bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investment Performance Analysis Of Debt Mutual Funds In India – A Quantitative Approach
Authors: Thomas Asha Mariam , Varughese Dr. Ashish
Published: December 2024

Mutual funds are investments which allow the investor to have access to a wide range of securities. Among them
the debt funds invest particularly in fixed income securities, which help the investor to balance the risk and
return in his portfolio. Analysing any investment brings to light its current and future performance and its
suitability to the investor. The study takes into consideration 15 schemes belonging to liquid funds, short term
income funds and gilt funds. The performance is evaluated using Absolute Return, Standard deviation, beta, RSquared, Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen’s Alpha. The study concludes that the debt funds are more suitable for
short term investments as the liquid and short-term funds are able to provide better risk adjusted returns. Moreover, the gilt funds are more prone to be affected by interest rate risk which will in turn lower the returns of the funds
Grain Boundary Processes in Strengthening, Weakening, and Superplasticity
Authors: Chokshi Atul H.
Published: October 2019

Grain boundaries provide strength to materials at low temperatures by impeding slip transfer and they weaken materials at high temperatures by intergranular creep processes such as grain boundary sliding (GBS) and diffusion creep. At very fine nanocrystalline grain sizes of <10 nm, it is possible to observe grain boundary weakening rather than strengthening at room temperature. Superplastic flow is observed in a wide range of materials, but the common phenomenology of a high strain rate sensitivity and extensive GBS may arise from varying importance of GBS accommodated by dislocations, diffusion creep, and interface‐controlled diffusion creep. Thus, superplasticity in metals and ceramics involves GBS with dislocation accommodation and interface‐controlled diffusion creep, respectively. It is recognized that grains retain their equiaxed shapes during diffusion creep by grain switching and grain growth. Ultrafine‐grained and nanocrystalline materials with a high strain rate sensitivity of >0.3 deform with a large GBS contribution to total strain of ≈40–80%. There are a limited number of studies showing superplasticity in fine‐grained high‐entropy alloys, involving GBS accommodated by dislocations.
An Integrated Triboelectric–Electromagnetic–Piezoelectric Hybrid Energy Harvester Induced by a Multifunction Magnet for Rotational Motion
Authors: Ma Teng , Gao Qiang , Li Yikang , Wang Zheng , Lu Xiaohui , Cheng Tinghai
Published: October 2019

Rotational motion generates energy extractable by the energy harvester for powering electronic devices and is also useful for self‐powered sensing. An integrated triboelectric–electromagnetic–piezoelectric hybrid energy harvester induced by a multifunction magnet for rotational motion is designed and investigated herein. The hybrid energy harvester is installed on a rotating disc to create rotational motion. A cylindrical NdFeB permanent magnet (Magnet I) acts as a key movable component, reciprocating in an acrylic cylinder as the hybrid energy harvester rotates. Magnet I interacts with three different generators to achieve three power generation modes in a single motion cycle, thus improving energy harvesting efficiency. Charging 10 μF capacitors demonstrates the superior charging capability of the hybrid energy harvester compared with individual power generation components. Assisted by a rectifier circuit and capacitor, the hybrid energy harvester as a power source at 45 rpm can supply power for thermohygrometer and illuminate 111 blue LEDs. In addition, the hybrid energy harvester exhibits good stability and durability, continuously operating the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) unit of the hybrid energy harvester at 30 rpm for 9 h. In short, this work demonstrates a new kind of energy harvester that provides the possibility to efficiently harvest rotational mechanical energy.
A Formal Condensation and [4+1] Annulation Reaction of 3‐Isothiocyanato Oxindoles with Aza‐o‐Quinone Methides
Authors: Gui Hou‐Ze , Wu Xiao‐Yun , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: October 2019

A formal condensation and [4+1] annulation reactions of 3‐isothiocyanato oxindoles with aza‐o‐quinone methides have been reported in this paper for the first time. The use of Na2CO3 as a base exclusively gave the corresponding condensed products in good yields, which can be smoothly transformed into the formal [4+1] annulation products if using DBU as a base. In addition, isothiocyanate could serve as a leaving group during the nucleophilic addition reaction has been disclosed. The two bases play different roles in the reaction and the desired cyclized products can be also obtained in good to high yields in a one‐pot manner under mild conditions.

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A review of technological advances and open challenges for oil and gas drilling systems engineering
Authors: Epelle Emmanuel I. , Gerogiorgis Dimitrios I.
Published: October 2019

The ever‐increasing quest to identify, secure, access, and operate oil and gas fields is continuously expanding to the far corners of the planet, facing extreme conditions toward exploring, securing, and deriving maximum fluid benefits from established and unconventional fossil fuel sources alike: to this end, the unprecedented geological, climatic, technical, and operational challenges have necessitated the development of revolutionary drilling and production methods. This review paper focuses on a technological field of great importance and formidable technical complexity—that of well drilling for fossil fuel production. A vastly expanding body of literature addresses design and operation problems with remarkable success: what is even more interesting is that many recent contributions rely on multidisciplinary approaches and reusable Process Systems Engineering (PSE) methodologies—a drastic departure from ad hoc/one‐use tools and methods of the past. The specific goals of this review are to first review the state‐of‐art in active fields within drilling engineering and explore currently pressing technical problems, which are in dire need or have recently found, PSE‐ and/or computational fluid dynamics‐relevant solutions. Then, we illustrate the methodological versatility of novel PSE‐based approaches for optimization and control, with an emphasis on contemporary problems. Finally, we highlight current challenges and opportunities for truly innovative research contributions, which require the combination of best‐in‐class methodological and software elements in order to deliver applicable solutions of industrial importance.
Region‐specific insular volumetric decreases in drug‐naive, first‐episode schizophrenia and their unaffected siblings
Authors: Li Huabing , Ou Yangpan , Liu Feng , Su Qinji , Zhang Zhikun , Chen Jindong , Zhu Furong , Zhao Jingping , Guo Wenbin
Published: October 2019

