bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Electron Microscopy Database: an Online Resource for Teaching and Learning Quantitative Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Voyles Paul M
Published: May 2018

Every spring, I teach a one-semester, graduate-level course on materials transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thanks to the explosion of interest in nanotechnology, what was once a course primarily for metallurgists on imaging crystallographic defects and x-ray microanalysis now attracts a much broader audience. I have had students in the course from almost all the engineering departments at UW Madison (materials, chemical, mechanical, electrical, civil), from the basic sciences (physics, chemistry, geology), and from other departments (including one from Food Science!). The enrollment in the concurrent laboratory class on TEM operation is similar.

This diverse student body has two consequences. First, the students' background knowledge varies widely. Some have already taken a materials characterization course that included some TEM, but others barely know what a crystal structure is.
Pioneers in Optics: Ernst Abbe (1840-1905)
Authors: Davidson Michael W
Published: May 2018

Ernst Abbe was a brilliant German mathematician and physicist who made several of the most important contributions to the design of lenses for optical microscopy. As a young boy, Abbe lived in an impoverished family where his father labored 16 hours a day to provide for his wife and children. Abbe worked his way through school by earning scholarships and with the help of his father's employer.

Abbe studied physics and mathematics as an undergraduate at the University of Jena and went to graduate school at the University of Göttingen, where he received a doctorate in thermodynamics. In 1863 Abbe joined the faculty at the University of Jena where he taught physics. He met Carl Zeiss in 1866 and became very interested in the optical problems surrounding mid-nineteenth century microscopy.
Event Streamed Spectrum Imaging using Programmed Beam Acquisition in Biological Microprobe Analysis
Authors: Ingram Peter , D. Davilla Scott , LeFurgey Ann
Published: May 2018

The general trend of microscopical investigation in biology from the 1950s to the early 1970s was towards obtaining structural information. This goal initially was met using heavy metal and/or aldehyde fixatives, room temperature dehydration with polar organic liquids, embedding with epoxy and acrylate resins, and thin sectioning at room temperature. By the mid 1970s, a perceptible change occurred in the direction of both light and analytical electron microscopy towards investigation of the chemical reactivity and composition of structures made visible with increasingly better spatial resolution for light and electron microscopes. During the past 25 years there have been considerable innovations in microanalytical techniques, including analytical electron and x-ray microscopy and microanalysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry, laser microprobe mass analysis, the scanning probe microscopies, and confocal/multi-photon microscopy. In addition, cryopreservation and the development of chromophores for visualization of molecular and ionic sites within individual living cells as well as membranes have redefined the goal of microscopical preservation: to stabilize cell structure and composition as they exist in the living state.
RGB-Splitting and Multi-Shot Techniques in Digital Photomicrography—Utilization of Astronomic RGB-Filters in True Color Imaging
Authors: Piper Jörg
Published: May 2018

A great many filters in common use in astronomy are used in order to improve the resulting optical quality in observations and photographs [1-4]. The majority of these filters are also capable of improving image quality in microscopy and photomicrography. Several instances of this have already been reported in this magazine [5-6]. Some new types of RGB-CCD astro filters have recently been developed for multi-shot techniques [2]. These filters can also be regarded as interesting tools for photomicrography that can maximize the quality of true color imaging based on RGB-splitting and multi-shot techniques. The respective methods and their technical benefit are presented and discussed below.

RGB-splitting and multi-shot techniques are routine tools in some fields of professional studio photography and astronomical photography. They can lead to visible improvements in sharpness, resolution and color balance. To obtain maximum image quality, special multi-shot cameras can be used. These are fitted with a multi-shot sensor that does not require any color filters. Therefore, each pixel is sensitive for all colors and pixel interpolations are not necessary.
Measuring Evangelicals: Practical Considerations for Social Scientists
Authors: Burge Ryan P. , Lewis Andrew R.
Published: May 2018

Evangelicals garner much attention in polling and public opinion research, yet measuring white evangelicals remains elusive, even opaque. This paper provides practical guidance to researchers who want to measure or analyze evangelicals. In the social sciences, many have adopted a detailed religious affiliation approach that categorizes evangelicals based on the religious tradition of the denominations to which they belong. Others have used a simpler self-identification scheme, which asks respondents if they consider themselves “born-again or evangelical”. While the affiliation and self-identification schemes are predominant, a practical examination of these approaches has been absent. Using several waves of the General Social Survey and the Cooperative Congressional Election Study, we compare them. We find almost no statistical differences between the two measurements in prominent demographic, political, or religious factors. Thus, we suggest that for most a simple question about broad religious affiliation followed by a born-again or evangelical self-identification question will suffice.
The protection of migrants under international humanitarian law
Authors: Gieseken Helen Obregón
Published: May 2018

The movement of migrants across international borders may result in grave humanitarian consequences and protection and assistance needs for those involved. Although many reach their destinations safely, others may find themselves in a country experiencing armed conflict – either because they live there or are travelling through there – and may endure great difficulties and be particularly vulnerable. In these situations, as civilians, migrants are protected under international humanitarian law (IHL) against the effects of hostilities and when in the hands of a party to the conflict. This article will provide an overview of the protection afforded by IHL to migrants as civilians in international and non-international armed conflicts. It will then examine more closely certain particularly relevant rules for the issue of migration, notably those related to the movement of migrants, family unity, and missing and dead migrants. In this way, this article will show that IHL provides important legal protections for migrants finding themselves in situations of armed conflict.
Thermochronological Constraints on the Late Cenozoic Morphotectonic Evolution of the Min Shan, the Eastern Margin of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Tian Yuntao , Li Rui , Tang Yuan , Xu Xiao , Wang Yuejun , Zhang Peizhen
Published: May 2018

