bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dipteran’s Novel Sucker Punch: Evolution of Arthropod Atypical Venom with a Neurotoxic Component in Robber Flies (Asilidae, Diptera)
Authors: Drukewitz Stephan , Fuhrmann Nico , Undheim Eivind , Blanke Alexander , Giribaldi Julien , Mary Rosanna , Laconde Guillaume , Dutertre Sébastien , Von Reumont Björn
Published: January 2018

Predatory robber flies (Diptera, Asilidae) have been suspected to be venomous due to their ability to overpower well-defended prey. However, details of their venom composition and toxin arsenal remained unknown. Here, we provide a detailed characterization of the venom system of robber flies through the application of comparative transcriptomics, proteomics and functional morphology. Our results reveal asilid venoms to be dominated by peptides and non-enzymatic proteins, and that the majority of components in the crude venom is represented by just ten toxin families, which we have named Asilidin1–10. Contrary to what might be expected for a liquid-feeding predator, the venoms of robber flies appear to be rich in novel peptides, rather than enzymes with a putative pre-digestive role. The novelty of these peptides suggests that the robber fly venom system evolved independently from hematophagous dipterans and other pancrustaceans. Indeed, six Asilidins match no other venom proteins, while three represent known examples of peptide scaffolds convergently recruited to a toxic function. Of these, members of Asilidin1 closely resemble cysteine inhibitor knot peptides (ICK), of which neurotoxic variants occur in cone snails, assassin bugs, scorpions and spiders. Synthesis of one of these putative ICKs, U-Asilidin1-Mar1a, followed by toxicity assays against an ecologically relevant prey model revealed that one of these likely plays a role as a neurotoxin involved in the immobilization of prey. Our results are fundamental to address these insights further and to understand processes that drive venom evolution in dipterans as well as other arthropods.
Azemiopsin, a Selective Peptide Antagonist of Muscle Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: Preclinical Evaluation as a Local Muscle Relaxant
Authors: Shelukhina Irina , Zhmak Maxim , Lobanov Alexander , Ivanov Igor , Garifulina Alexandra , Kravchenko Irina , Rasskazova Ekaterina , Salmova Margarita , Tukhovskaya Elena , Rykov Vladimir , Slashcheva Gulsara , Egorova Natalya , Muzyka Inessa , Tsetlin Victor , Utkin Yuri
Published: January 2018

Azemiopsin (Az), a linear peptide from the Azemiops feae viper venom, contains no disulfide bonds, is a high-affinity and selective inhibitor of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) of muscle type and may be considered as potentially applicable nondepolarizing muscle relaxant. In this study, we investigated its preclinical profile in regard to in vitro and in vivo efficacy, acute and chronic toxicity, pharmacokinetics, allergenic capacity, immunotoxicity and mutagenic potency. The peptide effectively inhibited (IC50 ~ 19 nM) calcium response of muscle nAChR evoked by 30 μM (EC100) acetylcholine but was less potent (IC50 ~ 3 μM) at α7 nAChR activated by 10 μM (EC50) acetylcholine and had a low affinity to α4β2 and α3-containing nAChR, as well as to GABAA or 5HT3 receptors. Its muscle relaxant effect was demonstrated at intramuscular injection to mice at doses of 30–300 µg/kg, 30 µg/kg being the initial effective dose and 90 µg/kg—the average effective dose. The maximal muscle relaxant effect of Az was achieved in 10 min after the administration and elimination half-life of Az in mice was calculated as 20–40 min. The longest period of Az action observed at a dose of 300 µg/kg was 55 min. The highest acute toxicity (LD50 510 μg/kg) was observed at intravenous injection of Az, at intramuscular or intraperitoneal administration it was less toxic. The peptide showed practically no immunotoxic, allergenic or mutagenic capacity. Overall, the results demonstrate that Az has good drug-like properties for the application as local muscle relaxant and in its parameters, is not inferior to the relaxants currently used. However, some Az modification might be effective to extend its narrow therapeutic window, a typical characteristic and a weak point of all nondepolarizing myorelaxants.
Atomic Resolution Structures of Human Bufaviruses Determined by Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Authors: Ilyas Maria , Mietzsch Mario , Kailasan Shweta , Väisänen Elina , Luo Mengxiao , Chipman Paul , Smith J. , Kurian Justin , Sousa Duncan , McKenna Robert , Söderlund-Venermo Maria , Agbandje-McKenna Mavis
Published: January 2018

Bufavirus strain 1 (BuV1), a member of the Protoparvovirus genus of the Parvoviridae, was first isolated from fecal samples of children with acute diarrhea in Burkina Faso. Since this initial discovery, BuVs have been isolated in several countries, including Finland, the Netherlands, and Bhutan, in pediatric patients exhibiting similar symptoms. Towards their characterization, the structures of virus-like particles of BuV1, BuV2, and BuV3, the current known genotypes, have been determined by cryo-electron microscopy and image reconstruction to 2.84, 3.79, and 3.25 Å, respectively. The BuVs, 65–73% identical in amino acid sequence, conserve the major viral protein, VP2, structure and general capsid surface features of parvoviruses. These include a core β-barrel (βB-βI), α-helix A, and large surface loops inserted between these elements in VP2. The capsid contains depressions at the icosahedral 2-fold and around the 5-fold axes, and has three separated protrusions surrounding the 3-fold axes. Structure comparison among the BuVs and to available parvovirus structures revealed capsid surface variations and capsid 3-fold protrusions that depart from the single pinwheel arrangement of the animal protoparvoviruses. These structures provide a platform to begin the molecular characterization of these potentially pathogenic viruses.
Quantitative Analysis of Hepatitis C NS5A Viral Protein Dynamics on the ER Surface
Authors: Knodel Markus , Nägel Arne , Reiter Sebastian , Vogel Andreas , Targett-Adams Paul , McLauchlan John , Herrmann Eva , Wittum Gabriel
Published: January 2018

