bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of peel browning of ‘Nanguo’ pears after low‐temperature storage
Authors: Wang Jun‐wei , Zhou Xin , Zhou Qian , Liu Zhi‐yong , Sheng Lei , Wang Long , Cheng Shun‐chang , Ji Shu‐juan
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Postharvest ripening of the ‘Nanguo’ pear (Pyrus ussuriensis Maxim.) can be impeded by low‐temperature storage. However, pears after long‐term refrigeration are prone to peel browning when returned to room temperature conditions. This study investigated the browning mechanism of ‘Nanguo’ pear stored at a low temperature by analysing the differentially expressed proteins between healthy fruit and fruit with peel browning.

RESULTS

The results showed that 181 proteins underwent statistically significant changes. A categorisation of the disparately accumulated proteins was performed using gene ontology annotation. The results showed that the ‘metabolic process’, ‘cellular process’, ‘catalytic activity’, and ‘binding’ proteins were the most affected after low‐temperature storage. Further analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins, which are related to peel browning, are primarily involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway, linoleic acid pathways, fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, glutathione metabolism pathway, photosynthesis pathway, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and glycolysis pathway.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that there are variations in key proteins in ‘Nanguo’ pear after low‐temperature storage, and the identification of these proteins will be valuable in future functional genomics studies, as well as provide protein resources that can be used in the efforts to improve pear quality. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The Influence of Organic Carbon and pH on Heavy Metals, Potassium, and Magnesium Levels in Lithuanian Podzols
Authors: Khaledian Yones , Pereira Paulo , Brevik Eric C. , Pundyte Neringa , Paliulis Dainius
Published: October 2016

Industrial activities can contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in soils, which could potentially threaten public health and the environment. This research was conducted to investigate the relationships between pH and total organic carbon (TOC) with soil chemical parameters, including exchangeable and total Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, K, and Mg concentrations in soils near Panevėžys and Kaunas, Lithuania. Principal component regression (PCR) and non‐linear regression were used to find statistical relationships between pH, TOC, and the other soil properties studied. The results of correlation tests indicated that pH and TOC had strong relationships with most of the soil properties. The results of PCR [R2 = 0·87, RMSE = 0·046] and non‐linear regression [R2 = 0·91, RMSE = 0·041] (pH and the entire parameters), PCR [R2 = 0·777, RMSE = 0·058] and non‐linear regression [R2 = 0·871, RMSE = 0·046] (pH and the exchangeable parameters) to model the relationships between pH and soil chemical properties were promising and significant. Exchangeable heavy metal concentrations increased for pH > 5. Even though the relationships between TOC and heavy metals were significant, they were not as powerful as the relationships between pH and these metals. It was concluded that total metal concentrations in the study soils can be predicted by either pH or TOC. Metal mobility could most likely be controlled at the study site by manipulating soil pH and/or TOC. Finally, it is suggested that when there are financial and time limitations, assessment of total exchangeable metal concentrations using soil pH and/or TOC could be productive. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metamaterial absorber integrated microfluidic terahertz sensors
Authors: Hu Xin , Xu Gaiqi , Wen Long , Wang Huacun , Zhao Yuncheng , Zhang Yaxin , Cumming David R. S. , Chen Qin
Published: October 2016

Spatial overlap between the electromagnetic fields and the analytes is a key factor for strong light‐matter interaction leading to high sensitivity for label‐free refractive index sensing. Usually, the overlap and therefore the sensitivity are limited by either the localized near field of plasmonic antennas or the decayed resonant mode outside the cavity applied to monitor the refractive index variation. In this paper, by constructing a metal microstructure array‐dielectric‐metal (MDM) structure, a novel metamaterial absorber integrated microfluidic (MAIM) sensor is proposed and demonstrated in terahertz (THz) range, where the dielectric layer of the MDM structure is hollow and acts as the microfluidic channel. Tuning the electromagnetic parameters of metamaterial absorber, greatly confined electromagnetic fields can be obtained in the channel resulting in significantly enhanced interaction between the analytes and the THz wave. A high sensitivity of 3.5 THz/RIU is predicted. The experimental results of devices working around 1 THz agree with the simulation ones well. The proposed idea to integrate metamaterial and microfluid with a large light‐matter interaction can be extended to other frequency regions and has promising applications in matter detection and biosensing.

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3D in utero quantification of T2* relaxation times in human fetal brain tissues for age optimized structural and functional MRI
Authors: Blazejewska Anna I. , Seshamani Sharmishtaa , McKown Susan K. , Caucutt Jason S. , Dighe Manjiri , Gatenby Christopher , Studholme Colin
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Maximization of the blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) contrast requires the echo time of the MR sequence to match the T2* value of the tissue of interest, which is expected to be higher in the fetal brain compared with the brain of a child or an adult.

Methods

T2* values of the cortical plate/cortical gray matter tissue in utero in healthy fetuses from mid‐gestation onward (20–36 gestational weeks) were measured using 3D T2* maps calculated from 2D dual‐echo T2*‐weighted data corrected for between‐slice motion and reconstructed in 1.0 mm3 isotropic resolution from a sequence of multiple time points, together with 1.0 mm3 isotropic resolution T2‐weighted structural data.

Results

Mean T2* relaxation times of the cortical tissue were about twice as high as those reported previously in adults. In a supporting experiment applying single seed analysis, default mode and auditory networks appeared better localized and less noisy while using an echo time of 100 ms versus 43 ms. The results of the previous study reporting a trend for T2* values to decrease with fetal age were reproduced and extended to include cortical tissues and subjects in earlier gestation (20–26 gestational weeks).

