bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earthquake Stress Drop and Arias Intensity
Authors: Baltay Annemarie S. , Hanks Thomas C. , Abrahamson Norman A.
Published: March 2019

We determine earthquake stress drops directly from the Arias intensity database of NGA‐West2. Arias intensity (Arias, 1970, https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4167721) is an engineering measure proportional to the integral of the absolute value of acceleration squared, over the significant duration of the signal. As such, it is closely related to root mean square acceleration and can readily be connected to earthquake stress drop (Hanks & McGuire, 1981, https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/bssa/article/71/6/2071/102118/the-character-of-high-frequency-strong-ground). Arias intensity records out to 100‐km yield stable stress drops for moderate‐to‐large magnitude earthquakes, M6.5+; for smaller events ~M4.5–6.5, only closer‐in records yield stable results. For the 116 events considered, stress drops are about 35% larger for class 1 mainshocks than for traditional on‐fault class 2 aftershocks, and smaller for those aftershocks close to the main fault plane. Aftershock stress drops show large variability, however, implying that on average they rerupture weakened patches but can also rupture intact rock or high‐stress asperities. We observe an increase of stress drop with earthquake depth similar to that of other studies but do not find any significant faulting mechanism dependence. The variability of the Arias intensity‐based stress drop is lower than that of eGf‐based stress drops from Baltay et al. (2010, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JB006736; 2011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL046698), and nearly on par with variability seen in ground‐motion prediction equations. The Arias intensity stress drop is a novel and promising method to estimate stress drop without the need for path and site corrections and yields further insight into the connection between source physics and ground motion.
Flow and Drag in a Seagrass Bed
Authors: Monismith Stephen G. , Hirsh Heidi , Batista Natasha , Francis Holly , Egan Galen , Dunbar Robert B.
Published: March 2019

We report direct measurement of drag forces due to tidal flow over a submerged seagrass bed in Ngeseksau Reef, Koror State, Republic of Palau. In our study, drag is computed using an array of high‐resolution pressure measurements, from which values of the drag coefficients, CD, referenced to measured depth‐averaged velocities, V, were inferred. Reflecting the fact that seagrass blades deflect in the presence of flow, we find that CD is O(1) when flows are weak and tends toward a value of 0.03 at the highest velocities, behavior that is consistent with existing theory for canopy flows with flexible canopy elements. A limited subset of velocity profiles obey the law of the wall, producing values of shear velocity that, while noisy, broadly agree with values inferred from the pressure measurements.
Impact Fragmentation and the Development of the Deep Lunar Megaregolith
Authors: Wiggins Sean E. , Johnson Brandon C. , Bowling Tim J. , Melosh H. Jay , Silber Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2019

The megaregolith of the Moon is the upper region of the crust, which has been extensively fractured by intense impact bombardment. Little is known about the formation and evolution of the lunar megaregolith. Here we implement the Grady‐Kipp model for dynamic fragmentation into the iSALE shock physics code. This implementation allows us to directly simulate tensile in situ impact fragmentation of the lunar crust. We find that fragment sizes are weakly dependent on impactor size and impact velocity. For impactors 1 km in diameter or smaller, a hemispherical zone centered on the point of impact contains meter‐scale fragments. For an impactor 1 km in diameter this zone extends to depths of 20 km. At larger impactor sizes, overburden pressure inhibits fragmentation and only a near‐surface zone is fragmented. For a 10‐km‐diameter impactor, this surface zone extends to a depth of ~20 km and lateral distances ~300 km from the point of impact. This suggests that impactors from 1 to 10 km in diameter can efficiently fragment the entire lunar crust to depths of ~20 km, implying that much of the modern day megaregolith can be created by single impacts rather than by multiple large impact events.
Coccolithophore Growth and Calcification in an Acidified Ocean: Insights From Community Earth System Model Simulations
Authors: Krumhardt K. M. , Lovenduski N. S. , Long M. C. , Levy M. , Lindsay K. , Moore J. K. , Nissen C.
Published: March 2019

Anthropogenic CO2 emissions are inundating the upper ocean, acidifying the water, and altering the habitat for marine phytoplankton. These changes are thought to be particularly influential for calcifying phytoplankton, namely, coccolithophores. Coccolithophores are widespread and account for a substantial portion of open ocean calcification; changes in their abundance, distribution, or level of calcification could have far‐reaching ecological and biogeochemical impacts. Here, we isolate the effects of increasing CO2 on coccolithophores using an explicit coccolithophore phytoplankton functional type parameterization in the Community Earth System Model. Coccolithophore growth and calcification are sensitive to changing aqueous CO2. While holding circulation constant, we demonstrate that increasing CO2 concentrations cause coccolithophores in most areas to decrease calcium carbonate production relative to growth. However, several oceanic regions show large increases in calcification, such the North Atlantic, Western Pacific, and parts of the Southern Ocean, due to an alleviation of carbon limitation for coccolithophore growth. Global annual calcification is 6% higher under present‐day CO2 levels relative to preindustrial CO2 (1.5 compared to 1.4 Pg C/year). However, under 900 μatm CO2, global annual calcification is 11% lower than under preindustrial CO2 levels (1.2 Pg C/year). Large portions of the ocean show greatly decreased coccolithophore calcification relative to growth, resulting in significant regional carbon export and air‐sea CO2 exchange feedbacks. Our study implies that coccolithophores become more abundant but less calcified as CO2 increases with a tipping point in global calcification (changing from increasing to decreasing calcification relative to preindustrial) at approximately ∼600 μatm CO2.
Scientists, Explorers Keen to Locate Water-Bearing Asteroids
Authors: Sidder Aaron
Published: March 2019

