bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life Stressors, Emotional Avoidance and Breast Cancer
Authors: Cardenal Violeta , Ortiz-Tallo Margarita , Frías Isabel Martín , Lozano Joaquina Martínez
Published: April 2019

Two groups of women were assessed in psychological aspects considered by some authors of interest for personal well-being. The sample consisted of 118 women, 58 diagnosed with breast cancer and 60 healthy women, of similar ages and personal circumstances. The purpose of the study was: (a) to explore the existence of stressful life events in the women's history and their degree of subjective distress and (b) to determine whether or not there is an emotional avoidance style in the group of women with breast cancer. The following assessment instruments were employed: the “Cuestionario de Formas de Afrontamiento” (CEA), the Five-Factor Inventory NEO-PI-R, and the State-Trait Anger Inventory (STAXI). The results revealed more stressful vital events in the last two years in the group of women with breast cancer and significant differences in the degree of current distress. They also obtained higher scores in current anger, resignation, and neuroticism.
Maternal Concepts and Expectations regarding a Preterm Infant
Authors: Padovani Flávia Helena Pereira , Linhares Maria Beatriz Martins , Pinto Ingrid Duarte , Duarte Geraldo , Martinez Francisco Eulógio
Published: April 2019

The objective of the present study was: (a) to identify the concerns, verbally expressed, of 50 mothers regarding their preterm infants (PT) and then compare their verbal expression with those of 25 mothers of full-term infants (FT); and (b) to correlate the mothers' verbal expressions with maternal and infant variables. The following instruments were used to compose and characterize the sample: Structure Clinical Interview for DSM III-R Non-Patient (SCID/NP), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and medical charts. Results showed that there was no difference between groups in term of mothers' expectations and conceptualizations; both groups exhibited predominantly positive expectations and concepts. In comparison with FT mothers, PT mothers verbally expressed more feelings and reactions predominantly negative or conflicting in relation to infant birth. Higher levels of maternal anxiety and depression in the PT Group were correlated with more verbal expressions about negative or conflicting emotions. In addition, lower birth weight, higher neonatal risk and longer length of stay in intensive care nursery of the infants were related with more negative or conflicting concepts by the mothers.
FromMicrophonetothe Wire: Cultural change in 1970s and 1980s music writing
Authors: GRAHAM STEPHEN
Published: April 2019

In this article I examine localized cultural change that nevertheless serves as an applied instance of broader change. Focusing mostly on British, white male musicians and music writers active in the improvised and experimental music scenes of the UK (and, to a lesser extent, United States and Europe) across the 1970s and early 1980s, I identify clear shifts in taste, attitude, and practice. These shifts arc across what Ben Piekut calls the ‘mixed avant-garde’ of the 1960s to what I describe as the ‘unpop avant-garde’ of the late 1970s and 1980s, in which influences from popular and non-Western music play more significant roles than before and liminal, quasi-popular practices such as noise are in the emergence. I trace the appearance of the unpop avant-garde through independent music publications from the period, most prominentlyMicrophone,Musics,Collusion,Impetus, andRe/Search, using these published scene discourses as barometers of the musical atmosphere of the time.
Divergent responses of leaf N:P:K stoichiometry to nitrogen fertilization in rice and weeds
Authors: Sun Xiao , Guo Jiuxin , Guo Shiwei , Guo Hui , Hu Shuijin
Published: April 2019

Nitrogen (N) inputs have been found to exert strong influence on leaf stoichiometry in natural ecosystems, but there are few studies investigating the effects of N in agroecosystems. Using a 5-yr fertilization experiment in rice fields, we examined the effects of N inputs on leaf stoichiometry of one crop, rice (Oryza sativa L.), and its four common weeds, barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], Monochoria korsakowii Regel and Mack, alligatorweed [Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.], and Japanese mazus [Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis], and further evaluated whether and how straw return mediates these effects. We found that rice and weed leaf nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium (N:P:K) stoichiometry exhibited divergent responses to N fertilizer. Weed leaf N:P:K stoichiometry was not sensitive to low (120 kg N ha−1) and regular (240 kg N ha−1) N inputs, but rice plants were, with significantly increased leaf N concentration and N:P and N:K ratios. The opposite trend was found for high N inputs (360 kg N ha−1). Rice leaf N concentration [N] did not increase further, and N:P ratios even decreased, whereas E. crus-galli and M. korsakowii had significantly increased [N] and N-related stoichiometry. We also found that the positive effects of regular N inputs on rice leaf N:P and N:K ratios were significantly dampened by straw return, but the positive effects on N:P ratios in M. pumilus leaves were enhanced by straw return. Compared with weeds, rice leaves contained low elemental concentrations across fertilization levels at grain-filling stages. These results indicate that rice has a lower N requirement than weeds at grain-filling stages, and the N supply should be managed at a relative low level to reduce the nutrient acquisition and competitive abilities of weeds. From a stoichiometric perspective, this study highlights the importance of N management in combination with straw return in controlling weeds and increasing the nutrient-use efficiency of crops.
Das Aortenaneurysma – Epidemiologie und therapeutische Optionen
Authors: Mujagic Edin , Gürke Lorenz
Published: April 2019