Conclusion

The first measurement of T2* values in fetal cortical tissues suggested the appropriate echo time range for fetal BOLD fMRI protocol optimization to be 130–190 ms. Magn Reson Med 78:909–916, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Susceptibility underestimation in a high‐susceptibility phantom: Dependence on imaging resolution, magnitude contrast, and other parameters
Authors: Zhou Dong , Cho Junghun , Zhang Jingwei , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi
Published: October 2016

Purpose

We assessed the accuracy of quantitative susceptibility mapping in a gadolinium balloon phantom with a large range of susceptibility values and imaging resolutions at 1.5 and 3 Tesla (T).

Theory and Methods

The phantom contained sources with susceptibility values of 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 ppm and was imaged at isotropic resolutions of 0.7, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.8 mm. Numerical simulations were performed to match the experimental findings. Voxel sensitivity effects were used to explain the susceptibility underestimations.

Results

Both phantom data and simulation demonstrated that systematic underestimation of the susceptibility values increased with voxel size, field strength, and object susceptibility.

Conclusion

The underestimation originates from the signal formation in a voxel, which can be described by the voxel sensitivity function. The amount of underestimation is thus affected by imaging resolution, magnitude contrast, image filtering, and details of the susceptibility inclusions such as the susceptibility value and geometry. High‐resolution imaging is therefore needed for accurate reconstruction of QSM values, especially at higher susceptibilities. Magn Reson Med 78:1080–1086, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
A rapid and robust gradient measurement technique using dynamic single‐point imaging
Authors: Jang Hyungseok , McMillan Alan B.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

We propose a new gradient measurement technique based on dynamic single‐point imaging (SPI), which allows simple, rapid, and robust measurement of k‐space trajectory.

Methods

To enable gradient measurement, we utilize the variable field‐of‐view (FOV) property of dynamic SPI, which is dependent on gradient shape. First, one‐dimensional (1D) dynamic SPI data are acquired from a targeted gradient axis, and then relative FOV scaling factors between 1D images or k‐spaces at varying encoding times are found. These relative scaling factors are the relative k‐space position that can be used for image reconstruction. The gradient measurement technique also can be used to estimate the gradient impulse response function for reproducible gradient estimation as a linear time invariant system.

Results

The proposed measurement technique was used to improve reconstructed image quality in 3D ultrashort echo, 2D spiral, and multi‐echo bipolar gradient‐echo imaging. In multi‐echo bipolar gradient‐echo imaging, measurement of the k‐space trajectory allowed the use of a ramp‐sampled trajectory for improved acquisition speed (approximately 30%) and more accurate quantitative fat and water separation in a phantom.

Conclusion

The proposed dynamic SPI‐based method allows fast k‐space trajectory measurement with a simple implementation and no additional hardware for improved image quality. Magn Reson Med 78:950–962, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Chronic Pelvic Pain Development and Prostate Inflammation in Strains of Mice With Different Susceptibility to Experimental Autoimmune Prostatitis
Authors: Breser Maria L. , Motrich Ruben D. , Sanchez Leonardo R. , Rivero Virginia E.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the prostate characterized by peripheral prostate‐specific autoimmune responses associated with prostate inflammation. EAP is induced in rodents upon immunization with prostate antigens (PAg) plus adjuvants and shares important clinical and immunological features with the human disease chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

METHODS

EAP was induced in young NOD, C57BL/6, and BALB/c male mice by immunization with PAg plus complete Freund́s adjuvant. Tactile allodynia was assessed using Von Frey fibers as a measure of pelvic pain at baseline and at different time points after immunization. Using conventional histology, immunohistochemistry, FACS analysis, and protein arrays, an interstrain comparative study of prostate cell infiltration and inflammation was performed.

RESULTS

Chronic pelvic pain development was similar between immunized NOD and C57BL/6 mice, although the severity of leukocyte infiltration was greater in the first case. Coversely, minimal prostate cell infiltration was observed in immunized BALB/c mice, who showed no pelvic pain development. Increased numbers of mast cells, mostly degranulated, were detected in prostate samples from NOD and C57BL/6 mice, while lower total counts and resting were observed in BALB/c mice. Prostate tissue from NOD mice revealed markedly increased expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, vascular endothelial growth factor, and metalloproteinases. Similar results, but to a lesser extent, were observed when analyzing prostate tissue from C57BL/6 mice. On the contrary, the expression of the above mediators was very low in prostate tissue from immunized BALB/c mice, showing significantly slight increments only for CXCL1 and IL4.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide new evidence indicating that NOD, C57BL/6, and BALB/c mice develop different degrees of chronic pelvic pain, type, and amount of prostate cell infiltration and secretion of inflammatory mediators. Our results corroborate and support the notion that mice with different genetic background have different susceptibility to EAP induction. Prostate 77:94–104, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FOXO3a Expression Regulated by ERK Signaling is Inversely Correlated With Y‐Box Binding Protein‐1 Expression in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Imada Kenjiro , Shiota Masaki , Kuroiwa Kentaro , Sugimoto Masaaki , Abe Tatsuro , Kohashi Kenichi , Yokomizo Akira , Eto Masatoshi , Naito Seiji , Oda Yoshinao
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

FOXO3a is a member of the forkhead O transcription factors. FOXO3a induces the factors that contribute to cell cycle arrest and is considered a tumor suppressor in several malignant tumors. Y‐box binding protein‐1 (YB‐1) is a multifunctional protein whose high expression is correlated with poor prognoses in various malignant tumors. In the current study, we investigated the relationship between FOXO3a and YB‐1 to validate their functional roles in prostate cancer.