Decreased insular volume may be one of the anatomical alterations caused by schizophrenia. The possibility of region‐specific insular volumetric reduction as an endophenotype and/or a possible treatment predictor is a critical issue with great implications for the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. The sample of the current study comprised 44 drug‐naive and first‐episode patients, 42 unaffected siblings, and 44 healthy controls. A computational anatomy toolbox (CAT12) was applied to analyze the structural images with a fine‐grained, cross‐validated brainnetome atlas. Correlation analysis and support vector regression (SVR) were used to determine the relationship between insular deficits and symptomatic severity among patients. The gray matter volume (GMV) values in the left hypergranular insula (G) exhibited the following pattern: patients < siblings < controls. GMV values in the right ventral agranular insula (vIa) and baseline Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative symptoms subscale scores among patients showed a positive correlation (r = 0.384, p = .010). Further SVR analysis exhibited a significantly positive correlation between GMV values in the right vIa and negative symptomatic improvement among patients (r = 0.537, p < .001). Results suggested the presence of region‐specific insular volumetric decreases in first‐episode schizophrenia. Thus, volumetric decrease in left G might be a potential endophenotype for schizophrenia, and GMV values in right vIa might be used to predict negative symptomatic improvement in schizophrenia.
Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted Cyclopropanes via Inorganic Base‐Mediated Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Zhu Huijuan , Liu Shuangshuang , He Chunnian , Zhang Jing , Wang Lei
Published: October 2019

An efficient and concise synthesis of various trifluoromethyl‐substituted cyclopropanes from a variety of dienes and enynes in the presence of cheap inorganic base potassium phosphate has been reported. This methodology features high yields (up to 89%), wide substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance (25 examples).
Effects of substrate and phylogeny on quadrupedal gait in free‐ranging platyrrhines
Authors: Dunham Noah T. , McNamara Allison , Shapiro Liza J. , Hieronymus Tobin L. , Phelps Taylor , Young Jesse W.
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Primate diagonal sequence (DS) gaits are often argued to be an adaptation for moving and foraging in the fine‐branch niche; however, existing data have come predominantly from laboratory studies that are limited in taxonomic breadth and fail to account for the structural and ecological variation of natural substrates. We test the extent to which substrate diameter and orientation influence gait sequence type and limb phase in free‐ranging primates, as well as how phylogenetic relatedness might condition response patterns.

Materials and methods

We filmed quadrupedal locomotion in 11 platyrrhine species at field sites in Ecuador and Costa Rica and measured the diameter and orientation of locomotor substrates using remote sensors. We quantified limb phase values and classified strides by gait sequence type (N= 988 strides).

Results

Our results show that most of the species in our sample consistently used DS gaits, regardless of substrate diameter or orientation; however, all taxa also used asymmetrical and/or lateral sequence gaits. By incorporating phylogenetic eigenvectors into our models, we found significant differences in gait sequence patterns and limb phase values among the major platyrrhine clades, suggesting that phylogeny may be a better predictor of gait than substrate diameter or orientation.

Discussion

Our field data generally corroborate locomotor patterns from laboratory studies but capture additional aspects of gait variability and flexibility in response to the complexity of natural environments. Overall, our results suggest that DS gaits are not exclusively tailored to narrow or oblique substrates but are used on arboreal substrates in general.
An Activatable NIR‐II Nanoprobe for In Vivo Early Real‐Time Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Li Chunyan , Li Wanfei , Liu Huanhuan , Zhang Yejun , Chen Guangcun , Li Zijing , Wang Qiangbin
Published: October 2019

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dangerous acute diseases resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Current methods remain limited with respect to early diagnosis and real‐time feedback on the pathological process. Herein, a targeted activatable fluorescent nanoprobe (V&A@Ag2S) in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) is presented for in vivo optical imaging of TBI. Initially, the fluorescence of V&A@Ag2S is turned off owing to energy transfer from Ag2S to the A1094 chromophore. Upon intravenous injection, V&A@Ag2S quickly accumulates in the inflamed vascular endothelium of TBI based on VCAM1‐mediated endocytosis, after which the nanoprobe achieves rapid recovery of the NIR‐II fluorescence of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) owing to the bleaching of A1094 by the prodromal biomarker of TBI, peroxynitrite (ONOO−). The nanoprobe offers high specificity, rapid response, and high sensitivity toward ONOO−, providing a convenient approach for in vivo early real‐time assessment of TBI.
A cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel in the brain regulates olfactory modulation through neuropeptide F in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Lee Sion , Jones Walton D. , Kim Do‐Hyoung
Published: October 2019

