bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Styrene grafted ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE‐g‐PSSA) protonic membranes: Preparation, characterization, and transport mechanism
Authors: Abdel‐Hamed M.O.
Published: October 2017

The main goal of the present work is the development of partially fluorinated, low‐cost proton exchange membranes. The styrene grafted onto commercial ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE) membranes using solution grafting technique, and after that the membranes were sulfonated. Diluting styrene on ECTFE with a solvent mixture of methanol plus methylene chloride (1:1) was highly effective in promoting the grafting reaction as indicated by the increase in the degree of grafting (DG) to 21.3% compared to other solvents. The DG in ECTFE membranes increased with an increase in the monomer concentration up to 60% and then declined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis confirmed grafting and sulfonation onto ECTFE films. The maximum value of proton conductivity for ECTFE‐g‐PSSA film with DG = 21.3% was observed to be 141 mS cm−1, which is also higher than those of Nafion 212 membrane. Furthermore, the activation energy of ECTFE‐g‐PSSA membranes was obtained ranging from 8.27 to 9.726 kJ mol−1. So both proton transport mechanisms (hopping and vehicle) have been commonly accepted. The mobility of the charge carriers calculated from proton conductivity data has robust dependence on the grafting yield and temperature. Moreover, the tensile strength and elongation at break ratio decreases with the increase in DG. The water and methanol uptakes increase up to 0.97% and 30%, respectively, for the highest DG value. Finally, the ECTFE‐g‐PSSA has lower cost and higher conductivity they could be better used instead of Nafion in direct methanol fuel cells.
Numerical formulation of confined compressive strength and strain of circular reinforced concrete columns using gene expression programming approach
Authors: Sadrossadat Ehsan , Ghorbani Behnam , Hamooni Morteza , Moradpoor Sheikhkanloo Mohammad H.
Published: October 2017

In reinforced concrete (RC), concrete’s relatively low tensile strength and ductility are counteracted by reinforcement of materials having higher tensile strength or ductility, such as steel reinforcing bars. A remarkable concern in design of RC columns confined with transverse reinforcement is to achieve an acceptable estimation of confined compressive strength and strain factors when they are subjected to compressive and lateral loading. To cope with this issue, various models have been proposed by researchers due to the costly procedure of experimental studies and lack of high‐capacity testing equipment. Despite this fact, there still exists the necessity to develop more robust estimation models. This paper explores the capability of gene expression programming for the prediction of confined compressive strength and strain of RC columns with circular cross section. A reliable database is used to develop two new models which can be used via hand calculations for design purposes. In order to verify and validate the proposed models, several analyses are conducted and the results are compared with those provided by other researchers. Consequently, the results explicitly represent that the proposed models accurately estimate the confined compressive strength and corresponding strain of circular concrete columns and reach a notably better prediction performance than the traditional models.
The economic growth and foreign direct investment nexus: Does democracy matter? Evidence from African countries
Authors: Awad Atif , Ragab Hoda
Published: October 2017

This article investigates the impact of democracy on the foreign direct investment (FDI)–economic growth nexus by considering both a country's current and past political regimes. We apply a linear dynamic panel data model to data from 53 African countries over the period 1989–2014. Standard errors of the estimates are Weidmeijer corrected, following an orthogonal deviations transformation. The results show that the direct impact of FDI on growth is positive and significant. Likewise, the stock of democracy plays a positive and significant role in the growth process. However, the positive impact of FDI on growth decreases with the improvement in the historical experience of a country with democracy. These findings imply that with contemporary efforts to expand political rights in Africa, it is critical to identify alternative channels that facilitate the transmission of the flow of FDI into further and sustainable growth.
PAM, OLA, and LNA are Differentially Taken Up and Trafficked Via Different Metabolic Pathways in Porcine Adipocytes
Authors: Yu Caihua , Xi Lingling , Chen Jin , Jiang Qin , Yi Hongbo , Wang Yizhen , Wang Xinxia
Published: October 2017

Dietary fatty acids have different effects on fat deposition in pigs. To clarify the underlying mechanisms of this difference, we compared the metabolism of palmitic (PAM, saturated), oleic (OLA, monounsaturated) and linoleic acid (LNA, polyunsaturated) in porcine adipocytes treated with 100 μM PAM, OLA or LNA. We observed that the adipocytes incubated with LNA accumulated more lipids compared with those treated with PAM and OLA. We then probed the metabolism of these fatty acids in porcine adipocytes by using isotope‐labelled fatty acids. The results showed that 42% of the [1‐14C] LNA, 34% of the [1‐14C] PAM and 28% of the [1‐14C] OLA were recovered in the cellular lipids. The gene expression analyses showed that LNA significantly increased the expression of adipogenesis‐ and oxidation‐related genes including PPARγ, C/EBPα, ap2 and NRF1. In addition, the cells incubated with LNA showed a decreased Ser112 phosphorylation in PPARγ compared to those incubated with PAM and OLA. Furthermore, when PPARγ Ser112 phosphorylation was inhibited, no significant difference in the triacylglycerol contents in the adipocytes was observed. These results showed the dietary fatty acids had different metabolism pathways in porcine adipocytes, and LNA significantly promoted lipid accumulation, probably by regulating PPARγ phosphorylation in adipocytes.
Evaluation of turbulent mixing transition in a shock-driven variable-density flow
Authors: Mohaghar Mohammad , Carter John , Musci Benjamin , Reilly David , McFarland Jacob , Ranjan Devesh
Published: October 2017

