bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustically modulated optical emission of hexagonal boron nitride layers
Authors: Iikawa Fernando , Hernández-Mínguez Alberto , Aharonovich Igor , Nakhaie Siamak , Liou Yi-Ting , Lopes João Marcelo J. , Santos Paulo V.
Published: May 2019

We investigate the effect of surface acoustic waves on the atomic-like optical emission from defect centers in hexagonal boron nitride layers deposited on the surface of a LiNbO3 substrate. The dynamic strain field of the surface acoustic waves modulates the emission lines resulting in intensity variations as large as 50% and oscillations of the emission energy with an amplitude of almost 1 meV. From a systematic study of the dependence of the modulation on the acoustic wave power, we determine a hydrostatic deformation potential of about 40 meV/% for defect centers in this two-dimensional material. Furthermore, we show that the dynamic piezoelectric field of the acoustic wave could contribute to the stabilization of the optical properties of these emission centers. Our results show that surface acoustic waves are a powerful tool to modulate and control the electronic states of two-dimensional materials.
A direct numerical simulation study of the influence of flame-generated vorticity on reaction-zone-surface area in weakly turbulent premixed combustion
Authors: Lipatnikov A. N. , Sabelnikov V. A. , Nishiki S. , Hasegawa T.
Published: May 2019

Direct numerical simulation data obtained from two statistically stationary, one-dimensional, planar, weakly turbulent, premixed flames are analyzed in order to examine the influence of flame-generated vorticity on the surface area of the reaction zone. The two flames are associated with the flamelet combustion regime and are characterized by two significantly different density ratios σ = 7.53 and 2.5, with all other things being roughly equal. The obtained results indicate that generation of vorticity due to baroclinic torque within flamelets can impede wrinkling of the reaction surface, reduce its area, and, hence, decrease the burning rate. Thus, these results call for revisiting the widely accepted concept of combustion acceleration due to flame-generated turbulence. In particular, in the case of σ = 7.53, the local stretch rate, which quantifies the local rate of increase or decrease in the surface area, is predominantly negative in regions characterized by a large magnitude of enstrophy or a large magnitude of the baroclinic torque term in the enstrophy transport equation, with the effect being more pronounced at larger values of the mean combustion progress variable. If the density ratio is low, e.g., σ = 2.5, the baroclinic torque weakly affects the vorticity field within the mean flame brush and the aforementioned effect is not pronounced.
Effect of weather on activity and lying behaviour in clinically healthy grazing dairy cows during the transition period
Authors: Hendriks S. J. , Phyn C. V. C. , Turner S.-A. , Mueller K. R. , Kuhn-Sherlock B. , Donaghy D. J. , Huzzey J. M. , Roche J. R.
Published: May 2019

Lying behaviour and activity were measured in healthy grazing dairy cows during the transition from late gestation to early lactation (i.e. the transition period). Behaviour data derived from IceTag® or IceQube® (IceRobotics, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK) tri-axial accelerometers were collated from 311 cow parities of mixed age and breed (Holstein–Friesian, Jersey and crossbred Holstein–Friesian × Jersey) cows from four experiments. The IceTag and IceQube devices captured lying and step data at 1- and 15-min intervals respectively. Behaviour was recorded during the transition period (Day –21 prepartum to Day 34 postpartum) to determine daily lying time, number of lying bouts (LB), mean LB duration and number of steps. The effect of rainfall and air temperature on lying behaviour and activity during two periods, namely, prepartum (Day –21 to Day –3) and postpartum (Days 3–34) was evaluated. Multiple-regression analysis determined that decreased air temperature and increased rainfall is associated with a decline in daily lying time, number of LB and LB duration during both prepartum and postpartum periods. Exposure to both wet and cold conditions exacerbated the behavioural response. The results highlighted the importance of considering the effects of air temperature and rainfall and the interaction of these two climate variables when analysing lying behaviour and activity. Further work is required to quantify the trigger points for this activity modulation, to help understand the balance of welfare experiences in the life of a grazing cow.
Expression of factor V by resident macrophages boosts host defense in the peritoneal cavity
Authors: Zhang Nan , Czepielewski Rafael S. , Jarjour Nicholas N. , Erlich Emma C. , Esaulova Ekaterina , Saunders Brian T. , Grover Steven P. , Cleuren Audrey C. , Broze George J. , Edelson Brian T. , Mackman Nigel , Zinselmeyer Bernd H. , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: May 2019

Macrophages resident in different organs express distinct genes, but understanding how this diversity fits into tissue-specific features is limited. Here, we show that selective expression of coagulation factor V (FV) by resident peritoneal macrophages in mice promotes bacterial clearance in the peritoneal cavity and serves to facilitate the well-known but poorly understood “macrophage disappearance reaction.” Intravital imaging revealed that resident macrophages were nonadherent in peritoneal fluid during homeostasis. Bacterial entry into the peritoneum acutely induced macrophage adherence and associated bacterial phagocytosis. However, optimal control of bacterial expansion in the peritoneum also required expression of FV by the macrophages to form local clots that effectively brought macrophages and bacteria in proximity and out of the fluid phase. Thus, acute cellular adhesion and resident macrophage–induced coagulation operate independently and cooperatively to meet the challenges of a unique, open tissue environment. These events collectively account for the macrophage disappearance reaction in the peritoneal cavity.
TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride currents in supporting cells of the mouse olfactory epithelium
Authors: Henriques Tiago , Agostinelli Emilio , Hernandez-Clavijo Andres , Maurya Devendra Kumar , Rock Jason R. , Harfe Brian D. , Menini Anna , Pifferi Simone
Published: May 2019