Olfactory sensing and its modulation are important for the insects in recognizing diverse odors from the environment and in making correct decisions to survive. Identifying new genes involved in olfactory modulation and unveiling their mechanisms may lead us to understand decision making processes in the central nervous system. Here, we report a novel olfactory function of the cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channel CG42260 in modulating ab3A olfactory sensory neurons, which specifically respond to food‐derived odors in fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We found that two independent CG42260 mutants show reduced responses in the ab3A neurons. Unlike mammalian CNGs, CG42260 is not expressed in the odorant sensory neurons but broadly in the central nervous system including neuropeptide‐producing cells. By using molecular genetic tools, we identified CG42260 expression in one pair of neuropeptide F (NPF) positive L1‐l cells known to modulate food odor responsiveness. Knockdown of CG42260 in the NPF neurons reduced production of NPF in Ll‐1 cells, which in turn, led to reduction of neuronal responses of the ab3A neurons. Our findings show the novel biological function of CG42260 in modulating olfactory responses to food odor through NPF.
The psychoactive cathinone derivative pyrovalerone alters locomotor activity and decreases dopamine receptor expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Souders Christopher Laurence , Davis Robert H. , Qing Hua , Liang Xuefang , Febo Marcelo , Martyniuk Christopher J.
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Pyrovalerone (4‐methyl‐β‐keto‐prolintane) is a synthetic cathinone (beta‐keto‐amphetamine) derivative. Cathinones are a concern as drugs of abuse, as related street drugs such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone have garnered significant attention. The primary mechanism of action of cathinones is to inhibit reuptake transporters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in reward centers of the central nervous system.

Methods

We measured bioenergetic, behavioral, and molecular responses to pyrovalerone (nM‐µM) in zebrafish to evaluate its potential for neurotoxicity and neurological impairment.

Results

Pyrovalerone did not induce any mortality in zebrafish larvae over a 3‐ and 24‐hr period; however, seizures were prevalent at the highest dose tested (100 µM). Oxidative phosphorylation was not affected in the embryos, and there was no change in superoxide dismutase 1 expression. Following a 3‐hr treatment to pyrovalerone (1–100 µM), larval zebrafish (6d) showed a dose‐dependent decrease (70%–90%) in total distance moved in a visual motor response (VMR) test. We interrogated potential mechanisms related to the hypoactivity, focusing on the expression of dopamine‐related transcripts as cathinones can modulate the dopamine system. Pyrovalerone decreased the expression levels of dopamine receptor D1 (~60%) in larval zebrafish but did not affect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine active transporter, or any other dopamine receptor subunit examined, suggesting that pyrovalerone may regulate the expression of dopamine receptors in a specific manner.

Discussion

Further studies using zebrafish are expected to reveal new insight into molecular mechanisms and behavioral responses to cathinone derivates, and zebrafish may be a useful model for understanding the relationship between the dopamine system and bath salts.
The Contribution of the Left Phrenic Nerve to Innervation of the Esophagogastric Junction
Authors: Haenssgen Kati , Herrmann Gudrun , Draeger Annette , Essig Manfred , Djonov Valentin
Published: October 2019

The contribution of the left phrenic nerve to innervation of the esophagogastric junction. The esophagogastric junction is part of the barrier preventing gastroesophageal reflux. We have investigated the contribution of the phrenic nerves to innervation of the esophagogastric junction in humans and piglets by dissecting 30 embalmed human specimens and 14 piglets. Samples were microdissected and nerves were stained and examined by light and electron microscopy. In 76.6% of the human specimens, the left phrenic nerve participated in the innervation of the esophagogastric junction by forming a neural network together with the celiac plexus (46.6%) or by sending off a distinct phrenic branch, which joined the anterior vagal trunk (20%). Distinct left phrenic branches were always accompanied by small branches of the left inferior phrenic artery. In 10% there were indirect connections with a distinct phrenic nerve branch joining the celiac ganglion, from which celiac plexus branches to the esophagogastric junction emerged. Morphological examination of phrenic branches revealed strong similarities to autonomic celiac plexus branches. There was no contribution of the left phrenic nerve or accompanying arteries from the caudal phrenic artery in any of the piglets. The right phrenic nerve made no contribution in any of the human or piglet samples. We conclude that the left phrenic nerve in humans contributes to the innervation of the esophagogastric junction by providing ancillary autonomic nerve fibers. Experimental studies of the innervation in pigs should consider that neither of the phrenic nerves was found to contribute. Clin. Anat. 33:265–274, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic grading software for 2D CAD files
Authors: Bryan Josiah A.
Published: October 2019

Undergraduate computer‐aided design (CAD) courses can have large enrollments, making it difficult for instructors to thoroughly assess each student's assignments and provide individualized feedback. While in some subject areas textbook companies are developing online platforms that adapt problem sets to meet each individual student's needs, there has been apparently little attention to the area of individualized CAD instruction. This paper presents a program that compares students’ two‐dimensional CAD drawings to a solution, computes the number of missing or erroneous features in each student's drawing, and generates a visual comparison of each student's drawing with the solution. The system is implemented both as an offline version for batch processing and an online version for immediate student feedback on assignments. While the system lacks the “smartness” of a human grader, the offline version substantially reduces time spent grading exams and improves grading accuracy and consistency, and the online version encourages students to focus on important details of drawing and provides immediate online feedback for students as they complete assignments, as well as providing after‐the‐fact feedback on exams.
Mental health issues on campus require consideration of legal issues, risks
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: October 2019

