bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Heat Treatment Temperature on the Spinning Structure and Properties of a Cu–Sn Alloy
Authors: Liu Jinli , Zheng Wenyuan , Yin Huiqin
Published: November 2019

A thin-walled copper (Cu)–tin (Sn) alloy cylinder was treated after spinning at 200–400°C for 0.5 h. The characteristics of the alloy microstructure under different temperatures were analyzed through electron back-scattered diffraction. The results were as follows. The grain size at 200–300°C decreases as the heat treatment temperature rises, but the grain size at 400°C increases. At 200–300°C, the microstructure primarily consists of deformed grains. It is found that the main reason for the formation of high-angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) is static recrystallization. For the grain boundary orientation differential, the low-angle sub-grain boundary gradually grows into the HAGB, and multiple annealing twin Σ9 boundaries appear. Grain orientation is generally random at any temperature range. The mechanical property test indicated that, at the upper critical recrystallization temperature of 300°C, the elongation of the Cu–Sn alloy gradually increases, and its yield strength and ultimate tensile strength rapidly decrease.
The mediation effect of anthropometry and physical fitness on the relationship between birthweight and basal metabolic rate in children
Authors: Nobre Isabele Goes , Moura-dos-Santos Marcos Andre , Nobre Gabriela Goes , Santos Ravi Marinho dos , da Costa Ribeiro Isabella , Carvalho Jurema Santos Gabriela , da Silva da Fonseca Eveline Viana , Santos de Oliveira Tafnes Laís P. , Ferreira e Silva Wylla Tatiana , Nazare Julie-Anne , Leandro Carol Gois
Published: November 2019

Background:

Birthweight (BW) has been associated with anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness during growth and development of children. However, less is known about the mediation effect of those variables on the relationship between BW and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in children.

Objective:

To analyse the mediation effect of anthropometry, body composition and physical fitness on the association between BW and BMR in children.

Methods:

In total, 499 children (254 boys, 245 girls) aged 7–10 years were included. Anthropometry (weight, height, head, waist and hip circumferences), body composition (skinfolds thickness, body fat percentage), physical fitness (handgrip strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular explosive power, agility, running speed) and BMR were evaluated. The analyses were conducted by: single-mediator analysis (SMA) and multi-mediator analysis (MMA).

Results:

The SMA indicates height, head, waist and hip circumferences and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for boys and height, hip circumference and handgrip strength as significant mediators of BW on BMR for girls. In MMA for girls, there were significant indirect effects for height, hip circumference and handgrip strength, with 79.08% of percent mediation. For boys, the head and waist circumferences mediation had a significant indirect effect, with 83.37% of percent mediation.

Conclusion:

The anthropometric variables associated with BW were body height, head, hip and waist circumferences for boys and body height and hip circumference for girls. The current study provides new evidence that height and handgrip strength during childhood mediated the relationship between BW and BMR.
Isolated oligohydramnios and long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring
Authors: Dorot Avital , Wainstock Tamar , Sheiner Eyal , Walfisch Asnat , Landau Daniella , Harlev Avi
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to assess the association between maternal-isolated oligohydramnios (IO) and offspring long-term neurological complications. A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted, including all births at a single tertiary medical center in Israel between the years 1991 and 2014. Multiple pregnancies and potential pregnancy complications associated with oligohydramnios were excluded. The computerized obstetrical database was linked with the computerized dataset of all pediatric hospitalizations of the same medical center. Evaluation of cumulative neurological-associated hospitalizations rate over time was compared using a Kaplan–Meier survival curve. The Weibull survival parametric model was conducted to assess the neurological-associated hospitalization risk in the presence of IO, while accounting for potential confounders. A total of 190,259 pregnancies were included in the study, of which 4063 (2.13%) pregnancies were complicated with IO. Total neurological-related hospitalizations were significantly more common in the IO group (3.7% in the IO group and 3.0% in the comparison group,p = 0.005). Pervasive developmental disorder, movement disorders, developmental disorders, and degenerative and demyelization disorders were all specific neurological diagnoses significantly more common in the exposed group. The survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative hospitalization rate in the exposed group (log-rankp= 0.001). Using a multivariate model adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, and labor induction, an independent association between IO and long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring was observed (adjusted hazard ratio 1.203; 95% CI 1.02–1.42). In summary, a significant association was found between pregnancies complicated by IO and long-term neurological morbidity of the offspring.
Effects of biomedical messages and expert-recommended messages on reducing mental health-related stigma: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ojio Yasutaka , Yamaguchi Sosei , Ohta Kazusa , Ando Shuntaro , Koike Shinsuke
Published: November 2019

Aims

Mental health-related stigma is a major challenge associated with the huge mental health treatment gap. It has remained unclear what kind of educational content is effective in reducing the stigma. Whether biomedical messages (BMM) about mental illness are effective or harmful in decreasing stigma is controversial. To investigate whether BMM can improve practically useful knowledge of mental illness, comparably to recommended messages (RCM) advocated by experts, of types such as ‘recovery-oriented’, ‘social inclusion/human rights’ and ‘high prevalence of mental illnesses’ through a randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Method

This study is an individual-level RCT with a parallel-group design over 1 year, conducted in Tokyo, Japan. A total of 179 participants (males n = 80, mean age = 21.9 years and s.d. = 7.8) were recruited in high schools and universities, and through a commercial internet advertisement in June and July 2017, without any indication that the study appertained to mental health. Participants were allocated to the BMM and RCM groups. They underwent a 10-min intervention, and completed self-report questionnaires during baseline, post-test, 1-month follow-up and 1-year follow-up surveys. The primary outcome measures were practically useful knowledge of mental illness at the post-test survey using the Mental Illness and Disorder Understanding Scale (MIDUS). Analysis was conducted in October 2018.