Strain distribution inferred from rock exhumation history could provide significant insights into the geodynamic models proposed for explaining late Cenozoic outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau. In this work, we present a new thermochronological data set to constrain the exhumation history of the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (i.e., the Min Shan and adjacent areas) and the long‐term dip‐slip rates of boundary faults, including the Huya fault in the plateau margin and the Minjiang fault in the hinterland. The data set shows evident age diachroneity between different sides of the faults, with dramatically younger ages in their hanging walls than footwalls, suggesting differential exhumation across the faults. Age‐elevation plots and inverse thermal history modeling for a vertical profile data set from the plateau margin (west of the Huya fault) indicate the differential exhumation started at late Miocene time (~10 Ma), synchronous with the timing at other sites of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The magnitude of the differential exhumation is constrained as >0.6 and ~0.2 km/m.y. across the Huya and Minjiang faults, as estimated from age‐elevation relationships and one‐dimensional modeling of exhumation, providing unique constraints for the dip‐slip rates along the faults. These two N‐S striking faults, together with the Tazang fault (NWW‐striking and left‐lateral slipping) to the north and Longmen Shan faults (a set of NE‐striking reverse faults with right‐lateral components) to the south, forms a large‐scale fault system to accommodate the late Cenozoic northeastward upper crustal shortening along a deep‐seated hinterland‐ward dipping detachment.
A Statistical Study of Slow‐Mode Shocks Observed by MMS in the Dayside Magnetopause
Authors: Walia N. K. , Seki K. , Hoshino M. , Amano T. , Kitamura N. , Saito Y. , Yokota S. , Pollock C. J. , Giles B. L. , Moore T. E. , Torbert R. B. , Russell C. T. , Burch J. L.
Published: May 2018

We investigated characteristics of slow‐mode shocks in the dayside magnetopause based on Magnetospheric Multiscale observations from September 2015 to February 2017. We analyzed 99 magnetopause crossings with reconnection jets and high time resolution data, out of which 20 crossings showed slow‐mode shock signatures. Out of these crossings, one crossing showed slow‐mode shock signature on both sides, and the rest had slow‐mode shock signatures on one side, six (13) on magnetosphere (magnetosheath). The detection probability of slow‐mode shocks in the magnetopause is ~20%, which is greater than that reported in the magnetotail. We also found 12 rotational discontinuities in these slow‐mode shock events. The results also show that the observation of magnetosphere side slow‐mode shock is favored when the number density ratio of magnetosheath to magnetosphere is small. No clear dependence of the existence of slow‐mode shocks on other parameters such as, plasma beta, temperature anisotropy, and jet velocity, was found.
New Constraints on the Abundance and Composition of Organic Matter on Ceres
Authors: Kaplan Hannah H. , Milliken Ralph E. , Alexander Conel M. O'D.
Published: May 2018

Near‐infrared reflectance spectra from the Dawn mission at Ceres were recently found to exhibit a 3.4 μm absorption indicative of the presence of aliphatic organic compounds. Constraints on abundance and composition of these organics are necessary to inform discussions of their origin. We model reflectance spectra of organic‐bearing regions on Ceres using laboratory spectra of insoluble organics of known composition extracted from terrestrial sedimentary rocks (i.e., kerogens) and carbonaceous chondrite meteorites (i.e., insoluble organic matter, IOM). The 3.4 μm aliphatic organic absorptions observed in Dawn near‐infrared data are stronger than those observed in lab spectra of carbonaceous chondrites, and modeling requires 45% to 65% spectral fraction of IOM to fit spectra from Ceres. The spectral fraction of kerogen necessary to fit the same Ceres spectra ranges from 5% to 15% depending on the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the kerogen. Any proposed mechanism of organic delivery or formation on Ceres should explain the presence of highly concentrated IOM or why the composition is distinct from meteorite‐derived IOM if lower organic abundances are considered more plausible.
ENSO Transition Asymmetry: Internal and External Causes and Intermodel Diversity
Authors: An Soon‐Il , Kim Ji‐Won
Published: May 2018

El Niño is frequently followed by La Niña, but the opposite case rarely happens. Here we explore a mechanism for such an asymmetrical transition and its future changes. Internally, the asymmetrical response of upper ocean waves against surface wind stress anomaly exerts a primary cause of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) transition asymmetry. Externally, the asymmetrical capacitor effects of both Indian and Atlantic Oceans play some roles in driving the ENSO transition asymmetry via the interbasin interactions. The historical runs of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 show that the intermodel transition asymmetry is significantly correlated with the intermodel asymmetry in ocean wave response to surface wind forcing but not with that in the interbasin interactions. In addition, the El Niño‐to‐La Niña transition tendency was weaker in moderate global warming scenario runs (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5) while slightly enhanced in strong warming scenario runs (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5). Similar changes also appeared in the asymmetrical response of ocean waves against the surface wind forcing.
Solar Terminator Waves in Surface Pressure Observations
Authors: Hedlin M. A. H. , de Groot‐Hedlin C. D. , Forbes J. M. , Drob D. P.
Published: May 2018