Fostering individual social and emotional growth is critical to the work of institutions of higher education. New students find themselves in challenging and unfamiliar environments when they arrive on campus and participate in a school's educational and social activities. And beyond new students, within each campus community are people dealing with the gamut of human experiences. Individual mental health issues, then, frequently present themselves to administrators, faculty, counselors, or other staff. Regardless of whether an institution is broadly open to the community, such as a community college, or a highly selective institution, for some, the pressures, environment, and physiological factors bear on mental health. As colleges and universities address students’ emotional health, they should be aware of the legal framework for addressing individuals with mental health needs and potential risks associated with acts institutions take or fail to take.
Practical Synthesis of Cap‐4 RNA
Authors: Leiter Josef , Reichert Dennis , Rentmeister Andrea , Micura Ronald
Published: October 2019

Eukaryotic mRNAs possess 5′ caps that are determinants for their function. A structural characteristic of 5′ caps is methylation, with this feature already present in early eukaryotes such as Trypanosoma. While the common cap‐0 (m7GpppN) shows a rather simple methylation pattern, the Trypanosoma cap‐4 displays seven distinguished additional methylations within the first four nucleotides. The study of essential biological functions mediated by these unique structural features of the cap‐4 and thereby of the metabolism of an important class of human pathogenic parasites is hindered by the lack of reliable preparation methods. Herein we describe the synthesis of custom‐made nucleoside phosphoramidite building blocks for m62Am and m3Um, their incorporation into short RNAs, the efficient construction of the 5′‐to‐5′ triphosphate bridge to guanosine by using a solid‐phase approach, the selective enzymatic methylation at position N7 of the inverted guanosine, and enzymatic ligation to generate trypanosomatid mRNAs of up to 40 nucleotides in length. This study introduces a reliable synthetic strategy to the much‐needed cap‐4 RNA probes for integrated structural biology studies, using a combination of chemical and enzymatic steps.
Three‐year clinical outcome in all‐comers with “silent” diabetes, prediabetes, or normoglycemia, treated with contemporary coronary drug‐eluting stents: From the BIO‐RESORT Silent Diabetes study
Authors: Ploumen Eline H. , Buiten Rosaly A. , Kok Marlies M. , Doggen Carine J.M. , van Houwelingen K. Gert , Stoel Martin G. , de Man Frits H.A.F. , Hartmann Marc , Zocca Paolo , Linssen Gerard C.M. , Doelman Cees , Kant Gert D. , von Birgelen Clemens
Published: October 2019

Background

Patients with coronary disease may have unknown diabetes or prediabetes. We evaluated 3‐year outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary drug‐eluting stents (DES) in patients with silent diabetes, prediabetes, and normoglycemia.

Methods

All BIO‐RESORT trial (NCT01674803) participants without known diabetes, enrolled at our center, were invited for oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) and measurements of fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Results

OGTT detected silent diabetes in 68 (6.9%), prediabetes in 132 (13.4%), and normoglycemia in 788 (79.8%) of all 988 study participants. Follow‐up was available in 986 (99.8%) patients. The main endpoint target vessel failure (TVF: cardiac death, target vessel‐related myocardial infarction [MI], or target vessel revascularization) differed between groups (14.8, 9.9, and 5.6%; p = .002), driven by MI during the first 48 hr and by cardiac death (p < .001; p = .026). Between 48 hr and 3‐years, there was no significant between‐group difference in TVF, target vessel MI, and target vessel revascularization. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that silent diabetes was independently associated with TVF (adjusted HR: 2.52, 95%‐CI: 1.26–5.03). An alternative diagnostic approach—HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose—detected silent diabetes and prediabetes in 33 (3.3%) and 217 (22.0%) patients, and normoglycemia in 738 (74.7%); TVF rates were 12.1, 7.9, and 6.0% (p = .23).

Conclusion

In patients without known diabetes, abnormal glucose metabolism by OGTT was independently associated with higher 3‐year TVF rates after PCI with contemporary DES. This difference was driven by periprocedural MI and cardiac death. After the first 48 hr, the rates of TVF, target vessel MI, and target vessel revascularization were low and did not differ significantly between metabolic groups.
15 Jahre Trialog in der Prozessanalytik
Authors: Rübberdt Kathrin
Published: October 2019

Prozessanalysentechnik als Forum für Anwender, Hersteller und Akademia gegründet. Heute ist er mindestens so wichtig wie damals, denn kaum ein Thema entwickelt sich angesichts von Digitalisierung und Prozessintegration so dynamisch wie die Prozessanalytik.
FILTECH 2019 – Weiter auf Erfolgskurs
Authors: Anlauf Harald
Published: October 2019

