bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Composition in Soil Carbon Dioxide and Free Oxygen within Deep Ultisols at the Calhoun CZO, South Carolina, USA
Authors: Cherkinsky Alexander , Brecheisen Zachary , Richter Daniel
Published: November 2018

In order to evaluate effects of three land uses on isotopic compositions of CO2 and O2 of soil air to 5 m soil depth, a field study was conducted in the Calhoun Critical Zone Observatory, located in the subtropical climate of the Southern Piedmont of South Carolina, USA. Soil gas reservoirs were installed in ecosystems with three different land uses, each replicated three times: (i) reference hardwood stands that were never cultivated; (ii) currently cultivated plots; (iii) pine stands, which had been used for growing cotton in 19th century but were abandoned in about the 1930s and 1940s when they were regenerated with pines that are today 70–80 yr old. In addition to soil CO2 and O2 concentration measurements, soil gas samples were analyzed for Δ14C, δ13C, and δ18O. Stable carbon isotopic composition becomes lighter with the depth in soils of all three land uses: in the cultivated site δ13C decreases from –18‰ at 0.5 m to –21‰ at 5 m, in pine site from –22 to –25‰, and in hardwood from –21.5 to –24.5‰, respectively. Δ14C increased with depth from 40 to 60‰ in the top 0.5 m to about 80–140‰ at 5 m depending on land use. While surficial soils had relatively similar Δ14C in CO2, between 40 to 60‰ at 0.5 m, at 3 and 5 m, cultivated soils had the highest Δ14C, hardwood the lowest, and pine in between, a pattern that emphasizes the importance of contemporary respired CO2 in hardwood stands. Oxygen isotopic composition of CO2 did not change with depth, whereas free O2 was greatly enriched in lower horizons of forest soils, which we attribute to strong fractionation by respiration.
No Margin for Error: Fifteen Years in the Working Lives of Lone Mothers and their Children
Authors: MILLAR JANE , RIDGE TESS
Published: November 2018

Over the past two decades, the emphasis on paid work has become one of the defining features of social security policy in the UK. Lone mothers and their families have been one of the key groups affected. In this article we focus on the working and family lives of lone mothers and their children over time, drawing on material from a long-term qualitative research study, and setting this in the context of policy developments. We explore the long-term consequences of trying to sustain work, and manage low-income family life as children grow up and needs change over time. This highlights some of the tensions and limitations in family support and relationships when resources are limited. We reflect on the links between insecurity, legacies and the state.
Party government and policy responsiveness. Evidence from three parliamentary democracies
Authors: Toshkov Dimiter , Mäder Lars , Rasmussen Anne
Published: November 2018

Does party government moderate the responsiveness of public policy to public opinion? Analysing a new dataset, we examine whether the ability of governments to respond to the public on 306 specific policy issues in Denmark, Germany and the UK is affected by the extent of coalition conflict and by the fit of the considered policy changes with the government preferences. We find a systematic but relatively weak positive impact of public support on the likelihood and speed of policy change. Contrary to expectations, a higher number of coalition partners are not associated with fewer policy changes nor with weaker responsiveness to public opinion. We also find no evidence that responsiveness to public opinion is necessarily weaker for policy changes that go against the preferences of the government. Rather, it appears that public and government support for policy change are substitute resources.
Epidemiological survey and sequence information analysis of swine hepatitis E virus in Sichuan, China
Authors: Li Y. Y. , Xu Z. W. , Li X. J. , Gong S. Y. , Cai Y. , Chen Y. Q. , Li Y. M. , Xu Y. F. , Sun X. G. , Zhu L.
Published: November 2018

Hepatitis E is an important zoonosis that is prevalent in China. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a pathogen that affects humans and animals and endangers public health in China. In this study, the detection of HEV epidemics in swine in Sichuan Province, China, was carried out by nested real-time PCR. A total of 174 stool samples and 160 bile samples from swine in Sichuan Province were examined. In addition, software was used to analyse the biological evolution of HEV. The results showed that within 2 years of swine HEV (SHEV) infection in China, SHEV was first detected in Sichuan Province. HEV was endemic in Sichuan; the positive rate for pig farms was 11.1%, and the total positive sample rate was 10.5%. The age of swine with the highest positive rate (17.9%) was 5–9 weeks. The examined swine species in order of highest to lowest HEV infection rates were Chenghua pig, Large White, Duroc, Pietrain, Landrace and Hampshire. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis showed that the HEV epidemic in swine in Sichuan Province was related to genotype IV, which had the highest homology to HEV in Beijing. Sichuan strains have greater variation than Chinese representative strains, which may indicate the presence of new HEV strains.
Cultural development and psychopathology
Authors: Causadias José M. , Cicchetti Dante
Published: November 2018

Culture plays a pivotal role in adaptive and maladaptive development. However, culture remains disconnected from theory, research, training, assessment, and interventions in developmental psychopathology, limiting our understanding of the genesis and epigenesis of mental health. Cultural development and psychopathology research can help overcome this limitation by focusing on the elucidation of cultural risk, protective, and promotive factors, at the individual and social levels, that initiate, derail, or maintain trajectories of normal and abnormal behavior. The goal of this Special Issue is to showcase research on the association between culture, development, and psychopathology that investigates equifinality and multifinality in cultural development, the interplay between culture and biology, cultural assessment and interventions, and cultural differences and similarities.
Feasibility and acceptability of a beverage intervention for Hispanic adults: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Garcia David O , Morrill Kristin E , Aceves Benjamin , Valdez Luis A , Rabe Brooke A , Bell Melanie L , Hakim Iman A , Martinez Jessica A , Thomson Cynthia A
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a beverage intervention in Hispanic adults.

