bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In silico and in vitro degradation studies of isolated phloroglucinols eugenial C and eugenial D from Eugenia umbelliflora fruits
Authors: Farias Ingrid V. , Amorin Clarissa Krieger , dos Santos Milena Guimarães , dos Santos Machado Carmem Lúcia , Paula Favero Reisdorfer , Sandjo Louis P. , Malheiros Angela , Meyre‐Silva Christiane , Bresolin Tania Mari Bellé
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Eugenia umbelliflora fruits are an important source of phloroglucinols, as eugenial C and eugenial D, related to antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. However, for the establishment of new antimicrobial substances, it is essential to know their stability profile, in view of driving the administration route and the release system development.

Methodology

The in silico approaches, based on the Fukui indices and bond dissociation analysis, were performed. Eugenial C and eugenial D, isolated from the green fruits of E. umbelliflora, with purity > 90%, were submitted to stress degradation including: acid (0.5 mM hydrochloric acid) and alkaline (0.5 mM sodium hydroxide) hydrolysis, and oxidation (0.25% hydrogen peroxide), in different periods, monitoring by high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector (HPLC‐UV). Eugenial C was also submitted to UV‐visible radiation (2,400 lux/h) and dry/humid heating (40°C, 75% relative humidity).

Results

In silico studies indicated that both molecules have regions of high susceptibility to nucleophilic and electrophilic attack as well as sites likely to suffer auto‐oxidation. Under in vitro tests, both phloroglucinols proved to be very unstable under hydrolysis (eugenial C and D were degraded 23.8% and 89.0% in acid and 78.4% and 97.8% in alkaline conditions, respectively) and oxidation (eugenial C and D degraded 31.9% and 28.6%, respectively), both during 5 min. Eugenial C degraded 12.6% and 63.8% under dry and humid heat, respectively, without photosensitivity.

Conclusion

The in vitro stress tests monitored by HPLC‐UV were in agreement with in silico degradation prediction. Phloroglucinols could be unstable if administered by oral route and also under environmental conditions demanding a protective release system.
Phosphoproteomic Analyses Provide Insight into Molecular Mechanisms Underlying NETosis
Authors: Zhu Xiaoying , Chen Jinjun
Published: August 2019

NETosis, a novel cell death mechanism which leads to neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, is involved in both infectious and noninfectious diseases. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To explore the mechanisms and common factors associated with NADPH oxidase (NOX)‐dependent and NOX‐independent NETosis, global proteomics and phosphoproteomics analyses are conducted in neutrophils treated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), ionomycin, and monosodium urate (MSU). Global proteomic analyses identify 64, 97, and 141 proteins differentially regulated in the PMA, ionomycin, and MSU groups compared with the control group, respectively. Phosphoproteomic analysis identifies 931, 565, and 201 phosphorylation sites differentially regulated in the PMA, ionomycin, and MSU groups, compared with the control, respectively. Overlap analysis of the three comparisons identifies nine proteins and 49 phosphorylation sites derived from 41 phosphoproteins. Among the 41 differentially regulated phosphoproteins, 23 are associated with nuclear function, five with chromatin binding, and 13 with poly(A) RNA binding activities based on GO annotation. Among these, DEK, methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MECP2), and structure‐specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1) are involved in both chromatin and poly(A) RNA binding. In conclusion, this study provides insight into molecular mechanisms of NETosis and a useful dataset for the guidance of future studies.
The nature of the chemical bond in UO2
Authors: Maslakov Konstantin I. , Teterin Yury A. , Ryzhkov Mikhail V. , Popel Aleksej J. , Teterin Anton Yu. , Ivanov Kirill E. , Kalmykov Stepan N. , Petrov Vladimir G. , Farnan Ian
Published: August 2019

The nature of the chemical bond in UO2 was analyzed taking into account the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) structure parameters of the valence and core electrons, as well as the relativistic discrete variation electronic structure calculation results for this oxide. The ionic/covalent nature of the chemical bond was determined for the UO8 (D4h) cluster, reflecting uranium's close environment in UO2, and the U13O56 and U63O216 clusters, reflecting the bulk of solid uranium dioxide. The bar graph of the theoretical valence band (from 0 to ~35 eV) of XPS spectrum was built such that it was in satisfactory agreement with the experimental spectrum of a UO2 single crystalline thin film. It was shown that unlike the crystal field theory results, the covalence effects in UO2 are significant due to the strong overlap of the U 6p and U 5f atomic orbitals with the ligand orbitals, in addition to the U 6d atomic orbital (AO). A quantitative molecular orbital (MO) scheme for UO2 was built. The contribution of the MO electrons to the chemical bond covalence component was evaluated on the basis of the bond population values. It was found that the electrons of inner valence molecular orbitals (IVMO) weaken the chemical bond formed by the electrons of outer valence molecular orbitals (OVMO) by 32% in UO8 and by 25% in U63O216.
Rare growth pattern of a solitary cystic lung metastasis from colon cancer: a case report
Authors: Eguchi Keisuke , Nakajima Takahiro , Terashima Takeshi , Sasaki Aya , Hasegawa Hirotoshi , Matsui Junichi
Published: August 2019