Zusammenfassung. Aortenaneurysmata können jeden Teil der Aorta zwischen Aortenwurzel und Aortenbifurkation betreffen. Am häufigsten sind Männer über 65 Jahre betroffen, die Prävalenz steigt mit dem Alter. Die Risikofaktoren für ein Aneurysma sind identisch mit denjenigen für die Atherosklerose. Die Behandlung ist immer invasiv, die Indikation dafür ergibt sich aus dem zu erwartenden Rupturrisiko, welches primär vom maximalen Durchmesser abhängt und dem Risiko der Behandlung. Die perioperative Mortalität und andere Komplikationen konnten durch die Einführung der endovaskulären Therapie mit Stentgrafts im Vergleich zur offenen Operation signifikant gesenkt werden, die Langzeitmortalität hingegen ist nach der endovaskulären Therapie nicht tiefer als nach der offenen Operation.
Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Alone and in Combination with Exercise Training on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Rats
Authors: Belviranlı Muaz , Okudan Nilsel
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of exercise training alone and in combination with coenzyme Q10 (Q10) supplementation on the Q10 level, oxidative damage, and antioxidant defense markers in blood and skeletal muscle tissue in young and aged rats. Methods: The study included 4-month old (young) and 20-month old (aged) rats. Each group was further divided into control, exercise training, Q10 supplementation, and Q10 supplementation plus exercise training groups. The exercise training program consisted of swimming for 8 weeks, and Q10 or vehicle during the same period. Results: The Q10 concentration in plasma (P < 0.05), but not in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05) increased significantly following Q10 supplementation in both the young and aged rats. Plasma SOD and CAT activity were significantly higher in the aged rats in the Q10 and Q10 plus exercise training groups than in the other groups (P < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the groups in skeletal muscle (P > 0.05). Additionally, plasma and skeletal GSH levels did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present findings indicate that Q10 supplementation increased the Q10 concentration in blood but not in skeletal muscle tissue. On the other hand, Q10 administration alone and in combination with exercise challenge improved antioxidant enzyme capacity especially in the aged rats.
Drought Occurring With Hot Extremes: Changes Under Future Climate Change on Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Sun C. X. , Huang G. H. , Fan Y. , Zhou X. , Lu C. , Wang X. Q.
Published: April 2019

Drought is one of the most widespread and destructive hazards over the Loess Plateau (LP) of China. Due to climate change, extremely high temperature accompanied with drought (expressed as hot drought) may lead to intensive losses of both properties and human deaths in future. A hot drought probabilistic recognition system is developed to investigate how potential future climate changes will impact the simultaneous occurrence of drought and hot extremes (hot days exceeding certain values) on the LP. Two regional climate models, coupled with multiple bias‐correction techniques and multivariate probabilistic inference, are innovative integrated into the hot drought probabilistic recognition system to reveal the concurrence risk of droughts and hot extremes under different Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. The hot‐day index, TX90p, indicating the number of days with daily maximum temperature (Tmax) exceeding the 90th percentile threshold, and the Standardized Precipitation Index are applied to identify the joint risks on the LP using copula‐based methods. The results show that precipitation will increase throughout most of the LP under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios of 2036–2095, while Tmax may increase significantly all over the LP (1.8–2.7 °C for RCP4.5 and 2.7–3.6 °C for RCP8.5). The joint return periods of Standardized Precipitation Index and TX90p show that fewer stations will experience severe drought with long‐term hot extremes in two future scenarios. However, some stations may experience hot droughts that are more frequent and extreme, particularly certain stations in the southwest and south‐central regions of the LP with recurrence period less than 10 years.
Predicting Climate‐Driven Coastlines With a Simple and Efficient Multiscale Model
Authors: Antolínez José A. A. , Méndez Fernando J. , Anderson Dylan , Ruggiero Peter , Kaminsky George M.
Published: April 2019

Ocean‐basin‐scale climate variability produces shifts in wave climates and water levels affecting the coastlines of the basin. Here we present a hybrid shoreline change—foredune erosion model (A COupled CrOss‐shOre, loNg‐shorE, and foreDune evolution model, COCOONED) intended to inform coastal planning and adaptation. COCOONED accounts for coupled longshore and cross‐shore processes at different timescales, including sequencing and clustering of storm events, seasonal, interannual, and decadal oscillations by incorporating the effects of integrated varying wave action and water levels for coastal hazard assessment. COCOONED is able to adapt shoreline change rates in response to interactions between longshore transport, cross‐shore transport, water level variations, and foredune erosion. COCOONED allows for the spatial and temporal extension of survey data using global data sets of waves and water levels for assessing the behavior of the shoreline at multiple time and spatial scales. As a case study, we train the model in the period 2004–2014 (11 years) with seasonal topographic beach profile surveys from the North Beach Sub‐cell (NBSC) of the Columbia River Littoral Cell (Washington, USA). We explore the shoreline response and foredune erosion along 40 km of beach at several timescales during the period 1979–2014 (35 years), revealing an accretional trend producing reorientation of the beach, cross‐shore accretional, and erosional periods through time (breathing) and alternating beach rotations that are correlated with climate indices.
New Model Shines Spotlight on Geomagnetic Jerks
Authors: Morton Mary
Published: April 2019

Scientists get one step closer to being able to predict jerks—notoriously capricious changes to Earth’s geomagnetic field detectable by satellites.
Association of hemoglobin A1C with circulating metabolites in Dutch with European, African Surinamese and Ghanaian background
Authors: Zhang Xiang , van den Munckhof Inge C. L. , Rutten Joost H. W. , Netea Mihai G. , Groen Albert K. , Zwinderman Aeilko H.
Published: April 2019

Background

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) varies significantly across ethnic groups. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the variation in different ethnic groups may help to elucidate the pathophysiology of T2DM. The present work aims to generate a hypothesis regarding “why do subjects with African background have excess burden of T2DM?”.

