bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CME
Authors: Spirig José Miguel , Farshad Mazda
Published: January 2018

Zusammenfassung. Eine Spinalkanalstenose besteht bei bis zu 80 % der über 70-Jährigen. Allerdings weisen auch etwa 20 % asymptomatische Personen Zeichen einer Spinalkanalstenose im MRT auf. Der Pathomechanismus der zentralen Spinalkanalstenose ist überwiegend mit degenerativen Veränderungen assoziiert. Dies kann schliesslich zu einer fortschreitenden Kompression der Cauda equina führen. Patienten, die leichte bis mässige Symptome aufweisen, sollten eine multimodale konservative Behandlung erhalten, wie z.B. Patientenschulung, Schmerzmittel, Physiotherapie und epidurale Infiltrationen. Bei Patienten mit schweren Symptomen sollte eine Operation evaluiert werden, insbesondere, wenn die konservative Behandlung nach 3–6 Monaten unwirksam war. Klinisch relevante motorische Defizite oder Symptome des Cauda-equina-Syndroms bleiben absolute Indikationen zur operativen Behandlung.
Is Emotional Engagement Possible in Emotionally Demanding Jobs?
Authors: Lam Long W. , Xu Angela J. , Loi Raymond
Published: January 2018

Abstract. Guided by work engagement theory and self-control theory, this study hypothesizes that among high leader-member exchange (LMX) employees, emotional job demands are positively related to emotional engagement and negatively related to subsequent intention to quit, whereas among low-LMX employees, emotional job demands are negatively related to emotional engagement and positively related to subsequent intention to quit. Using data collected from 182 resort and casino staff at two waves, we revealed that through emotional engagement, emotional job demands have a positive indirect effect on intention to quit for low-LMX employees but a negative indirect effect for high-LMX employees. The findings carry important implications for resource-based interventions aimed at increasing emotional engagement and decreasing intention to quit among employees confronting emotional job demands.
Multiple entry pathways within the efflux transporter AcrB contribute to multidrug recognition
Authors: Zwama Martijn , Yamasaki Seiji , Nakashima Ryosuke , Sakurai Keisuke , Nishino Kunihiko , Yamaguchi Akihito
Published: January 2018

AcrB is the major multidrug exporter in Escherichia coli. Although several substrate-entrances have been identified, the specificity of these various transport paths remains unclear. Here we present evidence for a substrate channel (channel 3)  from the central cavity of the AcrB trimer, which is connected directly to the deep pocket without first passing the switch-loop and the proximal pocket . Planar aromatic cations, such as ethidium, prefer channel 3 to channels 1 and 2. The efflux through channel 3 increases by targeted mutations and is not in competition with the export of drugs such as minocycline and erythromycin through channels 1 and 2. A switch-loop mutant, in which the pathway from the proximal to the deep pocket is hindered, can export only channel 3-utilizing drugs. The usage of multiple entrances thus contributes to the recognition and transport of a wide range of drugs with different physicochemical properties.
Author Correction: A chip-integrated coherent photonic-phononic memory
Authors: Merklein Moritz , Stiller Birgit , Vu Khu , Madden Stephen J. , Eggleton Benjamin J.
Published: January 2018

The original version of this Article omitted the Acknowledgements section:

“This work was sponsored by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Laureate Fellowship (FL120100029) and the Centre of Excellence program (CUDOS CE110001010). We acknowledge the support of the ANFF ACT.”

This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Deep level transient spectroscopic investigation of phosphorus-doped silicon by self-assembled molecular monolayers
Authors: Gao Xuejiao , Guan Bin , Mesli Abdelmadjid , Chen Kaixiang , Dan Yaping
Published: January 2018

It is known that self-assembled molecular monolayer doping technique has the advantages of forming ultra-shallow junctions and introducing minimal defects in semiconductors. In this paper, we report however the formation of carbon-related defects in the molecular monolayer-doped silicon as detected by deep-level transient spectroscopy and low-temperature Hall measurements. The molecular monolayer doping process is performed by modifying silicon substrate with phosphorus-containing molecules and annealing at high temperature. The subsequent rapid thermal annealing drives phosphorus dopants along with carbon contaminants into the silicon substrate, resulting in a dramatic decrease of sheet resistance for the intrinsic silicon substrate. Low-temperature Hall measurements and secondary ion mass spectrometry indicate that phosphorus is the only electrically active dopant after the molecular monolayer doping. However, during this process, at least 20% of the phosphorus dopants are electrically deactivated. The deep-level transient spectroscopy shows that carbon-related defects are responsible for such deactivation.
Human cytomegalovirus-encoded US9 targets MAVS and STING signaling to evade type I interferon immune responses
Authors: Choi Hyun jin , Park Areum , Kang Sujin , Lee Eunhye , Lee Taeyun A. , Ra Eun A. , Lee Jiseon , Lee Sungwook , Park Boyoun
Published: January 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has evolved sophisticated immune evasion mechanisms that target both the innate and adaptive immune responses. However, how HCMV encoded proteins are involved in this immune escape is not clear. Here, we show that HCMV glycoprotein US9 inhibits the IFN-β response by targeting the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated signaling pathways. US9 accumulation in mitochondria attenuates the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to promotion of MAVS leakage from the mitochondria. Furthermore, US9 disrupts STING oligomerization and STING–TBK1 association through competitive interaction. Intriguingly, US9 blocks interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) nuclear translocation and its cytoplasmic domain is essential for inhibiting IRF3 activation. Mutant HCMV lacking US7-16 is impaired in antagonism of MAVS/STING-mediated IFN-β expression, an effect that is reversible by the introduction of US9. Our findings indicate that HCMV US9 is an antagonist of IFN signaling to persistently evade host innate antiviral responses.
The evolution of substrate discrimination in macrolide antibiotic resistance enzymes
Authors: Pawlowski Andrew C. , Stogios Peter J. , Koteva Kalinka , Skarina Tatiana , Evdokimova Elena , Savchenko Alexei , Wright Gerard D.
Published: January 2018