An 82‐year‐old male, who had undergone sigmoid colon cancer surgery (at the age of 78 years) and primary lung cancer surgery (at the age of 81 years), was found to have a cavitating lesion in the left lower lobe on chest computed tomography (CT). A chest CT that had been performed just before the primary lung cancer surgery revealed a small thin‐walled cyst at the same site at which the cavity was detected in the current CT. Bronchoscopic examination revealed no evidence of malignancy. A follow‐up chest CT performed 5 months later revealed that the lesion had grown and that the cyst contained a well‐defined lobular nodule. Video‐assisted thoracoscopic left basal segmentectomy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was metastasis from colon cancer. We report this unusual case in which a pulmonary metastasis changed over time from a cystic lesion to a nodular lesion.
Engineered addition of slag fines for the sequestration of phosphate and sulfide during mesophilic anaerobic digestion
Authors: Caicedo‐Ramirez Alejandro , Laroco Nicollette , Bilgin Azize A. , Shiokari Steven , Grubb Dennis G. , Hernandez Mark
Published: August 2019

The potential for weathered steel slag fines (D50 < 1.6 mm) to sequester dissolved phosphorus and sulfur from fermenting biosolids was determined. Batch studies showed that sorption equilibrium between phosphates and sulfides was reached in less than 48 hr after adding basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag grains to municipal digester sludge. When these same particles were added to pilot digesters (75 L) operating at a 30‐day SRT, a classic dose‐response was observed with respect to PO4 and H2S sequestration, and an inhibitory performance threshold emerged above 20 g BOF/L. Only a fraction of the BOF slag solids contributed to the digester TS mass, because a substantial portion dissolved into the supernatant, some of which contributed to alkalinity. After 160 days of continuous operation, approximately 63% of the total phosphate was sequestered from the supernatant and 78% of the hydrogen sulfide from the biogas, when a steady‐state BOF slag dose of 10 g BOF/L was applied. At or below this level, BOF slag fines had no significant effect on mesophilic digester performance as judged by conventional operational metrics. This study demonstrated that upcycling BOF slag directly into the anaerobic digestion process could offer wastewater resource recovery facilities a novel nutrient management tool.

Practitioner points

Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Slag fines can be engineered as a cost‐effective alternative to conventional phosphorus and sulfur control strategies.

A rapid phosphate and sulfide removal from anaerobic digestates occurs within hours after BOF slag addition.

63% of phosphate and 78% of hydrogen sulfide were removed when digester sludge was dosed with 10 g BOF/L, without impacting digester performance.

Only a fraction of the dosed BOF slag contributed to digester TS, likely due to partial dissolution into the digestate.

BOF slag can potentially increase the nutrient content of biosolids, facilitate biogas recovery, and reduce odors.
Changing Structures and the Role of Education in the Development of the Educational System in Czechia
Authors: Kučerová Silvie Rita , Trnková Kateřina , Meyer Petr
Published: August 2019

Czechia is an example of a country evincing contradictory tendencies in the development of its social system over the course of the twentieth century, which particularly included a major transition from communist rule towards a democratic society. The authors of this chapter aim to explore ways in which spatial organization of the country’s elementary education has been changing in connection with changes in socioeconomic and political conditions as well as pedagogical principals. They will discuss developmental tendencies with respect to Giddens’ (The constitutiton of society: outline of the theory of structuration. Polity, Cambridge, 1984) Theory of Structuration. They will also present spatial changes in the educational system cartographically by means of maps of elementary schools’ distribution over different time horizons.
Estimating costs of multi-component enterprise applications
Authors: Brogi Antonio , Corradini Andrea , Soldani Jacopo
Published: August 2019

Estimating the cost of a multi-component application (e.g., its resource or energy consumption) is fundamental in nowadays enterprise IT, especially if we consider that current pricing models are mainly pay per-use. While this is still manageable on small applications, it is really hard to manually estimate the cost of large-scale enterprise applications involving hundreds of interdependent application components. In this article, we formalise the problem of estimating costs of multi-component applications, by representing the structure of an application as a typed directed graph, and by allowing to associate different types of costs with different application components. We show that costs can be fully customised, and that associating different costs with the same application leads to different cost estimation problems defined on that application.We then present an approach for solving cost estimation problems on multi-component applications, which is based on terminating and confluent graph transformations. We also present a prototype implemenation of our approach, which we use to run a case study based on a third-party application.
Evaluation of Oral Pentoxifylline, Colchicine, and Penile Traction for the Management of Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed , Gazzard Lauren , Alharbi Mohannad , Rompré-Brodeur Alexis , Aube Melanie , Carrier Serge
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Currently, there are several treatment options for Peyronie disease (PD). Although surgical interventions have better reported outcomes than conservative therapy, surgery is not suitable for all patients with PD. Therefore, oral therapy for PD is still a frequently used treatment due to low cost, convenience and limited side effects. However, current literature on the efficacy of oral therapy in PD is inconclusive. Pentoxifylline and colchicine have both shown some promise though further studies are required to confirm their effectiveness.

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of oral therapy for PD, including pentoxifylline and colchicine, coupled with the Andropenis penile traction therapy (PTT) extender on degree of penile curvature and plaque size.

Methods

Between March 2015 and June 2018, a prospectively collected database for patients receiving oral therapy for PD (pentoxifylline and/or colchicine) was reviewed.