Design

Eligible individuals identified as Hispanic, were 18–64 years old and had BMI 30·0–50·0 kg/m2. Participants were randomized 2:2:1 to one of three beverages: Mediterranean lemonade (ML), green tea (GT) or flavoured water control (FW). After a 2-week washout period, participants were asked to consume 32 oz (946 ml) of study beverage daily for 6 weeks and avoid other sources of tea, citrus, juice and sweetened beverages; water was permissible. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and 8 weeks to assess primary and secondary efficacy outcomes.

Setting

Tucson, AZ, USA.

Participants

Fifty-two participants were recruited over 6 months; fifty were randomized (twenty-one ML, nineteen GT, ten FW). Study population mean (sd) age 44·6 (sd 10·2) years, BMI 35·9 (4·6) kg/m2; 78 % female.

Results

Forty-four (88 %) completed the 8-week assessment. Self-reported adherence was high. No significant change (95 % CI) in total cholesterol (mg/dl) from baseline was shown −1·7 (−14·2, 10·9), −3·9 (−17·2, 9·4) and −13·2 (−30·2, 3·8) for ML, GT and FW, respectively. Mean change in HDL-cholesterol (mg/dl) −2·3 (−5·3, 0·7; ML), −1·0 (−4·2, 2·2; GT), −3·9 (−8·0, 0·2; FW) and LDL-cholesterol (mg/dl) 0·2 (−11·3, 11·8; ML), 0·5 (−11·4, 12·4; GT), −9·8 (−25·0, 5·4; FW) were also non-significant. Fasting glucose (mg/dl) increased significantly by 5·2 (2·6, 7·9; ML) and 3·3 (0·58, 6·4; GT). No significant change in HbA1c was demonstrated. Due to the small sample size, potential confounders and effect modifiers were not investigated.

Conclusions

Recruitment and retention figures indicate that a larger-scale trial is feasible; however, favourable changes in cardiometabolic biomarkers were not demonstrated.
Morphological Properties of the Two Types of Caudate Interneurons: Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps and Correlation-Comparison Analysis
Authors: Grbatinić Ivan , Krstonošić Bojana , Marić Dušica , Milošević Nebojša
Published: November 2018

Our previous study found that caudate and putaminal interneurons are morphologically very different, and that accordingly they could be divided in two separate clusters. In addition, it also demonstrated, as a collateral result, that the caudate cluster itself consists of two clusters of morphologically different interneurons. Hence, the objective of this study is a morphological description and subtle differing of morphologies of these two types of caudate interneurons, i.e., an investigation of those morphological traits which characterize them uniquely, and which would distinguish them. Binary two-dimensional images of caudate interneurons, taken from deceased adult human subjects, were analyzed by using 46 parameters, describing the morphology of interneurons. The parameters can be divided in the following classes: size (surface) of a neuron, neuronal shape, length of neuronal morphological compartments, dendritic branching, morphological organization, and complexity. The morphological determination of caudate interneurons was performed in a step-wise manner. The first step was the assignment of each individual neuron to an adequate cluster where it belonged according to morphological criteria. This was done by using the trained artificial neural network, Kohonen self-organizing map. After the clusters were formed, the analysis is further continued by the precise, feature-wise determination of morphological differences found between clusters of caudate interneurons and then finished by defining correlation-based, mutual, inter-parametric relations for each of the clusters. The first was performed by using single-factor analysis, and the second by correlation-comparison analysis. Single-factor analysis showed significance for 34 parameters (morphological features) that distinguish between the clusters. Correlation-comparison analysis extended the results of single-factor analysis by demonstrating significance for 198 inter-parametric correlation pairs that represent 19.13% of mismatched correlations of the first kind among the total number of correlations. This represents a significant inter-cluster separation zone. In addition, the analysis extracted one correlation of the second kind, namely, the DO-MDCBO, very highly significant (p<0.001), positive (r=0.45) in the cluster I, while negative (r=–0.13), also significant (p<0.05) in the cluster II. The two clusters of caudate interneurons were found to be significantly morphologically different. These differences, albeit not strong as the caudate–putaminal differences, are more numerous with respect to significant morphological properties defining them. They probably underlie, influence, and modulate different neurofunctional behavior of the two types of interneurons, which need to be further investigated by future studies.
How (and why) fins turn into limbs: insights from anglerfish
Authors: DICKSON Blake V. , PIERCE Stephanie E.
Published: November 2018