The production of antibiotics by microbes in the environment and their use in medicine and agriculture select for existing and emerging resistance. To address this inevitability, prudent development of antibiotic drugs requires careful consideration of resistance evolution. Here, we identify the molecular basis for expanded substrate specificity in MphI, a macrolide kinase (Mph) that does not confer resistance to erythromycin, in contrast to other known Mphs. Using a combination of phylogenetics, drug-resistance phenotypes, and in vitro enzyme assays, we find that MphI and MphK phosphorylate erythromycin poorly resulting in an antibiotic-sensitive phenotype. Using likelihood reconstruction of ancestral sequences and site-saturation combinatorial mutagenesis, supported by Mph crystal structures, we determine that two non-obvious mutations in combination expand the substrate range. This approach should be applicable for studying the functional evolution of any antibiotic resistance enzyme and for evaluating the evolvability of resistance enzymes to new generations of antibiotic scaffolds.
Blood plasma/IgG N-glycome biosignatures associated with major depressive disorder symptom severity and the antidepressant response
Authors: Park Dong Ik , Štambuk Jerko , Razdorov Genadij , Pučić-Baković Maja , Martins-de-Souza Daniel , Lauc Gordan , Turck Christoph W.
Published: January 2018

While N-linked glycosylation has been extensively studied in the context of inflammatory and metabolic disorders, its relationship with major depressive disorder (MDD) and antidepressant treatment response has not been investigated. In our exploratory study, we analysed N-glycan profiles in blood plasma samples collected from MDD patients (n = 18) and found gender-dependent correlations with severity of depressive symptoms prior to initiating antidepressant treatment. In addition, several N-glycosylation traits showed gender-dependent associations with clinical antidepressant response. Follow up proteomics analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from MDD patients (n = 20) identified baseline and post-antidepressant treatment pathway differences between responder and non-responder patients. Reactome data analysis further delineated potential biological reaction differences between responder and non-responder patients. Our preliminary results suggest that specific glycosylation traits are associated with depressive symptom severity and antidepressant response and may be of use as biomarkers.
Investigation of piwi-interacting RNA pathway genes role in idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Kamaliyan Zeeba , Pouriamanesh Sara , Soosanabadi Mohsen , Gholami Milad , Mirfakhraie Reza
Published: January 2018

Genes involved in piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) pathway have an essential role in spermatogenesis. HIWI and TDRD proteins are critical for piRNA biogenesis and function. Therefore, Mutations and polymorphisms in HIWI and TDRD genes may play role in male infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HIWI2 rs508485 (T>C) and HIWI3 rs11703684 (C>T) polymorphisms and mutational analysis of TDRD5 gene in idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia in a case-control study including 226 non-obstructive azoospermia patients and 200 fertile males. Genotyping for both polymorphisms was performed using Tetra-Primer ARMS PCR. Mutation analysis of TDRD5 gene was done using multi-temperature single strand conformation polymorphism technique (MSSCP). The frequency of rs508485TC genotype was significantly different in the studied groups (P = 0.0032; OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.29–3.48). In addition, the genotype frequencies showed a significant difference under dominant model (P = 0.005; OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 1.22–3.13). No mutation was detected in the Tudor domain of the TDRD5 in the studied patients. In conclusion, we provide evidence for association between genetic variation in the HIWI2 gene and idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia in Iranian patients. Therefore, piRNA pathway genes variants can be considered as risk factors for male infertility.
Utility of brGDGTs as temperature and precipitation proxies in subtropical China
Authors: Wang Mengyuan , Zong Yongqiang , Zheng Zhuo , Man Meiling , Hu Jianfang , Tian Liping
Published: January 2018

Bacterial branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) have been successfully used as quantitative climate proxies for reconstructing annual mean air temperature (MAT) and soil pH from sediments. However, reconstructions derived from brGDGTs in regions with diverse hydrological and atmospheric conditions require further refinement. In this study, we investigated the suitability of brGDGTs as temperature and precipitation proxies from surface soils on opposite slopes of Mount Fanjing in subtropical China. The results show a clear altitudinal lapse rate of MBT′5ME-derived MAT and between-slope differences in MAT at given altitude. Moreover, the MBT′5ME-derived MAT values are more strongly related to the MAT from March to November than that of the whole year. A turning point is also observed from the measured pH and CBT′-derived pH gradients at altitude of 1400 m~1500 m, in accordance with the fog horizon, where precipitation reaches the maximum value. The findings prove that brGDGTs from soil transects can be used as indicators for reconstructions of climate parameters from subtropical regions of China.
Methylation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is lineage specific with associated mutations present globally
Authors: Phelan Jody , de Sessions Paola Florez , Tientcheu Leopold , Perdigao Joao , Machado Diana , Hasan Rumina , Hasan Zahra , Bergval Indra L. , Anthony Richard , McNerney Ruth , Antonio Martin , Portugal Isabel , Viveiros Miguel , Campino Susana , Hibberd Martin L. , Clark Taane G.
Published: January 2018

