bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latent Order in High-Angle Grain Boundary of GaN
Authors: Yoon Sangmoon , Yoo Hyobin , Kang Seoung-Hun , Kim Miyoung , Kwon Young-Kyun
Published: March 2018

We report the existence of latent order during core relaxation in the high-angle grain boundaries (GBs) of GaN films using atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and ab initio density functional theory calculations. Core structures in the high-angle GBs are characterized by two pairs of Ga-N bonds located next to each other. The core type correlates strongly with the bond angle differences. We identify an order of core relaxation hidden in the high-angle GBs by further classifying the 5/7 atom cores into a stable 5/7 core (5/7(S)) and a metastable 5/7 core (5/7(M)). This core-type classification indicates that metastable cores can exist at real high-angle GBs under certain circumstances. Interestingly, 5/7(M) exhibits distinct defect states compared to 5/7(S), despite their similar atomic configurations. We investigate the reconstruction of defect states observed in 5/7(M) by analyzing the real-space wave functions. An inversion occurred between two localized states during the transition from 5/7(S) to 5/7(M). We suggest an inversion mechanism to explain the formation of new defect states in 5/7(M).
Author Correction: The role of directional interactions in the designability of generalized heteropolymers
Authors: Cardelli Chiara , Bianco Valentino , Rovigatti Lorenzo , Nerattini Francesca , Tubiana Luca , Dellago Christoph , Coluzza Ivan
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Prevalence of posterior staphyloma and factors associated with its shape in the Japanese population
Authors: Numa Shogo , Yamashiro Kenji , Wakazono Tomotaka , Yoshikawa Munemitsu , Miyake Masahiro , Nakanishi Hideo , Oishi Akio ,   The Nagahama Study Group, Kawaguchi Takahisa , Setoh Kazuya , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Kosugi Shinji , Nakayama Takeo , Tabara Yasuharu , Matsuda Fumihiko , Yoshimura Nagahisa , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: March 2018

Myopia is increasing rapidly worldwide. We performed a cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of posterior staphyloma, a complication of myopia, and its shape characteristics in relation to age, sex, and axial length (AL) in a Japanese community-based cohort. The right eyes of 3748 participants who underwent fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination were evaluated. Posterior staphyloma prevalence was evaluated using fundus photographs and OCT images. Furthermore, fundus shapes were analyzed by measuring local fundus curvatures on 6 mm cross-line OCT images at intervals of 1 µm. The mean and variance of the curvatures were calculated to represent the fundus shape of each eye for investigation of the relationship between fundus curvature and age, sex, and AL. Seventy-seven eyes (2.05%) had posterior staphyloma. The mean and variance of the fundus curvatures were significantly greater in women than in men and became greater with age, suggesting that the shape of the staphyloma was steeper and less smooth in women and elderly subjects. AL and mean curvature showed a significant correlation (P = 2 × 10−16, R = 0.480), which was significantly affected by age (P < 2 × 10−16). Quantitative analysis of fundus shapes was useful for statistical analysis of posterior staphyloma in relation to age, sex, and AL.
The development of an extra-anatomic tissue-engineered artery with collateral arteries for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic hind limb
Authors: Zhou Xu , Zhang Yinlong , Wang Hongfei , Zhao Bin , Wang Jinling , Yan Guoliang , Xu Shuangyue , Zhou Yuanyuan , Liu Hongyi , Zheng Yifei , Quan Wei , Zhou Jianyin , Liu Yun , Zhen Maochuan , Zhu Xuan , Zhao Yilin
Published: March 2018

To develop tissue-engineered arteries (TEAs) with collateral arteries(CAs) in ischemic hind limb goat models(IHLMs). The IHLMs created by removing femoral arteries were divided into non-treated control group(NG); non-catheter group (NCG) in which TEA was anastomosed to external iliac artery(EIA), and surrounded with collagen sponge containing autologous MSCs and VEGF-gelatin microspheres, the distal end of TEA was ligated; catheter group(CG) which received the same procedure as NCG, also received heparin infusion through catheter in EIA. TEA patency was assessed weekly by Ultrasound. The TEA and CAs were assessed by angiography, gross examination, histology and electron microscopy. In CG, TEAs remained patent for 1 month, but became partly occluded 1 week after catheter withdrawn. In NCG, TEAs were occluded 1 week after implantation. Angiography demonstrated that communication between CAs arising from the TEAs and the native vessels was established in both groups. NCG had fewer CAs than CG (P < 0.01). At 40 days, TEAs in CG demonstrated of endothelium formation, smooth muscle cells infiltration and collagen regeneration. The CG had more capillaries and mature vessels in adventia of TEAs than NCG (P < 0.01). CG group also had more vessels around TEAs than NCG (P < 0.01) or NG (P < 0.001).
Direct Auger recombination and density-dependent hole diffusion in InN
Authors: Aleksiejūnas Ramūnas , Podlipskas Žydrūnas , Nargelas Saulius , Kadys Arūnas , Kolenda Marek , Nomeika Kazimieras , Mickevičius Jūras , Tamulaitis Gintautas
Published: March 2018