METHODS

Western blotting and cytotoxicity assays were conducted in prostate cancer cells, LNCaP, and 22Rv1 cells. We also evaluated the protein expressions of FOXO3a and YB‐1 in human prostate cancer tissues, using radical prostatectomy specimens. Then, we investigated the correlations between protein expressions and clinicopathologic parameters.

RESULTS

We found that both FOXO3a and YB‐1 proteins were phosphorylated by ERK signaling, resulting in FOXO3a inactivation and YB‐1 activation in LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Inversely, inhibition of MEK or treatment with metformin activated FOXO3a through inactivation of ERK signaling and suppressed the viability of LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. In immunohistochemical analysis, FOXO3a nuclear expression was inversely correlated with YB‐1 nuclear expression (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, high FOXO3a nuclear expression was inversely correlated with a higher Gleason grade (P < 0.0001) and higher preoperative PSA (P = 0.0437).

CONCLUSIONS

These results showed that in prostate cancer, FOXO3a, and YB‐1 play inverse reciprocal roles as a tumor‐suppressor gene and oncogene, respectively, through their master regulator ERK. Prostate 77:145–153, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elevated C‐Peptides, Abdominal Obesity, and Abnormal Adipokine Profile are Associated With Higher Gleason Scores in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Di Sebastiano Katie M. , Pinthus Jehonathan H. , Duivenvoorden Wilhelmina C.M. , Patterson Laurel , Dubin Joel A. , Mourtzakis Marina
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer development is associated with numerous lifestyle factors (i.e., physical activity, nutrition intake) and metabolic perturbations. These factors have been studied independently; here, we used an integrative approach to characterize these lifestyle and metabolic parameters in men undergoing diagnostic prostate biopsies.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 51 consecutive men for body composition, metabolic factors including glucose‐ and lipid‐related measures, as well as lifestyle factors prior to prostate biopsy. Evaluations were performed in a blinded manner and were subsequently related to biopsy outcomes for: (i) presence or absence of cancer; and (ii) where cancer was present, Gleason score.

RESULTS

Serum C‐peptide concentrations were significantly greater in participants with Gleason scores ≥4 + 3 (2.8 ± 1.1 ng/ml) compared to those with Gleason 3 + 3 (1.4 ± 0.6 ng/ml) or Gleason 3 + 4 (1.3 ± 0.8 ng/ml, P = 0.002), suggesting greater insulin secretion despite lack of differences in fasting glucose concentrations. Central adiposity, measured by waist circumference, was significantly greater in participants with Gleason ≥4 + 3 (110.1 ± 7.4 cm) compared to those with Gleason 3 + 4 (102.0 ± 9.5 cm, P = 0.028). Men with Gleason ≥4 + 3 also had significantly greater leptin concentrations than those with lower Gleason scores (Gleason ≥4 + 3: 15.6 ± 3.3 ng/ml vs. Gleason 3 + 4: 8.1 ± 8.1 ng/ml, P < 0.05) and leptin:adiponectin ratio (Gleason ≥4 + 3: 9.7 ± 6.1 AU, Gleason 3 + 4: 2.9 ± 3.2, Gleason 3 + 3: 2.4 ± 2.1 AU, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

We profiled a cluster of obesity‐related metabolic perturbations (C‐peptide, central adiposity, leptin, and leptin:adiponectin ratios) which may associate with more aggressive prostate cancer histology. Prostate 77:211–221, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solution structure of the Cys74 to Ala74 mutant of the recombinant catalytic domain of Zoocin A
Authors: Xing Minli , Simmonds Robin S. , Timkovich Russell
Published: October 2016

Zoocin A is a Zn‐metallopeptidase secreted by Streptococcus zooepidemicus strain 4881. Its catalytic domain is responsible for cleaving the D‐alanyl‐L‐alanine peptide bond in streptococcal peptidoglycan. The solution NMR structure of the Cys74 to Ala74 mutant of the recombinant catalytic domain (rCAT C74A) has been determined. With a previous structure determination for the recombinant target recognition domain (rTRD), this completes the 3D structure of zoocin A. While the structure of rCAT C74A resembles those of the catalytic domains of lysostaphin and LytM, the substrate binding groove is wider and no tyrosine residue was observed in the active site. Proteins 2016; 85:177–181. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy of GaPN alloys via surface nitridation using ammonia
Authors: Yamane Keisuke , Moriyama Masashi , Boualiong Kerlee , Sekiguchi Hiroto , Okada Hiroshi , Wakahara Akihiro
Published: October 2016

The present work is intended to pilot the possible use of ammonia precursors for the growth of III–V–N alloys with metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) as opposed to typical growth procedures using dimethylhydrazine. The GaPN alloys are grown by repeated cycles of surface nitridation and growth of a thin GaP layer with an interval separating the nitridation and growth. The effects of conditions and duration of each step on the N composition and crystallinity are systematically clarified. An N composition is controlled up to 1.6% in the current conditions, maintaining a high crystalline quality comparable to the GaP substrates, while a continuous‐supply method yields a much lower value.
Exciton self‐trapped on Si–Si dimers on the surface of silicon nanocrystal: Experimental evidence
Authors: Andreev B. A. , Yablonskiy A. N. , Krasilnik Z. F. , Ershov A. V. , Grachev D. A. , Gert A. V. , Gusev O. B. , Yassievich I. N.
Published: October 2016

