bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics in humanitarian efforts: giving due credit to the local team
Authors: Fenton Kathleen N. , Molloy Frank , Novick William M.
Published: December 2018

Background

It has become increasingly apparent that only the truly effective humanitarian work emphasises empowering local practitioners. One problem, though, is that we are often seen as the “experts” who have come to “save” the children. This perception may adversely affect the confidence in the country’s own providers.

Methods

Non-profit organisations performing paediatric heart surgery in developing countries were identified from two sources: the CTSnet “volunteerism” web page and an Internet search using the term “Pediatric Heart Surgery Medical Mission.” The website of each organisation was reviewed, seeking a “purpose” or “mission” statement or summary of the organisation’s work. A separate Internet search of news articles was performed. The top five articles were analysed for each organisation, and the findings are then analysed using the Principlist and Utilitarian ethical systems.

Results

A total of 10 separate non-profit organisations were identified. The websites of eight (80%) placed significant emphasis on the educational aspects of their work and/or on interaction with local professionals. However, of 43 news articles reviewed, reporters mentioned education of, or interaction with, local professionals in only 14 (33%), and four out of 10 organisations studied had no mention of the local providers in any article.

Conclusions

Although non-profit organisations emphasise the teaching and programme-building aspects of their efforts, media reports largely focus on simpler and more emotional stories such as patient successes or large donations. Acknowledgement of the clinical and financial contributions of the host countries is both a duty following from the principle of justice and an important factor in long-term programme building.
InferPortOIE: A Portuguese Open Information Extraction system with inferences
Authors: Sena Cleiton Fernando Lima , Claro Daniela Barreiro
Published: December 2018

Nowadays, there is an increasing amount of digital data. In the case of the Web, daily, a vast collection of data is generated, whose contents are heterogeneous. A significant portion of this data is available in a natural language format. Open Information Extraction (Open IE) enables the extraction of facts from large quantities of texts written in natural language. In this work, we propose an Open IE method to extract facts from texts written in Portuguese. We developed two new rules that generalize the inference by transitivity and by symmetry. Consequently, this approach increases the number of implicit facts in a sentence. Our novel symmetric inference approach is based on a list of symmetric features. Our results confirmed that our method outstands close works both in precision and number of valid extractions. Considering the number of minimal facts, our approach is equivalent to the most relevant methods in the literature.
Arc Andesitic Rocks Derived From Partial Melts of Mélange Diapir in Subduction Zones: Evidence From Whole‐Rock Geochemistry and Sr‐Nd‐Mo Isotopes of the Paleogene Linzizong Volcanic Succession in Southern Tibet
Authors: Yan Haoyu , Long Xiaoping , Li Jie , Wang Qiang , Zhao Bingshuang , Shu Chutian , Gou Longlong , Zuo Rui
Published: December 2018

Formation of andesitic rocks is crucial to understand the evolution of continental crust. Here we present an integrated study for the Paleocene Dianzhong Formation of the Linzizong volcanic succession (LVS) in the Lhasa terrane, southern Tibet. The andesites of the Dianzhong Formation have relatively high Mg# (38–60) and exhibit typical subduction‐like geochemical signatures. They are characterized by slightly enriched εNd(t) values (−2.82–0.35) and have a range of δ98/95 Mo isotopic compositions (−0.40 to 0.13 ‰) larger than mid‐ocean ridge basalt. Their high Mg#, moderate light rare earth element‐enriched patterns, and slightly enriched εNd(t) values clearly rule out an origin of continental crust‐derived melts or partial melts of earlier underplated mafic rocks. The dacites show similar geochemistry to the andesites, indicating an origin from the parental magmas of the andesites. Based on the geochemical comparisons between the Dianzhong andesites and rocks of mélange, we suggest that the andesitic rocks of the LVS were derived from partial melts of a mantle source dominated by mélange that formed along the subduction channel. The mélange diapir melting was triggered by asthenospheric upwelling and corner flow during the Paleocene slab roll‐back of northward subducted Neotethyan oceanic crust. Because the Early Paleocene andesitic rocks in southern Lhasa show an average composition of continental crust, the partial melting of mélange rocks most likely provide an important mechanism for the production of andesitic magmas within continental arcs.
Expanding the Scope and Foundation of Sociohydrology as the Science of Coupled Human‐Water Systems
Authors: Konar Megan , Garcia Margaret , Sanderson Matthew R. , Yu David J. , Sivapalan Murugesu
Published: December 2018

Sociohydrology was launched as the science dealing with feedbacks between coupled human and water systems. Much of the early work in sociohydrology involved studies in spatially isolated domains (e.g., river basins) dealing with phenomena that involved emergent patterns in the time domain, with a focus on formulating and testing hypotheses about how they arise. The papers collected in this Special Section “Sociohydrology: Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Coupled Human‐Water Systems” illustrate that the scientific scope of sociohydrology has broadened over the last few years, with a rich diversity of phenomena studied and an expansion of the knowledge foundations and methodologies applied. These Special Section papers now incorporate methodologies and approaches from a wide range of social science disciplines, including anthropology, complex systems, economics, and sociology. The major themes tackled by these papers are understanding (i) water metabolism—the economic use of water; (ii) interactions between humans and droughts; (iii) interactions between humans and floods; and (iv) the role of human institutions, policy, and management. These collected papers provide a foundation for future research that strives to understand how to achieve water resources sustainability (society to water) and reduce the risk of hydrological hazards in society (water to society). Going forward, we suggest that the development of a common sociohydrology framework will be paramount for research development and student training. Additionally, increased engagement with the broader water management communities will enhance sociohydrology understanding and impact.
Remote sensing quantifies widespread abundance of permafrost region disturbances across the Arctic and Subarctic
Authors: Nitze I. , Grosse G. , Jones B. M. , Romanovsky V. E. , Boike J.
Published: December 2018