The effect of initial conditions on transition to turbulence is studied in a variable-density shock-driven flow. Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) evolution of fluid interfaces with two different imposed initial perturbations is observed before and after interaction with a second shock reflected from the end wall of a shock tube (reshock). The first perturbation is a predominantly single-mode long-wavelength interface which is formed by inclining the entire tube to 80$^{\circ }$ relative to the horizontal, yielding an amplitude-to-wavelength ratio, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}=0.088$, and thus can be considered as half the wavelength of a triangular wave. The second interface is multi-mode, and contains additional shorter-wavelength perturbations due to the imposition of shear and buoyancy on the inclined perturbation of the first case. In both cases, the interface consists of a nitrogen-acetone mixture as the light gas over carbon dioxide as the heavy gas (Atwood number, $A\sim 0.22$) and the shock Mach number is $M\approx 1.55$. The initial condition was characterized through Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and density energy spectra from a large set of initial condition images. The evolving density and velocity fields are measured simultaneously using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques. Density, velocity, and density–velocity cross-statistics are calculated using ensemble averaging to investigate the effects of additional modes on the mixing and turbulence quantities. The density and velocity data show that a distinct memory of the initial conditions is maintained in the flow before interaction with reshock. After reshock, the influence of the long-wavelength inclined perturbation present in both initial conditions is still apparent, but the distinction between the two cases becomes less evident as smaller scales are present even in the single-mode case. Several methods are used to calculate the Reynolds number and turbulence length scales, which indicate a transition to a more turbulent state after reshock. Further evidence of transition to turbulence after reshock is observed in the velocity and density fluctuation spectra, where a scaling close to $k^{-5/3}$ is observed for almost one decade, and in the enstrophy fluctuation spectra, where a scaling close to $k^{1/3}$ is observed for a similar range. Also, based on normalized cross correlation spectra, local isotropy is reached at lower wave numbers in the multi-mode case compared with the single-mode case before reshock. By breakdown of large scales to small scales after reshock, rapid decay can be observed in cross-correlation spectra in both cases.
Does intranasal steroid spray technique affect side effects and compliance? Results of a patient survey
Authors: Ganesh V , Banigo A , McMurran A E L , Shakeel M , Ram B
Published: October 2017

Background:

Intranasal steroid sprays are fundamental in the medical management of inflammatory rhinological conditions. Side effects are common, but these may be related to the method of application rather than the medication itself.

Methods:

A survey was distributed to patients using intranasal steroid sprays at the ENT out-patient clinic at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary over three months. This evaluated the spray technique used, side effects and compliance.

Results:

Of 103 patients, 22 patients (21.4 per cent) reported side effects, including nasal irritation and epistaxis. Of the 20 patients with epistaxis, 80 per cent used an ipsilateral hand technique (p= 0.01). Thirty patients demonstrated poor compliance because of lack of symptom improvement or side effects. Seventy-seven per cent of this group used the ipsilateral hand technique.

Conclusion:

Patients who used their ipsilateral hand to apply the intranasal steroid spray were more likely to develop epistaxis and have poor compliance than those who used other techniques. Patients who struggle with compliance because of side effects should avoid this method of intranasal steroid application.
“A Fountainhead of Pure Musical Americana”: Hobo Philosophy in Harry Partch'sBitter Music
Authors: RAULERSON GRAHAM
Published: October 2017

Largely because of its troubled publication history,Bitter Music—Harry Partch's journal of a portion of his travels as a hobo—has attracted little scholarly or popular attention. This article aims to help elucidateBitter Musicby examining the influence of hobo philosophy on its creation and reception. Certain aspects of the historical and current hobo subculture's ideology—particularly bricolage, anarcho-syndicalism, radical egalitarianism, and non-hierarchical temporal perception—appear to motivate various factors in Partch's creation of the journal and his later attempts to destroy it. Additionally, I examine how hobo philosophy animates Partch's approach to speech, song, and instrumental music, culminating in a close reading of the journal's longest musical-textual entry. The article concludes with an examination of howBitter Music’s publication history further enhances the resonance of hobo philosophy with the ways in which the journal is apprehended by readers and, in the current century, listeners.
How to Trigger a Massive Earthquake
Authors: Joel Lucas
Published: October 2017

Humans may be to blame for California’s second-largest 20th century earthquake, and a team of seismologists has now proposed how that could have happened.
Epistatic interactions between mutations of TACI (TNFRSF13B) and TCF3 result in a severe primary immunodeficiency disorder and systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Ameratunga Rohan , Koopmans Wikke , Woon See‐Tarn , Leung Euphemia , Lehnert Klaus , Slade Charlotte A , Tempany Jessica C , Enders Anselm , Steele Richard , Browett Peter , Hodgkin Philip D , Bryant Vanessa L
Published: October 2017

