bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerated epigenetic aging and mitochondrial DNA copy number in bipolar disorder
Authors: Fries Gabriel R. , Bauer Isabelle E. , Scaini Giselli , Wu Mon-Ju , Kazimi Iram F. , Valvassori Samira S. , Zunta-Soares Giovana , Walss-Bass Consuelo , Soares Jair C. , Quevedo Joao
Published: December 2017

Bipolar disorder (BD) has been previously associated with accelerated aging; yet, the mechanisms underlying this association are largely unknown. The epigenetic clock has been increasingly recognized as a valuable aging marker, although its association with other biological clocks in BD patients and high-risk subjects, such as telomere length and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, has never been investigated. We included 22 patients with BD I, 16 siblings of BD patients, and 20 healthy controls in this analysis. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and interrogated for genome-wide DNA methylation, mtDNA copy number, and telomere length. DNA methylation age (DNAm age) and accelerated aging were calculated using the Horvath age estimation algorithm in blood and in postmortem brain from BD patients and nonpsychiatric controls using publicly available data. Older BD patients presented significantly accelerated epigenetic aging compared to controls, whereas no difference was detected among the younger subjects. Patients showed higher levels of mtDNA copy number, while no difference was found between controls and siblings. mtDNA significantly correlated with epigenetic age acceleration among older subjects, as well and with global functioning in our sample. Telomere length did not show significant differences between groups, nor did it correlate with epigenetic aging or mtDNA copy number. These results suggest that BD may involve an accelerated epigenetic aging, which might represent a novel target for treating BD and subjects at risk. In particular, our results suggest a complex interplay between biological clocks to determine the accelerated aging and its consequences in BD.
DNA damage causes rapid accumulation of phosphoinositides for ATR signaling
Authors: Wang Yu-Hsiu , Hariharan Anushya , Bastianello Giulia , Toyama Yusuke , Shivashankar G. V. , Foiani Marco , Sheetz Michael P.
Published: December 2017

Phosphoinositide lipids (PPIs) are enriched in the nucleus and are accumulated at DNA damage sites. Here, we investigate roles of nuclear PPIs in DNA damage response by sequestering specific PPIs with the expression of nuclear-targeted PH domains, which inhibits recruitment of Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) and reduces activation of Chk1. PPI-binding domains rapidly (< 1 s) accumulate at damage sites with local enrichment of PPIs. Accumulation of PIP3 in complex with the nuclear receptor protein, SF1, at damage sites requires phosphorylation by inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) and promotes nuclear actin assembly that is required for ATR recruitment. Suppressed ATR recruitment/activation is confirmed with latrunculin A and wortmannin treatment as well as IPMK or SF1 depletion. Other DNA repair pathways involving ATM and DNA-PKcs are unaffected by PPI sequestration. Together, these findings reveal that nuclear PPI metabolism mediates an early damage response through the IPMK-dependent pathway to specifically recruit ATR.
Differentiation dynamics of mammary epithelial cells revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Bach Karsten , Pensa Sara , Grzelak Marta , Hadfield James , Adams David J. , Marioni John C. , Khaled Walid T.
Published: December 2017

Characterising the hierarchy of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and how they are regulated during adult development is important for understanding how breast cancer arises. Here we report the use of single-cell RNA sequencing to determine the gene expression profile of MECs across four developmental stages; nulliparous, mid gestation, lactation and post involution. Our analysis of 23,184 cells identifies 15 clusters, few of which could be fully characterised by a single marker gene. We argue instead that the epithelial cells—especially in the luminal compartment—should rather be conceptualised as being part of a continuous spectrum of differentiation. Furthermore, our data support the existence of a common luminal progenitor cell giving rise to intermediate, restricted alveolar and hormone-sensing progenitors. This luminal progenitor compartment undergoes transcriptional changes in response to a full pregnancy, lactation and involution. In summary, our results provide a global, unbiased view of adult mammary gland development.
Genome-wide DNA methylation is predictive of outcome in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Stieglitz Elliot , Mazor Tali , Olshen Adam B. , Geng Huimin , Gelston Laura C. , Akutagawa Jon , Lipka Daniel B. , Plass Christoph , Flotho Christian , Chehab Farid F. , Braun Benjamin S. , Costello Joseph F. , Loh Mignon L.
Published: December 2017

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a myeloproliferative disorder of childhood caused by mutations in the Ras pathway. Outcomes in JMML vary markedly from spontaneous resolution to rapid relapse after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Here, we hypothesized that DNA methylation patterns would help predict disease outcome and therefore performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in a cohort of 39 patients. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering identifies three clusters of patients. Importantly, these clusters differ significantly in terms of 4-year event-free survival, with the lowest methylation cluster having the highest rates of survival. These findings were validated in an independent cohort of 40 patients. Notably, all but one of 14 patients experiencing spontaneous resolution cluster together and closer to 22 healthy controls than to other JMML cases. Thus, we show that DNA methylation patterns in JMML are predictive of outcome and can identify the patients most likely to experience spontaneous resolution.
Diversity of trion states and substrate effects in the optical properties of an MoS2 monolayer
Authors: Drüppel Matthias , Deilmann Thorsten , Krüger Peter , Rohlfing Michael
Published: December 2017

