bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KH176 Safeguards Mitochondrial Diseased Cells from Redox Stress-Induced Cell Death by Interacting with the Thioredoxin System/Peroxiredoxin Enzyme Machinery
Authors: Beyrath Julien , Pellegrini Mina , Renkema Herma , Houben Lisanne , Pecheritsyna Svetlana , van Zandvoort Peter , van den Broek Petra , Bekel Akkiz , Eftekhari Pierre , Smeitink Jan A. M.
Published: April 2018

A deficient activity of one or more of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) enzyme complexes leads to devastating diseases, with high unmet medical needs. Mitochondria, and more specifically the OXPHOS system, are the main cellular production sites of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Increased ROS production, ultimately leading to irreversible oxidative damage of macromolecules or to more selective and reversible redox modulation of cell signalling, is a causative hallmark of mitochondrial diseases. Here we report on the development of a new clinical-stage drug KH176 acting as a ROS-Redox modulator. Patient-derived primary skin fibroblasts were used to assess the potency of a new library of chromanyl-based compounds to reduce ROS levels and protect cells against redox-stress. The lead compound KH176 was studied in cell-based and enzymatic assays and in silico. Additionally, the metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics of KH176 were assessed in vivo in different animal species. We demonstrate that KH176 can effectively reduce increased cellular ROS levels and protect OXPHOS deficient primary cells against redox perturbation by targeting the Thioredoxin/Peroxiredoxin system. Due to its dual activity as antioxidant and redox modulator, KH176 offers a novel approach to the treatment of mitochondrial (-related) diseases. KH176 efficacy and safety are currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical trial.
Exposure to toxic metals triggers unique responses from the rat gut microbiota
Authors: Richardson Joshua B. , Dancy Blair C. R. , Horton Cassandra L. , Lee Young S. , Madejczyk Michael S. , Xu Zhenjiang Zech , Ackermann Gail , Humphrey Gregory , Palacios Gustavo , Knight Rob , Lewis John A.
Published: April 2018

Our understanding of the interaction between the gut microbiota and host health has recently improved dramatically. However, the effects of toxic metal exposure on the gut microbiota remain poorly characterized. As this microbiota creates a critical interface between the external environment and the host’s cells, it may play an important role in host outcomes during exposure. We therefore used 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing to track changes in the gut microbiota composition of rats exposed to heavy metals. Rats were exposed daily for five days to arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, nickel, or a vehicle control. Significant changes to microbiota composition were observed in response to high doses of chromium and cobalt, and significant dose-dependent changes were observed in response to arsenic, cadmium and nickel. Many of these perturbations were not uniform across metals. However, bacteria with higher numbers of iron-importing gene orthologs were overly represented after exposure to arsenic and nickel, suggesting some possibility of a shared response. These findings support the utility of the microbiota as a pre-clinical tool for identifying exposures to specific heavy metals. It is also clear that characterizing changes to the functional capabilities of microbiota is critical to understanding responses to metal exposure.
Charge Carrier Scattering in Polymers: A New Neutral Coupled Soliton Channel
Authors: Ribeiro Luiz Antonio , Monteiro Fábio Ferreira , da Cunha Wiliam Ferreira , e Silva Geraldo Magela
Published: April 2018

The dynamical scattering of two oppositely charged bipolarons in non-degenerate organic semiconducting lattices is numerically investigated in the framework of a one-dimensional tight-biding–Hubbard model that includes lattice relaxation. Our findings show that it is possible for the bipolaron pair to merge into a state composed of a confined soliton-antisoliton pair, which is characterized by the appearance of states within less than 0.1 eV from the Fermi level. This compound is in a narrow analogy to a meson confining a quark-antiquark pair. Interestingly, solitons are quasi-particles theoretically predicted to arise only in polymer lattices with degenerate ground state: in the general case of non-degenerate ground state polymers, isolated solitons are not allowed.
Stage-specific Effects of Bioactive Lipids on Human iPSC Cardiac Differentiation and Cardiomyocyte Proliferation
Authors: Sharma Arun , Zhang Yuan , Buikema Jan W. , Serpooshan Vahid , Chirikian Orlando , Kosaric Nina , Churko Jared M. , Dzilic Elda , Shieh Alice , Burridge Paul W. , Wu Joseph C. , Wu Sean M.
Published: April 2018

Bioactive lipids such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) regulate diverse processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. However, their roles in cardiac differentiation and cardiomyocyte proliferation have not been explored. Using a 96-well differentiation platform for generating human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) we found that S1P and LPA can independently enhance cardiomyocyte generation when administered at an early stage of differentiation. We showed that the combined S1P and LPA treatment of undifferentiated hiPSCs resulted in increased nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, the canonical Wnt signaling pathway mediator, and synergized with CHIR99021, a glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor, to enhance mesodermal induction and subsequent cardiac differentiation. At later stages of cardiac differentiation, the addition of S1P and LPA resulted in cell cycle initiation in hiPSC-CMs, an effect mediated through increased ERK signaling. Although the addition of S1P and LPA alone was insufficient to induce cell division, it was able to enhance β-catenin-mediated hiPSC-CM proliferation. In summary, we demonstrated a developmental stage-specific effect of bioactive lipids to enhance hiPSC-CM differentiation and proliferation via modulating the effect of canonical Wnt/β-catenin and ERK signaling. These findings may improve hiPSC-CM generation for cardiac disease modeling, precision medicine, and regenerative therapies.
Survey and evaluation of mutations in the human KLF1 transcription unit
Authors: Gnanapragasam Merlin Nithya , Crispino John D. , Ali Abdullah M. , Weinberg Rona , Hoffman Ronald , Raza Azra , Bieker James J.
Published: April 2018