We report observations of waveforms in surface pressure made over several years by a network of ground‐level barometers in the eastern United States. The waveforms can be reconstructed by superimposing the 4th through 10th subharmonics of the solar day. Some of these solar harmonics are likely generated by the temperature and pressure gradients across the solar terminators. The measurements presented here enable a wave detection analysis which indicates that some waveforms are coherent between stations with a median speed of 49.7 m/s to the southeast. We interpret these propagating signals, which are interference patterns created by internal gravity waves with periods that are subharmonics of a solar day, as a previously undiscovered type of terminator wave. The waveforms appear predominantly postsunrise during winter and postsunset in summer. Their quasi‐eastward propagation direction suggests an analogy with “stern” waves left behind by the faster, westward‐moving terminator.
Spring Onset Predictability in the North American Multimodel Ensemble
Authors: Carrillo Carlos M. , Ault Toby R. , Wilks Daniel S.
Published: May 2018

The predictability of spring onset is assessed using an index of its interannual variability (the “extended spring index” or SI‐x) and output from the North American Multimodel Ensemble reforecast experiment. The input data to compute SI‐x were treated with a daily joint bias correction approach, and the SI‐x outputs computed from the North American Multimodel Ensemble were postprocessed using an ensemble model output statistic approach—nonhomogeneous Gaussian regression. This ensemble model output statistic approach was used to quantify the effects of training period length and ensemble size on forecast skill. The lead time for predicting the timing of spring onset is found to be from 10 to 60 days, with the higher end of this range located along a narrow band between 35°N to 45°N in the eastern United States. Using continuous rank probability scores and skill score (SS) thresholds, this study demonstrates that ranges of positive predictability of SI‐x fall into two categories: 10–40 and 40–60 days. Using higher skill thresholds (SS equal to 0.1 and 0.2), predictability is confined to a lower range with values around 10–30 days. The postprocessing work using joint bias correction improves the predictive skill for SI‐x relative to the untreated input data set. Using nonhomogeneous Gaussian regression, a positive change in the SS is noted in regions where the skill with joint bias correction shows evidence of improvement. These findings suggest that the start of spring might be predictable on intraseasonal time horizons, which in turn could be useful for farmers, growers, and stakeholders making decisions on these time scales.
First Estimate of Wind Fields in the Jupiter Polar Regions From JIRAM‐Juno Images
Authors: Grassi D. , Adriani A. , Moriconi M. L. , Mura A. , Tabataba‐Vakili F. , Ingersoll A. , Orton G. , Hansen C. , Altieri F. , Filacchione G. , Sindoni G. , Dinelli B. M. , Fabiano F. , Bolton S. J. , Levin S. , Atreya S. K. , Lunine J. I. , Momary T. , Tosi F. , Migliorini A. , Piccioni G. , Noschese R. , Cicchetti A. , Plainaki C. , Olivieri A. , Turrini D. , Stefani S. , Sordini R. , Amoroso M.
Published: May 2018

We present wind speeds at the ~ 1 bar level at both Jovian polar regions inferred from the 5‐μm infrared images acquired by the Jupiter InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) instrument on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Juno spacecraft during its fourth periapsis (2 February 2017). We adopted the criterion of minimum mean absolute distortion (Gonzalez & Woods, 2008) to quantify the motion of cloud features between pairs of images. The associated random error on speed estimates is 12 m/s in the northern polar region and 9.8 m/s at the south. Assuming that polar cyclones described by Adriani et al. (2018, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25491) are in rigid motion with respect to System III, tangential speeds in the interior of the vortices increase linearly with distance from the center. The annulus of maximum speed for the main circumpolar cyclones is located at approximatively 1,000 km from their centers, with peak cyclonic speeds typically between 80 and 110 m/s and ~50 m/s in at least two cases. Beyond the annulus of maximum speed, tangential speed decreases inversely with the distance from the center within the Southern Polar Cyclone and somewhat faster within the Northern Polar Cyclone. A few small areas of anticyclonic motions are also identified within both polar regions.
TRIM50 suppressed hepatocarcinoma progression through directly targeting SNAIL for ubiquitous degradation
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiao , Ma Xiaomin , Qiu Yumin , Zhu Lihui , Lin Yueke , You Yajing , Ma Dapeng , Qin Zhenzhi , Sun Caiyu , Zhao Yunxue , Sun Yanlin , Han Lihui
Published: May 2018

Tripartite motif-containing 50 (TRIM50) belongs to the tripartite motif (TRIM) protein family, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers. However, the role of TRIM50 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be clarified. Here we showed that TRIM50 expression was significantly decreased in liver cancer tissues compared with corresponding non-cancerous liver tissues, and its decreased expression was significantly correlated with advanced disease progression. Gain-of-function assay by exogenous overexpression of TRIM50 in HCC cells showed that proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of HCC cells were significantly inhibited, whereas loss-of-function assay by TRIM50 knockdown showed that these malignant behaviors of HCC cells were significantly increased. Further investigation showed that TRIM50 could directly bind with SNAIL and induced K-48 linked poly-ubiquitous degradation of SNAIL protein, which further reversed SNAIL-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of HCC cells. In vivo assay by xenograft tumor model verified the antitumor effect of TRIM50 on HCC. Taken together, these results showed that TRIM50 acted as a tumor suppressor in HCC cells by directly targeting SNAIL and reversing EMT, which further indicated that positive modulation of TRIM50 might be a novel therapeutic strategy for SNAIL overexpressed HCC cells.
Triad3a induces the degradation of early necrosome to limit RipK1-dependent cytokine production and necroptosis
Authors: Alturki Norah A. , McComb Scott , Ariana Ardeshir , Rijal Dikchha , Korneluk Robert G. , Sun Shao-Cong , Alnemri Emad , Sad Subash
Published: May 2018