Local observations indicate that climate change and shifting disturbance regimes are causing permafrost degradation. However, the occurrence and distribution of permafrost region disturbances (PRDs) remain poorly resolved across the Arctic and Subarctic. Here we quantify the abundance and distribution of three primary PRDs using time-series analysis of 30-m resolution Landsat imagery from 1999 to 2014. Our dataset spans four continental-scale transects in North America and Eurasia, covering ~10% of the permafrost region. Lake area loss (−1.45%) dominated the study domain with enhanced losses occurring at the boundary between discontinuous and continuous permafrost regions. Fires were the most extensive PRD across boreal regions (6.59%), but in tundra regions (0.63%) limited to Alaska. Retrogressive thaw slumps were abundant but highly localized (<10−5%). Our analysis synergizes the global-scale importance of PRDs. The findings highlight the need to include PRDs in next-generation land surface models to project the permafrost carbon feedback.
Creative exploration as a scale-invariant search on a meaning landscape
Authors: Hart Yuval , Goldberg Hagar , Striem-Amit Ella , Mayo Avraham E. , Noy Lior , Alon Uri
Published: December 2018

Can knowledge accumulated in systems biology on mechanisms governing cell behavior help us to elucidate cognitive processes, such as human creative search? To address this, we focus on the property of scale invariance, which allows sensory systems to adapt to environmental signals spanning orders of magnitude. For example, bacteria search for nutrients, by responding to relative changes in nutrient concentration rather than absolute levels, via a sensory mechanism termed fold-change detection (FCD). Scale invariance is prevalent in cognition, yet the specific mechanisms are mostly unknown. Here, we screen many possible dynamic equation topologies, to find that an FCD model best describes creative search dynamics. The model further predicts robustness to variations in meaning perception, in agreement with behavioral data. We thus suggest FCD as a specific mechanism for scale invariant search, connecting sensory processes of cells and cognitive processes in human.
Impaired immune surveillance accelerates accumulation of senescent cells and aging
Authors: Ovadya Yossi , Landsberger Tomer , Leins Hanna , Vadai Ezra , Gal Hilah , Biran Anat , Yosef Reut , Sagiv Adi , Agrawal Amit , Shapira Alon , Windheim Joseph , Tsoory Michael , Schirmbeck Reinhold , Amit Ido , Geiger Hartmut , Krizhanovsky Valery
Published: December 2018

Cellular senescence is a stress response that imposes stable cell-cycle arrest in damaged cells, preventing their propagation in tissues. However, senescent cells accumulate in tissues in advanced age, where they might promote tissue degeneration and malignant transformation. The extent of immune-system involvement in regulating age-related accumulation of senescent cells, and its consequences, are unknown. Here we show that Prf1−/− mice with impaired cell cytotoxicity exhibit both higher senescent-cell tissue burden and chronic inflammation. They suffer from multiple age-related disorders and lower survival. Strikingly, pharmacological elimination of senescent-cells by ABT-737 partially alleviates accelerated aging phenotype in these mice. In LMNA+/G609G progeroid mice, impaired cell cytotoxicity further promotes senescent-cell accumulation and shortens lifespan. ABT-737 administration during the second half of life of these progeroid mice abrogates senescence signature and increases median survival. Our findings shed new light on mechanisms governing senescent-cell presence in aging, and could motivate new strategies for regenerative medicine.
Distinct adaptive mechanisms drive recovery from aneuploidy caused by loss of the Ulp2 SUMO protease
Authors: Ryu Hong-Yeoul , López-Giráldez Francesc , Knight James , Hwang Soo Seok , Renner Christina , Kreft Stefan G. , Hochstrasser Mark
Published: December 2018

In response to acute loss of the Ulp2 SUMO-specific protease, yeast become disomic for chromosome I (ChrI) and ChrXII. Here we report that ChrI disomy, which creates an adaptive advantage in part by increasing the dosage of the Ccr4 deadenylase, was eliminated by extended passaging. Loss of aneuploidy is often accompanied by mutations in essential SUMO-ligating enzymes, which reduced polySUMO-conjugate accumulation. The mRNA levels for almost all ribosomal proteins increase transiently upon initial loss of Ulp2, but elevated Ccr4 levels limit excess ribosome formation. Notably, extended passaging leads to increased levels of many small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) involved in ribosome biogenesis, and higher dosage of three linked ChrXII snoRNA genes suppressed ChrXII disomy in ulp2Δ cells. Our data reveal that aneuploidy allows rapid adaptation to Ulp2 loss, but long-term adaptation restores euploidy. Cellular evolution restores homeostasis through countervailing mutations in SUMO-modification pathways and regulatory shifts in ribosome biogenesis.
Author Correction: Bi-directional cell-pericellular matrix interactions direct stem cell fate
Authors: Ferreira Silvia A. , Motwani Meghna S. , Faull Peter A. , Seymour Alexis J. , Yu Tracy T. L. , Enayati Marjan , Taheem Dheraj K. , Salzlechner Christoph , Haghighi Tabasom , Kania Ewa M. , Oommen Oommenp P. , Ahmed Tarek , Loaiza Sandra , Parzych Katarzyna , Dazzi Francesco , Varghese Oommen P. , Festy Frederic , Grigoriadis Agamemnon E. , Auner Holger W. , Snijders Ambrosius P. , Bozec Laurent , Gentleman Eileen
Published: December 2018