Erythroid Krüppel-like Factor (EKLF/KLF1) is an erythroid-enriched transcription factor that plays a global role in all aspects of erythropoiesis, including cell cycle control and differentiation. We queried whether its mutation might play a role in red cell malignancies by genomic sequencing of the KLF1 transcription unit in cell lines, erythroid neoplasms, dysplastic disorders, and leukemia. In addition, we queried published databases from a number of varied sources. In all cases we only found changes in commonly notated SNPs. Our results suggest that if there are mutations in KLF1 associated with erythroid malignancies, they are exceedingly rare.
Deep winter convection and phytoplankton dynamics in the NW Mediterranean Sea under present climate and future (horizon 2030) scenarios
Authors: Macias Diego , Garcia-Gorriz Elisa , Stips Adolf
Published: April 2018

Deep water convection (DC) in winter is one of the major processes driving open-ocean primary productivity in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. DC is highly variable in time, depending on the specific conditions (stratification, circulation and ocean-atmosphere interactions) of each specific winter. This variability also drives the interannual oscillations of open-ocean primary productivity in this important region for many commercially-important fish species. We use a coupled model system to 1) understand to what extent DC impacts phytoplankton seasonality in the present-day and 2) to explore potential changes in future scenarios (~2030). Our model represents quite accurately the present-day characteristics of DC and its importance for open-ocean phytoplankton blooms. However, for the future scenarios the importance of deep nutrients in fertilizing the euphotic layer of the NW Mediterranean decreases. The model simulates changes in surface density and on the levels of kinetic energy that make mesoscale activity associated with horizontal currents to become a more important fertilization mechanism, inducing subsequently phenological changes in seasonal plankton cycles. Because of our focus on the open-sea, an exact quantification of the impact of those changes on the overall biological production of the NW Mediterranean cannot be made at the moment.
Structure and solvents effects on the optical properties of sugar-derived carbon nanodots
Authors: Papaioannou Nikolaos , Marinovic Adam , Yoshizawa Noriko , Goode Angela E. , Fay Michael , Khlobystov Andrei , Titirici Maria-Magdalena , Sapelkin Andrei
Published: April 2018

Carbon nanodots are a new and intriguing class of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials and are considered a promising low cost, nontoxic alternative to traditional inorganic quantum dots in applications such as bioimaging, solar cells, photocatalysis, sensors and others. Despite the abundant available literature, a clear formation mechanism for carbon nanodots prepared hydrothermally from biomass precursors along with the origins of the light emission are still under debate. In this paper, we investigate the relationships between the chemical structure and optical properties of carbon nanodots prepared by the hydrothermal treatment of glucose. Our major finding is that the widely reported excitation-dependent emission originates from solvents used to suspend the as-prepared carbon nanodots, while emission from dry samples shows no excitation-dependence. Another important highlight is that the hydrothermal conversion of biomass-derivatives under subcritical conditions leads to a heterogeneous mixture of amorphous-like nanoparticles, carbon onion-type and crystalline carbons composed of at least three different phases. The potential chemical reaction pathways involved in the formation of these hydrothermal carbon products along with a comprehensive structural and optical characterization of these systems is also provided.
Differential Interaction of Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles with Leukocyte Subsets in Human Whole Blood
Authors: Weiss René , Gröger Marion , Rauscher Sabine , Fendl Birgit , Eichhorn Tanja , Fischer Michael B. , Spittler Andreas , Weber Viktoria
Published: April 2018

Secretion and exchange of biomolecules via extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial mechanisms in intercellular communication, and the roles of EVs in infection, inflammation, or thrombosis have been increasingly recognized. EVs have emerged as central players in immune regulation and can enhance or suppress the immune response, depending on the state of donor and recipient cells. We investigated the interaction of blood cell-derived EVs with leukocyte subpopulations (monocytes and their subsets, granulocytes, B cells, T cells, and NK cells) directly in whole blood using a combination of flow cytometry, imaging flow cytometry, cell sorting, and high resolution confocal microscopy. Platelet-derived EVs constituted the majority of circulating EVs and were preferentially associated with granulocytes and monocytes, while they scarcely interacted with lymphocytes. Further flow cytometric differentiation of monocyte subsets provided clear indications for a preferential association of platelet-derived EVs with intermediate (CD14++CD16+) monocytes in whole blood.
Incidence and predictors of readmission within 30 days of transurethral resection of the prostate: a single center European experience
Authors: Palmisano Franco , Boeri Luca , Fontana Matteo , Gallioli Andrea , De Lorenzis Elisa , Zanetti Stefano Paolo , Sampogna Gianluca , Spinelli Matteo Giulio , Albo Giancarlo , Longo Fabrizio , Gadda Franco , Dell’Orto Paolo Guido , Montanari Emanuele
Published: April 2018

