bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting schizophrenia at the level of the individual: relative diagnostic value of whole-brain images, connectome-wide functional connectivity and graph-based metrics
Authors: Lei Du , Pinaya Walter H. L. , van Amelsvoort Therese , Marcelis Machteld , Donohoe Gary , Mothersill David O. , Corvin Aiden , Gill Michael , Vieira Sandra , Huang Xiaoqi , Lui Su , Scarpazza Cristina , Young Jonathan , Arango Celso , Bullmore Edward , Qiyong Gong , McGuire Philip , Mechelli Andrea
Published: August 2019

Background

Previous studies using resting-state functional neuroimaging have revealed alterations in whole-brain images, connectome-wide functional connectivity and graph-based metrics in groups of patients with schizophrenia relative to groups of healthy controls. However, it is unclear which of these measures best captures the neural correlates of this disorder at the level of the individual patient.

Methods

Here we investigated the relative diagnostic value of these measures. A total of 295 patients with schizophrenia and 452 healthy controls were investigated using resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging at five research centres. Connectome-wide functional networks were constructed by thresholding correlation matrices of 90 brain regions, and their topological properties were analyzed using graph theory-based methods. Single-subject classification was performed using three machine learning (ML) approaches associated with varying degrees of complexity and abstraction, namely logistic regression, support vector machine and deep learning technology.

Results

Connectome-wide functional connectivity allowed single-subject classification of patients and controls with higher accuracy (average: 81%) than both whole-brain images (average: 53%) and graph-based metrics (average: 69%). Classification based on connectome-wide functional connectivity was driven by a distributed bilateral network including the thalamus and temporal regions.

Conclusion

These results were replicated across the three employed ML approaches. Connectome-wide functional connectivity permits differentiation of patients with schizophrenia from healthy controls at single-subject level with greater accuracy; this pattern of results is consistent with the ‘dysconnectivity hypothesis’ of schizophrenia, which states that the neural basis of the disorder is best understood in terms of system-level functional connectivity alterations.
Exercise Instructors for Older Adult Fitness: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Harvey Kelsey , Griffin Meridith
Published: August 2019

Group-exercise instructors are a vital social determinant of exercise enjoyment, attendance, and adherence. Instructors also affect the degree to which physical cultures are socially inclusive. In order to elucidate the roles that instructors play in affecting these outcomes, we conducted a scoping review. Scoping reviews are a preliminary method for assessing the breadth and depth of existing literature in order to identify key themes and gaps therein. Based on Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, we identified 52 articles and book chapters, 33 of which were older-adult specific, using a university search engine that simultaneously searches multiple databases. We conceptually mapped the literature, which revealed instructors’ vital roles as: (1) constructors of group social cohesion, (2) cultural intermediaries, (3) competent practitioners, (4) leaders and communicators, and (5) educators. Of these, the instructor’s educative role lacks empirical attention. We conclude with implications for future research, practice, and policy.
Possibilities and Limits of Southern European Socialism in the Iberian Peninsula: French, Portuguese and Spanish Socialists in the mid-1970s
Authors: Granadino Alan
Published: August 2019

This article discusses the relations between the French, Portuguese and Spanish socialist parties during the transitions to democracy in the Iberian Peninsula (1974–7). It focuses on the attempt of these parties to establish a distinctive ideological trend, Southern European socialism. The main argument is that the French socialists attempted to promote their ideological line – and predominantly the union between socialists and communists – in the Iberian Peninsula during the transitions to democracy. The Portuguese Socialist Party and the Spanish Socialist Workers Party initially considered following this line. However, the radicalisation of the Portuguese revolution in the sensitive context of Cold War détente, as well as the involvement of the European social democrats in both Portugal and Spain against the union of the left, prevented this model from being further considered by the Spanish and Portuguese socialist parties. Nevertheless, all these parties showed interest in promoting a common Southern European Socialist identity that differed from European social democracy as well as from Soviet communism, considering it useful in the struggle for hegemony within the left.
A novel compact lowpass filter with sharp roll-off and wide stopband
Authors: Hayati M. , Abdipour AS. , Abdipour AR.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, a microstrip lowpass filter adopting two main resonators with steep transition band and wide rejection band has been introduced. The first main resonance cell consists of meandered transmission lines which are loaded by modified T-shaped patches. The second main resonator is composed of high-impedance lines loaded by polygon patches. To obtain a steep skirt performance, the first and second resonators have been combined. Moreover, employing eight high–low impedance folded stubs and two rectangular open-stubs as suppressing cells has resulted in improving the stopband features. To comprehend the frequency behavior of the employed resonators and also their combination, the formulas of the transmission coefficient, reflection coefficient, and the transmission zeros of their equivalent LC circuits have been extracted, separately. According to the measurement results, the −3 dB operating frequency of this filter is 1.65 GHz. Moreover, a relative stopband bandwidth equal to 166% with a corresponding attenuation level of 23 dB and a sharp roll-off rate (393.61 dB/GHz) have been achieved. In the passband region from DC to 1.632 GHz, the insertion loss and return loss are better than 0.0763 and 15.85 dB, respectively, proving an acceptable in-band performance. Finally, the implemented structure brings about a high figure-of-merit equal to 81 672.
Extending Esh3D Code to Solve Interacting Eshelby's Inhomogeneity Problems
Authors: Meng Chunfang
Published: August 2019