The intensive photoluminescence (PL) band corresponding to the self‐trapped excitons (STEs) at surface Si–Si dimers has been observed for the multilayer periodical nanostructures (SiO/nc‐Si/) with average nanocrystal size of 2.5 and 3.5 nm. The maximum of the band is located at 1.06 m (1.17 eV) and does not depend on the nanocrystal size. The decay times of the PL band are 5.9 and 5.3 ms for the nanocrystal size of 2.5 and 3.5 nm, correspondingly. The obtained experimental results give a direct evidence of the exciton self‐trapping on the silicon nanocrystals surface predicted by G. Allan, C. Delerue, and M. Lannoo [Phys. Rev. B 76, 2961 (1996)].
Graphene screen‐printed radio‐frequency identification devices on flexible substrates
Authors: Arapov Kirill , Jaakkola Kaarle , Ermolov Vladimir , Bex Guy , Rubingh Eric , Haque Samiul , Sandberg Henrik , Abbel Robert , de With Gijsbertus , Friedrich Heiner
Published: October 2016

Despite the great promise of printed flexible electronics from 2D crystals, and especially graphene, few scalable applications have been reported so far that can be termed roll‐to‐roll compatible. Here we combine screen printed graphene with photonic annealing to realize radio‐frequency identification devices with a reading range of up to 4 meters. Most notably our approach leads to fatigue resistant devices showing less than 1% deterioration of electrical properties after 1000 bending cycles. The bending fatigue resistance demonstrated on a variety of technologically relevant plastic and paper substrates renders the material highly suitable for various printable wearable devices, where repeatable dynamic bending stress is expected during usage. All applied printing and post‐processing methods are compatible with roll‐to‐roll manufacturing and temperature sensitive flexible substrates providing a platform for the scalable manufacturing of mechanically stable and environmentally friendly graphene printed electronics.

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Stable isotope analyses of oxygen (18O:17O:16O) and chlorine (37Cl:35Cl) in perchlorate: reference materials, calibrations, methods, and interferences
Authors: Böhlke J. K. , Mroczkowski Stanley J. , Sturchio Neil C. , Heraty Linnea J. , Richman Kent W. , Sullivan Donald B. , Griffith Kris N. , Gu Baohua , Hatzinger Paul B.
Published: October 2016

Rationale

Perchlorate (ClO4−) is a common trace constituent of water, soils, and plants; it has both natural and synthetic sources and is subject to biodegradation. The stable isotope ratios of Cl and O provide three independent quantities for ClO4− source attribution and natural attenuation studies: δ37Cl, δ18O, and δ17O (or Δ17O or 17Δ) values. Documented reference materials, calibration schemes, methods, and interferences will improve the reliability of such studies.

Methods

Three large batches of KClO4 with contrasting isotopic compositions were synthesized and analyzed against VSMOW‐SLAP, atmospheric O2, and international nitrate and chloride reference materials. Three analytical methods were tested for O isotopes: conversion of ClO4− to CO for continuous‐flow IRMS (CO‐CFIRMS), decomposition to O2 for dual‐inlet IRMS (O2‐DIIRMS), and decomposition to O2 with molecular‐sieve trap (O2‐DIIRMS+T). For Cl isotopes, KCl produced by thermal decomposition of KClO4 was reprecipitated as AgCl and converted into CH3Cl for DIIRMS.

Results

KClO4 isotopic reference materials (USGS37, USGS38, USGS39) represent a wide range of Cl and O isotopic compositions, including non‐mass‐dependent O isotopic variation. Isotopic fractionation and exchange can affect O isotope analyses of ClO4− depending on the decomposition method. Routine analyses can be adjusted for such effects by normalization, using reference materials prepared and analyzed as samples. Analytical errors caused by SO42−, NO3−, ReO42−, and C‐bearing contaminants include isotope mixing and fractionation effects on CO and O2, plus direct interference from CO2 in the mass spectrometer. The results highlight the importance of effective purification of ClO4− from environmental samples.

Conclusions

KClO4 reference materials are available for testing methods and calibrating isotopic data for ClO4− and other substances with widely varying Cl or O isotopic compositions. Current ClO4− extraction, purification, and analysis techniques provide relative isotope‐ratio measurements with uncertainties much smaller than the range of values in environmental ClO4−, permitting isotopic evaluation of environmental ClO4− sources and natural attenuation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Future, Future!
Authors: Baworowsky John M.
Published: October 2016

Changes in the filing date and tax year data used to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will affect all colleges and universities, even those not planning to make changes in their aid programs.
Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture in Strategic Enrollment Management
Authors: Flanigan Michael S.
Published: October 2016

It is self‐evident (and well supported in the literature) that the culture of an organization is an important aspect of how successful an organization is at meeting its goals. What is less evident is what the elements of the culture of an organization are; how can they be quantified; and how can we adjust them in a manner that will impact its effectiveness. This article examines an organizational culture diagnosis initiative that utilized the Competing Values Framework model in a fast‐growing strategic enrollment management (SEM) division. The division was accumulating new student success‐related departments at a pace that the leadership felt might affect the culture of the organization. The purpose of the initiative was to quantify the staff perception of the current state of the divisional organizational culture; quantify the staff perception of the preferred future state of the organizational culture; and recommend the creation of a metrics‐driven plan to actively move the culture to the preferred state. This work seems to be unique in the SEM arena because of the quantitative approach taken to discern the state of the culture.
Verstärkung orthotroper Stahlfahrbahnplatten mit Hochleistungsbetonen in Hinblick auf ausreichende Restlebensdauer
Authors: Unterweger Harald , Novak Friedrich
Published: October 2016