The original version of this Article contained an error in the author affiliations. The affiliation of Marjan Enayati with ‘Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster for Cardiovascular Research at the Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria' was inadvertently omitted. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Enhanced oxygen reduction with single-atomic-site iron catalysts for a zinc-air battery and hydrogen-air fuel cell
Authors: Chen Yuanjun , Ji Shufang , Zhao Shu , Chen Wenxing , Dong Juncai , Cheong Weng-Chon , Shen Rongan , Wen Xiaodong , Zheng Lirong , Rykov Alexandre I. , Cai Shichang , Tang Haolin , Zhuang Zhongbin , Chen Chen , Peng Qing , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: December 2018

Efficient, durable and inexpensive electrocatalysts that accelerate sluggish oxygen reduction reaction kinetics and achieve high-performance are highly desirable. Here we develop a strategy to fabricate a catalyst comprised of single iron atomic sites supported on a nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur co-doped hollow carbon polyhedron from a metal-organic framework@polymer composite. The polymer-based coating facilitates the construction of a hollow structure via the Kirkendall effect and electronic modulation of an active metal center by long-range interaction with sulfur and phosphorus. Benefiting from structure functionalities and electronic control of a single-atom iron active center, the catalyst shows a remarkable performance with enhanced kinetics and activity for oxygen reduction in both alkaline and acid media. Moreover, the catalyst shows promise for substitution of expensive platinum to drive the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction in zinc-air batteries and hydrogen-air fuel cells.
Structure of transcribing RNA polymerase II-nucleosome complex
Authors: Farnung Lucas , Vos Seychelle M. , Cramer Patrick
Published: December 2018

Transcription of eukaryotic protein-coding genes requires passage of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) through nucleosomes, but it is unclear how this is achieved. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of transcribing Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pol II engaged with a downstream nucleosome core particle at an overall resolution of 4.4 Å. Pol II and the nucleosome are observed in a defined relative orientation that is not predicted. Pol II contacts both sides of the nucleosome dyad using its clamp head and lobe domains. Structural comparisons reveal that the elongation factors TFIIS, DSIF, NELF, SPT6, and PAF1 complex can be accommodated on the Pol II surface in the presence of the oriented nucleosome. Our results provide a starting point for analysing the mechanisms of chromatin transcription.
A structural and dynamic model for the assembly of Replication Protein A on single-stranded DNA
Authors: Yates Luke A. , Aramayo Ricardo J. , Pokhrel Nilisha , Caldwell Colleen C. , Kaplan Joshua A. , Perera Rajika L. , Spies Maria , Antony Edwin , Zhang Xiaodong
Published: December 2018

Replication Protein A (RPA), the major eukaryotic single stranded DNA-binding protein, binds to exposed ssDNA to protect it from nucleases, participates in a myriad of nucleic acid transactions and coordinates the recruitment of other important players. RPA is a heterotrimer and coats long stretches of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The precise molecular architecture of the RPA subunits and its DNA binding domains (DBDs) during assembly is poorly understood. Using cryo electron microscopy we obtained a 3D reconstruction of the RPA trimerisation core bound with ssDNA (∼55 kDa) at ∼4.7 Å resolution and a dimeric RPA assembly on ssDNA. FRET-based solution studies reveal dynamic rearrangements of DBDs during coordinated RPA binding and this activity is regulated by phosphorylation at S178 in RPA70. We present a structural model on how dynamic DBDs promote the cooperative assembly of multiple RPAs on long ssDNA.
Gas-responsive porous magnet distinguishes the electron spin of molecular oxygen
Authors: Kosaka Wataru , Liu Zhaoyuan , Zhang Jun , Sato Yohei , Hori Akihiro , Matsuda Ryotaro , Kitagawa Susumu , Miyasaka Hitoshi
Published: December 2018

Gas-sensing materials are becoming increasingly important in our society, requiring high sensitivity to differentiate similar gases like N2and O2. For the design of such materials, the driving force of electronic host-guest interaction or host-framework changes during the sorption process has commonly been considered necessary; however, this work demonstrates the use of the magnetic characteristics intrinsic to the guest molecules for distinguishing between diamagnetic N2and CO2gases from paramagnetic O2gas. While the uptake of N2and CO2leads to an increase inTCthrough ferrimagnetic behavior, the uptake of O2results in an O2pressure-dependent continuous phase change from a ferrimagnet to an antiferromagnet, eventually leading to a novel ferrimagnet with aligned O2spins following application of a magnetic field. This chameleonic material, the first with switchable magnetism that can discriminate between similarly sized N2and O2gases, provides wide scope for new gas-responsive porous magnets.
Molybdenum-based nanoclusters act as antioxidants and ameliorate acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Ni Dalong , Jiang Dawei , Kutyreff Christopher J. , Lai Jianhao , Yan Yongjun , Barnhart Todd E. , Yu Bo , Im Hyung-Jun , Kang Lei , Cho Steve Y. , Liu Zhaofei , Huang Peng , Engle Jonathan W. , Cai Weibo
Published: December 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common reactive oxygen species (ROS)-related renal disease that causes numerous deaths annually, yet only supportive treatment is currently available in the clinics. Development of antioxidants with high accumulation rates in kidneys is highly desired to help prevent AKI. Here we report molybdenum-based polyoxometalate (POM) nanoclusters with preferential renal uptake as novel nano-antioxidants for kidney protection. These POM nanoclusters, with a readily variable valence state of molybdenum ions, possess the capability to scavenge detrimental ROS. Our results demonstrate that POM nanoclusters can efficiently alleviate clinical symptoms in mice subjected to AKI, as verified by dynamic PET imaging with 68Ga-EDTA, serum tests, kidney tissue staining, and biomarkers detection in the kidneys. The protective effect of POM nanoclusters against AKI in living animals suggests exploring their use for the treatment of AKI patients, as well as patients with other ROS-related diseases.
Low-loss YIG-based magnonic crystals with large tunable bandgaps
Authors: Qin Huajun , Both Gert-Jan , Hämäläinen Sampo J. , Yao Lide , van Dijken Sebastiaan
Published: December 2018