Hospital readmission rates have been analyzed due to their contribution to increasing medical costs. Little is known about readmission rates after urological procedures. We aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of 30-day readmission after discharge in patients treated with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Data from 160 consecutive patients who underwent TURP from January 2015 to December 2016 were analysed. Intra hospitalization characteristics included length of stay (LOS), catheterization time (CT) and complications. Comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Mean (SD) age was 70.1 (8.1) yrs and mean prostate volume was 80 (20.1) ml. Mean LOS and CT were 4.9 (2.5) days and 3.3 (1.6) days, respectively. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 14.4%, but only 7 (4.4%) patients required hospitalization. The most frequent reasons for readmission were haematuria (6.8%), fever/urinary tract infections (4.3%) and acute urinary retention (3.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age, CCI and CT to be independent predictors of readmission. However, when analysed according to age at the time of surgery, a beneficial effect from longer CT was observed only for patients older than 75 years. These parameters should be taken in account at the time of discharge after TURP.
Effects of meaningfulness on perception: Alpha-band oscillations carry perceptual expectations and influence early visual responses
Authors: Samaha Jason , Boutonnet Bastien , Postle Bradley R. , Lupyan Gary
Published: April 2018

Perceptual experience results from a complex interplay of bottom-up input and prior knowledge about the world, yet the extent to which knowledge affects perception, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects, and the stages of processing at which these two sources of information converge, are still unclear. In several experiments we show that language, in the form of verbal labels, both aids recognition of ambiguous “Mooney” images and improves objective visual discrimination performance in a match/non-match task. We then used electroencephalography (EEG) to better understand the mechanisms of this effect. The improved discrimination of images previously labeled was accompanied by a larger occipital-parietal P1 evoked response to the meaningful versus meaningless target stimuli. Time-frequency analysis of the interval between the cue and the target stimulus revealed increases in the power of posterior alpha-band (8–14 Hz) oscillations when the meaning of the stimuli to be compared was trained. The magnitude of the pre-target alpha difference and the P1 amplitude difference were positively correlated across individuals. These results suggest that prior knowledge prepares the brain for upcoming perception via the modulation of alpha-band oscillations, and that this preparatory state influences early (~120 ms) stages of visual processing.
Hydrazinopyrimidine derived novel Al3+ chemosensor: molecular logic gate and biological applications
Authors: Das Bhriguram , Dey Satyajit , Maiti Guru Prasad , Bhattacharjee Ankita , Dhara Anamika , Jana Atanu
Published: April 2018

For the first time, a hydrazinopyrimidine based chemosensor has been designed for sensing Al3+ through CHEF-PET-ESIPT fluorescence mechanisms and by building an ‘INHIBIT’ molecular logic gate.
Metal organic frameworks as a catalyst for oxygen reduction: an unexpected outcome of a highly active Mn-MOF-based catalyst incorporated in activated carbon
Authors: Gonen S. , Lori O. , Cohen-Taguri G. , Elbaz L.
Published: April 2018

Four first row transition metal-based metal–organic-frameworks were synthesized in activated carbon, showing high electrocatalytic ORR activity with surprising metal-ion dependence.
Antimicrobial and optical properties of PET chemically modified and grafted with borane compounds
Authors: Benkocká Monika , Lupínková Simona , Matoušek Jindřich , Kolářová Kateřina , Kolská Zdeňka
Published: April 2018

Polyethylene terephthalate foils were activated with piranha solution and grafted with selected amino compounds (cysteamine, ethylenediamine or chitosan) and then with borane compounds. Their antimicrobial and optical properties were then analyzed.
C4–H indole functionalisation: precedent and prospects
Authors: Kalepu Jagadeesh , Gandeepan Parthasarathy , Ackermann Lutz , Pilarski Lukasz T.
Published: April 2018

This Perspective article traces the evolution of modern approaches to functionalise the indole C4–H bond.
Enantioselective separation of RS-mandelic acid using β-cyclodextrin modified Fe3O4@SiO2/Au microspheres
Authors: Deng Xiaojuan , Li Wenbin , Ding Guosheng , Chen Xiaoping
Published: April 2018

β-Cyclodextrin functionalized magnetic microspheres were prepared via a self-assembly method and applied for the enantioselective absorption of enantiomers.
AIEE active SDS stabilized 2-naphthol nanoparticles as a novel fluorescent sensor for the selective recognition of crystal violet: application to environmental analysis
Authors: Dalavi Dattatray K. , Suryawanshi Sonali B. , Kolekar Govind B. , Patil Shivajirao R.
Published: April 2018

Static quenching process of AIEE active SDS-2-NNPs by CV.
Exploring function activated chlorins using MCD spectroscopy and DFT methods: design of a chlorin with a remarkably intense, red Q band
Authors: Zhang Angel , Stillman Martin J.
Published: April 2018

Fictive β-substituted fluorene-thiophene Zn chlorins exhibit exceptionally intense, red Q bands with unusually small ΔHOMO.
Structure and dynamics of water at water–graphene and water–hexagonal boron-nitride sheet interfaces revealed by ab initio sum-frequency generation spectroscopy
Authors: Ohto Tatsuhiko , Tada Hirokazu , Nagata Yuki
Published: April 2018