Glial-like supporting (or sustentacular) cells are important constituents of the olfactory epithelium that are involved in several physiological processes such as production of endocannabinoids, insulin, and ATP and regulation of the ionic composition of the mucus layer that covers the apical surface of the olfactory epithelium. Supporting cells express metabotropic P2Y purinergic receptors that generate ATP-induced Ca2+ signaling through the activation of a PLC-mediated cascade. Recently, we reported that a subpopulation of supporting cells expresses also the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel TMEM16A. Here, we sought to extend our understanding of a possible physiological role of this channel in the olfactory system by asking whether Ca2+ can activate Cl− currents mediated by TMEM16A. We use whole-cell patch-clamp analysis in slices of the olfactory epithelium to measure dose–response relations in the presence of various intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, ion selectivity, and blockage. We find that knockout of TMEM16A abolishes Ca2+-activated Cl− currents, demonstrating that TMEM16A is essential for these currents in supporting cells. Also, by using extracellular ATP as physiological stimuli, we found that the stimulation of purinergic receptors activates a large TMEM16A-dependent Cl− current, indicating a possible role of TMEM16A in ATP-mediated signaling. Altogether, our results establish that TMEM16A-mediated currents are functional in olfactory supporting cells and provide a foundation for future work investigating the precise physiological role of TMEM16A in the olfactory system.
Photoacoustic imaging for guidance of interventions in cardiovascular medicine
Authors: Iskander-Rizk Sophinese , van der Steen Antonius F W , van Soest Gijs
Published: May 2019

Imaging guidance is paramount to procedural success in minimally invasive interventions. Catheter-based therapies are the standard of care in the treatment of many cardiac disorders, including coronary artery disease, structural heart disease and electrophysiological conditions. Many of these diseases are caused by, or effect, a change in vasculature or cardiac tissue composition, which can potentially be detected by photoacoustic imaging. This review summarizes the state of the art in photoacoustic imaging approaches that have been proposed for intervention guidance in cardiovascular care. All of these techniques are currently in the preclinical phase. We will conclude with an outlook towards clinical applications.
Improving SPDC single-photon sources via extended heralding and feed-forward control
Authors: Massaro Marcello , Meyer-Scott Evan , Montaut Nicola , Herrmann Harald , Silberhorn Christine
Published: May 2019

Evolving photonic quantum technologies and applications require higher and higher rates of single photon generation. In parallel, it is required that these generated photons are kept spectrally pure for multi-photon experiments and that multi-photon noise be kept to a minimum. In spontaneous parametric down-conversion sources, these requirements are conflicting, because spectral filtering to increase spectral purity always means lowering the rate at which photons are generated, and increasing the pump power means increasing the multi-photon noise. In this paper, we present a scheme, called extended heralding, which aims to mitigate the reduction of single-photon generation rate under spectral filtering by removing cases where we detect light in the rejection band of the heralding photon’s filter. Our experiment shows that this allows for higher single-photon generation rates with lower multi-photon noise than the standard approach of neglecting modes falling out of the filter bandwidth. We also show that by using active feed-forward control based on this extended heralding, it is possible to further improve the performance of the original source by physically eliminating uncorrelated photons from the output stream.
Precursors of non-Markovianity
Authors: Campbell Steve , Popovic Maria , Tamascelli Dario , Vacchini Bassano
Published: May 2019

Using the paradigm of information backflow to characterize a non-Markovian evolution, we introduce so-called precursors of non-Markovianity, i.e. necessary properties that the system and environment state must exhibit at earlier times in order for an ensuing dynamics to be non-Markovian. In particular, we consider a quantitative framework to assess the role that established system-environment correlations together with changes in environmental states play in an emerging non-Markovian dynamics. By defining the relevant contributions in terms of the Bures distance, which is conveniently expressed by means of the quantum state fidelity, these quantities are well defined and easily applicable to a wide range of physical settings. We exemplify this by studying our precursors of non-Markovianity in discrete and continuous variable non-Markovian collision models.
Long-lived quantum speedup based on plasmonic hot spot systems
Authors: Ren Jun , Chen Tian , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: May 2019

Long-lived quantum speedup serves as a fundamental component for quantum algorithms. The quantum walk is identified as an ideal scheme to realize the long-lived quantum speedup. However, one finds that the duration of quantum speedup is too short in real systems to implement the quantum algorithms, for instance the speedup in the photosynthetic light-harvesting systems can last only dozens of femtoseconds. Here, we construct one plasmonic system with two-level molecules embodied in the hot spots of one-dimensional nanoparticle chains to realize the long-lived quantum speedup. The coherent and incoherent coupling parameters in the system are obtained by means of Green’s tensor technique. Our results reveal that the duration of quantum speedup in our scheme can exceed 500 fs under strong coherent coupling conditions. Moreover, our plasmonic system has far prospect in realizing high-dimensional quantum walk, which is very beneficial for quantum algorithms.
Super-exchange theory for polyvalent anion magnets
Authors: Zhang Fang , Kong You-Chao , Pang Rui , Hu Liang , Gong Peng-Lai , Shi Xing-Qiang , Tang Zi-Kang
Published: May 2019