Control of spin waves in magnonic crystals is essential for magnon-based computing. Crystals made of ferromagnetic metals offer versatility in band structure design, but strong magnetic damping restricts their transmission efficiency. Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) with ultralow damping is the palpable alternative, yet its small saturation magnetization limits dipolar coupling between discrete units. Here, we experimentally demonstrate low-loss spin-wave manipulation in magnonic crystals of physically separated nanometer-thick YIG stripes. We enhance the transmission of spin waves in allowed minibands by filling the gaps between YIG stripes with CoFeB. Thus-formed magnonic crystals exhibit tunable bandgaps of 50–200 MHz with nearly complete suppression of the spin-wave signal. We also show that Bragg scattering on only two units produces clear frequency gaps in spin-wave transmission spectra. The integration of strong ferromagnets in nanometer-thick YIG-based magnonic crystals provides effective spin-wave manipulation and low-loss propagation, a vital parameter combination for magnonic technologies.
Predicting wildlife reservoirs and global vulnerability to zoonotic Flaviviruses
Authors: Pandit Pranav S. , Doyle Megan M. , Smart Katrina M. , Young Cristin C. W. , Drape Gaylen W. , Johnson Christine K.
Published: December 2018

Flaviviruses continue to cause globally relevant epidemics and have emerged or re-emerged in regions that were previously unaffected. Factors determining emergence of flaviviruses and continuing circulation in sylvatic cycles are incompletely understood. Here we identify potential sylvatic reservoirs of flaviviruses and characterize the macro-ecological traits common to known wildlife hosts to predict the risk of sylvatic flavivirus transmission among wildlife and identify regions that could be vulnerable to outbreaks. We evaluate variability in wildlife hosts for zoonotic flaviviruses and find that flaviviruses group together in distinct clusters with similar hosts. Models incorporating ecological and climatic variables as well as life history traits shared by flaviviruses predict new host species with similar host characteristics. The combination of vector distribution data with models for flavivirus hosts allows for prediction of  global vulnerability to flaviviruses and provides potential targets for disease surveillance in animals and humans.
Revealing internal flow behaviour in arc welding and additive manufacturing of metals
Authors: Aucott Lee , Dong Hongbiao , Mirihanage Wajira , Atwood Robert , Kidess Anton , Gao Shian , Wen Shuwen , Marsden John , Feng Shuo , Tong Mingming , Connolley Thomas , Drakopoulos Michael , Kleijn Chris R. , Richardson Ian M. , Browne David J. , Mathiesen Ragnvald H. , Atkinson Helen. V.
Published: December 2018

Internal flow behaviour during melt-pool-based metal manufacturing remains unclear and hinders progression to process optimisation. In this contribution, we present direct time-resolved imaging of melt pool flow dynamics from a high-energy synchrotron radiation experiment. We track internal flow streams during arc welding of steel and measure instantaneous flow velocities ranging from 0.1 m s−1 to 0.5 m s−1. When the temperature-dependent surface tension coefficient is negative, bulk turbulence is the main flow mechanism and the critical velocity for surface turbulence is below the limits identified in previous theoretical studies. When the alloy exhibits a positive temperature-dependent surface tension coefficient, surface turbulence occurs and derisory oxides can be entrapped within the subsequent solid as result of higher flow velocities. The widely used arc welding and the emerging arc additive manufacturing routes can be optimised by controlling internal melt flow through adjusting surface active elements.
Origin and evolution of qingke barley in Tibet
Authors: Zeng Xingquan , Guo Yu , Xu Qijun , Mascher Martin , Guo Ganggang , Li Shuaicheng , Mao Likai , Liu Qingfeng , Xia Zhanfeng , Zhou Juhong , Yuan Hongjun , Tai Shuaishuai , Wang Yulin , Wei Zexiu , Song Li , Zha Sang , Li Shiming , Tang Yawei , Bai Lijun , Zhuang Zhenhua , He Weiming , Zhao Shancen , Fang Xiaodong , Gao Qiang , Yin Ye , Wang Jian , Yang Huanming , Zhang Jing , Henry Robert J. , Stein Nils , Tashi Nyima
Published: December 2018

Tibetan barley (Hordeum vulgare L., qingke) is the principal cereal cultivated on the Tibetan Plateau for at least 3,500 years, but its origin and domestication remain unclear. Here, based on deep-coverage whole-genome and published exome-capture resequencing data for a total of 437 accessions, we show that contemporary qingke is derived from eastern domesticated barley and it is introduced to southern Tibet most likely via north Pakistan, India, and Nepal between 4,500 and 3,500 years ago. The low genetic diversity of qingke suggests Tibet can be excluded as a center of origin or domestication for barley. The rapid decrease in genetic diversity from eastern domesticated barley to qingke can be explained by a founder effect from 4,500 to 2,000 years ago. The haplotypes of the five key domestication genes of barley support a feral or hybridization origin for Tibetan weedy barley and reject the hypothesis of native Tibetan wild barley.
Fire air pollution reduces global terrestrial productivity
Authors: Yue Xu , Unger Nadine
Published: December 2018