Die FILTECH befindet sich ungebrochen auf Erfolgskurs und kann gegenüber 2018 mit erneut deutlich erweitertem Ausstellungs‐ und Vortragsangebot aufwarten. Nachdem die Fachmesse 2018 mit 380 Ausstellern und über 180 wissenschaftlichen Vorträgen auf dem parallel zur Messe stattfindenden Kongress 14.000 Besucher aus 76 Nationen begrüßen durfte, wird in diesem Jahr bei über 400 Ausstellern und mehr als 200 wissenschaftlichen Präsentationen mit einem mindestens vergleichbar guten Besucherergebnis gerechnet.
Filtration am laufenden Band
Authors: Krause Peter
Published: October 2019

Wolftechnik Filtervliesrollen umfassen vier unterschiedlich hergestellte Filtervliesarten, was eine optimale Abstimmung auf die abzutrennenden Feststoffe ermöglicht.
Mehrskalige Ansätze
Authors: Heck Ulrich
Published: October 2019

DHCAE Tools stellen auf der Filtech neue, erweiterte und speziell angepasste CFD‐Methoden für Filtrationsanwendungen vor.
Simulationen in der Verfahrenstechnik
Authors:   CITplus
Published: October 2019

Numerische Simulation und Modellierung haben längst Einzug in die Entwicklungsprozesse der Verfahrenstechnik genommen, was auf die neuen Technologien und die zunehmende Digitalisierung der Prozessindustrie zurückzuführen ist. In den letzten Jahren gab es sowohl im Bereich einfacher Fließschema‐Simulationen als auch bei komplexen CFD‐Modellen enorme Fortschritte. Eine ganz spezielle Weiterentwicklung erhöht die Benutzerfreundlichkeit sogar so weit, dass Simulation auf höchstem Niveau für völlig unerfahrene Anwender möglich wird.
Prozesstaugliche, preiswerte Brennersteuerung
Authors: Kuchenmeister Reinhold
Published: October 2019

Der Differenzdruck‐Durchflussmesser deltaflowC ist der weltweit wohl kleinste und schnellste multivariable Messumformer zur Massenstrommessung von Gasen. Er kann einen wichtigen Beitrag zur Steigerung der Brennereffizienz und damit zur Senkung von Energieverbrauch und CO2‐Ausstoß leisten.
Reibungslos
Authors: Plaga Daniel
Published: October 2019

Die flexible und skalierbare HIQuad X von Hima ist eine Weiterentwicklung der HIQuad, die seit rund 30 Jahren über zehntausend Applikationen in aller Welt absichert. Das neue programmierbare Sicherheitssystem gliedert sich nahtlos in die Smart Safety Plattform des Schwetzinger Sicherheitsspezialisten ein.
Condensed desmin and actin cytoskeletal communication in lipid droplets
Authors: Miyasaka Yoshiya , Murakami Keigo , Ito Koji , Kumaki Jiro , Makabe Koki , Hatori Kuniyuki
Published: October 2019

The interplay between intermediate filaments (IFs) and other cytoskeletal components is important for the integrity and motility of cells. The impact of IF assembly on other components and cell morphology is not yet fully understood. Therefore, we examined the effects of combined desmin and actin assembly on cytoskeletal network arrangement in artificial cell‐sized droplets. Fluorescently labeled desmin, with or without actin, was enclosed in droplets prepared with 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) using the water‐in‐oil method. Protein networks were observed using fluorescence microscopy in the presence of 150 mM KCl, 20 mM imidazole–HCl (pH 7.4), 2 mM MgCl2, and 1 mM adenosine 5'‐triphosphate for both desmin and actin assembly. As desmin alone can assemble into filaments within seconds, desmin networks mainly localizing at the inner margins of the droplets were observed within 10 min after assembly initiation. Subsequently, deformations of droplets appeared. Furthermore, a portion of droplets formed desmin‐rich protrusions of several micrometers. Notably, actin alone rarely formed protrusions under the same conditions. When 1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine was used instead of DOPE, protrusions became less frequent. The combination of desmin and actin increased the number of deformed droplets in which the proteins were considerably colocalized. The assembly process of desmin facilitated colocalization. Atomic force microscopy failed to reveal interactions between the two filament types. These results suggest that the mechanical properties of desmin networks may influence the behavior of actin networks, as well as membrane morphology, possibly reflecting the mechanical function of desmin filaments in muscle cells.
Expression mapping, quantification, and complex formation of GluD1 and GluD2 glutamate receptors in adult mouse brain
Authors: Nakamoto Chihiro , Konno Kohtarou , Miyazaki Taisuke , Nakatsukasa Ena , Natsume Rie , Abe Manabu , Kawamura Meiko , Fukazawa Yugo , Shigemoto Ryuichi , Yamasaki Miwako , Sakimura Kenji , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: October 2019

