC 27043:2015 international standards for information technology, security techniques, incident investigation principles and processes. Nevertheless, additional postevent response processes have also been incorporated in the CFRaaS like the reconstruction of the events and the Incident Response Procedures processes. The outcome of the comparison has shown promising results worth exploring.

This article is categorized under:

Digital and Multimedia Science > Cloud Forensics

Digital and Multimedia Science > Cyber Threat Intelligence

MoDigital and Multimedia Science > Forensic Visualization
Use of magnetic fields and nanoparticles to trigger drug release and improve tumor targeting
Authors: Liu Jessica F. , Jang Bian , Issadore David , Tsourkas Andrew
Published: June 2019

Drug delivery strategies aim to maximize a drug's therapeutic index by increasing the concentration of drug at target sites while minimizing delivery to off‐target tissues. Because biological tissues are minimally responsive to magnetic fields, there has been a great deal of interest in using magnetic nanoparticles in combination with applied magnetic fields to selectively control the accumulation and release of drug in target tissues while minimizing the impact on surrounding tissue. In particular, spatially variant magnetic fields have been used to encourage accumulation of drug‐loaded magnetic nanoparticles at target sites, while time‐variant magnetic fields have been used to induce drug release from thermally sensitive nanocarriers. In this review, we discuss nanoparticle formulations and approaches that have been developed for magnetic targeting and/or magnetically induced drug release, as well as ongoing challenges in using magnetism for therapeutic applications.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Master integrals for the NNLO virtual corrections to $$ q\overline{q}\to t\overline{t} $$ scattering in QCD: the non-planar graphs
Authors: Di Vita Stefano , Gehrmann Thomas , Laporta Stefano , Mastrolia Pierpaolo , Primo Amedeo , Schubert Ulrich
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We complete the analytic evaluation of the master integrals for the two-loop non-planar box diagrams contributing to the top-pair production in the quark-initiated channel, at next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD. The integrals are determined from their differential equations, which are cast into a canonical form using the Magnus exponential. The analytic expressions of the Laurent series coefficients of the integrals are expressed as combinations of generalized polylogarithms, which we validate with several numerical checks. We discuss the analytic continuation of the planar and the non-planar master integrals, which contribute toq q→ttin QCD, as well as to the companion QED scattering processesee→ μμ andeμ →eμ.
T-duality in (2, 1) superspace
Authors: Abou-Zeid M. , Hull C. M. , Lindström U. , Roček M.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

We find the T-duality transformation rules for 2-dimensional (2,1) supersymmetric sigma-models in (2,1) superspace. Our results clarify certain aspects of the (2,1) sigma model geometry relevant to the discussion of T-duality. The complexified duality transformations we find are equivalent to the usual Buscher duality transformations (including an important refinement) together with diffeomorphisms. We use the gauging of sigma-models in (2,1) superspace, which we review and develop, finding a manifestly real and geometric expression for the gauged action. We discuss the obstructions to gauging (2,1) sigma-models, and find that the obstructions to (2,1) T-duality are considerably weaker.
Proposal of a Useful Surrogate Endpoint of the Overall Survival in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Metastasectomy: The Time to Local Therapy Failure
Authors: Kanzaki Ryu , Kanou Takashi , Ose Naoko , Funaki Soichiro , Minami Masato , Tajima Testuya , Fujii Makoto , Ohno Yuko , Shintani Yasushi
Published: June 2019

Background

A recent study demonstrated remarkable discrepancy between the relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after pulmonary metastasectomy (PM) in the current era. As the RFS may not be a suitable parameter after PM, a more suitable parameter is needed for PM as a surrogate marker for OS.

Methods

A total of 134 consecutive patients who underwent PM were retrospectively analyzed. In the present study, we introduced a new endpoint, time to local treatment failure (TLTF). This endpoint was defined as the time interval between the first PM and the first untreatable recurrence by local treatment with curative intent or death due to any cause. We analyzed the correlation between the RFS and OS and between the TLTF and OS to validate whether or not the TLTF is a better parameter than the RFS after PM.

Results

Thus far, 78 patients have experienced relapse. Of these, 37 patients (47%) underwent local therapy with curative intent, 29 of whom are alive without local treatment failure. The 5‐year OS, RFS and TLTF were 70.9%, 36.5%, and 57.6%, respectively. The concordance proportions for the RFS and OS and for the TLTF and OS were 0.634 and 0.851 for all patients, respectively. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for the RFS and OS was 0.639, while that for the TLTF and OS was 0.875.