Methods

In the current study, we performed metabolite profiling of plasma samples derived from 773 subjects of three ethnic groups (Dutch with European, Ghanaian and African Surinamese background). We performed Bayesian lognormal regression analyses to assess associations between HbA1c and circulating metabolites.

Results

Here we show that subjects with African Surinamese and Ghanaian background had similar associations of HbA1c with circulating amino acids and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins as subjects with European background. In contrast, subjects with Ghanaian and African Surinamese background had different associations of HbA1c with acetoacetate, small LDL particle and small HDL particle concentrations, compared to the subjects with European background.

Conclusions

On the basis of the observations, we hypothesize that the excess burden of T2DM in subjects with African background may be due to impaired cholesterol efflux capacity or abnormal cholesterol uptake.
IL-11 is essential in promoting osteolysis in breast cancer bone metastasis via RANKL-independent activation of osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Liang Mengmeng , Ma Qinyu , Ding Ning , Luo Fei , Bai Yun , Kang Fei , Gong Xiaoshan , Dong Rui , Dai Jingjin , Dai Qijie , Dou Ce , Dong Shiwu
Published: April 2019

A variety of osteolytic factors have been identified from breast cancer cells leading to osteolysis, but less is known about which factor plays an essential role in the initiation process prior to the overt vicious osteolytic cycle. Here, we present in vitro and in vivo evidences to clarify the role of interleukin-11 (IL-11) as an essential contributor to breast cancer bone metastasis mediated osteolysis. Animal studies showed that bone specific metastatic BoM-1833 cells induce earlier onset of osteolysis and faster tumor growth compared with MCF7 and parental MDA-MB-231 cells in BALB/c-nu/nu nude mice. IL-11 was further screened and identified as the indispensable factor secreted by BoM-1833 cells inducing osteoclastogenesis independently of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). Mechanistic investigation revealed that the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway as a downstream effector of IL-11, STAT3 activation further induces the expression of c-Myc, a necessary factor required for osteoclastogenesis. By inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, AG-490 was shown effective in reducing osteolysis and tumor growth in the metastatic niche. Overall, our results revealed the essential role and the underlying molecular mechanism of IL-11 in breast cancer bone metastasis mediated osteolysis. STAT3 targeting through AG-490 is a potential therapeutic strategy for mitigating osteolysis and tumor growth of bone metastatic breast cancer.
The glycosylation design space for recombinant lysosomal replacement enzymes produced in CHO cells
Authors: Tian Weihua , Ye Zilu , Wang Shengjun , Schulz Morten Alder , Van Coillie Julie , Sun Lingbo , Chen Yen-Hsi , Narimatsu Yoshiki , Hansen Lars , Kristensen Claus , Mandel Ulla , Bennett Eric Paul , Jabbarzadeh-Tabrizi Siamak , Schiffmann Raphael , Shen Jin-Song , Vakhrushev Sergey Y. , Clausen Henrik , Yang Zhang
Published: April 2019

Lysosomal replacement enzymes are essential therapeutic options for rare congenital lysosomal enzyme deficiencies, but enzymes in clinical use are only partially effective due to short circulatory half-life and inefficient biodistribution. Replacement enzymes are primarily taken up by cell surface glycan receptors, and glycan structures influence uptake, biodistribution, and circulation time. It has not been possible to design and systematically study effects of different glycan features. Here we present a comprehensive gene engineering screen in Chinese hamster ovary cells that enables production of lysosomal enzymes with N-glycans custom designed to affect key glycan features guiding cellular uptake and circulation. We demonstrate distinct circulation time and organ distribution of selected glycoforms of α-galactosidase A in a Fabry disease mouse model, and find that an α2-3 sialylated glycoform designed to eliminate uptake by the mannose 6-phosphate and mannose receptors exhibits improved circulation time and targeting to hard-to-reach organs such as heart. The developed design matrix and engineered CHO cell lines enables systematic studies towards improving enzyme replacement therapeutics.
Reversed size-dependent stabilization of ordered nanophases
Authors: Pirart J. , Front A. , Rapetti D. , Andreazza-Vignolle C. , Andreazza P. , Mottet C. , Ferrando R.
Published: April 2019

The size increase of a nanoscale material is commonly associated with the increased stability of its ordered phases. Here we give a counterexample to this trend by considering the formation of the defect-free L11 ordered phase in AgPt nanoparticles, and showing that it is better stabilized in small nanoparticles (up to 2.5 nm) than in larger ones, in which the ordered phase breaks in multiple domains or is interrupted by faults. The driving force for the L11 phase formation in small nanoparticles is the segregation of a monolayer silver shell (an Ag-skin) which prevents the element with higher surface energy (Pt) from occupying surface sites. With increasing particle size, the Ag-skin causes internal stress in the L11 domains which cannot thus exceed the critical size of ~2.5 nm. A multiscale modelling approach using full-DFT global optimization calculations and atomistic modelling is used to interpret the findings.
Liver-target nanotechnology facilitates berberine to ameliorate cardio-metabolic diseases
Authors: Guo Hui-Hui , Feng Chen-Lin , Zhang Wen-Xuan , Luo Zhi-Gang , Zhang Hong-Juan , Zhang Ting-Ting , Ma Chen , Zhan Yun , Li Rui , Wu Song , Abliz Zeper , Li Cong , Li Xiao-Lin , Ma Xiao-Lei , Wang Lu-Lu , Zheng Wen-Sheng , Han Yan-Xing , Jiang Jian-Dong
Published: April 2019