Hydrated minerals on near-Earth asteroids offer both scientific revelations and economic incentives for companies looking to refuel satellites with material from nearby space.
Thank You to Our 2018 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Hauck, Steven A. , Baratoux David , Stanley Sabine
Published: March 2019

Peer review is an act of serving the community. Each peer review leads to sharper, more accurate, more impactful science, and clearer communication. Reviews from independent colleagues help bring the strengths and opportunities for improvement in scientific work into focus. Each year in planetary science, new ideas and places are explored; new understanding of our planet, its neighbors, and distant exoplanets is uncovered. Ensuring that the lessons of those discoveries can lead to new breakthroughs rests on the accuracy and accessibility of science we share. In 2018, we were humbled by the 756 peer reviews from 460 individuals that JGR: Planets received. Thank you for your efforts, your insights, and your service on behalf of the planetary science community.
Thank You to Our 2018 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Welling Daniel T. , Knipp Delores J. , Hapgood Michael , Liu Huixin , O'Brien T. Paul
Published: March 2019

Peer review remains one of the most important service activities for scientists.

Through the time‐consuming process of peer review, community volunteers set the bar for the quality of science that is shared with each other and with the world. Attentive, patient, and critical review is required to maintain rigorous and accurate scientific reporting. Reviewers donate their time and effort with little incentive outside of the knowledge that they are contributing to sustain scientific rigor.

Space Weather is fortunate to be able to continually rely on our reviewers to maintain a journal that receives and publishes high‐quality, high‐impact articles. We recognize the time, effort, and dedication each review requires. For this, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our 2018 reviewers. We sincerely appreciate your choice to respond positively to our review requests. Last year, Space Weather received 785 peer reviews from 354 individuals. The reviewers who contributed three or more reviews are recognized in italics below. Thank you all for your contributions in 2018.
Correction: Cerebrospinal fluid markers of inflammation and infections in schizophrenia and affective disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Orlovska-Waast Sonja , Köhler-Forsberg Ole , Brix Sophie Wiben , Nordentoft Merete , Kondziella Daniel , Krogh Jesper , Benros Michael Eriksen
Published: March 2019

Following publication of this paper, the authors realised that there were some errors in the reporting of the results on IL-6. This article has now been updated to include the correct values, following re-running of all analyses. For details of the changes made, please see the associated correction. This article was also originally published under standard licence, but has now been made available under a [CC BY 4.0] licence. The PDF and HTML versions of the paper have been modified accordingly.
Correction: Aberrant iPSC-derived human astrocytes in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Jones V. C. , Atkinson-Dell R. , Verkhratsky A. , Mohamet L.
Published: March 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in Fig. 1, in which a number of incorrect fluorescence images were inadvertently incorporated into the panel. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Author Correction: CRISPR-Cas12a-assisted nucleic acid detection
Authors: Li Shi-Yuan , Cheng Qiu-Xiang , Wang Jing-Man , Li Xiao-Yan , Zhang Zi-Long , Gao Song , Cao Rui-Bing , Zhao Guo-Ping , Wang Jin
Published: March 2019

In the original version of the Supplementary Information file associated with this Article, the site ‘rs5082’ was incorrectly given and should be corrected to ‘rs5028’.
Noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of the spleen to treat inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Zachs Daniel P. , Offutt Sarah J. , Graham Rachel S. , Kim Yohan , Mueller Jerel , Auger Jennifer L. , Schuldt Nathaniel J. , Kaiser Claire R. W. , Heiller Abigail P. , Dutta Raini , Guo Hongsun , Alford Jamu K. , Binstadt Bryce A. , Lim Hubert H.
Published: March 2019

Targeted noninvasive control of the nervous system and end-organs may enable safer and more effective treatment of multiple diseases compared to invasive devices or systemic medications. One target is the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway that consists of the vagus nerve to spleen circuit, which has been stimulated with implantable devices to improve autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Here we report that daily noninvasive ultrasound (US) stimulation targeting the spleen significantly reduces disease severity in a mouse model of inflammatory arthritis. Improvements are observed only with specific parameters, in which US can provide both protective and therapeutic effects. Single cell RNA sequencing of splenocytes and experiments in genetically-immunodeficient mice reveal the importance of both T and B cell populations in the anti-inflammatory pathway. These findings demonstrate the potential for US stimulation of the spleen to treat inflammatory diseases.
DIY productive failure: boosting performance in a large undergraduate biology course
Authors: Chowrira Sunita G. , Smith Karen M. , Dubois Patrick J. , Roll Ido
Published: March 2019