Almost all experiments and future applications of transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers rely on a substrate for mechanical stability, which can significantly modify the optical spectra of the monolayer. Doping from the substrate might lead to the domination of the spectra by trions. Here we show by ab initio many-body theory that the negative trion (A−) splits into three excitations, with both inter- and intra-valley character, while the positive counterpart (A+) consists of only one inter-valley excitation. Furthermore, the substrate enhances the screening, which renormalizes both band gap and exciton as well as the trion-binding energies. We verify that these two effects do not perfectly cancel each other, but lead to red-shifts of the excitation energies for three different substrates ranging from a wide-bandgap semiconductor up to a metal. Our results explain recently found experimental splittings of the lowest trion line as well as excitation red-shifts on substrates.
Variations in cochlear duct shape revealed on clinical CT images with an automatic tracing method
Authors: Jagt Annerie M. A. van der , Kalkman Randy K. , Briaire Jeroen J. , Verbist Berit M. , Frijns Johan H. M.
Published: December 2017

Cochlear size and morphology vary greatly and may influence the course of a cochlear implant electrode array during insertion and its final intra-cochlear position. Detailed insight into these variations is valuable for characterizing each cochlea and offers the opportunity to study possible correlations with surgical or speech perception outcomes. This study presents an automatic tracing method to assess individual cochlear duct shapes from clinical CT images. On pre-operative CT scans of 479 inner ears the cochlear walls were discriminated by interpolating voxel intensities along radial and perpendicular lines within multiplanar reconstructions at 1 degree intervals from the round window. In all 479 cochleas, the outer wall could be traced automatically up to 720 degrees. The inner wall and floor of the scala tympani in 192 cochleas. The shape of the cochlear walls were modelled using a logarithmic spiral function including an offset value. The vertical trajectories of the scala tympani exhibited a non-monotonous spiral slope with specific regions at risk for CI-related insertion trauma, and three slope categories could be distinguished. This presented automatic tracing method allows the detailed description of cochlear morphology and can be used for both individual and large cohort evaluation of cochlear implant patients.
Adding loci improves phylogeographic resolution in red mangroves despite increased missing data: comparing microsatellites and RAD-Seq and investigating loci filtering
Authors: Hodel Richard G. J. , Chen Shichao , Payton Adam C. , McDaniel Stuart F. , Soltis Pamela , Soltis Douglas E.
Published: December 2017

The widespread adoption of RAD-Seq data in phylogeography means genealogical relationships previously evaluated using relatively few genetic markers can now be addressed with thousands of loci. One challenge, however, is that RAD-Seq generates complete genotypes for only a small subset of loci or individuals. Simulations indicate that loci with missing data can produce biased estimates of key population genetic parameters, although the influence of such biases in empirical studies is not well understood. Here we compare microsatellite data (8 loci) and RAD-Seq data (six datasets ranging from 239 to 25,198 loci) from red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) in Florida to evaluate how different levels of data filtering influence phylogeographic inferences. For all datasets, we calculated population genetic statistics and evaluated population structure, and for RAD-Seq datasets, we additionally examined population structure using coalescence. We found higher F
ST
using microsatellites, but that RAD-Seq-based estimates approached those based on microsatellites as more loci with more missing data were included. Analyses of RAD-Seq datasets resolved the classic Gulf-Atlantic coastal phylogeographic break, which was not significant in the microsatellite analyses. Applying multiple levels of filtering to RAD-Seq datasets can provide a more complete picture of potential biases in the data and elucidate subtle phylogeographic patterns.
Publisher Correction: Nonlinear Bayesian filtering and learning: a neuronal dynamics for perception
Authors: Kutschireiter Anna , Surace Simone Carlo , Sprekeler Henning , Pfister Jean-Pascal
Published: December 2017

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Automated tracking to measure behavioural changes in pigs for health and welfare monitoring
Authors: Matthews Stephen G. , Miller Amy L. , PlÖtz Thomas , Kyriazakis Ilias
Published: December 2017

Since animals express their internal state through behaviour, changes in said behaviour may be used to detect early signs of problems, such as in animal health. Continuous observation of livestock by farm staff is impractical in a commercial setting to the degree required to detect behavioural changes relevant for early intervention. An automated monitoring system is developed; it automatically tracks pig movement with depth video cameras, and automatically measures standing, feeding, drinking, and locomotor activities from 3D trajectories. Predictions of standing, feeding, and drinking were validated, but not locomotor activities. An artificial, disruptive challenge; i.e., introduction of a novel object, is used to cause reproducible behavioural changes to enable development of a system to detect the changes automatically. Validation of the automated monitoring system with the controlled challenge study provides a reproducible framework for further development of robust early warning systems for pigs. The automated system is practical in commercial settings because it provides continuous monitoring of multiple behaviours, with metrics of behaviours that may be considered more intuitive and have diagnostic validity. The method has the potential to transform how livestock are monitored, directly impact their health and welfare, and address issues in livestock farming, such as antimicrobial use.
Cumulant expansion for fast estimate of non-Condon effects in vibronic transition profiles
Authors: Huh Joonsuk , Berger Robert
Published: December 2017