Reine Stahlbrückentragwerke mit orthotroper Fahrbahnplatte für schlanke sowie weitgespannte Tragwerke wurden im deutschsprachigen Raum sehr häufig in den 60er und 70er Jahren des vorigen Jahrhunderts errichtet. Bei der konstruktiven Auslegung stand die reine Tragsicherheit im Vordergrund, ohne rechnerische Nachweise der Ermüdungsfestigkeit des Fahrbahndecks. Der dramatische Zuwachs des Schwerverkehrs im europäischen Straßennetz in Hinblick Achslasthöhe und Schwerverkehrsfrequenz bedeutet, dass aktuell – nach etwa 50 Betriebsjahren – mitunter die rechnerische Restlebensdauer bereits erschöpft ist. Nachfolgend werden die wesentlichen Ergebnisse eines Forschungsprojekts dargestellt, mit dem herausfordernden Ziel, die bituminösen Fahrbahnbeläge durch eine Platte aus Hochleistungsbeton zu ersetzen, so dass zumindest weitere 50 Betriebsjahre möglich werden.

Strengthening of orthotropic steel decks using UHPC‐concrete for additional at least 50 years in service. Steel orthotropic bridge decks for slender and long spanned girder bridges were frequently built in the 60ties and 70ties of the last century in the German‐speaking countries. In the design of such bridge decks only the ultimate load carrying capacity was considered, without fatigue aspects. Due to the dramatic increase of heavy traffic in the European road network, sometimes the calculated remaining fatigue life is exhausted, after only 50 years of service life. In the paper the relevant results of a research project are presented, with the challenging aim to increase the service life of such orthotropic bridge decks to at least 50 years after strengthening.
Impact of glucansucrase treatment on structure and properties of maize starch
Authors: Qi Yang , Miao Ming , Hu Xing , Jiang Bo , Jin Zhengyu , Zhang Tao
Published: October 2016

A glucansucrase isolated from Leuconostoc citreum SK 24.002 has the ability to catalyze transglycosylation and/or hydrolysis reactions on differently linked α‐glucose polymers. In this study, maize starch was modified using L. citreum glucansucrase, and its structure and properties were investigated. The total content of oligosaccharides was 2.72% for glucansucrase‐treated starch. The modified starch had a higher amylose level and molecular weight than did native starch. The chain‐length distribution showed a greater number of short (degree of polymerization, DP < 13) and long (DP > 30) branched chains in the modified starch. Compared with the native starch, the modified starch displayed a lower gelatinization enthalpy and a wider melting temperature range. The Englyst assay revealed that enzymatically modified starch had higher SDS and RS contents. Both the changes in molecular weight and the fine‐chain structure in the treated starches likely contribute to its low digestion capacity.
A regularity criterion for the compressible hydrodynamic‐Maxwell system
Authors: Fan Jishan , Li Fucai , Nakamura Gen
Published: October 2016

In this paper we prove a regularity criterion for the compressible hydrodynamic‐Maxwell system in .
Unexpected Microscopically Positive Proximal Resection Margins in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Chemoradiotherapy: Predictors and Prognostic Significance
Authors: Chiu Chien‐Hung , Chao Yin‐Kai , Wen Yu‐Wen , Chang Hsien‐Kun , Tseng Chen‐Kan , Liu Yun‐Hen
Published: October 2016

Background

Esophageal cancer has the propensity to spread in a longitudinal manner (either proximally or distally), potentially resulting in the unexpected presence of microscopic disease at grossly tumor‐free margins. The clinical significance of this phenomenon in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, predictors, and prognostic impact of microscopically positive proximal resection margins (PPRMs) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who received CRT.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2014, we identified 332 ESCC patients who underwent complete gross resection (R0/R1) following CRT. Patients were divided into two groups according to the status of the proximal resection margins on microscopic examination [negative proximal resection margins (NPRMs) vs PPRMs]. The occurrence of anastomotic leakage (AL) and anastomotic recurrence (AR) served as outcome measures.

Results

Sixteen (4.8 %) patients had PPRM. The presence of PPRM was not associated with AL but was a strong predictor of AR (PPRM vs NPRM, 23.1 vs 7 %, respectively, P = 0.033). Multivariate analysis identified a resection margin length <3.5 cm [odds ratio (OR) 4.473, P = 0.022] and salvage resection (OR 3.171, P = 0.045) as independent predictors of PPRM. The estimated PPRM rates were 16.7, 6.3, and 1.3 % for patients with 2, 1, and 0 predictors, respectively.

Conclusions

PPRM occurred in 4.8 % of ESCC patients following CRT and was associated with AR. An intraoperative frozen section margin analysis should be performed in patients carrying risk factors to avoid unexpected PPRM.
Preoperative Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels Predict Anastomotic Leak After Esophagectomy with Cervical Esophagogastric Anastomosis
Authors: Okamura Akihiko , Watanabe Masayuki , Imamura Yu , Kamiya Satoshi , Yamashita Kotaro , Kurogochi Takanori , Mine Shinji
Published: October 2016

Background

Patients with diabetes are considered at increased risk of delayed wound healing and infectious complications, yet the relationship between diabetes and anastomotic leak (AL) remains unclear. Given that glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a validated indicator of the long‐term glycemic state, we evaluated the relationship between preoperative HbA1c levels and AL after esophagectomy.