The Goodenough–Kanamori–Anderson (GKA) rules have been widely applied for explaining the magnetic properties induced by super-exchange interaction. As conclusions of the super-exchange theory, they reveal the antiferromagnetic (ferromagnetic) ordering along with bond angle of 180° (90°) in the cation–anion–cation interaction path, in which the theory sets a pre-condition that the electronic states of cations in all paths are identical. We observed that the GKA rules are in fact not universal and even invalid to materials containing anions with different valence states, for example, the layered CrOCl crystal (with two valence states of anions: O2− and Cl−). In this study, we propose an extended super-exchange theory (ESET) related to superposed electronic states of cation in a specific path. ESET is capable of predicting not only the sign and relative magnitude of magnetic exchange constants in different cation–anion–cation paths, but also the magnetic ground state. Through our proposed theory, we conclude that the magnetic ordering along with bond angle of 90° in Cr–Cl–Cr path is moderately antiferromagnetic and of 180° in Cr–O–Cr path is strongly ferromagnetic, which are opposite to the contents of GKA rules. Moreover, we clarify that monolayer CrOCl has antiferromagnetic ordering rather than ferromagnetic as reported recently. The reliability of ESET is verified via first-principles calculation and previous experimental report as well, and its universality is also demonstrated. Thus, our theory is powerful to predict the magnetic properties, which makes it possible to design new high Curie temperature two-dimensional semiconducting ferromagnets with polyvalent anion materials.
Advances in plasma–wall interaction control for H-mode operation over 100 s with ITER-like tungsten divertor on EAST
Authors: Wang L. , Guo H.Y. , Ding F. , Yu Y.W. , Yuan Q.P. , Xu G.S. , Wang H.Q. , Zhang L. , Ding R. , Xu J.C. , Liu J.B. , Zhang B. , Wu K. , Li K.D. , Duan Y.M. , Luo Z.P. , Wu J.H. , Zuo G.Z. , Sun Z. , Eldon D. , Leonard A.W. , Petrie T. , Hyatt A. , Humphreys D. , Thomas D. , Yang Z.S. , Chen X.H. , Feng W. , Chen L. , Meng L.Y. , Qian X.Y. , Liang Y. , Sang C.F. , Xiao B.J. , Luo G.-N. , Hu J.S. , Maingi R. , Zou X.L. , Qian J.P. , Gong X.Z. , Garofalo A.M. , Li J. , Wan B.N.
Published: May 2019

A total power injection up to 0.3 GJ has been achieved in EAST long pulse H-mode operation of 101.2 s with an ITER-like water-cooled tungsten (W) mono-block divertor, which has steady-state power exhaust capability of 10 MWm−2. The peak temperature of W target saturated at 12 s to the value T ~ 500 °C with a heat flux ~3.3 MW m−2 being maintained during the discharge. By tailoring the 3D divertor plasma footprint through edge magnetic topology change, the heat load was broadly dispersed and thus peak heat flux and W sputtering were well controlled. Active feedback control of H-mode detachment with D2 fuelling or divertor impurity seeding has been achieved successfully, with excellent compatibility with the core plasma performance. Active feedback control of radiative power utilizing neon seeding was achieved with f 
rad  =  18%–41% in H-mode operation, exhibiting potential for heat flux reduction with divertor and edge radiation. This has been further demonstrated in DIII-D high β
P H-mode scenario within the joint DIII-D/EAST experiment using impurity seeding from the divertor volume. Steady-state particle control and impurity exhaust has been achieved for long pulse H-mode operation over 100 s with the W divertor by leveraging the effect of drifts and optimized divertor configuration, coupled with strong pumping and extensive wall conditioning. Approaches toward the reduction of divertor W sourcing, which is of crucial importance for a metal-wall tokamak, are also explored. These advances provide important experimental information on favourable core-edge integration for high power, long-pulse H-mode operation in EAST, ITER and CFETR.
Allopatric divergence and secondary contact with gene flow: a recurring theme in rattlesnake speciation
Authors: Schield Drew R , Perry Blair W , Adams Richard H , Card Daren C , Jezkova Tereza , Pasquesi Giulia I M , Nikolakis Zachary L , Row Kristopher , Meik Jesse M , Smith Cara F , Mackessy Stephen P , Castoe Todd A
Published: May 2019