Exploring biophysical properties of virus-encoded components and their requirement for virus replication is an exciting new area of interdisciplinary virological research. To date, spatial resolution has only rarely been analyzed in computational/biophysical descriptions of virus replication dynamics. However, it is widely acknowledged that intracellular spatial dependence is a crucial component of virus life cycles. The hepatitis C virus-encoded NS5A protein is an endoplasmatic reticulum (ER)-anchored viral protein and an essential component of the virus replication machinery. Therefore, we simulate NS5A dynamics on realistic reconstructed, curved ER surfaces by means of surface partial differential equations (sPDE) upon unstructured grids. We match the in silico NS5A diffusion constant such that the NS5A sPDE simulation data reproduce experimental NS5A fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) time series data. This parameter estimation yields the NS5A diffusion constant. Such parameters are needed for spatial models of HCV dynamics, which we are developing in parallel but remain qualitative at this stage. Thus, our present study likely provides the first quantitative biophysical description of the movement of a viral component. Our spatio-temporal resolved ansatz paves new ways for understanding intricate spatial-defined processes central to specfic aspects of virus life cycles.
Effect of Substrate, Feeding Mode and Number of Stages on the Performance of Hybrid Constructed Wetland Systems
Authors: Herrera-Melián José , Borreguero-Fabelo Alejandro , Araña Javier , Peñate-Castellano Néstor , Ortega-Méndez José
Published: January 2018

A hybrid constructed wetland mesocosm has been used for the treatment of raw urban wastewater. The first stage was a mulch-based, subsurface, horizontal flow constructed wetland (HF). The HF achieved good removals of COD (61%; 54 g/m2·day) and Total Suspended Solids (84%; 29 g/m2·day). The second stage was composed of vertical flow constructed wetlands (VF) that were employed to study the effect of substrate (gravel vs. mulch), feeding mode (continuous vs. intermittent) and the number of stages (1 vs. 2) on performance. High hydraulic and organic surface loadings (513–583 L/m2·day and 103–118 g/m2·day of COD) were applied to the reactors. The mulch was more efficient than gravel for all the parameters analyzed. The continuous feeding allowed a 3 to 6-fold reduction of the surface area required.
Performance of Iron Plaque of Wetland Plants for Regulating Iron, Manganese, and Phosphorus from Agricultural Drainage Water
Authors: Jia Xueying , Otte Marinus , Liu Ying , Qin Lei , Tian Xue , Lu Xianguo , Jiang Ming , Zou Yuanchun
Published: January 2018

Agricultural drainage water continues to impact watersheds and their receiving water bodies. One approach to mitigate this problem is to use surrounding natural wetlands. Our objectives were to determine the effect of iron (Fe)-rich groundwater on phosphorus (P) removal and nutrient absorption by the utilization of the iron plaque on the root surface of Glyceria spiculosa (Fr. Schmidt.) Rosh. The experiment was comprised of two main factors with three regimes: Fe2+ (0, 1, 20, 100, 500 mg·L−1) and P (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg·L−1). The deposition and structure of iron plaque was examined through a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray analyzer. Iron could, however, also impose toxic effects on the biota. We therefore provide the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on iron plaques, showing the essential elements were iron (Fe), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), P, and sulphur (S). Results showed that (1) Iron plaque increased with increasing Fe2+ supply, and P-deficiency promoted its formation; (2) Depending on the amount of iron plaque on roots, nutrient uptake was enhanced at low levels, but at higher levels, it inhibited element accumulation and translocation; (3) The absorption of manganese was particularly affected by iron plague, which also enhanced phosphorus uptake until the external iron concentration exceeded 100 mg·L−1. Therefore, the presence of iron plaque on the root surface would increase the uptake of P, which depends on the concentration of iron-rich groundwater.
A Hydraulic Friction Model for One-Dimensional Unsteady Channel Flows with Experimental Demonstration
Authors: Bao Weimin , Zhou Junwei , Xiang Xiaohua , Jiang Peng , Bao Muxi
Published: January 2018

As a critical parameter of the steady uniform friction model, the roughness coefficient changes with flow unsteadiness in flood events; i.e., the flow conditions of the stream segment significantly affect the flow resistance. In this study, a modified formula was established to improve the unsteady friction simulation; ten terms relating to the first- and second-order time and space partial derivatives of hydraulic parameters were selected as additional terms. The results of a hydraulic experiment show that the hysteresis between flow depth and mean cross-sectional velocity cannot be neglected in unsteady flows that disturb the performance of a steady uniform friction model. Six terms have a strong correlation with objective friction. Further, three of them have a small variance in correlation coefficient. Then, the composition of the proposed formula was determined. The results show that adding too many additional terms provides better performance in the calibration phase, yet reduces the accuracy of the validation phase because of an overfitting phenomenon. The optimal number of additional terms is three, and the established formula can improve the unsteady friction simulation.
Fungal Peritonitis Caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa in a CAPD Patient Treated with Liposomal Amphotericin B: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Franconieri Frederic , Bonhomme Julie , Doriot Aline , Bonnamy Cecile , Ficheux Maxence , Lobbedez Thierry , Béchade Clémence
Published: January 2018