I present a new development of an open source code Esh3D in solving interacting Eshelby's inhomogeneity problems in whole, half, and finite spaces. The code resolves the interaction between multiple inhomogeneity bodies by assembling and solving a global linear system. For half or finite space problems, the code imposes Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions and resolves the surface‐body interaction by hybridizing Eshelby's analytical solutions with a numerical part. I demonstrate the impact of multibody interaction and surface‐body interaction by comparing the results of different problems in whole and finite spaces. This analytical‐numerical hybrid approach, compared to conventional finite element method, is inexpensive and flexible in modeling multiple and evolving inhomogeneity bodies.
This Bridge Monitors the Environment and Harnesses Tidal Energy
Authors: Crowell Rachel
Published: August 2019

The “smart” Memorial Bridge spanning the Piscataqua is outfitted with a tidal turbine and more than 40 sensors.
Convective Heating Leads to Self‐Aggregation by Generating Available Potential Energy
Authors: Yang Da
Published: August 2019

The moisture‐entrainment‐convection (MEC) feedback posits that a moist environment favors deep convection, which further moistens the atmosphere through its associated circulation and detrainment. The MEC feedback has been proposed to be crucial to spontaneous convective aggregation. Here we test this hypothesis by performing minimal cloud‐resolving simulations, without the buoyancy effect due to water vapor, evaporation of rain, or radiative and surface‐flux feedbacks. Convection can self‐aggregate in this minimal simulation, in which the MEC feedback is active. We then switch off this feedback by relaxing moisture to its horizontal mean over a time scale of 3 hr. Convection still self‐aggregates in this mechanism‐denial experiment, suggesting that the MEC feedback is not essential to self‐aggregation. We further show that convective heating coincides with positive temperature anomalies, generating available potential energy. Therefore, we propose that this convective heating‐overturning circulation feedback can lead to spontaneous development of large‐scale circulations.
Evaluation of Shallow‐Cumulus Entrainment Rate Retrievals Using Large‐Eddy Simulation
Authors: Drueke S. , Kirshbaum D. J. , Kollias P.
Published: August 2019

A complete and quantitative understanding of cumulus entrainment remains elusive, in part due to the difficulty of directly observing cloud entrainment rates. Multiple approaches to ground‐based observational retrieval of bulk fractional entrainment rates (ε) within cumuli have been developed, such as the parcel model by Jensen and Del Genio (JDG, 2006, https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI3722.1) and Entrainment Rate In Cumulus Algorithm (ERICA) by Wagner et al. (2013, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-12-00187.1). In this paper, a new cumulus entrainment retrieval based on a turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) similarity theory is presented. This method estimates ε based on only the environmental and subcloud conditions. By conducting large‐eddy simulations of a range of continental and maritime shallow cumulus convection cases as Observing System Simulations Experiments, the first numerical verification of the three retrieval methods is produced. These simulations consider a broad range of shallow cumulus environments along with variations of the numerical configuration. The diagnosed ε from these simulations is found to be robustly larger in cumuli over the ocean than in cumuli over land. For continental cumuli, the experiments also reveal a diurnal cycle with increasing ε in the late afternoon. These diagnosed ε serve as the “truth” against which the pseudo‐retrieved entrainment rates from several different implementations of each retrieval are verified. Overall, the simpler JDG and TKE retrievals outperform the more sophisticated ERICA method and better capture the sensitivity to continentality. Only the TKE method reproduces the diurnal variations in ε within continental cumuli. The mean error in the ε retrievals are between 20% and 30% for the TKE and JDG methods, but 50% for ERICA.
MJO Propagation Processes and Mean Biases in the SubX and S2S Reforecasts
Authors: Kim Hyemi , Janiga Matthew A. , Pegion Kathy
Published: August 2019

The Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) is the leading source of global subseasonal predictability; however, many dynamical forecasting systems struggle to predict MJO propagation through the Maritime Continent. Better understanding the biases in simulated physical processes associated with MJO propagation is the key to improve MJO prediction. In this study, MJO prediction skill, propagation processes, and mean state biases are evaluated in reforecasts from models participating in the Subseasonal Experiment (SubX) and Subseasonal to Seasonal (S2S) prediction projects. SubX and S2S reforecasts show MJO prediction skill out to 4.5 weeks based on the Real‐time Multivariate MJO index consistent with previous studies. However, a closer examination of these models' representation of MJO propagation through the Maritime Continent reveals that they fail to predict the MJO convection, associated circulations, and moisture advection processes beyond 10 days with most of models underestimating MJO amplitude. The biases in the MJO propagation can be partly associated with the following mean biases across the Indo‐Pacific: a drier low troposphere, excess surface precipitation, more frequent occurrence of light precipitation rates, and a transition to stronger precipitation rates at lower humidity than in observations. This indicates that deep convection occurs too frequently in models and is not sufficiently inhibited when tropospheric moisture is low, which is likely due to the representation of entrainment.
Monthly Streamflow Simulation for the Headwater Catchment of the Yellow River Basin With a Hybrid Statistical‐Dynamical Model
Authors: Wang Wenzhuo , Dong Zengchuan , Lall Upmanu , Dong Ningpeng , Yang Minzhi
Published: August 2019