We simulate sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectra of isotopically diluted water at the water–graphene and water–hexagonal boron-nitride (hBN) sheet interfaces, using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.
Concentrating underground brine using a TFC hollow fiber forward osmosis membrane: effects of cleaning
Authors: Chen Gang , Li Xue-Mei , Huang Manhong , He Tao
Published: April 2018

In this work, underground brine (UGB) with high salinity was concentrated using a thin-film composite (TFC) hollow fiber forward osmosis (FO) membrane.
Ligand and electronic effects on copper–arylnitroso self-assembly
Authors: Effaty F. , Zsombor-Pindera J. , Kazakova A. , Girard B. , Askari M. S. , Ottenwaelder X.
Published: April 2018

The topology and degree of electron transfer in self-assembled redox reactions between copper(i) species and nitrosoarenes are controlled by ligand properties.
Toxicity assessment and mechanistic investigation of engineered monoclinic VO2nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Di , Su Qianqian , Li Yang , Zhang Chen , Qin Xian , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Xi Wen-Song , Gao Yanfeng , Cao Aoneng , Liu Xiaogang , Wang Haifang
Published: April 2018

The toxicity and the influence of physicochemical properties and aging treatment of engineered monoclinic VO2nanoparticles were systematically evaluated.
Electrospun nanofiber reinforced composites: a review
Authors: Jiang Shaohua , Chen Yiming , Duan Gaigai , Mei Changtong , Greiner Andreas , Agarwal Seema
Published: April 2018

High performance electrospun nanofibers could be used to fabricate nanofiber reinforced composites.
Modification of polyamide TFC nanofiltration membrane for improving separation and antifouling properties
Authors: Liu Li-Fen , Huang Xiang , Zhang Xiao , Li Ke , Ji Yan-Li , Yu Chun-yang , Gao Cong-Jie
Published: April 2018

TMAAM, a new dendrimer, was used to modify the conventional aromatic polyamide NF membrane via interfacial polymerization method, and the result TMAAM-based semi-aromatic polyamide NF membrane strong dye rejection, favourable antifouling property and good stability.
A sensitive fluorescent probe for alkaline phosphatase and an activity assay based on the aggregation-induced emission effect
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Yang Hanxiao , Li Nan , Zhao Na
Published: April 2018

A sensitive fluorescent probe (TPEQN-P) was designed and synthesized for detecting alkaline phosphatase and monitoring its enzymatic activity based on the specific aggregation-induced emission effect.
Enantioselective direct Mannich-type reactions of 2-benzylpyridine N-oxides catalyzed by chiral bis(guanidino)iminophosphorane organosuperbase
Authors: Hu Qiupeng , Kondoh Azusa , Terada Masahiro
Published: April 2018

2-Benzylpyridine N-oxides possessing less acidic α-protons were utilized as pronucleophiles for the first time in enantioselective addition reactions under Brønsted base catalysis.
Correction: Interfacial growth of a metal–organic framework (UiO-66) on functionalized graphene oxide (GO) as a suitable seawater adsorbent for extraction of uranium(vi)
Authors: Yang Peipei , Liu Qi , Liu Jingyuan , Zhang Hongsen , Li Zhanshuang , Li Rumin , Liu Lianhe , Wang Jun
Published: April 2018

Correction for ‘Interfacial growth of a metal–organic framework (UiO-66) on functionalized graphene oxide (GO) as a suitable seawater adsorbent for extraction of uranium(vi)’ by Peipei Yang et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2017, 5, 17933–17942.
Tannic acid-derived metal-phenolic networks facilitate PCL nanofiber mesh vascularization by promoting the adhesion and spreading of endothelial cells
Authors: Li Qingtao , Xiao Wenwu , Zhang Fen , Liu Qiongqiong , Ye Jiandong , Dong Hua , Cao Xiaodong
Published: April 2018

Metal-phenolic networks (TA–Fe3+) create favorable conditions for endothelial cell culture.
Significance of aquaporins’ expression in the prognosis of gastric cancer
Authors: Thapa Saroj , Chetry Mandika , Huang Kaiyu , Peng Yangpei , Wang Jinsheng , Wang Jiaoni , Zhou Yingying , Shen Yigen , Xue Yangjing , Ji Kangting
Published: April 2018

Gastric carcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancy at present with leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small, integral membrane proteins, which have been evidenced to play a crucial role in cell migration and proliferation of different cancer cells including gastric cancers. However, the aberrant expression of specific AQPs and its correlation to detect predictive and prognostic significance in gastric cancer remains elusive. In the present study, we comprehensively explored immunohistochemistry based map of protein expression profiles in normal tissues, cancer and cell lines from publicly available Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. Moreover, to improve our understanding of general gastric biology and guide to find novel predictive prognostic gastric cancer biomarker, we also retrieved ‘The Kaplan–Meier plotter’ (KM plotter) online database with specific AQPs mRNA to overall survival (OS) in different clinicopathological features. We revealed that ubiquitous expression of AQPs protein can be effective tools to generate gastric cancer biomarker. Furthermore, high level AQP3, AQP9, and AQP11 mRNA expression were correlated with better OS in all gastric patients, whereas AQP0, AQP1, AQP4, AQP5, AQP6, AQP8, and AQP10 mRNA expression were associated with poor OS. With regard to the clinicopathological features including Laurens classification, clinical stage, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and different treatment strategy, we could illustrate significant role of individual AQP mRNA expression in the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Thus, our results indicated that AQP’s protein and mRNA expression in gastric cancer patients provide effective role to predict prognosis and act as an essential agent to therapeutic strategy.
Self-organization, entropy and allostery
Authors: Kornev Alexandr P.
Published: April 2018