Cardiovascular and metabolic disease (CMD) remains a main cause of premature death worldwide. Berberine (BBR), a lipid-lowering botanic compound with diversified potency against metabolic disorders, is a promising candidate for ameliorating CMD. The liver is the target of BBR so that liver-site accumulation could be important for fulfilling its therapeutic effect. In this study a rational designed micelle (CTA-Mic) consisting of α-tocopheryl hydrophobic core and on-site detachable polyethylene glycol-thiol shell is developed for effective liver deposition of BBR. The bio-distribution analysis proves that the accumulation of BBR in liver is increased by 248.8% assisted by micelles. Up-regulation of a range of energy-related genes is detectable in the HepG2 cells and in vivo. In the high fat diet-fed mice, BBR-CTA-Mic intervention remarkably improves metabolic profiles and reduces the formation of aortic arch plaque. Our results provide proof-of-concept for a liver-targeting strategy to ameliorate CMD using natural medicines facilitated by Nano-technology.
Combining 3D single molecule localization strategies for reproducible bioimaging
Authors: Cabriel Clément , Bourg Nicolas , Jouchet Pierre , Dupuis Guillaume , Leterrier Christophe , Baron Aurélie , Badet-Denisot Marie-Ange , Vauzeilles Boris , Fort Emmanuel , Lévêque-Fort Sandrine
Published: April 2019

Here, we present a 3D localization-based super-resolution technique providing a slowly varying localization precision over a 1 μm range with precisions down to 15 nm. The axial localization is performed through a combination of point spread function (PSF) shaping and supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF), which yields absolute axial information. Using a dual-view scheme, the axial detection is decoupled from the lateral detection and optimized independently to provide a weakly anisotropic 3D resolution over the imaging range. This method can be readily implemented on most homemade PSF shaping setups and provides drift-free, tilt-insensitive and achromatic results. Its insensitivity to these unavoidable experimental biases is especially adapted for multicolor 3D super-resolution microscopy, as we demonstrate by imaging cell cytoskeleton, living bacteria membranes and axon periodic submembrane scaffolds. We further illustrate the interest of the technique for biological multicolor imaging over a several-μm range by direct merging of multiple acquisitions at different depths.
Scaling of domain cascades in stripe and skyrmion phases
Authors: Singh A. , Lee J. C. T , Avila K. E. , Chen Y. , Montoya S. A. , Fullerton E. E. , Fischer P. , Dahmen K. A. , Kevan S. D. , Sanyal M. K. , Roy S.
Published: April 2019

The origin of deterministic macroscopic properties often lies in microscopic stochastic motion. Magnetic fluctuations that manifest as domain avalanches and chaotic magnetization jumps exemplify such stochastic motion and have been studied in great detail. Here we report Fourier space studies of avalanches in a system exhibiting competing magnetic stripe and skyrmion phase using a soft X-ray speckle metrology technique. We demonstrate the existence of phase boundaries and underlying critical points in the stripe and skyrmion phases. We found that distinct scaling and universality classes are associated with these domain topologies. The magnitude and frequency of abrupt magnetic domain jumps observed in the stripe phase are dramatically reduced in the skyrmion phase. Our results provide an incisive way to probe and understand phase stability in systems exhibiting complex spin topologies.
Development and application of a high-content virion display human GPCR array
Authors: Syu Guan-Da , Wang Shih-Chin , Ma Guangzhong , Liu Shuang , Pearce Donna , Prakash Atish , Henson Brandon , Weng Lien-Chun , Ghosh Devlina , Ramos Pedro , Eichinger Daniel , Pino Ignacio , Dong Xinzhong , Xiao Jie , Wang Shaopeng , Tao Nongjian , Kim Kwang Sik , Desai Prashant J. , Zhu Heng
Published: April 2019

Human G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) respond to various ligands and stimuli. However, GPCRs rely on membrane for proper folding, making their biochemical properties difficult to study. By displaying GPCRs in viral envelopes, we fabricated a Virion Display (VirD) array containing 315 non-olfactory human GPCRs for functional characterization. Using this array, we found that 10 of 20 anti-GPCR mAbs were ultra-specific. We further demonstrated that those failed in the mAb assays could recognize their canonical ligands, suggesting proper folding. Next, using two peptide ligands on the VirD-GPCR array, we identified expected interactions and novel interactions. Finally, we screened the array with group B Streptococcus, a major cause of neonatal meningitis, and demonstrated that inhibition of a newly identified target, CysLTR1, reduced bacterial penetration both in vitro and in vivo. We believe that the VirD-GPCR array holds great potential for high-throughput screening for small molecule drugs, affinity reagents, and ligand deorphanization.
Copper-containing glass ceramic with high antimicrobial efficacy
Authors: Gross Timothy M. , Lahiri Joydeep , Golas Avantika , Luo Jian , Verrier Florence , Kurzejewski Jackie L. , Baker David E. , Wang Jie , Novak Paul F. , Snyder Michael J.
Published: April 2019