Fire emissions generate air pollutants ozone (O3) and aerosols that influence the land carbon cycle. Surface O3 damages vegetation photosynthesis through stomatal uptake, while aerosols influence photosynthesis by increasing diffuse radiation. Here we combine several state-of-the-art models and multiple measurement datasets to assess the net impacts of fire-induced O3 damage and the aerosol diffuse fertilization effect on gross primary productivity (GPP) for the 2002–2011 period. With all emissions except fires, O3 decreases global GPP by 4.0 ± 1.9 Pg C yr−1 while aerosols increase GPP by 1.0 ± 0.2 Pg C yr−1 with contrasting spatial impacts. Inclusion of fire pollution causes a further GPP reduction of 0.86 ± 0.74 Pg C yr−1 during 2002–2011, resulting from a reduction of 0.91 ± 0.44 Pg C yr−1 by O3 and an increase of 0.05 ± 0.30 Pg C yr−1 by aerosols. The net negative impact of fire pollution poses an increasing threat to ecosystem productivity in a warming future world.
Prognostic Relevance of CCDC88C (Daple) Transcripts in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Dunkel Ying , Reid Anna L. , Ear Jason , Aznar Nicolas , Millward Michael , Gray Elin , Pearce Robert , Ziman Melanie , Ghosh Pradipta
Published: December 2018

A loss of balance between G protein activation and deactivation has been implicated in the initiation of melanomas, and non-canonical Wnt signaling via the Wnt5A/Frizzled (FZD) pathway has been shown to be critical for the switch to an invasive phenotype. Daple [CCDC88C], a cytosolic guanine nucleotide exchange modulator (GEM) which enhances non-canonical Wnt5A/FZD signaling via activation of trimeric G protein, Gαi, has been shown to serve opposing roles–as an inducer of EMT and invasiveness and a potent tumor suppressor–via two isoforms, V1 (full-length) and V2 (short spliced isoform), respectively. Here we report that the relative abundance of these isoforms in the peripheral circulation, presumably largely from circulating tumor cells (CTCs), is a prognostic marker of cutaneous melanomas. Expression of V1 is increased in both the early and late clinical stages (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively); V2 is decreased exclusively in the late clinical stage (p = 0.003). The two isoforms have opposing prognostic effects: high expression of V2 increases relapse-free survival (RFS; p = 0.014), whereas high expression of V1 tends to decrease RFS (p = 0.051). Furthermore, these effects are additive, in that melanoma patients with a low V2-high V1 signature carry the highest risk of metastatic disease. We conclude that detection of Daple transcripts in the peripheral blood (i.e., liquid biopsies) of patients with melanoma may serve as a prognostic marker and an effective strategy for non-invasive long-term follow-up of patients with melanoma.
CHA2DS2-VASc score predicts exercise intolerance in young and middle-aged male patients with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yi Jeong-Eun , Lee Young Soo , Choi Eue-Keun , Cha Myung-Jin , Kim Tae-Hoon , Park Jin-Kyu , Lee Jung-Myung , Kang Ki-Woon , Shim Jaemin , Uhm Jae-Sun , Kim Jun , Kim Changsoo , Kim Jin-Bae , Park Hyung Wook , Joung Boyoung , Park Junbeom
Published: December 2018

Exercise intolerance among the clinical symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has usually been masked by their adjusted life style. We sought to assess the role of CHA2DS2-VASc score to predict exercise intolerance in asymptomatic AF patients, and further examine whether the relationship differs by age and gender. Among the 6,275 participants of the prospective Korean registry of the Comparison study of Drugs for symptom control and complication prevention of Atrial Fibrillation (CODE-AF), 1,080 AF patients who underwent exercise treadmill testing were studied. Exercise intolerance was defined as a peak exercise capacity of 7 metabolic equivalents (METs) or less, and the patients were divided into two groups for the analysis: ≤7 METs (n = 131) and >7 METs (n = 949). Patients with exercise intolerance had a significantly higher CHA2DS2-VASc score than those without (3.1 ± 1.3 vs. 2.0 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.31–1.81, p < 0.0001), corrected QT interval (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02, p = 0.026), and increased left atrial volume index (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p = 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of exercise intolerance. The impact of the CHA2DS2-VASc score on exercise intolerance was significant only in male patients aged <65 years (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.76–6.19, p < 0.0001). The CHA2DS2-VASc score may be a feasible risk assessment tool to predict exercise intolerance, especially in young and middle-aged male patients with asymptomatic AF.
Brushfield spots and Wölfflin nodules unveiled in dark irides using near-infrared light
Authors: Postolache Lavinia , Parsa Cameron F.
Published: December 2018

Wölfflin nodules and Brushfield spots were described essentially in light colored irides. The purpose of our study is to determine if these iris features are also present in dark irides, hidden by melanin granules of the anterior leaf of the iris. We examined iris images, taken with standard visible white, as well as with near-infrared light of children with Down syndrome and without. Using white light, Brushfield spots were seen in 21% of children with Down syndrome, and Wölfflin nodules in 12% of controls (p < 0.001), all noted in those with lightly colored irides. Brushfield spots were detected in 67% of children with Down syndrome using near-infrared light compared to 21% using white light (p < 0.001). Wölfflin nodules were detected in 19% of controls using near-infrared light compared to 12% using white light. Peripheral iris thinning was present in 63% of children with Down syndrome but in only 23% of those without (p = 0.001). Contraction furrows were less frequent in children with Down syndrome (16%) compared to controls (74%)(p < 0.001). Near-infrared light unveils Brushfield spots and Wölfflin nodules in dark irides. Clearing this discrepancy should assist in the elucidation of their pathophysiologic origin. A high prevalence of peripheral iris thinning is also present in children with Down syndrome along with a heretofore unreported reduction in iris contraction furrows.
An adaptive microbiome α-diversity-based association analysis method
Authors: Koh Hyunwook
Published: December 2018