The study of recently diverged lineages whose geographical ranges come into contact can provide insight into the early stages of speciation and the potential roles of reproductive isolation in generating and maintaining species. Such insight can also be important for understanding the strategies and challenges for delimiting species within recently diverged species complexes. Here, we use mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data to study population structure, gene flow and demographic history across a geographically widespread rattlesnake clade, the western rattlesnake species complex (Crotalus cerberus, Crotalus viridis, Crotalus oreganus and relatives), which contains multiple lineages with ranges that overlap geographically or contact one another. We find evidence that the evolutionary history of this group does not conform to a bifurcating tree model and that pervasive gene flow has broadly influenced patterns of present-day genetic diversity. Our results suggest that lineage diversity has been shaped largely by drift and divergent selection in isolation, followed by secondary contact, in which reproductive isolating mechanisms appear weak and insufficient to prevent introgression, even between anciently diverged lineages. The complexity of divergence and secondary contact with gene flow among lineages also provides new context for why delimiting species within this complex has been difficult and contentious historically.
Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of lasmiditan for acute treatment of migraine
Authors: Goadsby Peter J , Wietecha Linda A , Dennehy Ellen B , Kuca Bernice , Case Michael G , Aurora Sheena K , Gaul Charly
Published: May 2019

Lasmiditan, a serotonin 5-HT1F receptor agonist, was effective for acute treatment of patients with migraine in a phase 3 double-blind randomized controlled study. The current study was designed to replicate these findings in a generalizable population of patients with migraine, including those with a cardiovascular medical history. This prospective, double-blind, phase 3 multicentre study randomly assigned patients with migraine with and without aura (1:1:1:1 ratio) to oral lasmiditan 200 mg, 100 mg, 50 mg, or placebo. Patients were instructed to dose at home within 4 h of onset of migraine attack of at least moderate intensity and not improving. The primary objective was to assess the proportion of patients’ headache pain-free and most bothersome symptom-free at 2 h post-dose for each dose of lasmiditan versus placebo (NCT02605174). Patients (n = 3005) were assigned and treated (n = 2583, safety population): 1938 lasmiditan (200 mg n = 528, 100 mg n = 532, and 50 mg n = 556 included in primary analysis) and 645 placebo (540 included in primary analysis). Most patients (79.2%) had ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor at baseline, in addition to migraine. Lasmiditan was associated with significantly more pain freedom at 2 h (lasmiditan 200 mg: 38.8%, odds ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.8–3.1, P < 0.001; 100 mg: 31.4%, odds ratio 1.7, 1.3–2.2, P < 0.001; 50 mg: 28.6%, odds ratio 1.5, 1.1–1.9, P = 0.003 versus placebo 21.3%) and freedom from most bothersome symptom at 2 h (lasmiditan 200 mg: 48.7%, odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4–2.4, P < 0.001; 100 mg: 44.2%, odds ratio 1.6, 1.2–2.0, P < 0.001; 50 mg: 40.8%, odds ratio 1.4, 1.1–1.8, P = 0.009 versus placebo 33.5%). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 253 of 649 (39.0%), 229 of 635 (36.1%), and 166 of 654 (25.4%) of patients on lasmiditan 200, 100, and 50 mg, respectively, versus 75 of 645 (11.6%) on placebo. Most adverse events were CNS-related and included dizziness, somnolence and paraesthesia. Lasmiditan was effective at 2 h post-dose for acute treatment of migraine at all oral doses tested. Efficacy and safety were consistent with the previous phase 3 study.
Neuromodulation Leads to a Burst-Tonic Switch in a Subset of VIP Neurons in Mouse Primary Somatosensory (Barrel) Cortex
Authors: Prönneke Alvar , Witte Mirko , Möck Martin , Staiger Jochen F
Published: May 2019

Neocortical GABAergic interneurons expressing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) contribute to sensory processing, sensorimotor integration, and behavioral control. In contrast to other major subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons, VIP neurons show a remarkable diversity. Studying morphological and electrophysiological properties of VIP cells, we found a peculiar group of neurons in layer II/III of mouse primary somatosensory (barrel) cortex, which showed a highly dynamic burst firing behavior at resting membrane potential that switched to tonic mode at depolarized membrane potentials. Furthermore, we demonstrate that burst firing depends on T-type calcium channels. The burst-tonic switch could be induced by acetylcholine (ACh) and serotonin. ACh mediated a depolarization via nicotinic receptors whereas serotonin evoked a biphasic depolarization via ionotropic and metabotropic receptors in 48% of the population and a purely monophasic depolarization via metabotropic receptors in the remaining cells. These data disclose an electrophysiologically defined subpopulation of VIP neurons that via neuromodulator-induced changes in firing behavior is likely to regulate the state of cortical circuits in a profound manner.
Green Simultaneous Chromatographic Separation of Pyridostigmine Bromide and Its Related Substances in Pure Form, Tablets and Spiked Human Plasma
Authors: Naguib Ibrahim A , Abdelaleem Eglal A , Emam Aml A , Abdallah Fatma F
Published: May 2019

