bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental microcystin targets the microbiome and increases the risk of intestinal inflammatory pathology via NOX2 in underlying murine model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Sarkar Sutapa , Kimono Diana , Albadrani Muayad , Seth Ratanesh K. , Busbee Philip , Alghetaa Hasan , Porter Dwayne E. , Scott Geoff I. , Brooks Bryan , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash , Chatterjee Saurabh
Published: June 2019

With increased climate change pressures likely to influence harmful algal blooms, exposure to microcystin, a known hepatotoxin and a byproduct of cyanobacterial blooms can be a risk factor for NAFLD associated comorbidities. Using both in vivo and in vitro experiments we show that microcystin exposure in NAFLD mice cause rapid alteration of gut microbiome, rise in bacterial genus known for mediating gut inflammation and lactate production. Changes in the microbiome were strongly associated with inflammatory pathology in the intestine, gut leaching, tight junction protein alterations and increased oxidative tyrosyl radicals. Increased lactate producing bacteria from the altered microbiome was associated with increased NOX-2, an NADPH oxidase isoform. Activationof NOX2 caused inflammasome activation as shown by NLRP3/ASCII and NLRP3/Casp-1 colocalizations in these cells while use of mice lacking a crucial NOX2 component attenuated inflammatory pathology and redox changes. Mechanistically, NOX2 mediated peroxynitrite species were primary to inflammasome activation and release of inflammatory mediators. Thus, in conclusion, microcystin exposure in NAFLD could significantly alter intestinal pathology especially by the effects on microbiome and resultant redox status thus advancing our understanding of the co-existence of NAFLD-linked inflammatory bowel disease phenotypes in the clinic.
Energetic, Structural and Dynamic Properties of Nucleobase-Urea Interactions that Aid in Urea Assisted RNA Unfolding
Authors: Jaganade Tanashree , Chattopadhyay Aditya , Pazhayam Nila M. , Priyakumar U. Deva
Published: June 2019

Understanding the structure-function relationships of RNA has become increasingly important given the realization of its functional role in various cellular processes. Chemical denaturation of RNA by urea has been shown to be beneficial in investigating RNA stability and folding. Elucidation of the mechanism of unfolding of RNA by urea is important for understanding the folding pathways. In addition to studying denaturation of RNA in aqueous urea, it is important to understand the nature and strength of interactions of the building blocks of RNA. In this study, a systematic examination of the structural features and energetic factors involving interactions between nucleobases and urea is presented. Results from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on each of the five DNA/RNA bases in water and eight different concentrations of aqueous urea, and free energy calculations using the thermodynamic integration method are presented. The interaction energies between all the nucleobases with the solvent environment and the transfer free energies become more favorable with respect to increase in the concentration of urea. Preferential interactions of urea versus water molecules with all model systems determined using Kirkwood-Buff integrals and two-domain models indicate preference of urea by nucleobases in comparison to water. The modes of interaction between urea and the nucleobases were analyzed in detail. In addition to the previously identified hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions between urea and nucleobases that stabilize the unfolded states of RNA in aqueous solution, NH-π interactions are proposed to be important. Dynamic properties of each of these three modes of interactions have been presented. The study provides fundamental insights into the nature of interaction of urea molecules with nucleobases and how it disrupts nucleic acids.
Management of ecosystems alters vector dynamics and haemosporidian infections
Authors: van Hoesel Willem , Marzal Alfonso , Magallanes Sergio , Santiago-Alarcon Diego , Ibáñez-Bernal Sergio , Renner Swen C.
Published: June 2019

The presence of insect vectors is a key prerequisite for transmission of vector-borne disease such as avian haemosporidians. In general, the effects of land use change on Diptera vectors are not well studied; the response of vectors to forest management depends on vector species, as has been shown previously for the birds. We tested if abundance of insects from different Diptera families and haemosporidian infection are affected through alteration of habitat structural variables (measured by LiDAR) and forest management intensities. We identified higher large-scale variation of female insect abundance in northeastern than in southwestern Germany. Unmanaged forest stands had higher Diptera insect abundances. We found that abundance of female Diptera increased with the amount of forest gaps but decreased in forest plots with more south facing aspect, higher habitat structural heterogeneity, temperature and humidity. We found that haemosporidian infections in Diptera insects increased with increased management intensity and more canopy structural diversity (e.g., amount of edge habitat), but decreased with a denser shrub layer, deeper leaf litter and higher humidity (characteristics for unmanaged forest stands). Although higher forest management intensity decreased vector abundance, the haemosporidian infections in the vectors increased, indicating a significant effect of forest management on disease dynamics.
Hydrogen peroxide signaling integrates with phytohormones during the germination of magnetoprimed tomato seeds
Authors: Anand Anjali , Kumari Archana , Thakur Meenakshi , Koul Archana
Published: June 2019