When existing, cumulants can provide valuable information about a given distribution and can in principle be used to either fully reconstruct or approximate the parent distribution function. A previously reported cumulant expansion approach for Franck–Condon profiles [Faraday Discuss., 150, 363 (2011)] is extended to describe also the profiles of vibronic transitions that are weakly allowed or forbidden in the Franck–Condon approximation (non-Condon profiles). In the harmonic approximation the cumulants of the vibronic profile can be evaluated analytically and numerically with a coherent state-based generating function that accounts for the Duschinsky effect. As illustration, the one-photon 1 1Ag → 1 1B2u UV absorption profile of benzene in the electric dipole and (linear) Herzberg–Teller approximation is presented herein for zero Kelvin and finite temperatures.
Intrinsic interactive reinforcement learning – Using error-related potentials for real world human-robot interaction
Authors: Kim Su Kyoung , Kirchner Elsa Andrea , Stefes Arne , Kirchner Frank
Published: December 2017

Reinforcement learning (RL) enables robots to learn its optimal behavioral strategy in dynamic environments based on feedback. Explicit human feedback during robot RL is advantageous, since an explicit reward function can be easily adapted. However, it is very demanding and tiresome for a human to continuously and explicitly generate feedback. Therefore, the development of implicit approaches is of high relevance. In this paper, we used an error-related potential (ErrP), an event-related activity in the human electroencephalogram (EEG), as an intrinsically generated implicit feedback (rewards) for RL. Initially we validated our approach with seven subjects in a simulated robot learning scenario. ErrPs were detected online in single trial with a balanced accuracy (bACC) of 91%, which was sufficient to learn to recognize gestures and the correct mapping between human gestures and robot actions in parallel. Finally, we validated our approach in a real robot scenario, in which seven subjects freely chose gestures and the real robot correctly learned the mapping between gestures and actions (ErrP detection (90% bACC)). In this paper, we demonstrated that intrinsically generated EEG-based human feedback in RL can successfully be used to implicitly improve gesture-based robot control during human-robot interaction. We call our approach intrinsic interactive RL.
Altered heart rate regulation by the autonomic nervous system in mice lacking natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPR-C)
Authors: Moghtadaei Motahareh , Langille Ellen , Rafferty Sara A. , Bogachev Oleg , Rose Robert A.
Published: December 2017

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) play essential roles in the regulation of cardiovascular function. NP effects are mediated by receptors known as NPR-A, NPR-B or NPR-C. NPs have potent effects on regulation of heart rate (HR) by the autonomic nervous system (ANS), but the role of NPR-C in these effects has not been investigated. Accordingly, we have used telemetric ECG recordings in awake, freely moving wildtype and NPR-C knockout (NPR-C−/−) mice and performed heart rate variability (HRV) analysis to assess alterations in sympatho-vagal balance on the heart following loss of NPR-C. Our novel data demonstrate that NPR-C−/− mice are characterized by elevations in HR, reductions in circadian changes in HR and enhanced occurrence of sinus pauses, indicating increased arrhythmogenesis and a loss of HRV. Time domain and frequency domain analyses further demonstrate that HRV is reduced in NPR-C−/− mice in association with a reduction in parasympathetic activity. Importantly, the low frequency to high frequency ratio was increased in NPR-C−/− mice indicating that sympathetic activity is also enhanced. These changes in autonomic regulation were confirmed using atropine and propranolol to antagonize the ANS. These findings illustrate that loss of NPR-C reduces HRV due to perturbations in the regulation of the heart by the ANS.
Surface enhancement of THz wave by coupling a subwavelength LiNbO3 slab waveguide with a composite antenna structure
Authors: Zhang Qi , Qi Jiwei , Wu Qiang , Lu Yao , Zhao Wenjuan , Wang Ride , Pan Chongpei , Wang Shibiao , Xu Jingjun
Published: December 2017

Highly intense terahertz electromagnetic field and efficiently surface localized terahertz field in subwavelength volumes are of vital importance for terahertz photonics integration, also will greatly accelerate the development for integrated applications in biochemical sensing, imaging, terahertz spectroscopy, enhancement of nonlinear effects and even quantum research. In this paper, we achieved large terahertz field enhancement and surface field localization through depositing a pair of Au composite antennas on a LiNbO3 subwavelength slab waveguide, which can serve as an excellent on-chip platform for terahertz research and application. The antennas consist of two opposing tip-to-tip triangles separated by a gap, and each triangle combines with a strip antenna. Time-resolved imaging and finite-difference time-domain method were used to resolve the characteristics of the designed antennas experimentally and simulatively. Through these methods, we demonstrated outstanding abilities of the platform: leading to a large electric field enhancement, concentrating almost full terahertz energy on the waveguide’s surface when they are resonant with the terahertz waves and tunable resonant frequency. These abilities make the subwavelength waveguide coupling with the composite antennas be able to sever as a good integrated device to identify terahertz-sensitive small objects, or an excellent platform to terahertz spectroscopy and quantum research.
Response of pedogenic magnetite to changing vegetation in soils developed under uniform climate, topography, and parent material
Authors: Maxbauer Daniel P. , Feinberg Joshua M. , Fox David L. , Nater Edward A.
Published: December 2017