To relate microbial diversity with various host traits of interest (e.g., phenotypes, clinical interventions, environmental factors) is a critical step for generic assessments about the disparity in human microbiota among different populations. The performance of the current item-by-item α-diversity-based association tests is sensitive to the choice of α-diversity metric and unpredictable due to the unknown nature of the true association. The approach of cherry-picking a test for the smallest p-value or the largest effect size among multiple item-by-item analyses is not even statistically valid due to the inherent multiplicity issue. Investigators have recently introduced microbial community-level association tests while blustering statistical power increase of their proposed methods. However, they are purely a test for significance which does not provide any estimation facilities on the effect direction and size of a microbial community; hence, they are not in practical use. Here, I introduce a novel microbial diversity association test, namely, adaptive microbiome α-diversity-based association analysis (aMiAD). aMiAD simultaneously tests the significance and estimates the effect score of the microbial diversity on a host trait, while robustly maintaining high statistical power and accurate estimation with no issues in validity.
IL-33, IL-25 and TSLP contribute to development of fungal-associated protease-induced innate-type airway inflammation
Authors: Hiraishi Yoshihisa , Yamaguchi Sachiko , Yoshizaki Takamichi , Nambu Aya , Shimura Eri , Takamori Ayako , Narushima Seiko , Nakanishi Wakako , Asada Yosuke , Numata Takafumi , Suzukawa Maho , Yamauchi Yasuhiro , Matsuda Akira , Arae Ken , Morita Hideaki , Hoshino Tomoaki , Suto Hajime , Okumura Ko , Matsumoto Kenji , Saito Hirohisa , Sudo Katsuko , Iikura Motoyasu , Nagase Takahide , Nakae Susumu
Published: December 2018

Certain proteases derived from house dust mites and plants are considered to trigger initiation of allergic airway inflammation by disrupting tight junctions between epithelial cells. It is known that inhalation of proteases such as house dust mite-derived Der p1 and/or papaya-derived papain caused airway eosinophilia in naïve mice and even in Rag-deficient mice that lack acquired immune cells such as T, B and NKT cells. In contrast, little is known regarding the possible involvement of proteases derived from Aspergillus species (fungal-associated proteases; FAP), which are ubiquitous saprophytic fungi in the environment, in the development of allergic airway eosinophilia. Here, we found that inhalation of FAP by naïve mice led to airway eosinophilia that was dependent on protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2), but not TLR2 and TLR4. Those findings suggest that the protease activity of FAP, but not endotoxins in FAP, are important in the setting. In addition, development of that eosinophilia was mediated by innate immune cells (ILCs) such as innate lymphoid cells, but not by acquired immune cells such as T, B and NKT cells. Whereas IL-33, IL-25 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) are involved in induction of FAP-induced ILC-mediated airway eosinophilia, IL-33—rather than IL-25 and/or TSLP—was critical for the eosinophilia in our model. Our findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in induction of airway inflammation by FAP.
Prickle1 regulates differentiation of frontal bone osteoblasts
Authors: Wan Yong , Lantz Brandi , Cusack Brian J. , Szabo-Rogers Heather L.
Published: December 2018

Enlarged fontanelles and smaller frontal bones result in a mechanically compromised skull. Both phenotypes could develop from defective migration and differentiation of osteoblasts in the skull bone primordia. The Wnt/Planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signaling pathway regulates cell migration and movement in other tissues and led us to test the role of Prickle1, a core component of the Wnt/PCP pathway, in the skull. For these studies, we used the missense allele of Prickle1 named Prickle1Beetlejuice(Prickle1Bj). The Prickle1Bj/Bj mutants are microcephalic and develop enlarged fontanelles between insufficient frontal bones, while the parietal bones are normal. Prickle1Bj/Bj mutants have several other craniofacial defects including a midline cleft lip, incompletely penetrant cleft palate, and decreased proximal-distal growth of the head. We observed decreased Wnt/β-catenin and Hedgehog signaling in the frontal bone condensations of the Prickle1Bj/Bj mutants. Surprisingly, the smaller frontal bones do not result from defects in cell proliferation or death, but rather significantly delayed differentiation and decreased expression of migratory markers in the frontal bone osteoblast precursors. Our data suggests that Prickle1 protein function contributes to both the migration and differentiation of osteoblast precursors in the frontal bone.
Elevated Creatine Kinase and Lactic Acid Dehydrogenase and Decreased Osteocalcin and Uncarboxylated Osteocalcin are Associated with Bone Stress Injuries in Young Female Athletes
Authors: Miyamoto Takeshi , Oguma Yuko , Sato Yuiko , Kobayashi Tami , Ito Eriko , Tani Mayaka , Miyamoto Kana , Nishiwaki Yuji , Ishida Hiroyuki , Otani Toshiro , Matsumoto Hideo , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya
Published: December 2018