Understanding the molecular signaling in programmed cell death is vital to a practical understanding of inflammation and immune cell function. Here we identify a previously unrecognized mechanism that functions to downregulate the necrosome, a central signaling complex involved in inflammation and necroptosis. We show that RipK1 associates with RipK3 in an early necrosome, independent of RipK3 phosphorylation and MLKL-induced necroptotic death. We find that formation of the early necrosome activates K48-ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of RipK1, Caspase-8, and other necrosomal proteins. Our results reveal that the E3-ubiquitin ligase Triad3a promotes this negative feedback loop independently of typical RipK1 ubiquitin editing enzymes, cIAPs, A20, or CYLD. Finally, we show that Triad3a-dependent necrosomal degradation limits necroptosis and production of inflammatory cytokines. These results reveal a new mechanism of shutting off necrosome signaling and may pave the way to new strategies for therapeutic manipulation of inflammatory responses.
The RPAP3-Cterminal domain identifies R2TP-like quaternary chaperones
Authors: Maurizy Chloé , Quinternet Marc , Abel Yoann , Verheggen Céline , Santo Paulo E. , Bourguet Maxime , C.F. Paiva Ana , Bragantini Benoît , Chagot Marie-Eve , Robert Marie-Cécile , Abeza Claire , Fabre Philippe , Fort Philippe , Vandermoere Franck , M.F. Sousa Pedro , Rain Jean-Christophe , Charpentier Bruno , Cianférani Sarah , Bandeiras Tiago M. , Pradet-Balade Bérengère , Manival Xavier , Bertrand Edouard
Published: May 2018

R2TP is an HSP90 co-chaperone that assembles important macro-molecular machineries. It is composed of an RPAP3-PIH1D1 heterodimer, which binds the two essential AAA+ATPases RUVBL1/RUVBL2. Here, we resolve the structure of the conserved C-terminal domain of RPAP3, and we show that it directly binds RUVBL1/RUVBL2 hexamers. The human genome encodes two other proteins bearing RPAP3-C-terminal-like domains and three containing PIH-like domains. Systematic interaction analyses show that one RPAP3-like protein, SPAG1, binds PIH1D2 and RUVBL1/2 to form an R2TP-like complex termed R2SP. This co-chaperone is enriched in testis and among 68 of the potential clients identified, some are expressed in testis and others are ubiquitous. One substrate is liprin-α2, which organizes large signaling complexes. Remarkably, R2SP is required for liprin-α2 expression and for the assembly of liprin-α2 complexes, indicating that R2SP functions in quaternary protein folding. Effects are stronger at 32 °C, suggesting that R2SP could help compensating the lower temperate of testis.
Pathway crosstalk enables cells to interpret TGF-β duration
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Tian Xiao-Jun , Chen Yi-Jiun , Wang Weikang , Watkins Simon , Xing Jianhua
Published: May 2018

The detection and transmission of the temporal quality of intracellular and extracellular signals is an essential cellular mechanism. It remains largely unexplored how cells interpret the duration information of a stimulus. In this paper, we performed an integrated quantitative and computational analysis on TGF-β induced activation of SNAIL1, a key transcription factor that regulates several subsequent cell fate decisions such as apoptosis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We demonstrate that crosstalk among multiple TGF-β activated pathways forms a relay from SMAD to GLI1 that initializes and maintains SNAILl expression, respectively. SNAIL1 functions as a key integrator of information from TGF-β signaling distributed through upstream divergent pathways. The intertwined network serves as a temporal checkpoint, so that cells can generate a transient or sustained expression of SNAIL1 depending on TGF-β duration. Furthermore, we observed that TGF-β treatment leads to an unexpected accumulation of GSK3 molecules in an enzymatically active tyrosine phosphorylation form in Golgi apparatus and ER, followed by accumulation of GSK3 molecules in an enzymatically inhibitive serine phosphorylation in the nucleus. Subsequent model analysis and inhibition experiments revealed that the initial localized increase of GSK3 enzymatic activity couples to the positive feedback loop of the substrate Gli1 to form a network motif with multi-objective functions. That is, the motif is robust against stochastic fluctuations, and has a narrow distribution of response time that is insensitive to initial conditions. Specifically for TGF-β signaling, the motif ensures a smooth relay from SMAD to GLI1 on regulating SNAIL1 expression.
Author Correction: Prediction of size-resolved number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei and long-term measurements of their activation characteristics
Authors: Che H. C. , Zhang X. Y. , Zhang L. , Wang Y. Q. , Zhang Y. M. , Shen X. J. , Ma Q. L. , Sun J. Y. , Zhong J. T.
Published: May 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
Gravity modeling finds a large magma body in the deep crust below the Gulf of Naples, Italy
Authors: Fedi M. , Cella F. , D’Antonio M. , Florio G. , Paoletti V. , Morra V.
Published: May 2018