A green, accurate and specific high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantitative determination of pyridostigmine bromide (PR), impurity B (IMP B);3-hydroxy-N-methylpyridinium bromide and impurity A (IMP A); pyridin-3-yl-dimethylcarbamate. The two pharmacopeial impurities are also its main inactive metabolites. Furthermore, IMP B is known to be its alkaline-induced degradation product. Achievable separation of the studied components required silica gel HPTLC F254 plates as a stationary phase and acetone: acetic acid (80:20, v/v) as a developing system. Scanning of the separated bands was done at 260 nm. According to green solvent selection guidelines, acetone and acetic acid are eco-friendly solvents. Validation of the developed method was insured by its acquiesce to international conference on harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The introduced method was successfully achieved for the quantitative determination of PR, IMP B and IMP A in the range of 0.4–10, 2–11 and 0.4–3.5 μg/band, respectively. Successful application of the developed method was done for determination of PR in human plasma in the range of 0.6–10 μg/band, so the proposed HPTLC can be applied in the pharmacokinetic studies. The studied drug was also analyzed in Mestinon® tablets using the developed method.
Low cardiac lipolysis reduces mitochondrial fission and prevents lipotoxic heart dysfunction in Perilipin 5 mutant mice
Authors: Kolleritsch Stephanie , Kien Benedikt , Schoiswohl Gabriele , Diwoky Clemens , Schreiber Renate , Heier Christoph , Maresch Lisa Katharina , Schweiger Martina , Eichmann Thomas O , Stryeck Sarah , Krenn Petra , Tomin Tamara , Schittmayer Matthias , Kolb Dagmar , Rülicke Thomas , Hoefler Gerald , Wolinski Heimo , Madl Tobias , Birner-Gruenberger Ruth , Haemmerle Guenter
Published: May 2019

Aims

Lipotoxic cardiomyopathy in diabetic and obese patients typically encompasses increased cardiac fatty acid (FA) uptake eventually surpassing the mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Lowering FA utilization via inhibition of lipolysis represents a strategy to counteract the development of lipotoxic heart dysfunction. However, defective cardiac triacylglycerol (TAG) catabolism and FA oxidation in humans (and mice) carrying mutated ATGL alleles provokes lipotoxic heart dysfunction questioning a therapeutic approach to decrease cardiac lipolysis. Interestingly, decreased lipolysis via cardiac overexpression of Perilipin 5 (Plin5), a binding partner of ATGL, is compatible with normal heart function and lifespan despite massive cardiac lipid accumulation. Herein, we decipher mechanisms that protect Plin5 transgenic mice from the development of heart dysfunction.

Methods and results

We generated mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of Plin5 encoding a serine-155 to alanine exchange (Plin5-S155A) of the protein kinase A phosphorylation site, which has been suggested as a prerequisite to stimulate lipolysis and may play a crucial role in the preservation of heart function. Plin5-S155A mice showed a substantial increase in cardiac TAG and ceramide levels, which was comparable to mice overexpressing non-mutated Plin5. Lipid accumulation was compatible with normal heart function even under mild stress. Plin5-S155A mice showed reduced cardiac FA oxidation but normal ATP production and changes in the Plin5-S155A phosphoproteome compared to Plin5 transgenic mice. Interestingly, mitochondrial recruitment of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) was markedly reduced in cardiac muscle of Plin5-S155A and Plin5 transgenic mice accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of mitochondrial fission factor, a mitochondrial receptor of Drp1.

Conclusions

This study suggests that low cardiac lipolysis is associated with reduced mitochondrial fission and may represent a strategy to combat the development of lipotoxic heart dysfunction.
Interactions Between Mitochondrial Haplotype and Dietary Macronutrient Ratios Confer Sex-Specific Effects on Longevity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Nagarajan-Radha Venkatesh , Rapkin James , Hunt John , Dowling Damian K
Published: May 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated that modifications to the ratio of dietary macronutrients affect longevity in a diverse range of species. However, the degree to which levels of natural genotypic variation shape these dietary effects on longevity remains unclear. The mitochondria have long been linked to the aging process. The mitochondria possess their own genome, and previous studies have shown that mitochondrial genetic variation affects longevity in insects. Furthermore, the mitochondria are the sites in which dietary nutrients are oxidized to produce adenosine triphosphate, suggesting a capacity for dietary quality to mediate the link between mitochondrial genotype and longevity. Here, we measured longevity of male and female fruit flies, across a panel of genetic strains of Drosophila melanogaster, which vary only in their mitochondrial haplotype, when fed one of the two isocaloric diets that differed in their protein-to-carbohydrate ratio. The mitochondrial haplotype affected the longevity of flies, but the pattern of these effects differed across the two diets in males, but not in females. We discuss the implications of these results in relation to an evolutionary theory linking maternal inheritance of mitochondria to the accumulation of male-harming mitochondrial mutations, and to the theory exploring the evolution of phenotypic plasticity to novel environments.
Total Daily Physical Activity and the Risk of Parkinsonism in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Oveisgharan Shahram , Yu Lei , Dawe Robert J , Bennett David A , Buchman Aron S
Published: May 2019

Background

Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor associated with health benefits. We hypothesized that a more active lifestyle in older adults is associated with a reduced risk of incident parkinsonism and a slower rate of its progression.

Methods

Total daily physical activity was recorded with an activity monitor in 889 community-dwelling older adults participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Four parkinsonian signs were assessed with a modified motor portion of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and summarized as a categorical measure and continuous global parkinsonian score. We used Cox models to determine whether physical activity was associated with incident parkinsonism and linear mixed-effects models to examine if physical activity was associated with the rate of progressive parkinsonism.