Main Outcome Measure

Collected data variables were compared at baseline and after 6 months of treatment, including degree of curvature, plaque size, and penile Doppler ultrasound parameters (peak systolic velocity, minimum diastolic velocity, and pulsatility index). PTT was applied by the patient for a total of 1 hour per day for 6 months.

Results

A total of 46 patients were involved in this study. Mean age was 56 ± 10 years. There was a significant decrease in the degree of penile curvature after 6 months (55.8º ± 20º vs 41.4º ± 20.8º; P = .03). Likewise, the plaque size decreased significantly from 5.42 ± 2.7 to 2.42 ± 1.71 cm2; P = .0001. There was a significant increase in the peak systolic velocity from 29.8 ± 10.02 to 38.2 ± 11cm/sec; P = .02, whereas no statistically significant difference could be detected regarding end diastolic velocity (M = 0.56 ± 3.1 vs 1.59; P = .415) or pulsatility index (Mdiff = 0.03; CI = -0.06 to 0.12; P = .473). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in medication type of pentoxifylline or colchicine (Mdiff = 17.23; CI = -3.31 to 37.77; P = .09).

Conclusion

Altogether, pentoxifylline and colchicine, taken with concomitant PTT, present a potentially convenient, low cost, and effective treatment for penile curvature and plaque resulting from PD. Prospective randomized trials are still required for better evaluation of the course of PD with patients undergoing conservative management.
Three new species, new combinations and a key to known species ofLobothallia(Megasporaceae)
Authors: PAUKOV Alexander G. , DAVYDOV Evgeny A. , NORDIN Anders , ROUX Claude , ŞENKARDEŞLER Ayhan , SOHRABI Mohammad , VONDRÁK Jan , FROLOV Ivan V. , TEPTINA Anzhelika Yu. , SHIRYAEVA Anna S.
Published: August 2019

Three species,Lobothallia brachylobaPaukov & I. V. Frolov,L. epiadelphaPaukov & A. Nordin andL. zogtiiPaukov & Davydov, from arid regions of Eurasia (Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Mongolia) are described as new to science.Lobothallia brachylobahas flat, firmly attached lobes, immersed apothecia lacking a distinct thalline margin, and contains norstictic acid. BothLobothallia epiadelphaandL. zogtiicontain stictic acid and have a brown thallus and sessile apothecia.Lobothallia epiadelphainitially develops on crustoseCircinariaspp, has thick lobes loosely attached to the substratum, and brown apothecial discs with constant thalline margins.Lobothallia zogtiiis a free-living species with brownish black to jet black apothecial discs surrounded by a receding thalline margin.Lecanora bogdoënsisis synonymized withLobothallia praeradiosaandLobothallia helanensisis synonymized withL. subdiffracta. Three new combinations,Lobothallia hedinii(H. Magn.) Paukov, A. Nordin & Sohrabi,L. lacteola(Oxner) Şenkardeşler, Paukov, Davydov & Sohrabi, andL. subdiffracta(H. Magn.) Paukov, are proposed. Phylogenetic analyses ofLobothallia brachyloba,L. epiadelphaandL. subdiffracta(ITS, mtSSU) are presented, showing their relationships withinLobothallia. The lectotype of the nameAspicilia lacteolaOxner is designated. A key to 18 species ofLobothalliais provided.
Middle class timelines: Ethnic humor and sexual modernity in Delhi
Authors: Hall Kira
Published: August 2019

The rise of India's global economy has reinforced a perception of English as a language of sexual modernity within the expanding middle classes. This article explores this perception in the multilingual humor of Hindi-speaking Delhi youth marginalized for sexual and gender difference. Their joking routines feature the Sikh Sardarji, a longstanding ethnic figure often caricatured as circulating in modernity but lacking the English competence to understand modernity's semiotics. Reflective of the economic restructuring that ushered in the millennium, the humor supports a normative progress narrative that prioritizes an ethnically unmarked urban middle class. At the same time, the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth who tell these jokes—still criminalized under Section 377 when this fieldwork was conducted—shift this narrative by positioning sexual knowledge at modernity's forefront. The analysis reveals how sexual modernity—here viewed as constituted in everyday interaction through competing configurations of place, time, and personhood—relies on normativity even while defining itself against it. (Chronotope, ethnic humor, formulaic jokes, globalization, Hindi-English, Hinglish, media, middle class, normativity, sexual modernity, temporality)*
A NEW SPECIES OF DIASTEMA (GESNERIACEAE) FROM THE EASTERN ANDEAN SLOPES OF PERU
Authors: Clark J. L. , Moonlight P. W.
Published: August 2019

A striking new species of Diastema, D. fimbratiloba, is described from Ucayali Region, along the eastern Andean slopes in central Peru. The new species has a fimbriate lower corolla lobe, a feature not previously documented in the genus. We also provide a general comparison of the newly described species and morphologically related species in the context of the taxonomy and phylogeny of the poorly known genus Diastema.
Conservatism in the Era of Trump
Authors: Barber Michael , Pope Jeremy C.
Published: August 2019