Streamflow simulation of the headwater catchment of the Yellow River basin (HCYRB) in China is important for water resources management of the Yellow River basin. A statistical‐dynamical model, combining regular vine copulas with an optimization method for structure estimation, is presented with an application for simulating the monthly streamflow with local climate drivers at HCYRB. Local climate drivers for streamflow in every month are analyzed using rank‐based correlation. Precipitation, evaporation, and temperature generally show strong associations with streamflow. Winter streamflows relate to total precipitation of the wet season and total evaporation of October and November, while unfrozen‐month streamflows are correlated with evaporation and precipitation of current month and previous 1 month in the wet season. Both canonical vine and D‐vine copulas are applied to develop different conditional quantile functions for streamflows in different months with their dynamical covariates. The covariates are selected from historical streamflows and climate drivers with appropriate lags using partial correlations. The optimal vine trees are selected using the sequential maximum spanning tree algorithm with the weight based on both dependence and goodness of fit. The model demonstrates higher skill than existing vine‐based models and the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. The enhanced skill of the hybrid statistical‐dynamical model comes from an improved capability of capturing nonlinear correlation and tail dependence of streamflow and climate drivers with the optimization of vine structure selection. The model provides an effective advance to enhance water resources planning and management for HCYRB and the whole basin.
The synergistic effects of oxaliplatin and piperlongumine on colorectal cancer are mediated by oxidative stress
Authors: Chen WeiQian , Lian WeiShuai , Yuan YiFeng , Li MaoQuan
Published: August 2019

Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy is recommended as the first-line therapeutic regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, long-term and repeated oxaliplatin therapy leads to drug resistance and severe adverse events, which hamper its clinical application. Thus, chemosensitizers are urgently required for overcoming oxaliplatin resistance and toxicity. Here, the anticancer effects of oxaliplatin combined with piperlongumine (PL), a molecule promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, in colorectal cancer, were assessed. We demonstrated that oxaliplatin elevated cellular ROS amounts and showed synergistic anticancer effects with PL in colorectal cancer cells. These anticancer effects were mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress apoptotic-associated networks. Meanwhile, blockage of ROS production prevented apoptosis and fully reversed mitochondrial dysfunction and ER stress associated with the oxaliplatin/PL combination. Moreover, xenograft assays in mouse models highly corroborated in vitro data. In conclusion, this study provides a novel combination therapy for colorectal cancer, and reveals that manipulating ROS production might constitute an effective tool for developing novel treatments in colorectal cancer.
Controlling intercellular flow through mechanosensitive plasmodesmata nanopores
Authors: Park Keunhwan , Knoblauch Jan , Oparka Karl , Jensen Kaare H.
Published: August 2019

In plants, plasmodesmata (PD) are nanopores that serve as channels for molecular cell-to-cell transport. Precise control of PD permeability is essential to regulate processes such as growth and tissue patterning, photoassimilate distribution and defense against pathogens. Callose deposition modulates PD transport but little is known of the rapid events that lead to PD closure in response to tissue damage or osmotic shock. We propose a mechanism of PD closure as a result of mechanosensing. Pressure forces acting on the dumbbell-shaped ER-desmotubule complex cause it to be displaced from its equilibrium position, thus closing the PD aperture. The filamentous protein tethers that link the plasma membrane to the ER-desmotubule complex play a key role in determining the selectivity of the PD pore. This model of PD control compares favorably with experimental data on the pressure-generated closure of PD.
Bidirectional prefrontal-hippocampal dynamics organize information transfer during sleep in humans
Authors: Helfrich Randolph F. , Lendner Janna D. , Mander Bryce A. , Guillen Heriberto , Paff Michelle , Mnatsakanyan Lilit , Vadera Sumeet , Walker Matthew P. , Lin Jack J. , Knight Robert T.
Published: August 2019

How are memories transferred from short-term to long-term storage? Systems-level memory consolidation is thought to be dependent on the coordinated interplay of cortical slow waves, thalamo-cortical sleep spindles and hippocampal ripple oscillations. However, it is currently unclear how the selective interaction of these cardinal sleep oscillations is organized to support information reactivation and transfer. Here, using human intracranial recordings, we demonstrate that the prefrontal cortex plays a key role in organizing the ripple-mediated information transfer during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. We reveal a temporally precise form of coupling between prefrontal slow-wave and spindle oscillations, which actively dictates the hippocampal-neocortical dialogue and information transfer. Our results suggest a model of the human sleeping brain in which rapid bidirectional interactions, triggered by the prefrontal cortex, mediate hippocampal activation to optimally time subsequent information transfer to the neocortex during NREM sleep.
Physiologically relevant reconstitution of iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis uncovers persulfide-processing functions of ferredoxin-2 and frataxin
Authors: Gervason Sylvain , Larkem Djabir , Mansour Amir Ben , Botzanowski Thomas , Müller Christina S. , Pecqueur Ludovic , Le Pavec Gwenaelle , Delaunay-Moisan Agnès , Brun Omar , Agramunt Jordi , Grandas Anna , Fontecave Marc , Schünemann Volker , Cianférani Sarah , Sizun Christina , Tolédano Michel B. , D’Autréaux Benoit
Published: August 2019