Indium nitride has a good potential for infrared optoelectronics, yet it suffers from fast nonradiative recombination, the true origin of which has not been established with certainty. The diffusion length of free carriers at high densities is not well investigated either. Here, we study carrier recombination and diffusion using the light-induced transient grating technique in InN epilayers grown by pulsed MOCVD on c-plane sapphire. We show that direct Auger recombination governs the lifetime of carriers at densities above ~1018 cm−3. The measured Auger recombination coefficient is (8 ± 1) × 10−29 cm−3. At carrier densities above ~5 × 1019 cm−3, we observe the saturation of Auger recombination rate due to phase space filling. The diffusion coefficient of holes scales linearly with carrier density, increasing from 1 cm2/s in low-doped layers at low excitations and up to ~40 cm2/s at highest carrier densities. The resulting carrier diffusion length remains within 100–300 nm range, which is comparable to the light absorption depth. This feature is required for efficient carrier extraction in bipolar devices, thus suggesting MOCVD-grown InN as the material fit for photovoltaic and photonic applications.
Age-related Changes in Eye, Brain and Visuomotor Behavior in the DBA/2J Mouse Model of Chronic Glaucoma
Authors: Yang Xiao-Ling , van der Merwe Yolandi , Sims Jeffrey , Parra Carlos , Ho Leon C. , Schuman Joel S. , Wollstein Gadi , Lathrop Kira L. , Chan Kevin C.
Published: March 2018

Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and age are major risk factors for glaucoma, their effects on glaucoma pathogenesis remain unclear. This study examined the onset and progression of glaucomatous changes to ocular anatomy and physiology, structural and physiological brain integrity, and visuomotor behavior in the DBA/2J mice via non-invasive tonometry, multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optokinetic assessments from 5 to 12 months of age. Using T2-weighted MRI, diffusion tensor MRI, and manganese-enhanced MRI, increasing IOP elevation at 9 and 12 months old coincided with anterior chamber deepening, altered fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity of the optic nerve and optic tract, as well as reduced anterograde manganese transport along the visual pathway respectively in the DBA/2J mice. Vitreous body elongation and visuomotor function deterioration were observed until 9 months old, whereas axial diffusivity only decreased at 12 months old in diffusion tensor MRI. Under the same experimental settings, C57BL/6J mice only showed modest age-related changes. Taken together, these results indicate that the anterior and posterior visual pathways of the DBA/2J mice exhibit differential susceptibility to glaucomatous neurodegeneration observable by in vivo multi-modal examinations.
Biotic and environmental stress induces nitration and changes in structure and function of the sea urchin major yolk protein toposome
Authors: Castellano Immacolata , Migliaccio Oriana , Ferraro Giarita , Maffioli Elisa , Marasco Daniela , Merlino Antonello , Zingone Adriana , Tedeschi Gabriella , Palumbo Anna
Published: March 2018

The major yolk protein toposome plays crucial roles during gametogenesis and development of sea urchins. We previously found that nitration of toposome increases in the gonads of a Paracentrotus lividus population living in a marine protected area affected by toxic blooms of Ostreospsis cf. ovata, compared to control populations. This modification is associated with ovatoxin accumulation, high levels of nitric oxide in the gonads, and a remarkable impairment of progeny development. However, nothing is known about the environmental-mediated-regulation of the structure and biological function of toposome. Here, we characterize through wide-ranging biochemical and structural analyses the nitrated toposome of sea urchins exposed to the bloom, and subsequently detoxified. The increased number of nitrated tyrosines in toposome of sea urchins collected during algal bloom induced structural changes and improvement of the Ca2+-binding affinity of the protein. After 3 months’ detoxification, ovatoxin was undetectable, and the number of nitric oxide-modified tyrosines was reduced. However, the nitration of specific residues was irreversible and occurred also in embryos treated with metals, used as a proxy of environmental pollutants. The structural and functional changes of toposome caused by nitration under adverse environmental conditions may be related to the defective development of sea urchins’ progeny.
Toosendanin inhibits adipogenesis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Chen Tian-xing , Cheng Xiao-ying , Wang Yun , Yin Wu
Published: March 2018

Toosendanin (TSN), a triterpenoid extracted from Melia toosendan, has been reported to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-arthritic activities. However, its anti-adipogenic effect remains unknown. Here, we found that TSN dose-dependently attenuated lipid accumulation in preadipocytes 3T3-L1 as evidenced by Oil Red O staining. TSN also significantly downregulated mRNA and protein levels of adipocytokines (adiponectin and leptin), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in adipocytes. To understand the mechanism, we observed that TSN effectively activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway, in which TSN increased low density lipoprotein receptor related protein 6, disheveled 2, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 expression levels, while it inactivated glycogen synthase kinase 3β by enhancing its phosphorylation. Moreover, TSN reduced weight of gonadal white fat and serum triacylglycerol (TAG) content in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Interestingly, thein vivostudies also demonstrated that TSN promoted the expression of β-catenin, but accordingly repressed C/EBP-α and PPAR-γ expression in HFD-induced mice. Overall, TSN is capable of inhibiting the lipogenesis of adipocytes by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting potential application of TSN as a natural anti-obesity agent.
Sequential Immunizations with heterosubtypic virus-like particles elicit cross protection against divergent influenza A viruses in mice
Authors: Luo Yuan , Mohan Teena , Zhu Wandi , Wang Chao , Deng Lei , Wang Bao-Zhong
Published: March 2018