In the cerebellum, GluD2 is exclusively expressed in Purkinje cells, where it regulates synapse formation and regeneration, synaptic plasticity, and motor learning. Delayed cognitive development in humans with GluD2 gene mutations suggests extracerebellar functions of GluD2. However, extracerebellar expression of GluD2 and its relationship with that of GluD1 are poorly understood. GluD2 mRNA and protein were widely detected, with relatively high levels observed in the olfactory glomerular layer, medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, retrosplenial granular cortex, olfactory tubercle, subiculum, striatum, lateral septum, anterodorsal thalamic nucleus, and arcuate hypothalamic nucleus. These regions were also enriched for GluD1, and many individual neurons coexpressed the two GluDs. In the retrosplenial granular cortex, GluD1 and GluD2 were selectively expressed at PSD‐95‐expressing glutamatergic synapses, and their coexpression on the same synapses was shown by SDS‐digested freeze‐fracture replica labeling. Biochemically, GluD1 and GluD2 formed coimmunoprecipitable complex formation in HEK293T cells and in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. We further estimated the relative protein amount by quantitative immunoblotting using GluA2/GluD2 and GluA2/GluD1 chimeric proteins as standards for titration of GluD1 and GluD2 antibodies. Intriguingly, the relative amount of GluD2 was almost comparable to that of GluD1 in the postsynaptic density fraction prepared from the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. In contrast, GluD2 was overwhelmingly predominant in the cerebellum. Thus, we have determined the relative extracerebellar expression of GluD1 and GluD2 at regional, neuronal, and synaptic levels. These data provide a molecular–anatomical basis for possible competitive and cooperative interactions of GluD family members at synapses in various brain regions.
Neuroarchitecture of the central complex of the desert locust: Tangential neurons
Authors: von Hadeln Joss , Hensgen Ronja , Bockhorst Tobias , Rosner Ronny , Heidasch Ronny , Pegel Uta , Quintero Pérez Manuel , Homberg Uwe
Published: October 2019

The central complex (CX) comprises a group of midline neuropils in the insect brain, consisting of the protocerebral bridge (PB), the upper (CBU) and lower division (CBL) of the central body and a pair of globular noduli. It receives prominent input from the visual system and plays a major role in spatial orientation of the animals. Vertical slices and horizontal layers of the CX are formed by columnar, tangential, and pontine neurons. While pontine and columnar neurons have been analyzed in detail, especially in the fruit fly and desert locust, understanding of the organization of tangential cells is still rudimentary. As a basis for future functional studies, we have studied the morphologies of tangential neurons of the CX of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. Intracellular dye injections revealed 43 different types of tangential neuron, 8 of the PB, 5 of the CBL, 24 of the CBU, 2 of the noduli, and 4 innervating multiple substructures. Cell bodies of these neurons were located in 11 different clusters in the cell body rind. Judging from the presence of fine versus beaded terminals, the vast majority of these neurons provide input into the CX, especially from the lateral complex (LX), the superior protocerebrum, the posterior slope, and other surrounding brain areas, but not directly from the mushroom bodies. Connections are largely subunit‐ and partly layer‐specific. No direct connections were found between the CBU and the CBL. Instead, both subdivisions are connected in parallel with the PB and distinct layers of the noduli.
Static code transformations for thread‐dense memory accesses in GPU computing
Authors: Kim Hyunjun , Hong Sungin , Park Jeonghwan , Han Hwansoo
Published: October 2019

Due to the GPU's complex memory system and massive thread‐level parallelism, application programmers often have difficulty optimizing GPU programs. An essential approach to memory optimization is to utilize low‐latency on‐chip memory to avoid high latency of off‐chip memory accesses. Shared memory is an on‐chip memory, which is explicitly managed by programmers. Shared memory has a read/write latency similar to that of the L1 cache, but poor data management can degrade performance. In this paper, we present a static code transformation that preloads dataset in GPU's shared memory. Our static analysis primarily targets global memory requests with high thread‐density for preloading in shared memory. The thread‐dense memory access pattern is a pattern in which many threads efficiently manage the address space of shared memory, as well as reuse the same data in a thread block. We limit the usage of shared memory so that thread‐level parallelism remains at the same level when selecting datasets for preloading. Finally, our source‐to‐source compiler allows to preload selected datasets in shared memory by transforming non‐optimized GPU kernel code. Our methods achieve 1.26× and 1.62× speedups on average (geometric mean), respectively with GTX980 and P100 GPUs.
The requirement of SUMO2/3 for SENP2 mediated extraembryonic and embryonic development
Authors: Yu H‐M Ivy , Hsu Trunee , Maruyama Eri O , Paschen Wulf , Yang Wei , Hsu Wei
Published: October 2019

Small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO)‐specific protease 2 (SENP2) is essential for the development of healthy placenta. The loss of SENP2 causes severe placental deficiencies and leads to embryonic death that is associated with heart and brain deformities. However, tissue‐specific disruption of SENP2 demonstrates its dispensable role in embryogenesis and the embryonic defects are secondary to placental insufficiency. SENP2 regulates SUMO1 modification of Mdm2, which controls p53 activities critical for trophoblast cell proliferation and differentiation. Here we use genetic analyses to examine the involvement of SUMO2 and SUMO3 for SENP2‐mediated placentation. The results indicate that hyper‐SUMOylation caused by SENP2 deficiency can be compensated by reducing the level of SUMO modifiers. The placental deficiencies caused by the loss of SENP2 can be alleviated by the inactivation of gene encoding SUMO2 or SUMO3. Our findings demonstrate that SENP2 genetically interacts with SUMO2 and SUMO3 pivotal for the development of three major trophoblast layers. The alleviation of placental defects in the SENP2 knockouts further leads to the proper formation of the heart structures, including atrioventricular cushion and myocardium. SUMO2 and SUMO3 modifications regulate placentation and organogenesis mediated by SENP2.
Effect of coal blending on ash fusion behavior for blast furnace injection of high calcium bituminous coal
Authors: Li Yanjiang , Zhang Jianliang , Wang Guangwei , Qiao Junqiang , Wang Peng , Liang Wang
Published: October 2019