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are essential protein cofactors whose biosynthetic defects lead to severe diseases among which is Friedreich’s ataxia caused by impaired expression of frataxin (FXN). Fe-S clusters are biosynthesized on the scaffold protein ISCU, with cysteine desulfurase NFS1 providing sulfur as persulfide and ferredoxin FDX2 supplying electrons, in a process stimulated by FXN but not clearly understood. Here, we report the breakdown of this process, made possible by removing a zinc ion in ISCU that hinders iron insertion and promotes non-physiological Fe-S cluster synthesis from free sulfide in vitro. By binding zinc-free ISCU, iron drives persulfide uptake from NFS1 and allows persulfide reduction into sulfide by FDX2, thereby coordinating sulfide production with its availability to generate Fe-S clusters. FXN stimulates the whole process by accelerating persulfide transfer. We propose that this reconstitution recapitulates physiological conditions which provides a model for Fe-S cluster biosynthesis, clarifies the roles of FDX2 and FXN and may help develop Friedreich’s ataxia therapies.
Using B isotopes and B/Ca in corals from low saturation springs to constrain calcification mechanisms
Authors: Wall M. , Fietzke J. , Crook E. D. , Paytan A.
Published: August 2019

Ocean acidification is expected to negatively impact calcifying organisms, yet we lack understanding of their acclimation potential in the natural environment. Here we measured geochemical proxies (δ11B and B/Ca) in Porites astreoides corals that have been growing for their entire life under low aragonite saturation (Ωsw: 0.77–1.85). This allowed us to assess the ability of these corals to manipulate the chemical conditions at the site of calcification (Ωcf), and hence their potential to acclimate to changing Ωsw. We show that lifelong exposure to low Ωsw did not enable the corals to acclimate and reach similar Ωcf as corals grown under ambient conditions. The lower Ωcf at the site of calcification can explain a large proportion of the decreasing P. astreoides calcification rates at low Ωsw. The naturally elevated seawater dissolved inorganic carbon concentration at this study site shed light on how different carbonate chemistry parameters affect calcification conditions in corals.
Noncanonical mechanism of voltage sensor coupling to pore revealed by tandem dimers of Shaker
Authors: Carvalho-de-Souza João L. , Bezanilla Francisco
Published: August 2019

In voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC), voltage sensors (VSD) endow voltage-sensitivity to pore domains (PDs) through a not fully understood mechanism. Shaker-like VGKC show domain-swapped configuration: VSD of one subunit is covalently connected to its PD by the protein backbone (far connection) and non-covalently to the PD of the next subunit (near connection). VSD-to-PD coupling is not fully explained by far connection only, therefore an additional mechanistic component may be based on near connection. Using tandem dimers of Shaker channels we show functional data distinguishing VSD-to-PD far from near connections. Near connections influence both voltage-dependence of C-type inactivation at the selectivity filter and overall PD open probability. We speculate a conserved residue in S5 (S412 in Shaker), within van der Waals distance from next subunit S4 residues is key for the noncanonical VSD-to-PD coupling. Natural mutations of S412-homologous residues in brain and heart VGKC are related to neurological and cardiac diseases.
Hsp70 and Hsp40 inhibit an inter-domain interaction necessary for transcriptional activity in the androgen receptor
Authors: Eftekharzadeh Bahareh , Banduseela Varuna C. , Chiesa Giulio , Martínez-Cristóbal Paula , Rauch Jennifer N. , Nath Samir R. , Schwarz Daniel M. C. , Shao Hao , Marin-Argany Marta , Di Sanza Claudio , Giorgetti Elisa , Yu Zhigang , Pierattelli Roberta , Felli Isabella C. , Brun-Heath Isabelle , García Jesús , Nebreda Ángel R. , Gestwicki Jason E. , Lieberman Andrew P. , Salvatella Xavier
Published: August 2019

Molecular chaperones such as Hsp40 and Hsp70 hold the androgen receptor (AR) in an inactive conformation. They are released in the presence of androgens, enabling transactivation and causing the receptor to become aggregation-prone. Here we show that these molecular chaperones recognize a region of the AR N-terminal domain (NTD), including a FQNLF motif, that interacts with the AR ligand-binding domain (LBD) upon activation. This suggests that competition between molecular chaperones and the LBD for the FQNLF motif regulates AR activation. We also show that, while the free NTD oligomerizes, binding to Hsp70 increases its solubility. Stabilizing the NTD-Hsp70 interaction with small molecules reduces AR aggregation and promotes its degradation in cellular and mouse models of the neuromuscular disorder spinal bulbar muscular atrophy. These results help resolve the mechanisms by which molecular chaperones regulate the balance between AR aggregation, activation and quality control.
Atom table convolutional neural networks for an accurate prediction of compounds properties
Authors: Zeng Shuming , Zhao Yinchang , Li Geng , Wang Ruirui , Wang Xinming , Ni Jun
Published: August 2019