What does the rise and election of Donald J. Trump as president mean for the future of conservatism? Republican elites continue to argue about whether Trump is changing the definition of conservatism for better or worse, although many Republicans seem content to let him shape the issues, direction, and brand of the traditional party of conservatism. We examine the ideological characteristics of different groups of Republican voters across three types of ideology: symbolic, operational, and conceptual. We find distinct differences between Republicans who consistently supported Trump and other groups that either supported him in the general election only and those who never supported him. The Never Trump camp stands out as a group that is less symbolically and operationally conservative but also better able to articulate what it means to be a conservative than do Trump’s core supporters, who look very much the opposite. These results suggest a contemporary Republican Party that is far from unified in what it means to be a conservative.
Collision with Collusion: Partisan Reaction to the Trump-Russia Scandal
Authors: Darr Joshua P. , Kalmoe Nathan P. , Searles Kathleen , Sui Mingxiao , Pingree Raymond J. , Watson Brian K. , Bryanov Kirill , Santia Martina
Published: August 2019

President Donald Trump faced substantial scandal coverage early in his presidency. Can these stories about presidential controversies change the opinions of Trump’s fellow Republicans, or are the efforts of the news media to inform partisans about prominent issues futile? Past research on partisan reactions to major political scandals were confounded by problems with self-reported media use and single-shot experimental treatments. We address these concerns using a unique, repeated-exposure experimental design that either randomly supplied participants with news about the Trump-Russia scandal, or removed most of those stories from view, over the course of one week in June 2017. This design mimics sustained media attention to a political scandal and disentangles the effects of media coverage from selection in the context of a high-choice media environment. We find that Republicans randomly assigned to see more Trump-Russia headlines reacted more negatively than Democrats or Independents, rating Trump’s performance lower and expressing more negative emotions about him. Republicans’ perceptions of media bias were not affected by Trump-Russia stories, and effects were not contingent upon clicking the articles. Intense media focus on a story can alter partisans’ evaluations of politicians by shifting the balance of headlines.
A Discussion of Kathryn Sikkink's Evidence for Hope: Making Human Rights Work in the 21st Century
Authors: Hillebrecht Courtney
Published: August 2019

Since their emergence in the late eighteenth century, doctrines of universal individual rights have been variously criticized as philosophically confused, politically inefficacious, ideologically particular, and Eurocentric. Nevertheless, today the discourse of universal human rights is more internationally widespread and influential than ever. In Evidence for Hope, leading international relations scholar Kathryn Sikkink argues that this is because human rights laws and institutions work. Sikkink rejects the notion that human rights are a Western imposition and points to a wide range of evidence that she claims demonstrates the effectiveness of human rights in bringing about a world that is appreciably improved in many ways from what it was previously. We have invited a broad range of scholars to assess Sikkink’s challenging claims.
Wind-Triggered Ground Shaking Masks Microseismicity
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: August 2019

Ground motion caused by gusts of wind can drown out signals from the smallest earthquakes, potentially confusing earthquake detection algorithms.
Satellite Oceanography Data Producers and Users Connect
Authors: Brown Christopher , Lance Veronica , Montagner Fran�ois
Published: August 2019

First International Operational Satellite Oceanography Symposium; College Park, Maryland, 18–20 June 2019
Farming the Sea: The Only Way to Meet Humanity's Future Food Needs
Authors: Schubel Jerry R. , Thompson Kimberly
Published: August 2019

A major change began 10,000–12,000 years ago when humans began to practice agriculture. A series of “green revolutions” enabled the human population to explode, but these advancements have dramatically changed the planet. The United Nations predicts that we will need to produce 50% more food by 2050 to feed another 2.5 billion people, but this will be challenging with tighter land and water resources and a changing climate. Responsible marine aquaculture can complement responsible land‐based agriculture and aquaculture and well‐managed fisheries to increase the global supply of nutritious food.
Chronic iron exposure and c-Myc/H-ras-mediated transformation in fallopian tube cells alter the expression of EVI1, amplified at 3q26.2 in ovarian cancer
Authors: Rockfield Stephanie , Kee Younghoon , Nanjundan Meera
Published: August 2019

Mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of high-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancers (HGSOC) are not yet well defined although key precursor cells have been identified (including fimbriated fallopian tube epithelium, FTSECs). Since iron is elevated in endometriotic cysts and the pelvic cavity, it is suggested that this source of redox-active iron may contribute to ovarian cancer pathogenesis. Specifically, sources of nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI) within the pelvic cavity could arise from ovulation, retrograde menstruation, follicular fluid, or iron overload conditions (i.e., hemochromatosis). Herein, we investigated the cellular response of p53-inactivated and telomerase-expressing (immortalized) FTSECs (Pax8+/FoxJ1−) to NTBI (presented as ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), supplemented in media for >2 months) in order to assess its ability to promote the transition to a tumor-like phenotype; this cellular response was compared with immortalized FTSECs transformed with H-RasV12A and c-MycT58A. Both approaches resulted in increased cell numbers and expression of the oncogenic transcriptional regulator, ecotropic virus integration site 1 (EVI1, a gene most frequently amplified at 3q26.2 in HGSOC, represented by multiple variants), along with other oncogenic gene products. In contrast to the transformed cells, FAC-exposed FTSECs elicited elevated migratory capacity (and epithelial–mesenchymal transition mRNA profile) along with increased expression of DNA damage response proteins (i.e., FANCD2) and hTERT mRNA relative to controls. Interestingly, in FAC-exposed FTSECs, EVI1 siRNA attenuated hTERT mRNA expression, whereas siRNAs targeting β-catenin and BMI1 (both elevated with chronic iron exposure) reduced Myc and Cyclin D1 proteins. Collectively, our novel findings provide strong foundational evidence for potential iron-induced initiation events, including EVI1 alterations, in the pathogenesis of HGSOC, warranting further in depth investigations. Thus, these findings will substantially advance our understanding of the contribution of iron enriched within the pelvic cavity, which may identify patients at risk of developing this deadly disease.
Frontal white matter architecture predicts efficacy of deep brain stimulation in major depression
Authors: Coenen Volker A. , Schlaepfer Thomas E. , Bewernick Bettina , Kilian Hannah , Kaller Christoph P. , Urbach Horst , Li Meng , Reisert Marco
Published: August 2019