Methods

We assessed 300 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy reconstructed with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis between 2011 and 2015. HbA1c levels were measured within 90 days before esophagectomy. We performed comparison between the patients with and without diabetes. In addition, the predictive factors for AL, as well as the relationship between HbA1c levels and AL, were investigated.

Results

Among the 300 patients, 35 had diabetes. The overall prevalence of AL was 11.7%, and patients with diabetes had a higher prevalence of AL than those without (p = 0.045). In univariate analysis, we identified diabetes, HbA1c level, and hand‐sewn anastomosis as risk factors for AL significantly (p = 0.033, 0.009, and 0.011, respectively), but we also found previous smoking history, chronic hepatic disease, and supracarinal tumor location also showed tendencies to be risk factors (p = 0.057, 0.055, and 0.064, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that chronic hepatic disease (p = 0.048), increased HbA1c level (p = 0.011), and hand‐sewn anastomosis (p = 0.021) were independent risk factors for AL.

Conclusions

Preoperative HbA1c level was significantly associated with the development of AL after cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. We recommend preoperative HbA1c screening for all patients scheduled to undergo esophagectomy.
Trends in Spouses’ Shared Time in the United States, 1965–2012
Authors: Genadek Katie R. , Flood Sarah M. , Roman Joan Garcia
Published: October 2016

Despite major demographic changes over the past 50 years and strong evidence that time spent with a spouse is important for marriages, we know very little about how time with a spouse has changed—or not—in the United States. Using time diary data from 1965–2012, we examine trends in couples’ shared time in the United States during a period of major changes in American marriages and families. We find that couples without children spent more total time together and time alone together in 2012 than they did in 1965, with total time and time alone together both peaking in 1975. For parents, time spent together increased between 1965 and 2012, most dramatically for time spent with a spouse and children. Decomposition analyses show that changes in behavior rather than changing demographics explain these trends, and we find that the increases in couples’ shared time are primarily concentrated in leisure activities.
Simulating the Climate 145 Million Years Ago
Authors: Hall Shannon
Published: October 2016

A new model shows that the Intertropical Convergence Zone wasn't always a single band around the equator, which had drastic effects on climate.
Vitamin D receptor expression in human bone tissue and dose-dependent activation in resorbing osteoclasts
Authors: Zarei Allahdad , Morovat Alireza , Javaid Kassim , Brown Cameron P
Published: October 2016

The effects of vitamin D on osteoblast mineralization are well documented. Reports of the effects of vitamin D on osteoclasts, however, are conflicting, showing both inhibition and stimulation. Finding that resorbing osteoclasts in human bone express vitamin D receptor (VDR), we examined their response to different concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] (100 or 500 nmol·L−1) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] (0.1 or 0.5 nmol·L−1) metabolites in cell cultures. Specifically, CD14+ monocytes were cultured in charcoal-stripped serum in the presence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) histochemical staining assays and dentine resorption analysis were used to identify the size and number of osteoclast cells, number of nuclei per cell and resorption activity. The expression of VDR was detected in human bone tissue (ex vivo) by immunohistochemistry and in vitro cell cultures by western blotting. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the level of expression of vitamin D-related genes in response to vitamin D metabolites. VDR-related genes during osteoclastogenesis, shown by qRT-PCR, was stimulated in response to 500 nmol·L−1 of 25(OH)D3 and 0.1–0.5 nmol·L−1 of 1,25(OH)2D3, upregulating cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B member 1 (CYP27B1) and cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member 1 (CYP24A1). Osteoclast fusion transcripts transmembrane 7 subfamily member 4 (tm7sf4) and nuclear factor of activated T-cell cytoplasmic 1 (nfatc1) where downregulated in response to vitamin D metabolites. Osteoclast number and resorption activity were also increased. Both 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced osteoclast size and number when co-treated with RANKL and M-CSF. The evidence for VDR expression in resorbing osteoclasts in vivo and low-dose effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on osteoclasts in vitro may therefore provide insight into the effects of clinical vitamin D treatments, further providing a counterpoint to the high-dose effects reported from in vitro experiments.
Targeting Mll1 H3K4 methyltransferase activity to guide cardiac lineage specific reprogramming of fibroblasts
Authors: Liu Liu , Lei Ienglam , Karatas Hacer , Li Yangbing , Wang Li , Gnatovskiy Leonid , Dou Yali , Wang Shaomeng , Qian Li , Wang Zhong
Published: October 2016