Conclusions

The TLTF may be a good surrogate parameter for the OS after PM in the current era.
Anticancer activity of a novel methylated analogue of L-mimosine against an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma
Authors: Kyriakou Sotiris , Mitsiogianni Melina , Mantso Theodora , Cheung William , Todryk Stephen , Veuger Stephany , Pappa Aglaia , Tetard David , Panayiotidis Mihalis I.
Published: June 2019

The anticancer activity of a series of novel synthesized, hydroxypyridone-based metal chelators (analogues of L-mimosine) was evaluated in an in vitro model of melanoma consisting of malignant melanoma (A375), non-melanoma epidermoid carcinoma (A431) and immortalized non-malignant keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. More specifically, we have demonstrated that the L-enantiomer of a methylated analogue of L-mimosine (compound 22) can exert a potent anticancer effect in A375 cells when compared to either A431 or HaCaT cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that this analogue has the ability to i) promote increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ii) activate both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis and iii) induce perturbations in cell cycle growth arrest. Our data highlights the potential of compound 22 to act as a promising therapeutic agent against an in vitro model of human malignant melanoma.
Discovering Emerging Research Topics for Brand Personality: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Lara-Rodríguez Juan Sebastián , Rojas-Contreras Camilo , Duque Oliva Edison Jair
Published: June 2019

This article details an eclectic bibliometric method to study brand personality, identifying theoretical buildings and possible emerging research topics across marketing science fields. A mix of diverse bibliometric software and multiple correspondence analyses related to the topic supports considerations of four methodological phases, in particular: (1) research overview, (2) authors, (3) semantics, and (4) models. The bibliometric findings offer a catalog of BP research approaches. A comparison of research trends associated with renowned marketing science organizations and the current analyses suggest emerging research topics. Continued research should adopt and improve bibliometric methods and multiple correspondence analyses, despite to their heterogeneity.
How to diagnose and treat benign headaches
Authors: Rowe Brian H. , Villa-Roel Cristina , Krebs Lynette D.
Published: June 2019

A 19-year-old female, university student with a long-standing history of migraine headaches presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 36-hour history of gradual onset of left-sided headache, preceded by visual aura. She stated that her headache was worse than usual and now associated with nausea, vomiting, and photophobia, despite use of oral ibuprofen. On examination, she was afebrile, her SaO2 = 98% on room air, her pulse was 110 beats/minute, and she was breathing 20 breaths/minute. She received a Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale score of 2 due to her pain score of 8/10 on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Her neurological examination was normal and her neck was supple with full range of motion. She was a non-smoker, infrequent cannabis user, and her last menstrual period was normal.
Tiwanaku's Legacy: A Chronological Reassessment of the Terminal Middle Horizon in the Moquegua Valley, Peru
Authors: Sharratt Nicola
Published: June 2019

As in other examples of state collapse, political disintegration of the Tiwanaku state circa AD 1000 was accompanied by considerable cultural continuity. In the Moquegua Valley, Peru, the location of the largest Tiwanaku communities outside the altiplano, settlements and practices associated with this postcollapse cultural continuity are termed Tumilaca. Previous research indicated that Tumilaca was short-lived, with all vestiges of Tiwanaku gone from Moquegua's archaeological record by the thirteenth century when the valley was subsequently characterized by Estuquiña-style materials. This article discusses radiocarbon dates from Tumilaca la Chimba, a village established as the political authority of the Tiwanaku state waned. The 21 absolute dates from Tumilaca domestic, public, and funerary contexts span at least 350 years, from the late tenth to the mid-fourteenth centuries AD. They suggest that (1) Tiwanaku-affiliated communities endured well into the later Late Intermediate Period (AD 1200–1470); (2) ongoing debates about the emergence of Estuquiña communities must consider the role of terminal Tiwanaku populations; and (3) analyses of postcollapse continuity can be enhanced by considering peripheral locales and the particularities of continuity.
Non-Invasive CPAP Ventilation in Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authors: Idil Hasan , Unek Orkun
Published: June 2019