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains are major threats to human health. Copper is well known for its high antimicrobial efficacy, including the ability to kill superbugs and the notorious ESKAPE group of pathogens. We sought a material that maintains the antimicrobial efficacy of copper while minimizing the downsides – cost, appearance and metallic properties – that limit application. Here we describe a copper-glass ceramic powder as an additive for antimicrobial surfaces; its mechanism is based on the controlled release of copper (I) ions (Cu1+) from cuprite nanocrystals that form in situ in the water labile phase of the biphasic glass ceramic. Latex paints containing copper-glass ceramic powder exhibit ≥99.9% reduction in S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. aerogenes and E. Coli colony counts when evaluated by the US EPA test method for efficacy of copper-alloy surfaces as sanitizer, approaching that of benchmark metallic copper.
Heteroepitaxial passivation of Cs2AgBiBr6 wafers with suppressed ionic migration for X-ray imaging
Authors: Yang Bo , Pan Weicheng , Wu Haodi , Niu Guangda , Yuan Jun-Hui , Xue Kan-Hao , Yin Lixiao , Du Xinyuan , Miao Xiang-Shui , Yang Xiaoquan , Xie Qingguo , Tang Jiang
Published: April 2019

X-ray detectors are broadly utilized in medical imaging and product inspection. Halide perovskites recently demonstrate excellent performance for direct X-ray detection. However, ionic migration causes large noise and baseline drift, limiting the detection and imaging performance. Here we largely eliminate the ionic migration in cesium silver bismuth bromide (Cs2AgBiBr6) polycrystalline wafers by introducing bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) as heteroepitaxial passivation layers. Good lattice match between BiOBr and Cs2AgBiBr6 enables complete defect passivation and suppressed ionic migration. The detector hence achieves outstanding balanced performance with a signal drifting one order of magnitude lower than all previous studies, low noise (1/f noise free), a high sensitivity of 250 µC Gy air−1 cm–2, and a spatial resolution of 4.9 lp mm−1. The wafer area could be easily scaled up by the isostatic-pressing method, together with the heteroepitaxial passivation, strengthens the competitiveness of Cs2AgBiBr6-based X-ray detectors as next-generation X-ray imaging flat panels.
Red-shifting mutation of light-driven sodium-pump rhodopsin
Authors: Inoue Keiichi , del Carmen Marín María , Tomida Sahoko , Nakamura Ryoko , Nakajima Yuta , Olivucci Massimo , Kandori Hideki
Published: April 2019

Microbial rhodopsins are photoreceptive membrane proteins that transport various ions using light energy. While they are widely used in optogenetics to optically control neuronal activity, rhodopsins that function with longer-wavelength light are highly demanded because of their low phototoxicity and high tissue penetration. Here, we achieve a 40-nm red-shift in the absorption wavelength of a sodium-pump rhodopsin (KR2) by altering dipole moment of residues around the retinal chromophore (KR2 P219T/S254A) without impairing its ion-transport activity. Structural differences in the chromophore of the red-shifted protein from that of the wildtype are observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. QM/MM models generated with an automated protocol show that the changes in the electrostatic interaction between protein and chromophore induced by the amino-acid replacements, lowered the energy gap between the ground and the first electronically excited state. Based on these insights, a natural sodium pump with red-shifted absorption is identified from Jannaschia seosinensis.
Rapid CO2 mineralisation into calcite at the CarbFix storage site quantified using calcium isotopes
Authors: Pogge von Strandmann Philip A. E. , Burton Kevin W. , Snæbjörnsdóttir Sandra O. , Sigfússon Bergur , Aradóttir Edda S. , Gunnarsson Ingvi , Alfredsson Helgi A. , Mesfin Kiflom G. , Oelkers Eric H. , Gislason Sigurður R.
Published: April 2019

The engineered removal of atmospheric CO2 is now considered a key component of mitigating climate warming below 1.5 °C. Mineral carbonation is a potential negative emissions technique that, in the case of Iceland’s CarbFix experiment, precipitates dissolved CO2 as carbonate minerals in basaltic groundwater settings. Here we use calcium (Ca) isotopes in both pre- and post-CO2 injection waters to quantify the amount of carbonate precipitated, and hence CO2 stored. Ca isotope ratios rapidly increase with the pH and calcite saturation state, indicating calcite precipitation. Calculations suggest that up to 93% of dissolved Ca is removed into calcite during certain phases of injection. In total, our results suggest that 165 ± 8.3 t CO2 were precipitated into calcite, an overall carbon storage efficiency of 72 ± 5%. The success of this approach opens the potential for quantification of similar mineral carbonation efforts where drawdown rates cannot be estimated by other means.
Genomic analysis on pygmy hog reveals extensive interbreeding during wild boar expansion
Authors: Liu Langqing , Bosse Mirte , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Frantz Laurent A. F. , Lee Young-Lim , Irving-Pease Evan K. , Narayan Goutam , Groenen Martien A. M. , Madsen Ole
Published: April 2019