Students in first-year university courses often focus on mimicking application of taught procedures and fail to gain adequate conceptual understanding. One potential approach to support meaningful learning is Productive Failure (PF). In PF, the conventional instruction process is reversed so that learners attempt to solve challenging problems ahead of receiving explicit instruction. While students often fail to produce satisfactory solutions (hence “Failure”), these attempts help learners encode key features and learn better from subsequent instruction (hence “Productive”). Effectiveness of PF was shown mainly in the context of statistical and intuitive concepts, and lessons that are designed and taught by learning scientists. We describe a quasi-experiment that evaluates the impact of PF in a large-enrollment introductory university-level biology course when designed and implemented by the course instructors. One course-section (295 students) learned two topics using PF; another section (279 students) learned the same topics using an active learning approach, which is the standard in this course. Performance was assessed on the subsequent midterm exam, after all students had ample opportunities for practice and feedback, and after some time has elapsed. PF students scored nearly five percentage-points higher on the relevant topics in the subsequent midterm exam. The effect was especially strong for low-performing students. Improvement on the final exam was only visible for low-performing students. We describe the intervention and its potential to transform large introductory university courses.
Oral and Subcutaneous Administration of a Near-Infrared Fluorescent Molecular Imaging Agent Detects Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Bhatnagar Sumit , Khera Eshita , Liao Jianshan , Eniola Victoria , Hu Yongjun , Smith David E. , Thurber Greg M.
Published: March 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes irreversible damage to the joints. However, effective drugs exist that can stop disease progression, leading to intense interest in early detection and treatment monitoring to improve patient outcomes. Imaging approaches have the potential for early detection, but current methods lack sensitivity and/or are time-consuming and expensive. We examined potential routes for self-administration of molecular imaging agents in the form of subcutaneous and oral delivery of an integrin binding near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging agent in an animal model of RA with the long-term goal of increasing safety and patient compliance for screening. NIR imaging has relatively low cost, uses non-ionizing radiation, and provides minimally invasive spatial and molecular information. This proof-of-principle study shows significant uptake of an IRDye800CW agent in inflamed joints of a collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) mouse model compared to healthy joints, irrespective of the method of administration. The imaging results were extrapolated to clinical depths in silico using a 3D COMSOL model of NIR fluorescence imaging in a human hand to examine imaging feasability. With target to background concentration ratios greater than 5.5, which are achieved in the mouse model, these probes have the potential to identify arthritic joints following oral delivery at clinically relevant depths.
Regime shift in fish assemblage structure in the Yangtze River following construction of the Three Gorges Dam
Authors: Gao Xin , Fujiwara Masami , Winemiller Kirk O. , Lin Pengcheng , Li Mingzheng , Liu Huanzhang
Published: March 2019

Dams have well-documented ecological impacts on downstream river segments; however, long-term impacts of river impoundment have rarely been investigated in upstream reaches. Using data from long-term standardized surveys, we analyzed temporal changes in fish assemblages in the Yangtze River upstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) before, during and after its construction. Our analysis indicated fish assemblage regime shifts in the two closer reaches in 2008, in accordance with the filling to 172.5 m in 2008; and in the other reach, farthest from the TGD, in 2011, indicating timing of the effects being related to distance. These shifts were evident in relative abundance of native fish species rather than non-native species and have altered community structures and functional groups. Relative abundance of the lotic guilds declined in the two closer reaches, but increased in the farthest. Invertivores declined, but piscivores and opportunistic life-history strategists increased in all reaches. We conclude that construction of TGD had led to significant changes in species distributions influenced by species functional traits. Our findings emphasize the need for long-term monitoring of fish assemblages before and after dam construction in order to understand ecological responses to hydrological changes for effective resource management in regulated rivers.
Waves in spatio-spectral and -temporal coherence of evolving ultra-intense twin beams
Authors: Peřina Jan
Published: March 2019

Waves in the spatio-spectral and -temporal coherence of evolving ultra-intense twin beams are predicted: Twin beams with low intensities attain maximal coherence in the beam center until certain threshold intensity is reached. Then the area of maximal coherence moves with increasing intensity from the beam center towards its edges leaving the beam center with low coherence (the first coherence wave). For even larger intensities, a new coherence maximum is gradually built in the beam center with the increasing intensity and, later, it again moves towards the beam edges forming the second coherence wave. Rotationally-symmetric twin beams are analyzed within a three-dimensional model that couples spectral and spatial degrees of freedom. Relation between the twin-beam coherence and its local density of modes during the nonlinear evolution is discussed.
Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is activated in odontomas, reduces Sema3A expression to regulate odontogenic epithelial cell proliferation and tooth germ development
Authors: Fujii Shinsuke , Nagata Kengo , Matsumoto Shinji , Kohashi Ken-ichi , Kikuchi Akira , Oda Yoshinao , Kiyoshima Tamotsu , Wada Naohisa
Published: March 2019

Odontomas, developmental anomalies of tooth germ, frequently occur in familial adenomatous polyposis patients with activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in odontomas or odontogenic cells are unclear. Herein, we investigated β-catenin expression in odontomas and functions of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in tooth germ development. β-catenin frequently accumulated in nucleus and/or cellular cytoplasm of odontogenic epithelial cells in human odontoma specimens, immunohistochemically. Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibited odontogenic epithelial cell proliferation in both cell line and tooth germ development, while inducing immature epithelial bud formation. We identified Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) as a downstream molecule of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and showed that Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent reduction of Sema3A expression resulted in suppressed odontogenic epithelial cell proliferation. Sema3A expression is required in appropriate epithelial budding morphogenesis. These results suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling negatively regulates odontogenic epithelial cell proliferation and tooth germ development through decreased-Sema3A expression, and aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling may associate with odontoma formation.
Author Correction: Real-time Acute Stress Facilitates Allocentric Spatial Processing in a Virtual Fire Disaster
Authors: Cao Zhengcao , Wang Yamin , Zhang Liang
Published: March 2019