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification of the genome involved in regulating crucial cellular processes, including transcription and chromosome stability. Advances in PacBio sequencing technologies can be used to robustly reveal methylation sites. The methylome of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is poorly understood but may be involved in virulence, hypoxic survival and the emergence of drug resistance. In the most extensive study to date, we characterise the methylome across the 4 major lineages of M. tuberculosis and 2 lineages of M. africanum, the leading causes of tuberculosis disease in humans. We reveal lineage-specific methylated motifs and strain-specific mutations that are abundant globally and likely to explain loss of function in the respective methyltransferases. Our work provides a set of sixteen new complete reference genomes for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, including complete lineage 5 genomes. Insights into lineage-specific methylomes will further elucidate underlying biological mechanisms and other important phenotypes of the epi-genome.
Uncovering the inertia of dislocation motion and negative mechanical response in crystals
Authors: Tang Yizhe
Published: January 2018

Dislocations are linear defects in crystals and their motion controls crystals’ mechanical behavior. The dissipative nature of dislocation propagation is generally accepted although the specific mechanisms are still not fully understood. The inertia, which is undoubtedly the nature of motion for particles with mass, seems much less convincing for configuration propagation. We utilize atomistic simulations in conditions that minimize dissipative effects to enable uncovering of the hidden nature of dislocation motion, in three typical model metals Mg, Cu and Ta. We find that, with less/no dissipation, dislocation motion is under-damped and explicitly inertial at both low and high velocities. The inertia of dislocation motion is intrinsic, and more fundamental than the dissipative nature. The inertia originates from the kinetic energy imparted from strain energy and stored in the moving core. Peculiar negative mechanical response associated with the inertia is also discovered. These findings shed light on the fundamental nature of dislocation motion, reveal the underlying physics, and provide a new physical explanation for phenomena relevant to high-velocity dislocations.
Realization of multiple orbital angular momentum modes simultaneously through four-dimensional antenna arrays
Authors: Sun Chao , Yang Shiwen , Chen Yikai , Guo Jixin , Qu Shiwei
Published: January 2018

Electromagnetic waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) in radio frequency range have drawn great attention owing to its potential applications in increasing communication capacity. In this paper, both single-pole single-throw (SPST) switches and single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches are designed and implemented. Optimal time sequence allows four-dimensional (4-D) circular antenna array to generate multiple OAM-carrying waves as well as enhance the field intensity of each OAM-carrying wave. A novel experimental platform is developed to measure the phase distribution when the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna operate at different frequencies. The good agreement between the measurement and simulation results demonstrate that 4-D circular antenna array is able to generate multiple OAM modes simultaneously. Furthermore, the superiority of the 4-D circular antenna array in receiving and demodulating multiple OAM-carrying signals is validated through the filter and bit error rate (BER) simulations.
Spred2 Deficiency Exacerbates D-Galactosamine/Lipopolysaccharide -induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice via Increased Production of TNFα
Authors: Yang Xu , Fujisawa Masayoshi , Yoshimura Teizo , Ohara Toshiaki , Sato Miwa , Mino Megumi , San Thar Htet , Gao Tong , Kunkel Steven L. , Matsukawa Akihiro
Published: January 2018

Acute liver injury (ALI) is characterized by hepatocyte damage and inflammation. In the present study, we examined whether the absence of Sprouty-related EVH1-domain-containing protein 2 (Spred2), a negative regulator of the Ras/Raf/ERK/MAPK pathway, influences ALI induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Compared to wild-type mice, Spred2−/−mice developed exacerbated liver injury represented by enhanced hepatocyte damage and inflammation. Enhanced ERK activation was observed in Spred2−/−-livers, and the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 ameliorated ALI. Hepatic tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β levels were increased in Spred-2−/−-livers, and the neutralization of TNFα dramatically ameliorated ALI, which was associated with decreased levels of endogenous TNFα and IL-1β. When mice were challenged with D-GalN and TNFα, much severer ALI was observed in Spred2−/−mice with significant increases in endogenous TNFα and IL-1β in the livers. Immunohistochemically, Kupffer cells were found to produce TNFα, and isolated Kupffer cells from Spred2−/−mice produced significantly higher levels of TNFα than those from wild-type mice after LPS stimulation, which was significantly decreased by U0126. These results suggest that Spred2 negatively regulates D-GalN/LPS-induced ALI under the control of TNFα in Kupffer cells. Spred2 may present a therapeutic target for the treatment of ALI.
Quasi-asymmetric response of the Indian summer monsoon rainfall to opposite phases of the IOD
Authors: Behera Swadhin K. , Ratnam J. V.
Published: January 2018

The El Niño/Southern Oscillation has been traditionally linked to the extremes in the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) affecting more than a billion people in the region. This trans-oceanic influence is seen to be moderated by the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) phenomenon in recent decades. In the presence of a positive IOD (pIOD), the otherwise subdued ISMR in an El Niño year remains close to normal even in the face of record breaking El Niños. While this general influence of pIOD on ISMR is understood, the influence of negative IOD (nIOD) on ISMR is not yet recognized. In this study, it is revealed that those opposite phases of IOD are associated with distinct regional asymmetries in rainfall anomalies. The pIOD is associated with a tripolar pattern in rainfall anomalies with above normal rainfall in central parts of India and below normal rainfall to north and south of it. Conversely, the nIOD is associated with a zonal dipole having above (below) normal rainfall on the western (eastern) half of the country. This spatial quasi-asymmetry arises from the differences in the atmospheric responses and the associated differences in moisture transports to the region during contrasting phases of the IOD.
Phylogenomic Perspective on the Relationships and Evolutionary History of the Major Otocephalan Lineages
Authors: Dai Wei , Zou Ming , Yang Liandong , Du Kang , Chen Weitao , Shen Yanjun , Mayden Richard L. , He Shunping
Published: January 2018