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa is a ubiquitous yeast that may cause serious peritoneal dialysis (PD) infections. A 70-year-old man receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for 6 months presented with a PD infection caused by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. The patient was treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. His peritoneal catheter was simultaneously removed and reinserted. To date, only 10 cases of Rhodotorula CAPD infections have been reported. Catheters, corticoids, cancer, and previous antibiotic therapy were the main risk factors for these infections. For most patients, the peritoneal catheter was removed, leading to a definitive transfer to hemodialysis. Along with flucytosine, amphotericin B is the main antifungal that is used. Both have a lower minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), whereas fluconazole and caspofungin have the highest MICs. We highlighted the efficacy of liposomal amphotericin B associated with simultaneous withdrawal and reinsertion of a peritoneal catheter in a case of Rhodotorula peritonitis in a CAPD patient. Further studies are needed to evaluate the treatment of this condition.
Review on optofluidic microreactors for artificial photosynthesis
Authors: Huang Xiaowen , Wang Jianchun , Li Tenghao , Wang Jianmei , Xu Min , Yu Weixing , El Abed Abdel , Zhang Xuming
Published: January 2018

Artificial photosynthesis (APS) mimics natural photosynthesis (NPS) to store solar energy in chemical compounds for applications such as water splitting, CO2 fixation and coenzyme regeneration. NPS is naturally an optofluidic system since the cells (typical size 10 to 100 µm) of green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria enable light capture, biochemical and enzymatic reactions and the related material transport in a microscale, aqueous environment. The long history of evolution has equipped NPS with the remarkable merits of a large surface-area-to-volume ratio, fast small molecule diffusion and precise control of mass transfer. APS is expected to share many of the same advantages of NPS and could even provide more functionality if optofluidic technology is introduced. Recently, many studies have reported on optofluidic APS systems, but there is still a lack of an in-depth review. This article will start with a brief introduction of the physical mechanisms and will then review recent progresses in water splitting, CO2 fixation and coenzyme regeneration in optofluidic APS systems, followed by discussions on pending problems for real applications.
Growth model and structure evolution of Ag layers deposited on Ge films
Authors: Ciesielski Arkadiusz , Skowronski Lukasz , Górecka Ewa , Kierdaszuk Jakub , Szoplik Tomasz
Published: January 2018

We investigated the crystallinity and optical parameters of silver layers of 10–35 nm thickness as a function 2–10 nm thick Ge wetting films deposited on SiO2 substrates. X-ray reflectometry (XRR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements proved that segregation of germanium into the surface of the silver film is a result of the gradient growth of silver crystals. The free energy of Ge atoms is reduced by their migration from boundaries of larger grains at the Ag/SiO2 interface to boundaries of smaller grains near the Ag surface. Annealing at different temperatures and various durations allowed for a controlled distribution of crystal dimensions, thus influencing the segregation rate. Furthermore, using ellipsometric and optical transmission measurements we determined the time-dependent evolution of the film structure. If stored under ambient conditions for the first week after deposition, the changes in the transmission spectra are smaller than the measurement accuracy. Over the course of the following three weeks, the segregation-induced effects result in considerably modified transmission spectra. Two months after deposition, the slope of the silver layer density profile derived from the XRR spectra was found to be inverted due to the completed segregation process, and the optical transmission spectra increased uniformly due to the roughened surfaces, corrosion of silver and ongoing recrystallization. The Raman spectra of the Ge wetted Ag films were measured immediately after deposition and ten days later and demonstrated that the Ge atoms at the Ag grain boundaries form clusters of a few atoms where the Ge–Ge bonds are still present.
Negative polarity items: a case for questions as licensers
Authors: Schwarz Bernhard
Published: January 2018

Existing analyses of NPI licensing in questions instantiate two differentapproaches. One approach holds that questions are NPI licensers in their own right(Kadmon & Landman 1990; Krifka 1995, 2003; van Rooy 2003); the other holdsthat, in virtue of their syntax, questions host silent expressions that do the licensingfor them, such as a silent version of exclusive only (Nicolae 2013, 2015) or negationnot (Guerzoni & Sharvit 2014). Based one a pattern of NPI licensing in alternativequestions, this paper presents a case for the former approach. Specifically, it offersan argument for the analysis developed in Krifka 1995, 2003 and van Rooy 2003,which centrally refers to questions’ information theoretic entropy (Shannon 1948).
Causes and Expectations: On the Interpretation of the Tagalog Ability/Involuntary Action Form
Authors: Alonso-Ovalle Luis , Hsieh Henrison
Published: January 2018