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.
Publisher Correction: Effect of Pufa Substrates on Fatty Acid Profile of Bifidobacterium breve Ncimb 702258 and CLA/CLNA Production in Commercial Semi-Skimmed Milk
Authors: Fontes Ana Luiza , Pimentel Lígia , Rodríguez-Alcalá Luis Miguel , Gomes Ana
Published: March 2019

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.
Functional stability analyses of maxillofacial skeleton bearing cleft deformities
Authors: Luo Xiangyou , Huang Hanyao , Yin Xing , Shi Bing , Li Jingtao
Published: March 2019

The symmetrically stable craniofacial bony structure supports the complex functions and delicate contour of the face. Congenital craniofacial deformities are often accompanied by bony defects and have been repetitively correlated with compromised dento-maxillary stability, but neither the extent nor the pattern of cleft-related maxillary instability has been explored in detail. Furthermore, it is largely unknown if the bony defect and related instability are correlated with secondary maxillary deformity common among patients with orofacial clefts. With the aid of finite element modeling, we studied the detailed relationship between cleft-related bony defect and maxillary stability under occlusal loading. Craniofacial models were generated based on cone-beam computed tomography data and loaded with mimicked bite forces along the axial axis of each tooth. Our data showed that all cleft models exhibited more asymmetrical deformations under mastication compared with the normal. Models with palatal cleft demonstrated greater asymmetry, greater dental arch contraction, and less maxillary protrusion compared to models with alveolar cleft only. For unilateral cleft models, alveolus on non-cleft side tended to be more protruded and lifted than the cleft side. For bilateral cleft models, the most prominent feature was the seriously contracted alveolar arch and curved and pitched premaxillae. These findings indicated cleft type-specific pattern of maxillary instability, which were largely in accordance with dentoalveolar morphological features among patients. Collectively, our study elucidated the detailed relationship between cleft bony defect and the pattern of maxillary instability, and suggested a prototype for studying the abnormal maxillary and dental arch growth among patients with craniofacial deformities.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Spermidine, Glutamine and Putrescine Predict Postoperative Delirium Following Elective Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Pan Xiaobei , Cunningham Emma L. , Passmore Anthony P. , McGuinness Bernadette , McAuley Daniel F. , Beverland David , O’Brien Seamus , Mawhinney Tim , Schott Jonathan M. , Zetterberg Henrik , Green Brian D.
Published: March 2019

Delirium is a marker of brain vulnerability, associated with increasing age, pre-existing cognitive impairment and, recently, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. This nested case-control study used a targeted quantitative metabolomic methodology to profile the preoperative CSF of patients (n = 54) who developed delirium following arthroplasty (n = 28) and those who did not (n = 26). The aim was to identify novel preoperative markers of delirium, and to assess potential correlations with clinical data. Participants without a diagnosis of dementia (≥65 years) undergoing elective primary hip or knee arthroplasty were postoperatively assessed for delirium once-daily for three days. Groups were compared using multivariate, univariate and receiving operator characteristic (ROC) methods. Multivariate modelling using Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) of metabolomic data readily distinguished between delirium and control groups (R2 ≤ 0.56; Q2 ≤ 0.10). Three metabolites (spermidine, putrescine and glutamine) significantly differed between groups (P < 0.05; FDR < 0.07), and performed well as CSF biomarkers (ROC > 0.75). The biomarker performance of the two polyamines (spermidine/putrescine) was enhanced by ratio with CSF Aβ42 (ROC > 0.8), and spermidine significantly correlated with Aβ42 (pearson r = −0.32; P = 0.018). These findings suggest that spermidine and putrescine levels could be useful markers of postoperative delirium risk, particularly when combined with Aβ42, and this requires further investigation.
Possible links between the lag structure in visual cortex and visual streams using fMRI
Authors: Park Bo-yong , Shim Won Mok , James Oliver , Park Hyunjin
Published: March 2019

Conventional functional connectivity analysis using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures the correlation of temporally synchronized brain activities between brain regions. Lag structure analysis relaxes the synchronicity constraint of fMRI signals, and thus, this approach might be better at explaining functional connectivity. However, the sources of the lag structure in fMRI are primarily unknown. Here, we applied lag structure analysis to the human visual cortex to identify the possible sources of lag structure. A total of 1,250 fMRI data from two independent databases were considered. We explored the temporal lag patterns between the central and peripheral visual fields in early visual cortex and those in two visual pathways of dorsal and ventral streams. We also compared the lag patterns with effective connectivity obtained with dynamic causal modeling. We found that the lag structure in early visual cortex flows from the central to peripheral visual fields and the order of the lag structure flow was consistent with the order of signal flows in visual pathways. The effective connectivity computed by dynamic causal modeling exhibited similar patterns with the lag structure results. This study suggests that signal flows in visual streams are possible sources of the lag structure in human visual cortex.
Maternal Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Up-regulates Expression of Genes Associated with Long-Term Potentiation in Perinatal Brains of Uninfected Developing Pups
Authors: Haque Manjurul , Koski Kristine G. , Scott Marilyn E.
Published: March 2019