Results

During an average follow-up of 4 years, 233 of 682 (34%) participants, without parkinsonism, developed incident parkinsonism. In Cox models controlling for age, sex, and education, a higher level of physical activity was associated with a reduced risk of developing parkinsonism (hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.70–0.88, p < .001). This association was not attenuated when controlling for cognition, depressive symptoms, Apolipoprotein E ℇ4 allele, and chronic health conditions. In a linear mixed-effects model including all participants (N = 889) which controlled for age, sex, and education, a 1 SD total daily physical activity was associated with a 20% slower rate of progression of parkinsonism.

Conclusion

Older adults with a more active lifestyle have a reduced risk for parkinsonism and a slower rate of its progression.
Comparison of Recruitment Strategies for Engaging Older Minority Adults: Results From Take Heart
Authors: Ramsay Jessica E , Hogan Cainnear K , Janevic Mary R , Courser Rebecca R , Allgood Kristi L , Connell Cathleen M
Published: May 2019

Background

Few published studies report lessons learned for recruiting older adults from racial/ethnic minority, low SES communities for behavioral interventions. In this article, we describe recruitment processes and results for Take Heart, a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of an adapted heart disease self-management program for primarily African American, urban, low SES adults 50 years or older living in Detroit.

Methods

Older adults were recruited via community-based (CB), electronic medical record (EMR), and in-person hospital clinic (HC) methods. Recruitment processes, demographic characteristics of enrolled participants, yield and cost, lessons learned, and best practices for each method are described.

Results

Within 22 months, 1,478 potential participants were identified, 1,223 were contacted and 453 enrolled, resulting in an overall recruitment yield of 37%. The CB method had the highest yield at 49%, followed by HC at 36% and EMR at 16%. Of six CB approaches, information sessions and flyers had the highest yields at 60% and 59%, respectively. The average cost of recruiting and enrolling one participant was $142.

Conclusions

CB, EMR, and HC methods each made important contributions to reaching our recruitment goal. The CB method resulted in the highest recruitment yield, while EMR had the lowest. Face-to-face interaction with community members and hiring a community health worker were particularly useful in engaging this population. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in urban, minority, low SES populations of older adults.
Blue Helmets, Red Flags: Institutional, Societal, and Military Determinants of Peacekeeping Abuses
Authors: Rodriguez Marisella , Kinne Brandon J
Published: May 2019

United Nations peacekeeping soldiers commit atrocities while deployed despite their mandate to protect civilians from harm. Yet, there is tremendous variation across missions in reported human rights abuses. Why are some missions more susceptible to misconduct than others? To answer this puzzle, we identify three broad sources of influence on peacekeeper behavior: institutions, society, and military culture. Using newly collected data, we find that host-country and contributing-country institutions, particularly press freedoms and rule of law, dramatically decrease violations. Compliance with international humanitarian law also decreases violations, though to a lesser degree than institutions. Societal influences, such as gender norms and income inequality, have virtually no impact on abuses. We illustrate the utility of these findings by generating out-of-sample predictions for hypothetical peacekeeping missions in countries with recent political turmoil.
Crustacean-sponge symbiosis: collecting and maintaining sponge-inhabiting barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica: Acastinae) for studies on host specificity and larval biology
Authors: Yu Meng-Chen , Kolbasov Gregory A , Høeg Jens T , Chan Benny K K
Published: May 2019

Sponges are common in coral reefs and provide secondary habitats and shelter to a very diverse associated biota. To examine the symbiotic relationships between crustacean associates and their sponge hosts, the most important step is to collect live crustaceans and sponges for subsequent taxonomic identification as well as for larval rearing and experiments on larval biology. Using sponge-inhabiting barnacles as a model, we describe a set of collection procedures, identification methods, and laboratory-rearing systems for maintaining living barnacles and their host sponges. These methods also permit observing the behavior of the barnacle symbionts, including feeding, mating, as well as larval development and settlement, information that can be applied to the study of host-specificity, larval biology, and host selection.
Morphological variation in the Pennsylvanian horseshoe crab Euproops danae (Meek & Worthen, 1865) (Xiphosurida, Euproopidae) from the lower Mercer Shale, Windber, Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Tashman Jessica N , Feldmann Rodney M , Schweitzer Carrie E
Published: May 2019

Examination of 36 specimens of the Pennsylvanian horseshoe crab Euproops danae (Meek & Worthen, 1865) from a previously unreported occurrence in the lower Mercer Shale exposed in an abandoned strip mine south from Windber, Pennsylvania, USA, document ontogenetic changes in prosomal morphology. Intercardiophthalmic transverse bars become less pronounced as ophthalmic spines become longer in larger, older specimens through approximately seven instar stages. It remains unclear if the presence or absence of ophthalmic spines is taphonomic, regardless of developmental stage. The holotype of E. danae is illustrated photographically for the first time.
Octyl gallate triggers dysfunctional mitochondria leading to ROS driven membrane damage and metabolic inflexibility along with attenuated virulence in Candida albicans
Authors: Saibabu Venkata , Fatima Zeeshan , Ahmad Kamal , Khan Luqman Ahmad , Hameed Saif
Published: May 2019