The Tagalog Ability / Involuntary Action (AIA) verbal form conveys apparently unrelated modal meanings: that an action was within what an agent could do or that it was beyond what an agent could control, for instance. Recent analyses for the Malagasy and St’át’imcets counterparts of this form propose that this morphology contributes circumstantial modality and conveys, roughly, that the event that it describes follows from a set of facts (Davis, Matthewson & Rullmann 2009; Paul, Ralalaoherivony & de Swart 2016). In Alonso-Ovalle & Hsieh forthcoming we discuss some challenges for extending this type of analysis to Tagalog. Here, we present an alternative proposal. We follow previous analyses in assuming that the AIA form projects its domain of possibilities from a set of facts, but depart from these analyses in proposing (i) that the modal component of the Tagalog AIA form is non-at-issue and (ii) that it conveys, via a presupposition, that, given the facts that the described event is assumed to causally depend on, this event was not expected.
Getting to Phase 3: an Interview with Virginia S. Cowen, PhD, LMT
Authors: Kennedy, LMT, BCTMB, DrPH Ann Blair
Published: January 2018

I feel that it is important to know the stories behind those who are working hard in the field to bring forward massage therapy research. Interviews with massage therapy researchers will now occasionally be included in the Journal as a new editorial feature. The first interview is with Virginia S. Cowen, PhD, LMT a New York State-licensed and NCB board-certified massage therapist with a PhD from Arizona State. She first became interested in massage therapy research while in massage therapy school, and her most recent work is investigating the integration of massage therapy into medical settings. Dr. Cowen states that massage therapy needs to move to Phase 3 research, and aligning with massage therapy practice and research on massage therapy education are areas ripe for research development. She urges the massage therapy profession to work together to develop clinical practice guidelines which could help move the profession forward.
Qatar Exoplanet Survey: Qatar-6b—A Grazing Transiting Hot Jupiter
Authors: Alsubai Khalid , Tsvetanov Zlatan I. , Latham David W. , Bieryla Allyson , Esquerdo Gilbert A. , Mislis Dimitris , Pyrzas Stylianos , Foxell Emma , McCormac James , Baranec Christoph , Vilchez Nicolas P. E. , West Richard , Esamdin Ali , Dang Zhenwei , Dalee Hani M. , Al-Rajihi Amani A. , Al-Harbi Abeer Kh.
Published: January 2018

We report the discovery of Qatar-6b, a new transiting planet identified by the Qatar Exoplanet Survey (QES). The planet orbits a relatively bright (V = 11.44), early-K main-sequence star at an orbital period of P ∼ 3.506 days. An SED fit to available multi-band photometry, ranging from the near-UV to the mid-IR, yields a distance of d = 101 ± 6 pc to the system. From a global fit to follow-up photometric and spectroscopic observations, we calculate the mass and radius of the planet to be M
P = 0.67 ± 0.07 M
J and R
P = 1.06 ± 0.07 R
J, respectively. We use multi-color photometric light curves to show that the transit is grazing, making Qatar-6b one of the few exoplanets known in a grazing transit configuration. It adds to the short list of targets that offer the best opportunity to look for additional bodies in the host planetary system through variations in the transit impact factor and duration.
Robo-AO Discovery and Basic Characterization of Wide Multiple Star Systems in the Pleiades, Praesepe, and NGC 2264 Clusters
Authors: Hillenbrand Lynne A. , Zhang Celia , Riddle Reed L. , Baranec Christoph , Ziegler Carl , Law Nicholas M. , Stauffer John
Published: January 2018

We identify and roughly characterize 66 candidate binary star systems in the Pleiades, Praesepe, and NGC 2264 star clusters, based on robotic adaptive optics imaging data obtained using Robo-AO at the Palomar 60″ telescope. Only ∼10% of our imaged pairs were previously known. We detect companions at red optical wavelengths, with physical separations ranging from a few tens to a few thousands of au. A three-sigma contrast curve generated for each final image provides upper limits to the brightness ratios for any undetected putative companions. The observations are sensitive to companions with a maximum contrast of ∼6m at larger separations. At smaller separations, the mean (best) raw contrast at 2″ is 3.ͫ8 (6m), at 1″ is 3.ͫ0 (4.ͫ5), and at 0.″5 is 1.ͫ9 (3m). Point-spread function subtraction can recover nearly the full contrast in the closer separations. For detected candidate binary pairs, we report separations, position angles, and relative magnitudes. Theoretical isochrones appropriate to the Pleiades and Praesepe clusters are then used to determine the corresponding binary mass ratios, which range from 0.2 to 0.9 in

. For our sample of roughly solar-mass (FGK type) stars in NGC 2264 and sub-solar-mass (K and early M-type) primaries in the Pleiades and Praesepe, the overall binary frequency is measured at ∼15.5% ± 2%. However, this value should be considered a lower limit to the true binary fraction within the specified separation and mass ratio ranges in these clusters, given that complex and uncertain corrections for sensitivity and completeness have not been applied.
Constraints on the Location of γ-Ray Sample of Blazars with Radio Core-shift Measurements
Authors: Wu Linhui , Wu Qingwen , Yan Dahai , Chen Liang , Fan Xuliang
Published: January 2018

We model simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous multi-band spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for a sample of 25 blazars that have radio core-shift measurements, where a one-zone leptonic model and Markov chain Monte Carlo technique are adopted. In the SED fitting for 23 low-synchrotron-peaked (LSP) blazars, the seed photons from the broad-line (BLR) and molecular torus are considered respectively in the external Compton process. We find that the SED fitting with the seed photons from the torus are better than those utilizing BLR photons, which suggest that the γ-ray emitting region may be located outside the BLR. Assuming the magnetic field strength in the γ-ray emitting region as constrained from the SED fitting follows the magnetic field distribution as derived from the radio core-shift measurements (i.e.,