Stress fractures are a limitation for athletes not only in sports performance but in activities of daily living. Thus, preventing them is crucial. In female athletes, a triad of symptoms including low energy availability, functional hypothalamic amenorrhea and osteoporosis are considered risk factors for stress injuries, but biomarkers predictive of these outcomes are not available. Here, we evaluated 56 female university athletes and found that 13 had a history of stress bone injuries. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that dysmenorrhea including amenorrhea, but not reduced food intake or body weight loss, was significantly associated with stress injuries. When we subdivided subjects into stress fracture and non-fracture groups, we found that serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher in the fracture group, while osteocalcin and uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), which are bone forming parameters, significantly decreased. Low vitamin D levels are associated with stress fractures, but serum vitamin D levels were higher in fracture compared to non-fracture subjects. We followed up 32 subjects for one year, and three exhibited new stress injuries during that period. A history of stress fracture history is significantly associated with experiencing a new stress fracture. We also found that subjects with new fracture performed significantly greater exercise activity than did non-fracture subjects. Taken together, our data indicate that increased serum CK and LDH and decreased serum osteocalcin and ucOC are biomarkers of stress injuries, and evaluating these markers along with dysmenorrhea, stress fracture history or high sports activity could predict future stress fractures in female athletes.
Direct imaging of capillaries reveals the mechanism of arteriovenous interlacing in the chick chorioallantoic membrane
Authors: Richard Sophie , Brun Amanda , Tedesco Antonio , Gallois Benjamin , Taghi Naoual , Dantan Philippe , Seguin Johanne , Fleury Vincent
Published: December 2018

Understanding vascular development in vertebrates is an important scientific endeavor. Normal vasculatures generally start off as a disorganized capillary lattice which progressively matures into a well-organized vascular loop comprising a hierarchy of arteries and veins. One striking feature of vascular development is the interlacing of arteries and veins. How arteries and veins manage to avoid themselves and interlace with such a perfect architecture is not understood. Here we present a detailed view of the development of the vasculature in the chorioallantoic membrane of the chicken embryo. We find that the origin of arteriovenous interlacing lies in the presence of an increased hemodynamic resistance at the distal part of the arteries due to vascular flattening onto the ectodermal surface. This reduces the vascular conductance distally, thus repelling veins away. In more proximal parts, vessels round off into cylinders and the increased flow attracts veins.
Two-photon fluorescent probe for hypoxic cancer stem cells by responding to endogenous nitroreductase
Authors: Liu Yajing , Yan Weixiao , Li Hongjuan , Peng Haotong , Suo Xiaomin , Li Zhenhua , Liu Huifang , Zhang Jinchao , Wang Shuxiang , Liu Dandan
Published: December 2018

A two-photon fluorescent probe to detect the NTR in 3D cultured-cancer stem cells and monitor the hypoxic microenvironment in vitro. This novel probe was hoped to apply for disease-relevant hypoxia detection in the biomedical research fields.
Highly selective and reproducible electroanalysis for histidine in blood with turn-on responses at a potential approaching zero using tetrahedral copper metal organic frameworks
Authors: Hua Yue , Lv Xiaoxia , Cai Yuanyuan , Liu Huan , Li Shuai , Wan Yuqi , Wang Hua
Published: December 2018

Tetrahedral copper metal organic frameworks were fabricated for the electroanalysis of histidine with turn-on responses at a potential approaching zero.
Photoconversion of 6,13-α-diketopentacene single crystals exhibiting light intensity-dependent morphological change
Authors: Yamauchi Mitsuaki , Miyamoto Yuya , Suzuki Mitsuharu , Yamada Hiroko , Masuo Sadahiro
Published: December 2018

Photoconversion of diketopentacene single crystal.
Collision-induced absorption between O2–CO2 for the a1Δg (v = 1) ← X3Σ−g (v = 0) transition of molecular oxygen at 1060 nm
Authors: Banerjee Agniva , Mandon Julien , Harren Frans , Parker David H.
Published: December 2018

Collision-induced absorption between O2 and CO2 molecules associated with the a 1Δg (v = 1) ← X3Σ−g (v = 0) band of oxygen around 1060 nm was measured using cavity ring-down spectroscopy.
Organic dye doped graphitic carbon nitride with a tailored electronic structure for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Zhang Huixian , Lin Jiajia , Li Ziqiao , Li Tingting , Jia Xin , Wu Xi-Lin , Hu Shanwei , Lin Hongjun , Chen Jianrong , Zhu Junfa
Published: December 2018

Molecularly doped g-C3N4 exhibited an enhanced performance for the photocatalytic hydrogen production with a H2 evolution rate of 1619 μmol g−1 h−1.
Boosting the turnover number of core–shell Al-ZSM-5@B-ZSM-5 zeolite for methanol to propylene reaction by modulating its gradient acid site distribution and low consumption diffusion
Authors: Zhai Yanliang , Zhang Shaolong , Shang Yunshan , Song Yu , Wang Wenxuan , Ma Tong , Zhang Luoming , Gong Yanjun , Xu Jun , Deng Feng
Published: December 2018

Hierarchical Al-ZSM-5@B-ZSM-5 core–shell zeolite was prepared to boost turnover number of MTP reaction.
Enhancing the volatile fatty acid production from agro-industrial waste streams through sludge pretreatment
Authors: Jayakrishnan U. , Deka Deepmoni , Das Gopal
Published: December 2018

Acidogenic bioconversion of agro-industrial effluents into potential biopolymer production media was accomplished by sludge modification with subsequent bioprocess assessment.
Resveratrol improves intestinal barrier function, alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction and induces mitophagy in diquat challenged piglets1
Authors: Cao Shuting , Shen Zhuojun , Wang Chunchun , Zhang Qianhui , Hong Qihua , He Yonghui , Hu Caihong
Published: December 2018