Pedogenesis produces fine-grained magnetic minerals that record important information about the ambient climatic conditions present during soil formation. Yet, differentiating the compounding effects of non-climate soil forming factors is a nontrivial challenge that must be overcome to establish soil magnetism as a trusted paleoenvironmental tool. Here, we isolate the influence of vegetation by investigating magnetic properties of soils developing under uniform climate, topography, and parent material but changing vegetation along the forest-prairie ecotone in NW Minnesota. Greater absolute magnetic enhancement in prairie soils is related to some combination of increased production of pedogenic magnetite in prairie soils, increased deposition of detrital magnetite in prairies from eolian processes, or increased dissolution of fine-grained magnetite in forest soils due to increased soil moisture and lower pH. Yet, grain-size specific magnetic properties associated with pedogenesis, for example relative frequency dependence of susceptibility and the ratio of anhysteretic to isothermal remanent magnetization, are insensitive to changing vegetation. Further, quantitative unmixing methods support a fraction of fine-grained pedogenic magnetite that is highly consistent. Together, our findings support climate as a primary control on magnetite production in soils, while demonstrating how careful decomposition of bulk magnetic properties is necessary for proper interpretation of environmental magnetic data.
Programing stimuli-responsiveness of gelatin with electron beams: basic effects and development of a hydration-controlled biocompatible demonstrator
Authors: Riedel Stefanie , Heyart Benedikt , Apel Katharina S. , Mayr Stefan G.
Published: December 2017

Biomimetic materials with programmable stimuli responsiveness constitute a highly attractive material class for building bioactuators, sensors and active control elements in future biomedical applications. With this background, we demonstrate how energetic electron beams can be utilized to construct tailored stimuli responsive actuators for biomedical applications. Composed of collagen-derived gelatin, they reveal a mechanical response to hydration and changes in pH-value and ion concentration, while maintaining their excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability. While this is explicitly demonstrated by systematic characterizing an electron-beam synthesized gelatin-based actuator of cantilever geometry, the underlying materials processes are also discussed, based on the fundamental physical and chemical principles. When applied within classical electron beam lithography systems, these findings pave the way for a novel class of highly versatile integrated bioactuators from micro- to macroscales.
Re-calibration of coronary risk prediction: an example of the Seven Countries Study
Authors: Puddu Paolo Emilio , Piras Paolo , Kromhout Daan , Tolonen Hanna , Kafatos Anthony , Menotti Alessandro
Published: December 2017

We aimed at performing a calibration and re-calibration process using six standard risk factors from Northern (NE, N = 2360) or Southern European (SE, N = 2789) middle-aged men of the Seven Countries Study, whose parameters and data were fully known, to establish whether re-calibration gave the right answer. Greenwood-Nam-D’Agostino technique as modified by Demler (GNDD) in 2015 produced chi-squared statistics using 10 deciles of observed/expected CHD mortality risk, corresponding to Hosmer-Lemeshaw chi-squared employed for multiple logistic equations whereby binary data are used. Instead of the number of events, the GNDD test uses survival probabilities of observed and predicted events. The exercise applied, in five different ways, the parameters of the NE-predictive model to SE (and vice-versa) and compared the outcome of the simulated re-calibration with the real data. Good re-calibration could be obtained only when risk factor coefficients were substituted, being similar in magnitude and not significantly different between NE-SE. In all other ways, a good re-calibration could not be obtained. This is enough to praise for an overall need of re-evaluation of most investigations that, without GNDD or another proper technique for statistically assessing the potential differences, concluded that re-calibration is a fair method and might therefore be used, with no specific caution.
Young’s double-slit interference with two-color biphotons
Authors: Zhang De-Jian , Wu Shuang , Li Hong-Guo , Wang Hai-Bo , Xiong Jun , Wang Kaige
Published: December 2017

In classical optics, Young’s double-slit experiment with colored coherent light gives rise to individual interference fringes for each light frequency, referring to single-photon interference. However, two-photon double-slit interference has been widely studied only for wavelength-degenerate biphoton, known as subwavelength quantum lithography. In this work, we report double-slit interference experiments with two-color biphoton. Different from the degenerate case, the experimental results depend on the measurement methods. From a two-axis coincidence measurement pattern we can extract complete interference information about two colors. The conceptual model provides an intuitional picture of the in-phase and out-of-phase photon correlations and a complete quantum understanding about the which-path information of two colored photons.
Plant-derived compounds strigolactone GR24 and pinosylvin activate SIRT1 and enhance glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Modi Shalem , Yaluri Nagendra , Kokkola Tarja , Laakso Markku
Published: December 2017

Insulin resistance is a characteristic finding in hyperglycaemia and type 2 diabetes. SIRT1 is a NAD+ dependent deacetylase that plays a central role in glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. SIRT1 activators, including plant polyphenols such as resveratrol, improve insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle tissue. We hypothesised that the novel plant-derived compounds, strigolactone and pinosylvin, beneficially enhance SIRT1 function, insulin signalling, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cells. Rat L6 skeletal muscle myotubes were treated with strigolactone analogue GR24 and pinosylvin. Resveratrol was included in experiments as a reference compound. We measured the effects of these compounds on SIRT1 function, insulin signalling, glucose uptake, mitochondrial biogenesis and gene expression profiles. Strigolactone GR24 upregulated and activated SIRT1 without activating AMPK, enhanced insulin signalling, glucose uptake, GLUT4 translocation and mitochondrial biogenesis. Pinosylvin activated SIRT1 in vitro and stimulated glucose uptake through the activation of AMPK. The regulation of SIRT1 by strigolactone GR24 and the activation of AMPK by pinosylvin may offer novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.
Rheological Droplet Interface Bilayers (rheo-DIBs): Probing the Unstirred Water Layer Effect on Membrane Permeability via Spinning Disk Induced Shear Stress
Authors: Barlow Nathan E. , Bolognesi Guido , Haylock Stuart , Flemming Anthony J. , Brooks Nicholas J. , Barter Laura M. C. , Ces Oscar
Published: December 2017