, where R is the distance from the central engine and

is the magnetic field strength at 1 pc), we further calculate the location of the γ-ray emitting region,

, for these blazars. We find that

(

is the Schwarzschild radius and

is the BLR size), where

is estimated from the broad-line luminosities using the empirical correlations obtained using the reverberation mapping methods.
The Solar-flux Third Granulation Signature
Authors: Gray David F. , Oostra Benjamin
Published: January 2018

The velocity shifts of spectral lines as a function of line strength, so-called the third signature of granulation, are investigated using three published solar-flux atlases. We use flux atlases because we wish to treat the Sun as a star, against which stellar observations can be compared and judged. The atlases are critiqued and compared to the lower-resolution observations taken with the Elginfield stellar spectrograph. Third-signature plots are constructed for the 6020–6340 Å region. No dependence on excitation potential or wavelength is found over this wavelength span. The shape of the plots from the three solar atlases is essentially the same, with rms line-core velocity differences of 30–35 m s−1. High-resolution atlas data are degraded to the level of the Elginfield spectrograph and compared to direct observations taken with that spectrograph. The line-core velocities show good agreement, with rms differences of 38 m s−1. A new standard curve is derived and compared with the previously published one. Only small differences in shape are found, but a significant (+97 m s−1) change in the zero point is indicated. The bisector of the Fe i 6253 line is mapped onto the third-signature plots and flux deficits are derived, which measure the granule/lane flux imbalance. The lower spectral resolution lowers the flux deficit area slightly and moves the peak of the deficit 0.3–0.5 km s−1 toward higher velocities. These differences, while significant, are not large compared to measurement errors for stellar data.
A Mechanistical Study on the Formation of Dimethyl Ether (CH3OCH3) and Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) in Methanol-containing Ices and Implications for the Chemistry of Star-forming Regions
Authors: Bergantini Alexandre , Góbi Sándor , Abplanalp Matthew J. , Kaiser Ralf I.
Published: January 2018

The underlying formation mechanisms of complex organic molecules (COMs)—in particular, structural isomers—in the interstellar medium (ISM) are largely elusive. Here, we report new experimental findings on the role of methanol (CH3OH) and methane (CH4) ices in the synthesis of two C2H6O isomers upon interaction with ionizing radiation: ethanol (CH3CH2OH) and dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3). The present study reproduces the interstellar abundance ratios of both species with ethanol to dimethyl ether branching ratios of (2.33 ± 0.14):1 suggesting that methanol and methane represents the key precursor to both isomers within interstellar ices. Exploiting isotopic labeling combined with reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Re-TOF-MS) after isomer selective vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) photoionization of the neutral molecules, we also determine the formation mechanisms of both isomers via radical–radical recombination versus carbene (CH2) insertion with the former pathway being predominant. Formation routes to higher molecular weight reaction products such as ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), dimethyl peroxide (CH3OOCH3), and methoxymethanol (CH3OCH2OH) are discussed briefly as well.
Nucleosynthesis in the Innermost Ejecta of Neutrino-driven Supernova Explosions in Two Dimensions
Authors: Wanajo Shinya , Müller Bernhard , Janka Hans-Thomas , Heger Alexander
Published: January 2018

We examine nucleosynthesis in the innermost neutrino-processed ejecta (a few

) of self-consistent two-dimensional explosion models of core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) for six progenitor stars with different initial masses. Three models have initial masses near the low-mass end of the SN range of

(e8.8; electron-capture SN),

(z9.6), and

(u8.1), with initial metallicities of 1, 0, and 10−4 times the solar metallicity, respectively. The other three are solar-metallicity models with initial masses of

(s11),

(s15), and

(s27). The low-mass models e8.8, z9.6, and u8.1 exhibit high production factors (nucleosynthetic abundances relative to the solar abundances) of 100–200 for light trans-Fe elements from Zn to Zr. This is associated with an appreciable ejection of neutron-rich matter in these models. Remarkably, the nucleosynthetic outcomes for the progenitors e8.8 and z9.6 are almost identical, including interesting productions of 48Ca and 60Fe, irrespective of their quite different (O–Ne–Mg and Fe) cores prior to collapse. In the more massive models s11, s15, and s27, several proton-rich isotopes of light trans-Fe elements including the p-isotope 92Mo (for s27) are made, up to production factors of ∼30. Both electron-capture SNe and CCSNe near the low-mass end can therefore be dominant contributors to the Galactic inventory of light trans-Fe elements from Zn to Zr and probably 48Ca and live 60Fe. The innermost ejecta of more massive SNe may have only subdominant contributions to the chemical enrichment of the Galaxy except for 92Mo.
Synergy of Stochastic and Systematic Energization of Plasmas during Turbulent Reconnection
Authors: Pisokas Theophilos , Vlahos Loukas , Isliker Heinz
Published: January 2018

The important characteristic of turbulent reconnection is that it combines large-scale magnetic disturbances

with randomly distributed unstable current sheets (UCSs). Many well-known nonlinear MHD structures (strong turbulence, current sheet(s), shock(s)) lead asymptotically to the state of turbulent reconnection. We analyze in this article, for the first time, the energization of electrons and ions in a large-scale environment that combines large-amplitude disturbances propagating with sub-Alfvénic speed with UCSs. The magnetic disturbances interact stochastically (second-order Fermi) with the charged particles and play a crucial role in the heating of the particles, while the UCSs interact systematically (first-order Fermi) and play a crucial role in the formation of the high-energy tail. The synergy of stochastic and systematic acceleration provided by the mixture of magnetic disturbances and UCSs influences the energetics of the thermal and nonthermal particles, the power-law index, and the length of time the particles remain inside the energy release volume. We show that this synergy can explain the observed very fast and impulsive particle acceleration and the slightly delayed formation of a superhot particle population.
Karst Features Discovered During Motorway Construction Between Divača and Kozina
Authors: Slabe Tadej
Published: January 2018

Na 7,5 km trase avtoceste med Divačo in Kozino je bilo na vrtačastem površju oziroma tik pod njim odkritih 50 starih jam. Večina jih je bila zapolnjena z naplavinami in mnoge so bile zaradi znižanja kraškega površja že brez stropa. 6 je bilo brezen, skozi katere prenika voda s prepustnega površja do podzemeljskih voda. Stare jame hranijo sledi začetnih obdobij razvoja kraškega vodonosnika, ko je bil še visoko obdan in ponekod tudi prekrit s flišem. Jame brez stropa so danes samosvoj del kraškega površja. Več jam je ohranjenih pod cesto, ena pa je dostopna skozi umetni vhod.During the construction of new motorways (30 km) over Kras about 200 caves were discovered; in the area between Divača and Kozina (7,5 km) there were 50 old caves, most of them filled by sediments and some of them roofless, and 6 shafts. Old caves provide information on initial stages of the karst aquifer development when it was still surrounded and sometimes even covered by flysch. The more important caves are being preserved, either hidden below the roadway or made accessible by an artificial entrance.
Engineering Method Versus Eraso Method of Structural Analysis in Hydraulical Study of Fractured Rock - Case Study at Unška Koliševka
Authors: Veselič Miran , Čenčur Curk Barbara , Šebela Stanka
Published: January 2018

Namen raziskave je bil narediti primerjavo med dvema metodama strukturne analize: metodo Eraso ter inženirsko metodo in ugotoviti primernost obeh za ugotavljanje toka podzemne vode. Ti dve metodi temeljita na različnih principih: prva temelji na mikrotektonski analizi in se večinoma uporablja na površinskih golicah, medtem je bila druga razvita v namene pručevanja geotehničnih in hidravličnih lastnosti kamnine. Meritve so bile izvedene na površinskih golicah in v raziskovalnem rovu pod njimi, in sicer v dveh različnih sezonah (jesen 95 in poletje 96). Metoda Eraso se pogosto uporablja v regionalnem (mega) merilu za določanje najpogostejših smeri drenaže na krasu. Inženirska metoda pa se uporablja navadno v makro merilu, vendar so rezultati pokazali, da lahko sklepamo tudi na regionalne smeri drenaže.The main goal of the study was to compare the Eraso method and engineering method for determining water drainage. These two methods are based on different principles: the first one is based on microtectonic analysis and is mainly applied on surface outcrops, while the second one was developped with purpose of studying geotechnical and hydraulical properties of the rock. Measurements were carried out on surface outcrops and within underground artificial tunnel in two different seasons (autumn 95 and spring 96). The Eraso method is frequently used in karst area to determine direction of regional drainage (mega scale). The engineering method was developed for studies in macro scale, but from the results is evident, that direction of regional waterflow can be obtained.
Groundwater Recharge Assessment in the Karstic Aquifers of North Khorasan, Iran in APLIS Method
Authors: Alem Hossein , Soudejan Akbar Esmaeilzadeh , Farmanieh Saba Nahas
Published: January 2018

In order to optimize consumption, maintenance and control of underground water, an estimation of the groundwater recharge is highly important. Therefore, this research investigates the aquifers in North Khorasan province using APLIS (Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station) based on a GIS. For this purpose, several significant hydrogeological parameters affecting groundwater recharge including altitude, slope, lithology, soil type and infiltration are considered. Therefore, corresponding layers for these parameters were provided and prioritized. In the end and after integrating the data, the recharge rate was measured qualitatively and different regions were mapped accordingly. The results indicate that the annual average values on a 30-year timescale in karst formations of the North Khorasan vary between 103 mm and 362 mm, with the mean value of 192 mm. Minimum, maximum and mean recharge rates of aquifer in the study area are 42 %, 73 % and 54 %, respectively. Also, aquifer recharge potential in 83 % of the karst formations is moderate while it is high for the remaining. Low recharge regions correlate to lower karst limestone and dolostone areas in the lower altitudes while high recharge regions represent upper karst limestone and dolostone areas, especially in the high altitudes.Key words: Groundwater resource management, Recharge, APLIS, GIS, karst, North Khorasan. Ocenjevanje napajanja podzemne vode v kraških vodonosnikih v severnem Horasanu, v Iranu, z uporabo metode APLIS Za optimizacijo porabe, vzdrževanja in nadzora nivoja podzemne vode je ocena napajanja vodonosnika zelo pomembna. Zato raziskava z uporabo metode APLIS, ki temelji na GIS, raziskuje vodonosnike v provinci Severni Horasan v Iranu. Pri tem smo upoštevali več pomembnih hidrogeoloških parametrov, ki vplivajo na napajanje vodonosnika, vključno z nadmorsko višino, naklonom, litologijo, tipom tal in infiltracijo. Za vsakega od parametrov smo pripravili informacije v ustreznih oblikah. Po obdelavi in integraciji podatkov smo izračunali hitrost polnjenja vodonosnika. Različne regije smo ustrezno ovrednotili. Rezultati kažejo, da se v kraških formacijah Severnega Horasana letne povprečne vrednosti v 30-letnem časovnem obdobju gibljejo med 103 mm in 362 mm, s povprečno vrednostjo 192 mm. Najmanjše, najvišje in povprečne stopnje polnjenja vodonosnika v študijskem območju so 42-, 73- in 54-odstotne. Tudi potencial polnjenja vodonosnika je v 83-odstotnih kraških formacij ocenjen kot zmeren, za preostale predele je ocenjen kot visok. Območja z nizkim potencialom polnjenja so povezana z nižje ležečimi zakraselimi apnenci in dolomiti, višje ležeča območja predstavljajo apnenci in dolomiti z višjim potencialom polnjenja. Ključne besede: upravljanje podzemnih vodnih virov, napajanje, APLIS, GIS, kras, Severni Horasan.
Interview with Arthur and Margaret Palmer
Authors: Lucić Ivo
Published: January 2018

We are glad to publish another Interview conducted by Ivo Lucić. It was made in 2010, then sent to the editorial office in 2012, but lost in the hyperspace and found again. Luckily, the interview is just as interesting to read as at the time, it was made. We apologize to the interviewees and interviewer for the delay. The work of Art and Peggy Palmer has been an inspiration to many of us. What follows is just another confirmation of their devotion to karst & caves end each other and their sincere modesty.
Quality characteristics and thermal behavior of buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) oil
Authors: Freitas M. L.F. , Chisté R. C. , Polachini T. C. , Sardella L. A.C.Z. , Aranha C. P.M. , Ribeiro A. P.B. , Nicoletti V. R.
Published: January 2018

This work reports a complete characterization of buriti oil. Physicochemical properties were determined according to AOCS methodologies and thermophysical properties were measured using a controlled stress rheometer and a digital electronic density meter. β-carotene and tocopherol contents were obtained using HPLC systems. Fatty acids and acylglycerol classes were determined using GC and HPSEC systems, respectively, while triacylglycerol composition was estimated using the software PrOleos. Thermal behavior (crystallization and melting) was analyzed using a DSC. The results attested high levels of total carotenoids with β-carotene as the major one; total tocopherols contained α- and β-tocopherols which accounted for 91% of the total; and monounsaturated fatty acids were mainly represented by oleic acid. The results showed close agreement between density and viscosity of buriti and olive oils. The crystallization and melting peaks occurred at -43.06 °C and -2.73 °C, respectively. These properties enable Buriti oil to be recommended as an excellent alternative for enriching foods with bioactive compounds.
Frying performance of two virgin oils from Cornicabra olives with different ripeness indices
Authors: Olivero-David R. , Mena C. , Sánchez-Muniz F. J. , Pérez-Jiménez M. Á. , Holgado F. , Bastida S. , Velasco J.
Published: January 2018

The frying performance of two virgin olive oils (VOO) from Cornicabra olives of different ripeness indices, 2.08 for VOO1 and 4.13 for VOO2, was evaluated. Thermal, oxidative and hydrolytic alterations were determined throughout 40 frying operations with potatoes. The initial oils showed similar fatty acid compositions and oxidative stability indices as determined by Rancimat, but VOO1 presented higher amounts of total polyphenols and tocopherols. The oils showed high and similar frying performance. No significant differences in the levels of polar compounds (PC) were found between the two oils during frying. Therefore, the frying stability of Cornicabra VOOs appears to be unconnected with olive fruit ripeness. The limit of degradation at 25% PC as established in different countries was calculated to occur at 55 frying operations in the two oils. As oil toxicity is related to the levels of compounds formed, the use of Cornicabra VOOs for frying is highly recommended.
First Record of the Large-Scale Loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus (Cobitidae) in the United States
Authors: Kirsch Joseph E. , Feeney Richard F. , Goodbla Alisha , Hart Christopher , Jackson Zachary J. , Schreier Andrea , Smith Ronald
Published: January 2018

Exotic species have been implicated as a major threat to native freshwater fish communities in the Unites States. The San Francisco Estuary watershed has been recognized as one of the most invaded systems where exotics often dominate the fish community. On October 6, 2014, members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detected a previously unknown exotic fish in a disconnected pool immediately upstream from the Chowchilla Bifurcation Structure in the San Joaquin River, a major tributary of the San Francisco Estuary. A member of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initially identified the fish as an Oriental Weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus using external morphological characteristics. We conducted additional fish sampling near the Chowchilla Bifurcation Structure in November 2014 and collected a total of six additional specimens in disconnected pool habitats. Unexpectedly, genetic and meristic techniques revealed that these specimens were Large-Scale Loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus. To our knowledge this is the first confirmed occurrence of Large-Scale Loach in the United States and the suspected pathway of introduction is release from aquaria. Very little is known about the population in the San Joaquin River. We recommend further evaluation of the ecology, distribution, and abundance of Large-Scale Loach to better understand their potential impact on the fish communities of the San Joaquin River and the likelihood of establishment throughout the United States.
Nonbreeding Duck Use at Central Flyway National Wildlife Refuges
Authors: Andersson Kent , Davis Craig A. , Harris Grant , Haukos David A.
Published: January 2018

Within the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages waterfowl on numerous individual units (i.e., Refuges) within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Presently, the extent of waterfowl use that Refuges receive and the contribution of Refuges to waterfowl populations (i.e., the proportion of the Central Flyway population registered at each Refuge) remain unassessed. Such an evaluation would help determine to what extent Refuges support waterfowl relative to stated targets, aid in identifying species requiring management attention, inform management targets, and improve fiscal efficiencies. Using historic monitoring data (1954–2008), we performed this assessment for 23 Refuges in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska during migration and wintering months (October–March). We examined six dabbling ducks and two diving ducks, plus all dabbling ducks and all diving ducks across two periods (long-term [all data] and short-term [last 10 October–March periods]). Individual Refuge use was represented by the sum of monthly duck count averages for October–March. We used two indices of Refuge contribution: peak contribution and January contribution. Peak contribution was the highest monthly count average for each October–March period divided by the indexed population total for the Central Flyway in the corresponding year; January contribution used the January count average divided by the corresponding population index. Generally, Refuges in Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico recorded most use and contribution for mallards Anas platyrhynchos. Refuges along the Texas Gulf Coast recorded most use and contribution for other dabbling ducks, with Laguna Atascosa and Aransas (including Matagorda Island) recording most use for diving ducks. The long-term total January contribution of the assessed Refuges to ducks wintering in the Central Flyway was greatest for green-winged teal Anas crecca with 35%; 12–15% for American wigeon Mareca americana, gadwall Mareca strepera, and northern pintail Anas acuta; and 7–8% for mallard and mottled duck Anas fulvigula. Results indicated that the reliance on the National Wildlife Refuge System decreased for these ducks, with evidence suggesting that, for several species, the assessed Refuges may be operating at carrying capacity. Future analyses could be more detailed and informative were Refuges to implement a single consistent survey methodology that incorporated estimations of detection bias in the survey process, while concomitantly recording habitat metrics on and neighboring each Refuge.
Multiple Levels of Control Determine How E4bp4/Nfil3 Regulates NK Cell Development
Authors: Kostrzewski Tomasz , Borg Aaron J. , Meng Yiran , Filipovic Iva , Male Victoria , Wack Andreas , DiMaggio Peter A. , Brady Hugh J. M.
Published: January 2018

The transcription factor E4bp4/Nfil3 has been shown to have a critical role in the development of all innate lymphoid cell types including NK cells. In this study, we show that posttranslational modifications of E4bp4 by either SUMOylation or phosphorylation have profound effects on both E4bp4 function and NK cell development. We examined the activity of E4bp4 mutants lacking posttranslational modifications and found that Notch1 was a novel E4bp4 target gene. We observed that abrogation of Notch signaling impeded NK cell production and the total lack of NK cell development from E4bp4−/− progenitors was completely rescued by short exposure to Notch peptide ligands. This work reveals both novel mechanisms in NK cell development by a transcriptional network including E4bp4 with Notch, and that E4bp4 is a central hub to process extrinsic stimuli.
Metabolic Barriers to T Cell Function in Tumors
Authors: Sugiura Ayaka , Rathmell Jeffrey C.
Published: January 2018

The metabolic programs that drive T cell functions are exquisitely sensitive to cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors, allowing T cells to respond in a fine-tuned manner to a variety of immune challenges and conditions. However, many of the factors essential for effector T cell function are perturbed in the tumor microenvironment, where oncogenic mutations drive unrestrained cancer cell growth that leads to excess nutrient consumption, excess waste excretion, and insufficient oxygen delivery. This imposes metabolic constraints on infiltrating cells that result in dysfunction and loss of potential antitumor activity in both naturally occurring as well as tailored T cells introduced as part of immunotherapy. In this review, we highlight the metabolic properties that characterize tumor-infiltrating T cells, the barriers within the metabolic landscape of the tumor microenvironment, and the opportunities and challenges they present in development of new cancer therapeutics.
Inhibitors of the PD-1 Pathway in Tumor Therapy
Authors: LaFleur Martin W. , Muroyama Yuki , Drake Charles G. , Sharpe Arlene H.
Published: January 2018

The programmed death 1 (PD-1) pathway delivers inhibitory signals that function as a brake for immune responses. This pathway limits the initiation and duration of immune responses, thereby protecting tissues from immune-mediated damage and autoimmune diseases. However, the PD-1 pathway also inhibits immune responses to tumors. The critical role of PD-1 in preventing antitumor immunity is demonstrated by the transformative effects of PD-1 pathway blockade in a broad range of cancers with the hallmark of durability of response. Despite this success, most patients do not respond to PD-1 monotherapy, and some patients experience adverse events. In this review, we discuss the functions of the PD-1 pathway and its translation to cancer immunotherapy. We also consider current challenges and opportunities for PD-1 cancer immunotherapy, including mechanisms of response and resistance, identification of biomarkers of response to PD-1 therapy, characterization and treatment of PD-1 therapy–related adverse events, and development of safe and effective combination therapies.