Seasonal influenza vaccines have proven to be effective against well-matched viruses in healthy adults. However, rapid accumulation of mutations in the main antigenic surface proteins of influenza can compromise the efficiency of flu vaccines. Occasionally, influenza pandemics arise and present a different type of challenge to current seasonal vaccines. Novel vaccination strategies that can educate the host immune system to generate immune responses focusing on conserved epitopes on theses antigenic surface proteins are crucial for controlling and limiting influenza epidemics and pandemics. In this study, we have sequentially vaccinated mice with heterosubtypic influenza HA virus-like particles (VLPs) harboring H1, H8, and H13 from the HA phylogenetic group 1, or H3, H4, and H10 from the HA phylogenetic group 2, or in various combinations. The immunized animals were fully protected when challenged with lethal doses of heterosubtypic viruses from either phylogenetic group. Our vaccination approach demonstrates a promising strategy for the development of a ‘universal influenza vaccine’.
Analysis of mutations in pncA reveals non-overlapping patterns among various lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Baddam Ramani , Kumar Narender , Wieler Lothar H. , Lankapalli Aditya Kumar , Ahmed Niyaz , Peacock Sharon J. , Semmler Torsten
Published: March 2018

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line anti-tuberculosis drug, resistance to which occurs primarily due to mutations in pncA (Rv2043c) that encodes the pyrazinamidase enzyme responsible for conversion of pro-drug PZA into its active form. Previous studies have reported numerous resistance-conferring mutations distributed across the entire length of pncA without any hotspot regions. As different lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis display a strong geographic association, we sought to understand whether the genetic background influenced the distribution of mutations in pncA. We analyzed the whole genome sequence data of 1,480 clinical isolates representing four major M. tuberculosis lineages to identify the distribution of mutations in the complete operon (Rv2044c-pncA-Rv2042c) and its upstream promoter region. We observed a non-overlapping pattern of mutations among various lineages and identified a lineage 3-specific frame-shift deletion in gene Rv2044c upstream of pncA that disrupted the stop codon and led to its fusion with pncA. This resulted in the addition of a novel domain of unknown function (DUF2784) to the pyrazinamidase enzyme. The variant molecule was computationally modelled and physico-chemical parameters determined to ascertain stability. Although the functional impact of this mutation remains unknown, its lineage specific nature highlights the importance of genetic background and warrants further study.
Varied Length Stokes Shift BODIPY-Based Fluorophores for Multicolor Microscopy
Authors: Bittel Amy M. , Davis Ashley M. , Wang Lei , Nederlof Michel A. , Escobedo Jorge O. , Strongin Robert M. , Gibbs Summer L.
Published: March 2018

Multicolor microscopy tools necessary to localize and visualize the complexity of subcellular systems are limited by current fluorophore technology. While commercial fluorophores cover spectral space from the ultraviolet to the near infrared region and are optimized for conventional bandpass based fluorescence microscopy, they are not ideal for highly multiplexed fluorescence microscopy as they tend to have short Stokes shifts, restricting the number of fluorophores that can be detected in a single sample to four to five. Herein, we synthesized a library of 95 novel boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-based fluorophores and screened their photophysical, optical and spectral properties for their utility in multicolor microscopy. A subset of our BODIPY-based fluorophores yielded varied length Stokes shifts probes, which were used to create a five-color image using a single excitation with confocal laser scanning microscopy for the first time. Combining these novel fluorophores with conventional fluorophores could facilitate imaging in up to nine to ten colors using linear unmixing based microscopy approaches.
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Increases Risk of Gallstone Disease in Elderly Chinese Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Li Xu , Gao Pujun
Published: March 2018

We investigated possible links between the etiology of liver disease and gallstone risk in Chinese patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). We compared the outcomes of 267 Chinese CLD patients with gallstones and those of a control group of 1,015 CLD patients without gallstones. Logistic regression analyses adjusting for demographic features and other gallstone risk factors revealed that liver cirrhosis increased the risk of gallstone development twofold [adjusted odds ratio (AOR); 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.343 (1.710–3.211)]. HCV infection increased gallstone risk 1–2-fold [AOR; 95% CI: 1.582 (1.066–2.347)] higher than did HBV infection. Multivariate analyses of the risk of developing gallstones in patients with liver cirrhosis after an HCV or HBV infection yielded an estimated AOR (95% CI) of 1.601 (1.063–2.413) in patients with an HCV infection. In elderly patients with CLD (≥60 years of age), gallstone risk also increased significantly after an HCV infection [AOR (95% CI): 2.394 (1.066–5.375)]. HCV infection, older age, and liver cirrhosis significantly correlate with an increased risk of gallstone development in Chinese patients with CLD. HCV infection further increases this risk in both patients with liver cirrhosis and in elderly CLD patients (≥60 years of age).
Systematic evaluation of the adaptability of the non-radioactive SUnSET assay to measure cardiac protein synthesis
Authors: Ravi Venkatraman , Jain Aditi , Ahamed Faiz , Fathma Nowrin , Desingu Perumal Arumugam , Sundaresan Nagalingam R.
Published: March 2018

Heart is a dynamic organ that undergoes remodeling in response to both physiological and pathological stimuli. One of the fundamental cellular processes that facilitates changes in the size and shape of this muscular organ is the protein synthesis. Traditionally changes in cardiac protein synthesis levels were measured by radiolabeled tracers. However, these methods are often cumbersome and suffer from radioactive risk. Recently a nonradioactive method for detecting protein synthesis under in vitro conditions called the Surface Sensing of Translation (SUnSET) was described in cell lines of mouse dendrites and T cells. In this work, we provide multiple lines of evidence that the SUnSET assay can be applied to reliably detect changes in protein synthesis both in isolated neonatal primary cardiomyocytes and heart. We successfully tracked the changes in protein synthesis by western blotting as well as immunohistochemical variants of the SUnSET assay. Applying the SUnSET assay, we measured the cardiac protein synthesis during the different ages of mice. Further, we successfully tracked the increase in cardiac protein synthesis during different stages of a well-established model for pathological hypertrophy. Overall, we propose SUnSET assay as a simple, reliable and robust method to measure protein synthesis in the cardiac milieu.
Multi-target mode of action of a Clerodane-type diterpenoid from Polyalthia longifolia targeting African trypanosomes
Authors: Ebiloma Godwin U. , Katsoulis Evangelos , Igoli John O. , Gray Alexander I. , De Koning Harry P.
Published: March 2018

Natural products have made remarkable contributions to drug discovery and therapy. In this work we exploited various biochemical approaches to investigate the mode of action of 16-α-hydroxy-cleroda-3,13 (14)-Z-dien-15,16-olide (HDK-20), which we recently isolated from Polyalthia longifolia, on Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream trypomastigotes. HDK20 at concentrations ≥ EC50 (0.4 μg/ml) was trypanocidal, with its effect irreversible after only a brief exposure time (<1 h). Fluorescence microscopic assessment of DNA configuration revealed severe cell cycle defects after 8 h of incubation with the compound, the equivalent of a single generation time. This was accompanied by DNA fragmentation as shown by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick-End Labelling (TUNEL) assays. HDK-20 also induced a fast and profound depolarisation of the parasites’ mitochondrial membrane potential and depleted intracellular ATP levels of T. brucei. Overall, HDK20 showed a multi-target mechanism of action, which provides a biochemical explanation for the promising anti-trypanosomatid activity in our previous report.
Improving the engine power of a catalytic Janus-sphere micromotor by roughening its surface
Authors: Longbottom Brooke W. , Bon Stefan A. F.
Published: March 2018

Microspheres with catalytic caps have become a popular model system for studying self-propelled colloids. Existing experimental studies involve predominantly “smooth” particle surfaces. In this study we determine the effect of irregular surface deformations on the propulsive mechanism with a particular focus on speed. The particle surfaces of polymer microspheres were deformed prior to depositing a layer of platinum which resulted in the formation of nanoscopic pillars of catalyst. Self-propulsion was induced upon exposure of the micromotors to hydrogen peroxide, whilst they were dispersed in water. The topological surface features were shown to boost speed (~2×) when the underlying deformations are small (nanoscale), whilst large deformations afforded little difference despite a substantial apparent catalytic surface area. Colloids with deformed surfaces were more likely to display a mixture of rotational and translational propulsion than their “smooth” counterparts.
Multifractal analysis reveals music-like dynamic structure in songbird rhythms
Authors: Roeske Tina C. , Kelty-Stephen Damian , Wallot Sebastian
Published: March 2018

Music is thought to engage its listeners by driving feelings of surprise, tension, and relief through a dynamic mixture of predictable and unpredictable patterns, a property summarized here as “expressiveness”. Birdsong shares with music the goal to attract its listeners’ attention and might use similar strategies to achieve this. We here tested a thrush nightingale’s (Luscinia luscinia) rhythm, as represented by song amplitude envelope (containing information on note timing, duration, and intensity), for evidence of expressiveness. We used multifractal analysis, which is designed to detect in a signal dynamic fluctuations between predictable and unpredictable states on multiple timescales (e.g. notes, subphrases, songs). Results show that rhythm is strongly multifractal, indicating fluctuations between predictable and unpredictable patterns. Moreover, comparing original songs with re-synthesized songs that lack all subtle deviations from the “standard” note envelopes, we find that deviations in note intensity and duration significantly contributed to multifractality. This suggests that birdsong is more dynamic due to subtle note timing patterns, often similar to musical operations like accelerando or crescendo. While different sources of these dynamics are conceivable, this study shows that multi-timescale rhythm fluctuations can be detected in birdsong, paving the path to studying mechanisms and function behind such patterns.
Driving habits and behaviors of patients with brain tumors: a self-report, cognitive and driving simulation study
Authors: Mansur Ann , Hird Megan A. , Desimone Alexa , Pshonyak Iryna , Schweizer Tom A. , Das Sunit
Published: March 2018

The purpose of the study is to determine driving habits and behaviors of patients with brain tumors in order to better inform discussions around driving safety in this population. Eight-four patients with brain tumors participated in a survey on their driving behaviors since their diagnosis. Thirteen of these patients and thirteen sex- and age-matched healthy controls participated in cognitive testing and several driving simulation scenarios in order to objectively assess driving performance. Survey responses demonstrated that patients with brain tumors engage in a variety of driving scenarios with little subjectve difficulty. On the driving simulation tasks, patients and healthy controls performed similarly except that patients had more speed exceedances (U = 41, p < 0.05) and a greater variability in speed (U = 57, p < 0.05). Performance on the selective attention component of the UFOV was significantly associated with greater total errors in the Bus Following task for patients with brain tumors compared to healthy controls (rs = 0.722, p < 0.05, CI [0.080, 0.957]). Better comprehensive driving assessments are needed to identify patients with driving behaviors that put themselves and others at risk on the road.
Theta Coherence Asymmetry in the Dorsal Stream of Musicians Facilitates Word Learning
Authors: Elmer Stefan , Albrecht Joëlle , Valizadeh Seyed Abolfazl , François Clément , Rodríguez-Fornells Antoni
Published: March 2018

Word learning constitutes a human faculty which is dependent upon two anatomically distinct processing streams projecting from posterior superior temporal (pST) and inferior parietal (IP) brain regions toward the prefrontal cortex (dorsal stream) and the temporal pole (ventral stream). The ventral stream is involved in mapping sensory and phonological information onto lexical-semantic representations, whereas the dorsal stream contributes to sound-to-motor mapping, articulation, complex sequencing in the verbal domain, and to how verbal information is encoded, stored, and rehearsed from memory. In the present source-based EEG study, we evaluated functional connectivity between the IP lobe and Broca’s area while musicians and non-musicians learned pseudowords presented in the form of concatenated auditory streams. Behavioral results demonstrated that musicians outperformed non-musicians, as reflected by a higher sensitivity index (d’). This behavioral superiority was paralleled by increased left-hemispheric theta coherence in the dorsal stream, whereas non-musicians showed stronger functional connectivity in the right hemisphere. Since no between-group differences were observed in a passive listening control condition nor during rest, results point to a task-specific intertwining between musical expertise, functional connectivity, and word learning.
Author Correction: Insights into the functionality of endophytic actinobacteria with a focus on their biosynthetic potential and secondary metabolites production
Authors: Passari Ajit Kumar , Mishra Vineet Kumar , Singh Garima , Singh Pratibha , Kumar Brijesh , Gupta Vijai Kumar , Sarma Rupak Kumar , Saikia Ratul , Donovan Anthonia O’. , Singh Bhim Pratap
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Use of pulmonary CT angiography with low tube voltage and low-iodine-concentration contrast agent to diagnose pulmonary embolism
Authors: Hu Xuemei , Ma Liya , Zhang Jinhua , Li Zhen , Shen Yaqi , Hu Daoyu
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Cystatin D (CST5): An ultra-early inflammatory biomarker of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hill Lisa J. , Di Pietro Valentina , Hazeldine Jon , Davies David , Toman Emma , Logan Ann , Belli Antonio
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Northern protected areas will become important refuges for biodiversity tracking suitable climates
Authors: Berteaux Dominique , Ricard Marylène , St-Laurent Martin-Hugues , Casajus Nicolas , Périé Catherine , Beauregard Frieda , de Blois Sylvie
Published: March 2018

The Northern Biodiversity Paradox predicts that, despite its globally negative effects on biodiversity, climate change will increase biodiversity in northern regions where many species are limited by low temperatures. We assessed the potential impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of a northern network of 1,749 protected areas spread over >600,000 km2 in Quebec, Canada. Using ecological niche modeling, we calculated potential changes in the probability of occurrence of 529 species to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on (1) species gain, loss, turnover, and richness in protected areas, (2) representativity of protected areas, and (3) extent of species ranges located in protected areas. We predict a major species turnover over time, with 49% of total protected land area potentially experiencing a species turnover >80%. We also predict increases in regional species richness, representativity of protected areas, and species protection provided by protected areas. Although we did not model the likelihood of species colonising habitats that become suitable as a result of climate change, northern protected areas should ultimately become important refuges for species tracking climate northward. This is the first study to examine in such details the potential effects of climate change on a northern protected area network.
Autophagy maintains stem cells and intestinal homeostasis in Drosophila
Authors: Nagy Péter , Sándor Gyöngyvér O. , Juhász Gábor
Published: March 2018

Intestinal homeostasis is maintained by tightly controlled proliferation and differentiation of tissue-resident multipotent stem cells during aging and regeneration, which ensures organismal adaptation. Here we show that autophagy is required in Drosophila intestinal stem cells to sustain proliferation, and preserves the stem cell pool. Autophagy-deficient stem cells show elevated DNA damage and cell cycle arrest during aging, and are frequently eliminated via JNK-mediated apoptosis. Interestingly, loss of Chk2, a DNA damage-activated kinase that arrests the cell cycle and promotes DNA repair and apoptosis, leads to uncontrolled proliferation of intestinal stem cells regardless of their autophagy status. Chk2 accumulates in the nuclei of autophagy-deficient stem cells, raising the possibility that its activation may contribute to the effects of autophagy inhibition in intestinal stem cells. Our study reveals the crucial role of autophagy in preserving proper stem cell function for the continuous renewal of the intestinal epithelium in Drosophila.
Author Correction: The FAAH inhibitor URB597 suppresses hippocampal maximal dentate afterdischarges and restores seizure-induced impairment of short and long-term synaptic plasticity
Authors: Colangeli Roberto , Pierucci Massimo , Benigno Arcangelo , Campiani Giuseppe , Butini Stefania , Di Giovanni Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Cell-size confinement effect on protein diffusion in crowded poly(ethylene)glycol solution
Authors: Watanabe Chiho , Yanagisawa Miho
Published: March 2018

Micrometric membrane confinements and macromolecular crowding synergistically regulate molecular diffusion.
Neutral and cationic cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene mercury [cAAC–Hg(ii)] complexes: scope of hydroamination of alkynes with organomercury compounds
Authors: Bawari Deependra , Goswami Bhupendra , R Sabari V. , Thakur Sandeep Kumar , Varun Tej R. V. , Roy Choudhury Angshuman , Singh Sanjay
Published: March 2018

[cAAC·HgBr(μ-Br)]2 catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of phenylacetylenes with anilines has been demonstrated under mild conditions.
A novel functional lignin-based filler for pyrolysis and feedstock recycling of poly(l-lactide)
Authors: Dai Lin , Liu Rui , Si Chuanling
Published: March 2018

Poly(d-lactic acid)-grafted lignin can add functionality, reduce cost, and enhance recyclability of poly(l-lactide).
Geometrically defined spin structures in ultrathin Fe3O4with bulk like magnetic properties
Authors: Ruiz-Gómez Sandra , Pérez Lucas , Mascaraque Arantzazu , Quesada Adrian , Prieto Pilar , Palacio Irene , Martín-García Laura , Foerster Michael , Aballe Lucía , de la Figuera Juan
Published: March 2018

We have grown high quality magnetite microcrystals free from antiphase boundaries on Ru(0001) by reactive molecular beam epitaxy, conserving bulk magnetic properties below 20 nm thickness.
Enhanced vapour sensing using silicon nanowire devices coated with Pt nanoparticle functionalized porous organic frameworks
Authors: Cao Anping , Shan Meixia , Paltrinieri Laura , Evers Wiel H. , Chu Liangyong , Poltorak Lukasz , Klootwijk Johan H. , Seoane Beatriz , Gascon Jorge , Sudhölter Ernst J. R. , de Smet Louis C. P. M.
Published: March 2018

Silicon nanowires functionalized with metalized porous organic frameworks exhibit superior sensing properties for methanol vapour detection.
Optimization of 3D ZnO brush-like nanorods for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Pace Simona , Resmini Alessandro , Tredici Ilenia G. , Soffientini Alessandro , Li Xuan , Dunn Steve , Briscoe Joe , Anselmi-Tamburini Umberto
Published: March 2018

Optimized 3D ZnO brush-like nanorods showing large surface area are presented as the photoanode in enhanced high-current-density DSSCs.
Correlating micro/meso pore evolution and chemical structure variation in a mild thermal treatment of a subbituminite
Authors: Xu Shipei , Han Zhennan , Wu Rongcheng , Cheng Jiguang , Xu Guangwen
Published: March 2018

The aromaticity and CH2/CH3 ratio of coal organics correlate with the volumes of super-micropores and mesopores, respectively.
Quantification of C60-induced membrane disruption using a quartz crystal microbalance
Authors: Zeng Yuxuan , Wang Qi , Zhang Qiu , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2018

Fullerene C60 NPs adhere on lipid membrane due to electrostatic force and cause membrane disruption.
Lactic acid of PLGA coating promotes angiogenesis on the interface between porous titanium and diabetic bone
Authors: Hu Xiao-Fan , Feng Ya-Fei , Xiang Geng , Lei Wei , Wang Lin
Published: March 2018

PLGA-coating on 3D-printed porous titanium implants promoted the angiogenesis and osteointegration at bone-implant interface in diabetes by releasing lactic acid.
Transfer printing of colloidal crystals based on UV mediated degradation of a polymer thin film
Authors: Banik Meneka , Bhandaru Nandini , Mukherjee Rabibrata
Published: March 2018

A versatile colloidal transfer printing method that can transfer any type of particles (polymeric/inorganic) to any type of surface (hydrophobic/hydrophilic; smooth/rough) is reported.
A reactive molecular dynamics study of graphene oxide sheets in different saturated states: structure, reactivity and mechanical properties
Authors: Hou Dongshuai , Yang Tiejun
Published: March 2018

Heterogeneous hydrogen bonding determines the mechanical properties of GO sheets.
Correction: Beyond catalysis and membranes: visualizing and solving the challenge of electrode water accumulation and flooding in AEMFCs
Authors: Omasta Travis J. , Park Andrew M. , LaManna Jacob M. , Zhang Yufeng , Peng Xiong , Wang Lianqin , Jacobson David L. , Varcoe John R. , Hussey Daniel S. , Pivovar Bryan S. , Mustain William E.
Published: March 2018

Correction for ‘Beyond catalysis and membranes: visualizing and solving the challenge of electrode water accumulation and flooding in AEMFCs’ by Travis J. Omasta et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8ee00122g.
Two tetranuclear 3d–4f heterometal complexes Mn2Ln2 (Ln = Dy, Gd): synthesis, structure, magnetism, and electrocatalytic reactivity for water oxidation
Authors: Lan Tian-Xiang , Gao Wei-Song , Chen Chang-Neng , Wang Hui-Sheng , Wang Mei , Fan Yu-hua
Published: March 2018

The two Mn2Ln2 complexes can catalyze water oxidation, which may arise from the cooperative catalytic effect of the Mn/Ln ions.
Nitrogen reduction utilizing solvated electrons produced by thermal excitation of trapped electrons in reduced titanium oxide
Authors: Zhang Xiaolei , Zhang Guan , Zou Jing
Published: March 2018

Thermal release of trapped electrons in reduced TiO2 efficiently promotes N2 reduction to NH3.
A QM/MM approach on the structural and stereoelectronic factors governing glycosylation by GTF-SI fromStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Jaña Gonzalo A. , Mendoza Fernanda , Osorio Manuel I. , Alderete Joel B. , Fernandes Pedro A. , Ramos Maria J. , Jiménez Verónica A.
Published: March 2018

This manuscript contains novel insights into the reaction mechanism catalyzed by GTF-SI. Structural and electronic features of the system are revealed, such as the strong hydrogen bond depicted above.
“Greener” and modular synthesis of triazine-based conjugated porous polymers via direct arylation polymerization: structure–function relationship and photocatalytic application
Authors: Bohra Hassan , Li Peizhou , Yang Cangjie , Zhao Yanli , Wang Mingfeng
Published: March 2018

Triazine-based conjugated porous polymers were synthesised by direct arylation polymerization and used as photocatalysts for aerobic oxidation of benzylamine.
Protic ionic liquids with primary alkylamine-derived cations: the dominance of hydrogen bonding on observed physicochemical properties
Authors: Hoque Mahfuzul , Thomas Morgan L. , Miran Muhammed Shah , Akiyama Mio , Marium Mayeesha , Ueno Kazuhide , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi
Published: March 2018

The dominance of hydrogen bonds (networking) over the physicochemical features of primary alkylamine-PILs based on an amide acid.
Reversible conversion between graphene nanosheets and graphene nanoscrolls at room temperature
Authors: Gai Yanzhe , Wang Wucong , Xiao Ding , Tan Huijun , Lin Minyan , Zhao Yaping
Published: March 2018

The reversible conversion between the pristine graphene nanosheets exfoliated from graphite and the pristine graphene nanoscrolls was achieved at room temperature.
Efficient biocatalytic stereoselective reduction of methyl acetoacetate catalyzed by whole cells of engineered E. coli
Authors: Cui Y. H. , Wei P. , Peng F. , Zong M. H. , Lou W. Y.
Published: March 2018

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral β-hydroxy esters, the key building blocks for many functional materials, is currently of great interest.
Ce3+ and Tb3+ doped Ca3Gd(AlO)3(BO3)4 phosphors: synthesis, tunable photoluminescence, thermal stability, and potential application in white LEDs
Authors: Li Bin , Sun Qi , Wang Shaoying , Guo Heng , Huang Xiaoyong
Published: March 2018

Novel thermal-stable blue-green-emitting Ca3Gd(AlO)3(BO3)4:Ce3+,Tb3+ phosphors were developed for near-ultraviolet-excited white LEDs.
Mussel-inspired healing of a strong and stiff polymer
Authors: Chen Ning , Qin Liming , Pan Qinmin
Published: March 2018

A mussel-inspired strong and stiff polymer exhibits healability, renewability, anti-flammability and solvent-tolerance.
Construction of a hypoxia responsive upconversion nanosensor for tumor imaging by fluorescence resonance energy transfer from carbon dots to ruthenium complex
Authors: Yang Di , Guan Shanyue , Niu Yuefang , Xie Zheng , Zhou Shuyun , Qu Xiaozhong
Published: March 2018

Hypoxia responsive upconversion nano-aggregates are synthesized which can be excited by NIR light to give oxygen dependent phosphorescence emission via the FRET process.
Porphyrin sensitizers with modified indoline donors for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Song Heli , Zhang Jing , Jin Jiamin , Wang Haifeng , Xie Yongshu
Published: March 2018

A high power conversion efficiency exceeding 10% was achieved for novel porphyrin sensitizers with modified indoline donors.
P62/SQSTM1 is a novel leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) substrate that enhances neuronal toxicity
Authors: Kalogeropulou Alexia F. , Zhao Jing , Bolliger Marc F. , Memou Anna , Narasimha Shreya , Molitor Tyler P. , Wilson William H. , Rideout Hardy J. , Nichols R. Jeremy
Published: March 2018

Autosomal-dominant, missense mutations in the leucine-rich repeat protein kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene are the most common genetic predisposition to develop Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 kinase activity is increased in several pathogenic mutations (N1437H, R1441C/G/H, Y1699C, G2019S), implicating hyperphosphorylation of a substrate in the pathogenesis of the disease. Identification of the downstream targets of LRRK2 is a crucial endeavor in the field to understand LRRK2 pathway dysfunction in the disease. We have identified the signaling adapter protein p62/SQSTM1 as a novel endogenous interacting partner and a substrate of LRRK2. Using mass spectrometry and phospho-specific antibodies, we found that LRRK2 phosphorylates p62 on Thr138 in vitro and in cells. We found that the pathogenic LRRK2 PD-associated mutations (N1437H, R1441C/G/H, Y1699C, G2019S) increase phosphorylation of p62 similar to previously reported substrate Rab proteins. Notably, we found that the pathogenic I2020T mutation and the risk factor mutation G2385R displayed decreased phosphorylation of p62. p62 phosphorylation by LRRK2 is blocked by treatment with selective LRRK2 inhibitors in cells. We also found that the amino-terminus of LRRK2 is crucial for optimal phosphorylation of Rab7L1 and p62 in cells. LRRK2 phosphorylation of Thr138 is dependent on a p62 functional ubiquitin-binding domain at its carboxy-terminus. Co-expression of p62 with LRRK2 G2019S increases the neurotoxicity of this mutation in a manner dependent on Thr138. p62 is an additional novel substrate of LRRK2 that regulates its toxic biology, reveals novel signaling nodes and can be used as a pharmacodynamic marker for LRRK2 kinase activity.
AC insulation monitoring technology for EAST fast control power supply
Authors: Huang Haihong , Liu Nini , Wang Haixin
Published: March 2018

To ensure the stable operation of Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) fast control power supply, a new alternating current insulation monitoring technique is presented in this Letter which is suitable for the high‐frequency and high‐voltage working environment of EAST fast control power supply. The method uses alternately switching resistance in an unbalanced bridge to change the voltage, and detects the voltage in real time, then calculates the insulation resistance. The simulation platform based on Simulink was built to carry out real‐time insulation monitoring analysis of EAST fast control power supply as voltage input, the waveforms of which were consistent with the expected. Through experimental verification, the new method can work well for EAST fast control power supply.
Improved solution for geolocating a known altitude source using TDOA and FDOA under random sensor location errors
Authors: Li Xi , Guo Fucheng , Yang Le , Zhang Min
Published: March 2018

Geolocating a stationary ground source using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) measurements from more than two sensors with random location errors is considered. The source altitude is known and a constrained weighted least square (WLS) problem is formulated for the geolocation task. The optimisation problem is solved by searching for the source‐reference sensor distance in its feasible region and the source position estimate minimising the cost function. Simulations show the improved robustness of the proposed method over two existing solutions under high noise levels.
Parallel soft switching converter with fewer switch counts
Authors: Lin B.R.
Published: March 2018

A parallel direct current (DC) to DC converter is presented for medium power applications. The studied converter includes three half‐bridge circuits with sharing two power switches at high‐voltage side to reduce switch counts. Three half‐bridge circuits are connected by primary‐parallel and secondary‐parallel to reduce the current stress of power devices at low‐voltage side. Each half‐bridge circuit supplies one‐third of the total power to the output load. Asymmetric pulse‐width modulation is employed to generate the gated signals of the switches and regulate the output voltage. Based on the resonant behaviour of the output capacitance of power switches and the leakage inductance of the transformer, the zero‐voltage switching turn‐on of power switches can be achieved. Current doubler rectifier topology is adopted at the low‐voltage side to have the advantage of low ripple current at output capacitor. A laboratory prototype with 1440 W power is built to verify theory analysis and effectiveness of the studied converter.
Rules of photography for image memorability analysis
Authors: Lahrache Souad , El Ouazzani Rajae , El Qadi Abderrahim
Published: March 2018

Photos are becoming more spread with digital age. Cameras, smart phones and Internet provide large dataset of images available to a wide audience. Assessing memorability of these photos is becoming a challenging task. Besides, finding the best representative model for memorable images will enable memorability prediction. The authors develop a new approach‐based rule of photography to evaluate image memorability. In fact, they use three groups of features: image basic features, layout features and image composition features. In addition, they introduce a diversified panel of classifiers based on some data mining techniques used for memorability analysis. They experiment their proposed approach and they compare its results to the state‐of‐the‐art approaches dealing with image memorability. Their approach experiment's results prove that models used in their approach are encouraging predictors for image memorability.
Simulating the effect of cognitive load on braking responses in lead vehicle braking scenarios
Authors: Engström Johan , Markkula Gustav , Xue Qingwan , Merat Natasha
Published: March 2018

The recently proposed cognitive control hypothesis suggests that the performance of cognitively loading but non‐visual tasks such as cell phone conversation selectively impairs driving tasks that rely on top‐down cognitive control while leaving automatised driving tasks unaffected. This idea is strongly supported by the existing experimental literature and the authors have previously outlined a conceptual model to account for the key underlying mechanisms. The present paper presents a mechanistically explicit account of the cognitive control hypothesis in terms of a computational simulation model. More specifically, it is shown how this model offers a straightforward explanation for why the effect of cognitive load on brake response time reported in the experimental lead vehicle (LV) braking studies depends strongly on scenario kinematics, more specifically the initial time headway. It is demonstrated that this relatively simple model can be fitted to empirical data obtained from an existing meta‐analysis on existing LV braking studies.
Helical magnetic fields in molecular clouds?
Authors: Tahani M. , Plume R. , Brown J. C. , Kainulainen J.
Published: March 2018

Context.Magnetic fields pervade in the interstellar medium (ISM) and are believed to be important in the process of star formation, yet probing magnetic fields in star formation regions is challenging.Aims.We propose a new method to use Faraday rotation measurements in small-scale star forming regions to find the direction and magnitude of the component of magnetic field along the line of sight. We test the proposed method in four relatively nearby regions of Orion A, Orion B, Perseus, and California.

Methods.We use rotation measure data from the literature. We adopt a simple approach based on relative measurements to estimate the rotation measure due to the molecular clouds over the Galactic contribution. We then use a chemical evolution code along with extinction maps of each cloud to find the electron column density of the molecular cloud at the position of each rotation measure data point. Combining the rotation measures produced by the molecular clouds and the electron column density, we calculate the line-of-sight magnetic field strength and direction.

Results.In California and Orion A, we find clear evidence that the magnetic fields at one side of these filamentary structures are pointing towards us and are pointing away from us at the other side. Even though the magnetic fields in Perseus might seem to suggest the same behavior, not enough data points are available to draw such conclusions. In Orion B, as well, there are not enough data points available to detect such behavior. This magnetic field reversal is consistent with a helical magnetic field morphology. In the vicinity of available Zeeman measurements in OMC-1, OMC-B, and the dark cloud Barnard 1, we find magnetic field values of − 23 ± 38 μG, − 129 ± 28 μG, and 32 ± 101 μG, respectively, which are in agreement with the Zeeman measurements.