The fin-to-limb transition is heralded as one of the most important events in vertebrate evolution. Over the last few decades our understanding of how limbs evolved has significantly increased; but, hypotheses forwhylimbs evolved are still rather open. Fishes that engage their fins to ‘walk' along substrate may provide some perspective. The charismatic frogfishes are often considered to have the most limb-like fins, yet we still know little about their underlying structure. Here we reconstruct the pectoral fin musculoskeletal anatomy of the scarlet frogfish to identify adaptations that support fin-assisted walking behaviours. The data are compared to three additional anglerfish species: the oval batfish, which represents an independent acquisition of fin-assisted walking; and two pelagic deep-sea swimmers, the triplewart seadevil and ghostly seadevil. Our results clearly show broad musculoskeletal differences between the pectoral fins of swimming and walking anglerfish species. The frogfish and batfish have longer and more robust fins; larger, differentiated muscles; and better developed joints, including a reverse ball-and-socket glenoid joint and mobile ‘wrist'. Further, the frogfish and batfish show finer-scale musculoskeletal differences that align with their specific locomotor ecologies. Within, we discuss the functional significance of these anatomical features in relation to walking, the recurring evolution of similar adaptations in other substrate locomoting fishes, as well as the selective pressures that may underlie the evolution of limbs.
Distributions and risks of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in soils and rice in the North River Basin, South China
Authors: BAI Jing , LI Wenyan , ZHANG Yulong , XIAO Ling , LU Weisheng , LI Yongtao
Published: November 2018

As the largest industrial and population centre in China, the Pearl River Delta is facing a growing threat of heavy metal pollution from local mining and power industries. This study investigates the distribution and potential health risks of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in paddy soils and rice at four typical sites. The Nemerow synthetic pollution index (PN) of soils from Fogang, Dabao Mountain, Shaoguan and Lechang were 8.40, 9.10, 4.64 and 10.28, respectively, indicating serious pollution at all four sampling sites. The average concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn in rice grains were 2.23, 10.98, 29.84 and 1.62 times their corresponding maximum allowable levels, indicating potential health risks to humans. Cd has greater bioavailability because of its high mobility from soil to roots, and its subsequent transfer to grains. Pb mainly accumulates in roots because of its lower translocation rate from roots to grains. The greatest health risk index for Cd and Pb for adults and children was at the Shaoguan site, probably due to pollution from atmospheric deposition. Cd and Pb had greater health risk indices than Cu and Zn at almost all sites, indicating a major health risk to local people.
The Office on Missing Persons in Sri Lanka: The importance of a primarily humanitarian mandate
Authors: Wijenayake Vishakha
Published: November 2018

This article attempts to situate the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) in Sri Lanka in relation to varying approaches to mechanisms for searching for the missing. In particular, the article examines the possible tensions between a humanitarian and an accountability-based mandate and supports the position of the International Committee of the Red Cross that these two approaches can in fact be complementary in nature. It goes on to contend that the OMP's mandate is primarily humanitarian rather than exclusively humanitarian, and analyzes how this distinction may impact possible criminal prosecutions. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the humanitarian character of the OMP with the objective of ensuring that the victims’ rights are at the centre of transitional justice processes.
Fragebögen zur Behandlungseinschätzung stationärer Therapie (BesT) in der Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie
Authors: Keller Ferdinand , Fegert Jörg M. , Naumann Alexander
Published: November 2018

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Ausmaß und Dimensionalität von Behandlungszufriedenheit im kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Bereich sind unzureichend untersucht. Fragestellung: Die Fragebögen zur Behandlungseinschätzung stationärer Therapie (BesT) in den Versionen für Jugendliche und für Eltern werden hinsichtlich ihrer psychometrischen Eigenschaften und der Übereinstimmung zwischen Jugendlichen und Eltern untersucht. Methode: Die beiden Instrumente werden anhand von 2548 Jugendlichenbögen und von 3142 Elternbögen aus insgesamt neun Kliniken deskriptiv und mit faktorenanalytischen Methoden ausgewertet. Ergebnisse: Die Eltern sind insgesamt und in den einzelnen Bereichen jeweils zufriedener als die Jugendlichen. Die Faktorenanalysen ergeben, dass die Jugendlichen fünf Dimensionen unterscheiden (Therapeutische Beziehung, Umgebung, Allgemeine Zufriedenheit, Zuwendung und Schule) und die Eltern drei Dimensionen (Beziehung zur Therapeutin bzw. zum Therapeuten, Umgebung und Allgemeine Zufriedenheit). Am besten bewertet wird die Allgemeine Zufriedenheit, während beide jeweils mit der Umgebung (= Strukturqualität und Regelungen) weniger zufrieden sind. Die Interkorrelationen der Subskalen von Jugendlichen und ihren Eltern sind nur mäßig hoch. Die Korrelationen zu den Fragebögen zur Beurteilung der Behandlung (FBB) von Mattejat und Remschmidt sind gut bis hoch. Schlussfolgerungen: Mit den BesT-J und –E stehen zwei reliable und valide Instrumente zur Erfassung verschiedener Aspekte der Behandlungszufriedenheit zur Verfügung, die sowohl für wissenschaftliche als auch qualitätssichernde Zwecke einsetzbar sind.
The Efficacy of Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) for People With	Mild-to-Moderate Dementia
Authors: Lobbia Alessandra , Carbone Elena , Faggian Silvia , Gardini Simona , Piras Federica , Spector Aimee , Borella Erika
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) is an internationally used, evidence-based psychosocial intervention for people with mild-to-moderate dementia. The present review thus aimed specifically to examine the reliability of the findings and the strength of the evidence obtained in studies on the CST protocol concerning any benefit in terms of cognitive functioning, perceived quality of life, psychological, behavioral, and everyday life functioning of people with dementia, and their family caregivers’ health status, quality of life, and burden of care. A systematic literature search on studies specifically adopting the CST protocol in patients with mild-to-moderate DSM-IV dementia – eventually involving their family members – was performed. A total of 238 papers were screened and 12 finally included in the qualitative analysis after inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. The Jadad Scale and the Stroke Prevention and Educational Awareness Diffusion (SPREAD) method were used to appraise the studies’ methodological quality. Moderate levels of evidence emerged for general cognitive functioning, language comprehension and production, and quality of life. The levels of evidence were weaker for short-term memory, orientation, praxis, depression, social and emotional loneliness, behavior, and communication in people with dementia, and for their caregivers’ health status and anxiety symptoms. Albeit with the limited quality of reviewed evidence, and the need for more studies on CST, the present review highlights the value of this program as part of dementia care services to sustain the cognitive functioning and quality of life of people with dementia.
Age Differences in Eye Movements During Reading: Degenerative Problems or Compensatory Strategy?
Authors: Moreno José David , León José A. , Arnal Lorena A. M. , Botella Juan
Published: November 2018