Allostery is a fundamental regulatory mechanism in biology. Although generally accepted that it is a dynamics-driven process, the exact molecular mechanism of allosteric signal transmission is hotly debated. We argue that allostery is as a part of a bigger picture that also includes fractal-like properties of protein interior, hierarchical protein folding and entropy-driven molecular recognition. Although so far all these phenomena were studied separately, they stem from the same common root: self-organization of polypeptide chains and, thus, has to be studied collectively. This merge will allow the cross-referencing of a broad spectrum of multi-disciplinary data facilitating progress in all these fields.
Decomposition and robust non‐fragile stabilisation of singular time‐delay systems
Authors: Zahedi Fatemeh , Haeri Mohammad
Published: April 2018

This study presents a new approach to decompose singular time‐delay systems (STDSs) in a way that they can be transformable to normal time‐delay systems (TDSs) with a lower order. Necessary and sufficient conditions are provided to determine which STDSs can be transformed to TDSs. Also, a stabilisation method is provided to stabilise the system, while the time delay in the system can belong to several distinct intervals or even everywhere. The proposed method is non‐fragile towards controller parameters. This method also reveals one of the many applicable situations of the proposed decomposition. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated through some examples.
A search for radio emission from exoplanets around evolved
stars
Authors: O’Gorman E. , Coughlan C. P. , Vlemmings W. , Varenius E. , Sirothia S. , Ray T. P. , Olofsson H.
Published: April 2018

The majority of searches for radio emission from exoplanets have to date focused on short period planets, i.e., the so-called hot Jupiter type planets. However, these planets are likely to be tidally locked to their host stars and may not generate sufficiently strong magnetic fields to emit electron cyclotron maser emission at the low frequencies used in observations (typically ≥150 MHz). In comparison, the large mass-loss rates of evolved stars could enable exoplanets at larger orbital distances to emit detectable radio emission. Here, we first show that the large ionized mass-loss rates of certain evolved stars relative to the solar value could make them detectable with the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) at 150 MHz (λ = 2 m), provided they have surface magnetic field strengths >50 G. We then report radio observations of three long period (>1 au) planets that orbit the evolved stars β Gem, ι Dra, and β UMi using LOFAR at 150 MHz. We do not detect radio emission from any system but place tight 3σ upper limits of 0.98, 0.87, and 0.57 mJy on the flux density at 150 MHz for β Gem, ι Dra, and β UMi, respectively. Despite our non-detections these stringent upper limits highlight the potential of LOFAR as a tool to search for exoplanetary radio emission at meter wavelengths.
Long-term optical, UV, and X-ray continuum variations in the changing-look AGN HE 1136-2304
Authors: Zetzl M. , Kollatschny W. , Ochmann M. W. , Grupe D. , Haas M. , Ramolla M. , Chelouche D. , Kaspi S. , Schartel N.
Published: April 2018

Aims. A strong outburst in the X-ray continuum and a change of its Seyfert spectral type was detected in HE 1136-2304 in 2014. The spectral type changed from nearly Seyfert 2 type (1.95) to Seyfert 1.5 type in comparison to previous observations taken ten to twenty years before. In a subsequent variability campaign we wanted to investigate whether this outburst was a single event or whether the variability pattern following the outburst was similar to those seen in other variable Seyfert galaxies.

Methods. In addition to a SALT spectral variability campaign, we carried out optical continuum, as well as X-ray and UV (Swift) monitoring studies from 2014 to 2017.

Results. HE 1136-2304 strongly varied on timescales of days to months from 2014 to 2017. No systematic trends were found in the variability behavior following the outburst in 2014. A general decrease in flux would have been expected for a tidal disruption event. This could not be confirmed. More likely the flux variations are connected to irregular fluctuations in the accretion rate. The strongest variability amplitudes have been found in the X-ray regime: HE 1136-2304 varied by a factor of eight during 2015. The amplitudes of the continuum variability (from the UV to the optical) systematically decreased with wavelength following a power law Fvar = a × λ−c with c = 0.84. There is a trend that the B-band continuum shows a delay of three light days with respect to the variable X-ray flux. The Seyfert type 1.5 did not change despite the strong continuum variations for the period between 2014 and 2017.
Complete Placenta Previa: Ultrasound Biometry and Surgical Outcomes
Authors: Wortman Alison , Schaefer Stephanie , McIntire Donald , Sheffield Jeanne , Twickler Diane
Published: April 2018

Objective To evaluate the relationship between surgical outcomes and ultrasound measurement of placental extension beyond the cervical os in women with placenta previa.

Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies with placenta previa undergoing third-trimester ultrasound and delivering at our institution from 2002 through 2011. For study purposes, an investigator measured placental extension, defined as the placental distance from the internal os across the placenta continuing out to the lowest placental edge. If morbidly adherent placentation was suspected, women were excluded. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for pertinent surgical outcomes, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the placental extension with the best predictive discriminatory zone.