Results

Both groups demonstrated improved MIDUS score in the post-test survey, and showed similar intervention effects (F(1, 177) = 160.5, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.48). The effect of the interventions continued until the 1-year follow-up survey (B [95% CI] = −2.56 [−4.27, −0.85], p < 0.01), and showed no difference between groups. The reported adverse effect that BMM increase stigma was not confirmed.

Conclusions

BMM may have a positive impact on stigma, comparable to RCM. These findings may encourage reconsideration of the content of messages about mental health, as it is indicated that combining BMM and RCM might contribute to an effective anti-stigma programme.
Cover crops are not affected by tobacco soil residual herbicides but also do not provide consistent weed management benefits
Authors: Haramoto Erin R. , Lowry Carolyn J. , Pearce Robert
Published: November 2019

Winter cover crops (CCs) provide soil conservation benefits for strip-tillage tobacco producers, but soil-residual herbicides may interfere with their establishment and growth. Tobacco is planted later than many agronomic crops, but growers often terminate CCs early to minimize CC residue at planting, and this may reduce weed suppression potential. We examined residual herbicide effects on CCs across two seasons and the potential for CC-based weed suppression within strip-tilled tobacco. Mixtures of wheat plus crimson clover and cereal rye plus crimson clover were examined, with a no-CC control. Herbicides included two rates of PRE sulfentrazone (177 or 354 g ai ha–1) plus carfentrazone (20 or 40 g ai ha–1); the higher rate was also followed by POST clomazone (840 g ai ha–1) or mixed with PRE pendimethalin (1,400 g ai ha–1). Controls with no weed management and hand weeding were also included. CC density and biomass were not reduced by weed management (WM) treatments with residual herbicides. However, CCs did not reduce density of annual grasses, small-seeded broadleaves, or perennials in the tilled in-row or untilled between-row zones. Cereal rye plus crimson clover resulted in lower weed biomass at tobacco harvest in the untilled between-row zone in 2017. WM effects were variable between the years, weed groups, and zones. Adding clomazone or pendimethalin was more consistent for reducing weed density and biomass compared to the low rate of sulfentrazone plus carfentrazone. Tobacco yield was unaffected by CCs in 2017 but lower in some WM treatments in 2018. In this study, tobacco herbicides did not interfere with wheat, cereal rye, or crimson clover establishment, but additional research should determine if these results apply to other environments and soil types. However, when these CC species were terminated 5 to 6 wk before transplanting, they did not consistently contribute to weed control.
Evaluation of the Antarctic Boundary Layer Thermodynamic Structure in MERRA2 Using Dropsonde Observations from the Concordiasi Campaign
Authors: Ganeshan Manisha , Yang Yuekui
Published: November 2019

Recent high‐resolution dropsonde observations from the 2010 Concordiasi field campaign in austral spring season show that surface‐based inversions (SBIs) over Antarctica are frequently eroded, with well‐mixed boundary layers occurring 33% and 18% of the time in West and East Antarctica, respectively. In this study, using the dropsonde observations, we evaluate the performance of the Modern‐Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA2) in representing the Antarctic boundary layer thermodynamic structure. Results show that MERRA2 has a good overall representation of the Antarctic surface stability and correctly predicts 82% of the SBIs. However, an underprediction of less stable boundary layer occurrence, especially over the elevated East Antarctic plateau, is favored during conditions of increased lower tropospheric stability associated with model dynamics, indicating difficulty in parameterizing turbulence in very stable boundary layers. In addition, a lower tropospheric cool bias (first model level and above) is observed in the MERRA2 reanalysis, especially over West Antarctica, which amplifies in the boundary layer during mixed conditions. The near‐surface cold bias is most pronounced when the model fails to predict mixed layers over West Antarctica and is expected to negatively impact the representation of surface energy budget and melt processes.
Climate Change Will Make Us Sicker and Lose Work Hours
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: November 2019

Experts have given the United States a warning: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or suffer the consequences of lower productivity and a sicker population for generations to come.
Spatial Predictions and Associated Uncertainty of Annual Soil Respiration at the Global Scale
Authors: Warner D. L. , Bond‐Lamberty B. , Jian J. , Stell E. , Vargas R.
Published: November 2019

Soil respiration (Rs), the soil‐to‐atmosphere CO2 flux produced by microbes and plant roots, is a critical but uncertain component of the global carbon cycle. Our current understanding of the variability and dynamics is limited by the coarse spatial resolution of existing estimates. We predicted annual Rs and associated uncertainty across the world at 1‐km resolution using a quantile regression forest algorithm trained with observations from the global Soil Respiration Database spanning from 1961 to 2011. This model yielded a global annual Rs estimate of 87.9 Pg C/year with an associated global uncertainty of 18.6 (mean absolute error) and 40.4 (root mean square error) Pg C/year. The estimated annual heterotrophic respiration (Rh), derived from empirical relationships with Rs, was 49.7 Pg C/year over the same period. Predicted Rs rates and associated uncertainty varied widely across vegetation types, with the greatest predicted rates of Rs in evergreen broadleaf forests (accounting for 20.9% of global Rs). The greatest prediction uncertainties were in northern latitudes and arid to semiarid ecosystems, suggesting that these areas should be targeted in future measurement campaigns. This study provides predictions of Rs (and associated prediction uncertainty) at unprecedentedly high spatial resolution across the globe that could help constrain local‐to‐global process‐based models. Furthermore, it provides insights into the large variability of Rs and Rh across vegetation classes and identifies regions and vegetation types with poor model performance that should be prioritized for future data collection.
Geochemistry of Vein Calcites Hosted in the Troodos Pillow Lavas and Their Implications for the Timing and Physicochemical Environment of Fracturing, Fluid Circulation, and Vein Mineral Growth
Authors: Quandt D. , Micheuz P. , Kurz W. , Kluge T. , Boch R. , Hippler D. , Krenn K. , Hauzenberger C.A.
Published: November 2019