Establishment of neural networks critical for memory and cognition begins during the perinatal period but studies on the impact of maternal infection are limited. Using a nematode parasite that remains in the maternal intestine, we tested our hypothesis that maternal infection during pregnancy and early lactation would alter perinatal brain gene expression, and that the anti-inflammatory nature of this parasite would promote synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation. Brain gene expression was largely unaffected two days after birth, but in seven-day old pups, long-term potentiation and four related pathways essential for the development of synaptic plasticity, cognition and memory were up-regulated in pups of infected dams. Interestingly, our data suggest that a lowering of Th1 inflammatory processes may underscore the apparent beneficial impact of maternal intestinal infection on long-term potentiation.
Evidence for Crystalline Structure in Dynamically-Compressed Polyethylene up to 200 GPa
Authors: Hartley N. J. , Brown S. , Cowan T. E. , Cunningham E. , Döppner T. , Falcone R. W. , Fletcher L. B. , Frydrych S. , Galtier E. , Gamboa E. J. , Laso Garcia A. , Gericke D. O. , Glenzer S. H. , Granados E. , Heimann P. A. , Lee H. J. , MacDonald M. J. , MacKinnon A. J. , McBride E. E. , Nam I. , Neumayer P. , Pak A. , Pelka A. , Prencipe I. , Ravasio A. , Rödel M. , Rohatsch K. , Saunders A. M. , Schölmerich M. , Schörner M. , Schuster A. K. , Sun P. , van Driel T. , Vorberger J. , Kraus D.
Published: March 2019

We investigated the high-pressure behavior of polyethylene (CH2) by probing dynamically-compressed samples with X-ray diffraction. At pressures up to 200 GPa, comparable to those present inside icy giant planets (Uranus, Neptune), shock-compressed polyethylene retains a polymer crystal structure, from which we infer the presence of significant covalent bonding. TheA2/mstructure which we observe has previously been seen at significantly lower pressures, and the equation of state measured agrees with our findings. This result appears to contrast with recent data from shock-compressed polystyrene (CH) at higher temperatures, which demonstrated demixing and recrystallization into a diamond lattice, implying the breaking of the original chemical bonds. As such chemical processes have significant implications for the structure and energy transfer within ice giants, our results highlight the need for a deeper understanding of the chemistry of high pressure hydrocarbons, and the importance of better constraining planetary temperature profiles.
Interfering with emotional processing resources upon associative threat memory reactivation does not affect memory retention
Authors: Chalkia Anastasia , Vanaken Lauranne , Fonteyne Riet , Beckers Tom
Published: March 2019

Ample evidence suggests that memories enter a labile state upon retrieval, requiring reconsolidation processes in order to be retained. During this period of instability, various interventions can be applied to modify problematic memories. A novel behavioral intervention was designed, aimed at disrupting amygdala-based cognitive processing following the retrieval of a conditioned threat memory, in order to prevent its reconsolidation. We fear-conditioned participants on day 1, and reactivated their memory on day 2. Following reactivation, the reactivation plus emotional working memory task (R + EWMT) group completed an EWMT, while the reactivation only (RO) group served as a no-task control. On day 3, all participants were tested for memory retention, followed by a test for sensitivity to reinstatement. We observed successful acquisition and reactivation in fear-potentiated startle responding, skin conductance responding and US expectancies in both groups. Differential fear responding was fully preserved in the R + EWMT group relative to the RO group at the beginning of retention testing, and both groups were comparably sensitive to reinstatement. Thus, we failed to obtain any evidence that the execution of an EWMT after threat memory reactivation impairs reconsolidation. Further research is indicated to clarify whether threat memory reconsolidation can be disrupted by taxing relevant WM resources.
Proteotyping as alternate typing method to differentiate Campylobacter coli clades
Authors: Emele Matthias Frederik , Možina Sonja Smole , Lugert Raimond , Bohne Wolfgang , Masanta Wycliffe Omurwa , Riedel Thomas , Groß Uwe , Bader Oliver , Zautner Andreas Erich
Published: March 2019