We analyze a wide gravity low in the Campania Active Volcanic Area and interpret it by a large and deep source distribution of partially molten, low-density material from about 8 to 30 km depth. Given the complex spatial-temporal distribution of explosive volcanism in the area, we model the gravity data consistently with several volcanological and petrological constraints. We propose two possible models: one accounts for the coexistence, within the lower/intermediate crust, of large amounts of melts and cumulates besides country rocks. It implies a layered distribution of densities and, thus, a variation with depth of percentages of silicate liquids, cumulates and country rocks. The other reflects a fractal density distribution, based on the scaling exponent estimated from the gravity data. According to this model, the gravity low would be related to a distribution of melt pockets within solid rocks. Both density distributions account for the available volcanological and seismic constraints and can be considered as end-members of possible models compatible with gravity data. Such results agree with the general views about the roots of large areas of ignimbritic volcanism worldwide. Given the prolonged history of magmatism in the Campania area since Pliocene times, we interpret the detected low-density body as a developing batholith.
Mitophagy is required for brown adipose tissue mitochondrial homeostasis during cold challenge
Authors: Lu Yuan , Fujioka Hisashi , Joshi Dinesh , Li Qiaoyuan , Sangwung Panjamaporn , Hsieh Paishiun , Zhu Jiyun , Torio Jose , Sweet David , Wang Lan , Chiu Shing Yan , Croniger Colleen , Liao Xudong , Jain Mukesh K.
Published: May 2018

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a specialized thermogenic organ in mammals. The ability of BAT mitochondria to generate heat in response to cold-challenge to maintain core body temperature is essential for organismal survival. While cold activated BAT mitochondrial biogenesis is recognized as critical for thermogenic adaptation, the contribution of mitochondrial quality control to this process remains unclear. Here, we show mitophagy is required for brown adipocyte mitochondrial homeostasis during thermogenic adaptation. Mitophagy is significantly increased in BAT from cold-challenged mice (4 °C) and in β-agonist treated brown adipocytes. Blockade of mitophagy compromises brown adipocytes mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OX-PHOS) capacity, as well as BAT mitochondrial integrity. Mechanistically, cold-challenge induction of BAT mitophagy is UCP1-dependent. Furthermore, our results indicate that mitophagy coordinates with mitochondrial biogenesis, maintaining activated BAT mitochondrial homeostasis. Collectively, our in vivo and in vitro findings identify mitophagy as critical for brown adipocyte mitochondrial homeostasis during cold adaptation.
Porcine Neonatal Pancreatic Cell Clusters Maintain Their Multipotency in Culture and After Transplantation
Authors: Li Wan-Chun , Chen Chen-Yi , Kao Chen-Wei , Huang Pei-Chun , Hsieh Yi-Ta , Kuo Tz-Yu , Chen Tsai-Ying , Chia Hao-Yuan , Juang Jyuhn-Huarng
Published: May 2018

Ductal epithelium is primarily detected in porcine neonatal pancreatic cell clusters (NPCCs) bearing grafts, suggesting that transplants might exhibit progenitor-like phenotypes. Here we found that soon after NPCC isolation, PDX1+/insulin− and SOX9+ pancreatic progenitor-like cells dramatically increased while dual-hormonal progenitor-like cells were routinely observed in NPCC culture. After transplantation (Tx), insulin+ cells increased and PDX1+ and SOX9+ cells gradually decreased in both non-diabetic (NDM) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic (DM) grafts over 2 months. Strikingly, a significantly higher percentage of insulin+ cells were detected in 9-day and 16-day, but not in 23-day, 30-day and 60-day grafts implying that hyperglycemia could only facilitate NPCC-derived β cells early post-Tx. A higher percentage of NPCC-derived β cells in early DM grafts was determined via an enhanced neogenic differentiation based on the detection of insulin+ cells budding out from PDX1+/SOX9+ epithelium. Interestingly, a drop in SOX9+ progenitor-like cells was detected 16 days post-Tx in DM grafts whilst PDX1+ cells do not show a significant difference until 60 days post-Tx between DM and NDM grafts, demonstrating that distinct progenitor-like populations fuel new β cells post-Tx. In conclusion, PDX1+/SOX9+ cells could be quickly activated after NPCC isolation, maintain their multipotency in culture and differentiate into new β cell post-Tx.
The feasibility and stability of large complex biological networks: a random matrix approach
Authors: Stone Lewi
Published: May 2018

In the 70’s, Robert May demonstrated that complexity creates instability in generic models of ecological networks having random interaction matrices A. Similar random matrix models have since been applied in many disciplines. Central to assessing stability is the “circular law” since it describes the eigenvalue distribution for an important class of random matrices A. However, despite widespread adoption, the “circular law” does not apply for ecological systems in which density-dependence operates (i.e., where a species growth is determined by its density). Instead one needs to study the far more complicated eigenvalue distribution of the community matrix S = DA, where D is a diagonal matrix of population equilibrium values. Here we obtain this eigenvalue distribution. We show that if the random matrix A is locally stable, the community matrix S = DA will also be locally stable, providing the system is feasible (i.e., all species have positive equilibria D > 0). This helps explain why, unusually, nearly all feasible systems studied here are locally stable. Large complex systems may thus be even more fragile than May predicted, given the difficulty of assembling a feasible system. It was also found that the degree of stability, or resilience of a system, depended on the minimum equilibrium population.
Antibody-mediated stabilization of NRG1 induces behavioral and electrophysiological alterations in adult mice
Authors: Dominguez Sara L. , Hegde Ganapati V. , Hanson Jesse E. , Xiang Hong , Mandikian Danielle , Boswell C. Andrew , Chiu Cecilia , Wu Yan , Tsai Siao Ping , Fleck Daniel , Weber Martin , Ngu Hai , Scearce-Levie Kimberly , Jackson Erica L.
Published: May 2018