Results In total, 157 women had placenta previa, ultrasound, and delivery data: 86 (55%) had a placental extension of <40 mm, and 71 (45%) had a placental extension of ≥40 mm. Women with placental extension of ≥40 mm had increased surgical time, blood loss > 2,000 mL, blood transfusion, and rate of peripartum hysterectomy. After multivariate analysis, only peripartum hysterectomy and surgical time > 90 minutes remained significant, p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively.

Conclusion In women with placenta previa, the placental extension ultrasound measurement of ≥40 mm is a predictor of adverse surgical outcomes.
Navigating the politics of evidence-informed policymaking: strategies of influential policy actors in Ontario
Authors: Sohn Jacqueline
Published: April 2018

Policy studies suggest that evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) requires framing and persuasion strategies, and an investment of time to form alliances and identify the most important venue. However, this advice is very broad and often too abstract. In-depth case studies help make this advice more concrete. To understand the engagement strategies of influential policy actors, this case study examines the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy, a large-scale provincial policy touted as “evidence-based.” The study is based on interviews with elite policy advisors (n = 19) serving in different stages of the policymaking process. It shows that the elite advisors effectively used persuasion tactics, networking and longevity strategies to counteract a volatile political context and competing policy priorities. In light of the findings, this paper provides practical recommendations on how evidence producers can emulate such success in different contexts: understand formal and informal processes, master and exercise political acuity, and strategically establish networks with a diverse group of policy actors in order to effectively frame and communicate evidence.
Populist communication in the new media environment: a cross-regional comparative perspective
Authors: Sorensen Lone
Published: April 2018

The changing terms of mediation place new demands, opportunities and risks on the performance of the political persona. Visibility has become a double-edged sword, leaving representatives vulnerable to exposure while new tools provide opportunities for emerging entrepreneurial actors. This double risk to elites’ mediated personas—exposure and challenge from entrepreneurs—renders their armour of authenticity dangerously fragile, which nourishes a public sense of being inefficaciously represented. It is this climate in which populism currently flourishes around the globe. Three primary criteria of mediated self-representation by politicians—visibility, authenticity and efficacy—form the focus of this paper: how do populists negotiate such demands in different democratic contexts, and wherein lies the symbiosis between populism and the new media environment suggested by the literature?

To answer this, the paper compares two populist cases responding to different democratic contexts: UKIP, a right-wing party from an established democracy (UK), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a left-wing party from a transitional democracy (South Africa). The objects of study are disruptive performances by these parties, which are considered emblematic manifestations of populist ideology as they establish a Manichaean relationship between the elite and populist actors who embody the people. The paper introduces disruption as a multi-faceted and significant analytical concept to explain the populist behaviour and strategies that underlie populist parties’ responses to the demands for visibility, authenticity and efficacy that the new media environment places upon political representatives. Using mixed methods with an interpretive focus, the paper paints a rich picture of the contexts, meanings and means of construction of populist performances.
On the origin of amplitude reduction mechanism in tapping mode atomic force microscopy
Authors: Keyvani Aliasghar , Sadeghian Hamed , Goosen Hans , van Keulen Fred
Published: April 2018

The origin of amplitude reduction in Tapping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy (TM-AFM) is typically attributed to the shift in resonance frequency of the cantilever due to the nonlinear tip-sample interactions. In this paper, we present a different insight into the same problem which, besides explaining the amplitude reduction mechanism, provides a simple reasoning for the relationship between tip-sample interactions and operation parameters (amplitude and frequency). The proposed formulation, which attributes the amplitude reduction to an interference between the tip-sample and dither force, only deals with the linear part of the system; however, it fully agrees with experimental results and numerical solutions of the full nonlinear model of TM-AFM.
Consequences of high effective Prandtl number on solar differential rotation and convective velocity
Authors: Karak Bidya Binay , Miesch Mark , Bekki Yuto
Published: April 2018

Observations suggest that the large-scale convective velocities obtained by solar convection simulations might be over-estimated (convective conundrum). One plausible solution to this could be the small-scale dynamo which cannot be fully resolved by global simulations. The small-scale Lorentz force suppresses the convective motions and also the turbulent mixing of entropy between upflows and downflows, leading to a large effective Prandtl number (Pr). We explore this idea in three-dimensional global rotating convection simulations at different thermal conductivity (κ), i.e., at different Pr. In agreement with previous non-rotating simulations, the convective velocity is reduced with the increase of Pr as long as the thermal conductive flux is negligible. A subadiabatic layer is formed near the base of the convection zone due to continuous deposition of low entropy plumes in low-κ simulations. The most interesting result of our low-κ simulations is that the convective motions are accompanied by a change in the convection structure that is increasingly influenced by small-scale plumes. These plumes tend to transport angular momentum radially inward and thus establish an anti-solar differential rotation, in striking contrast to the solar rotation profile. If such low diffusive plumes, driven by the radiative-surface cooling, are present in the Sun, then our results cast doubt on the idea that a high effective Pr may be a viable solution to the solar convective conundrum. Our study also emphasizes that any resolution of the conundrum that relies on the downward plumes must take into account the angular momentum transport and heat transport.
Experimental investigation of the effects of variable expanding channel on the performance of a low-power cusped field thruster
Authors: Liu Hui , Zeng Ming , Jiang Wenjia , Yang Chiyu , Ning Zhongxi , Yu Daren
Published: April 2018