Besides Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. C. coli is subdivided into three clades, which are associated with sample source. Clade 1 isolates are associated with acute diarrhea in humans whereas clade 2 and 3 isolates are more commonly obtained from environmental waters. The phylogenetic classification of an isolate is commonly done using laborious multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The aim of this study was to establish a proteotyping scheme using MALDI-TOF MS to offer an alternative to sequence-based methods. A total of 97 clade-representative C. coli isolates were analyzed by MALDI-TOF-based intact cell mass spectrometry (ICMS) and evaluated to establish a C. coli proteotyping scheme. MLST was used as reference method. Different isoforms of the detectable biomarkers, resulting in biomarker mass shifts, were associated with their amino acid sequences and included into the C. coli proteotyping scheme. In total, we identified 16 biomarkers to differentiate C. coli into the three clades and three additional sub-clades of clade 1. In this study, proteotyping has been successfully adapted to C. coli. The established C. coli clades and sub-clades can be discriminated using this method. Especially the clinically relevant clade 1 isolates can be differentiated clearly.
Synchronous vascular endothelial growth factor protein profiles in both tissue and serum identify metastasis and poor survival in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yeh Chien-Chih , Shih Li-Jane , Chang Junn-Liang , Tsuei Yi-Wei , Wu Chang-Chieh , Hsiao Cheng-Wen , Chuu Chih-Pin , Kao Yung-Hsi
Published: March 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. We examined if tumor tissue and circulating protein levels of all vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) were synchronous and different in Taiwan patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) vs. non-mCRC. We analyzed samples from 109 patients enrolled from 2005–2017, 50 with stages I/II and 59 with stages III/IV CRC. We found that VEGF-A, -B, -C, -D, placental growth factor (PlGF), VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 were higher in tumor tissues than non-tumor tissues. Metastatic patients had higher levels of circulating VEGFs and soluble VEGFRs (sVEGFRs) than healthy subjects, as well as higher VEGF-A, -B, -C, -D, and PlGF proteins in both tumor tissue and serum than non-metastatic patients. Protein levels of VEGF and VEGFR were mainly associated with the patient’s age, tumor site, tumor size, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis. Patients exhibiting high levels of VEGF, VEGFR, and sVEGFR had a shorter overall survival and disease-free survival than those with low levels. We conclude that synchronous changes in VEGF and VEGFR levels in CRC tissue and serum VEGF can discriminate between metastatic and non-metastatic subjects and high levels are associated with poor survival in CRC.
Cytosolic copper is a major modulator of germination, development and secondary metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: González-Quiñónez Nathaly , Corte-Rodríguez Mario , Álvarez-Fernández-García Roberto , Rioseras Beatriz , López-García María Teresa , Fernández-García Gemma , Montes-Bayón María , Manteca Angel , Yagüe Paula
Published: March 2019

Streptomycetes are important biotechnological bacteria with complex differentiation. Copper is a well-known positive regulator of differentiation and antibiotic production. However, the specific mechanisms buffering cytosolic copper and the biochemical pathways modulated by copper remain poorly understood. Here, we developed a new methodology to quantify cytosolic copper in single spores which allowed us to propose that cytosolic copper modulates asynchrony of germination. We also characterised the SCO2730/2731 copper chaperone/P-type ATPase export system. AStreptomyces coelicolorstrain mutated inSCO2730/2731shows an important delay in germination, growth and sporulation. Secondary metabolism is heavily enhanced in the mutant which is activating the production of some specific secondary metabolites during its whole developmental cycle, including germination, the exponential growth phase and the stationary stage. Forty per cent of theS. coelicolorsecondary metabolite pathways, are activated in the mutant, including several predicted pathways never observed in the lab (cryptic pathways). Cytosolic copper is precisely regulated and has a pleiotropic effect in gene expression. The only way that we know to achieve the optimal concentration for secondary metabolism activation, is the mutagenesis ofSCO2730/2731. TheSCO2730/2731genes are highly conserved. Their inactivation in industrial streptomycetes may contribute to enhance bioactive compound discovery and production.
Characterization of the Ca2+-coordination structures of L- and T-plastins in combination with their synthetic peptide analogs by FTIR spectroscopy
Authors: Nara Masayuki , Morii Hisayuki , Shimizu Takashi , Shinomiya Hiroto , Furuta Yuka , Miyazono Kenichi , Miyakawa Takuya , Tanokura Masaru
Published: March 2019

FTIR spectroscopy was employed to characterize the coordination structures of divalent cations (M2+ = Ca2+ or Mg2+) bound by L- and T-plastins, which contain two EF-hand motifs. We focused on the N-terminal headpieces in the L- and T-plastins to analyze the regions of COO− stretching and amide-I in solution. The spectral profiles indicated that these headpieces have EF-hand calcium-binding sites because bands at 1551 cm−1 and 1555 cm−1 were observed for the bidentate coordination mode of Glu at the 12th position of the Ca2+-binding site of Ca2+-loaded L-plastin and T-plastin, respectively. The amide-I profile of the Mg2+-loaded L-plastin headpiece was identical with that of the apo L-plastin headpiece, meaning that L-plastin has a lower affinity for Mg2+. The amide-I profiles for apo, Mg2+-loaded and Ca2+-loaded T-plastin suggested that aggregation was generated in protein solution at a concentration of 1 mM. The implications of the FTIR spectral data for these plastin headpieces are discussed on the basis of data obtained for synthetic peptide analogs corresponding to the Ca2+-binding site.
Altered proteome of high-density lipoproteins from paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors
Authors: Fournier Maryse , Bonneil Eric , Garofalo Carole , Grimard Guy , Laverdière Caroline , Krajinovic Maja , Drouin Simon , Sinnett Daniel , Marcil Valérie , Levy Emile
Published: March 2019