Oxygen is the main treatment of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In two simultaneous cases, the efficacy of conventional and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-administered oxygen therapy was compared. A 63-year-old man and his 58-year-old wife were brought to the emergency department with complaints of dizziness, headache, and nausea. The man had a history of congestive heart failure and additionally had shortness of breath. Initial carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) values were 26% in the male patient and 24% in his wife. For the female patient, oxygen therapy was performed with a reservoir balloon mask; a CPAP device was used for the male patient. The COHb levels decreased below five percent after approximately two hours in the male patient and at the end of five hours in his wife. In follow-up, symptomatic relief was achieved in both patients and no additional complications were observed. According to our experience, CPAP ventilation can be a new and effective method for oxygen therapy in CO poisoning.
Psychotherapists’ reports of technique use when treating anxiety disorders: factors associated with specific technique use
Authors: Parker Zachary J. , Waller Glenn
Published: June 2019

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most efficacious and effective psychological intervention for treating anxiety disorders. Behavioural techniques, in particular exposure-based techniques, are fundamental to positive outcomes. However, research suggests that these techniques are either not used or are under-used when treating anxiety disorders. This study assesses therapists’ reported use of CBT techniques in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and explores which therapist variables influence technique use. A total of 173 CBT therapists completed measures on their demographics, routine therapy practices in treating anxiety disorders, and internal states (e.g. self-esteem). These data were analysed to see how often therapists employed particular techniques and the correlates of the use of those techniques. Behavioural techniques (e.g. exposure) were the least utilized set of core CBT skills, being used less often than non-CBT techniques. The under-utilization of these key techniques was associated with greater levels of increased inhibitory anxiety amongst therapists. Supervision and therapists’ self-esteem were both positively associated with the use of non-CBT techniques. While this study established what CBT therapists purport to use in routine practice with anxious populations, further research is needed to assess the association between adherence (or lack thereof) and client outcomes, and the factors that drive non-adherence.

Key learning aims

As a result of reading this paper, the reader should:

(1)

Learn about what psychotherapists report as occurring in routine care for individuals with anxiety and related disorders.

(2)

Know the potential therapist traits that influence the use of CBT techniques.

(3)

Gain knowledge to help explain to clients why previous therapy may not have been effective.

(4)

Develop a richer understanding of what factors may influence their own therapeutic practice.
Programme zur Förderung kognitiver Fähigkeiten in Vorschule und Schule: Wie effektiv sind sie, und wie gut sind die Verfahren praktisch implementiert?
Authors: Schneider Wolfgang
Published: June 2019