A new rheological droplet interface bilayer (rheo-DIB) device is presented as a tool to apply shear stress on biological lipid membranes. Despite their exciting potential for affecting high-throughput membrane translocation studies, permeability assays conducted using DIBs have neglected the effect of the unstirred water layer (UWL). However as demonstrated in this study, neglecting this phenomenon can cause significant underestimates in membrane permeability measurements which in turn limits their ability to predict key processes such as drug translocation rates across lipid membranes. With the use of the rheo-DIB chip, the effective bilayer permeability can be modulated by applying shear stress to the droplet interfaces, inducing flow parallel to the DIB membranes. By analysing the relation between the effective membrane permeability and the applied stress, both the intrinsic membrane permeability and UWL thickness can be determined for the first time using this model membrane approach, thereby unlocking the potential of DIBs for undertaking diffusion assays. The results are also validated with numerical simulations.
Scalable excitatory synaptic circuit design using floating gate based leaky integrators
Authors: Kornijcuk Vladimir , Lim Hyungkwang , Kim Inho , Park Jong-Keuk , Lee Wook-Seong , Choi Jung-Hae , Choi Byung Joon , Jeong Doo Seok
Published: December 2017

We propose a scalable synaptic circuit realizing spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP)—compatible with randomly spiking neurons. The feasible working of the circuit was examined by circuit simulation using the BSIM 4.6.0 model. A distinguishable feature of the circuit is the use of floating-gate integrators that provide the compact implementation of biologically plausible relaxation time scale. This relaxation occurs on the basis of charge tunneling that mainly relies upon area-independent tunnel barrier properties (e.g. barrier width and height) rather than capacitance. The circuit simulations feature (i) weight-dependent STDP that spontaneously limits the synaptic weight growth, (ii) competitive synaptic adaptation within both unsupervised and supervised frameworks with randomly spiking neurons. The estimated power consumption is merely 34 pW, perhaps meeting one of the most crucial principles (power-efficiency) of neuromorphic engineering. Finally, a means of fine-tuning the STDP behavior is provided.
A Millifluidic System for Analysis of Daphnia magna Locomotory Responses to Water-born Toxicants
Authors: Huang Yushi , Campana Olivia , Wlodkowic Donald
Published: December 2017

Aquatic toxicity testing in environmental monitoring and chemical risk assessment is critical to assess water quality for human use as well as predict impact of pollutants on ecosystems. In recent years, studies have increasingly focused on the relevance of sub-lethal effects of environmental contaminants. Sub-lethal toxicity endpoints such as behavioural responses are highly integrative and have distinct benefits for assessing water quality because they occur rapidly and thus can be used to sense the presence of toxicants. Our work describes a Lab-on-a-Chip system for the automated analysis of freshwater cladoceranDaphnia magnalocomotory responses to water-born toxicants. The design combines a Lab-on-a-Chip system forDaphnia sp. culture under perfusion with time-resolved videomicroscopy and software tracking locomotory activity of multiple specimens. The application of the system to analyse the swimming behaviour of water fleas exposed to different concentrations of water-born toxicants demonstrated that Lab-on-a-Chip devices can become important research tools for behavioural ecotoxicology and water quality biomonitoring.
Mis-expression of grainyhead-like transcription factors in zebrafish leads to defects in enveloping layer (EVL) integrity, cellular morphogenesis and axial extension
Authors: Miles Lee B. , Darido Charbel , Kaslin Jan , Heath Joan K. , Jane Stephen M. , Dworkin Sebastian
Published: December 2017

The grainyhead-like (grhl) transcription factors play crucial roles in craniofacial development, epithelial morphogenesis, neural tube closure, and dorso-ventral patterning. By utilising the zebrafish to differentially regulate expression of family members grhl2b and grhl3, we show that both genes regulate epithelial migration, particularly convergence-extension (CE) type movements, during embryogenesis. Genetic deletion of grhl3 via CRISPR/Cas9 results in failure to complete epiboly and pre-gastrulation embryonic rupture, whereas morpholino (MO)-mediated knockdown of grhl3 signalling leads to aberrant neural tube morphogenesis at the midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB), a phenotype likely due to a compromised overlying enveloping layer (EVL). Further disruptions of grhl3-dependent pathways (through co-knockdown of grhl3 with target genes spec1 and arhgef19) confirm significant MHB morphogenesis and neural tube closure defects. Concomitant MO-mediated disruption of both grhl2b and grhl3 results in further extensive CE-like defects in body patterning, notochord and somite morphogenesis. Interestingly, over-expression of either grhl2b or grhl3 also leads to numerous phenotypes consistent with disrupted cellular migration during gastrulation, including embryo dorsalisation, axial duplication and impaired neural tube migration leading to cyclopia. Taken together, our study ascribes novel roles to the Grhl family in the context of embryonic development and morphogenesis.
Communicative predictions can overrule linguistic priors
Authors: Kroczek Leon O. H. , Gunter Thomas C.
Published: December 2017