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is required for development of the central and peripheral nervous system and regulates neurotransmission in the adult. NRG1 and the gene encoding its receptor, ERBB4, are risk genes for schizophrenia, although how alterations in these genes disrupt their function has not been fully established. Studies of knockout and transgenic mice have yielded conflicting results, with both gain and loss of function resulting in similar behavioral and electrophysiological phenotypes. Here, we used high affinity antibodies to NRG1 and ErbB4 to perturb the function of the endogenous proteins in adult mice. Treatment with NRG1 antibodies that block receptor binding caused behavioral alterations associated with schizophrenia, including, hyper-locomotion and impaired pre-pulse inhibition of startle (PPI). Electrophysiological analysis of brain slices from anti-NRG1 treated mice revealed reduced synaptic transmission and enhanced paired-pulse facilitation. In contrast, mice treated with more potent ErbB4 function blocking antibodies did not display behavioral alterations, suggesting a receptor independent mechanism of the anti-NRG1-induced phenotypes. We demonstrate that anti-NRG1 causes accumulation of the full-length transmembrane protein and increases phospho-cofilin levels, which has previously been linked to impaired synaptic transmission, indicating enhancement of non-canonical NRG1 signaling could mediate the CNS effects.
A Novel Geometry-Based Approach to Infer Protein Interface Similarity
Authors: Budowski-Tal Inbal , Kolodny Rachel , Mandel-Gutfreund Yael
Published: May 2018

The protein interface is key to understand protein function, providing a vital insight on how proteins interact with each other and with other molecules. Over the years, many computational methods to compare protein structures were developed, yet evaluating interface similarity remains a very difficult task. Here, we present PatchBag – a geometry based method for efficient comparison of protein surfaces and interfaces. PatchBag is a Bag-Of-Words approach, which represents complex objects as vectors, enabling to search interface similarity in a highly efficient manner. Using a novel framework for evaluating interface similarity, we show that PatchBag performance is comparable to state-of-the-art alignment-based structural comparison methods. The great advantage of PatchBag is that it does not rely on sequence or fold information, thus enabling to detect similarities between interfaces in unrelated proteins. We propose that PatchBag can contribute to reveal novel evolutionary and functional relationships between protein interfaces.
Compromised microvascular oxygen delivery increases brain tissue vulnerability with age
Authors: Moeini Mohammad , Lu Xuecong , Avti Pramod K. , Damseh Rafat , Bélanger Samuel , Picard Frédéric , Boas David , Kakkar Ashok , Lesage Frédéric
Published: May 2018

Despite the possible role of impaired cerebral tissue oxygenation in age-related cognition decline, much is still unknown about the changes in brain tissue pO2 with age. Using a detailed investigation of the age-related changes in cerebral tissue oxygenation in the barrel cortex of healthy, awake aged mice, we demonstrate decreased arteriolar and tissue pO2 with age. These changes are exacerbated after middle-age. We further uncovered evidence of the presence of hypoxic micro-pockets in the cortex of awake old mice. Our data suggests that from young to middle-age, a well-regulated capillary oxygen supply maintains the oxygen availability in cerebral tissue, despite decreased tissue pO2 next to arterioles. After middle-age, due to decreased hematocrit, reduced capillary density and higher capillary transit time heterogeneity, the capillary network fails to compensate for larger decreases in arterial pO2. The substantial decrease in brain tissue pO2, and the presence of hypoxic micro-pockets after middle-age are of significant importance, as these factors may be related to cognitive decline in elderly people.
Effect of religion on hypertension in adult Buddhists and residents in China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Meng Qingtao , Xu Ying , Shi Rufeng , Zhang Xin , Wang Si , Liu Kai , Chen Xiaoping
Published: May 2018

Correlation between religion and hypertension is worth investigating since they both influence many people. Compared to studies which quantify religion with indicators representing only restricted dimensions of religion, researches assessing religion as an integral is preferable while lacking. Moreover, religious behaviors have great potential to be generalized if they are proved to be mediator through which religion exerts effect. However, relevant evidence is limited. Therefore, this cross-sectional study recruited 1384 adult Tibetan Buddhists from two Buddhist institutes in the Sichuan Province of China, and enrolled 798 adult Tibetan residents from nearby villages/towns. Each participant received a questionnaire, physical examination, and blood biochemistry tests. Buddhist effect on hypertension was investigated. The effects of uniquely Buddhist behaviors on hypertension were analyzed. The hypertensive risk of the Tibetan Buddhists is significantly decreased by 38% than Tibetan residents. As a Buddhist behavior, vegetarian diet highly approximates to be protective for Tibetan hypertension. As another Buddhist behavior, longer Buddhist activity participation time is associated with decreased prevalence of hypertension as well as lower blood pressure (BP) by analyzing subgroup of 570 Buddhists. Therefore, the protective role of religion on hypertension is suggested, and the religious behaviors are mediators which may be applied to general population.
Correction: Corrigendum: Configurational Molecular Glue: One Optically Active Polymer Attracts Two Oppositely Configured Optically Active Polymers
Authors: Tsuji Hideto , Noda Soma , Kimura Takayuki , Sobue Tadashi , Arakawa Yuki
Published: May 2018