Machine learning techniques are widely used in materials science. However, most of the machine learning models require a lot of prior knowledge to manually construct feature vectors. Here, we develop an atom table convolutional neural networks that only requires the component information to directly learn the experimental properties from the features constructed by itself. For band gap and formation energy prediction, the accuracy of our model exceeds the standard DFT calculations. Besides, through data-enhanced technology, our model not only accurately predicts superconducting transition temperatures, but also distinguishes superconductors and non-superconductors. Utilizing the trained model, we have screened 20 compounds that are potential superconductors with high superconducting transition temperature from the existing database. In addition, from the learned features, we extract the properties of the elements and reproduce the chemical trends. This framework is valuable for high throughput screening and helpful to understand the underlying physics.
Environmentally Optimal, Nutritionally Sound, Protein and Energy Conserving Plant Based Alternatives to U.S. Meat
Authors: Eshel Gidon , Stainier Paul , Shepon Alon , Swaminathan Akshay
Published: August 2019

Because meat is more resource intensive than vegetal protein sources, replacing it with efficient plant alternatives is potentially desirable, provided these alternatives prove nutritionally sound. We show that protein conserving plant alternatives to meat that rigorously satisfy key nutritional constraints while minimizing cropland, nitrogen fertilizer (Nr) and water use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions exist, and could improve public health. We develop a new methodology for identifying nutritional constraints whose satisfaction by plant eaters is challenging, disproportionately shaping the optimal diets, singling out energy, mass, monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins B3,6,12 and D, choline, zinc, and selenium. By replacing meat with the devised plant alternatives—dominated by tofu, soybeans, peanuts, and lentils—Americans can collectively eliminate pastureland use while saving 35–50% of their diet related needs for cropland, Nr, and GHG emission, but increase their diet related irrigation needs by 15%. While widely replacing meat with plants is logistically and culturally challenging, few competing options offer comparable multidimensional resource use reduction.
Protein Complex Identification and quantitative complexome by CN-PAGE
Authors: Gorka Michal , Swart Corné , Siemiatkowska Beata , Martínez-Jaime Silvia , Skirycz Aleksandra , Streb Sebastian , Graf Alexander
Published: August 2019

The majority of cellular processes are carried out by protein complexes. Various size fractionation methods have previously been combined with mass spectrometry to identify protein complexes. However, most of these approaches lack the quantitative information which is required to understand how changes of protein complex abundance and composition affect metabolic fluxes. In this paper we present a proof of concept approach to quantitatively study the complexome in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana at the end of the day (ED) and the end of the night (EN). We show that size-fractionation of native protein complexes by Clear-Native-PAGE (CN-PAGE), coupled with mass spectrometry can be used to establish abundance profiles along the molecular weight gradient. Furthermore, by deconvoluting complex protein abundance profiles, we were able to drastically improve the clustering of protein profiles. To identify putative interaction partners, and ultimately protein complexes, our approach calculates the Euclidian distance between protein profile pairs. Acceptable threshold values are based on a cut-off that is optimized by a receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Our approach shows low technical variation and can easily be adapted to study in the complexome in any biological system.
The Influence of Occupational Noise Exposure on Cardiovascular and Hearing Conditions among Industrial Workers
Authors: Li Xiuting , Dong Qiu , Wang Boshen , Song Haiyan , Wang Shizhi , Zhu Baoli
Published: August 2019

This study was conducted to estimate the current prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular condition and hearing difficulty of workers exposure to occupational noise, and to analyze any associations between these abnormal signs and occupational noise exposure. The subjects included 5205 noise-exposed workers. Workers with high noise exposure were more likely to have a higher threshold value than low exposure ones (P < 0.05). Subjects in the high exposure group had a significantly higher risk of hypertension and hearing loss than the ones in low exposure group. Between the ages of 30 and 45, high-level occupational noise exposure led to a significantly raising risk of both hypertension (Adjusted OR = 1.59, 95% CI, 1.19–2.11) and hearing loss (Adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.03–1.60) when comparing to low-level noise exposure. In male workers, the prevalence of hearing difficulty in high exposure group was approximately 1.2 times worse than in low group (P = 0.006). In addition, exposure to high noise level demonstrated a significant association with hypertension and hearing loss when the duration time to occupational noise was longer than 10 years. Hypertension and hearing difficulty is more prevalent in the noise-exposed group (higher than 85 dB[A]). Steps to reduce workplace noise levels and to improve workplace-based health are thus urgently needed.
Biogeochemical Changes During Bio-cementation Mediated by Stimulated and Augmented Ureolytic Microorganisms
Authors: Gomez Michael G. , Graddy Charles M. R. , DeJong Jason T. , Nelson Douglas C.
Published: August 2019

Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) is a bio-mediated cementation process that can improve the engineering properties of granular soils through the precipitation of calcite. The process is made possible by soil microorganisms containing urease enzymes, which hydrolyze urea and enable carbonate ions to become available for precipitation. While most researchers have injected non-native ureolytic bacteria to complete bio-cementation, enrichment of native ureolytic microorganisms may enable reductions in process treatment costs and environmental impacts. In this study, a large-scale bio-cementation experiment involving two 1.7-meter diameter tanks and a complementary soil column experiment were performed to investigate biogeochemical differences between bio-cementation mediated by either native or augmented (Sporosarcina pasteurii) ureolytic microorganisms. Although post-treatment distributions of calcite and engineering properties were similar between approaches, the results of this study suggest that significant differences in ureolysis rates and related precipitation rates between native and augmented microbial communities may influence the temporal progression and spatial distribution of bio-cementation, solution biogeochemical changes, and precipitate microstructure. The role of urea hydrolysis in enabling calcite precipitation through sustained super-saturation following treatment injections is explored.
Field cancerization therapy with ingenol mebutate contributes to restoring skin-metabolism to normal-state in patients with actinic keratosis: a metabolomic analysis
Authors: Righi Valeria , Tarentini Elisabetta , Mucci Adele , Reggiani Camilla , Rossi Maria Cecilia , Ferrari Federica , Casari Alice , Magnoni Cristina
Published: August 2019

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a skin premalignant lesion, which progresses into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if left untreated. Ingenol mebutate gel is approved for local treatment of non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic AK; it also has the potential to act as a field cancerization therapy to prevent the progression of AK to SCC. To gain better insights into the mechanisms of ingenol mebutate beyond the mere clinical assessment, we investigated, for the first time, the metabolome of skin tissues from patients with AK, before and after ingenol mebutate treatment, with high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The metabolomic profiles were compared with those of tissues from healthy volunteers. Overall, we identified a number of metabolites, the homeostasis of which became altered during the process of tumorigenesis from healthy skin to AK, and was restored, at least partially, by ingenol mebutate therapy. These metabolites may help to attain a better understanding of keratinocyte metabolism and to unmask the metabolic pathways related to cell proliferation. These results provide helpful information to identify biomarkers with prognostic and therapeutic significance in AK, and suggest that field cancerization therapy with ingenol mebutate may contribute to restore skin metabolism to a normal state in patients with AK.
Steroid receptors and their regulation in avian extraembryonic membranes provide a novel substrate for hormone mediated maternal effects
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Lohrentz Anja , Gahr Manfred , Groothuis Ton G. G.
Published: August 2019

Exposure of the vertebrate embryo to maternal hormones can have long-lasting effects on its phenotype, which has been studied extensively by experimentally manipulating maternal steroids, mostly androgens, in bird eggs. Yet, there is a severe lack of understanding of how and when these effects are actually mediated, hampering both underlying proximate and ultimate explanations. Here we report a novel finding that the embryo expresses androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ERα) mRNA in its extraembryonic membranes (EMs) as early as before its own hormone production starts, suggesting a novel substrate for action of maternal hormones on the offspring. We also report the first experimental evidence for steroid receptor regulation in the avian embryo in response to yolk steroid levels: the level of AR is dependent on yolk androgen levels only in the EMs but not in body tissues, suggesting embryonic adaptation to maternal hormones. The results also solve the problem of uptake of lipophilic steroids from the yolk, why they affect multiple traits, and how they could mediate maternal effects without affecting embryonic sexual differentiation.
Wood volatiles as attractants of the confused flour beetle, Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Hori Masatoshi , Aoki Yoshimi , Shinoda Kazutaka , Chiba Mitsuo , Sasaki Rikiya
Published: August 2019

Confused flour beetles are serious pests of stored grain products, and therefore, it is important to efficiently monitor and control their populations. Aggregation pheromones are commercially used for monitoring this beetle but their efficacy has been questioned and they may be inadequate for practical use. Food attractants as well as pheromones are commonly used for monitoring stored-product insects. However, food attractants may not be effective in the case of food handling facilities, which are already filled with food odours. The ancestors of flour beetles may have been associated with dead or decomposing woody vegetation, so we investigated the attractiveness of several wood odours to beetles using a pitfall olfactometer. The beetles were strongly attracted to all wood odours tested: Castanea crenata, Magnolia obovata, Paulownia tomentosa, Prunus jamasakura, and Zelkova serrata. The attractiveness of these wood odours was also stronger than that of the odours of the usual food of these beetles. Supercritical CO2 extracts of these species of wood were also attractive to the beetles. The Z. serrata extract was the most attractive among these extracts, and was further analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. One major compound, (−)-mellein, was detected in the extract. Synthetic (±)-mellein attracted the beetles.
The Cape Town “Day Zero” drought and Hadley cell expansion
Authors: Burls Natalie J. , Blamey Ross C. , Cash Benjamin A. , Swenson Erik T. , Fahad Abdullah al , Bopape Mary-Jane M. , Straus David M. , Reason Chris J. C.
Published: August 2019