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequent malignancy in children. With the use of more modern, efficient treatments, 5-year survival has reached more than 90% in this population. However, this achievement comes with many secondary and long-term effects since more than 65% of the survivors experience at least one severe complication, including the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of the present work was to characterize the composition of HDL particles isolated from pediatric ALL survivors. HDLs from 8 metabolically healthy ALL survivors, 8 metabolically unhealthy ALL survivors and 8 age- and gender-matched controls were analyzed. The HDL fraction from the survivors contained less cholesterol than the controls. In addition, proteomic analyses revealed an enrichment of pro-thrombotic (e.g., fibrinogen) and pro-inflammatory (e.g., amyloid A) proteins in the HDLs deriving from metabolically unhealthy survivors. These results indicate an alteration in the composition of lipid and protein content of HDL from childhood ALL survivors with metabolic disorders. Although more work is needed to validate the functionality of these HDLs, the data seem relevant for survivor health given the detection of potential biomarkers related to HDL metabolism and functionality in cancer.
Central expression of synaptophysin and synaptoporin in nociceptive afferent subtypes in the dorsal horn
Authors: Chung Jumi , Franklin John F. , Lee Hyun Joon
Published: March 2019

Central sprouting of nociceptive afferents in response to neural injury enhances excitability of nociceptive pathways in the central nervous system, often causing pain. A reliable quantification of central projections of afferent subtypes and their synaptic terminations is essential for understanding neural plasticity in any pathological condition. We previously characterized central projections of cutaneous nociceptive A and C fibers, selectively labeled with cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) and Isolectin B4 (IB4) respectively, and found that they expressed a general synaptic molecule, synaptophysin, largely depending on afferent subtypes (A vs. C fibers) across thoracic dorsal horns. The current studies extended the central termination profiles of nociceptive afferents with synaptoporin, an isoform of synaptophysin, known to be preferentially expressed in C fibers in lumbar dorsal root ganglions. Our findings demonstrated that synaptophysin was predominantly expressed in both peptidergic and IB4-binding C fiber populations in superficial laminae of the thoracic dorsal horn. Cutaneous IB4-labeled C fibers showed comparable expression levels of both isoforms, while cutaneous CTB-labeled A fibers exclusively expressed synaptophysin. These data suggest that central expression of synaptophysin consistently represents synaptic terminations of projecting afferents, at least in part, including nociceptive A-delta and C fibers in the dorsal horn.
Enhanced light extraction efficiency of Eu-related emission from a nano-patterned GaN layer grown by MOCVD
Authors: Lesage A. , Timmerman D. , Inaba T. , Gregorkiewicz T. , Fujiwara Y.
Published: March 2019

Eu-doped GaN is a promising material for the active layer in red light emitting diodes. Although the output power of LEDs based on GaN:Eu has been increasing by a combination of structural and growth optimizations, there is still a significant limitation resulting from a poor light extraction efficiency, typical for high refractive index materials. Here we studied nanostructuring of the top of the optical active layer by nano-cubes for enhancement of the light extraction efficiency, and its effect on the optical emission characteristics. By etching nano-cubes into the active layer, we observed an increase in directional light output power of Eu3+ ions of up to 60%, as well as a grating effect. Simultaneously, the absorption of excitation light into the optical active layer was improved, leading to a 12.8 times increase of output power per available Eu3+ ion.
Plasma engraved Bi0.1(Ba0.5Sr0.5)0.9Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ perovskite for highly active and durable oxygen evolution
Authors: Sun Juan , Zhang Zonghuai , Gong Yansheng , Wang Huanwen , Wang Rui , Zhao Ling , He Beibei
Published: March 2019

The development of highly active and cost-effective catalysts based on noble metal free oxygen electro-catalysis is critical to energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, we highlight a plasma-treated Bi0.1(Ba0.5Sr0.5)0.9Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ perovskite (denoted as P-Bi0.1BSCF) as a promising catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. H2/Ar plasma engraving could significantly increase electrochemically active O22−/O− concentration and tune the electronic structure of Co ions efficiently, and consequently tailor the intrinsic electrocatalytic ability for OER. Of note, P-Bi0.1BSCF, with unique crystalline core/amorphous shell structure, exhibits an enhanced intrinsic OER activity and higher stability than the noble metal IrO2 catalyst, which outperforms most of the reported perovskite catalysts. The present work provides new insights into exploring efficient catalysts for OER, and it suggests that, in addition to the extensively applied for surface treatment of various catalysts such as carbons and metal oxides, the plasma engraved perovskite materials also exhibits great potential as precious metal-free catalysts.
Interaction Between Cortical Auditory Processing and Vagal Regulation of Heart Rate in Language Tasks: A Randomized, Prospective, Observational, Analytical and Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: de Góes Viviane B. , Frizzo Ana Claúdia F. , Oliveira Fernando R. , Garner David M. , Raimundo Rodrigo D. , Valenti Vitor E.
Published: March 2019

Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEP) throughout a language task is beneficial during psychophysiological evaluation to advance identification of language disorders. So as to better comprehend human communication and to provide additional elements for neuropsychological examinations we aimed to (1) examine the influence of language tasks on cortical auditory processing and vagal control of heart rate and (2) to verify a possible association between the parasympathetic cardiac regulation and cortical auditory processing in language tasks. This study was completed with 49 women. The subjects were separated into two groups: (1) phonological language tasks (N = 21) and (2) semantic (N = 21) language tasks. Heart rate variability (HRV) and CAEP were evaluated before and after the tests. HRV reduced (small effect size) and P3 wave latency increased after the phonological task. Identical variables were significantly correlated after the phonological task and linear regression indicated significant interaction between pNN50 (percentage of adjacent RR intervals with a difference of duration greater than 50 milliseconds) and P3 latency (16.9%). In conclusion, phonological language tasks slightly reduced parasympathetic control of HR and increased cognitive effort. The association between HRV and CAEP are anticipated to be involved in this mechanism.
The effects of ZnO nanoparticles on leaf litter decomposition under natural sunlight
Authors: Du Jingjing , Zhang Yuyan , Qv Mingxiang , Li Ke , Yin Xiaoyun , Sorrell Brian Keith , Wei Mingbao , Ma Chuang
Published: March 2019