Due to a special magnetic field structure, the multi-cusped field thruster shows advantages of low wall erosion, low noise and high thrust density over a wide range of thrust. In this paper, expanding discharge channels are employed to make up for deficiencies on the range of thrust and plume divergence, which often emerges in conventional straight cylindrical channels. Three thruster geometries are fabricated with different expanding-angle channels, and a group of experiments are carried out to find out their influence on the performance and discharge characteristics of the thruster. A retarding potential analyzer and a Faraday probe are employed to analyze the structures of the plume in these three models. The results show that when the thrusters operate at low mass flow rate, the gradually-expanding channels exhibit lower propellant utilization and lower overall performance by amounts not exceeding 44.8% in ionization rate and 19.5% in anode efficiency, respectively. But the weakening of magnetic field intensity near the exit of expanding channels leads to an extended thrust throttling ability, a smaller plume divergence angle, and a relatively larger stable operating space without mode converting and the consequent performance degradation.
Mid-infrared GaSb-based resonant tunneling diode photodetectors for gas sensing applications
Authors: Rothmayr F. , Pfenning A. , Kistner C. , Koeth J. , Knebl G. , Schade A. , Krueger S. , Worschech L. , Hartmann F. , Höfling S.
Published: April 2018

We present resonant tunneling diode-photodetectors (RTD-PDs) with GaAs0.15Sb0.85/AlAs0.1Sb0.9 double barrier structures combined with an additional quaternary Ga0.64In0.36As0.33Sb0.67 absorption layer covering the fingerprint absorption lines of various gases in the mid-infrared wavelength spectral region. The absorption layer cut-off wavelength is determined to be 3.5 μm, and the RTD-PDs show peak-to-valley current ratios up to 4.3 with a peak current density of 12 A/cm−2. The incorporation of the quaternary absorption layer enables the RTD-PDs to be sensitive to illumination with light up to the absorption lines of HCl at 3395 nm. At this wavelength, the detector shows a responsivity of 6.3 mA/W. At the absorption lines of CO2 and CO at 2004 nm and 2330 nm, respectively, the RTD-PDs reach responsivities up to 0.97 A/W. Thus, RTD-PDs pave the way towards high sensitive mid-infrared detectors that can be utilized in tunable laser absorption spectroscopy.
Valence change detection in memristive oxide based heterostructure cells by hard X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy
Authors: Kindsmüller A. , Schmitz C. , Wiemann C. , Skaja K. , Wouters D. J. , Waser R. , Schneider C. M. , Dittmann R.
Published: April 2018

The switching mechanism of valence change resistive memory devices is widely accepted to be an ionic movement of oxygen vacancies resulting in a valence change of the metal cations. However, direct experimental proofs of valence changes in memristive devices are scarce. In this work, we have employed hard X-ray photoelectron emission microscopy (PEEM) to probe local valence changes in Pt/ZrOx/Ta memristive devices. The use of hard X-ray radiation increases the information depth, thus providing chemical information from buried layers. By extracting X-ray photoelectron spectra from different locations in the PEEM images, we show that zirconia in the active device area is reduced compared to a neighbouring region, confirming the valence change in the ZrOx film during electroforming. Furthermore, we succeeded in measuring the Ta 4f spectrum for two different resistance states on the same device. In both states, as well as outside the device region, the Ta electrode is composed of different suboxides without any metallic contribution, hinting to the formation of TaOx during the deposition of the Ta thin film. We observed a reduction of the Ta oxidation state in the low resistance state with respect to the high resistive state. This observation is contradictory to the established model, as the internal redistribution of oxygen between ZrOx and the Ta electrode during switching would lead to an oxidation of the Ta layer in the low resistance state. Instead, we have to conclude that the Ta electrode takes an active part in the switching process in our devices and that oxygen is released and reincorporated in the ZrOx/TaOx bilayer during switching. This is confirmed by the degradation of the high resistance state during endurance measurements under vacuum.
A novel method for unsteady flow field segmentation based on stochastic similarity of direction
Authors: Omata Noriyasu , Shirayama Susumu
Published: April 2018

Recent developments in fluid dynamics research have opened up the possibility for the detailed quantitative understanding of unsteady flow fields. However, the visualization techniques currently in use generally provide only qualitative insights. A method for dividing the flow field into physically relevant regions of interest can help researchers quantify unsteady fluid behaviors. Most methods at present compare the trajectories of virtual Lagrangian particles. The time-invariant features of an unsteady flow are also frequently of interest, but the Lagrangian specification only reveals time-variant features. To address these challenges, we propose a novel method for the time-invariant spatial segmentation of an unsteady flow field. This segmentation method does not require Lagrangian particle tracking but instead quantitatively compares the stochastic models of the direction of the flow at each observed point. The proposed method is validated with several clustering tests for 3D flows past a sphere. Results show that the proposed method reveals the time-invariant, physically relevant structures of an unsteady flow.
Commentary on “Ergodic theory of amenable group actions”: Old and new
Authors: Kra Bryna
Published: April 2018