Abstract. We report the results of a meta-analysis of 22 experiments comparing the eye movement data obtained from young ( Mage = 21 years) and old ( Mage = 73 years) readers. The data included six eye movement measures (mean gaze duration, mean fixation duration, total sentence reading time, mean number of fixations, mean number of regressions, and mean length of progressive saccade eye movements). Estimates were obtained of the typified mean difference, d, between the age groups in all six measures. The results showed positive combined effect size estimates in favor of the young adult group (between 0.54 and 3.66 in all measures), although the difference for the mean number of fixations was not significant. Young adults make in a systematic way, shorter gazes, fewer regressions, and shorter saccadic movements during reading than older adults, and they also read faster. The meta-analysis results confirm statistically the most common patterns observed in previous research; therefore, eye movements seem to be a useful tool to measure behavioral changes due to the aging process. Moreover, these results do not allow us to discard either of the two main hypotheses assessed for explaining the observed aging effects, namely neural degenerative problems and the adoption of compensatory strategies.
Magnetopause Surface Reconstruction From Tangent Vector Observations
Authors: Collier Michael R. , Connor Hyunju K.
Published: November 2018

Entire fields of science, most notably in astrophysics, rely on line‐of‐sight observations. In planetary science and heliophysics, the techniques of soft X‐ray and energetic neutral atom imaging also produce line‐of‐sight measurements. An important question is whether the geometry of the surface, for example, the magnetopause, can be reconstructed using only line‐of‐sight observations from a single spacecraft. Under a broad range of conditions, the peak emission corresponds to the tangent to the boundary surface, such as the planetary surface or magnetopause, the so‐called limb brightening phenomenon. Thus, line‐of‐sight observations frequently provide information concerning the tangent to the surfaces being observed. We present an algorithm to reconstruct the cross section of the magnetopause using line‐of‐sight soft X‐ray observations (and, in principle, energetic neutral atom observations). The algorithm successfully reconstructs the cross section of the magnetopause in the orbit plane. The three‐dimensional magnetopause structure can be recovered from observations by a spacecraft whose orbit precesses around the magnetosphere.
An Advanced Method Based on Surface Renewal Theory to Estimate the Friction Velocity and the Surface Heat Flux
Authors: Castellví F.
Published: November 2018

The earlier formulation based on surface renewal (SR) analysis for estimating the sensible (or buoyant) heat flux (H) of a surface without requiring calibration involved canopy parameters to simultaneously estimate H and the friction velocity (u*). A SR‐based formulation is derived that allows estimating u* and subsequently H that, at most, involves the zero‐plane displacement. Regardless of the measurement height above the canopy and the stability case, u* and H estimates were closed to values measured using the eddy covariance method for either homogeneous or sparse (orchards) canopies. The proposed SR analysis can be potentially considered for gap filling in half‐hourly eddy covariance series of u* and H and to estimate parameters useful for land surface modeling, such as the roughness length for momentum, the roughness lengths for momentum, and heat and the turbulent Prandtl number.
Confirmation of a Short‐Time Expression for the Hydrograph Rising Limb of an Initially Dry Aquifer Using Laboratory Hillslope Outflow Experiments
Authors: Pauwels Valentijn R. N. , Uijlenhoet Remko
Published: November 2018

The objective of this study is to assess the validity of a theoretical expression for the outflow from an initially dry aquifer subject to recharge. This equation states that, for small values of time, this outflow is proportional to the square root of time. Here we report on experiments performed with two laboratory hillslopes in the Wageningen rainfall simulator. Three different aquifer slopes were investigated with four replicates for each slope. The relations between the measured outflows and the square root of time exhibited very high coefficients of determination (all but one >0.9). The aquifer saturated hydraulic conductivity (k) and drainable porosity were determined using a base flow recession analysis, with k being consistent with soil physical laboratory measurements. The recharge rates obtained using the coefficient of the short‐time expression and the steady state discharge were consistent as well. Overall, these results confirm the theoretical relationship between the aquifer outflow for the hydrograph rising limb and the square root of time.
Correction: Author Correction: Cytoplasmic E2f4 forms organizing centres for initiation of centriole amplification during multiciliogenesis
Authors: Mori Munemasa , Hazan Renin , Danielian Paul S. , Mahoney John E. , Li Huijun , Lu Jining , Miller Emily S. , Zhu Xueliang , Lees Jacqueline A. , Cardoso Wellington V.
Published: November 2018

Nature Communications 8: Article number: 15857 (2017); Published 4 July 2017; Updated 19 November 2018. This Article contains an error in reference 1. The correct reference is as follows: Sánchez, I. & Dynlacht, B. D. Cilium assembly and disassembly. Nat. Cell Biol. 18, 711–717 (2016).
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 mediates vagus nerve-induced gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Linjun , Xu Jianghao , Xia Yiwen , Yin Kai , Li Zheng , Li Bowen , Wang Weizhi , Xu Hao , Yang Li , Xu Zekuan
Published: November 2018

Increasing evidence shows that the vagus nerve plays an important role in tumourigenesis. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of the vagus nerve on gastric cancer (GC) development have not been established. In this study, we performed a unilateral truncal vagotomy at the subdiaphragmatic level in a mouse xenograft GC model to study the effects of the vagus nerve on GC development. Gene microarray analysis was used to explore the mechanism underlying this process. Significantly altered genes and pathways were analysed by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes analysis tool. We also detected muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 (M3) mRNA and protein levels by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining in mouse stomach tissue. To further confirm the functional role of M3, an in vivo M3 selective antagonist (darifenacin) assay was applied. Finally, we determined the M3 protein levels in human GC tissues and paired non-cancerous gastric tissues by immunohistochemical staining. We found that the surgical vagotomy inhibited the development of GC in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. Further analysis showed that multiple signalling pathways participated in this process and that M3 was a key factor in these pathways. We established that the M3 mRNA and protein levels decreased in the vagotomy group relative to the sham group. We also demonstrated that the M3 antagonist suppressed the development of GC. Finally, we revealed that M3 protein level was up-regulated in human GC tissues. In conclusions, we revealed the functional role of M3 on mediating the effects of the vagus nerve on GC. Our study contributes to understanding the mechanism underlying the interaction between GC and the vagus nerve and may help to identify new therapeutic targets for GC.
Correction: Preclinical amyloid pathology biomarker positivity: effects on tau pathology and neurodegeneration
Authors: Höglund K. , Kern S. , Zettergren A. , Börjesson-Hansson A. , Zetterberg H. , Skoog I. , Blennow K.
Published: November 2018

The Article was originally published under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, but has now been made available under a CC BY 4.0 license. The PDF and HTML versions of the Article have not been corrected.
Gαs signaling controls intramembranous ossification during cranial bone development by regulating both Hedgehog and Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Xu Ruoshi , Khan Sanjoy Kumar , Zhou Taifeng , Gao Bo , Zhou Yaxing , Zhou Xuedong , Yang Yingzi
Published: November 2018

How osteoblast cells are induced is a central question for understanding skeletal formation. Abnormal osteoblast differentiation leads to a broad range of devastating craniofacial diseases. Here we have investigated intramembranous ossification during cranial bone development in mouse models of skeletal genetic diseases that exhibit craniofacial bone defects. The GNAS gene encodes Gαs that transduces GPCR signaling. GNAS activation or loss-of-function mutations in humans cause fibrous dysplasia (FD) or progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH) that shows craniofacial hyperostosis or craniosynostosis, respectively. We find here that, while Hh ligand-dependent Hh signaling is essential for endochondral ossification, it is dispensable for intramembranous ossification, where Gαs regulates Hh signaling in a ligand-independent manner. We further show that Gαs controls intramembranous ossification by regulating both Hh and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In addition, Gαs activation in the developing cranial bone leads to reduced ossification but increased cartilage presence due to reduced cartilage dissolution, not cell fate switch. Small molecule inhibitors of Hh and Wnt signaling can effectively ameliorate cranial bone phenotypes in mice caused by loss or gain of Gnas function mutations, respectively. Our work shows that studies of genetic diseases provide invaluable insights in both pathological bone defects and normal bone development, understanding both leads to better diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of bone diseases.
High throughput in situ metagenomic measurement of bacterial replication at ultra-low sequencing coverage
Authors: Emiola Akintunde , Oh Julia
Published: November 2018

We developed Growth Rate InDex (GRiD) for estimating in situ growth rates of ultra-low coverage (>0.2×) and de novo-assembled metagenomes. Applying GRiD to human and environmental metagenomic datasets to demonstrate its versatility, we uncovered new associations with previously uncharacterized bacteria whose growth rates were associated with several disease characteristics or environmental interactions. In addition, with GRiD-MG (metagenomic), a high-throughput implementation of GRiD, we estimated growth dynamics of 1756 bacteria species from a healthy skin metagenomic dataset and identified a new Staphylococcus-Corynebacterium antagonism likely mediated by antimicrobial production in the skin. GRiD-MG significantly increases the ability to extract growth rate inferences from complex metagenomic data with minimal input from the user.
Energy landscape underlying spontaneous insertion and folding of an alpha-helical transmembrane protein into a bilayer
Authors: Lu Wei , Schafer Nicholas P. , Wolynes Peter G.
Published: November 2018