The phylogeny of otocephalan fishes is the subject of broad controversy based on morphological and molecular evidence. The primary unresolved issue pertaining to this lineage relates to the origin of Characiphysi, especially the paraphyly of Characiformes. The considerable uncertainty associated with this lineage has precluded a greater understanding of the origin and evolution of the clade. Herein, a phylogenomic approach was applied to resolve this debate. By analyzing 10 sets of transcriptomic data generated in this study and 12 sets of high-throughput data available in public databases, we obtained 1,110 single-copy orthologous genes (935,265 sites for analysis) from 22 actinopterygians, including 14 otocephalan fishes from six orders: Clupeiformes, Gonorynchiformes, Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Characiformes, and Gymnotiformes. Based on a selection of 125 nuclear genes screened from single-gene maximum likelihood (ML) analyses and sequence bias testing, well-established relationships among Otocephala were reconstructed. We suggested that Gymnotiformes are more closely related to Characiformes than to Siluriformes and Characiformes are possibly paraphyletic. We also estimated that Otocephala originated in the Early-Late Jurassic, which postdates most previous estimations, and hypothesized scenarios of the early historical biogeographies of major otocephalan lineages.
Clinical characteristics of stress cardiomyopathy in patients with acute poisoning
Authors: Jeon Ung , Park Samel , Park SangHo , Lee Eun-young , Gil Hyo-Wook
Published: January 2018

Patients who attempt intentional suicide suffer from physical or emotional stress. This situation might be an important factor that causes takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We retrospectively investigated the clinical features of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in patients with acute poisoning. This study included patients who were admitted from January 2010 to December 2015 because of intentional poisoning by ingestion. Among these patients, we selectively collected data of patients who underwent an echocardiogram. We divided the patients into three groups according to the echocardiogram; the non-cardiomyopathy group, the global hypokinesia group, and the takotsubo cardiomyopathy group. One hundred forty-seven patients were analyzed in this study. One hundred thirty-one patients had normal cardiac function without regional wall motion abnormality. Global hypokinesia was observed in five patients. The overall incidence of takotsubo cardiomyopathy was 7.5% (11/147). Levels of cardiac enzymes including CK-MB, Troponin T, a marker of cardiac muscle ischemia, were higher in the global hypokinesia group and the takotsubo cardiomyopathy group compared with the non-cardiomyopathy group. The most commonly consumed poison was organophosphate in the takotsubo cardiomyopathy group. In conclusion, takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be one of the cardiac complications in patients who attempt suicide by consuming a poison.
Silica nanoparticle stability in biological media revisited
Authors: Yang Seon-Ah , Choi Sungmoon , Jeon Seon Mi , Yu Junhua
Published: January 2018

The stability of silica nanostructure in the core-silica shell nanomaterials is critical to understanding the activity of these nanomaterials since the exposure of core materials due to the poor stability of silica may cause misinterpretation of experiments, but unfortunately reports on the stability of silica have been inconsistent. Here, we show that luminescent silver nanodots (AgNDs) can be used to monitor the stability of silica nanostructures. Though relatively stable in water and phosphate buffered saline, silica nanoparticles are eroded by biological media, leading to the exposure of AgNDs from AgND@SiO2 nanoparticles and the quenching of nanodot luminescence. Our results reveal that a synergistic effect of organic compounds, particularly the amino groups, accelerates the erosion. Our work indicates that silica nanostructures are vulnerable to cellular medium and it may be possible to tune the release of drug molecules from silica-based drug delivery vehicles through controlled erosion.
Increased Susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum in Infants is associated with Low, not High, Placental Malaria Parasitemia
Authors: Tassi Yunga Samuel , Fouda Genevieve G. , Sama Grace , Ngu Julia B. , Leke Rose G. F. , Taylor Diane W.
Published: January 2018

Risk of malaria in infants can be influenced by prenatal factors. In this study, the potential for placental parasitemia at delivery in predicting susceptibility of infants to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infections was evaluated. Seventy-two newborns of mothers who were placental malaria negative (PM−) and of mothers who were PM+ with below (PM+ Lo) and above (PM + Hi) median placental parasitemia, were actively monitored during their first year of life. Median time to first PCR-detected Pf infection was shorter in PM + Lo infants (2.8 months) than in both PM− infants (4.0 months, p = 0.002) and PM + Hi infants (4.1 months, p = 0.01). Total number of new infections was also highest in the PM + Lo group. Only 24% of infants experienced clinical malaria episodes but these episodes occurred earlier in PM + Lo infants than in PM + Hi infants (p = 0.05). The adjusted hazard ratio (95% CI) of having Pf infection was 3.9 (1.8–8.4) and 1.5 (0.7–3.4) for infants in the PM + Lo and PM + Hi groups, respectively. Collectively, low placental parasitemia was associated with increased susceptibility to malaria during infancy. Therefore, malaria in pregnancy preventive regimens, such as sulfadoxine-pyremethamine, that reduce but do not eliminate placental Pf in areas of drug resistance may increase the risk of malaria in infants.
Shape dependent physical mutilation and lethal effects of silver nanoparticles on bacteria
Authors: Acharya Debashish , Singha K. Malabika , Pandey Piyush , Mohanta Bidhan , Rajkumari Jina , Singha L. Paikhomba
Published: January 2018