Predictions allow for efficient human communication. To be efficient, listeners’ predictions need to be adapted to the communicative context. Here we show that during speech processing this adaptation is a highly flexible and selective process that is able to fine-tune itself to individual language styles of specific interlocutors. In a newly developed paradigm, speakers differed in the probabilities by which they used particular sentence structures. Probe trials were applied to infer participants’ syntactic expectations for a given speaker and to track changes of these expectations over time. The results show that listeners fine-tune their linguistic expectations according to the individual language style of a speaker. Strikingly, nine months after the initial experiment these highly specific expectations could be rapidly reactivated when confronted with the particular language style of a speaker but not merely on the basis of an association with speaker identity per se. These findings highlight that communicative interaction fine-tunes and consolidates interlocutor specific communicative predictions which can overrule strong linguistic priors.
SCARF-1 promotes adhesion of CD4+ T cells to human hepatic sinusoidal endothelium under conditions of shear stress
Authors: Patten Daniel A. , Kamarajah Sivesh K. , Rose Joanne M. , Tickle Joseph , Shepherd Emma L. , Adams David H. , Weston Chris J. , Shetty Shishir
Published: December 2017

Liver-resident cells are constantly exposed to gut-derived antigens via portal blood and, as a consequence, they express a unique repertoire of scavenger receptors. Whilst there is increasing evidence that the gut contributes to chronic inflammatory liver disease, the role of scavenger receptors in regulating liver inflammation remains limited. Here, we describe for the first time the expression of scavenger receptor class F, member 1 (SCARF-1) on hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSEC). We report that SCARF-1 shows a highly localised expression pattern and co-localised with endothelial markers on sinusoidal endothelium. Analysis of chronically inflamed liver tissue demonstrated accumulation of SCARF-1 at sites of CD4+ T cell aggregation. We then studied the regulation and functional role of SCARF-1 in HSEC and showed that SCARF-1 expression by HSEC is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, SCARF-1 expression by HSEC, induced by proinflammatory and gut-derived factors acts as a novel adhesion molecule, present in adhesive cup structures, that specifically supports CD4+ T cells under conditions of physiological shear stress. In conclusion, we show that SCARF-1 contributes to lymphocyte subset adhesion to primary human HSEC and could play an important role in regulating the inflammatory response during chronic liver disease.
A Simple Platform for the Rapid Development of Antimicrobials
Authors: Johnston Stephen Albert , Domenyuk Valeriy , Gupta Nidhi , Batista Milene Tavares , Lainson John C. , Zhao Zhan-Gong , Lusk Joel F. , Loskutov Andrey , Cichacz Zbigniew , Stafford Phillip , Legutki Joseph Barten , Diehnelt Chris W.
Published: December 2017

Recent infectious outbreaks highlight the need for platform technologies that can be quickly deployed to develop therapeutics needed to contain the outbreak. We present a simple concept for rapid development of new antimicrobials. The goal was to produce in as little as one week thousands of doses of an intervention for a new pathogen. We tested the feasibility of a system based on antimicrobial synbodies. The system involves creating an array of 100 peptides that have been selected for broad capability to bind and/or kill viruses and bacteria. The peptides are pre-screened for low cell toxicity prior to large scale synthesis. Any pathogen is then assayed on the chip to find peptides that bind or kill it. Peptides are combined in pairs as synbodies and further screened for activity and toxicity. The lead synbody can be quickly produced in large scale, with completion of the entire process in one week.
Retinal Angiogenesis Regulates Astrocytic Differentiation in Neonatal Mouse Retinas by Oxygen Dependent Mechanisms
Authors: Duan Li-Juan , Pan Sarah J. , Sato Thomas N. , Fong Guo-Hua
Published: December 2017

In mice, retinal vascular and astrocyte networks begin to develop at birth, expanding radially from the optic nerve head (ONH) towards the retinal periphery. The retinal vasculature grows towards the periphery ahead of differentiated astrocytes, but behind astrocytic progenitor cells (APCs) and immature astrocytes. Endothelial cell specific Vegfr-2 disruption in newborn mice not only blocked retinal vascular development but also suppressed astrocytic differentiation, reducing the abundance of differentiated astrocytes while causing the accumulation of precursors. By contrast, retinal astrocytic differentiation was accelerated by the exposure of wild-type newborn mice to hyperoxia for 24 hours, or by APC specific deficiency in hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)−2α, an oxygen labile transcription factor. These findings reveal a novel function of the retinal vasculature, and imply that in normal neonatal mice, oxygen from the retinal circulation may promote astrocytic differentiation, in part by triggering oxygen dependent HIF-2α degradation in astrocytic precursors.
Inhibition of human kynurenine aminotransferase isozymes by estrogen and its derivatives
Authors: Jayawickrama Gayan S. , Nematollahi Alireza , Sun Guanchen , Gorrell Mark D. , Church W. Bret
Published: December 2017

The kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) enzymes are pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent homodimers that catalyse the irreversible transamination of kynurenine into kynurenic acid (KYNA) in the tryptophan metabolic pathway. Kynurenic acid is implicated in cognitive diseases such as schizophrenia, and several inhibitors have been reported that selectively target KAT-II as it is primarily responsible for kynurenic acid production in the human brain. Not only is schizophrenia a sexually dimorphic condition, but women that have schizophrenia have reduced estrogen levels in their serum. Estrogens are also known to interact in the kynurenine pathway therefore exploring these interactions can yield a better understanding of the condition and improve approaches in ameliorating its effects. Enzyme inhibitory assays and binding studies showed that estradiol disulfate is a strong inhibitor of KAT-I and KAT-II (IC50: 291.5 μM and 26.3 μM, respectively), with estradiol, estradiol 3-sulfate and estrone sulfate being much weaker (IC50 > 2 mM). Therefore it is possible that estrogen levels can dictate the balance of kynurenic acid in the brain. Inhibition assay results and modelling suggests that the 17-sulfate moiety in estradiol disulfate is very important in improving its potency as an inhibitor, increasing the inhibition by approximately 10–100 fold compared to estradiol.
A tri-site fluorescent probe for simultaneous sensing of hydrogen sulfide and glutathione and its bioimaging applications
Authors: Chen Fengzao , Han Deman , Liu Heng , Wang Shengfu , Li Kai-Bin , Zhang Siqi , Shi Wei
Published: December 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and biothiol molecules, such as glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), and homocysteine (Hcy), play an important role in biology.
Mechanochemical synthesis of cooperative spin crossover materials
Authors: Askew Jed H. , Shepherd Helena J.
Published: December 2017

Spin crossover materials can be made quickly and easily without the need for solvents via mechanochemistry. Not only do these materials retain their switchable properties, but they also display remarkably cooperative behaviour.
Understanding the role of oxygen ion (O2−) activity in 1-D crystal growth of rutile TiO2 in molten salts
Authors: Beyene Anteneh Marelign , Baek Changyeon , Jung Wook Ki , Ragupathy P. , Kim Do Kyung
Published: December 2017

The role of oxygen ion (O2−) activity in molten media in the phase and morphology of the final nanocrystal.
Structural stability and magnetic-exchange coupling in Mn-doped monolayer/bilayer MoS2
Authors: Fang Qinglong , Zhao Xumei , Huang Yuhong , Xu Kewei , Min Tai , Chu Paul K. , Ma Fei
Published: December 2017

Ferromagnetic (FM) two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have potential applications in modern electronics and spintronics and doping of TMDs with transition metals can enhance the magnetic characteristics.
In situ probing electronic dynamics at organic bulk heterojunction/aqueous electrolyte interfaces by charge modulation spectroscopy
Authors: Xu Haihua , Lv Ying , Deng Yongchun , Zhu Qingqing
Published: December 2017

Charge modulation spectroscopy (CMS) was carried out on aqueous electrolyte (aqE)-gated organic heterojunction (OBHJ) transistors to in situ investigate electronic dynamics at the OBHJ/aqE interface.
Correction: A simple model of burst nucleation
Authors: Baronov Alexandr , Bufkin Kevin , Shaw Dan W. , Johnson Brad L. , Patrick David L.
Published: December 2017

Correction for ‘A simple model of burst nucleation’ by Alexandr Baronov et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2015, 17, 20846–20852.
Low coordinated mononuclear erbium(iii) single-molecule magnets with C3v symmetry: a method for altering single-molecule magnet properties by incorporating hard and soft donors
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Nakanishi Ryo , Katoh Keiichi , Breedlove Brian K. , Kitagawa Yasutaka , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Structures and magnetic characteristics of two three coordinate erbium(iii) compounds with C3v geometry, tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresolate)erbium (1) and tris(bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl)erbium (2), were determined.
Light sensors and opto-logic gates based on organic electrochemical transistors
Authors: Kolodziejczyk Bartlomiej , Ng Chun Hin , Strakosas Xenofon , Malliaras George G. , Winther-Jensen Bjorn
Published: December 2017

In this study, we combine a photochemical cell with a transistor, forming a novel optical-to-electronic interface using OECTs with a light-sensitive gate, which can be used for photonic, optogenetic and other applications where conversion from an optical to electronic signal is key.
Lanthanide oxalatophosphonates with two types of layered structures: syntheses, structures, luminescence and magnetic properties
Authors: Wang Ting-Ting , Su Yu-Ming , Jiao Cheng-Qi , Cai Xiao-Ou , Sun Hong-Mei , Zhu Yan-Yu , Sun Zhen-Gang
Published: December 2017

Five novel lanthanide(iii) oxalatophosphonates with two types of 2D layered structures have been hydrothermally obtained and structurally characterized. The luminescence and magnetic properties of the title compounds have been studied.
Chromium-based metallosurfactants: synthesis, physicochemical characterization and probing of their interactions with xanthene dyes
Authors: Garg Preeti , Kaur Gurpreet , Chaudhary Ganga Ram
Published: December 2017

The solubilization of xanthene dyes of variable solubility has been estimated in chromium based metallosurfactants.
An intramolecular tryptophan-condensation approach for peptide stapling
Authors: Hui Eunice Y.-L. , Rout Bhimsen , Tan Yaw Sing , Verma Chandra S. , Chan Kok-Ping , Johannes Charles W.
Published: December 2017

Stapled peptides are gaining tremendous interest as next-generation therapeutic agents to target protein–protein interactions. Herein, we report an intramolecular peptide stapling method which links two tryptophan residues at C2 position of the indole moieties via acid-mediated condensation with an aldehyde.
Facile synthesis and characterization of ultrathin δ-MnO2 nanoflakes
Authors: Chen Xiang , Yan Shaojiu , Wang Nan , Peng Sikan , Wang Chen , Hong Qihu , Zhang Xiaoyan , Dai Shenglong
Published: December 2017