This study evaluated whether resveratrol can alleviate intestinal injury and enhance the mitochondrial function and the mitophagy level in diquat induced oxidative stress of piglets.
Thermosetting polyurethanes prepared with the aid of a fully bio-based emulsifier with high bio-content, high solid content, and superior mechanical properties
Authors: Liu Lingxiao , Lu Jingyi , Zhang Yi , Liang Haiyan , Liang Dunsheng , Jiang Jizhou , Lu Qiming , Quirino Rafael L. , Zhang Chaoqun
Published: December 2018

The green synthetic route developed in this study offers a new platform for environmentally friendly emulsifiers for waterborne polyurethanes.
The effects of molecular structure and functional group of a rodlike Schiff base mesogen on blue phase stabilization in a chiral system
Authors: Huang Chiung-Cheng , Huang Yu-Chang , Hsieh Wei-Cheng , Chen Yen-Jung , Jiang Shi-Kai , Chen Bo-Hao , Hsu I.-Jui , Lee Jey-Jau
Published: December 2018

A wider blue phase (BP) range can be induced easily when two difluoro substituted and racemic rodlike Schiff base mesogens are doped with the appropriate concentration of chiral dopantsS811orISO(6OBA)2.
Conformational preferences ofN-acetyl-N′-methylprolineamide in different media: a1H NMR and theoretical investigation
Authors: Braga Carolyne B. , Silva Weslley G. D. P. , Rittner Roberto
Published: December 2018

The conformational preferences and role of non-covalent interactions on the geometries of Ac–Pro–NHMe were elucidated in isolated phase and solution.
Planar dual-cavity hot-electron photodetectors
Authors: Shao Weijia , Yang Qianru , Zhang Cheng , Wu Shaolong , Li Xiaofeng
Published: December 2018

Planar dual-cavity hot-electron photodetector breaks the incompatibility between photon absorption and hot electron transport.
Genetically-engineered protein prodrug-like nanoconjugates for tumor-targeting biomimetic delivery via a SHEATH strategy
Authors: Chang Ya , Yao Shuo , Chen Yifang , Huang Jingjing , Wu Aihua , Zhang Meng , Xu Fan , Li Feng , Huang Yongzhuo
Published: December 2018

A SHEATH strategy was developed to overcome the delivery barrier against drug development and the clinical application of the cytoplasmic active proteins (e.g., ribosome-inactivating proteins, RIPs).
Fluorescent supramolecular polymers with aggregation induced emission properties
Authors: Li Bo , He Tian , Shen Xi , Tang Danting , Yin Shouchun
Published: December 2018

This review summarizes the recent developments in AIE fluorescent supramolecular polymeric materials based on different types of intermolecular noncovalent interactions, and their wide ranging applications as chemical sensors, organic electronic materials, bio-imaging agents and so on.
Monodisperse tin nanoparticles and hollow tin oxide nanospheres as anode materials for high performance lithium ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Xixia , Wang Wenhui , Hou Zhen , Yu Yikang , Di Qian , Wu Xiaotong , Wei Guijuan , Quan Zewei , Zhang Jun
Published: December 2018

Monodisperse Sn nanoparticles and hollow/amorphous SnOx nanospheres are prepared via a facile colloidal method, and they exhibit good electrochemical performances as anode materials in lithium ion batteries.
Testosterone meets albumin – the molecular mechanism of sex hormone transport by serum albumins
Authors: Czub Mateusz P. , Venkataramany Barat S. , Majorek Karolina A. , Handing Katarzyna B. , Porebski Przemyslaw J. , Beeram Sandya R. , Suh Kyungah , Woolfork Ashley G. , Hage David S. , Shabalin Ivan G. , Minor Wladek
Published: December 2018

The first albumin structure in complex with testosterone and the hormone's binding affinity measured with two methods.
Iron sulfur clusters in protein nanocages for photocatalytic hydrogen generation in acidic aqueous solutions
Authors: Chen Weijian , Li Shuyi , Li Xiao , Zhang Chi , Hu Xiantao , Zhu Fan , Shen Guosong , Feng Fude
Published: December 2018

Apoferritin caged a huge amount of photocatalysts and enhanced H2generation capability under homogeneous acidic conditions.
Stable functionalized phosphorenes with photocatalytic HER activity
Authors: Vishnoi Pratap , Gupta Uttam , Pandey Richa , Rao C. N. R.
Published: December 2018

Phosphorenes functionalized with InCl3, B(C6F5)3 and a benzyl group show good ambient stability and high photocatalytic HER activity.
One-pot synthesis of bi-metallic PdRu tripods as an efficient catalyst for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia
Authors: Wang Hongjing , Li Yinghao , Li Chunjie , Deng Kai , Wang Ziqiang , Xu You , Li Xiaonian , Xue Hairong , Wang Liang
Published: December 2018

A very simple one-step synthetic method is developed for fabrication of PdRu tripods for electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia.
Correction: Simultaneous and controlled release of two different bioactive small molecules from nature inspired single material
Authors: Rather Adil M. , Shome Arpita , Bhunia Bibhas K. , Panuganti Aparna , Mandal Biman B. , Manna Uttam
Published: December 2018

Correction for ‘Simultaneous and controlled release of two different bioactive small molecules from nature inspired single material’ by Adil M. Rather et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2018, 6, 7692–7702.
Large reduction of thermal conductivity leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance in p-type Mg3Bi2–YbMg2Bi2 solid solutions
Authors: Zhou Ting , Mao Jun , Jiang Jing , Song Shaowei , Zhu Hangtian , Zhu Qing , Zhang Qinyong , Ren Wuyang , Wang Zhiming , Wang Chao , Ren Zhifeng
Published: December 2018

The thermoelectric property of YbMg2Bi2–Mg3Bi2 solid solution is studied.