Generation of induced cardiomyocytes (iCMs) directly from fibroblasts offers a great opportunity for cardiac disease modeling and cardiac regeneration. A major challenge of iCM generation is the low conversion rate. To address this issue, we attempted to identify small molecules that could potentiate the reprogramming ability towards cardiac fate by removing inhibitory roadblocks. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts as the starting cell source, we first screened 47 cardiac development related epigenetic and transcription factors, and identified an unexpected role of H3K4 methyltransferase Mll1 and related factor Men1 in inhibiting iCM reprogramming. We then applied small molecules (MM408 and MI503) of Mll1 pathway inhibitors and observed an improved efficiency in converting embryonic fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts into functional cardiomyocyte-like cells. We further observed that these inhibitors directly suppressed the expression of Mll1 target gene Ebf1 involved in adipocyte differentiation. Consequently, Mll1 inhibition significantly decreased the formation of adipocytes during iCM induction. Therefore, Mll1 inhibitors likely increased iCM efficiency by suppressing alternative lineage gene expression. Our studies show that targeting Mll1 dependent H3K4 methyltransferase activity provides specificity in the process of cardiac reprogramming. These findings shed new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac conversion of fibroblasts and provide novel targets and small molecules to improve iCM reprogramming for clinical applications.
A continuum of admixture in the Western Hemisphere revealed by the African Diaspora genome
Authors: Mathias Rasika Ann , Taub Margaret A. , Gignoux Christopher R. , Fu Wenqing , Musharoff Shaila , O'Connor Timothy D. , Vergara Candelaria , Torgerson Dara G. , Pino-Yanes Maria , Shringarpure Suyash S. , Huang Lili , Rafaels Nicholas , Boorgula Meher Preethi , Johnston Henry Richard , Ortega Victor E. , Levin Albert M. , Song Wei , Torres Raul , Padhukasahasram Badri , Eng Celeste , Mejia-Mejia Delmy-Aracely , Ferguson Trevor , Qin Zhaohui S. , Scott Alan F. , Yazdanbakhsh Maria , Wilson James G. , Marrugo Javier , Lange Leslie A. , Kumar Rajesh , Avila Pedro C. , Williams L. Keoki , Watson Harold , Ware Lorraine B. , Olopade Christopher , Olopade Olufunmilayo , Oliveira Ricardo , Ober Carole , Nicolae Dan L. , Meyers Deborah , Mayorga Alvaro , Knight-Madden Jennifer , Hartert Tina , Hansel Nadia N. , Foreman Marilyn G. , Ford Jean G. , Faruque Mezbah U. , Dunston Georgia M. , Caraballo Luis , Burchard Esteban G. , Bleecker Eugene , Araujo Maria Ilma , Herrera-Paz Edwin Francisco , Gietzen Kimberly , Grus Wendy E. , Bamshad Michael , Bustamante Carlos D. , Kenny Eimear E. , Hernandez Ryan D. , Beaty Terri H. , Ruczinski Ingo , Akey Joshua ,   CAAPA, Campbell Monica , Chavan Sameer , Foster Cassandra , Gao Li , Horowitz Edward , Ortiz Romina , Potee Joseph , Gao Jingjing , Hu Yijuan , Hansen Mark , Deshpande Aniket , Locke Devin P. , Grammer Leslie , Kim Kwang-YounA , Schleimer Robert , De La Vega Francisco M. , Szpiech Zachary A. , Oluwole Oluwafemi , Arinola Ganiyu , Correa Adolfo , Musani Solomon , Chong Jessica , Nickerson Deborah , Reiner Alexander , Maul Pissamai , Maul Trevor , Martinez Beatriz , Meza Catherine , Ayestas Gerardo , Landaverde-Torres Pamela , Erazo Said Omar Leiva , Martinez Rosella , Mayorga Luis F. , Ramos Hector , Saenz Allan , Varela Gloria , Vasquez Olga Marina , Samms-Vaughan Maureen , Wilks Rainford J. , Adegnika Akim , Ateba-Ngoa Ulysse , Barnes Kathleen C.
Published: October 2016

The African Diaspora in the Western Hemisphere represents one of the largest forced migrations in history and had a profound impact on genetic diversity in modern populations. To date, the fine-scale population structure of descendants of the African Diaspora remains largely uncharacterized. Here we present genetic variation from deeply sequenced genomes of 642 individuals from North and South American, Caribbean and West African populations, substantially increasing the lexicon of human genomic variation and suggesting much variation remains to be discovered in African-admixed populations in the Americas. We summarize genetic variation in these populations, quantifying the postcolonial sex-biased European gene flow across multiple regions. Moreover, we refine estimates on the burden of deleterious variants carried across populations and how this varies with African ancestry. Our data are an important resource for empowering disease mapping studies in African-admixed individuals and will facilitate gene discovery for diseases disproportionately affecting individuals of African ancestry.
Fabrication of fibrillosomes from droplets stabilized by protein nanofibrils at all-aqueous interfaces
Authors: Song Yang , Shimanovich Ulyana , Michaels Thomas C. T. , Ma Qingming , Li Jingmei , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Shum Ho Cheung
Published: October 2016

All-aqueous emulsions exploit spontaneous liquid–liquid separation and due to their water-based nature are particular advantageous for the biocompatible storage and processing of biomacromolecules. However, the ultralow interfacial tensions characteristic of all-aqueous interfaces represent an inherent limitation to the use of thermally adsorbed particles to achieve emulsion stability. Here, we use protein nanofibrils to generate colloidosome-like two-dimensional crosslinked networks of nanostructures templated by all-aqueous emulsions, which we term fibrillosomes. We show that this approach not only allows us to operate below the thermal limit at ultra-low surface tensions but also yields structures that are stable even in the complete absence of an interface. Moreover, we show that the growth and multilayer deposition of fibrils allows us to control the thickness of the capsule shells. These results open up the possibility of stabilizing aqueous two-phase systems using natural proteins, and creating self-standing protein capsules without the requirement for three-phase emulsions or water/oil interfaces.
Large-scale microfluidics providing high-resolution and high-throughput screening of Caenorhabditis elegans poly-glutamine aggregation model
Authors: Mondal Sudip , Hegarty Evan , Martin Chris , Gökçe Sertan Kutal , Ghorashian Navid , Ben-Yakar Adela
Published: October 2016