An indoor microcosm experiment showed that decomposition rate of poplar leaf litter was significantly and negatively related to ZnO nanoparticle concentration under natural sunlight.
Aggregation morphology is a key factor determining protein adsorption on graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide nanomaterials
Authors: Qi Yu , Chen Wenshan , Liu Fangfei , Liu Jing , Zhang Tong , Chen Wei
Published: March 2019

The surface properties of graphene-based materials determine their protein-binding capacities via modulating the aggregation morphology of these materials.
Re-examining the role of the gut microbiota in the conversion of the lipid-lowering statin monacolin K (lovastatin) into its active β-hydroxy acid metabolite
Authors: Beltrán D. , Frutos-Lisón M. D. , Espín J. C. , García-Villalba R.
Published: March 2019

The inter-conversion between MK and MKA depends on the pH whereas MKA was unequivocally catabolised by the gut microbiota.
Bio-inspired temporal regulation of ion-transport in nanochannels
Authors: Sonu K. P. , Vinikumar Sushmitha , Dhiman Shikha , George Subi J. , Eswaramoorthy Muthusamy
Published: March 2019

Mesoporous silica showing pH responsive gating was coupled with an enzymatic reaction to achieve the temporal regulation of ion transport.
Sodium sulfate–hydrogen peroxide–sodium chloride adduct: selective protocol for the oxidative bromination, iodination and temperature dependent oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones
Authors: Gayakwad Eknath M. , Patel Khushbu P. , Shankarling Ganapati S.
Published: March 2019

Sodium sulfate–hydrogen peroxide–sodium chloride adduct: selective protocols for anilines and sulfides oxidation.
Rapid and efficient electrochemical synthesis of a zinc-based nano-MOF for Ibuprofen adsorption
Authors: de Lima Neto Otávio José , Frós Allana Christina de Oliveira , Barros Bráulio Silva , de Farias Monteiro Arthur Felipe , Kulesza Joanna
Published: March 2019

Optimization of electrochemical parameters for the fabrication of Zn(1,3-bdc)0.5bzim nano-MOF as a drug adsorption platform.
Adsorption capacity of kelp-like electrospun nanofibers immobilized with bayberry tannin for uranium(vi) extraction from seawater
Authors: Meng Jie , Lin Xiaoyan , Li Haonan , Zhang Yida , Zhou Jian , Chen Yan , Shang Ran , Luo Xuegang
Published: March 2019

A novel kelp-like gelatin/PVA composite nanofiber band loaded with bayberry tannin was fabricated for the extraction of uranium(vi) from seawater.
Nanocomposite functionalized membranes based on silica nanoparticles cross-linked to electrospun nanofibrous support for arsenic(v) adsorption from contaminated underground water
Authors: Yohai L. , Giraldo Mejía H. , Procaccini R. , Pellice S. , Laxman Kunjali K. , Dutta J. , Uheida A.
Published: March 2019

Development of nanocomposite functionalized membranes for the removal of As(v) from contaminated water.
Enhanced sodium storage via the hetero-interface effect in BiOCl/TiO2 p–n junctions
Authors: Song Wei , Zhao Hanqing , Shen Hanting , Ye Jianqi , Zhao Dan , Li Zhong
Published: March 2019

A built-in electric field and more surface sodium storage sites are introduced by the formation of BiOCl/TiO2 p–n junctions.
Regioselective three-component synthesis of 1,2-diarylindoles from cyclohexanones, α-hydroxyketones and anilines under transition-metal-free conditions
Authors: Li Cheng , Xie Yanjun , Xiao Fuhong , Huang Huawen , Deng Guo-Jun
Published: March 2019

A facile method for the one-pot synthesis of 1,2-diarylindoles under transition-metal-free conditions is described.
Ratiometric fluorescent probes for selective and sensitive visualization of bacterial microenvironment protease activity
Authors: Wang Qinghua , Wang Xiang , Sun Ying , Yang Xiaoxiao , Zhang Leilei , Zhang Qingyang , Hu Zhi-Qiang , Hu Hai-Yu
Published: March 2019

Two novel FRET probes for selective real-time ratiometric imaging of SspA activity in live S. aureus cells.
Sulfation made simple: a strategy for synthesising sulfated molecules
Authors: Gill Daniel M. , Male Louise , Jones Alan M.
Published: March 2019

The development of tributylsulfoammonium betaine as a high yielding route to organosulfates is reported.
Isotopic substitution affects excited state branching in a DNA duplex in aqueous solution
Authors: Zhang Yuyuan , de La Harpe Kimberly , Kohl Forrest R. , Kohler Bern
Published: March 2019

Branching to a multi-site PCET state in a photoexcited DNA duplex is dramatically reduced in H2O compared to D2O.