Immediately following the commentary below, this previously published article is reprinted in its entirety: D.  Ornstein and B. Weiss, “Ergodic theory of amenable group actions, I. The Rohlin Lemma”, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. (N.S.) 2 (1980), no. 1, 161–164.
Afterword: Dynamical zeta functions for Axiom A flows
Authors: Dyatlov Semyon , Guillarmou Colin
Published: April 2018

This afterword addresses the previously published article “Differentiable dynamical systems” by S. Smale, which appeared in the Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society, 73 (1967), no. 6, 747–817.
Apheresis to Mitigate Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease
Authors: Sachais Bruce S , Shaz Beth H
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic apheresis is a term used to describe a group of treatments where blood components are separated in real time, and one component is removed, exchanged, and/or treated to remove pathogenic substances from the circulation. Plasma exchange, which removed all plasma components, and lipid apheresis which selectively removes lipoproteins from circulation, have both been used to treat atherosclerotic vascular diseases.

METHODS

To review the literature regarding the application of therapeutic apheresis for atherosclerotic vascular diseases.

RESULTS

Primarily lipid apheresis is used to treat atherosclerotic vascular diseases, particularly familial hypercholesterolemia, lipoprotein (a) hyperlipoproteinemia and peripheral vascular diseases. Lipid apheresis can be used as first line or second line treatment with a strong evidenced-based recommendation. Its use has decreased atherosclerotic events.

CONCLUSION

Lipid apheresis is an important therapy for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, lipoprotein (a) hyperlipoproteinemia and peripheral vascular diseases. Lipid apheresis does more than remove low-density lipoproteins and other lipoproteins but also decreases inflammatory markers and improves blood flow.
RANGER-DTL 2.0: rigorous reconstruction of gene-family evolution by duplication, transfer and loss
Authors: Bansal Mukul S , Kellis Manolis , Kordi Misagh , Kundu Soumya
Published: April 2018

RANGER-DTL 2.0 is a software program for inferring gene family evolution using Duplication-Transfer-Loss reconciliation. This new software is highly scalable and easy to use, and offers many new features not currently available in any other reconciliation program. RANGER-DTL 2.0 has a particular focus on reconciliation accuracy and can account for many sources of reconciliation uncertainty including uncertain gene tree rooting, gene tree topological uncertainty, multiple optimal reconciliations and alternative event cost assignments. RANGER-DTL 2.0 is open-source and written in C++ and Python.

Availability and implementation

Pre-compiled executables, source code (open-source under GNU GPL) and a detailed manual are freely available from http://compbio.engr.uconn.edu/software/RANGER-DTL/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Investigating Predictors of Cognitive Decline Using Machine Learning
Authors: Casanova Ramon , Saldana Santiago , Lutz Michael W , Plassman Brenda L , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Hayden Kathleen M
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Genetic risks for cognitive decline are not modifiable; however their relative importance compared to modifiable factors is unclear. We used machine learning to evaluate modifiable and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), to predict cognitive decline.

Methods

Health and Retirement Study participants, aged 65–90 years, with DNA and >2 cognitive evaluations, were included (n = 7,142). Predictors included age, body mass index, gender, education, APOE ε4, cardiovascular, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES), and AD risk genes. Latent class trajectory analyses of cognitive scores determined the form and number of classes. Random Forests (RF) classification investigated predictors of cognitive trajectories. Performance metrics (accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) were reported.

Results

Three classes were identified. Discriminating highest from lowest classes produced the best RF performance: accuracy = 78% (1.0%), sensitivity = 75% (1.0%), and specificity = 81% (1.0%). Top ranked predictors were education, age, gender, stroke, NSES, and diabetes, APOE ε4 carrier status, and body mass index (BMI). When discriminating high from medium classes, top predictors were education, age, gender, stroke, diabetes, NSES, and BMI. When discriminating medium from the low classes, education, NSES, age, diabetes, and stroke were top predictors.

Discussion

The combination of latent trajectories and RF classification techniques suggested that nongenetic factors contribute more to cognitive decline than genetic factors. Education was the most relevant predictor for discrimination.
Genome Sequence of the Plant Growth Promoting Fungus Serendipita vermifera subsp. bescii: The First Native Strain from North America
Authors: Ray Prasun , Chi Myoung-Hwan , Guo Yingqing , Chen Cindy , Adam Catherine , Kuo Alan , LaButti Kurt , Lipzen Anna , Barry Kerrie W. , Grigoriev Igor V. , Tang Yuhong , Craven Kelly D.
Published: April 2018

Serendipita vermifera (=Sebacina vermifera) has demonstrated plant growth promoting abilities with little or no host specificity. The full genome sequencing of Serendipita vermifera subsp. bescii, the first North American strain, will provide insight into the mechanisms behind mycorrhizal symbiosis and plant enhancement in a variety of agronomically important crops.
Coaching Teamwork in the Classroom Using an Innovative Team-Coaching Process
Authors: Petty Gayle M. , Lingham Tony
Published: April 2018

The importance of health professionals working in teams was first acknowledged by the Institute of Medicine more than 15 years ago. Since then, teaching students to function in teams continues to present challenges in nursing education. This article presents an innovative process, using faculty as coaches in the classroom, to enhance student learning through experiential teamwork.