In this report, spherical silver nanoparticle (AgNP-sp) and rod-shaped silver nanoparticle (AgNR) were prepared by chemical reduction method and their antibacterial activity against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria had been evaluated for their efficiency. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were conducted to study the antibacterial properties, and substantiated with killing kinetics of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The study revealed that both AgNP-sp and AgNRs are good antibacterial candidates. Bacterial sensitivity to nanoparticles (NPs) was found to vary depending on microbial species. Disc diffusion studies revealed the greater effectiveness of AgNP-sp and AgNR against Klebsiella pneumoniae AWD5 at the doses of 249 and 392 µg. The dose dependent activities of prepared NPs were also observed on the batch studies of disc diffusion and MIC with various strains. The optical and morphological structures of NPs were analyzed by UV-visible, XRD, FE-SEM and TEM. Further, FESEM of bacterial culture treated with AgNPs confirmed antibacterial activity of NPs by showing rupture of bacterial cell wall. Also, the genome of test organism was found to have CusCFBA and CusRS operons. The killing kinetics confirmed that the death rate of K. pneumoniae was higher against AgNP-sp as compared to AgNR.
Coupling Modern Portfolio Theory and Marxan enhances the efficiency of Lesser White-fronted Goose’s (Anser erythropus) habitat conservation
Authors: Liang Jie , Gao Xiang , Zeng Guangming , Hua Shanshan , Zhong Minzhou , Li Xiaodong , Li Xin
Published: January 2018

Climate change and human activities cause uncertain changes to species biodiversity by altering their habitat. The uncertainty of climate change requires planners to balance the benefit and cost of making conservation plan. Here optimal protection approach for Lesser White-fronted Goose (LWfG) by coupling Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT) and Marxan selection were proposed. MPT was used to provide suggested weights of investment for protected area (PA) and reduce the influence of climatic uncertainty, while Marxan was utilized to choose a series of specific locations for PA. We argued that through combining these two commonly used techniques with the conservation plan, including assets allocation and PA chosing, the efficiency of rare bird’s protection would be enhanced. In MPT analyses, the uncertainty of conservation-outcome can be reduced while conservation effort was allocated in Hunan, Jiangxi and Yangtze River delta. In Marxan model, the optimal location for habitat restorations based on existing nature reserve was identified. Clear priorities for the location and allocation of assets could be provided based on this research, and it could help decision makers to build conservation strategy for LWfG.
Large-scale sill emplacement in Brazil as a trigger for the end-Triassic crisis
Authors: Heimdal Thea H. , Svensen Henrik. H. , Ramezani Jahandar , Iyer Karthik , Pereira Egberto , Rodrigues René , Jones Morgan T. , Callegaro Sara
Published: January 2018

The end-Triassic is characterized by one of the largest mass extinctions in the Phanerozoic, coinciding with major carbon cycle perturbations and global warming. It has been suggested that the environmental crisis is linked to widespread sill intrusions during magmatism associated with the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP). Sub-volcanic sills are abundant in two of the largest onshore sedimentary basins in Brazil, the Amazonas and Solimões basins, where they comprise up to 20% of the stratigraphy. These basins contain extensive deposits of carbonate and evaporite, in addition to organic-rich shales and major hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we show that large scale volatile generation followed sill emplacement in these lithologies. Thermal modeling demonstrates that contact metamorphism in the two basins could have generated 88,000 Gt CO2. In order to constrain the timing of gas generation, zircon from two sills has been dated by the U-Pb CA-ID-TIMS method, resulting in 206Pb/238U dates of 201.477 ± 0.062 Ma and 201.470 ± 0.089 Ma. Our findings demonstrate synchronicity between the intrusive phase and the end-Triassic mass extinction, and provide a quantified degassing scenario for one of the most dramatic time periods in the history of Earth.
Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNAs (EBERs) complement the loss of Herpesvirus telomerase RNA (vTR) in virus-induced tumor formation
Authors: Kheimar Ahmed , Kaufer Benedikt B.
Published: January 2018

Marek’s disease virus (MDV) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes fatal lymphomas in chickens and is used as a natural virus-host model for herpesvirus-induced tumorigenesis. MDV encodes a telomerase RNA subunit (vTR) that is crucial for efficient MDV-induced lymphoma formation; however, the mechanism is not completely understood. Similarly, Epstein Barr-virus (EBV) encodes two RNAs (EBER-1 and EBER-2) that are highly expressed in EBV-induced tumor cells, however their role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. Intriguingly, vTR and EBER-1 have interaction partners in common that are highly conserved in humans and chickens. Therefore, we investigated if EBER-1 and/or EBER-2 can complement the loss of vTR in MDV-induced tumor formation. We first deleted vTR (v∆vTR) and replaced it by either EBER-1 or EBER-2 in the very virulent RB-1B strain. Insertion of either EBER-1 or EBER-2 did not affect MDV replication and their expression levels were comparable to vTR in wild type virus. Intriguingly, EBER-2 restored tumor formation of MDV that lacks vTR. EBER-1 partially restored MDV oncogenicity, while tumor formation was severely impaired in chickens infected with v∆vTR. Our data provides the first evidence that EBERs possess tumor-promoting properties in vivo using this natural model for herpesvirus-tumorigenesis.
In vivo STED microscopy visualizes PSD95 sub-structures and morphological changes over several hours in the mouse visual cortex
Authors: Wegner Waja , Mott Alexander C. , Grant Seth G. N. , Steffens Heinz , Willig Katrin I.
Published: January 2018