Common variable immunodeficiency disorders (CVID) are a group of primary immunodeficiencies where monogenetic causes account for only a fraction of cases. On this evidence, CVID is potentially polygenic and epistatic although there are, as yet, no examples to support this hypothesis. We have identified a non‐consanguineous family, who carry the C104R (c.310T>C) mutation of the Transmembrane Activator Calcium‐modulator and cyclophilin ligand Interactor (TACI, TNFRSF13B) gene. Variants in TNFRSF13B/TACI are identified in up to 10% of CVID patients, and are associated with, but not solely causative of CVID. The proband is heterozygous for the TNFRSF13B/TACI C104R mutation and meets the Ameratunga et al. diagnostic criteria for CVID and the American College of Rheumatology criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Her son has type 1 diabetes, arthritis, reduced IgG levels and IgA deficiency, but has not inherited the TNFRSF13B/TACI mutation. Her brother, homozygous for the TNFRSF13B/TACI mutation, is in good health despite profound hypogammaglobulinemia and mild cytopenias. We hypothesised that a second unidentified mutation contributed to the symptomatic phenotype of the proband and her son. Whole‐exome sequencing of the family revealed a de novo nonsense mutation (T168fsX191) in the Transcription Factor 3 (TCF3) gene encoding the E2A transcription factors, present only in the proband and her son. We demonstrate mutations of TNFRSF13B/TACI impair immunoglobulin isotype switching and antibody production predominantly via T‐cell‐independent signalling, while mutations of TCF3 impair both T‐cell‐dependent and ‐independent pathways of B‐cell activation and differentiation. We conclude that epistatic interactions between mutations of the TNFRSF13B/TACI and TCF3 signalling networks lead to the severe CVID‐like disorder and SLE in the proband.
Resistance to checkpoint blockade therapy through inactivation of antigen presentation
Authors: Sade-Feldman Moshe , Jiao Yunxin J. , Chen Jonathan H. , Rooney Michael S. , Barzily-Rokni Michal , Eliane Jean-Pierre , Bjorgaard Stacey L. , Hammond Marc R. , Vitzthum Hans , Blackmon Shauna M. , Frederick Dennie T. , Hazar-Rethinam Mehlika , Nadres Brandon A. , Van Seventer Emily E. , Shukla Sachet A. , Yizhak Keren , Ray John P. , Rosebrock Daniel , Livitz Dimitri , Adalsteinsson Viktor , Getz Gad , Duncan Lyn M. , Li Bo , Corcoran Ryan B. , Lawrence Donald P. , Stemmer-Rachamimov Anat , Boland Genevieve M. , Landau Dan A. , Flaherty Keith T. , Sullivan Ryan J. , Hacohen Nir
Published: October 2017

Treatment with immune checkpoint blockade (CPB) therapies often leads to prolonged responses in patients with metastatic melanoma, but the common mechanisms of primary and acquired resistance to these agents remain incompletely characterized and have yet to be validated in large cohorts. By analyzing longitudinal tumor biopsies from 17 metastatic melanoma patients treated with CPB therapies, we observed point mutations, deletions or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), an essential component of MHC class I antigen presentation, in 29.4% of patients with progressing disease. In two independent cohorts of melanoma patients treated with anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1, respectively, we find that B2M LOH is enriched threefold in non-responders (~30%) compared to responders (~10%) and associated with poorer overall survival. Loss of both copies of B2M is found only in non-responders. B2M loss is likely a common mechanism of resistance to therapies targeting CTLA4 or PD1.
Limiting habenular hyperactivity ameliorates maternal separation-driven depressive-like symptoms
Authors: Tchenio Anna , Lecca Salvatore , Valentinova Kristina , Mameli Manuel
Published: October 2017

Early-life stress, including maternal separation (MS), increases the vulnerability to develop mood disorders later in life, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We report that MS promotes depressive-like symptoms in mice at a mature stage of life. Along with this behavioral phenotype, MS drives reduction of GABAB-GIRK signaling and the subsequent lateral habenula (LHb) hyperexcitability—an anatomical substrate devoted to aversive encoding. Attenuating LHb hyperactivity using chemogenetic tools and deep-brain stimulation ameliorates MS depressive-like symptoms. This provides insights on mechanisms and strategies to alleviate stress-dependent affective behaviors.
Conversion of invisible metal-organic frameworks to luminescent perovskite nanocrystals for confidential information encryption and decryption
Authors: Zhang Congyang , Wang Bo , Li Wanbin , Huang Shouqiang , Kong Long , Li Zhichun , Li Liang
Published: October 2017

Traditional smart fluorescent materials, which have been attracting increasing interest for security protection, are usually visible under either ambient or UV light, making them adverse to the potential application of confidential information protection. Herein, we report an approach to realize confidential information protection and storage based on the conversion of lead-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to luminescent perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). Owing to the invisible and controlled printable characteristics of lead-based MOFs, confidential information can be recorded and encrypted by MOF patterns, which cannot be read through common decryption methods. Through our conversion strategy, highly luminescent perovskite NCs can be formed quickly and simply by using a halide salt trigger that reacts with the MOF, thus promoting effective information decryption. Finally, through polar solvents impregnation and halide salt conversion, the luminescence of the perovskite NCs can be quenched and recovered, leading to reversible on/off switching of the luminescence signal for multiple information encryption and decryption processes.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of information encoding revealed in orbitofrontal high-gamma
Authors: Rich Erin L. , Wallis Joni D.
Published: October 2017