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 45170; published online: 24 March 2017; updated: 22 May 2018 This Article contains an error in Figure 7, where the arrows indicating the helical directions are inconsistent with Figure 2. The correct Figure 7 appears below as Figure 1.
Chemical clocks, oscillations, and other temporal effects in analytical chemistry: oddity or viable approach?
Authors: Prabhu Gurpur Rakesh D. , Witek Henryk A. , Urban Pawel L.
Published: May 2018

We review chemo-chronometric assays, in which the time factor—rather than analogue signals—is used to determine concentrations of analytes.
A luminescent europium complex for wide-range pH sensors and sensor microtiterplates
Authors: Waleed Al-Qaysi Wafaa , Duerkop Axel
Published: May 2018

Luminescent sensor membranes and sensor microplates are presented for continuous or high-throughput wide-range measurement of pH based on a europium probe.
Electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction catalyzed by a novel nickel–cobalt-fluoride catalyst
Authors: Xue Yunzhuo , Wang Yuan , Liu Hui , Yu Xu , Xue Huaiguo , Feng Ligang
Published: May 2018

The nickel–cobalt-fluoride catalyst is a kind of novel and efficient non-precious catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction.
Tb3+- and Yb3+-doped novel KBaLu(MoO4)3 crystals with disordered chained structure showing down- and up-conversion luminescence
Authors: Wang G. Q. , Li L. Y. , Feng Y. N. , Yu H. , Zheng X. H.
Published: May 2018

Tb3+/Yb3+ co-doped KBaLu(MoO4)3 with a highly disordered structure consisting of chains induces high color purity of primary green luminescence.
Dynamic tailoring of electromagnetic behaviors of graphene plasmonic oligomers by local chemical potential
Authors: Ren Junbo , Wang Wangqing , Qiu Weibin , Qiu Pingping , Wang Zeyu , Lin Zhili , Wang Jia-Xian , Kan Qiang , Pan Jiao-Qing
Published: May 2018

In the mid-infrared and terahertz (THz) regime, graphene supports tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) by controlling the chemical potential, which promotes light–matter interaction at the selected wavelength, showing exceptional promise for optoelectronic applications.
Sub-nanometer pore formation in single-molecule-thick polyurea molecular-sieving membrane: a computational study
Authors: Park Seongjin , Lansac Yves , Jang Yun Hee
Published: May 2018

The surprisingly narrow sub-nm-pore-size distribution and urea-versus-glucose selectivity of a single-molecule-thick polyurea membrane are explained by Monte Carlo simulations on simple molecular models.
Real space bond orders are energetic descriptors
Authors: Martín Pendás A. , Francisco E.
Published: May 2018

Orbital invariant position space techniques are used to show a theoretical link between the conventional concept of bond order and the energetics of chemical interactions.
Correction: Universal kinetic solvent effects in acid-catalyzed reactions of biomass-derived oxygenates
Authors: Walker Theodore W. , Chew Alex K. , Li Huixiang , Demir Benginur , Zhang Z. Conrad , Huber George W. , Van Lehn Reid C. , Dumesic James A.
Published: May 2018

Correction for ‘Universal kinetic solvent effects in acid-catalyzed reactions of biomass-derived oxygenates’ by Theodore W. Walker et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2018, 11, 617–628.
Critical evaluation of fast and highly resolved elemental distribution in single cells using LA-ICP-SFMS
Authors: Pisonero J. , Bouzas-Ramos D. , Traub H. , Cappella B. , Álvarez-Llamas C. , Richter S. , Mayo J. C. , Costa-Fernandez J. M. , Bordel N. , Jakubowski N.
Published: May 2018

The analytical potential of a nanosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer system, equipped with an ultra-fast wash-out ablation chamber, is critically investigated for fast and highly spatially resolved (∼μm) qualitative elemental distribution within single cells.
A facile synthesis of hierarchical MoS2 nanotori with advanced lithium storage properties
Authors: Xie Kai , Liu Zhenghao , Wang Yourong , Song Guangsen , Cheng Siqing
Published: May 2018

The easily prepared hierarchical MoS2 nanotori demonstrate superior reversible capacity, good rate capability and excellent cyclic performance.
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation facilitates in vitro osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells via up-regulation of heat shock protein (HSP)70, HSP90, and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhonglei , Ma Yalin , Guo Shaowen , He Yi , Bai Gang , Zhang Wenjun
Published: May 2018

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has positive effects on osteogenic differentiation. However, the effect of LIPUS on osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) is unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether LIPUS could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hASCs. hASCs were isolated and osteogenically induced with LIPUS stimulation at 20 and 30 mW cm−2 for 30 min day−1. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potential of hASCs were respectively analyzed by cell counting kit-8 assay, Alizarin Red S staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting. The results indicated that LIPUS stimulation did not significantly affect the proliferation of hASCs, but significantly increased their alkaline phosphatase activity on day 6 of culture and markedly promoted the formation of mineralized nodules on day 21 of culture. The mRNA expression levels of runt-related transcription factor, osteopontin, and osteocalcin were significantly up-regulated by LIPUS stimulation. LIPUS stimulation did not affect the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 27, HSP40, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-6 and BMP-9, but significantly up-regulated the protein levels of HSP70, HSP90, BMP-2, and BMP-7 in the hASCs. Further studies found that LIPUS increased the mRNA levels of Smad 1 and Smad 5, elevated the phosphorylation of Smad 1/5, and suppressed the expression of BMP antagonist Noggin. These findings indicated that LIPUS stimulation enhanced osteogenic differentiation of hASCs possibly through the up-regulation of HSP70 and HSP90 expression and activation of BMP signaling pathway. Therefore, LIPUS might have the potential to promote the repair of bone defect.
MicroRNA-133a impairs perfusion recovery after hindlimb ischemia in diabetic mice
Authors: Chen Lingdan , Liu Chunli , Sun Dejun , Wang Tao , Zhao Li , Chen Wenli , Yuan Mingjie , Wang Jian , Lu Wenju
Published: May 2018