The post-synaptic density (PSD) is an electron dense region consisting of ~1000 proteins, found at the postsynaptic membrane of excitatory synapses, which varies in size depending upon synaptic strength. PSD95 is an abundant scaffolding protein in the PSD and assembles a family of supercomplexes comprised of neurotransmitter receptors, ion channels, as well as signalling and structural proteins. We use superresolution STED (STimulated Emission Depletion) nanoscopy to determine the size and shape of PSD95 in the anaesthetised mouse visual cortex. Adult knock-in mice expressing eGFP fused to the endogenous PSD95 protein were imaged at time points from 1 min to 6 h. Superresolved large assemblies of PSD95 show different sub-structures; most large assemblies were ring-like, some horse-shoe or figure-8 shaped, and shapes were continuous or made up of nanoclusters. The sub-structure appeared stable during the shorter (minute) time points, but after 1 h, more than 50% of the large assemblies showed a change in sub-structure. Overall, these data showed a sub-morphology of large PSD95 assemblies which undergo changes within the 6 hours of observation in the anaesthetised mouse.
Combined SEP and anti-PD-L1 antibody produces a synergistic antitumor effect in B16-F10 melanoma-bearing mice
Authors: Hu Zhengping , Ye Liang , Xing Yingying , Hu Jinhang , Xi Tao
Published: January 2018

The increased PD-L1 induces poorer prognosis in melanoma. The treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies have a low response rate. The combination immunotherapies are the encouraging drug development strategy to receive maximal therapeutic benefit. In this study, we investigated the enhanced antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of combined SEP and αPD-L1 in B16-F10 melanoma-bearing mice. The results shown that combined SEP and αPD-L1 presented significant synergistic antitumor effects, increased the frequency of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in spleen and tumor, cytotoxic activity of CTL in spleen, and IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in splenocytes and tumor. The combination treatment also produced synergistic increase in P-ERK1/2 level in spleen. Immunohistochemistry shown that SEP induced the PD-L1 expression in melanoma tissue possibly by promoting IFN-γ excretion, which led to the synergistic anti-tumor effects of aPD-L1 and SEP. Furthermore, in the purified T lymphocyte from the naive mice, the combination of SEP and αPD-L1 had more potent than SEP or αPD-L1 in promoting T lymphocyte proliferation and cytokines secretion including IL-2 and IFN-γ, at least partially by activating MEK/ERK pathway. Our study provides the scientific basis for a clinical trial that would involve combination of anti-PD-L1 mAb and SEP for sustained melanoma control.
Determining direct binders of the Androgen Receptor using a high-throughput Cellular Thermal Shift Assay
Authors: Shaw Joseph , Leveridge Mathew , Norling Charlotta , Karén Jakob , Molina Daniel Martinez , O’Neill Daniel , Dowling James E. , Davey Paul , Cowan Suzanna , Dabrowski Michael , Main Martin , Gianni Davide
Published: January 2018

Androgen Receptor (AR) is a key driver in prostate cancer. Direct targeting of AR has valuable therapeutic potential. However, the lack of disease relevant cellular methodologies capable of discriminating between inhibitors that directly bind AR and those that instead act on AR co-regulators has made identification of novel antagonists challenging. The Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) is a technology enabling confirmation of direct target engagement with label-free, endogenous protein in living cells. We report the development of the first high-throughput CETSA assay (CETSA HT) to identify direct AR binders in a prostate cancer cell line endogenously expressing AR. Using this approach, we screened a pharmacology library containing both compounds reported to directly engage AR, and compounds expected to target AR co-regulators. Our results show that CETSA HT exclusively identifies direct AR binders, differentiating them from co-regulator inhibitors where other cellular assays measuring functional responses cannot. Using this CETSA HT approach we can derive apparent binding affinities for a range of AR antagonists, which represent an intracellular measure of antagonist-receptor Ki performed for the first time in a label-free, disease-relevant context. These results highlight the potential of CETSA HT to improve the success rates for novel therapeutic interventions directly targeting AR.
Speech Prosodies of Different Emotional Categories Activate Different Brain Regions in Adult Cortex: an fNIRS Study
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Zhou Yu , Yuan Jiajin
Published: January 2018

Emotional expressions of others embedded in speech prosodies are important for social interactions. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate how speech prosodies of different emotional categories are processed in the cortex. The results demonstrated several cerebral areas critical for emotional prosody processing. We confirmed that the superior temporal cortex, especially the right middle and posterior parts of superior temporal gyrus (BA 22/42), primarily works to discriminate between emotional and neutral prosodies. Furthermore, the results suggested that categorization of emotions occurs within a high-level brain region–the frontal cortex, since the brain activation patterns were distinct when positive (happy) were contrasted to negative (fearful and angry) prosody in the left middle part of inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45) and the frontal eye field (BA8), and when angry were contrasted to neutral prosody in bilateral orbital frontal regions (BA 10/11). These findings verified and extended previous fMRI findings in adult brain and also provided a “developed version” of brain activation for our following neonatal study.
Correction: Large-scale sensor systems based on graphene electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors
Authors: Mackin Charles , Palacios Tomás
Published: January 2018