Membrane protein folding mechanisms and rates are notoriously hard to determine. A recent force spectroscopy study of the folding of an α-helical membrane protein, GlpG, showed that the folded state has a very high kinetic stability and a relatively low thermodynamic stability. Here, we simulate the spontaneous insertion and folding of GlpG into a bilayer. An energy landscape analysis of the simulations suggests that GlpG folds via sequential insertion of helical hairpins. The rate-limiting step involves simultaneous insertion and folding of the final helical hairpin. The striking features of GlpG’s experimentally measured landscape can therefore be explained by a partially inserted metastable state, which leads us to a reinterpretation of the rates measured by force spectroscopy. Our results are consistent with the helical hairpin hypothesis but call into question the two-stage model of membrane protein folding as a general description of folding mechanisms in the presence of bilayers.
Author Correction: Pan-cancer subtyping in a 2D-map shows substructures that are driven by specific combinations of molecular characteristics
Authors: Taskesen Erdogan , Huisman Sjoerd M. H. , Mahfouz Ahmed , Krijthe Jesse H. , de Ridder Jeroen , van de Stolpe Anja , van den Akker Erik , Verhaegh Wim , Reinders Marcel J. T.
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper
Author Correction: Directional Exosome Proteomes Reflect Polarity-Specific Functions in Retinal Pigmented Epithelium Monolayers
Authors: Klingeborn Mikael , Dismuke W. Michael , Skiba Nikolai P. , Kelly Una , Stamer W. Daniel , Bowes Rickman Catherine
Published: November 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Cyclic undecapeptide Cyclosporin A mediated inhibition of amyloid synthesis: Implications in alleviation of amyloid induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Kazmi Shadab , Mujeeb Anzar Abdul , Owais Mohammad
Published: November 2018

Amyloids are highly organized fibril aggregates arise from inappropriately folded form of the protein or polypeptide precursors under both physiological as well as simulated ambience. Amyloid synthesis is a multistep process that involves formation of several metastable intermediates. Among various intermediate species, the as-formed soluble oligomers are extremely toxic to the neuronal cells. In the present study, we evaluated cyclosporine A (CsA), an undecapeptide, for its potential to prevent aggregation of model protein ovalbumin (OVA). In an attempt to elucidate involved operative mechanism, the preliminary studies delineate that CsA affects both primary nucleation as well as other secondary pathways involved in OVA fibrillation process. By its specific interaction with amyloid intermediates, the cyclic peptide CsA seems to regulate the lag phase of the fibrillation process in concentration dependent manner. The present study further suggests that exposure to CsA during lag phase ensues in reversal of OVA fibrillation process. On the contrary, mature OVA fibril remained impervious to the CsA treatment. The cyclic undecapeptide CsA was also found to successfully alleviate amyloid induced toxicity in neuroblastoma cells.
Microplastics in the Environment
Authors: Thompson Richard C. , Napper Imogen E.
Published: November 2018

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic debris less than 5 mm in diameter. They have accumulated in the environment as a consequence of: the direct release of small particles, such as those used in cosmetics; or as a consequence of wear, for example fibres released from textiles. The main source of microplastic is considered to be the fragmentation of larger items of plastics in the environment. Microplastics are widely distributed in freshwater and marine environments including remote locations such as the arctic and deep sea. A wide range of organisms are known to ingest microplastics and laboratory studies indicate the potential for harmful effects. Plastic debris can also transport co-contaminants including chemical additives and pollutants sorbed from sea water. These chemicals can be released to organisms upon ingestion, but there is little evidence that plastics provide an important pathway leading to toxicological effects in environmentally relevant scenarios. Removing microplastics from the environment is impractical and the most effective solutions are to minimise the release of plastics to the environment as litter. In this regard much could be achieved by actions to reduce the accumulation of larger items of litter such as packaging, which will eventually fragment into microplastics.
Nanoplastics in the Environment
Authors: da Costa João Pinto
Published: November 2018

There has been an increasing awareness of the potential ecotoxicological consequences of the growing presence of plastic materials in the environment. Among these, due to their inherent physical and chemical characteristics, microplastics have received special attention, though smaller particles, defined as nanoplastics, could have more pervasive effects. However, their presence is difficult to be accurately determined, due to the technical difficulties in isolating and quantifying these small particles. There is, nonetheless, an ample consensus that nanoplastics are not only present, but that they also pose a significant threat to the environment, organisms and, ultimately, human health, not only due to their reduced size (<1 μm), but also due to their characteristic high surface area, which may have ecotoxicological implications, as other contaminants, including organic pollutants, may be adsorbed. In spite of these potential harmful effects, currently available data should be examined carefully, as most studies have been based on the use of nanoplastics and/or organic pollutants whose concentrations far exceed those expected in the natural environment. Herein, based on the currently available literature, the most relevant sources and fates of nanoplastics are discussed, as well as their potential – if any – effects and the key challenges scientists currently face in this field of research.
Vitamin B12transports modified RNA intoE. coliandS.Typhimurium cells
Authors: Giedyk Maciej , Jackowska Agnieszka , Równicki Marcin , Kolanowska Monika , Trylska Joanna , Gryko Dorota
Published: November 2018

Vitamin B12can transport oligonucleotides intoEscherichia coliandSalmonella typhimuriumcells.
Improving the light harvesting and colour range of methyl ammonium lead tri-bromide (MAPbBr3) perovskite solar cells through co-sensitisation with organic dyes
Authors: McFarlane Tamara D. , De Castro Catherine S. , Holliman Peter J. , Davies Matthew L.
Published: November 2018

We demonstrate improved performance and colour control of tri-bromide perovskite through co-sensitisation with organic dyes.
Interlayer expansion of 2D MoS2 nanosheets for highly improved photothermal therapy of tumors in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Fu Changhui , Tan Longfei , Ren Xiangling , Wu Qiong , Shao Haibo , Ren Jun , Zhao Yuxia , Meng Xianwei
Published: November 2018

Interlayer-expanded MoS2 nanosheets with a value of 0.94 nm are demonstrated to show a high photothermal conversion efficiency of ∼62%.
Tricolor mechanochromic luminescence of an organic two-component dye: visualization of a crystalline state and two amorphous states
Authors: Ito Suguru , Katada Genki , Taguchi Tomohiro , Kawamura Izuru , Ubukata Takashi , Asami Masatoshi
Published: November 2018

The tricolor mechanochromic luminescence (MCL) of a two-component mixture of a poor MCL dye and a non-MCL dye is described.
First-principles study of rocksalt early transition-metal carbides as potential catalysts for Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Yang Yingying , Wang Yuelin , Yao Man , Wang Xudong , Huang Hao
Published: November 2018

A series of early transition-metal carbides (TMCs) in the NaCl structure have been constructed to compare the catalytic activity in Li–O2 batteries by first-principles calculations.
Polyoxometalates in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Chen Li , Chen Wei-Lin , Wang Xin-Long , Li Yang-Guang , Su Zhong-Min , Wang En-Bo
Published: November 2018

This review focuses on the properties of POMs used in DSSCs, which are primarily dependent on their electronic structural diversity.
Chiral [16]-ane P4N2macrocycles: stereoselective synthesis and unexpected intermolecular exchange of endocyclic fragments
Authors: Musina E. I. , Naumov R. N. , Kanunnikov K. B. , Dobrynin A. B. , Gómez-Ruiz S. , Lönnecke P. , Hey-Hawkins E. , Karasik A. A. , Sinyashin O. G.
Published: November 2018

An unprecedent intermolecular exchange of endocyclic aminogroups bearing chiral substituents in “one-pot” synthesized chiral 16-membered tetrakisphosphines is discussed.
N,N-Dialkylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene platinum complexes – effects of alkyl residues and ancillarycis-ligands on anticancer activity
Authors: Rehm Tobias , Rothemund Matthias , Bär Alexander , Dietel Thomas , Kempe Rhett , Kostrhunova Hana , Brabec Viktor , Kasparkova Jana , Schobert Rainer
Published: November 2018

Benzimidazol-2-ylidene platinum complexes exhibit anticancer activity, which is tuneablevia N-alkyl residues and ancillary ligands and is different from that of cisplatin.
Single molecule magnetic behaviour in lanthanide naphthalenesulfonate complexes
Authors: Peng Guo , Zhang Ying-Ying , Li Bo , Sun Xiao-Fan , Cai Hong-Ling , Li De-Jing , Gu Zhi-Gang , Kostakis George E.
Published: November 2018

A family of mononuclear lanthanide complexes exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation is reported, providing the first examples of pure 4f sulfonate-based single molecule magnets.
A heterometallic metal–organic framework based on multi-nuclear clusters exhibiting high stability and selective gas adsorption
Authors: Wang Dongmei , Liu Zihua , Xu Lili , Li Chunxia , Zhao Dian , Ge Genwu , Wang Zhenling , Lin Jun
Published: November 2018

Porous In/Tb-CBDA has been successfully synthesized in the light of the heterometallic cooperative crystallization (HCC) approach. In/Tb-CBDA with high thermal and chemical stability exhibited high performance for gas storage and separation.
Living/controlled ring-opening (co)polymerization of lactones by Al-based catalysts with different sidearms
Authors: Zhao Wuchao , Wang Qianyi , Cui Yunpeng , He Jianghua , Zhang Yuetao
Published: November 2018

The sidearm effect is employed to inhibit transesterification for the synthesis of well-defined block copolyesters in ROP of lactones.
Facile and environmentally friendly synthesis of six heterometallic dumbbell-shaped MII5LnIII4 (M = Co, Ni; Ln = Eu, Gd, Dy) clusters as cryogenic magnetic coolants and molecular magnets
Authors: Shao Feng , Zhuang Jia-Jia , Chen Ming-Guang , Wang Ning , Shi Hai-Yan , Tong Jia-Ping , Luo Gang , Tao Jun , Zheng Lan-Sun
Published: November 2018

The work demonstrates a facile and environmentally friendly synthesis of hexanuclear clusters as cryogenic magnetic coolants and molecular magnets.
Studies on gold–nitrone systems
Authors: Jónsson Helgi Freyr , Fiksdahl Anne
Published: November 2018

The dual reactivity of gold-nitrone systems was studied. A series of novel Au(i)–nitrone complexes with specific catalytic properties were prepared.
Na3Ca4(TeO3)(PO4)3: a new noncentrosymmetric tellurite phosphate with fascinating multimember-ring architectures and intriguing nonlinear optical performance
Authors: Li Zhuang , Zhang Shengzi , Yin Wenlong , Lin Zheshuai , Yao Jiyong , Wu Yicheng
Published: November 2018

A new functional compound Na3Ca4(TeO3)(PO4)3exhibits a fascinating multimember-ring configuration and intriguing nonlinear optical performance.
Cation-tuned synthesis of the A2SO4·SbF3(A = Na+, NH4+, K+, Rb+) family with nonlinear optical properties
Authors: He Fangfang , Wang Lei , Hu Cuifang , Zhou Jing , Li Qian , Huang Ling , Gao Daojiang , Bi Jian , Wang Xin , Zou Guohong
Published: November 2018