Recently the high incidence of worldwide Candida infections has substantially increased. The growing problem about toxicity of antifungal drugs and multidrug resistance aggravates the need for the development of new effective strategies. Natural compounds in this context represent promising alternatives having potential to be exploited for improving human health. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the antifungal effect of a naturally occurring phenolic, octyl gallate (OG), on Candida albicans and to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. We demonstrated that OG at 25 μg/ml could effectively inhibit C. albicans. Mechanistic insights revealed that OG affects mitochondrial functioning as Candida cells exposed to OG did not grow on non-fermentable carbon sources. Dysfunctional mitochondria triggered generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which led to membrane damage mediated by lipid peroxidation. We explored that OG inhibited glucose-induced reduction in external pH and causes decrement in ergosterol levels by 45%. Furthermore, OG impedes the metabolic flexibility of C. albicans by inhibiting the glyoxylate enzyme isocitrate lyase, which was also confirmed by docking analysis. Additionally, OG affected virulence traits such as morphological transition and cell adherence. Furthermore, we depicted that OG not only prevented biofilm formation but eliminates the preformed biofilms. In vivo studies with Caenorhabditis elegans nematode model confirmed that OG could enhance the survival of C. elegans after infection with Candida. Toxicity assay using red blood cells showed only 27.5% haemolytic activity. Taken together, OG is a potent inhibitor of C. albicans that warrants further structural optimization and pharmacological investigations.
Chromatin remodeler Ep400 ensures oligodendrocyte survival and is required for myelination in the vertebrate central nervous system
Authors: Elsesser Olga , Fröb Franziska , Küspert Melanie , Tamm Ernst R , Fujii Toshihiro , Fukunaga Rikiro , Wegner Michael
Published: May 2019

Differentiating oligodendrocytes generate myelin to ensure rapid saltatory conduction in the vertebrate central nervous system. Although oligodendroglial differentiation and myelination are accompanied by dramatic chromatin reorganizations, previously studied chromatin remodelers had only limited direct effects on the process. To study the functional significance of chromatin changes for myelination and identify relevant remodelers, we deleted Ep400, the central ATP-hydrolyzing subunit of the TIP60/EP400 complex, at defined times of mouse oligodendrocyte development. Whereas Ep400-deficient oligodendrocyte precursors develop normally, terminal differentiation and myelination are dramatically impaired. Mechanistically, Ep400 interacts with transcription factor Sox10, binds to regulatory regions of the Myrf gene and is required to induce this central transcriptional regulator of the myelination program. In addition to reduced and aberrant myelin formation, oligodendrocytes exhibit increased DNA damage and apoptosis so that numbers never reach wildtype levels during the short lifespan of Ep400-deficient mice. Ep400 deletion in already mature oligodendrocytes remains phenotypically inapparent arguing that Ep400 is dispensable for myelin maintenance. Given its essential function in myelin formation, modulation of Ep400 activity may be beneficial in conditions such as multiple sclerosis where this process is compromised.
PSICA: a fast and accurate web service for protein model quality analysis
Authors: Wang Wenbo , Li Zhaoyu , Wang Junlin , Xu Dong , Shang Yi
Published: May 2019

This paper presents a new fast and accurate web service for protein model quality analysis, called PSICA (Protein Structural Information Conformity Analysis). It is designed to evaluate how much a tertiary model of a given protein primary sequence conforms to the known protein structures of similar protein sequences, and to evaluate the quality of predicted protein models. PSICA implements the MUfoldQA_S method, an efficient state-of-the-art protein model quality assessment (QA) method. In CASP12, MUfoldQA_S ranked No. 1 in the protein model QA select-20 category in terms of the difference between the predicted and true GDT-TS value of each model. For a given predicted 3D model, PSICA generates (i) predicted global GDT-TS value; (ii) interactive comparison between the model and other known protein structures; (iii) visualization of the predicted local quality of the model; and (iv) JSmol rendering of the model. Additionally, PSICA implements MUfoldQA_C, a new consensus method based on MUfoldQA_S. In CASP12, MUfoldQA_C ranked No. 1 in top 1 model GDT-TS loss on the select-20 QA category and No. 2 in the average difference between the predicted and true GDT-TS value of each model for both select-20 and best-150 QA categories. The PSICA server is freely available at http://qas.wangwb.com/∼wwr34/mufoldqa/index.html.
VOLPES: an interactive web-based tool for visualizing and comparing physicochemical properties of biological sequences
Authors: Bartonek Lukas , Zagrovic Bojan
Published: May 2019

The structure, dynamics and, ultimately, biological function of proteins and nucleic acids are determined by the physicochemical properties of their primary sequences. Such properties are frequently captured via one-dimensional profile plots depicting a given physicochemical variable as a function of sequence position. Hydrophobicity, charge or structural disorder in proteins or nucleobase-density in nucleic acids are routinely visualized in this manner to analyze sequences at a glance. Such visualizations, however, are typically created case-by-case in a purely static manner, employ fixed visualization parameters only and do not enable a quantitative comparison between different sequences. Here, we present VOLPES (volpes.univie.ac.at), a user-friendly web server and the corresponding JavaScript library that enable a fully interactive, multifunctional visualization, analysis and comparison of the physicochemical properties of protein and nucleic-acid sequences, allowing unprecedented insight into biological sequence data and creating a starting point for further in-depth exploration.
Against Moral Responsibilisation of Health: Prudential Responsibility and Health Promotion
Authors: Brown Rebecca C H , Maslen Hannah , Savulescu Julian
Published: May 2019