Calcite veins hosted in pillow lavas of the Late Cretaceous Troodos suprasubduction zone ophiolite provide insights into the timing and physicochemical environment of postmagmatic fracturing and fluid circulation through oceanic crust. This study presents rare earth element and yttrium (REE+Y) concentrations, δ13C, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr, and clumped isotopic (Δ47) compositions of vein calcites in order to investigate their fluid sources, formation temperatures, and precipitation ages. These geochemical data are combined with microtextural analyses. Intersections of 87Sr/86Sr ratios of vein calcites with the Sr isotope seawater curve suggest two distinct calcite veining phases. Major calcite veining within an interval of ~10 Myr after crust formation is characterized by microtextures that point to extensional fracturing related to crack and sealing, host rock brecciation, and advective fluid flow. These vein calcites show REE+Y characteristics, 87Sr/86Sr ratios, and clumped isotopic compositions indicative of precipitation from seawater at <50 °C. Extended fluid residence times intensified fluid‐rock interactions and lowered Y/Ho ratios of some blocky vein calcites, whereas crack and sealing resulted in pristine seawater signatures. Low 87Sr/86Sr ratios of localized high‐temperature blocky vein calcites point to the involvement of hydrothermal fluids. These calcites show Mn‐controlled oscillatory growth zonations that probably developed in a closed system out of equilibrium. Later calcite veining (<75 Ma) may have coincided with rotation and/or uplift of the Troodos ophiolite. Microtextures of these vein calcites indicate fluid diffusion and fracture‐independent crystallization pressure‐driven veining. Their variably modified seawater signatures resulted from diffusion‐related fluid interaction with hydrothermal sediments.
Evapotranspiration Characteristics Distinct to Mangrove Ecosystems Are Revealed by Multiple‐Site Observations and a Modified Two‐Source Model
Authors: Liang Jie , Wei Zhongwang , Lee Xuhui , Wright Jonathon S. , Cui Xiaowei , Chen Hui , Lin Guanghui
Published: November 2019

A quantitative accounting of how mangrove ecosystems respond to tidal perturbations is needed to anticipate changes in these ecosystems when sea level rises. Here we use long‐term field observations and a two‐source ecohydrological model to reveal specialized characteristics of evapotranspiration (ET), soil surface evaporation (E), and canopy transpiration (T) in three subtropical mangrove ecosystems in southeastern China. Average wintertime ET observed in these three mangrove forests (2.6 mm day–1) was consistent with values for semiarid ecosystems, while average summertime ET (6.2 mm day–1) approached that observed in rainforests. By contrast, T fluxes were small year‐round, averaging 1.3 mm day–1 in winter and 2.5 mm day–1 in summer. Combining our results with measurements from three Florida mangroves, observed values of T ranged from 350 to 870 mm year−1, varying primarily with salinity, while T/ET increased exponentially from 30% to 70% with rising leaf area index. Simulations of half‐hourly ET and T using a modified two‐source model were highly correlated with eddy covariance observations of ET (I, index of agreement >0.93 at all three sites) and sap flow gauge‐based estimates of T (I = 0.93 at the Yunxiao site). Variations of T in mangrove ecosystems are distinguished from those in terrestrial forests mainly by the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to leaf temperature, with tidal and salinity effects superimposed. Our modified model accounts for these effects and therefore holds promise for improving our understanding of how mangrove ecosystems may respond to changing stress conditions under global warming and sea level rise.
Systemic α-synuclein injection triggers selective neuronal pathology as seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kuan Wei-Li , Stott Katherine , He Xiaoling , Wood Tobias C. , Yang Sujeong , Kwok Jessica C. F. , Hall Katie , Zhao Yanyan , Tietz Ole , Aigbirhio Franklin I. , Vernon Anthony C. , Barker Roger A.
Published: November 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an α-synucleinopathy characterized by the progressive loss of specific neuronal populations. Here, we develop a novel approach to transvascularly deliver proteins of complex quaternary structures, including α-synuclein preformed fibrils (pff). We show that a single systemic administration of α-synuclein pff triggers pathological transformation of endogenous α-synuclein in non-transgenic rats, which leads to neurodegeneration in discrete brain regions. Specifically, pff-exposed animals displayed a progressive deterioration in gastrointestinal and olfactory functions, which corresponded with the presence of cellular pathology in the central and enteric nervous systems. The α-synuclein pathology generated was both time dependent and region specific. Interestingly, the most significant neuropathological changes were observed in those brain regions affected in the early stages of PD. Our data therefore demonstrate for the first time that a single, transvascular administration of α-synuclein pff can lead to selective regional neuropathology resembling the premotor stage of idiopathic PD. Furthermore, this novel delivery approach could also be used to deliver a range of other pathogenic, as well as therapeutic, protein cargos transvascularly to the brain.
Deletion of intestinal Hdac3 remodels the lipidome of enterocytes and protects mice from diet-induced obesity
Authors: Dávalos-Salas Mercedes , Montgomery Magdalene K. , Reehorst Camilla M. , Nightingale Rebecca , Ng Irvin , Anderton Holly , Al-Obaidi Sheren , Lesmana Analia , Scott Cameron M. , Ioannidis Paul , Kalra Hina , Keerthikumar Shivakumar , Tögel Lars , Rigopoulos Angela , Gong Sylvia J. , Williams David S. , Yoganantharaja Prusoth , Bell-Anderson Kim , Mathivanan Suresh , Gibert Yann , Hiebert Scott , Scott Andrew M. , Watt Matthew J. , Mariadason John M.
Published: November 2019

Histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) regulates the expression of lipid metabolism genes in multiple tissues, however its role in regulating lipid metabolism in the intestinal epithelium is unknown. Here we demonstrate that intestine-specific deletion of Hdac3 (Hdac3IKO) protects mice from diet induced obesity. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) from Hdac3IKO mice display co-ordinate induction of genes and proteins involved in mitochondrial and peroxisomal β-oxidation, have an increased rate of fatty acid oxidation, and undergo marked remodelling of their lipidome, particularly a reduction in long chain triglycerides. Many HDAC3-regulated fatty oxidation genes are transcriptional targets of the PPAR family of nuclear receptors, Hdac3 deletion enhances their induction by PPAR-agonists, and pharmacological HDAC3 inhibition induces their expression in enterocytes. These findings establish a central role for HDAC3 in co-ordinating PPAR-regulated lipid oxidation in the intestinal epithelium, and identify intestinal HDAC3 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing obesity and related diseases.
MutL sliding clamps coordinate exonuclease-independent Escherichia coli mismatch repair
Authors: Liu Jiaquan , Lee Ryanggeun , Britton Brooke M. , London James A. , Yang Keunsang , Hanne Jeungphill , Lee Jong-Bong , Fishel Richard
Published: November 2019

A shared paradigm of mismatch repair (MMR) across biology depicts extensive exonuclease-driven strand-specific excision that begins at a distant single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) break and proceeds back past the mismatched nucleotides. Historical reconstitution studies concluded that Escherichia coli (Ec) MMR employed EcMutS, EcMutL, EcMutH, EcUvrD, EcSSB and one of four ssDNA exonucleases to accomplish excision. Recent single-molecule images demonstrated that EcMutS and EcMutL formed cascading sliding clamps on a mismatched DNA that together assisted EcMutH in introducing ssDNA breaks at distant newly replicated GATC sites. Here we visualize the complete strand-specific excision process and find that long-lived EcMutL sliding clamps capture EcUvrD helicase near the ssDNA break, significantly increasing its unwinding processivity. EcSSB modulates the EcMutL–EcUvrD unwinding dynamics, which is rarely accompanied by extensive ssDNA exonuclease digestion. Together these observations are consistent with an exonuclease-independent MMR strand excision mechanism that relies on EcMutL–EcUvrD helicase-driven displacement of ssDNA segments between adjacent EcMutH–GATC incisions.
Functional analysis of genetic variants in the high-risk breast cancer susceptibility gene PALB2
Authors: Boonen Rick A. C. M. , Rodrigue Amélie , Stoepker Chantal , Wiegant Wouter W. , Vroling Bas , Sharma Milan , Rother Magdalena B. , Celosse Nandi , Vreeswijk Maaike P. G. , Couch Fergus , Simard Jacques , Devilee Peter , Masson Jean-Yves , van Attikum Haico
Published: November 2019

Heterozygous carriers of germ-line loss-of-function variants in the DNA repair gene PALB2 are at a highly increased lifetime risk for developing breast cancer. While truncating variants in PALB2 are known to increase cancer risk, the interpretation of missense variants of uncertain significance (VUS) is in its infancy. Here we describe the development of a relatively fast and easy cDNA-based system for the semi high-throughput functional analysis of 48 VUS in human PALB2. By assessing the ability of PALB2 VUS to rescue the DNA repair and checkpoint defects in Palb2 knockout mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, we identify various VUS in PALB2 that impair its function. Three VUS in the coiled-coil domain of PALB2 abrogate the interaction with BRCA1, whereas several VUS in the WD40 domain dramatically reduce protein stability. Thus, our functional assays identify damaging VUS in PALB2 that may increase cancer risk.
Artificial spider silk from ion-doped and twisted core-sheath hydrogel fibres
Authors: Dou Yuanyuan , Wang Zhen-Pei , He Wenqian , Jia Tianjiao , Liu Zhuangjian , Sun Pingchuan , Wen Kai , Gao Enlai , Zhou Xiang , Hu Xiaoyu , Li Jingjing , Fang Shaoli , Qian Dong , Liu Zunfeng
Published: November 2019