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) drastically colonized mainland Eurasia and North Africa, most likely from East Asia during the Plio-Pleistocene (2–1Mya). In recent studies, based on genome-wide information, it was hypothesized that wild boar did not replace the species it encountered, but instead exchanged genetic materials with them through admixture. The highly endangered pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is the only suid species in mainland Eurasia known to have outlived this expansion, and therefore provides a unique opportunity to test this hybridization hypothesis. Analyses of pygmy hog genomes indicate that despite large phylogenetic divergence (~2 My), wild boar and pygmy hog did indeed interbreed as the former expanded across Eurasia. In addition, we also assess the taxonomic placement of the donor of another introgression, pertaining to a now-extinct species with a deep phylogenetic placement in the Suidae tree. Altogether, our analyses indicate that the rapid spread of wild boar was facilitated by inter-specific/inter-generic admixtures.
Modular coherent photonic-aided payload receiver for communications satellites
Authors: Duarte Vanessa C. , Prata João G. , Ribeiro Carlos F. , Nogueira Rogério N. , Winzer Georg , Zimmermann Lars , Walker Rob , Clements Stephen , Filipowicz Marta , Napierała Marek , Nasiłowski Tomasz , Crabb Jonathan , Kechagias Marios , Stampoulidis Leontios , Anzalchi Javad , Drummond Miguel V.
Published: April 2019

Ubiquitous satellite communications are in a leading position for bridging the digital divide. Fulfilling such a mission will require satellite services on par with fibre services, both in bandwidth and cost. Achieving such a performance requires a new generation of communications payloads powered by large-scale processors, enabling a dynamic allocation of hundreds of beams with a total capacity beyond 1 Tbit s−1. The fact that the scale of the processor is proportional to the wavelength of its signals has made photonics a key technology for its implementation. However, one last challenge hinders the introduction of photonics: while large-scale processors demand a modular implementation, coherency among signals must be preserved using simple methods. Here, we demonstrate a coherent photonic-aided receiver meeting such demands. This work shows that a modular and coherent photonic-aided payload is feasible, making way to an extensive introduction of photonics in next generation communications satellites.
4-Coumarate 3-hydroxylase in the lignin biosynthesis pathway is a cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase
Authors: Barros Jaime , Escamilla-Trevino Luis , Song Luhua , Rao Xiaolan , Serrani-Yarce Juan Carlos , Palacios Maite Docampo , Engle Nancy , Choudhury Feroza K. , Tschaplinski Timothy J. , Venables Barney J. , Mittler Ron , Dixon Richard A.
Published: April 2019

Lignin biosynthesis is evolutionarily conserved among higher plants and features a critical 3-hydroxylation reaction involving phenolic esters. However, increasing evidence questions the involvement of a single pathway to lignin formation in vascular plants. Here we describe an enzyme catalyzing the direct 3-hydroxylation of 4-coumarate to caffeate in lignin biosynthesis as a bifunctional peroxidase that oxidizes both ascorbate and 4-coumarate at comparable rates. A combination of biochemical and genetic evidence in the model plants Brachypodium distachyon and Arabidopsis thaliana supports a role for this coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) in the early steps of lignin biosynthesis. The subsequent efficient O-methylation of caffeate to ferulate in grasses is substantiated by in vivo biochemical assays. Our results identify C3H as the only non-membrane bound hydroxylase in the lignin pathway and revise the currently accepted models of lignin biosynthesis, suggesting new gene targets to improve forage and bioenergy crops.
Synthetic spin–orbit coupling and topological polaritons in Janeys–Cummings lattices
Authors: Gu Feng-Lei , Liu Jia , Mei Feng , Jia Suotang , Zhang Dan-Wei , Xue Zheng-Yuan
Published: April 2019

The interaction between a photon and a qubit in the Janeys–Cummings (JC) model generates a kind of quasiparticle called polariton. While they are widely used in quantum optics, difficulties in engineering-controllable coupling of them severely limit their applications to simulate spinful quantum systems. Here we show that, in the superconducting quantum circuit context, polariton states in the single-excitation manifold of a JC lattice can be used to simulate a spin-1/2 system, based on which tunable synthetic spin–orbit coupling and novel topological polaritons can be generated and explored. The lattice is formed by a sequence of coupled transmission line resonators, each of which is connected to a transmon qubit. Synthetic spin–orbit coupling and the effective Zeeman field of the polariton can both be tuned by modulating the coupling strength between neighboring resonators, allowing for the realization of a large variety of polaritonic topological semimetal bands. Methods for detecting the polaritonic topological edge states and topological invariants are also proposed. Therefore, our work suggests that the JC lattice is a versatile platform for exploring spinful topological states of matter, which may inspire developments of topologically protected quantum optical and information-processing devices.
Optical signatures of energy gap in correlated Dirac fermions
Authors: Uykur Ece , Li Weiwu , Kuntscher Christine A. , Dressel Martin
Published: April 2019