In early 2018, Cape Town (population ~3.7 million) was at risk of being one of the first major metropolitan areas in the world to run out of water. This was due to a severe multi-year drought that led to the levels of supply dams falling to an unprecedented low. Here we analyze rainfall data from the city catchment areas, including rare centennial records from the surrounding region, to assess the severity of the 2015–2017 drought. We find that there has been a long-term decline in the number of winter rainfall days, but this trend has been generally masked by fluctuations in rainfall intensity. The recent drought is unprecedented in the centennial record and represents a combination of the long-term decline in rainfall days and a more recent decline in rainfall intensity. Cold fronts during the winter months are responsible for most of the rainfall reaching Cape Town and our analysis shows no robust regional trend in the number of fronts over the last 40 years. Rather, the observed multidecadal decline in rainfall days, which threatens to increase the occurrence of severe drought, appears to be linked to a decrease in the duration of rainfall events associated with cold fronts. This change in rainfall characteristics associated with fronts appears to be linked to Hadley Cell expansion seen across the Southern Hemisphere and an increasing trend in post-frontal high-pressure conditions that suppress orographically enhanced rainfall.
Functional D-box sequences reset the circadian clock and drive mRNA rhythms
Authors: Yoshitane Hikari , Asano Yoshimasa , Sagami Aya , Sakai Seinosuke , Suzuki Yutaka , Okamura Hitoshi , Iwasaki Wataru , Ozaki Haruka , Fukada Yoshitaka
Published: August 2019

The circadian clock drives gene expression rhythms, leading to daily changes in physiology and behavior. In mammals, Albumin D-site-Binding Protein (DBP) rhythmically activates transcription of various genes through a DNA cis-element, D-box. The DBP-dependent transactivation is repressed by competitive binding of E4BP4 to the D-box. Despite the elaborate regulation, physiological roles of the D-box in the circadian clockwork are still elusive. Here we identified 1490 genomic regions recognized commonly by DBP and E4BP4 in the mouse liver. We comprehensively defined functional D-box sequences using an improved bioinformatics method, MOCCS2. In RNA-Seq analysis of E4bp4-knockout and wild type liver, we showed the importance of E4BP4-mediated circadian repression in gene expression rhythms. In addition to the circadian control, we found that environmental stimuli caused acute induction of E4BP4 protein, evoking phase-dependent phase shifts of cellular circadian rhythms and resetting the clock. Collectively, D-box-mediated transcriptional regulation plays pivotal roles in input and output in the circadian clock system.
Arabidopsis GCN2 kinase contributes to ABA homeostasis and stomatal immunity
Authors: Liu Xiaoyu , Afrin Taiaba , Pajerowska-Mukhtar Karolina M.
Published: August 2019

General Control Non-derepressible 2 (GCN2) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase that modulates amino acid homeostasis in response to nutrient deprivation in yeast, human and other eukaryotes. However, the GCN2 signaling pathway in plants remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that in Arabidopsis, bacterial infection activates AtGCN2-mediated phosphorylation of eIF2α and promotes TBF1 translational derepression. Consequently, TBF1 regulates a subset of abscisic acid signaling components to modulate pre-invasive immunity. We show that GCN2 fine-tunes abscisic acid accumulation and signaling during both pre-invasive and post-invasive stages of an infection event. Finally, we also demonstrate that AtGCN2 participates in signaling triggered by phytotoxin coronatine secreted by P. syringae. During the preinvasive phase, AtGCN2 regulates stomatal immunity by affecting pathogen-triggered stomatal closure and coronatine-mediated stomatal reopening. Our conclusions support a conserved role of GCN2 in various forms of immune responses across kingdoms, highlighting GCN2’s importance in studies on both plant and mammalian immunology.
Discussion on dual–tree complex wavelet transform and generalized regression neural network based concentration-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for oil identification
Authors: Zhang Lu-Jun , Huang Xiao-Dong , Wang Yan , Wang Chun-Yan , Sun Yong-Zhi
Published: August 2019

Precisely and rapidly determining the sources of spilled oils, which has posed threats to wildlife, human beings, and the natural environment, can provide scientific evidence for the investigation and handling of spilled oil accidents.
Novel LiV(PO4)0.9F1.3 with ultrahigh rate capability and prolonged cycle life
Authors: Zhang Meichen , Zhou Yongmao , Ding Xiaobo , Yan Guochun , Wang Zhixing , Wang Jiexi
Published: August 2019

Novel triclinic LiV(PO4)0.9F1.3, characterized through its crystal lattice expansion, ultrafine primary particle size and uniform carbon coating, was fabricated and exhibited excellent electrochemical performance.
Enzymatic kinetic resolution of chiral sulfoxides – an enantiocomplementary approach
Authors: Nosek Vladimír , Míšek Jiří
Published: August 2019

A new enzymatic assay for the preparation of chiral sulfoxides that is enantiocomplementary to the known (S)-enantiomer-reducing activity of methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) is described.
Combining two distinctive intermolecular forces in designing ternary co-crystals and molecular salts of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid and ten substituted pyridines
Authors: Hill Tania , Erasmus Rudolph M. , Levendis Demetrius C. , Lemmerer Andreas
Published: August 2019

Coloured three component complexes are made using both charge transfer and hydrogen bonding intermolecular interactions.
Surfactant mediated particle aggregation in nonpolar solvents
Authors: Farrokhbin Mojtaba , Stojimirović Biljana , Galli Marco , Khajeh Aminian Mohsen , Hallez Yannick , Trefalt Gregor
Published: August 2019

The aggregation behavior of particles in nonpolar media is studied with time-resolved light scattering.
Photocatalytic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using TiO2 nanorods: a mechanistic investigation
Authors: Lu Qipeng , Zhu Lijie , Han Sumei , Hou Yanbing , Cao Wenbin
Published: August 2019