In order to expand the range of bituminous coal injected into blast furnace, the ash melting behavior and regulation mechanism of bituminous with high calcium and low ash fusion temperature (AFT) were investigated by coal blending. And the mineral transformation behavior in the blended ashes was investigated by X‐ray powder diffractometry with normalized reference intensity ratio software and FactSage software. The experimental results manifest that the softening temperature (ST) of coal D is 8°C lower than that of the hot blast temperature. By adequately mixing coal B and coal D, it is easy to meet the requirements of pulverized coal injection. And coal D has become a standard bituminous for blast furnace injection. However, the high content of CaO in the coal S ash makes the AFT much lower than the hot blast temperature, which leads to the reluctance of the steel industry to inject coal S. With the increase of coal B mass ratio, the content of high‐melting eutectic matters (3Al2O3·2SiO2 and tridymite) increases at high temperature, while the content of low‐melting anorthite, andradite, gehlenite, and grossularite decreases, which leads to the increase of AFTs. The variation in the liquid phase under certain conditions reflects the change in AFT. In summary, by blending with coal B, the ST of blended coals S/B is higher than the hot blast temperature (1250°C), so that coal S can be applied to blast furnace injection. And the injection ratio of coal S in blended coals can reach about 50%.
Bioconcentration, Metabolism, and Spatial Distribution of 14C-Labeled Laurate in the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca
Authors: Raths Johannes , Kuehr Sebastian , Schlechtriem Christian
Published: October 2019

Regulatory assessment of the bioaccumulation from water is commonly based on bioconcentration factors (BCFs) derived from fish flow-through tests. Such experiments require many laboratory animals and are time-consuming and costly. An alternative test setup for organic, neutral compounds using the amphipod Hyalella azteca was recently suggested, resulting in BCF values which show a strong correlation with fish BCF data. In the present study, the bioconcentration potential of the ionic compound laurate was elucidated in H. azteca. The sodium salt of 1-14C laurate was applied to H. azteca in a flow-through and a semistatic approach. Because of rapid biodegradation, a semistatic approach with frequent medium replacements was required to ensure a stable medium concentration. Laurate was also rapidly metabolized by H. azteca. A large proportion of the total radioactivity measured in the amphipod tissue was not extractable, suggesting that mineralized laurate was accumulated in the calcified exoskeleton of H. azteca. This was confirmed in a further study using carbonate [14C]. A lipid-normalized (5.0%) Hyalella BCF of 8.9 was calculated for laurate, measured as free fatty acids. The results of the bioconcentration studies with H. azteca confirm the low bioaccumulation potential of the test item previously observed in fish. However, more organic ionic compounds with various properties need to be tested to assess whether a general correlation between fish and Hyalella BCF data exists. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:310–322. © 2019 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
The hepatoprotective activities of Kalimeris indica ethanol extract against liver injury in vivo
Authors: Wang Guo‐Kai , Zhang Nan , Wang Yi , Liu Jin‐Song , Wang Gang , Zhou Zhong‐Yu , Lu Chi‐Cheng , Yang Jai‑Sing
Published: October 2019

Kalimeris indica (L.) Sch. Bip. is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and a portion of food used for cooking in China. It has been demonstrated that an ethanol extract of K. indica has an anti‐inflammatory effect by inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production on murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. In this study, the hepatoprotective effects of the total phenolics of K. indica (TPK), the total triterpenes of K. indica (TTK), and the total flavones of K. indica (TFK) from ethanol extracts of K. indica were evaluated in Bacille Calmette–Guerin (BCG)/LPS‐induced liver injury in vivo. The treatments of TPK, TTK, and TFK improved liver injury in mice. Additionally, all treatments significantly not only reduced the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content and hepatic total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS) but also induced the hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activity. The treatments of TPK and TTK significantly reduced the hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The treatments of TPK, TTK, and TFK reduced the serum total bilirubin (T‐Bil), and only TFK treatment reduced the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our results suggest that TPK, TTK, and TFK from ethanol extracts of K. indica might play an essential protective role against BCG/LPS‐induced liver injury in vivo.
Linear and nonlinear interrelations show fundamentally distinct network structure in preictal intracranial EEG of epilepsy patients
Authors: Müller Michael , Caporro Matteo , Gast Heidemarie , Pollo Claudio , Wiest Roland , Schindler Kaspar , Rummel Christian
Published: October 2019