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients with diabetes mellitus suffer from impaired neovascularization after ischemia which results in poorer outcomes. MicroRNA (miR)-133a is excessively expressed in endothelial cells under diabetic conditions. Here, we test whether diabetes-induced miR-133a up-regulation is involved in the impaired capability of neovascularization in experimental PAD models. Methods and results: MiR-133a level was measured by quantitative RT-PCR and showed a higher expression level in the ischemic muscle from diabetic mice when compared with nondiabetic mice. Knockdown of miR-133a using antagomir improved perfusion recovery and angiogenesis in experimental PAD model with diabetes day 21 after HLI. On the other hand, overexpression of miR-133a impaired perfusion recovery. Ischemic muscle was harvested day 7 after experimental PAD for biochemical test, miR-133a antagonism resulted in reduced malondialdehyde, and it increased GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH1), and cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) levels. In cultured endothelial cells, miR-133a antagonism resulted in reduced reactive oxygen species level, and it increased tube formation, nitric oxide (NO), and cGMP level. Moreover, miR-133a antagonism-induced angiogenesis was abolished by GCH1 inhibitor. In contrary, miR-133a overexpression impairs angiogenesis and it reduces GCH1, NO, and cGMP levels in nondiabetic models. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus-induced miR-133a up-regulation impairs angiogenesis in PAD by reducing NO synthesis in endothelial cells. MiR-133a antagonism improves postischemic angiogenesis.
NMOS only Schmitt trigger circuit for NBTI resilient CMOS circuits
Authors: Shah A.P. , Yadav N. , Beohar A. , Vishvakarma S.K.
Published: May 2018

A novel N‐type MOS (NMOS) only Schmitt trigger with voltage booster (NST‐VB) circuit is presented. The proposed NST‐VB circuit uses NMOS transistors in both pull‐up and pull‐down networks to reduce the effect of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) on the circuit. The proposed circuit is less affected by both inter‐die and intra‐die process variations in consequence of NMOS only structure. Owing to NBTI, the increase in delay for the proposed NST‐VB circuit is only 0.47% as compared with 7.2% for conventional Schmitt trigger after the stress time of three years. For the viability of the proposed circuit figure of merit (FOM) is used as a performance metric and it is found that the proposed circuit has and improved FOM as compared with the conventional Schmitt trigger and NMOS inverter, respectively.
Coordination of multiple rigid bodies under distance‐induced interaction topologies
Authors: Deng Juan , Wang Lin , Liu Zhixin , Hu Xiaoming
Published: May 2018

This study considers the coordination control problem of a group of moving rigid bodies. Each rigid body communicates with other bodies via the distance‐induced neighbour graphs. The authors design the distributed control laws for the angular velocity and linear velocity of rigid bodies, and establish sufficient conditions without relying on the dynamical properties of neighbour graphs, to guarantee that the rigid bodies reach the attitude synchronisation and avoid collision with nearby bodies while the communication networks keep connected. Moreover, they introduce a leader into the system to guide all rigid bodies to the desired attitude. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the authors' results.
Plastische Hautdeckung der Shuntvene
Authors: Krönung Gerhard
Published: May 2018

Hautdefekte über einer Shuntvene lassen sich insbesondere bei der Revision von Infekten und Nekrosen nicht immer vermeiden. Die Shuntvene muss aber immer am Ende
jeder Revision komplett mit Haut und Subkutis bedeckt sein, wenn erforderlich auch mit Einsatz plastisch-chirurgischer Techniken.
Granularzelltumor der Lunge – eine bronchoskopische Blickdiagnose?
Authors: Keymel S. , Büter S. , Krüger S.
Published: May 2018

Ein 38-jähriger Patient wurde aufgrund einer zunehmenden Verschlechterung des Allgemeinzustandes und einer Kachexie stationär aufgenommen. Bildmorphologisch ergab sich bei einschmelzenden Rundherden und einer kavernösen Formation der Verdacht auf eine Mykobakteriose, sodass die Indikation zu einer Bronchoskopie gestellt wurde. In der Bronchoskopie gelang tatsächlich der Nachweis einer nicht tuberkulösen Mykobakteriose. Als Zufallsbefund zeigte sich im Mittellappenbronchus eine weißliche polypöse Schleimhautveränderung. Histologisch war ein Granularzelltumor (GZT) nachweisbar. Der GZT ist ein seltener Tumor, der an verschiedenen anatomischen Lokalisationen auftreten kann. In der Lunge kann er klinisch durch eine bronchiale Obstruktion manifest werden, bildgebend als Rundherd oder Infiltrat bzw. Atelektase oder als Zufallsbefund in einer Bronchoskopie auffallen. Therapie der 1. Wahl ist die chirurgische Entfernung.