Correction for ‘Large-scale sensor systems based on graphene electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors’ by Charles Mackin, et al., Analyst, 2016, 141, 2704–2711.
The chaotropic effect as an orthogonal assembly motif for multi-responsive dodecaborate-cucurbituril supramolecular networks
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Wang Xiaoqiang , Cao Jin , Liu Jun , Qi Bin , Zhou Xiaohai , Zhang Shuai , Gabel Detlef , Nau Werner M. , Assaf Khaleel I. , Zhang Haibo
Published: January 2018

The chaotropic effect between dodecaborate anions and cucurbit[n]urils was introduced as a new assembly motif for supramolecular networks.
Non-natural amino acid peptide microarrays to discover Ebola virus glycoprotein ligands
Authors: Rabinowitz Joshua A. , Lainson John C. , Johnston Stephen Albert , Diehnelt Chris W.
Published: January 2018

We demonstrate a platform to screen a virus pseudotyped with Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP) against a library of peptides that contain non-natural amino acids to develop GP affinity ligands.
Organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted imidazolidines via domino addition-aza-Michael reaction
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Soumendranath , Pan Subhas Chandra
Published: January 2018

The first highly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted imidazolidines has been developed using bifunctional squaramide catalyst via a formal [3+2] cyclization reaction.
Selectivity shift from paraffins to α-olefins in low temperature Fischer–Tropsch synthesis in the presence of carboxylic acids
Authors: Gu B. , Khodakov A. Y. , Ordomsky V. V.
Published: January 2018

A shift to long chain α-olefins has been observed during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis over Co catalysts in the presence of carboxylic acids.
Alkene functionalization for the stereospecific synthesis of substituted aziridines by visible-light photoredox catalysis
Authors: Yu Wan-Lei , Chen Jian-Qiang , Wei Yun-Long , Wang Zhu-Yin , Xu Peng-Fei
Published: January 2018

A novel strategy involving visible-light-induced functionalization of alkenes for the stereospecific synthesis of substituted aziridines was developed.
Realization of toroidal magnetic moments in heterometallic 3d–4f metallocycles
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Li Xiao-Lei , Guo Mei , Zhao Lang , Zhang Yi-Quan , Tang Jinkui
Published: January 2018

Toroidal arrangements of magnetic moments are realized in TbIIIand DyIIIbased heterometallic macrocycles thanks to the magnetic coupling between lanthanide and 3d metal ions.
Origins of biological function in DNA and RNA hairpin loop motifs from replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Swadling Jacob B. , Ishii Kunihiko , Tahara Tahei , Kitao Akio
Published: January 2018

Temperature REMD reveals how local chemical changes can result in markedly differing conformational landscapes for DNA and RNA hairpin loops.
Rapid localized crystallization of lysozyme by laser trapping
Authors: Yuyama Ken-ichi , Chang Kai-Di , Tu Jing-Ru , Masuhara Hiroshi , Sugiyama Teruki
Published: January 2018

Rapid localized crystallization of lysozyme by switching off laser trapping.
Photodissociation dynamics of bromoiodomethane from the first and second absorption bands. A combined velocity map and slice imaging study
Authors: Marggi Poullain Sonia , Chicharro David V. , Navarro Eduardo , Rubio-Lago Luis , González-Vázquez Jesús , Bañares Luis
Published: January 2018

Ion imaging is applied to disentangle the selective bond cleavage in the photodissociation of bromoiodomethane from the two first absorption bands.
Tailoring a nanostructured plasmonic absorber for high efficiency surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization
Authors: Zhu Jing-jing , Meng Xiao , Zhang Chi , Bian Jie , Lu Zhenda , Liu Ying , Zhang Weihua
Published: January 2018

The efficiency of surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry can be significantly improved using porous plasmonic substrates.
Catalytic oxidation of carbohydrates into organic acids and furan chemicals
Authors: Zhang Zehui , Huber George W.
Published: January 2018

A review on the development of new routes for the production of organic acids and furan compoundsviacatalytic oxidation reactions.
Iridium complexes of perimidine-based N-heterocyclic carbene pincer ligandsviaaminal C–H activation
Authors: Hill Anthony F. , Ma Chenxi , McQueen Caitlin M. A. , Ward Jas S.
Published: January 2018

The reactions ofN,N′-bis(phosphinomethyl)dihydroperimidine pro-ligands H2C(NCH2PR2)2C10H6-1,8 (R = Ph1a, R = Cy1b) with iridium(i) substrates have been investigated and shown to readily result in chelate-assisted C–H activation processes.
Zinc oxide-NP catalyzed direct indolation ofin situgenerated bioactive tryptanthrin
Authors: Rai Byanju , Shukla Ratnakar Dutt , Kumar Atul
Published: January 2018

A ZnO-NP catalyzed direct indolation ofin situgenerated tryptanthrinviaC–H functionalization and C–C bond formation has been developed. This novel and greener approach has been effectively utilized to accomplish the synthesis of 6-hydroxy-6-(1H-indol-3-yl)indolo[2,1-b] quinazolin-12(6H)-one derivatives in good to excellent yields with high product selectivity.
Tailored design of polyurethane based fouling-tolerant nanofibrous membrane for water treatment
Authors: Sundaran Suja P. , C. R. Reshmi , A. Sujith
Published: January 2018

Polyurethane (PU) nanofibers have gained attention due to their good mechanical properties and water resistance.
Adsorption and binding dynamics of graphene-supported phospholipid membranes using the QCM-D technique
Authors: Meléndrez D. , Jowitt T. , Iliut M. , Verre A. F. , Goodwin S. , Vijayaraghavan A.
Published: January 2018