Four stoichiometrically equivalent compounds have been successfully synthesized through A+cations by tuning the framework structures and macroscopic centricities.
Thin supported MOF based mixed matrix membranes of Pebax® 1657 for biogas upgrade
Authors: Sánchez-Laínez Javier , Gracia-Guillén Inés , Zornoza Beatriz , Téllez Carlos , Coronas Joaquín
Published: November 2018

Thin mixed matrix membranes with a 2–3 μm thick Pebax® 1657 layer on a porous asymmetric polyimide P84® and dense polytrimethylsilylpropyne for biogas upgrade.
Co(OH)2@MnO2 nanosheet arrays as hybrid binder-free electrodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors
Authors: Kundu Manab , Singh Gurvinder , Svensson Ann Mari
Published: November 2018

Co(OH)2@MnO2 nanosheet arrays were directly grown on nickel foam via two-step electrodeposition method with subsequent heat treatment at 170 °C.
Beyond the traditional roles of Ag in catalysis: the transmetalating ability of organosilver(i) species in Pd-catalysed reactions
Authors: Mudarra Ángel L. , Martínez de Salinas Sara , Pérez-Temprano Mónica H.
Published: November 2018

The role of silver salts in Pd-catalysed C–C bond forming transformations.
Direct halosulfenylation of benzo[b]furans: a metal-free synthesis of 3-halo-2-thiobenzo[b]furans
Authors: Zhen Qianqian , Huang Dayun , Shao Yinlin , Cheng Tianxing , Chen Jiuxi
Published: November 2018

Direct metal-free halosulfenylation of benzo[b]furans with disulfides and N-halosuccinimides for the synthesis of 3-halo-2-thiobenzo[b]furans.
Copper-catalyzed arene amination in pure aqueous ammonia
Authors: Takagi Mio , Watanabe Ayako , Murata Shigeo , Takita Ryo
Published: November 2018

A simple protocol for copper-catalyzed arene amination using aqueous ammonia without any additional ligands and organic coordinating solvents has been developed.
Physico-chemical elimination of unwanted CO2, H2S and H2O fractions from biomethane
Authors: Al Mamun Muhammad Rashed , Torii Shuichi , Rahman Mohammed M. , Karim Mohammad Razaul
Published: November 2018

It was possible to increase the biomethane content of raw biogas by removing CO2, H2S and water (H2O) by a physico-chemical method.
Defining the optimal criterion for separating gases using polymeric membranes
Authors: Zhang Kai , Kumar Sanat K.
Published: November 2018

Tuning chain stiffness can be used to identify the optimal gas separating polymers, as reflected in the Robeson selectivity vs. permeability plot.
Camelid single-domain antibodies raised by DNA immunization are potent inhibitors of EGFR signaling
Authors: Rossotti Martin A. , Henry Kevin A. , van Faassen Henk , Tanha Jamshid , Callaghan Deborah , Hussack Greg , Arbabi-Ghahroudi Mehdi , MacKenzie C. Roger
Published: November 2018

Up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a hallmark of many solid tumors, and inhibition of EGFR signaling by small molecules and antibodies has clear clinical benefit. Here, we report the isolation and functional characterization of novel camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs or VHHs) directed against human EGFR. The source of these VHHs was a llama immunized with cDNA encoding human EGFR ectodomain alone (no protein or cell boost), which is notable in that genetic immunization of large, outbred animals is generally poorly effective. The VHHs targeted multiple sites on the receptor's surface with high affinity (KD range: 1–40 nM), including one epitope overlapping that of cetuximab, several epitopes conserved in the cynomolgus EGFR orthologue, and at least one epitope conserved in the mouse EGFR orthologue. Interestingly, despite their generation against human EGFR expressed from cDNA by llama cells in vivo (presumably in native conformation), the VHHs exhibited wide and epitope-dependent variation in their apparent affinities for native EGFR displayed on tumor cell lines. As fusions to human IgG1 Fc, one of the VHH-Fcs inhibited EGFR signaling induced by EGF binding with a potency similar to that of cetuximab (IC50: ∼30 nM). Thus, DNA immunization elicited high-affinity, functional sdAbs that were vastly superior to those previously isolated by our group through protein immunization.
Impact of the gut microbiome in cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Weis Michael
Published: November 2018

The gut microbiome functions like an endocrine organ, generating enzymes and bioactive metabolites, which affect host physiology. In addition metabolism-independent processes like impaired intestinal barrier function may result in bacterial translocation and an increased inflammation. Specific microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) have been detected that induce immune activation via cognate pattern-recognition receptors on host immune cells, with subsequent consequences on inflammatory-induced endothelial dysfunction. Alterations in intestinal microbial and metabolic composition play an important role in human health and disease, including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Changes in the composition of gut microbiota (dysbiosis) are linked to chronic inflammation, thrombosis, atherogenesis, chronic heart, and kidney disease, as well as to autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematodes. Although non-selective approaches that broadly alter microbial community structure, such as prebiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbial transplantation, may have some promise, targeting defined microbial pathways and adjacent host immune responses may be the ultimate scientific goal.