High-gamma signals mirror the tuning and temporal profiles of neurons near a recording electrode in sensory and motor areas. These frequencies appear to aggregate local neuronal activity, but it is unclear how this relationship affects information encoding in high-gamma activity (HGA) in cortical areas where neurons are heterogeneous in selectivity and temporal responses, and are not functionally clustered. Here we report that populations of neurons and HGA recorded from the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) encode similar information, although there is little correspondence between signals recorded by the same electrode. HGA appears to aggregate heterogeneous neuron activity, such that the spiking of a single cell corresponds to only small increases in HGA. Interestingly, large-scale spatiotemporal dynamics are revealed in HGA, but less apparent in the population of single neurons. Overall, HGA is closely related to neuron activity in OFC, and provides a unique means of studying large-scale spatiotemporal dynamics of information processing.
Examining the human infectious reservoir for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in areas of differing transmission intensity
Authors: Gonçalves Bronner P. , Kapulu Melissa C. , Sawa Patrick , Guelbéogo Wamdaogo M. , Tiono Alfred B. , Grignard Lynn , Stone Will , Hellewell Joel , Lanke Kjerstin , Bastiaens Guido J. H. , Bradley John , Nébié Issa , Ngoi Joyce M. , Oriango Robin , Mkabili Dora , Nyaurah Maureen , Midega Janet , Wirth Dyann F. , Marsh Kevin , Churcher Thomas S. , Bejon Philip , Sirima Sodiomon B. , Drakeley Chris , Bousema Teun
Published: October 2017

A detailed understanding of the human infectious reservoir is essential for improving malaria transmission-reducing interventions. Here we report a multi-regional assessment of population-wide malaria transmission potential based on 1209 mosquito feeding assays in endemic areas of Burkina Faso and Kenya. Across both sites, we identified 39 infectious individuals. In high endemicity settings, infectious individuals were identifiable by research-grade microscopy (92.6%; 25/27), whilst one of three infectious individuals in the lowest endemicity setting was detected by molecular techniques alone. The percentages of infected mosquitoes in the different surveys ranged from 0.05 (4/7716) to 1.6% (121/7749), and correlate positively with transmission intensity. We also estimated exposure to malaria vectors through genetic matching of blood from 1094 wild-caught bloodfed mosquitoes with that of humans resident in the same houses. Although adults transmitted fewer parasites to mosquitoes than children, they received more mosquito bites, thus balancing their contribution to the infectious reservoir.
Maximizing T
c by tuning nematicity and magnetism in FeSe1−x
S
x
superconductors
Authors: Matsuura K. , Mizukami Y. , Arai Y. , Sugimura Y. , Maejima N. , Machida A. , Watanuki T. , Fukuda T. , Yajima T. , Hiroi Z. , Yip K. Y. , Chan Y. C. , Niu Q. , Hosoi S. , Ishida K. , Mukasa K. , Kasahara S. , Cheng J.-G. , Goh S. K. , Matsuda Y. , Uwatoko Y. , Shibauchi T.
Published: October 2017

A fundamental issue concerning iron-based superconductivity is the roles of electronic nematicity and magnetism in realising high transition temperature (Tc). To address this issue, FeSe is a key material, as it exhibits a unique pressure phase diagram involving non-magnetic nematic and pressure-induced antiferromagnetic ordered phases. However, as these two phases in FeSe have considerable overlap, how each order affects superconductivity remains perplexing. Here we construct the three-dimensional electronic phase diagram, temperature (T) against pressure (P) and isovalent S-substitution (x), for FeSe1−x
S
x
. By simultaneously tuning chemical and physical pressures, against which the chalcogen height shows a contrasting variation, we achieve a complete separation of nematic and antiferromagnetic phases. In between, an extended non-magnetic tetragonal phase emerges, where Tc shows a striking enhancement. The completed phase diagram uncovers that high-Tc superconductivity lies near both ends of the dome-shaped antiferromagnetic phase, whereas Tc remains low near the nematic critical point.
Ultrathin two-dimensional porous organic nanosheets with molecular rotors for chemical sensing
Authors: Dong Jinqiao , Zhang Kang , Li Xu , Qian Yuhong , Zhu Hai , Yuan Daqiang , Xu Qing-Hua , Jiang Jianwen , Zhao Dan
Published: October 2017

Molecular rotors have played an important role in recent materials chemistry. Although several studies on functional materials containing molecular rotors have been reported for fluorescence sensing, this concept has yet to be realized in two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here we report the preparation of all-carbon, π-conjugated 2D porous organic nanosheets, named NUS-24, which contain flexible tetraphenylethylene (TPE) units as the molecular rotors. NUS-24 nanosheets exhibit high stability, large lateral size, and ultrathin thickness (2–5 nm). The dynamic TPE rotors exposed on the surface of NUS-24 nanosheets can be restricted in the aggregated state with different water fractions, which is reminiscent of the aggregation-induced emission mechanism, thereby leading to the size-selective turn-on fluorescence by volatile organic compounds. Significantly, the ultrathin 2D nanosheets and its composite membranes show much higher sensitivity and selectivity toward Fe3+ ions and nitro-containing compounds sensing, suggesting their potential applications in explosive detection and environmental monitoring.
Cross-plane Thermoelectric and Thermionic Transport across Au/h-BN/Graphene Heterostructures
Authors: Poudel Nirakar , Liang Shi-Jun , Choi David , Hou Bingya , Shen Lang , Shi Haotian , Ang Lay Kee , Shi Li , Cronin Stephen
Published: October 2017

The thermoelectric voltage generated at an atomically abrupt interface has not been studied exclusively because of the lack of established measurement tools and techniques. Atomically thin 2D materials provide an excellent platform for studying the thermoelectric transport at these interfaces. Here, we report a novel technique and device structure to probe the thermoelectric transport across Au/h-BN/graphene heterostructures. An indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent electrical heater is patterned on top of this heterostructure, enabling Raman spectroscopy and thermometry to be obtained from the graphene top electrode in situ under device operating conditions. Here, an AC voltage V(ω) is applied to the ITO heater and the thermoelectric voltage across the Au/h-BN/graphene heterostructure is measured at 2ω using a lock-in amplifier. We report the Seebeck coefficient for our thermoelectric structure to be −215 μV/K. The Au/graphene/h-BN heterostructures enable us to explore thermoelectric and thermal transport on nanometer length scales in a regime of extremely short length scales. The thermoelectric voltage generated at the graphene/h-BN interface is due to thermionic emission rather than bulk diffusive transport. As such, this should be thought of as an interfacial Seebeck coefficient rather than a Seebeck coefficient of the constituent materials.
Exploratory Testing of Diatom Silica to Map the Role of Material Attributes on Cell Fate
Authors: Walsh Pamela J. , Clarke Susan A. , Julius Matthew , Messersmith Phillip B.
Published: October 2017

Porous silica is an attractive biomaterial in many applications, including drug-delivery systems, bone-graft fillers and medical devices. The issue with porous silica biomaterials is the rate at which they resorb and the significant role played by interfacial chemistry on the host response in vivo. This paper explores the potential of diatom-biosilica as a model tool to assist in the task of mapping and quantifying the role of surface topography and chemical cues on cell fate. Diatoms are unicellular microalgae whose cell walls are composed of, amorphous nanopatterned biosilica that cannot be replicated synthetically. Their unique nanotopography has the potential to improve understanding of interface reactions between materials and cells. This study used Cyclotella meneghiniana as a test subject to assess cytotoxicity and pro-inflammatory reactions to diatom-biosilica. The results suggest that diatom-biosilica is non-cytotoxic to J774.2 macrophage cells, and supports cell proliferation and growth. The addition of amine and thiol linkers have shown a significant effect on cytotoxicity, growth and cytokine response, thus warranting further investigation into the interfacial effects of small chemical modifications to substrate surfaces. The overall findings suggest diatom-biosilica offers a unique platform for in-depth investigation of the role played by nanotopography and chemistry in biomedical applications.
Exceptional appendage and soft-tissue preservation in a Middle Triassic horseshoe crab from SW China
Authors: Hu Shixue , Zhang Qiyue , Feldmann Rodney M. , Benton Michael J. , Schweitzer Carrie E. , Huang Jinyuan , Wen Wen , Zhou Changyong , Xie Tao , Lü Tao , Hong Shuigen
Published: October 2017

Horseshoe crabs are classic “living fossils”, supposedly slowly evolving, conservative taxa, with a long fossil record back to the Ordovician. The evolution of their exoskeleton is well documented by fossils, but appendage and soft-tissue preservation is extremely rare. Here we analyse details of appendage and soft-tissue preservation in Yunnanolimulus luopingensis, a Middle Triassic (ca. 244 million years old) horseshoe crab from Yunnan Province, SW China. The remarkable preservation of anatomical details including the chelicerae, five pairs of walking appendages, opisthosomal appendages with book gills, muscles, and fine setae permits comparison with extant horseshoe crabs. The close anatomical similarity between the Middle Triassic horseshoe crabs and their recent analogues documents anatomical conservatism for over 240 million years, suggesting persistence of lifestyle. The occurrence of Carcinoscorpius-type claspers on the first and second walking legs in male individuals of Y. luopingensis indicates that simple chelate claspers in males are plesiomorphic for horseshoe crabs, and the bulbous claspers in Tachypleus and Limulus are derived.
Profiling of miRNAs and target genes related to cystogenesis in ADPKD mouse models
Authors: Woo Yu Mi , Kim Do Yeon , Koo Nam Jin , Kim Yong-Min , Lee Sunyoung , Ko Je Yeong , Shin Yubin , Kim Bo Hye , Mun Hyowon , Choi Seonju , Lee Eun Ji , Shin Jeong-Oh , Park Eun Young , Bok Jinwoong , Park Jong Hoon
Published: October 2017

Autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common inherited renal disease characterized by the development of numerous fluid-filled cysts in both kidneys. We investigated miRNA-mediated regulatory systems and networks that play an important role during cystogenesis through integrative analysis of miRNA- and RNA-seq using two ADPKD mouse models (conditional Pkd1- or Pkd2-deficient mice), at three different time points (P1, P3, and P7). At each time point, we identified 13 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) and their potential targets in agreement with cyst progression in both mouse models. These targets were involved in well-known signaling pathways linked to cystogenesis. More specifically, we found that the actin cytoskeleton pathway was highly enriched and connected with other well-known pathways of ADPKD. We verified that miR-182-5p regulates actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and promotes ADPKD cystogenesis by repressing its target genes—Wasf2, Dock1, and Itga4—in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that actin cytoskeleton may play an important role in renal cystogenesis, and miR-182-5p is a novel regulator of actin cytoskeleton and cyst progression. Furthermore, this study provides a systemic network of both key miRNAs and their targets associated with cyst growth in ADPKD.
A New Method for Targeted and Sustained Induction of Type 2 Diabetes in Rodents
Authors: Premilovac Dino , Gasperini Robert J. , Sawyer Sarah , West Adrian , Keske Michelle A. , Taylor Bruce V. , Foa Lisa
Published: October 2017

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that is becoming a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The prolonged time-course of human type 2 diabetes makes modelling of the disease difficult and additional animal models and methodologies are needed. The goal of this study was to develop and characterise a new method that allows controlled, targeted and sustained induction of discrete stages of type 2 diabetes in rodents. Using adult, male rats, we employed a three-week high fat-diet regimen and confirmed development of obesity-associated glucose intolerance, a key feature of human type 2 diabetes. Next, we utilised osmotic mini-pumps to infuse streptozotocin (STZ; doses ranging 80–200 mg/kg) over the course of 14-days to decrease insulin-producing capacity thus promoting hyperglycemia. Using this new approach, we demonstrate a dose-dependent effect of STZ on circulating glucose and insulin levels as well as glucose tolerance, while retaining a state of obesity. Importantly, we found that insulin secretion in response to a glucose load was present, but reduced in a dose-dependent manner by increasing STZ. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel method that enables induction of discrete stages of type 2 diabetes in rodents that closely mirrors the different stages of type 2 diabetes in humans.
Stochastic Spin-Orbit Torque Devices as Elements for Bayesian Inference
Authors: Shim Yong , Chen Shuhan , Sengupta Abhronil , Roy Kaushik
Published: October 2017

Probabilistic inference from real-time input data is becoming increasingly popular and may be one of the potential pathways at enabling cognitive intelligence. As a matter of fact, preliminary research has revealed that stochastic functionalities also underlie the spiking behavior of neurons in cortical microcircuits of the human brain. In tune with such observations, neuromorphic and other unconventional computing platforms have recently started adopting the usage of computational units that generate outputs probabilistically, depending on the magnitude of the input stimulus. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a spintronic device that offers a direct mapping to the functionality of such a controllable stochastic switching element. We show that the probabilistic switching of Ta/CoFeB/MgO heterostructures in presence of spin-orbit torque and thermal noise can be harnessed to enable probabilistic inference in a plethora of unconventional computing scenarios. This work can potentially pave the way for hardware that directly mimics the computational units of Bayesian inference.
Preparing entangled states between two NV centers via the damping of nanomechanical resonators
Authors: Li Xiao-Xiao , Li Peng-Bo , Ma Sheng-Li , Li Fu-Li
Published: October 2017

We propose an efficient scheme for preparing entangled states between two separated nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in a spin-mechanical system via a dissipative quantum dynamical process. The proposal actively exploits the nanomechanical resonator (NAMR) damping to drive the NV centers to the target state through a quantum reservoir engineering approach. The distinct features of the present work are that we turn the detrimental source of noise into a resource and only need high-frequency low-Q mechanical resonators, which make our scheme more simple and feasible in experimental implementation. This protocol may have interesting applications in quantum information processing with spin-mechanical systems.
Testing scientific models using Qualitative Reasoning: Application to cellulose hydrolysis
Authors: Kansou Kamal , Rémond Caroline , Paës Gabriel , Bonnin Estelle , Tayeb Jean , Bredeweg Bert
Published: October 2017

With the accumulation of scientific information in natural science, even experts can find difficult to keep integrating new piece of information. It is critical to explore modelling solutions able to capture information scattered in publications as a computable representation form. Traditional modelling techniques are important in that regard, but relying on numerical information comes with limitations for integrating results from distinct studies, high-level representations can be more suited. We present an approach to stepwise construct mechanistic explanation from selected scientific papers using the Qualitative Reasoning framework. As a proof of concept, we apply the approach to modelling papers about cellulose hydrolysis mechanism, focusing on the causal explanations for the decreasing of hydrolytic rate. Two explanatory QR models are built to capture classical explanations for the phenomenon. Our results show that none of them provides sufficient explanation for a set of basic experimental observations described in the literature. Combining the two explanations into a third one allowed to get a new and sufficient explanation for the experimental results. In domains where numerical data are scarce and strongly related to the experimental conditions, this approach can aid assessing the conceptual validity of an explanation and support integration of knowledge from different sources.
The influence of flow velocity on coal fines output and coal permeability in the Fukang Block, southern Junggar Basin, China
Authors: Tao Shu , Tang Dazhen , Xu Hao , Li Song
Published: October 2017

Coal samples were cut into cores to perform a flow velocity sensitivity (FVS) analysis under varying initial permeability, confining pressures, injection volumes, and injection intensities. The results show that the permeability and the output of the coal fines decrease with an increase in confining pressures at a constant displacement velocity. A critical flow velocity exists for the migration of relatively large coal fines. Below this critical flow velocity, very small coal fines can be transported out of the coal by the fluid, slightly increasing the coal permeability. However, larger coal fines are transported at a higher flow velocity, which may block the effective seepage paths and reduce coal permeability, inducing FVS. Moreover, as the flow velocity and the injection volume increase, the permeability damage rate increases, but the rate of increase in the permeability damage decreases. The damage to the permeability due to FVS mainly occurs in the early stage of coal fines migration, and an abrupt increase in the flow velocity can damage reservoirs and induce substantial coal fines generation. Thus, maintaining a stable effective strength and a controlled depressurization rate during drainage can effectively constrain coal fines output and decrease permeability damage within coal reservoirs.
Age-related changes in the spatiotemporal responses to electrical stimulation in the visual cortex of rats with progressive vision loss
Authors: Miyamoto Soshi , Suematsu Naofumi , Umehira Yuichi , Hayashida Yuki , Yagi Tetsuya
Published: October 2017

The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat gradually loses vision due to retinal degeneration. Previous physiological studies have depicted the progressive loss of optical responses in the visual pathway, including the primary visual cortex (V1), over the course of retinal degeneration in the RCS rat. However, little is known about how the excitability of the V1 circuit changes during over the course of the gradual loss of visual signal input from the retina. We elucidated the properties of responses to electrical stimulations directly applied to V1 at different stages of vision input loss in the RCS rat in reference to those of the Long-Evans (LE) rat, using in vivo voltage-sensitive dye imaging. The V1 neuronal network of the RCS rat exhibited an excitatory response comparable to the LE rat. The excitatory response was maintained even long after total loss of the visual signal input from the retina. However, the response time-course suggested that the suppressive response was somewhat debilitated in the RCS rat. This is the first experiment demonstrating the long-term effect of retinal degeneration on cortical activities. Our findings provide the physiological fundamentals to enhance the preclinical research of cortical prostheses with the use of the RCS rat.
Epidermal SIRT1 regulates inflammation, cell migration, and wound healing
Authors: Qiang Lei , Sample Ashley , Liu Han , Wu Xiaoyang , He Yu-Ying
Published: October 2017

Sirtuins (SIRT1-7) are NAD-dependent proteins with the enzymatic activity of deacetylases and ADP ribosyltransferases. SIRT1 is the proto member of the proteins in the mammalian sirtuin family and plays multiple roles in aging and disease. Using mice with epidermis-specific SIRT1 deletion, we show that SIRT1 is required for efficient wound healing. SIRT1 deficiency in the epidermis inhibited the regeneration of both the epidermis and the dermal stroma. SIRT1 loss altered the production of many cytokines, inhibited the recruitment of macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells, the recruitment and activation of fibroblasts, and angiogenesis in the granulation tissue. In keratinocytes, SIRT1 knockdown inhibited EMT, cell migration, and TGF-β signaling. For the first time, using skin-specific mouse model, we demonstrate that epidermal SIRT1 plays a crucial role in wound repair. These findings are novel in understanding how wound healing is regulated. Our findings provide in vivo and in vitro evidence that SIRT1 in the epidermis regulates cell migration, redox response, inflammation, epidermis re-epithelialization, granulation formation, and proper wound healing in mice.
Association between AIRE gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies
Authors: Bérczi Bálint , Gerencsér Gellért , Farkas Nelli , Hegyi Péter , Veres Gábor , Bajor Judit , Czopf László , Alizadeh Hussain , Rakonczay Zoltán , Vigh Éva , Erőss Bálint , Szemes Kata , Gyöngyi Zoltán
Published: October 2017

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) is a transcription factor that functions as a novel player in immunological investigations. In the thymus, it has a pivotal role in the negative selection of naive T-cells during central tolerance. Experimental studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alters transcription of the AIRE gene. SNPs thereby provide a less efficient negative selection, propagate higher survival of autoimmune T-cells, and elevate susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. To date, only rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been analysed by epidemiological investigations in relation to SNPs in AIRE. In our meta-analysis, we sought to encompass case-control studies and confirm that the association between SNP occurrence and RA. After robust searches of Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, we found 19 articles that included five independent studies. Out of 11 polymorphisms, two (rs2075876, rs760426) were common in the five case-control studies. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis for rs2075876 (7145 cases and 8579 controls) and rs760426 (6696 cases and 8164 controls). Our results prove that rs2075876 and rs760426 are significantly associated with an increased risk of RA in allelic, dominant, recessive, codominant heterozygous, and codominant homozygous genetic models. These findings are primarily based on data from Asian populations.
Neonatal exposure to high oxygen levels leads to impaired ischemia-induced neovascularization in adulthood
Authors: Mathieu Raphael , Dussault Sylvie , Desjarlais Michel , Rivard François , Dhahri Wahiba , Cloutier Anik , Nuyt Anne-Monique , Rivard Alain
Published: October 2017

Adverse perinatal conditions can lead to developmental programming of cardiovascular diseases. Prematurely born infants are often exposed to high oxygen levels, which in animal models has been associated with endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and cardiac remodeling during adulthood. Here we found that adult mice that have been transiently exposed to O2 after birth show defective neovasculariation after hindlimb ischemia, as demonstrated by impaired blood flow recovery, reduced vascular density in ischemic muscles and increased tissue damages. Ischemic muscles isolated from mice exposed to O2 after birth exhibit increased oxidative stress levels and reduced expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pro-angiogenic cells (PACs) have been shown to have an important role for postnatal neovascularisation. We found that neonatal exposure to O2 is associated with reduced number of PACs in adults. Moreover, the angiogenic activities of both PACs and mature mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) are significantly impaired in mice exposed to hyperoxia after birth. Our results indicate that neonatal exposure to high oxygen levels leads to impaired ischemia-induced neovascularization during adulthood. The mechanism involves deleterious effects on oxidative stress levels and angiogenic signals in ischemic muscles, together with dysfunctional activities of PACs and mature endothelial cells.
Involvement of the Vitamin D Receptor in Energy Metabolism Revealed by Profiling of Lysine Succinylome of White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Su Han , Lou Yan , Fu Yu , Zhang Yalin , Liu Ning , Liu Zuwang , Zhou Yanyan , Kong Juan
Published: October 2017

Lysine succinylation, emerging as a novel post-translational modification, is closely related to the regulation of diverse biological processes, including many aspects of metabolism. Growing evidence suggests that low vitamin D status might exert an adverse impact on energy balance, adipogenesis and inflammation in white adipose tissue (WAT). However, whether there are any interactions between vitamin D and lysine succinylation still remains unknown. Here, combining high-affinity enrichment of lysine succinylated peptides with mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis, we reported the systematic profiling of the lysine succinylome, identifying 209 sites occurring on 159 proteins were up-regulated, 3 sites in 3 proteins were down-regulated in vitamin D receptor (VDR)−/− mice. Bioinformatics analysis reveals potential impacts of lysine succinylation on diverse biological processes and molecular functions, especially on carbon biotransformation, fatty acid metabolism and TCA cycle. Furthermore, eight unique motifs surrounding the succinylation sites were validated. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the first comprehensive profiling of WAT succinylome in VDR−/− mice, and provide crucial clues for further elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the involvement of the VDR in energy metabolism.
Effects of Supra-Physiological Levothyroxine Dosages on Liver Parameters, Lipids and Lipoproteins in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Study
Authors: Sjouke Barbara , Elbers Laura P. B. , van Zaane Bregje , Kastelein John J. P. , Hovingh G. Kees , Gerdes Victor E. A.
Published: October 2017

Eprotirome, a liver specific thyroid hormone agonist, was shown to induce significant increases in markers of liver injury along with a modest decrease in atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins. To get more insight into whether these effects on liver parameters were compound specific or the effect of mimicking thyrotoxicosis, we studied the effects of supra-physiological levothyroxine dosages on liver parameters, lipids and lipoproteins. We used data of a single-blinded, randomized controlled crossover trial. Herein, healthy volunteers received levothyroxine or no medication for 14 days. Thyroid hormone excess did not induce clinically relevant changes in liver parameters, while significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol as well as apolipoprotein-B levels were observed in the intervention periods compared with the control periods. Supra-physiological thyroid hormone levels did not induce clinically relevant increases in markers of liver injury after 2 weeks of exposure, while it reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels. This suggests that the effects of eprotirome on liver parameters in previous studies were either off-target and compound specific or due to drug-drug interaction at the level of the liver. The results of our study are relevant for the development of novel thyroid hormone agonists to reduce atherogenic lipoproteins.
Self-cleaning liner for halogenated hydrocarbon control in landfill leachate
Authors: He Shichong , Zhu Lizhong
Published: October 2017

Sorptive landfill liners can prevent the migration of the leachate pollutants. However, their sorption ability will decrease over time. A method should be developed to maintain the sorption ability of landfill liners. In this study, we combined cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-bentonite (CTMAB-bentonite) and zero-valent iron (ZVI) to develop a self-cleaning liner that can retain its sorption ability for a long period. Batch experiments and calculation simulations were employed to analyse the sorption ability of this liner material and the ecological risk of halogenated hydrocarbons. The results showed that CTMAB-bentonite could sorb halogenated hydrocarbons well, with saturated sorption capacities (Qm) of 10.2, 14.5, 6.69, 18.5, 29.4, and 49.7 mg·g-1 for dichloroethane (DCA), trichloroethane (TCA), dichloroethene (DCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and 1,3- dichloropropene (1,3-DCP), respectively. Using the mixture of 0.5 g iron and 0.5 g CTMAB-bentonite could dramatically increase the removal efficiency of DCE, TCE, and PCE. The reaction with ZVI did not change the structure of CTMAB-bentonite and its sorption ability remained consistent. Calculation results suggested that the self-cleaning landfill liner would dramatically decrease the hazard index (HI) of the eluate. However, the humic acid and salt in leachate would cause a reduction in the removal of halogenated hydrocarbons.