Ultrathin δ-MnO2 nanoflakes were synthesized via a facile route and present excellent specific capacitance and good cycling stability.
Redox-active ionic liquid electrolyte with multi energy storage mechanism for high energy density supercapacitor
Authors: You Duck-Jae , Yin Zhenxing , Ahn Yong-keon , Lee Seong-Hun , Yoo Jeeyoung , Kim Youn Sang
Published: December 2017

A bimodal redox-active ionic liquid electrolyte for high energy density supercapacitors was fabricated by the redox reaction of halide ions and size variation of ions.
Synthesis of tetragonal zirconia in mesoporous silica and its catalytic properties for methanol oxidative decomposition
Authors: Shimoda Naohiro , Nakayama Kyoko , Kiyota Keiko , Satokawa Shigeo
Published: December 2017

Nano-sized tetragonal ZrO2with large surface area can be synthesized by the hard template method using meso-porous silica KIT-6.
Shape-controlled CoFe2O4 nanoparticles as an excellent material for humidity sensing
Authors: Kumar Yogendra , Sharma Alfa , Shirage Parasharam M.
Published: December 2017

The humidity sensing performance of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe2O4 NPs) with controlled morphology obtained via a solution route is reported in this work.
Structural and photocatalytic properties of Pd-deposited semiconductors with different morphology
Authors: Malkhasian Aramice. Y. S. , Narasimharao Katabathini
Published: December 2017

In this work, we studied the effect of Pd deposition (0.3 wt%) on the structural and photocatalytic properties of TiO2 anatase with different morphologies (nanoparticles, nanotubes nanofibers and CeO2 and WO3 nanofibers).
Integrated synthesis of metallocene@support catalysts based on glyphosate and its zirconium derivatives
Authors: Zhou Annan , Zhang Yuejuan , Shi Yasai , Xu Qinghong
Published: December 2017

Three new kinds of composite metallocene catalyst, Cp2Zr@Gly, Cp2Zr@ZrGp and Cp2Zr@EXZrGP, were synthesized and their catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization was studied.
Synthesis and characterization of aniline-dimer-based electroactive benzoxazine and its polymer
Authors: Li Shuliang , Zhao Chunxia , Gou Haolan , Li Hui , Li Yuntao , Xiang Dong
Published: December 2017

Benzoxazine incorporating an aniline dimer in its structure has satisfactory electroactivity and undergoes both amine-catalyzed and autocatalytic polymerization.
Synthesis of copolyesters with bio-based lauric diacid: structure and physico-mechanical studies
Authors: Chen Meiling , Saada Nesren A. H. , Liu Fei , Na Haining , Zhu Jin
Published: December 2017

Copolyesters developed from bio-based long-chain dicarboxylic acid show promising mechanical properties that are helpful for their application as biodegradable materials.
Ent-abietane diterpenoids and their probable biogenetic precursors from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana
Authors: Zhang Jia , He Jun , Wang Xiao-Xue , Shi Ying-Xue , Zhang Nuan , Ma Bing-Zhi , Zhang Wei-Ku , Xu Jie-Kun
Published: December 2017

Five new ent-abietane diterpenoid fischeriabietanes A–E (1–5), along with nine known analogues (6–14), were isolated from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana and their biosynthetic relationships were discussed.
A new multimedia application for teaching and learning chemical equilibrium
Authors: Ollino Mario , Aldoney Jenny , Domínguez Ana M. , Merino Cristian
Published: December 2017

This study presents a method for teaching the subject of chemical equilibrium in which students engage in self-learning mediated by the use of a new multimedia animation (SEQ-alfa©). This method is presented together with evidence supporting its advantages. At a microscopic level, the simulator shows the mutual transformation of A molecules into B molecules and vice versa for the reversible one-step chemical reaction, A(g) ⇔ B(g). The user defines the reaction as endothermic or exothermic and sets a given reaction temperature; SEQ-alfa© then calculates the kinetic constants of the forward and reverse reactions. Based on initial given concentrations, the animation then evaluates the respective rates and concentrations, as well as the concentration quotient value, as the reaction progresses towards its equilibrium state. SEQ-alfa© also demonstrates the effects of concentration and temperature alterations on the reaction's progress and the value of the reaction quotient until equilibrium is reached, thus giving the equilibrium constant. In addition, a validation of this new approach was carried out with 27 teachers. A pre-test and post-test of students’ understanding of the basic concepts of chemical equilibrium were conducted. Tested groups attained a 50% average learning gain (nexp = 130, nctrl = 26). Those students with little or no previous knowledge acquired a better understanding of chemical equilibrium. In addition, 80% of teachers agreed that the multimedia resource and its complementary activities had positive effects.
Exchange coupling and single molecule magnetism in redox-active tetraoxolene-bridged dilanthanide complexes
Authors: Zhang Peng , Perfetti Mauro , Kern Michal , Hallmen Philipp P. , Ungur Liviu , Lenz Samuel , Ringenberg Mark R. , Frey Wolfgang , Stoll Hermann , Rauhut Guntram , van Slageren Joris
Published: December 2017

The magnetic properties of the title complexes were studied by EPR spectroscopy, magnetometry andab initiocalculations.