Spider silks show unique combinations of strength, toughness, extensibility, and energy absorption. To date, it has been difficult to obtain spider silk-like mechanical properties using non-protein approaches. Here, we report on an artificial spider silk produced by the water-evaporation-induced self-assembly of hydrogel fibre made from polyacrylic acid and silica nanoparticles. The artificial spider silk consists of hierarchical core-sheath structured hydrogel fibres, which are reinforced by ion doping and twist insertion. The fibre exhibits a tensile strength of 895 MPa and a stretchability of 44.3%, achieving mechanical properties comparable to spider silk. The material also presents a high toughness of 370 MJ m−3 and a damping capacity of 95%. The hydrogel fibre shows only ~1/9 of the impact force of cotton yarn with negligible rebound when used for impact reduction applications. This work opens an avenue towards the fabrication of artificial spider silk with applications in kinetic energy buffering and shock-absorbing.
Intrinsic stability of magnetic anti-skyrmions in the tetragonal inverse Heusler compound Mn1.4Pt0.9Pd0.1Sn
Authors: Saha Rana , Srivastava Abhay K. , Ma Tianping , Jena Jagannath , Werner Peter , Kumar Vivek , Felser Claudia , Parkin Stuart S. P.
Published: November 2019

Magnetic anti-skyrmions are one of several chiral spin textures that are of great current interest both for their topological characteristics and potential spintronic applications. Anti-skyrmions were recently observed in the inverse tetragonal Heusler material Mn1.4Pt0.9Pd0.1Sn. Here we show, using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, that anti-skyrmions are found over a wide range of temperature and magnetic fields in wedged lamellae formed from single crystals of Mn1.4Pt0.9Pd0.1Sn for thicknesses ranging up to ~250 nm. The temperature-field stability window of the anti-skyrmions varies little with thickness. Using micromagnetic simulations we show that this intrinsic stability of anti-skyrmions can be accounted for by the symmetry of the crystal lattice which is imposed on that of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya exchange interaction. These distinctive behaviors of anti-skyrmions makes them particularly attractive for spintronic applications.
Coupling a single electron on superfluid helium to a superconducting resonator
Authors: Koolstra Gerwin , Yang Ge , Schuster David I.
Published: November 2019

Electrons on helium form a unique two-dimensional system on the interface of liquid helium and vacuum. A small number of trapped electrons on helium exhibits strong interactions in the absence of disorder, and can be used as a qubit. Trapped electrons typically have orbital frequencies in the microwave regime and can therefore be integrated with circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED), which studies light–matter interactions using microwave photons. Here, we experimentally realize a cQED platform with the orbitals of single electrons on helium. We deterministically trap one to four electrons in a dot integrated with a microwave resonator, allowing us to study the electrons’ response to microwaves. Furthermore, we find a single-electron-photon coupling strength of $$g/2\pi =4.8\pm 0.3$$g∕2π=4.8±0.3 MHz, greatly exceeding the resonator linewidth $$\kappa /2\pi =0.5$$κ∕2π=0.5 MHz. These results pave the way towards microwave studies of Wigner molecules and coherent control of the orbital and spin state of a single electron on helium.
Author Correction: Gene-associated markers provide tools for tackling illegal fishing and false eco-certification
Authors: Nielsen Einar E. , Cariani Alessia , Aoidh Eoin Mac , Maes Gregory E. , Milano Ilaria , Ogden Rob , Taylor Martin , Hemmer-Hansen Jakob , Babbucci Massimiliano , Bargelloni Luca , Bekkevold Dorte , Diopere Eveline , Grenfell Leonie , Helyar Sarah , Limborg Morten T. , Martinsohn Jann T. , McEwing Ross , Panitz Frank , Patarnello Tomaso , Tinti Fausto , Van Houdt Jeroen K. J. , Volckaert Filip A. M. , Waples Robin S. ,   FishPopTrace Consortium, Albin Jan E. J. , Baptista Juan M. Vieites , Barmintsev Vladimir , Bautista José M. , Bendixen Christian , Bergé Jean-Pascal , Blohm Dietmar , Cardazzo Barbara , Diez Amalia , Espiñeira Montserrat , Geffen Audrey J. , Gonzalez Elena , González-Lavín Nerea , Guarniero Ilaria , Jerôme Marc , Kochzius Marc , Krey Grigorius , Mouchel Olivier , Negrisolo Enrico , Piccinetti Corrado , Puyet Antonio , Rastorguev Sergey , Smith Jane P. , Trentini Massimo , Verrez-Bagnis Véronique , Volkov Alexander , Zanzi Antonella , de Bruyn Mark , Carvalho Gary R.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The plantarward oblique Chevron osteotomy: an optional method to treat hallux valgus with painful plantar callosities
Authors: Guo Jialiang , Qin Shiji , Zhang Fengqi , Dong Weichong , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Yingze
Published: November 2019

Hallux valgus (HV) is a foot deformity that can be treated with Chevron osteotomy, and a modified plantarward oblique osteotomy has been proposed in recent years. However, no research has focused on the correctional power of the osteotomy. The aim of this study was to examine the character of this plantarward oblique Chevron osteotomy (POCO) and to determine the rationale of this method.Radiographs and clinical data from 65 HV patients (77 feet) with painful callosities were evaluated. The intermetatarsal angle, hallux valgus angle, and relative height of the second metatarsal were measured, and a valid width of the first metatarsal was proposed. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux-metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale (AOFAS) were used to evaluate the patients’ clinical results.There were significant differences in the HVA and IMA. The decline in the height of the second metatarsal was positively related to the decline in the height of the first metatarsal, but the changes were smaller for the first metatarsal. Painful callosities disappeared in 77 feet, 4 (5.1%) patients had no pain but a remaining plantar callosity, and 2 (2.6%) patient had relieved pain with a plantar callosity after follow-up. The VAS scores improved from 8.58 ± 0.50 to 1.96 ± 0.75 points after the operation (p < 0.001). Significant differences were demonstrated in the AOFAS scores (65.81 ± 4.05 vs 87.88 ± 3.41, p < 0.001). The modified POCO prevents the dorsal migration of the metatarsal head, preserves other lesser metatarsals and provides an opportunity for patients who may possibly need additional future deformity correction. Therefore, POCO is a safe and effective method to treat hallux valgus and offers the superior potential benefits of correction and transfer metatarsalgia.
Development of nematode resistance in Arabidopsis by HD-RNAi-mediated silencing of the effector gene Mi-msp2
Authors: Joshi Ila , Kumar Anil , Singh Ashish K. , Kohli Deshika , Raman K. V. , Sirohi Anil , Chaudhury Ashok , Jain Pradeep K.
Published: November 2019