Resection of the seizure generating tissue can be highly beneficial in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy. However, only about half of all patients undergoing surgery get permanently and completely seizure free. Investigating the dependences between intracranial EEG signals adds a multivariate perspective largely unavailable to visual EEG analysis, which is the current clinical practice. We examined linear and nonlinear interrelations between intracranial EEG signals regarding their spatial distribution and network characteristics. The analyzed signals were recorded immediately before clinical seizure onset in epilepsy patients who received a standardized electrode implantation targeting the mesiotemporal structures. The linear interrelation networks were predominantly locally connected and highly reproducible between patients. In contrast, the nonlinear networks had a clearly centralized structure, which was specific for the individual pathology. The nonlinear interrelations were overrepresented in the focal hemisphere and in patients with no or only rare seizures after surgery specifically in the resected tissue. Connections to the outside were predominantly nonlinear. In all patients without worthwhile improvement after resective treatment, tissue producing strong nonlinear interrelations was left untouched by surgery. Our findings indicate that linear and nonlinear interrelations play fundamentally different roles in preictal intracranial EEG. Moreover, they suggest nonlinear signal interrelations to be a marker of epileptogenic tissue and not a characteristic of the mesiotemporal structures. Our results corroborate the network‐based nature of epilepsy and suggest the application of network analysis to support the planning of resective epilepsy surgery.
Hippocampal gamma rhythms during Y‐maze navigation in the juvenile rat
Authors: McHail Daniel G. , Dumas Theodore C.
Published: October 2019

The neurobiology of postnatal hippocampal development in rodents is receiving increased attention as a means to address neurodevelopmental questions and to better understand the neural code(s) for spatial navigation in adulthood. We previously showed that spontaneous alternation (SA) in a Y‐maze, which emerges at the end of the third postnatal week, was related to changes in fast glutamatergic synaptic transmission. In adults, oscillations in the hippocampal local field potential (LFP) (i.e., theta, 4–12 Hz; slow gamma, 25–55 Hz; and fast gamma, 65–100 Hz) have been shown to coordinate the activity of spatially tuned cell types in the hippocampus during route planning and execution. Other investigators have shown that theta activity matures during the first month of life. However, relationships between developmental alterations in gamma oscillations and cognitive function have not been investigated in juveniles, and the impact of developmental changes in excitatory synaptic transmission on network activity remains unclear. We implanted rats at postnatal day 14 to record LFPs from the synaptic layer of area CA1 during Y‐maze exploration at postnatal Days 18, 19, 23, and 24. The positive allosteric modulator of AMPA receptors, CX614, or vehicle was administered prior to each test. We found that slow gamma peak frequency, but not peak power, remained constant across this age range. Fast gamma event rate increased with increasing age, while peak frequency decreased. AMPA receptor modulation impacted slow and fast gamma differently at different ages. Furthermore, gamma events showed relationships with novelty and movement speed that differed based on gamma sub‐band (slow vs. fast). These results support the presence of environmentally‐driven gamma oscillations in hippocampal network activity prior to the end of the third postnatal week of development. Differential refinement of slow and fast gamma occurring across the subsequent week supports involvement in the emergence of spatial navigation ability.
Solute manipulation enabled band and defect engineering for thermoelectric enhancements of SnTe
Authors: Yao Zhichao , Li Wen , Tang Jing , Chen Zhiwei , Lin Siqi , Biswas Kanishka , Burkov Alexander , Pei Yanzhong
Published: October 2019

With years of development, SnTe as a homologue of PbTe has shown great potential for thermoelectric applications in p‐type conduction, and the most successful strategy is typified by alloying for maximizing the valence band degeneracy. Among the known alloy agents, MnTe has been found to be one of the most effective enabling a band convergence for an enhancement in electronic performance of SnTe, yet its solubility of only ~15 at% unfortunately prevents a full optimization in the valence band structure. This work reveals that additional PbTe alloying not only promotes the MnTe solubility to locate the optimal valence band structure but also increases the overall substitutional defects in the material for a substantial reduction in lattice thermal conductivity. In addition, PbTe alloying simultaneously optimizes the carrier concentration due to the cation size effect. These features all enabled by such a solute manipulation synergistically lead to a very high thermoelectric figure of merit, zT of ~1.5 in SnTe with a 20 at% MnTe and a 30 at% PbTe alloying (Sn0.5Mn0.2Pb0.3Te), demonstrating the effectiveness of solute manipulation for advancing SnTe and similar thermoelectrics.
In vivo study of metabolic dynamics and heterogeneity in brown and beige fat by label‐free multiphoton redox and fluorescence lifetime microscopy
Authors: He Sicong , Wei Xiuqing , Qin Zhongya , Chen Congping , Wu Zhenguo , Qu Jianan Y.
Published: October 2019

In this work, the metabolic characteristics of adipose tissues in live mouse model were investigated using a multiphoton redox ratio and fluorescence lifetime imaging technology. By analyzing the intrinsic fluorescence of metabolic coenzymes, we measured the optical redox ratios of adipocytes in vivo and studied their responses to thermogenesis. The fluorescence lifetime imaging further revealed changes in protein bindings of metabolic coenzymes in the adipocytes during thermogenesis. Our study uncovered significant heterogeneity in the cellular structures and metabolic characteristics of thermogenic adipocytes in brown and beige fat. Subgroups of brown and beige adipocytes were identified based on the distinct lipid size distributions, redox ratios, fluorescence lifetimes and thermogenic capacities. The results of our study show that this label‐free imaging technique can shed new light on in vivo study of metabolic dynamics and heterogeneity of adipose tissues in live organisms.