Major depression is a frequent and severe disorder, with a combination of psycho- and pharmacotherapy most patients can be treated. However, ~20% of all patients suffering from major depressive disorder remain treatment resistant; a subgroup might be treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). We present two trials of DBS to the superolateral medial forebrain bundle (slMFB DBS; FORESEE I and II). The goal was to identify informed features that allow to predict treatment response. Data from N = 24 patients were analyzed. Preoperative imaging including anatomical sequences (T1 and T2) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) magnetic resonance imaging sequences were used together with postoperative helical CT scans (for DBS electrode position). Pathway activation modeling (PAM) as well as preoperative structural imaging and morphometry was used to understand the response behavior of patients (MADRS). A left fronto-polar and partly orbitofrontal region was identified that showed increased volume in preoperative anatomical scans. Further statistical analysis shows that the volume of this “HUB-region” is predictive for later MADRS response from DBS. The HUB region connects to typical fiber pathways that have been addressed before in therapeutic DBS in major depression. Left frontal volume growth might indicate intrinsic activity upon disconnection form the main emotional network. The results are significant since for the first time we found an informed feature that might allow to identify and phenotype future responders for slMFB DBS. This is a clear step into the direction of personalized treatments.
Atomic structure of PI3-kinase SH3 amyloid fibrils by cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Röder Christine , Vettore Nicola , Mangels Lena N. , Gremer Lothar , Ravelli Raimond B. G. , Willbold Dieter , Hoyer Wolfgang , Buell Alexander K. , Schröder Gunnar F.
Published: August 2019

High resolution structural information on amyloid fibrils is crucial for the understanding of their formation mechanisms and for the rational design of amyloid inhibitors in the context of protein misfolding diseases. The Src-homology 3 domain of phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase (PI3K-SH3) is a model amyloid system that plays a pivotal role in our basic understanding of protein misfolding and aggregation. Here, we present the atomic model of the PI3K-SH3 amyloid fibril with a resolution determined to 3.4 Å by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The fibril is composed of two intertwined protofilaments that create an interface spanning 13 residues from each monomer. The model comprises residues 1–77 out of 86 amino acids in total, with the missing residues located in the highly flexible C-terminus. The fibril structure allows us to rationalise the effects of chemically conservative point mutations as well as of the previously reported sequence perturbations on PI3K-SH3 fibril formation and growth.
Early progression to active tuberculosis is a highly heritable trait driven by 3q23 in Peruvians
Authors: Luo Yang , Suliman Sara , Asgari Samira , Amariuta Tiffany , Baglaenko Yuriy , Martínez-Bonet Marta , Ishigaki Kazuyoshi , Gutierrez-Arcelus Maria , Calderon Roger , Lecca Leonid , León Segundo R. , Jimenez Judith , Yataco Rosa , Contreras Carmen , Galea Jerome T. , Becerra Mercedes , Nejentsev Sergey , Nigrovic Peter A. , Moody D. Branch , Murray Megan B. , Raychaudhuri Soumya
Published: August 2019

Of the 1.8 billion people worldwide infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 5–15% will develop active tuberculosis (TB). Approximately half will progress to active TB within the first 18 months after infection, presumably because they fail to mount an effective initial immune response. Here, in a genome-wide genetic study of early TB progression, we genotype 4002 active TB cases and their household contacts in Peru. We quantify genetic heritability ($${\it{h}}_{\it{g}}^2$$

h

g

2

) of early TB progression to be 21.2% (standard error 0.08). This suggests TB progression has a strong genetic basis, and is comparable to traits with well-established genetic bases. We identify a novel association between early TB progression and variants located in a putative enhancer region on chromosome 3q23 (rs73226617, OR = 1.18; P = 3.93 × 10−8). With in silico and in vitro analyses we identify rs73226617 or rs148722713 as the likely functional variant and ATP1B3 as a potential causal target gene with monocyte specific function.
Measurement of the variation of electron-to-proton mass ratio using ultracold molecules produced from laser-cooled atoms
Authors: Kobayashi J. , Ogino A. , Inouye S.
Published: August 2019

Experimental techniques to manipulate cold molecules have seen great development in recent years. The precision measurements of cold molecules are expected to give insights into fundamental physics. Here we use a rovibrationally pure sample of ultracold KRb molecules to improve the measurement on the stability of electron-to-proton mass ratio $$\left( {\mu = \frac{{m_{\mathrm{e}}}}{{M_{\mathrm{p}}}}} \right)$$