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are devastating parasites that infect thousands of plants. As RKN infection is facilitated by oesophageal gland effector genes, one such effector gene, Mi-msp2, was selected for a detailed characterization. Based on domain analysis, the Mi-MSP2 protein contains an ShKT domain, which is likely involved in blocking K+ channels and may help in evading the plant defence response. Expression of the Mi-msp2 gene was higher in juveniles (parasitic stage of RKNs) than in eggs and adults. Stable homozygous transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing Mi-msp2 dsRNA were generated, and the numbers of galls, females and egg masses were reduced by 52–54%, 60–66% and 84–95%, respectively, in two independent RNAi lines compared with control plants. Furthermore, expression analysis revealed a significant reduction in Mi-msp2 mRNA abundance (up to 88%) in female nematodes feeding on transgenic plants expressing dsRNA, and northern blot analysis confirmed expression of the Mi-msp2 siRNA in the transgenic plants. Interestingly, a significant reduction in the reproduction factor was observed (nearly 40-fold). These data suggest that the Mi-msp2 gene can be used as a potential target for RKN management in crops of economic importance.
Convolutional neural network for efficient estimation of regional brain strains
Authors: Wu Shaoju , Zhao Wei , Ghazi Kianoosh , Ji Songbai
Published: November 2019

Head injury models are important tools to study concussion biomechanics but are impractical for real-world use because they are too slow. Here, we develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) to estimate regional brain strains instantly and accurately by conceptualizing head rotational velocity profiles as two-dimensional images for input. We use two impact datasets with augmentation to investigate the CNN prediction performances with a variety of training-testing configurations. Three strain measures are considered, including maximum principal strain (MPS) of the whole brain, MPS of the corpus callosum, and fiber strain of the corpus callosum. The CNN is further tested using an independent impact dataset (N = 314) measured in American football. Based on 2592 training samples, it achieves a testing R2 of 0.916 and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.014 for MPS of the whole brain. Combining all impact-strain response data available (N = 3069), the CNN achieves an R2 of 0.966 and RMSE of 0.013 in a 10-fold cross-validation. This technique may enable a clinical diagnostic capability to a sophisticated head injury model, such as facilitating head impact sensors in concussion detection via a mobile device. In addition, it may transform current acceleration-based injury studies into focusing on regional brain strains. The trained CNN is publicly available along with associated code and examples at https://github.com/Jilab-biomechanics/CNN-brain-strains. They will be updated as needed in the future.
Behavioural characterisation of chronic unpredictable stress based on ethologically relevant paradigms in rats
Authors: Sequeira-Cordero A. , Salas-Bastos A. , Fornaguera J. , Brenes J. C.
Published: November 2019

The chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) paradigm is extensively used in preclinical research. However, CUS exhibits translational inconsistencies, some of them resulting from the use of adult rodents, despite the evidence that vulnerability for many psychiatric disorders accumulates during early life. Here, we assessed the validity of the CUS model by including ethologically-relevant paradigms in juvenile rats. Thus, socially-isolated (SI) rats were submitted to CUS and compared with SI (experiment 1) and group-housed controls (experiment 1 and 2). We found that lower body-weight gain and hyperlocomotion, instead of sucrose consumption and preference, were the best parameters to monitor the progression of CUS, which also affected gene expression and neurotransmitter contents associated with that CUS-related phenotype. The behavioural characterisation after CUS placed locomotion and exploratory activity as the best stress predictors. By employing the exploratory factor analysis, we reduced each behavioural paradigm to few latent variables which clustered into two general domains that strongly predicted the CUS condition: (1) hyper-responsivity to novelty and mild threats, and (2) anxiety/depressive-like response. Altogether, the analyses of observable and latent variables indicate that early-life stress impairs the arousal-inhibition system leading to augmented and persistent responses towards novel, rewarding, and mildly-threatening stimuli, accompanied by lower body-weight gain.
A Novel Needle-Injectable Millimeter scale Wireless Electrochemical Glucose Sensing Platform for Artificial Pancreas Applications
Authors: Mujeeb-U-Rahman M. , Nazari Meisam. Honarvar , Sencan M. , Antwerp William Van
Published: November 2019