Dirac fermions attract considerable interest for several years and tremendous efforts are devoted to unveil the Dirac/Weyl semimetallic state in real crystalline systems. The behavior of Dirac fermions under strong correlations and in the proximity of other ordered states is under particular scrutiny as robust experimental signatures are scarce. α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 constitutes a superior model in this regard because the Dirac state occurs next to an electronically ordered ground state enabling us to investigate and deliberately vary the exotic properties in correlated Dirac fermions. The charge-ordered insulator gradually evolves to a metal when pressure is applied, and at low temperatures the electronic bands form tilted Dirac-like cones. Here, we present systematic low-temperature infrared experiments on α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3 in an extended pressure range. A metallic state with a frequency-independent optical conductivity indicates the coexistence of the trivial and massless Dirac electrons. We discover the opening of an energy gap due to correlated Dirac fermions at the boundary to the insulating state; it is gradually suppressed when pressure increases. The unique possibility of tuning the correlated Dirac state provides unprecedented insight into this novel electronic state and yields information relevant for Dirac electron systems in general.
FHL2 mediates podocyte Rac1 activation and foot process effacement in hypertensive nephropathy
Authors: Li Szu-Yuan , Chu Pao-Hsien , Huang Po-Hsun , Hsieh Tsung-Han , Susztak Katalin , Tarng Der-Cherng
Published: April 2019

RAAS inhibition has been the standard treatment for CKD for years because it can reduce proteinuria and hence retard renal function decline, but the proteinuria reduction effect is still insufficient in many patients. Podocyte foot process and slit diaphragm are the final barrier to prevent serum proteins leak into urine, and podocyte foot process effacement is the common pathway of all proteinruic diseases. Cell structure are regulated by three evolutionarily conserved Rho GTPases, notably, Rac1 activation is sufficient and necessary for podocyte foot process effacement, however, Rac1 inhibition is not an option for kidney disease treatment because of its systemic side effects. Four-and-a-half LIM domains protein 2 (FHL2) is highly expressed in podocytes and has been implicated in regulating diverse biological functions. Here, we used micro-dissected human kidney samples, in vitro podocyte culture experiments, and a hypertension animal model to determine the possible role of FHL2 in hypertensive nephropathy. FHL2 was abundantly upregulated in hypertensive human glomeruli and animal kidney samples. Genetic deletion of the FHL2 did not alter normal renal structure or function but mitigated hypertension-induced podocyte foot process effacement and albuminuria. Mechanistically, angiotensin II-induced podocyte cytoskeleton reorganization via FAK-Rac1 axis, FHL2 binds with FAK and is an important mediator of Ang II induced Rac1 activation, thus, FHL2 inhibition can selectively block FAK-Rac1 axis in podocyte and prevent proteinuria. These results provide important insights into the mechanisms of podocyte foot process effacement and points out a promising strategy to treat kidney disease.
Targeting mechanotransduction mechanisms and tissue weakening signals in the human amniotic membrane
Authors: Barrett David W. , John Rebecca K. , Thrasivoulou Christopher , Mata Alvaro , Deprest Jan A. , Becker David L. , David Anna L. , Chowdhury Tina T.
Published: April 2019

Mechanical and inflammatory signals in the fetal membrane play an important role in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling in order to dictate the timing of birth. We developed a mechanical model that mimics repetitive stretching of the amniotic membrane (AM) isolated from regions over the placenta (PAM) or cervix (CAM) and examined the effect of cyclic tensile strain (CTS) on mediators involved in mechanotransduction (Cx43, AKT), tissue remodelling (GAGs, elastin, collagen) and inflammation (PGE2, MMPs). In CAM and PAM specimens, the application of CTS increased GAG synthesis, PGE2 release and MMP activity, with concomitant reduction in collagen and elastin content. Co-stimulation with CTS and pharmacological agents that inhibit either Cx43 or AKT, differentially influenced collagen, GAG and elastin in a tissue-dependent manner. SHG confocal imaging of collagen fibres revealed a reduction in SHG intensity after CTS, with regions of disorganisation dependent on tissue location. CTS increased Cx43 and AKT protein and gene expression and the response could be reversed with either CTS, the Cx43 antisense or AKT inhibitor. We demonstrate that targeting Cx43 and AKT prevents strain-induced ECM damage and promotes tissue remodelling mechanisms in the AM. We speculate that a combination of inflammatory and mechanical factors could perturb typical mechanotransduction processes mediated by Cx43 signalling. Cx43 could therefore be a potential therapeutic target to prevent inflammation and preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes.
Slow Down of the Gulf Stream during 1993–2016
Authors: Dong Shenfu , Baringer Molly O. , Goni Gustavo J.
Published: April 2019

The Gulf Stream, the main heat-carrier from low to high latitudes in the North Atlantic Ocean, influences the climate and weather in the northern hemisphere. In this study we determine and analyze the position, speed, and width of the Gulf Stream (GS) from 80°W–50°W using satellite altimeter sea surface height (SSH) measurements to examine the possible link between changes in the strength of the GS and coastal sea levels along the U.S. East Coast. During our 24-year study period (1993–2016), the GS experienced a southward shift east of 65°W after passing the New England Seamount chain. This southward shift was accompanied by a weakening of the GS, associated with an increase in SSH to the north of the GS. West of 70°W, however, we found no statistically significant trends in the GS properties, consistent with results based on in situ measurements. This lack of a trend to the west fails to support a direct link between a long-term slowdown of the GS west of 70°W and sea level rise acceleration along the U.S. East Coast, though a slowdown of the GS east of 65°W may contribute to sea level rise. It is also possible that heat carried to the region by the GS may be responsible for these observed sea level changes.
The emergence of synchrony in networks of mutually inferring neurons
Authors: Palacios Ensor Rafael , Isomura Takuya , Parr Thomas , Friston Karl
Published: April 2019

This paper considers the emergence of a generalised synchrony in ensembles of coupled self-organising systems, such as neurons. We start from the premise that any self-organising system complies with the free energy principle, in virtue of placing an upper bound on its entropy. Crucially, the free energy principle allows one to interpret biological systems as inferring the state of their environment or external milieu. An emergent property of this inference is synchronisation among an ensemble of systems that infer each other. Here, we investigate the implications of neuronal dynamics by simulating neuronal networks, where each neuron minimises its free energy. We cast the ensuing ensemble dynamics in terms of inference and show that cardinal behaviours of neuronal networks – both in vivo and in vitro – can be explained by this framework. In particular, we test the hypotheses that (i) generalised synchrony is an emergent property of free energy minimisation; thereby explaining synchronisation in the resting brain: (ii) desynchronisation is induced by exogenous input; thereby explaining event-related desynchronisation and (iii) structure learning emerges in response to causal structure in exogenous input; thereby explaining functional segregation in real neuronal systems.
Effect of co-infection with a small intestine-restricted helminth pathogen on oral prion disease pathogenesis in mice
Authors: Sánchez-Quintero Alejandra , Bradford Barry M. , Maizels Rick , Donaldson David S. , Mabbott Neil A.
Published: April 2019

The early replication of some orally-acquired prion strains upon stromal-derived follicular dendritic cells (FDC) within the small intestinal Peyer’s patches is essential to establish host infection, and for the disease to efficiently spread to the brain. Factors that influence the early accumulation of prions in Peyer’s patches can directly influence disease pathogenesis. The host’s immune response to a gastrointestinal helminth infection can alter susceptibility to co-infection with certain pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Here we used the natural mouse small intestine-restricted helminth pathogen Heligmosomoides polygyrus to test the hypothesis that pathology specifically within the small intestine caused by a helminth co-infection would influence oral prion disease pathogenesis. When mice were co-infected with prions on d 8 after H. polygyrus infection the early accumulation of prions within Peyer’s patches was reduced and survival times significantly extended. Natural prion susceptible hosts such as sheep, deer and cattle are regularly exposed to gastrointestinal helminth parasites. Our data suggest that co-infections with small intestine-restricted helminth pathogens may be important factors that influence oral prion disease pathogenesis.
Preventing nasal airway collapse with irradiated homologous costal cartilage versus expanded polytetrafluoroethylene: a novel animal model for nasal airway reconstruction
Authors: Yen Cheng-I , Zelken Jonathan A. , Chang Chun-Shin , Chen Hung-Chang , Yang Shih-Yi , Chang Shu-Yin , Yang Jui-Yung , Chuang Shiow-Shuh , Hsiao Yen-Chang
Published: April 2019

Airway collapse can occur when the forces of inhalation overpower the strength of the nasal lining flap. The authors established an animal model of the reconstructed nasal airway, and examined mechanical properties of tissue composites based on various materials. Twenty-three Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups: control (n = 5), irradiated homologous costal cartilage (IHCC, n = 10), and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, n = 8). Two dorsal skin flaps represented nasal lining and skin envelope. No framework, an IHCC or ePTFE rim graft was used as framework. At three weeks, changes in the cross-sectional area of the lining flap were measured when negative pressure was applied. En-bloc specimens containing the graft and soft tissue were examined for histological change and tissue ingrowth. Reduction of cross-sectional area with simulated inhalation was 87.74% in the control group, 82.76% (IHCC), and 67.29% (ePTFE). Cross-sectional reduction was significantly less in ePTFE group than control group (p = 0.004) and IHCC group (p = 0.001). The difference was not significant in the control and IHCC groups. There was histologic evidence of tissue ingrowth in the ePTFE group. This novel animal model of nasal airway reconstruction supports the use and potential benefit of using ePTFE for prevention of airway collapse.
Phytoplankton gross primary production increases along cascading impoundments in a temperate, low-discharge river: Insights from high frequency water quality monitoring
Authors: Engel Fabian , Attermeyer Katrin , Ayala Ana I. , Fischer Helmut , Kirchesch Volker , Pierson Don C. , Weyhenmeyer Gesa A.
Published: April 2019

Damming alters carbon processing along river continua. Estimating carbon transport along rivers intersected by multiple dams requires an understanding of the effects of cascading impoundments on the riverine metabolism. We analyzed patterns of riverine metabolism and phytoplankton biomass (chlorophylla; Chla) along a 74.4-km river reach intersected by six low-head navigation dams. Calculating gross primary production (GPP) from continuous measurements of dissolved oxygen concentration, we found a maximum increase in the mean GPP by a factor of 3.5 (absolute difference of 0.45 g C m−3d−1) along the first 26.5 km of the study reach, while Chlaincreased over the entire reach by a factor of 2.9 (8.7 µg l−1). In the intermittently stratified section of the deepest impoundment the mean GPP between the 1 and 4 m water layer differed by a factor of 1.4 (0.31 g C m−3d−1). Due to the strong increase in GPP, the river featured a wide range of conditions characteristic of low- to medium-production rivers. We suggest that cascading impoundments have the potential to stimulate riverine GPP, and conclude that phytoplankton CO2uptake is an important carbon flux in the river Saar, where a considerable amount of organic matter is of autochthonous origin.