μ
=

m

e

M

p

. The measurement is based upon a large sensitivity coefficient of the molecular spectroscopy, which utilizes a transition between a nearly degenerate pair of vibrational levels each associated with a different electronic potential. Observed limit on temporal variation of μ is $$\frac{1}{\mu }\frac{{d\mu }}{{dt}} = (0.30 \pm 1.0) \times 10^{ - 14} \, {\mathrm{year}}^{ - 1}$$

1

μ

d
μ

d
t

=

(

0.30
±
1.0

)

×
1

0

-
14

year

-
1

, which is better by a factor of five compared with the most stringent laboratory molecular limits to date. Further improvements should be straightforward, because our measurement was only limited by statistical errors.
Screening highly active perovskites for hydrogen-evolving reaction via unifying ionic electronegativity descriptor
Authors: Guan Daqin , Zhou Jing , Huang Yu-Cheng , Dong Chung-Li , Wang Jian-Qiang , Zhou Wei , Shao Zongping
Published: August 2019

Facile and reliable screening of cost-effective, high-performance and scalable electrocatalysts is key for energy conversion technologies such as water splitting. ABO3-δ perovskites, with rich constitutions and structures, have never been designed via activity descriptors for critical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Here, we apply coordination rationales to introduce A-site ionic electronegativity (AIE) as an efficient unifying descriptor to predict the HER activities of 13 cobalt-based perovskites. Compared with A-site structural or thermodynamic parameter, AIE endows the HER activity with the best volcano trend. (Gd0.5La0.5)BaCo2O5.5+δ predicted from an AIE value of ~2.33 exceeds the state-of-the-art Pt/C catalyst in electrode activity and stability. X-ray absorption and computational studies reveal that the peak HER activities at a moderate AIE value of ~2.33 can be associated with the optimal electronic states of active B-sites via inductive effect in perovskite structure (~200 nm depth), including Co valence, Co-O bond covalency, band gap and O 2p-band position.
Spin–lattice and electron–phonon coupling in 3d/5d hybrid Sr3NiIrO6
Authors: O’Neal Kenneth R. , Paul Arpita , al-Wahish Amal , Hughey Kendall D. , Blockmon Avery L. , Luo Xuan , Cheong Sang-Wook , Zapf Vivien S. , Topping Craig V. , Singleton John , Ozerov Mykhalo , Birol Turan , Musfeldt Janice L.
Published: August 2019

While 3d-containing materials display strong electron correlations, narrow band widths, and robust magnetism, 5d systems are recognized for strong spin–orbit coupling, increased hybridization, and more diffuse orbitals. Combining these properties leads to novel behavior. Sr3NiIrO6, for example, displays complex magnetism and ultra-high coercive fields—up to an incredible 55 T. Here, we combine infrared and optical spectroscopies with high-field magnetization and first-principles calculations to explore the fundamental excitations of the lattice and related coupling processes including spin–lattice and electron–phonon mechanisms. Magneto-infrared spectroscopy reveals spin–lattice coupling of three phonons that modulate the Ir environment to reduce the energy required to modify the spin arrangement. While these modes primarily affect exchange within the chains, analysis also uncovers important inter-chain motion. This provides a mechanism by which inter-chain interactions can occur in the developing model for ultra-high coercivity. At the same time, analysis of the on-site Ir4+ excitations reveals vibronic coupling and extremely large crystal field parameters that lead to a t2g-derived low-spin state for Ir. These findings highlight the spin–charge–lattice entanglement in Sr3NiIrO6 and suggest that similar interactions may take place in other 3d/5d hybrids.
Globe-LFMC, a global plant water status database for vegetation ecophysiology and wildfire applications
Authors: Yebra Marta , Scortechini Gianluca , Badi Abdulbaset , Beget María Eugenia , Boer Matthias M. , Bradstock Ross , Chuvieco Emilio , Danson F. Mark , Dennison Philip , Resco de Dios Victor , Di Bella Carlos M. , Forsyth Greg , Frost Philip , Garcia Mariano , Hamdi Abdelaziz , He Binbin , Jolly Matt , Kraaij Tineke , Martín M. Pilar , Mouillot Florent , Newnham Glenn , Nolan Rachael H. , Pellizzaro Grazia , Qi Yi , Quan Xingwen , Riaño David , Roberts Dar , Sow Momadou , Ustin Susan
Published: August 2019

Globe-LFMC is an extensive global database of live fuel moisture content (LFMC) measured from 1,383 sampling sites in 11 countries: Argentina, Australia, China, France, Italy, Senegal, Spain, South Africa, Tunisia, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The database contains 161,717 individual records based on in situ destructive samples used to measure LFMC, representing the amount of water in plant leaves per unit of dry matter. The primary goal of the database is to calibrate and validate remote sensing algorithms used to predict LFMC. However, this database is also relevant for the calibration and validation of dynamic global vegetation models, eco-physiological models of plant water stress as well as understanding the physiological drivers of spatiotemporal variation in LFMC at local, regional and global scales. Globe-LFMC should be useful for studying LFMC trends in response to environmental change and LFMC influence on wildfire occurrence, wildfire behavior, and overall vegetation health.
The lateral neocortex is critical for contextual fear memory reconsolidation
Authors: de la Fuente Verónica , Medina Candela , Falasco Germán , Urrutia Leandro , Kravitz Alexxai V. , Urbano Francisco J. , Vázquez Silvia , Pedreira María Eugenia , Romano Arturo
Published: August 2019