We report on the adsorption dynamics of phospholipid membranes on graphene-coated substrates using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) technique.
New archetypes in self-assembled Phe-Phe motif induced nanostructures from nucleoside conjugated-diphenylalanines
Authors: Datta Dhrubajyoti , Tiwari Omshanker , Ganesh Krishna N.
Published: January 2018

Hybrid-peptides containing diphenylalanine and nucleoside were studied to understand the effects of C-terminus substituents, hydrophobicity and H-bonding groups on self-assembly.
Optimization of lithium content in LiFePO4 for superior electrochemical performance: the role of impurities
Authors: Halankar Kruti K. , Mandal B. P. , Jangid Manoj K. , Mukhopadhyay A. , Meena Sher Singh , Acharya R. , Tyagi A. K.
Published: January 2018

Extensive information regarding the Li : Fe stoichiometry in the LiFePO4 cathode and the formation of concomitant impurities and their impact on the various electrochemical performances have been reported.
Enhanced thermal conductivity in a hydrated salt PCM system with reduced graphene oxide aqueous dispersion
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Li Xiang , Zhou Yuan , Hai Chunxi , Shen Yue , Ren Xiufeng , Zeng Jinbo
Published: January 2018

We prepared r-GO/CaCl2·6H2O by r-GO aqueous dispersion to enhance the thermal conductivity of a hydrated salt PCM.
Coexistence of Co doping and strain on arsenene and antimonene: tunable magnetism and half-metallic behavior
Authors: Zhou Yungang , Cheng Geng , Li Jing
Published: January 2018

Effectively modulating the magnetism of two-dimensional (2D) systems is critical for the application of magnetic nanostructures in quantum information devices.
Large-size and high performance visible-light photodetectors based on two-dimensional hybrid materials SnS/RGO
Authors: Zhuo Renfu , Zuo Shiyong , Quan Weiwei , Yan De , Geng Baisong , Wang Jun , Men Xuehu
Published: January 2018

We report a facile solvothermal method to synthesize hybrid materials SnS/RGO which are promising candidates for potential applications in photodetectors.
Ultrawide range tuning of direct band gap in MgZnO monolayer via electric field effect
Authors: Chen Hongfei , Tan Changlong , Sun Dan , Zhao Wenbin , Tian Xiaohua , Huang Yuewu
Published: January 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are building blocks for the next generation of electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Fading and showing mechanisms of ancient color relics based on light scattering induced by particles
Authors: Zheng L. Z. , Liang X. T. , Li S. R. , Li Y. H. , Hu D. D.
Published: January 2018

Faded ancient color relics caused by particle light scattering could be shown by filling with trace non-volatile liquid.
Illustration of charge transfer in graphene-coated hexagonal ZnO photocatalysts using Kelvin probe force microscopy
Authors: Zhang Yunlong , Zhang Yuzhi , Song Lixin , Su Yang , Guo Yunfeng , Wu Lingnan , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2018

The Fermi levels and three-dimensional band diagrams of the synthesized HZO@Gr composites in methyl blue (MB) solution before and after equilibrium were assumed.
Berberine-based carbon dots for selective and safe cancer theranostics
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Ming , Zheng Xiao , Tao Songyuan , Zhang Zhanqiang , Sun Madi , Song Yubin , Zhang Jing , Shao Dan , He Kan , Li Jing , Yang Bai , Chen Li
Published: January 2018

Fluorescent berberine-based carbon dots (Ber–CDs) were prepared through a facile synthesis strategy.
Change in crystalline structure of W18O49nanowires induced by X-ray irradiation and its effects on field emission
Authors: Wu Junqing , Wang Bo , Yi Futing , Deng Shaozhi , Xu Ningsheng , Chen Jun
Published: January 2018

W18O49nanowires were synthesized by thermal evaporation, and the effects of X-ray irradiation on their crystalline structure, chemical composition, and field emission properties were systematically investigated.
Using batch reactor results to calculate optimal flow rates for the scale-up of UV photochemical reactions
Authors: Elliott L. D. , Knowles J. P. , Stacey C. S. , Klauber D. J. , Booker-Milburn K. I.
Published: January 2018

A simple method for the accurate calculation of optimal flow rates for photochemical reactions from optimized batch results is described and demonstrated in the scale-up of three challenging examples.
Carbon foams from emulsion-templated reduced graphene oxide polymer composites: electrodes for supercapacitor devices
Authors: Woodward Robert T. , Markoulidis Foivos , De Luca François , Anthony David B. , Malko Daniel , McDonald Tom O. , Shaffer Milo S. P. , Bismarck Alexander
Published: January 2018

Amphiphilic reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is an efficient emulsifier for water-in-divinylbenzene (DVB) high internal phase emulsions.
Compact CMOS LiT VCO achieving 198.6 dBc/Hz FoMA
Authors: Kim S.‐J. , Seo D.‐I. , Kim J.‐S. , Song R. , Kim B.‐S.
Published: January 2018

A compact CMOS linear transconductance (LiT) voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) in 65 nm CMOS process is presented. The proposed LiT technique is realised using NP core without a choke inductor to reduce die area and avoid dual resonance problem. The measured output frequency of the proposed VCO shows 11.18–11.98 GHz and phase noise is −112.62 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. DC power consumption of the VCO core and the buffer is 5.86 and 6 mW, respectively. It achieves a high figure of merit normalised to the area of 198.6 dBc/Hz.