In this article, we outline a novel approach to understanding the role of responsibility in health promotion. Efforts to tackle chronic disease have led to an emphasis on personal responsibility and the identification of ways in which people can ‘take responsibility’ for their health by avoiding risk factors such as smoking and over-eating. We argue that the extent to which agents can be considered responsible for their health-related behaviour is limited, and as such, state health promotion which assumes certain forms of moral responsibility should (in general) be avoided. This indicates that some approaches to health promotion ought not to be employed. We suggest, however, that another form of responsibility might be more appropriately identified. This is based on the claim that agents (in general) have prudential reasons to maintain their health, in order to pursue those things which make their lives go well—i.e. that maintenance of a certain level of health is (all-things-considered) rational for many agents, given their pleasures and plans. On this basis, we propose that agents have a self-regarding prudential responsibility to maintain their health. We outline the implications of a prudential responsibility approach to health promotion.
Calculating History: A Mid-Seventeenth-Century Reader of Robert Persons’ A Conference about the Next Succession (1594/1595)
Authors: Archibald Christopher
Published: May 2019

This article examines one of the Bodleian Library’s copies of Robert Persons’ Elizabethan succession tract A Conference about the Next Succession that a 1650s reader has heavily annotated and used to compile a miscellany of poems and extracts from religious, political and historical works. The annotations and miscellany are concerned primarily with recent religious and political history. The reader compiles copies of popular ballads and poems, quotations from religious polemic by Catholic authors and a set of calculations of the dates of recent events in English Catholic history. This marked book serves as a case study through which to explore historical consciousness and the production of particularly Catholic forms of history and memory in the early modern period. This article seeks to query critical narratives concerning apparently combative seventeenth-century political reading practice by extending the remit of the ‘political’ to encompass different generic forms and approaches. It argues that by combining chronological and analogical perspectives this reader constructs a distinctively recusant history. An appendix identifies all of the works used by the annotator and all of the known editions or manuscripts they may have used.
Estimating Exposome Score for Schizophrenia Using Predictive Modeling Approach in Two Independent Samples: The Results From the EUGEI Study
Authors: Pries Lotta-Katrin , Lage-Castellanos Agustin , Delespaul Philippe , Kenis Gunter , Luykx Jurjen J , Lin Bochao D , Richards Alexander L , Akdede Berna , Binbay Tolga , Altinyazar Vesile , Yalinçetin Berna , Gümüş-Akay Güvem , Cihan Burçin , Soygür Haldun , Ulaş Halis , Cankurtaran Eylem Şahin , Kaymak Semra Ulusoy , Mihaljevic Marina M , Petrovic Sanja Andric , Mirjanic Tijana , Bernardo Miguel , Cabrera Bibiana , Bobes Julio , Saiz Pilar A , García-Portilla María Paz , Sanjuan Julio , Aguilar Eduardo J , Santos José Luis , Jiménez-López Estela , Arrojo Manuel , Carracedo Angel , López Gonzalo , González-Peñas Javier , Parellada Mara , Maric Nadja P , Atbaşoğlu Cem , Ucok Alp , Alptekin Köksal , Saka Meram Can ,   Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis (GROUP) investigators, Alizadeh Behrooz Z , van Amelsvoort Therese , Bruggeman Richard , Cahn Wiepke , de Haan Lieuwe , Luykx Jurjen J , van Winkel Ruud , Rutten Bart P F , van Os Jim , Arango Celso , O’Donovan Michael , Rutten Bart P F , van Os Jim , Guloksuz Sinan
Published: May 2019

Exposures constitute a dense network of the environment: exposome. Here, we argue for embracing the exposome paradigm to investigate the sum of nongenetic “risk” and show how predictive modeling approaches can be used to construct an exposome score (ES; an aggregated score of exposures) for schizophrenia. The training dataset consisted of patients with schizophrenia and controls, whereas the independent validation dataset consisted of patients, their unaffected siblings, and controls. Binary exposures were cannabis use, hearing impairment, winter birth, bullying, and emotional, physical, and sexual abuse along with physical and emotional neglect. We applied logistic regression (LR), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and Ridge penalized classification models to the training dataset. ESs, the sum of weighted exposures based on coefficients from each model, were calculated in the validation dataset. In addition, we estimated ES based on meta-analyses and a simple sum score of exposures. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic, and Nagelkerke’s R2 were compared. The ESMeta-analyses performed the worst, whereas the sum score and the ESGNB were worse than the ESLR that performed similar to the ESLASSO and ESRIDGE. The ESLR distinguished patients from controls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.94, P < .001), patients from siblings (OR = 1.58, P < .001), and siblings from controls (OR = 1.21, P = .001). An increase in ESLR was associated with a gradient increase of schizophrenia risk. In reference to the remaining fractions, the ESLR at top 30%, 20%, and 10% of the control distribution yielded ORs of 3.72, 3.74, and 4.77, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that predictive modeling approaches can be harnessed to evaluate the exposome.