Memories are a product of the concerted activity of many brain areas. Deregulation of consolidation and reprocessing of mnemonic traces that encode fearful experiences might result in fear-related psychopathologies. Here, we assessed how pre-established memories change with experience, particularly the labilization/reconsolidation of memory, using the whole-brain analysis technique of positron emission tomography in male mice. We found differences in glucose consumption in the lateral neocortex, hippocampus and amygdala in mice that underwent labilization/reconsolidation processes compared to animals that did not reactivate a fear memory. We used chemogenetics to obtain insight into the role of cortical areas in these phases of memory and found that the lateral neocortex is necessary for fear memory reconsolidation. Inhibition of lateral neocortex during reconsolidation altered glucose consumption levels in the amygdala. Using an optogenetic/neuronal recording-based strategy we observed that the lateral neocortex is functionally connected with the amygdala, which, along with retrograde labeling using fluorophore-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B, support a monosynaptic connection between these areas and poses this connection as a hot-spot in the circuits involved in reactivation of fear memories.
Width dependence of the 0.5 × (2e2/h) conductance plateau in InAs quantum point contacts in presence of lateral spin-orbit coupling
Authors: Das Partha Pratim , Cahay Marc , Kalita Shashikala , Mal Sib Sankar , Jha Alok Kumar
Published: August 2019

The evolution of the 0.5Go (Go = 2e2/h) conductance plateau and the accompanying hysteresis loop in a series of asymmetrically biased InAs based quantum point contacts (QPCs) in the presence of lateral spin-orbit coupling (LSOC) is studied using a number of QPCs with varying lithographic channel width but fixed channel length. It is found that the size of the hysteresis loops is larger for QPCs of smaller aspect ratio (QPC channel width/length) and gradually disappears as their aspect ratio increases. The physical mechanisms responsible for a decrease in size of the hysteresis loops for QPCs with increasing aspect ratio are: (1) multimode transport in QPCs with larger channel width leading to spin-flip scattering events due to both remote impurities in the doping layer of the heterostructure and surface roughness and impurity (dangling bond) scattering on the sidewalls of the narrow portion of the QPC, and (2) an increase in carrier density resulting in a screening of the electron-electron interactions in the QPC channel. Both effects lead to a progressive disappearance of the net spin polarization in the QPC channel and an accompanying reduction in the size of the hysteresis loops as the lithographic width of the QPC channel increases.
Microridges are apical epithelial projections formed of F-actin networks that organize the glycan layer
Authors: Pinto Clyde Savio , Khandekar Ameya , Bhavna Rajasekaran , Kiesel Petra , Pigino Gaia , Sonawane Mahendra
Published: August 2019

Apical projections are integral functional units of epithelial cells. Microvilli and stereocilia are cylindrical apical projections that are formed of bundled actin. Microridges on the other hand, extend laterally, forming labyrinthine patterns on surfaces of various kinds of squamous epithelial cells. So far, the structural organization and functions of microridges have remained elusive. We have analyzed microridges on zebrafish epidermal cells using confocal and electron microscopy methods including electron tomography, to show that microridges are formed of F-actin networks and require the function of the Arp2/3 complex for their maintenance. During development, microridges begin as F-actin punctae showing signatures of branching and requiring an active Arp2/3 complex. Using inhibitors of actin polymerization and the Arp2/3 complex, we show that microridges organize the surface glycan layer. Our analyses have unraveled the F-actin organization supporting the most abundant and evolutionarily conserved apical projection, which functions in glycan organization.
Quantum-Inspired Acromyrmex Evolutionary Algorithm
Authors: Montiel Oscar , Rubio Yoshio , Olvera Cynthia , Rivera Ajelet
Published: August 2019

Obtaining efficient optimisation algorithms has become the focus of much research interest since current developing trends in machine learning, traffic management, and other cutting-edge applications require complex optimised models containing a huge number of parameters. At present, computers based on the classical Turing-machine are inefficient when intent to solve optimisation tasks in complex and wicked problems. As a solution, quantum computers that should satisfy the Deutsch-Church-Turing principle have been proposed but this technology is still at an early stage. quantum-inspired algorithms (QIA) have emerged trying to fill-up an existing gap between the theoretical advances in quantum computation and real quantum computers. QIA use classical computers to simulate some physical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform quantum computations. This paper proposes the quantum-inspired Acromyrmex evolutionary algorithm (QIAEA) as a highly efficient global optimisation method for complex systems. We present comparative statistical analyses that demonstrate how this nature-inspired proposal outperforms existing outstanding quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithms when testing benchmark functions.
Cocaine Induces Inflammatory Gut Milieu by Compromising the Mucosal Barrier Integrity and Altering the Gut Microbiota Colonization
Authors: Chivero Ernest T. , Ahmad Rizwan , Thangaraj Annadurai , Periyasamy Palsamy , Kumar Balawant , Kroeger Elisa , Feng Dan , Guo Ming-Lei , Roy Sabita , Dhawan Punita , Singh Amar B. , Buch Shilpa
Published: August 2019

Cocaine use disorder (CUD), a major health crisis, has traditionally been considered a complication of the CNS; however, it is also closely associated with malnourishment and deteriorating gut health. In light of emerging studies on the potential role of gut microbiota in neurological disorders, we sought to understand the causal association between CUD and gut dysbiosis. Using a comprehensive approach, we confirmed that cocaine administration in mice resulted in alterations of the gut microbiota. Furthermore, cocaine-mediated gut dysbiosis was associated with upregulation of proinflammatory mediators including NF-κB and IL-1β. In vivo and in vitro analyses confirmed that cocaine altered gut-barrier composition of the tight junction proteins while also impairing epithelial permeability by potentially involving the MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling. Taken together, our findings unravel a causal link between CUD, gut-barrier dysfunction and dysbiosis and set a stage for future development of supplemental strategies for the management of CUD-associated gut complications.
High-speed device synchronization in optical microscopy with an open-source hardware control platform
Authors: Colville Marshall J. , Park Sangwoo , Zipfel Warren R. , Paszek Matthew J.
Published: August 2019

Azimuthal beam scanning eliminates the uneven excitation field arising from laser interference in through-objective total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. The same principle can be applied to scanning angle interference microscopy (SAIM), where precision control of the scanned laser beam presents unique technical challenges for the builders of custom azimuthal scanning microscopes. Accurate synchronization between the instrument computer, beam scanning system and excitation source is required to collect high quality data and minimize sample damage in SAIM acquisitions. Drawing inspiration from open-source prototyping systems, like the Arduino microcontroller boards, we developed a new instrument control platform to be affordable, easily programmed, and broadly useful, but with integrated, precision analog circuitry and optimized firmware routines tailored to advanced microscopy. We show how the integration of waveform generation, multiplexed analog outputs, and native hardware triggers into a single central hub provides a versatile platform for performing fast circle-scanning acquisitions, including azimuthal scanning SAIM and multiangle TIRF. We also demonstrate how the low communication latency of our hardware platform can reduce image intensity and reconstruction artifacts arising from synchronization errors produced by software control. Our complete platform, including hardware design, firmware, API, and software, is available online for community-based development and collaboration.
Extracorporeal shock waves protect cardiomyocytes from doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy by upregulating survivin via the integrin-ILK-Akt-Sp1/p53 axis
Authors: Yoon Lee Ji , Chung Jihwa , Hwa Kim Kyoung , Hyun An Shung , Yi Jeong-Eun , Ae Kwon Kyoung , Kwon Kihwan
Published: August 2019

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used anti-cancer drug; however, it has limited application due to cardiotoxicity. Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have been suggested to treat inflammatory and ischemic diseases, but the concrete effect of ESW in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy remain obscure. After H9c2 cells were subjected to ESW (0.04 mJ/cm2), they were treated with 1 μM DOX. As a result, ESW protected cardiomyocytes from DOX-induced cell death. H9c2 cells treated with DOX downregulated p-Akt and survivin expression, whereas the ESW treatment recovered both, suggesting its anti-apoptotic effect. ESW activated integrin αvβ3 and αvβ5, cardiomyocyte mechanosensors, followed by upregulation of ILK, p-Akt and survivin levels. Further, Sp1 and p53 were determined as key transcriptional factors mediating survivin expression via Akt phosphorylation by ESW. In in vivo acute DOX-induced cardiomyopathy model, the echocardiographic results showed that group subjected to ESW recovered from acute DOX-induced cardiomyopathy; left ventricular function was improved. The immunohistochemical staining results showed increased survivin and Bcl2 expression in ESW + DOX group compared to those in the DOX-injected group. In conclusion, non-invasive shockwaves protect cardiomyocytes from DOX-induced cardiomyopathy by upregulating survivin via integrin-ILK-Akt-Sp1/p53 pathway. In vivo study proposed ESW as a new kind of specific and safe therapy against acute DOX-induced cardiomyopathy.
Catalytic oxidation of toluene, ethyl acetate and chlorobenzene over Ag/MnO2-cordierite molded catalyst
Authors: Zhu Jianan , Zhang Wenrui , Qi Qiuping , Zhang Huawei , Zhang Yaqing , Sun Dekui , Liang Peng
Published: August 2019

Multi-structured Ag/MnO2-cordierite molded catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal method and applied to the catalytic oxidation of VOCs. Catalytic activities of Ag/MnO2-cordierite were evaluated by 1000 ppm of toluene, ethyl acetate and chlorobenzene degradation respectively at the air atmosphere, and their physicochemical properties were characterized through multiple techniques containing XRD, SEM, TEM, H2-TPR and XPS. It is found that nanorod Ag/MnO2-cordierite molded catalyst showed prominent catalytic activity for VOCs decomposition and the T90 for toluene, ethyl acetate and chlorobenzene are 275 °C, 217 °C and 385 °C respectively under the space velocity of 10,000 h−1. High valence manganese oxide, more active lattice oxygen proportion and superior low-temperature reducibility were the great contributors to the high activity of the catalyst with nanorod morphology. Studies of space velocity and catalytic stability over nanorod Ag/MnO2-cordierite molded catalyst have confirmed the good catalytic performance, excellent mechanical strength and satisfied anti-toxicity to Cl at higher space velocity, which indicates that this molded catalyst have promise for industrial application.