Zusammenfassung. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit neueren Trends bei der Entwicklung und Evaluation von kognitiven Trainingsprogrammen sowie ihrer Implementation in die pädagogisch-psychologische Praxis. Es wird konstatiert, dass die Fortschritte der letzten Jahrzehnte weniger in der theoretischen Weiterentwicklung basaler Konzepte als vielmehr in methodologischen Verbesserungen zu sehen sind. Im Hinblick auf die Trainingsinhalte finden sich unterschiedliche Ergebnistrends. Im Hinblick auf die Förderung von Gedächtnisstrategien ergaben sich mehrfach positive Effekte, leider jedoch keine Übertragung in publizierte Programme. Neue Studien fokussierten auf das Training des Arbeitsgedächtnisses, zeigten dabei kaum nennenswerte Effekte und wurden von daher auch selten als Programme publiziert. Die Situation im Hinblick auf das Training induktiven Denkens, der phonologischen Bewusstheit und der Lesekompetenz stellt sich im Vergleich deutlich positiver dar. Die Nachhaltigkeit der publizierten Programme konnte in allen genannten Bereich wiederholt demonstriert werden, wobei sich im Hinblick auf die Lesekompetenz besonders deutliche Auswirkungen für Lesestrategien zeigten. Nach wie vor zeigen sich jedoch Probleme bei dem Transfer wirksamer Programme in die pädagogisch-psychologische Praxis. Da nicht davon auszugehen ist, dass nachhaltig wirksame Fördermaßnahmen ohne weiteren Aufwand in die pädagogische Praxis übertragen werden können, werden sinnvolle Implementationsstrategien diskutiert. Es werden Empfehlungen für Vorgehensweisen gegeben, die eine enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Programmentwicklern, den jeweils involvierten Bildungsinstitutionen und den Personen (z. B. pädagogische Fachkräfte in Kindergärten und Schulen) implizieren. Diese sollten den nachhaltigen Einsatz effektiver Förderprogramme in pädagogischen Kontexten wahrscheinlicher machen.
Die Bedeutung situativer Charakteristiken und struktureller Rahmenbedingungen für die Qualität der unterstützenden Fachkraft-Kind-Interaktion in Kindertagesstätten
Authors: Reyhing Yvonne , Frei Doris , Burkhardt Bossi Carine , Perren Sonja
Published: June 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die Bedeutsamkeit guter Qualität in Kindertagesstätten ist inzwischen hinreichend belegt. Die Fachkraft-Kind-Interaktion ist ein wichtiger Qualitätsindikator. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, mögliche Einflussfaktoren, die sich positiv auf die Interaktionsqualität auswirken, zu identifizieren. Der Fokus ist auf die situativen Charakteristiken sowie die strukturellen Rahmenbedingungen gerichtet, die sich nach Bronfenbrenners ökosozialer Theorie in unterschiedlicher Weise auf die Interaktion zwischen Fachkraft und Kind auswirken. Die Interaktionsqualität wurde in 119 Kita-Gruppen durch das Beobachtungsinstrument CLASS toddler erfasst. Zudem wurden die situativen Charakteristiken der Beobachtungszyklen festgehalten. Die strukturellen Rahmenbedingungen wurden mit einem Fragebogen erhoben. Anhand eines Mehrebenen-Strukturgleichungsmodells zeigt sich, dass bei den strukturellen Rahmenbedingungen nur die Qualitätszertifizierung in Zusammenhang mit der Interaktionsqualität steht. QualiKita-zertifizierte Einrichtungen zeigen die höchste emotionale und verhaltensbezogene Unterstützung. Bei den situativen Charakteristiken zeigen sich mehrere signifikante Zusammenhänge. Geführte Gruppenaktivitäten weisen mehr unterstützende Fachkraft-Kind-Interaktionen auf als andere Aktivitätssettings. Je mehr Kinder anwesend sind, desto schlechter fällt die Interaktionsqualität aus. Bessere Interaktionsqualität zeigt sich in Situationen mit präsenten Leitungspersonen. Diese Studie verdeutlicht die Wichtigkeit der Alltagsgestaltung als Ansatzpunkt für weitere Qualitätsentwicklungsmaßnahmen.
Nature and Evolution of Crust in Southern Lhasa, Tibet: Transformation From Microcontinent to Juvenile Terrane
Authors: Ma Lin , Kerr Andrew C. , Wang Qiang , Jiang Zi‐Qi , Tang Gong‐Jian , Yang Jin‐Hui , Xia Xiao‐Ping , Hu Wan‐Long , Yang Zong‐Yong , Sun Peng
Published: June 2019

The nature and pre‐Cenozoic evolution history of crust in southern Lhasa, which is crucial for our understanding of Indo‐Asian continental collision and Tibetan uplift during the Cenozoic, remains controversial due to a “missing” pre‐Mesozoic magmatic record. In this contribution, we report petrological and geochemical data for newly identified Paleozoic bimodal magmatism in the Zhengga area of southern Tibet. The magmatism comprises Late Devonian‐Early Carboniferous (366–353 Ma) amphibolite and two‐mica gneissic granite. The protoliths of the Zhengga amphibolite were gabbro and diorite with low SiO2 and high MgO, Cr, and Ni contents with high εNd(t) values of +3.3 to +8.0, variable and positive zircon εHf(t) of +0.9 to +11.2, and low zircon δ18O of 5.7 ± 0.2‰. These protoliths are proposed to have formed by decompression melting of asthenosphere during intracontinental back‐arc extension. In contrast, the granite has relatively high SiO2 and low MgO contents with much lower εNd(t) of −8.6 to −7.3, variable and negative zircon εHf(t) of −10.4 to −1.3, and high zircon δ18O of 9.4 ± 0.2‰ values and was most likely derived from an ancient metasedimentary source. This magma subsequently underwent recharge with minor amounts mafic magma followed by fractional crystallization of K‐feldspar in middle‐upper crust (~10–20 km) magma chambers. Using our new data, in combination with Nd‐Hf isotopes, we present the first comprehensive picture of crustal evolution in southern Lhasa. The southern Lhasa sub‐block is likely to have been a microcontinent that underwent extensive Phanerozoic crustal reworking and growth, rather than a Mesozoic‐Early Tertiary juvenile accretionary arc terrane.
Assessing the Chemistry and Bioavailability of Dissolved Organic Matter From Glaciers and Rock Glaciers
Authors: Fegel Timothy , Boot Claudia M. , Broeckling Corey D. , Baron Jill S. , Hall Ed K.
Published: June 2019