Modern healthcare systems are under constant pressure to deliver personalized, effective care to billions of patients suffering from chronic non-communicable disease like diabetes. A closed-loop disease management system is an ideal solution for such patients. An example of this is an artificial pancreas for diabetes management. For safe and effective closed-loop disease management, the cost, size, longevity, warm-up time, and response speed need to match the performance of a healthy biological system (e.g. the pancreas). In this paper, a novel needle-injectable mm-size wireless sensing platform is presented to fulfill these requirements for an artificial pancreas by combining advanced microelectronics, nanotechnology and advanced biomaterial science. The proposed platform utilizes a sensor that is smaller than a sesame seed and provides fundamental advantages in terms of fast response speed, high accuracy, short warm-up time, and low cost of goods. Owing to these features, the system will enable true closed-loop glucose control (without any meal announcements and carbohydrate calculations), especially among infants and toddlers. The system has the potential to significantly improve diabetes management and in general chronic disease management for billions of patients.
Epoxy toughening through high pressure and shear rate preprocessing
Authors: Fernández Zapico G. , Ohtake Naoto , Akasaka Hiroki , Munoz-Guijosa J. M.
Published: November 2019

We have successfully conceived and demonstrated a simple, scalable process for improving the fracture energy of epoxy resins. The process is based on the combined application of high pressures (in the order of GPa) and shear rates (in the order of 106 s−1) in the pre-cured polymer, obtaining mechanical forces sufficiently high to increase the reactivity of the monomers due to the scission of the epoxy groups. To achieve these high values of pressure and shear rate, we take advantage of the elastohydrodynamic phenomena occurring at lubricated higher kinematic pairs as, for example, the rolling element – track pair in ball bearings. Experimental results show that, under certain combinations of pressure and shear rate, a substantial improvement in fracture toughness is obtained. SEM observations, Raman spectroscopies, nanoindentation and GPC and NMR measurements show that the process is able to increase the polymer chain length before curing, reducing the number of potential anchor points during the subsequent curing and hence reducing the crosslinking density. The chain lengths obtained are big enough to guarantee adequate stiffness and strength due to increased chain tangling, hence overcoming the drawbacks associated with other toughness promotion methods, such as stiffness and strength reduction.
Relative contributions to vergence eye movements of two binocular cues for motion-in-depth
Authors: Giesel Martin , Yakovleva Alexandra , Bloj Marina , Wade Alex R. , Norcia Anthony M. , Harris Julie M.
Published: November 2019

When we track an object moving in depth, our eyes rotate in opposite directions. This type of “disjunctive” eye movement is called horizontal vergence. The sensory control signals for vergence arise from multiple visual cues, two of which, changing binocular disparity (CD) and inter-ocular velocity differences (IOVD), are specifically binocular. While it is well known that the CD cue triggers horizontal vergence eye movements, the role of the IOVD cue has only recently been explored. To better understand the relative contribution of CD and IOVD cues in driving horizontal vergence, we recorded vergence eye movements from ten observers in response to four types of stimuli that isolated or combined the two cues to motion-in-depth, using stimulus conditions and CD/IOVD stimuli typical of behavioural motion-in-depth experiments. An analysis of the slopes of the vergence traces and the consistency of the directions of vergence and stimulus movements showed that under our conditions IOVD cues provided very little input to vergence mechanisms. The eye movements that did occur coinciding with the presentation of IOVD stimuli were likely not a response to stimulus motion, but a phoria initiated by the absence of a disparity signal.
Transcription modulation by CDK9 regulates inflammatory genes and RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis in periodontitis progression
Authors: Li Jiao , Shi Jiahong , Pan Yue , Zhao Yunhe , Yan Fuhua , Li Houxuan , Lei Lang
Published: November 2019

Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), one crucial molecule in promoting the transition from transcription pausing to elongation, is a critical modulator of cell survival and death. However, the pathological function of CDK9 in bacterial inflammatory diseases has never been explored. CDK9 inhibition or knock-down attenuated Porphyromonas gingivalis-triggered inflammatory gene expression. Gene-expression microarray analysis of monocytes revealed that knock-down of CDK9 not only affected inflammatory responses, but also impacted cell death network, especially the receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3)-mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL)-mediated necroptosis after P. gingivalis infection. Inhibition of CDK9 significantly decreased necroptosis with downregulation of both MLKL and phosphorylated MLKL. By regulating caspase-8 and cellular FLICE inhibitory protein (cFLIP), key molecules in regulating cell survival and death, CDK9 affected not only the classic RIPK1-RIPK3-mediated necroptosis, but also the alternate TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β-RIPK3-mediated necroptosis. CDK9 inhibition dampened pro-inflammatory gene production in the acute infection process in the subcutaneous chamber model in vivo. Moreover, CDK9 inhibition contributed to the decreased periodontal bone loss and inflammatory response induced by P. gingivalis in the periodontal micro-environment. In conclusion, by modulating the RIPK3-MLKL-mediated necroptosis, CDK9 inhibition provided a novel mechanism to impact the progress of bacterial infection in the periodontal milieu.
Analysis of mRNA processing at whole transcriptome level, transcriptomic profile and genome sequence refinement of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Callejas-Hernández Francisco , Gutierrez-Nogues Ángel , Rastrojo Alberto , Gironès Núria , Fresno Manuel
Published: November 2019

The genomic sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi, the protozoan causative of Chagas disease was published more than a decade ago. However, due to their complexity, its complete haploid predicted sequence and therefore its genetic repertoire remains unconfirmed. In this work, we have used RNAseq data to improve the previous genome assembly of Sylvio X10 strain and to define the complete transcriptome at trypomastigote stage (mammalian stage). A total of 22,977 transcripts were identified, of which more than half could be considered novel as they did not match previously annotated genes. Moreover, for the first time in T. cruzi, we are providing their relative abundance levels. We have identified that Sylvio X10 trypomastigotes exhibit a predominance of surface protein genes, specifically those encoding trans-sialidase and mucin-like proteins. On the other hand, detailed analysis of the pre-mRNA processing sites revealed some similarities but also some differences in the spliced leader and different polyadenylation addition sites compared to close related kinetoplastid parasites. Our results also confirm that transcription is bidirectional as occur in other kinetoplastids and the proportion of forward-sense and reverse-sense transcripts is almost equivalent, demonstrating that a strand-specificity does not exist.
Thickness-dependent photoelectric properties of MoS2/Si heterostructure solar cells
Authors: Zhao Yipeng , Ouyang Gang
Published: November 2019

In order to obtain the optimal photoelectric properties of vertical stacked MoS2/Si heterostructure solar cells, we propose a theoretical model to address the relationship among film thickness, atomic bond identities and related physical quantities in terms of bond relaxation mechanism and detailed balance principle. We find that the vertical stacked MoS2/Si can form type II band alignment, and its photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) enhances with increasing MoS2 thickness. Moreover, the optimal PCE in MoS2/Si can reach 24.76%, inferring that a possible design way can be achieved based on the layered transition metal dichalcogenides and silicon.
Differential value of brain magnetic resonance imaging in multiple system atrophy cerebellar phenotype and spinocerebellar ataxias
Authors: Kim Minkyeong , Ahn Jong Hyeon , Cho Yoonsu , Kim Ji Sun , Youn Jinyoung , Cho Jin Whan
Published: November 2019

Clinically differentiating multiple system atrophy cerebellar (MSA-C) phenotype and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) is challenging especially in the early stage. We assessed diagnostic value of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in differentiating MSA-C and SCAs based at different disease stages (<3, 3–7, and >7 years of disease duration). Overall, 186 patients with probable MSA-C and 117 with genetically confirmed SCAs were included. Hot cross bun (HCB) signs and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) hyperintensities were exclusively prevalent in MSA-C compared to SCAs at <3 years (HCB, 44.6% versus 0.9%; MCP hyperintensities, 38.3% versus 0.9%, respectively). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) for HCB signs to differentiate MSA-C from SCAs were 45%, 99%, and 99% and those for MCP hyperintensities were 68%, 99%, and 99%, respectively; considering both HCB signs and MCP hyperintensities, specificity and PPV were 100%. However, the differential value of MRI signs decreased over time. MCP widths were smaller and showed more significant decrease in MSA-C than in SCAs. In conclusion, pontine and MCP changes were exclusively prominent in early stage MSA-C rather than in SCAs. Therefore, we should consider disease duration when interpreting pontine and MCP changes in brain MRIs, which will help better differentiate MSA-C and SCAs.
Boron-doped silver nanosponges with enhanced performance towards electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia
Authors: Li Yinghao , Yu Hongjie , Wang Ziqiang , Liu Songliang , Xu You , Li Xiaonian , Wang Liang , Wang Hongjing
Published: November 2019

Boron-doped silver nanosponges synthesized from a one-step method exhibit superior performance for the electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction.
A general strategy to develop cell membrane fluorescent probes with location- and target-specific fluorogenicities: a case of a Zn2+ probe with cellular selectivity
Authors: Deng Fei , Liu Limin , Qiao Qinglong , Huang Chunfang , Miao Lu , Xu Zhaochao
Published: November 2019

An aggregate–disaggregate strategy to design fluorogenic probes to image Zn2+ at the cell membrane without a wash-out procedure.
Hydrogen polarity of interfacial water regulates heterogeneous ice nucleation
Authors: Shao Mingzhe , Zhang Chuanbiao , Qi Chonghai , Wang Chunlei , Wang Jianjun , Ye Fangfu , Zhou Xin
Published: November 2019

Hydrogen polarity of interfacial water regulates heterogeneous ice nucleation.
Atomic arrangement in CuZr-based metallic glass composites under tensile deformation
Authors: Hao Huali , Zhou Wenzhao , Lu Yang , Lau Denvid
Published: November 2019

B2 phase prevents the vortexlike motion of amorphous matrix around STZs avoiding forming of domain shear band.
Accelerating ethylene polymerization using secondary metal ions in tetrahydrofuran
Authors: Xiao Dawei , Cai Zhongzheng , Do Loi H.
Published: November 2019

A variety of metal cations are capable of enhancing the ethylene polymerization rates of nickel phosphine phosphonate-polyethylene glycol catalysts.
Nano Au/Pd-catalysed ‘on-water’ synthesis of C3–C3′ diaryl-oxindole scaffolds via N2-selective dearomatization of indole
Authors: Gohain Shivanee Borpatra , Basumatary Monika , Boruah Purna K. , Das Manash R. , Thakur Ashim Jyoti
Published: November 2019

Pd-rGO and Au–Pd-rGO nanocomposite catalysts were synthesized using microwave ‘on-water’. The catalysts were applied in the synthesis of 2,2-bis(indol-3-yl)indolin-3-ones). Comparatively, Au–Pd-rGO nanocomposite showed better activity.
Synthesis of water-soluble, fully biobased cellulose levulinate esters through the reaction of cellulose and alpha-angelica lactone in a DBU/CO2/DMSO solvent system
Authors: Pei Min , Peng Xinwen , Shen Yuqing , Yang Yunlong , Guo Yuanlong , Zheng Qiang , Xie Haibo , Sun Hui
Published: November 2019

Full biobased, water soluble and low cell cytotoxicity cellulose levulinate esters were preparedviathe reaction of cellulose with α-AL, and CLE film has a tensile strength up to 72 MPa and an elongation at break up to 26.7%.