Seeds of tomato were magnetoprimed at 100 mT for 30 min followed by imbibition for 12 and 24 h, respectively, at 20 °C, to examine the biochemical and molecular changes involved in homeostasis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and its signaling associated with hormone interactions for promoting vigor. The relative transcript profiles of genes involved in the synthesis of H2O2 like Cu-amine oxidase (AO), receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) homologue (ArcA2) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and SOD9) increased in magnetoprimed tomato seeds as compared to unprimed ones with a major contribution (21.7-fold) from Cu-amine oxidase. Amongst the genes involved in the scavenging of H2O2 i.e, metallothionein (MT1, MT3 and MT4), catalase (CAT1) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX1 and APX2), MT1 and MT4 exhibited 14.4- and 15.4-fold increase respectively, in the transcript abundance, in primed seeds compared to the control. We report in our study that metallothionein and RACK1 play a vital role in the reactive oxygen species mediated signal transduction pathway to enhance the speed of germination in magnetoprimed tomato seeds. Increased enzymatic activities of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase were observed at 12 h of imbibition in the magnetoprimed seeds indicating their roles in maintaining H2O2 levels in the primed seeds. The upregulation of ABA 8′-hydroxylase and GA3 oxidase1 genes eventually, lead to the decreased abscisic acid/gibberellic acid (ABA/GA3) ratio in the primed seeds, suggesting the key role of H2O2 in enhancing the germination capacity of magnetoprimed tomato seeds.
Prognostic Impact of Longitudinal Monitoring of Radiomic Features in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Bak So Hyeon , Park Hyunjin , Sohn Insuk , Lee Seung Hak , Ahn Myung-Ju , Lee Ho Yun
Published: June 2019

Tumor growth dynamics vary substantially in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We aimed to develop biomarkers reflecting longitudinal change of radiomic features in NSCLC and evaluate their prognostic power. Fifty-three patients with advanced NSCLC were included. Three primary variables reflecting patterns of longitudinal change were extracted: area under the curve of longitudinal change (AUC1), beta value reflecting slope over time, and AUC2, a value obtained by considering the slope and area over the longitudinal change of features. We constructed models for predicting survival with multivariate cox regression, and identified the performance of these models. AUC2 exhibited an excellent correlation between patterns of longitudinal volume change and a significant difference in overall survival time. Multivariate regression analysis based on cut-off values of radiomic features extracted from baseline CT and AUC2 showed that kurtosis of positive pixel values and surface area from baseline CT, AUC2 of density, skewness of positive pixel values, and entropy at inner portion were associated with overall survival. For the prediction model, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were 0.948 and 0.862 at 1 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Longitudinal change of radiomic tumor features may serve as prognostic biomarkers in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Modeling sensitivity and uncertainties in platelet activation models applied on centrifugal pumps for extracorporeal life support
Authors: Fuchs Gabriel , Berg Niclas , Broman L. Mikael , Prahl Wittberg Lisa
Published: June 2019

Two platelet activation models were studied with respect to uncertainties of model parameters and variables. The sensitivity was assessed using two direct/deterministic approaches as well as the statistical Monte Carlo method. The first two, are linear in character whereas the latter is non-linear. The platelet activation models were applied on platelets moving within an extracorporeal centrifugal blood pump. The phenomenological, Lagrangian stress- and time-based power law-based models under consideration, have experimentally calibrated parameters and the stress expressed in a scalar form. The sensitivity of the model with respect to model parameters and the expression of the scalar stress was examined focusing on a smaller group of platelets associated with an elevated risk of activation. The results showed a high disparity between the models in terms of platelet activation state, found to depend on the platelets’ trajectory in the pump and the expression used for the scalar stress. Monte Carlo statistics was applied to the platelets at risk for activation and not to the entire platelet population. The method reveals the non-linear sensitivity of the activation models. The results imply that power-law based models have a restricted range of validity. The conclusions of this study apply to both platelet activation and hemolysis models.
Pseudomonas donghuensis HYS virulence towards Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by the Cbr/Crc system
Authors: Xie Guanfang , Zeng Man , You Jia , Xie Zhixiong
Published: June 2019

Pseudomonas donghuensis HYS is the type strain of a recently identified species, P. donghuensis, which has pathogenic potential with an unclear virulence mechanism. In this study, we used Caenorhabditis elegans as a host to explore the virulence mechanism of P. donghuensis HYS. Based on a correlation between P. donghuensis HYS virulence and its repellence property, we identified 68 potential virulence-related genes, among them the Cbr/Crc system, which regulates the virulence of prokaryotic microorganisms. Slow-killing assays indicated that cbrA, cbrB, or specific sRNA-encoding genes all affected P. donghuensis virulence positively, whereas crc affected it negatively. Transcriptome analyses demonstrated that the Cbr/Crc system played an important role in the pathogenesis of P. donghuensis. In addition, experiments using the worm mutant KU25 pmk-1(km25) showed a correlation between P. donghuensis HYS virulence and the PMK-1/p38 MAPK pathway in C. elegans. In conclusion, our data show that Crc plays a novel role in the Cbr/Crc system, and the P. donghuensis virulence phenotype therefore differs from that of P. aeruginosa. This process also involves C. elegans innate immunity. These findings significantly increase the available information about Cbr/Crc-based virulence mechanisms in the genus Pseudomonas.
Label-free neuroblastoma cell separation from hematopoietic progenitor cell products using acoustophoresis - towards cell processing of complex biological samples
Authors: Olm Franziska , Urbansky Anke , Dykes Josefina H. , Laurell Thomas , Scheding Stefan
Published: June 2019

Processing of complex cell preparations such as blood and peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplants using label-free technologies is challenging. Transplant-contaminating neuroblastoma cells (NBCs) can contribute to relapse, and we therefore aimed to provide proof-of-principle evidence that label-free acoustophoretic separation can be applied for diagnostic NBC enrichment and removal (“purging”) from human blood and PBPC products. Neuroblastoma cells spiked into blood and PBPC preparations served as model systems. Acoustophoresis enabled to enrich NBCs from mononuclear peripheral blood cells and PBPC samples with recovery rates of up to 60–97%. When aiming at high purity, NBC purities of up to 90% were realized, however, compromising recovery. Acoustophoretic purging of PBPC products allowed substantial tumour cell depletion of 1.5–2.3 log. PBPC loss under these conditions was considerable (>43%) but could be decreased to less than 10% while still achieving NBC depletion rates of 60–80%. Proliferation of cells was not affected by acoustic separation. These results provide first evidence that NBCs can be acoustically separated from blood and stem cell preparations with high recovery and purity, thus indicating that acoustophoresis is a promising technology for the development of future label-free, non-contact cell processing of complex cell products.
Experimental test of fine-grained entropic uncertainty relation in the presence of quantum memory
Authors: Lv Wei-Min , Zhang Chao , Hu Xiao-Min , Huang Yun-Feng , Cao Huan , Wang Jian , Hou Zhi-Bo , Liu Bi-Heng , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: June 2019

The uncertainty principle, which gives the constraints on obtaining precise outcomes for incompatible measurements, provides a new vision of the real world that we are not able to realize from the classical knowledge. In recent years, numerous theoretical and experimental developments about the new forms of the uncertainty principle have been achieved. Among these efforts, one attractive goal is to find tighter bounds of the uncertainty relation. Here, using an all optical setup, we experimentally investigate a most recently proposed form of uncertainty principle—the fine-grained uncertainty relation assisted by a quantum memory. The experimental results on the case of two-qubit state with maximally mixed marginal demonstrate that the fine-graining method can help to get a tighter bound of the uncertainty relation. Our results might contribute to further understanding and utilizing of the uncertainty principle.
Modified expression of ZmMYB167 in Brachypodium distachyon and Zea mays leads to increased cell wall lignin and phenolic content
Authors: Bhatia Rakesh , Dalton Sue , Roberts Luned A. , Moron-Garcia Odin M. , Iacono Rosario , Kosik Ondrej , Gallagher Joe A. , Bosch Maurice
Published: June 2019

One of the challenges to enable targeted modification of lignocellulosic biomass from grasses for improved biofuel and biochemical production lies within our limited understanding of the transcriptional control of secondary cell wall biosynthesis. Here, we investigated the role of the maize MYB transcription factor ZmMYB167 in secondary cell wall biosynthesis and how modified ZmMYB167 expression in two distinct grass model species affects plant biomass and growth phenotypes. Heterologous expression of ZmMYB167 in the C3 model system Brachypodium led to mild dwarf phenotypes, increased lignin (~7% to 13%) and S-lignin monomer (~11% to 16%) content, elevated concentrations of cell wall-bound p-coumaric acid (~15% to 24%) and reduced biomass sugar release (~20%) compared to controls. Overexpression of ZmMYB167 in the C4 model system Zea mays increased lignin (~4% to 13%), p-coumaric acid (~8% to 52%) and ferulic acid (~13% to 38%) content but did not affect plant growth and development nor biomass recalcitrance. Taken together, modifying ZmMYB167 expression represents a target to alter lignin and phenolic content in grasses. The ZmMYB167 expression-induced discrepancies in plant phenotypic and biomass properties between the two grass model systems highlight the challenges and opportunities for MYB transcription factor-based genetic engineering approaches of grass biomass.
Gold (III) adsorption from dilute waste solutions onto Amberlite XAD7 resin modified with L-glutamic acid
Authors: Mihăilescu Maria , Negrea Adina , Ciopec Mihaela , Davidescu Corneliu Mircea , Negrea Petru , Duţeanu Narcis , Rusu Gerlinde
Published: June 2019

The main purpose of this paper was to obtain a material with efficient adsorbing properties and selectivity, to recover the gold (III) from residual diluted solutions resulted from the electroplating process. In this regard, a material was obtained by physico-chemical functionalization of a chemically inert support with functional groups of nitrogen and carboxyl. As a source of functional groups glutamic acid was used, and Amberlite XAD7 type acrylic resin was used as solid support. In order to establish the mechanism of the adsorption process, kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium studies were performed. The maximum adsorption capacity of the material has been established, and a gold (III) recovery process has been proposed using thermal decomposition of the exhausted adsorbed material. Main objective of this study was to evaluate an environmental friendly adsorbent material to recover gold from secondary industrial sources.
Relationship Analysis of Central Venous-to-arterial Carbon Dioxide Difference and Cardiac Index for Septic Shock
Authors: Guo Zhiqiang , Yin Ming , Kong Jichang , Wang Bin , Dai Kunpeng , Zuo Tian , Yu Guangyan , Bao Yong
Published: June 2019

To analyze the relationship of the central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference (p(cv-a)CO2) and cardiac index (CI) in patients with septic shock, an observational study was conducted in intensive care unit (ICU). 66 consecutive patients with septic shock and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) ≥ 70% were included after early fluid resuscitation. Measurements were taken at a 6 h interval (T0, T6, T12, T18, T24) during first 24 h after their admission into ICU, including heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), p(cv-a)CO2, cardiac index(CI, L/(min•m2)) and ScvO2. Patients were divided into low p(cv-a)CO2 group (n = 35) and high p(cv-a)CO2 group (n = 31) according to a threshold of 6 mmHg for p(cv-a)CO2 at T0. As a result, at T0, T6, T12, T18 and T24, there were respectively significant differences between low and high p(cv-a)CO2 groups for CI (4.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, 4.4 ± 0.9 vs 2.8 ± 0.7, 4.1 ± 1.3 vs 2.9 ± 0.6, 4.0 ± 1.3 vs 2.7 ± 0.8, 4.2 ± 1.4 vs 2.9 ± 0.8, p < 0.001 at each time point), 28-day mortality rate was 38.7%(12/31) for high p(cv-a)CO2 group and 22.8% (8/35) for low p(cv-a)CO2 group (p > 0.05), there were significant differences for p(cv-a)CO2 (p < 0.05) between low and high p(cv-a)CO2 groups, no differences for HR, MAP, CVP, ScvO2 (p > 0.05). CI was inversely correlated with p(cv-a)CO2 value (r = −0.804, p < 0.001), but not for ScvO2(r = 0.08, p > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed the correlation of p(cv-a)CO2 with CI (AUC: 0.782;p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.710–0.853). The cut-off value for the best predictive value of CI ≥ 2.2 L/(min·m2) was p(cv-a)CO2 of 5.55 mmHg or lower with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 66.8%. Hence CI measured with USCOM is inversely correlated with p(cv-a)CO2 values in guiding the resuscitation of patients with septic shock.
Evolution of costly signaling and partial cooperation
Authors: Salahshour Mohammad
Published: June 2019

Two seemingly unrelated, but fundamental challenges in evolutionary theory, are the evolution of costly signals and costly cooperative traits, both expected to reduce an individual’s fitness and diminish by natural selection. Here, by considering a well mixed population of individuals who produce signals and decide on their strategies in a game they play, based on the signals, we show that costly signals and costly cooperative strategies can co-evolve as a result of internal dynamics of the system. Costly signals evolve, despite their apparent cost, due to a favorable cooperative response they elicit. This favorable strategic response can be quantified in a fitness term which governs the distribution of costly signals better than their apparent cost. In the same way, cooperative strategies evolve as they can reach a high fitness due to the internal dynamics of the systems.
Changes in human mandibular shape during the Terminal Pleistocene-Holocene Levant
Authors: Pokhojaev Ariel , Avni Hadas , Sella-Tunis Tatiana , Sarig Rachel , May Hila
Published: June 2019

The transition to food production, exploitation of ‘secondary’ products (e.g., milk), and advances in cookware technology have affected all aspects of human life. The aim of the present study was to follow changes in mandibular form and shape throughout the terminal Pleistocene-Holocene Levant. The hemimandibles of four populations were included in this study: Natufian hunter-gatherers (n = 10), Pre-pottery Neolithic early farmers (n = 6), Chalcolithic farmers (n = 9), Roman-Byzantine (n = 16), and modern (n = 63) populations. A surface mesh of each mandible was reconstructed from CT or surface scans. Changes in mandibular form and shape were studied using the Procrustes-based geometric morphometrics method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to examine differences in size and shape between the studied populations. Our results reveal considerable temporal changes in mandibular shape throughout the Holocene Levant, mainly between the pre-agricultural population (the Natufian) and the succeeding ones, and between the post-industrial (the Modern) and the pre-industrial populations. A tendency for a reduction in mandibular size was identified between the pre-agricultural population and the farmers. Most regions of the mandible underwent shape changes. In conclusion, substantial changes in mandibular shape occurred throughout the Holocene Levant, especially following the agricultural revolution. These changes can be explained by the “masticatory-functional hypothesis”.
Screening by changes in stereotypical behavior during cell motility
Authors: Tweedy Luke , Witzel Patrick , Heinrich Doris , Insall Robert H. , Endres Robert G.
Published: June 2019

Stereotyped behaviors are series of postures that show very little variability between repeats. They have been used to classify the dynamics of individuals, groups and species without reference to the lower-level mechanisms that drive them. Stereotypes are easily identified in animals due to strong constraints on the number, shape, and relative positions of anatomical features, such as limbs, that may be used as landmarks for posture identification. In contrast, the identification of stereotypes in single cells poses a significant challenge as the cell lacks these landmark features, and finding constraints on cell shape is a non-trivial task. Here, we use the maximum caliber variational method to build a minimal model of cell behavior during migration. Without reference to biochemical details, we are able to make behavioral predictions over timescales of minutes using only changes in cell shape over timescales of seconds. We use drug treatment and genetics to demonstrate that maximum caliber descriptors can discriminate between healthy and aberrant migration, thereby showing potential applications for maximum caliber methods in automated disease screening, for example in the identification of behaviors associated with cancer metastasis.
Rapid weight loss with dietary salt restriction in hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Mihara Yu , Kado Hiroshi , Yokota Isao , Shiotsu Yayoi , Sonomura Kazuhiro , Kusaba Tetsuro , Hatta Tsuguru , Matoba Satoaki , Tamagaki Keiichi
Published: June 2019

Dietary salt restriction is essential for managing fluid retention in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated weight loss from the perspective of fluid status in CKD patients during a 7-day hospitalization period while consuming a low-salt diet (5 g/day). Among 311 patients, the median weight loss (interquartile range, maximum) was 0.7 (0.0–1.4, 4.7) kg on Day 4 and 1.0 (0.3–1.7, 5.9) kg on Day 7. Patients were classified into quartiles based on pre-hospital urinary salt excretion (quartile [Q] 1, 1.2–5.7; Q2, 5.8–8.4; Q3, 8.5–11.3; Q4, 11.4–29.2 g/day). Weight loss was significantly greater in Q3 and Q4 than in Q1. The body mass index (BMI) and urinary salt excretion in the first 24 hours after admission were independently associated with rapid weight loss on Day 4 by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, CKD patients with a high salt intake or high BMI exhibit rapid weight loss within a few days of consuming a low-salt diet. Dietary salt restriction is effective for reducing proteinuria in these patients, but long-term observation is needed to confirm the sustained effects.
Predicting the Young’s Modulus of Silicate Glasses using High-Throughput Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Machine Learning
Authors: Yang Kai , Xu Xinyi , Yang Benjamin , Cook Brian , Ramos Herbert , Krishnan N. M. Anoop , Smedskjaer Morten M. , Hoover Christian , Bauchy Mathieu
Published: June 2019

The application of machine learning to predict materials’ properties usually requires a large number of consistent data for training. However, experimental datasets of high quality are not always available or self-consistent. Here, as an alternative route, we combine machine learning with high-throughput molecular dynamics simulations to predict the Young’s modulus of silicate glasses. We demonstrate that this combined approach offers good and reliable predictions over the entire compositional domain. By comparing the performances of select machine learning algorithms, we discuss the nature of the balance between accuracy, simplicity, and interpretability in machine learning.
Disease-free monoculture farming by fungus-growing termites
Authors: Otani Saria , Challinor Victoria L. , Kreuzenbeck Nina B. , Kildgaard Sara , Krath Christensen Søren , Larsen Louise Lee Munk , Aanen Duur K. , Rasmussen Silas Anselm , Beemelmanns Christine , Poulsen Michael
Published: June 2019

Fungus-growing termites engage in an obligate mutualistic relationship with Termitomyces fungi, which they maintain in monocultures on specialised fungus comb structures, without apparent problems with infectious diseases. While other fungi have been reported in the symbiosis, detailed comb fungal community analyses have been lacking. Here we use culture-dependent and -independent methods to characterise fungus comb mycobiotas from three fungus-growing termite species (two genera). Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene analyses using 454 pyrosequencing and Illumina MiSeq showed that non-Termitomyces fungi were essentially absent in fungus combs, and that Termitomyces fungal crops are maintained in monocultures as heterokaryons with two or three abundant ITS variants in a single fungal strain. To explore whether the essential absence of other fungi within fungus combs is potentially due to the production of antifungal metabolites by Termitomyces or comb bacteria, we performed in vitro assays and found that both Termitomyces and chemical extracts of fungus comb material can inhibit potential fungal antagonists. Chemical analyses of fungus comb material point to a highly complex metabolome, including compounds with the potential to play roles in mediating these contaminant-free farming conditions in the termite symbiosis.
Hierarchical drivers of soil microbial community structure variability in “Monte Perdido” Massif (Central Pyrenees)
Authors: Jiménez Juan J. , Igual José M. , Villar Luis , Benito-Alonso José L. , Abadias-Ullod Jesús
Published: June 2019

Microbial activity is highly dependent on climatic factors (moisture and temperature) and edaphic characteristics in temperate ecosystems. Moreover, soil microbial community composition in high mountain areas is less known when compared to plant communities. In this study we investigated the soil microbial community from a functional perspective using PLFA (phospholipid fatty acid) methods in the four aspects of four summits (2,242 – 3,012 m above sea level) in the Spanish Central Pyrenees. Soil organic carbon (C), microbial biomass and nutrient dynamics ($$N{H}_{4}^{+}$$NH4+ + $$N{O}_{3}^{-}$$NO3−, N mineralization and nitrification potential) were also determined. Microbial biomass C was highest in the lowermost summit and decreased by approximately 50, 14 and 12% with increasing altitude. In each summit soil$$N{H}_{4}^{+}$$NH4+and$$N{O}_{3}^{-}$$NO3−concentrations differed significantly among summits and aspects. Soil nitrification potential varied significantly between the factors summit and aspects, e.g., southerly vs. northerly, easterly vs. westerly aspects. Gram negative bacteria and Actinobacteria functional groups dominated the microbial community, with almost 40% of the total PLFA. Non-metric multidimensional scale (NMS) analysis showed that most of the PLFA functional groups were present in all summits and aspects, although with specific biomarkers. A high abundance of biomarkers 16:1ω9c and 16:0 2OH (gram negative bacteria) were obtained in the lowermost summit, while the biomarkers 16.1ω7cDMA (anaerobes) and 19:3ω6c (Eukaryote) were only found in the uppermost summit. Linear mixed model (lmm) analysis was used with summit as fixed effect and aspect as random effect. In general, our results demonstrate a fundamental role for environment, principally moisture, temperature and organic matter in explaining the pattern observed for soil PLFA biomarkers. Under a global change scenario, we need to shed light on the relationships between soil microbial functional groups and soil nutrient-related variables in order to identify the associated patterns of decomposition rates and soil processes driven by microbial communities in mountain areas. The results could thus be used in global predictive models on climate change impact on C or N cycles in these environments.
Path Dependency in the Discounting of Delayed and Probabilistic Gains and Losses
Authors: Białaszek Wojciech , Marcowski Przemysław
Published: June 2019

Human decision making often involves outcomes that are both risky and delayed. In such delayed lottery scenarios, the question of how such prospects are evaluated arises. An individual can arrive at their choice by following three different subjective value elicitation paths: (1) a direct path by considering the delay and risk of an outcome simultaneously; (2) a delay-probability path by first considering the delay and then the risk of an outcome; and (3) a probability-delay path by first considering the probability and then the delay of an outcome. Using a discounting framework, we conducted an experiment to investigate whether individual choices are path dependent, i.e., if the three paths elicit different subjective values of risky and delayed gains or losses. The experiment included an arbitrary selection of delays and individual probability estimates corresponding to each delay, obtained in an additional delay-probability trade-off task. Such approach ensured the equal individual decision factor strength of each outcome delay and probability. Our findings demonstrate that the human choice of risky and delayed gains or losses is indeed path dependent, which contrasts with the normative view. Furthermore, we present evidence that human choice more closely follows the delay-probability elicitation path than the probability-delay path in the domain of gains.
Carrier control in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides with Al2O3 dielectric
Authors: Lau Chit Siong , Chee Jing Yee , Thian Dickson , Kawai Hiroyo , Deng Jie , Wong Swee Liang , Ooi Zi En , Lim Yee-Fun , Goh Kuan Eng Johnson
Published: June 2019

We report transport measurements of dual gated MoS2 and WSe2 devices using atomic layer deposition grown Al2O3 as gate dielectrics. We are able to achieve current pinch-off using independent split gates and observe current steps suggesting possible carrier confinement. We also investigated the impact of gate geometry and used electrostatic potential simulations to explain the observed device physics.
Complementing conventional infectious disease surveillance with national health insurance claims data in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Jung Jaehun , Im Jae Hyoung , Ko Young-Jin , Huh Kyungmin , Yoon Chang-gyo , Rhee Chulwoo , Kim Young-Eun , Go Dun-Sol , Kim Arim , Jung Yunsun , Radnaabaatar Munkhzul , Yoon Seok-Jun
Published: June 2019

Surveillance remains an important tool for timely outbreak detection and response. Many countries, including Korea, have established national infectious disease surveillance systems with clinical notification. We aimed to evaluate the National Health Insurance Claims-based Surveillance (NHICS) compared to conventional passive report-based National Infectious Diseases Surveillance (NIDS). Reported to claimed cases ratios (R/C ratio) were evaluated from monthly notifiable disease cases captured by NIDS and NHICS. The relationships between 26 infectious diseases and each surveillance system were analysed using Pearson’s correlation analysis and linear regression. There was an overall increase in R/C ratio from 2010–2017 (0.37 to 0.78). In 22 infectious diseases, there was a correlation between NIDS and NHICS. Moreover, claim-based surveillance showed less fluctuating disease incidence rates than report-based surveillance for specific infectious diseases, such as varicella, mumps, and scarlet fever. However, for infectious diseases with episodic outbreaks or low incidence, it was difficult to assess NHICS usefulness. Claim-based surveillance is less affected by limitations of conventional report-based surveillance systems, such as reporting rate. Given delays in claim systems, a claim-based surveillance is expected to be complementary to conventional systems for the detection of various infectious diseases with the advancement of bio-information technology.
Linked CSF reduction of phosphorylated tau and IL-8 in HIV associated neurocognitive disorder
Authors: Ozturk Tugba , Kollhoff Alexander , Anderson Albert M. , Christina Howell J. , Loring David W. , Waldrop-Valverde Drenna , Franklin Donald , Letendre Scott , Tyor William R. , Hu William T.
Published: June 2019

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is a common condition in both developed and developing nations, but its cause is largely unknown. Previous research has inconsistently linked Alzheimer’s disease (AD), viral burden, and inflammation to the onset of HAND in HIV-infected individuals. Here we simultaneously measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of established amyloid and tau biomarkers for AD, viral copy numbers, and six key cytokines in 41 HIV-infected individuals off combination anti-retroviral therapy (14 with HAND) who underwent detailed clinical and neuropsychological characterization, and compared their CSF patterns with those from young healthy subjects, older healthy subjects with normal cognition, and older people with AD. HAND was associated with the lowest CSF levels of phosphorylated tau (p-Tau181) after accounting for age and race. We also found very high CSF levels of the pro-inflammatory interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) in HIV regardless of cognition, but elevated CSF interleukin 8 (IL-8/CXCL8) only in HIV-NC but not HAND. Eleven HIV-infected subjects underwent repeat CSF collection six months later and showed strongly correlated longitudinal changes in p-Tau181 and IL-8 levels (R = 0.841). These data suggest reduced IL-8 relative to IP-10 and reduced p-Tau181 to characterize HAND.
The Characterization of Regulatory T-Cell Profiles in Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Ciccocioppo Fausta , Lanuti Paola , Pierdomenico Laura , Simeone Pasquale , Bologna Giuseppina , Ercolino Eva , Buttari Fabio , Fantozzi Roberta , Thomas Astrid , Onofrj Marco , Centonze Diego , Miscia Sebastiano , Marchisio Marco
Published: June 2019

Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) are a T-lymphocyte subset involved in the maintenance of immune peripheral tolerance. Despite evidence of the adaptive immune system’s role in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the involvement of Tregs is still not clear. We focused on the Flow-Cytometry analysis of the Treg frequencies and phenotypes in the AD. The aim of the study is to analyse similarities and differences in Tregs profile between Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Regulatory T Cells (CD4+/CD25high/CD127low-neg) were identified using an innovative Flow Cytometry method and subtyped as Resting (analysed CD45RApos/CD25dim), Activated (CD45RAneg/CD25bright) and Secreting (CD45RAneg/CD25dim) cells. Our data demonstrate a significant decrease in the total and Resting Tregs in AD patients when compared to healthy subjects. The percentage of the results of the Resting Tregs were also reduced in MS patients together with a parallel frequency increase of Activated Tregs. Our data suggest that altered Treg phenotypes observed in both diseases could play a role in the impairment of the Treg-mediated immunological tolerance, recalling a possible link between the two pathologies. Given that this study was conducted on a restricted population, if confirmed by a further and enlarged study, the implications of the autoimmune mechanisms in AD pathophysiology could open new immunotherapeutic perspectives based on Treg modulation.
Contactless cardiac arrest detection using smart devices
Authors: Chan Justin , Rea Thomas , Gollakota Shyamnath , Sunshine Jacob E.
Published: June 2019

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death worldwide. Rapid diagnosis and initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the cornerstone of therapy for victims of cardiac arrest. Yet a significant fraction of cardiac arrest victims have no chance of survival because they experience an unwitnessed event, often in the privacy of their own homes. An under-appreciated diagnostic element of cardiac arrest is the presence of agonal breathing, an audible biomarker and brainstem reflex that arises in the setting of severe hypoxia. Here, we demonstrate that a support vector machine (SVM) can classify agonal breathing instances in real-time within a bedroom environment. Using real-world labeled 9-1-1 audio of cardiac arrests, we train the SVM to accurately classify agonal breathing instances. We obtain an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9993 ± 0.0003 and an operating point with an overall sensitivity and specificity of 97.24% (95% CI: 96.86–97.61%) and 99.51% (95% CI: 99.35–99.67%). We achieve a false positive rate between 0 and 0.14% over 82 h (117,985 audio segments) of polysomnographic sleep lab data that includes snoring, hypopnea, central, and obstructive sleep apnea events. We also evaluate our classifier in home sleep environments: the false positive rate was 0–0.22% over 164 h (236,666 audio segments) of sleep data collected across 35 different bedroom environments. We prototype our proof-of-concept contactless system using commodity smart devices (Amazon Echo and Apple iPhone) and demonstrate its effectiveness in identifying cardiac arrest-associated agonal breathing instances played over the air.
Transverse optical pumping of spin states
Authors: Katz Or , Firstenberg Ofer
Published: June 2019

Optical pumping is an efficient method for initializing and maintaining atomic spin ensembles in a well-defined quantum spin state. Standard optical pumping methods orient the spins by transferring photonic angular momentum to spin polarization. Generally the spins are oriented along the propagation direction of the light due to selection rules of the dipole interaction. Here we present and experimentally demonstrate that by modulating the light polarization, angular momentum perpendicular to the optical axis can be transferred efficiently to cesium vapor. The transverse pumping scheme employs transversely oriented dark states, allowing for control of the trajectory of the spins on the Bloch sphere. This new mechanism is suitable and potentially beneficial for diverse applications, particularly in quantum metrology.
Cu2+-Modulated in situ growth of quantum dots for split-type photoelectrochemical immunoassay of prostate-specific antigen
Authors: Zang Yang , Ju Yun , Jiang Jingjing , Xu Qin , Chu Ming , Xue Huaiguo
Published: June 2019

A split-type photoelectrochemical immunosensor of PSA was developed using Cu2+-dependent catalytic oxidation for inhibiting the in situ growth of CdS QDs.
Implementation of an open source algorithm for particle recognition and morphological characterisation for microplastic analysis by means of Raman microspectroscopy
Authors: Anger Philipp M. , Prechtl Leonhard , Elsner Martin , Niessner Reinhard , Ivleva Natalia P.
Published: June 2019

The implementation of Otsu’s algorithm and an additional watershed transform enables the recognition and morphological characterization of microplastic particles.
Highly active dinuclear cobalt complexes for solvent-free cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides at ambient pressure
Authors: Khattak Zafar A. K. , Younus Hussein A. , Ahmad Nazir , Ullah Habib , Suleman Suleman , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Elkadi Mirella , Verpoort Francis
Published: June 2019

Dinuclear Co-based catalysts are used for the coupling reaction of epoxides and CO2 in the presence of a cocatalyst.
Monodisperse poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres with tunable carboxyl groups on the surface obtained by photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization
Authors: Yu Liangliang , Zhang Yuxuan , Dai Xiaocong , Zhang Li , Tan Jianbo
Published: June 2019

Monodisperse polymeric microspheres with tunable carboxy groups on the surface are prepared by photoinitiated RAFT dispersion polymerization using binary mixtures of two macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs).
Trehalose-based Siamese twin amphiphiles with tunable self-assembling, DNA nanocomplexing and gene delivery properties
Authors: Carbajo-Gordillo Ana I. , Rodríguez-Lavado Julio , Jiménez Blanco José Luis , Benito Juan M. , Di Giorgio Christophe , Vélaz Itziar , Tros de Ilarduya Concepción , Ortiz Mellet Carmen , García Fernández José M.
Published: June 2019

Trehalose Siamese twin vectors, encompassing gemini and facial amphiphilicity, promote pDNA compaction into core–shell nanocomplexes and selective delivery in the lungs.
Cleavage of alumina cells in organic acid solutions during high voltage anodization
Authors: Jagminas Arunas , Grincienė Giedrė , Selskis Algis , Chernyakova Katsiaryna
Published: June 2019

This study highlighted the formation mechanism of a nanoporous alumina/graphene composite film observed by Al anodization in glycolic acid solution under extremely high current densities.
The K2(9-ethylguanine)122+ quadruplex is more stable to unimolecular dissociation than the K(9-ethylguanine)8+ quadruplex in the gas phase: a BIRD, energy resolved SORI-CID, IRMPD spectroscopic, and computational study
Authors: Azargun Mohammad , Meister Paul J. , Gauld James W. , Fridgen Travis D.
Published: June 2019

A combination of experimental trapped-ion mass spectrometric studies and computational chemistry has been used to assess the intrinsic properties of the potassiated 9-ethylguanine (9eG) self-assembled quadruplex, K2(9eG)122+, in the gas phase.
Predictions on the SERS enhancement factor of gold nanosphere aggregate samples
Authors: Litti Lucio , Meneghetti Moreno
Published: June 2019

A boundary element method simulation is used to accurately predict the SERS EFs of gold nanoparticle aggregates via their experimental extinction spectra.
Complementary first and second derivative methods for ansatz optimization in variational Monte Carlo
Authors: Otis Leon , Neuscamman Eric
Published: June 2019

This Perspective contrasts first and second derivative methods in variational Monte Carlo and presents a hybrid optimization approach that combines their advantages.
Novel structures of two-dimensional tungsten boride and their superconductivity
Authors: Yan Luo , Bo Tao , Zhang Wenxue , Liu Peng-Fei , Lu Zhansheng , Xiao Yong-Guang , Tang Ming-Hua , Wang Bao-Tian
Published: June 2019

We predict four new tungsten boride monolayers and demonstrate that two of them are phonon-mediated superconductors with superconducting transition temperatures of 7.8 and 1.5 K.
Energy level alignment at organic/inorganic semiconductor heterojunctions: Fermi level pinning at the molecular interlayer with a reduced energy gap
Authors: Schlesinger Raphael , Winkler Stefanie , Brandt Matthias , Blumstengel Sylke , Ovsyannikov Ruslan , Vollmer Antje , Koch Norbert
Published: June 2019

A lying (L) molecular interlayer between ZnO and standing (S) sexiphenyl molecules leads to “concealed” Fermi level pinning.
Constructing Sn(ii)-doped SrNb2O6 for visible light response driven H2 and O2 evolution from water
Authors: Liu Shuaishuai , Li Peng , Umezawa Naoto , Zhou Wei , Abe Hideki , Wang Guoxiu
Published: June 2019

A wide band-gap photocatalyst SrNb2O6 was adjusted to response to visible light in H2 and O2 evolution due to the new electron state in its band gap created by the Sn(ii) dopant.
Copper(i) iodide cluster-based lanthanide organic frameworks: synthesis and application as efficient catalysts for carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohols with CO2 under mild conditions
Authors: Wu Zhilei , Lan Xingwang , Zhang Yaxin , Li Meng , Bai Guoyi
Published: June 2019

Two non-noble metal based metal–organic frameworks display different catalytic activities in the carboxylative cyclization of propargyl alcohols with CO2 under atmospheric pressure and room temperature.
Mass balance study of brominated flame retardants in female captive peregrine falcons
Authors: de Wit Cynthia A. , Johansson Anna-Karin , Sellström Ulla , Lindberg Peter
Published: June 2019

Mass balance study in peregrine falcons showed efficient dietary uptake, bioaccumulation, transfer to eggs of tri–decaBDE, HBCDD; metabolism also indicated.
First-principles quantum simulations of exciton diffusion on a minimal oligothiophene chain at finite temperature
Authors: Binder Robert , Burghardt Irene
Published: June 2019

Quantum dynamical simulations for a 20-site oligothiophene chain at finite temperature highlight the stochastic driving of exciton–polarons by torsional fluctuations.
Evaluating the carbon inventory, carbon fluxes and carbon cycles for a long-term sustainable world
Authors: Tomkins P. , Müller T. E.
Published: June 2019

Propositioning carbon to be seen a valuable resource, pathways towards establishing anthropogenic carbon cycles are outlined based on systematic analysis of the carbon inventory and fluxes throughout the different environmental compartments on earth.
Anionic surfactants based on intermediates of carbohydrate conversion
Authors: Kipshagen Lukas , Vömel Lukas T. , Liauw Marcel A. , Klemmer Anna , Schulz Alexander , Kropf Christian , Hausoul Peter J. C. , Palkovits Regina
Published: June 2019

Starting from the bio-based platform chemicals 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural, a library of anionic surfactants was synthesized using stoichiometric and catalytic reactions.
PET hydrolysing enzymes catalyse bioplastics precursor synthesis under aqueous conditions
Authors: Parisi Daniele , Riley Christopher , Srivastava Abhishek S. , McCue Hannah V. , Johnson James R. , Carnell Andrew J.
Published: June 2019

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase (PETase) was used to catalyse a double transesterification to convert FDCA dimethyl ester to the bioplastics precursor bis-butandiol ester in good yield under aqueous conditions.
Synthesis of jet fuel range high-density polycycloalkanes with polycarbonate waste
Authors: Tang Hao , Hu Yancheng , Li Guangyi , Wang Aiqin , Xu Guoliang , Yu Cong , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Tao , Li Ning
Published: June 2019

Jet fuel range high-density C13–C15 cycloalkanes were first synthesized at a high overall yield (∼80%) with polycarbonate waste.