As glaciers thaw in response to warming, they release dissolved organic matter (DOM) to alpine lakes and streams. The United States contains an abundance of both alpine glaciers and rock glaciers. Differences in DOM composition and bioavailability between glacier types, like rock and ice glaciers, remain undefined. To assess differences in glacier and rock glacier DOM we evaluated bioavailability and molecular composition of DOM from four alpine catchments each with a glacier and a rock glacier at their headwaters. We assessed bioavailability of DOM by incubating each DOM source with a common microbial community and evaluated chemical characteristics of DOM before and after incubation using untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry‐based metabolomics. Prior to incubations, ice glacier and rock glacier DOM had similar C:N ratios and chemical diversity, but differences in DOM composition. Incubations with a common microbial community showed that DOM from ice glacier meltwaters contained a higher proportion of bioavailable DOM and resulted in greater bacterial growth efficiency. After incubation, DOM composition from each source was statistically indistinguishable. This study provides an example of how MS‐based metabolomics can be used to assess effects of DOM composition on differences in bioavailability of DOM. Furthermore, it illustrates the importance of microbial metabolism in structuring composition of DOM. Even though rock glaciers had significantly less bioavailable DOM than ice glaciers, both glacial types still have potential to be important sources of bioavailable DOM to alpine headwaters over the coming decades.
Development of Late Jurassic‐Early Paleogene and Neogene‐Quaternary Rifts Within the Turkana Depression, East Africa From Satellite Gravity Data
Authors: Emishaw Luelseged , Abdelsalam Mohamed G.
Published: June 2019

The Turkana Depression (TD) is a NW trending topographic corridor within the East African Rift System between the Ethiopia‐Yemen plateau in the northeast and the East African plateau to the southwest. The Anza rift within the TD is a NW‐SE trending failed arm of a late Jurassic rift‐rift‐rift triple junction. This rift is correlated with the Sudan and South Sudan rifts. The Anza rift is intersected by the East African Rift System represented by the N‐S trending Turkana rifted zone. We image the lithospheric structure beneath the TD using satellite gravity data. We also use these data to model crustal density distribution beneath the Kino Sogo fault belt, part of the Turkana rifted zone. Our results show thinner crust (23–28 km) and lithosphere (140–150 km) beneath the TD. We interpret this as due to extension that resulted in the formation of the Kenya‐Sudan and South Sudan rifts. Our results also show that crustal depth between 0 and 4.8 km is dominated by N‐S density contrast anomalies and between 4.8 and 14.5 km by E‐W anomalies. We interpret the N‐S anomalies as due to the presence of Precambrian structure that might have facilitated strain localization during the initiation of the Kino Sogo fault belt. Differently, we interpret the E‐W anomalies as due to the presence E‐W trending faults that were formed in association with the development of the Anza rift and/or Turkana rifted zone and were later filled with Mesozoic and Cenozoic mafic dikes.
From Points to Patterns: Using Groundwater Time Series Clustering to Investigate Subsurface Hydrological Connectivity and Runoff Source Area Dynamics
Authors: Rinderer M. , van Meerveld H. J. , McGlynn B. L.
Published: June 2019

Groundwater levels are typically measured at only a limited number of points in a catchment. Thus, upscaling these point measurements to the catchment scale is necessary to determine subsurface flow paths and runoff source areas. Here we present a data‐driven approach composed of time series clustering and topography‐based upscaling of shallow, perched groundwater dynamics using groundwater data from 51 monitoring sites in a 20‐ha prealpine headwater catchment in Switzerland. The agreement between the upscaled (modeled) and measured groundwater dynamics was strong for most of the 19‐month study period for the upslope and footslope locations but weaker at the beginning of events and for the midslope locations. However, these differences between measured and modeled groundwater levels did not significantly affect modeled groundwater activation, that is, the time when groundwater levels were within the more transmissive soil layers near the soil surface. The resulting groundwater activation maps represent the groundwater response across the catchment and highlight the dynamic expansion and contraction of the subsurface runoff source areas, particularly along the channel network. This is in agreement with the variable source area concept. However, there were also isolated active zones that did not get connected to the stream during rainfall events, highlighting the need to distinguish between variable active and variable stream‐connected runoff source areas. Our data‐driven approach to upscale point measurements of shallow groundwater levels appears useful for studying catchment‐scale variations in groundwater storage and connectivity and thus may help to better understand runoff generation in mountain catchments.
Chemical Patterns May Predict Stars That Host Giant Planets
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: June 2019

Stars with giant planets tend to have a few key elements in abundance. A new algorithm used these patterns to predict hundreds of stars that will likely have exoplanets if we go looking for them.
Roles of circular RNAs in immune regulation and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Zhou Zheng , Sun Bao , Huang Shiqiong , Zhao Lingling
Published: June 2019

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as a novel class of endogenously expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), have a high stability and often present tissue-specific expression and evolutionary conservation. Emerging evidence has suggested that circRNAs play an essential role in complex human pathologies. Notably, circRNAs, important gene modulators in the immune system, are strongly associated with the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases. Here, we focus on the roles of circRNAs in immune cells and immune regulation, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and biological functions in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and psoriasis, aiming at providing new insights into the diagnosis and therapy of these diseases.
A shape-memory and spiral light-emitting device for precise multisite stimulation of nerve bundles
Authors: Zheng Hao , Zhang Zhitao , Jiang Su , Yan Biao , Shi Xiang , Xie Yuanting , Huang Xu , Yu Zeyang , Liu Huizhu , Weng Shijun , Nurmikko Arto , Zhang Yuqiu , Peng Huisheng , Xu Wendong , Zhang Jiayi
Published: June 2019

We previously demonstrated that for long-term spastic limb paralysis, transferring the seventh cervical nerve (C7) from the nonparalyzed side to the paralyzed side results in increase of 17.7 in Fugl-Meyer score. One strategy for further improvement in voluntary arm movement is selective activation of five target muscles innervated by C7 during recovery process. In this study, we develop an implantable multisite optogenetic stimulation device (MOSD) based on shape-memory polymer. Two-site stimulation of sciatic nerve bundles by MOSD induces precise extension or flexion movements of the ankle joint, while eight-site stimulation of C7 nerve bundles induce selective limb movement. Long-term implant of MOSD to mice with severed and anastomosed C7 nerve is proven to be both safe and effective. Our work opens up the possibility for multisite nerve bundle stimulation to induce highly-selective activations of limb muscles, which could inspire further applications in neurosurgery and neuroscience research.
Evidence for singular-phonon-induced nematic superconductivity in a topological superconductor candidate Sr0.1Bi2Se3
Authors: Wang Jinghui , Ran Kejing , Li Shichao , Ma Zhen , Bao Song , Cai Zhengwei , Zhang Youtian , Nakajima Kenji , Ohira-Kawamura Seiko , Čermák P. , Schneidewind A. , Savrasov Sergey Y. , Wan Xiangang , Wen Jinsheng
Published: June 2019

Superconductivity mediated by phonons is typically conventional, exhibiting a momentum-independent s-wave pairing function, due to the isotropic interactions between electrons and phonons along different crystalline directions. Here, by performing inelastic neutron scattering measurements on a superconducting single crystal of Sr0.1Bi2Se3, a prime candidate for realizing topological superconductivity by doping the topological insulator Bi2Se3, we find that there exist highly anisotropic phonons, with the linewidths of the acoustic phonons increasing substantially at long wavelengths, but only for those along the [001] direction. This observation indicates a large and singular electron-phonon coupling at small momenta, which we propose to give rise to the exotic p-wave nematic superconducting pairing in the MxBi2Se3 (M = Cu, Sr, Nb) superconductor family. Therefore, we show these superconductors to be example systems where electron-phonon interaction can induce more exotic superconducting pairing than the s-wave, consistent with the topological superconductivity.
Image Segmentation Based on Relative Motion and Relative Disparity Cues in Topographically Organized Areas of Human Visual Cortex
Authors: Kohler Peter J. , Cottereau Benoit R. , Norcia Anthony M.
Published: June 2019

The borders between objects and their backgrounds create discontinuities in image feature maps that can be used to recover object shape. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify cortical areas that encode two of the most important image segmentation cues: relative motion and relative disparity. Relative motion and disparity cues were isolated by defining a central 2-degree disk using random-dot kinematograms and stereograms, respectively. For motion, the disk elicited retinotopically organized activations starting in V1 and extending through V2 and V3. In the surrounding region, we observed phase-inverted activations indicative of suppression, extending out to at least 6 degrees of retinal eccentricity. For disparity, disk activations were only found in V3, while suppression was observed in all early visual areas. Outside of early visual cortex, several areas were sensitive to both types of cues, most notably LO1, LO2 and V3B, making them additional candidate areas for motion- and disparity-cue combination. Adding an orthogonal task at fixation did not diminish these effects, and in fact led to small but measurable disk activations in V1 and V2 for disparity. The overall pattern of extra-striate activations is consistent with recent three-stream models of cortical organization.
Tremorgenic effects and functional metabolomics analysis of lolitrem B and its biosynthetic intermediates
Authors: Reddy Priyanka , Rochfort Simone , Read Elizabeth , Deseo Myrna , Jaehne Emily , Van Den Buuse Maarten , Guthridge Kathryn , Combs Martin , Spangenberg German , Quinn Jane
Published: June 2019

The neuroactive mycotoxin lolitrem B causes a neurological syndrome in grazing livestock resulting in hyperexcitability, muscle tremors, ataxia and, in severe cases, clonic seizures and death. To define the effects of the major toxin lolitrem B in the brain, a functional metabolomic study was undertaken in which motor coordination and tremor were quantified and metabolomic profiling undertaken to determine relative abundance of both toxin and key neurotransmitters in various brain regions in male mice. Marked differences were observed in the duration of tremor and coordination between lolitrem B pathway members, with some showing protracted effects and others none at all. Lolitrem B was identified in liver, kidney, cerebral cortex and thalamus but not in brainstem or cerebellum which were hypothesised previously to be the primary site of action. Metabolomic profiling showed significant variation in specific neurotransmitter and amino acid profiles over time. This study demonstrates accumulation of lolitrem B in the brain, with non-detectable levels of toxin in the brainstem and cerebellum, inducing alterations in metabolites such as tyrosine, suggesting a dynamic catecholaminergic response over time. Temporal characterisation of key pathways in the pathophysiological response of lolitrem B in the brain were also identified.
Skeletal descriptions of shape provide unique perceptual information for object recognition
Authors: Ayzenberg Vladislav , Lourenco Stella F.
Published: June 2019

With seemingly little effort, humans can both identify an object across large changes in orientation and extend category membership to novel exemplars. Although researchers argue that object shape is crucial in these cases, there are open questions as to how shape is represented for object recognition. Here we tested whether the human visual system incorporates a three-dimensional skeletal descriptor of shape to determine an object’s identity. Skeletal models not only provide a compact description of an object’s global shape structure, but also provide a quantitative metric by which to compare the visual similarity between shapes. Our results showed that a model of skeletal similarity explained the greatest amount of variance in participants’ object dissimilarity judgments when compared with other computational models of visual similarity (Experiment 1). Moreover, parametric changes to an object’s skeleton led to proportional changes in perceived similarity, even when controlling for another model of structure (Experiment 2). Importantly, participants preferentially categorized objects by their skeletons across changes to local shape contours and non-accidental properties (Experiment 3). Our findings highlight the importance of skeletal structure in vision, not only as a shape descriptor, but also as a diagnostic cue of object identity.
Correlation of ultra-high field MRI with histopathology for evaluation of rectal cancer heterogeneity
Authors: Pham Trang T. , Stait-Gardner Timothy , Lee Cheok Soon , Barton Michael , Graham Petra L. , Liney Gary , Wong Karen , Price William S.
Published: June 2019

Current clinical MRI techniques in rectal cancer have limited ability to examine cancer stroma. The differentiation of tumour from desmoplasia or fibrous tissue remains a challenge. Standard MRI cannot differentiate stage T1 from T2 (invasion of muscularis propria) tumours. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can probe tissue structure and organisation (anisotropy). The purpose of this study was to examine DTI-MRI derived imaging markers of rectal cancer stromal heterogeneity and tumour extent ex vivo. DTI-MRI at ultra-high magnetic field (11.7 tesla) was used to examine the stromal microstructure of malignant and normal rectal tissue ex vivo, and the findings were correlated with histopathology. Images obtained from DTI-MRI (A0, apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy (FA)) were used to probe rectal cancer stromal heterogeneity. FA provided the best discrimination between cancer and desmoplasia, fibrous tissue and muscularis propria. Cancer had relatively isotropic diffusion (mean FA 0.14), whereas desmoplasia (FA 0.31) and fibrous tissue (FA 0.34) had anisotropic diffusion with significantly higher FA than cancer (p < 0.001). Tumour was distinguished from muscularis propria (FA 0.61) which was highly anisotropic with higher FA than cancer (p < 0.001). This study showed that DTI-MRI can assist in more accurately defining tumour extent in rectal cancer.
Establishment of mesophilic-like catalytic properties in a thermophilic enzyme without affecting its thermal stability
Authors: Akanuma Satoshi , Bessho Mizumo , Kimura Hikono , Furukawa Ryutaro , Yokobori Shin-ichi , Yamagishi Akihiko
Published: June 2019

Thermophilic enzymes are generally more thermally stable but are less active at moderate temperatures than are their mesophilic counterparts. Thermophilic enzymes with improved low-temperature activity that retain their high stability would serve as useful tools for industrial processes especially when robust biocatalysts are required. Here we show an effective way to explore amino acid substitutions that enhance the low-temperature catalytic activity of a thermophilic enzyme, based on a pairwise sequence comparison of thermophilic/mesophilic enzymes. One or a combination of amino acid(s) in 3-isopropylmalate dehydrogenase from the extreme thermophile Thermus thermophilus was/were substituted by a residue(s) found in the Escherichia coli enzyme at the same position(s). The best mutant, which contained three amino acid substitutions, showed a 17-fold higher specific activity at 25 °C compared to the original wild-type enzyme while retaining high thermal stability. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the mutant showed similar patterns along the reaction coordinate to those of the mesophilic enzyme. We also analyzed the residues at the substitution sites from a structural and phylogenetic point of view.
Combining Phase Advancement and Period Correction Explains Rushing during Joint Rhythmic Activities
Authors: Wolf Thomas , Vesper Cordula , Sebanz Natalie , Keller Peter E. , Knoblich Günther
Published: June 2019

When people engage in rhythmic joint actions, from simple clapping games to elaborate joint music making, they tend to increase their tempo unconsciously. Despite the rich literature on rhythmic performance in humans, the mechanisms underlying joint rushing are still unknown. We propose that joint rushing arises from the concurrent activity of two separate mechanisms. The phase advance mechanism was first proposed in research on synchronously flashing fireflies and chorusing insects. When this mechanism is combined with a human-specific period correction mechanism, the shortened periods of individual intervals are translated into a tempo increase. In three experiments, we investigated whether joint rushing can be reliably observed in a joint synchronization-continuation drumming task. Furthermore, we asked whether perceptual similarities produced by the actions of different individuals modulate the joint rushing effect. The results showed that joint rushing is a robust phenomenon occurring in groups of different sizes. Joint rushing was more pronounced when the action effects produced by different individuals were perceptually similar, supporting the assumption that a phase advance mechanism contributed to rushing. Further control conditions ruled out the alternative hypothesis that rushing during rhythmic interactions can be explained by social facilitation or action mirroring effects.
A Novel Technique Enables Quantifying the Molecular Interaction of Solvents with Biological Tissues
Authors: Yadav Sakshi , Gulec Semih , Tadmor Rafael , Lian Ian
Published: June 2019

The pharmaceutical industry uses various solvents to increase drug penetrability to tissues. The solvent’s choice affects the efficacy of a drug. In this paper, we provide an unprecedented means of relating a solvent to a tissue quantitatively. We show that the solvents induce reorientation of the tissue surface molecules in a way that favors interaction and, therefore, penetrability of a solvent to a tissue. We provide, for the first time, a number for this tendency through a new physical property termed Interfacial Modulus (Gs). Gs, which so far was only predicted theoretically, is inversely proportional to such interactions. As model systems, we use HeLa and HaCaT tissue cultures with water and with an aqueous DMSO solution. The measurements are done using Centrifugal Adhesion Balance (CAB) when set to effective zero gravity. As expected, the addition of DMSO to water reduces Gs. This reduction in Gs is usually higher for HaCaT than for HeLa cells, which agrees with the common usage of DMSO in dermal medicine. We also varied the rigidities of the tissues. The tissue rigidity is not expected to relate to Gs, and indeed our results didn’t show a correlation between these two physical properties.