Herein, we investigate the mechanism of photocatalytic synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles by reductive photoelectrons generated from semiconductors.
Ultrafast ring-opening and solvent-dependent product relaxation of photochromic spironaphthopyran
Authors: Bittmann Simon F. , Dsouza Raison , Siddiqui Khalid M. , Hayes Stuart A. , Rossos Andreas , Corthey Gastón , Kochman Michał , Prokhorenko Valentyn I. , Murphy R. Scott , Schwoerer Heinrich , Miller R. J. Dwayne
Published: August 2019

Combined experiment and theory shed light on the dominant pathways involved in the photochemical reaction of spiropyran.
Formation of an oriented Bi2WO6 photocatalyst induced by in situ Bi reduction and its use for efficient nitrogen fixation
Authors: Zhou Shengyao , Zhang Congmin , Liu Jingyuan , Liao Jie , Kong Yi , Xu Yanling , Chen Gang
Published: August 2019

An in situ Bi reduction strategy to induce a preferential orientation that significantly enhanced the photocatalytic nitrogen fixation performance of Bi2WO6.
Co-exposure to the food additives SiO2 (E551) or TiO2 (E171) and the pesticide boscalid increases cytotoxicity and bioavailability of the pesticide in a tri-culture small intestinal epithelium model: potential health implications
Authors: Cao Xiaoqiong , DeLoid Glen M. , Bitounis Dimitrios , De La Torre-Roche Roberto , White Jason C. , Zhang Zhenyuan , Ho Chin Guan , Ng Kee Woei , Eitzer Brian D. , Demokritou Philip
Published: August 2019

Widely used food-grade nanomaterials (TiO2 and SiO2) increase cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and cellular translocation of co-ingested pesticide, boscalid.
Engineering spin and antiferromagnetic resonances to realize an efficient direction-multiplexed visible meta-hologram
Authors: Ansari Muhammad Afnan , Kim Inki , Rukhlenko Ivan D. , Zubair Muhammad , Yerci Selcuk , Tauqeer Tauseef , Mehmood Muhammad Qasim , Rho Junsuk
Published: August 2019

A direction-multiplexed visible metahologram is proposed. We demonstrate monolayer direction-controlled multiplexing of a transmission type metasurface hologram made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon in the visible domain.
A versatile single-molecule counting-based platform by generation of fluorescent silver nanoclusters for sensitive detection of multiple nucleic acids
Authors: Peng Manshu , Fang Zhuyin , Na Na , Ouyang Jin
Published: August 2019

A versatile method for the detection of multiple nucleic acids using DNA-templated silver nanoclusters as single-molecule fluorophores is reported.
Hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres for imaging-guided light-activated synergistic thermo-chemotherapy
Authors: Qiu Yuwei , Ding Dandan , Sun Wenjing , Feng Yushuo , Huang Doudou , Li Sicheng , Meng Shanshan , Zhao Qingliang , Xue Li-Jun , Chen Hongmin
Published: August 2019

Hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres were able to achieve high drug loading, excellent photoacoustic imaging ability and photothermal conversion efficacy, enabling imaging-guided light-activated synergistic therapy.
Application of a definitive screening design for the synthesis of a charge-transfer complex of sparfloxacin with tetracyanoethylene: spectroscopic, thermodynamic, kinetics, and DFT computational studies
Authors: El-Shafie Ahmed S. , Khashan Areej W. , Hussein Yasser H. A. , El-Azazy Marwa
Published: August 2019

A spectrochemical approach was adopted to study the charge-transfer (CT) complexation of sparfloxacin (SFX) with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). Definitive screening design (DSD) was used to investigate the reaction variables.
Current and future functional imaging techniques for post-traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Prasad Alisha , Chaichi Ardalan , Kelley D. Parker , Francis Joseph , Gartia Manas Ranjan
Published: August 2019

Conventional methods of studying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have proven to be insufficient for diagnosis. We have reviewed clinical and preclinical imaging techniques as well as molecular, cellular, and behavioral indicators for PTSD.
Preparation of hydrophobically modified cotton filter fabric with high hydrophobic stability using ARGET-ATRP mechanism
Authors: Li Zheng , He Zijian , Chen Xiaodan , Tang Yi , You Shiwen , Chen Yufang , Jin Tao
Published: August 2019

This paper reports on the hydrophobic modification of cotton fabric grafted with 1-octadecene via an electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) mechanism.
Oxygen self-sufficient NIR-activatable liposomes for tumor hypoxia regulation and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Yu Qi , Huang Tianci , Liu Chao , Zhao Menglong , Xie Mingjuan , Li Guo , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: August 2019

We have presented oxygen self-sufficient near infrared-activatable liposomes to overcome hypoxia-associated photodynamic resistance.
Optical motion control of liquid crystalline droplets by host–guest molecular interaction
Authors: Sakai Yota , Sohn Woon Yong , Katayama Kenji
Published: August 2019

LC droplets could be mobilized and direction-controlled by the structure of photo-responsive molecules.
Nucleic acids presenting polymer nanomaterials as vaccine adjuvants
Authors: Comberlato Alice , Paloja Kaltrina , Bastings Maartje M. C.
Published: August 2019

Polymer nanomaterials in various shapes and sizes can be engineered to present nucleic acids and function as immune adjuvant.