Next generation drug screening could benefit greatly from in vivo studies, using small animal models such as Caenorhabditis elegans for hit identification and lead optimization. Current in vivo assays can operate either at low throughput with high resolution or with low resolution at high throughput. To enable both high-throughput and high-resolution imaging of C. elegans, we developed an automated microfluidic platform. This platform can image 15 z-stacks of ∼4,000 C. elegans from 96 different populations using a large-scale chip with a micron resolution in 16 min. Using this platform, we screened ∼100,000 animals of the poly-glutamine aggregation model on 25 chips. We tested the efficacy of ∼1,000 FDA-approved drugs in improving the aggregation phenotype of the model and identified four confirmed hits. This robust platform now enables high-content screening of various C. elegans disease models at the speed and cost of in vitro cell-based assays.
Nop9 is a PUF-like protein that prevents premature cleavage to correctly process pre-18S rRNA
Authors: Zhang Jun , McCann Kathleen L. , Qiu Chen , Gonzalez Lauren E. , Baserga Susan J. , Hall Traci M. Tanaka
Published: October 2016

Numerous factors direct eukaryotic ribosome biogenesis, and defects in a single ribosome assembly factor may be lethal or produce tissue-specific human ribosomopathies. Pre-ribosomal RNAs (pre-rRNAs) must be processed stepwise and at the correct subcellular locations to produce the mature rRNAs. Nop9 is a conserved small ribosomal subunit biogenesis factor, essential in yeast. Here we report a 2.1-Å crystal structure of Nop9 and a small-angle X-ray-scattering model of a Nop9:RNA complex that reveals a ‘C’-shaped fold formed from 11 Pumilio repeats. We show that Nop9 recognizes sequence and structural features of the 20S pre-rRNA near the cleavage site of the nuclease, Nob1. We further demonstrate that Nop9 inhibits Nob1 cleavage, the final processing step to produce mature small ribosomal subunit 18S rRNA. Together, our results suggest that Nop9 is critical for timely cleavage of the 20S pre-rRNA. Moreover, the Nop9 structure exemplifies a new class of Pumilio repeat proteins.
Increased global transcription activity as a mechanism of replication stress in cancer
Authors: Kotsantis Panagiotis , Silva Lara Marques , Irmscher Sarah , Jones Rebecca M. , Folkes Lisa , Gromak Natalia , Petermann Eva
Published: October 2016

Cancer is a disease associated with genomic instability that often results from oncogene activation. This in turn leads to hyperproliferation and replication stress. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie oncogene-induced replication stress are still poorly understood. Oncogenes such as HRASV12 promote proliferation by upregulating general transcription factors to stimulate RNA synthesis. Here we investigate whether this increase in transcription underlies oncogene-induced replication stress. We show that in cells overexpressing HRASV12, elevated expression of the general transcription factor TATA-box binding protein (TBP) leads to increased RNA synthesis, which together with R-loop accumulation results in replication fork slowing and DNA damage. Furthermore, overexpression of TBP alone causes the hallmarks of oncogene-induced replication stress, including replication fork slowing, DNA damage and senescence. Consequently, we reveal that increased transcription can be a mechanism of oncogene-induced DNA damage, providing a molecular link between upregulation of the transcription machinery and genomic instability in cancer.
Gate-tunable negative longitudinal magnetoresistance in the predicted type-II Weyl semimetal WTe2
Authors: Wang Yaojia , Liu Erfu , Liu Huimei , Pan Yiming , Zhang Longqiang , Zeng Junwen , Fu Yajun , Wang Miao , Xu Kang , Huang Zhong , Wang Zhenlin , Lu Hai-Zhou , Xing Dingyu , Wang Baigeng , Wan Xiangang , Miao Feng
Published: October 2016

The progress in exploiting new electronic materials has been a major driving force in solid-state physics. As a new state of matter, a Weyl semimetal (WSM), in particular a type-II WSM, hosts Weyl fermions as emergent quasiparticles and may harbour novel electrical transport properties. Nevertheless, such a type-II WSM material has not been experimentally observed. In this work, by performing systematic magneto-transport studies on thin films of a predicted material candidate WTe2, we observe notable negative longitudinal magnetoresistance, which can be attributed to the chiral anomaly in WSM. This phenomenon also exhibits strong planar orientation dependence with the absence along the tungsten chains, consistent with the distinctive feature of a type-II WSM. By applying a gate voltage, we demonstrate that the Fermi energy can be in-situ tuned through the Weyl points via the electric field effect. Our results may open opportunities for implementing new electronic applications, such as field-effect chiral devices.
Theory of highly efficient multiexciton generation in type-II nanorods
Authors: Eshet Hagai , Baer Roi , Neuhauser Daniel , Rabani Eran
Published: October 2016

Multiexciton generation, by which more than a single electron–hole pair is generated on optical excitation, is a promising paradigm for pushing the efficiency of solar cells beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit of 31%. Utilizing this paradigm, however, requires the onset energy of multiexciton generation to be close to twice the band gap energy and the efficiency to increase rapidly above this onset. This challenge remains unattainable even using confined nanocrystals, nanorods or nanowires. Here, we show how both goals can be achieved in a nanorod heterostructure with type-II band offsets. Using pseudopotential atomistic calculation on a model type-II semiconductor heterostructure we predict the optimal conditions for controlling multiexciton generation efficiencies at twice the band gap energy. For a finite band offset, this requires a sharp interface along with a reduction of the exciton cooling and may enable a route for breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit.