bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A dataset on human perception of and response to wildfire smoke
Authors: Fowler Mariah , Modaresi Rad Arash , Utych Stephen , Adams Andrew , Alamian Sanazsadat , Pierce Jennifer , Dennison Philip , Abatzoglou John T. , AghaKouchak Amir , Montrose Luke , Sadegh Mojtaba
Published: October 2019

Wildfire smoke presents a growing threat in the Western U.S.; and human health, transportation, and economic systems in growing western communities suffer due to increasingly severe and widespread fires. While modelling wildfire activity and associated wildfire smoke distributions have substantially improved, understanding how people perceive and respond to emerging smoke hazards has received little attention. Understanding and incorporating human perceptions of threats from wildfire smoke is critical, as decision-makers need such information to mitigate smoke-related hazards. We surveyed 614 randomly selected people (in-person) across the Boise Metropolitan Area in Idaho and 1,623 Boise State University affiliates (online), collecting information about their level of outside activity during smoke event(s), knowledge about the source of air quality information and effective messaging preference, perception of wildfire smoke as a hazard, and smoke-related health experiences. This relatively large dataset provides a novel perspective of people’s perception of smoke hazards, and provides crucial policy-relevant information to decision-makers. Dataset is available to the public and can be used to address a wide range of research questions.
An uncharacterized region within the N-terminus of mouse TMC1 precludes trafficking to plasma membrane in a heterologous cell line
Authors: Soler D. C. , Manikandan M. , Gopal S. R. , Sloan A. E. , McCormick T. S. , Stepanyan R.
Published: October 2019

Mechanotransduction by hair cell stereocilia lies at the heart of sound detection in vertebrates. Considerable effort has been put forth to identify proteins that comprise the hair cell mechanotransduction apparatus. TMC1, a member of the transmembrane channel-like (TMC) family, was identified as a core protein of the mechanotransduction complex in hair cells. However, the inability of TMC1 to traffic through the endoplasmic reticulum in heterologous cellular systems has hindered efforts to characterize its function and fully identify its role in mechanotransduction. We developed a novel approach that allowed for the detection of uncharacterized protein regions, which preclude trafficking to the plasma membrane (PM) in heterologous cells. Tagging N-terminal fragments of TMC1 with Aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and GFP fusion reporter, which intrinsically label PM in HEK293 cells, indicated that residues at the edges of amino acid sequence 138–168 invoke intracellular localization and/or degradation. This signal is able to preclude surface localization of PM protein AQP3 in HEK293 cells. Substitutions of the residues by alanine or serine corroborated that the information determining the intracellular retention is present within amino acid sequence 138–168 of TMC1 N-terminus. This novel signal may preclude the proper trafficking of TMC1 to the PM in heterologous cells.
Thermo-mechanical contact problems and elastic behaviour of single and double sides functionally graded brake disks with temperature-dependent material properties
Authors: Bayat Mehdi , Alarifi Ibrahim M. , Khalili Ali Akbar , El-Bagory Tarek M. A. A. , Nguyen Hoang Minh , Asadi Amin
Published: October 2019

A thermo-elastic contact problem of functionally graded materials (FGMs) rotating brake disk with different pure brake pad areas under temperature dependent material properties is solved by Finite Element Method (FEM). The properties of brake disk change gradually from metal to ceramic by power-law distribution along the radial direction from the inner to the outer surface. Areas of the pure pad are changing while the vertical force is constant. The ratio of brake pad thickness to FGMs brake disk thickness is assumed 0.66. Two sources of thermal loads are considered: (1) Heat generation between the pad and brake disk due to contact friction, and (2) External thermal load due to a constant temperature at inner and outer surfaces. Mechanical responses of FGMs disk are compared with several pad contact areas. The results for temperature-dependent and temperature-independent material properties are investigated and presented. The results show that the absolute value of the shear stress in temperature-dependent material can be greater than that for temperature-independent material. The radial stress for some specific grading index (n = 1.5) is compressive near the inner surface for double contact while it is tensile for a single contact. It is concluded that the radial strain for some specific value of grading index (n = 1) is lower than other FGMs and pure double side contact brake disks.
Predation risk induces age- and sex-specific morphological plastic responses in the fathead minnow Pimephales promelas
Authors: Meuthen Denis , Ferrari Maud C. O. , Lane Taylor , Chivers Douglas P.
Published: October 2019

Although comprehending the significance of phenotypic plasticity for evolution is of major interest in biology, the pre-requirement for that, the understanding of variance in plasticity, is still in its infancy. Most researchers assess plastic traits at single developmental stages and pool results between sexes. Here, we study variation among sexes and developmental stages in inducible morphological defences, a well-known instance of plasticity. We raised fathead minnows,Pimephales promelas, under different levels of background predation risk (conspecific alarm cues or distilled water) in a split-clutch design and studied morphology in both juveniles and adults. In accordance with the theory that plasticity varies across ontogeny and sexes, geometric morphometry analyses revealed significant shape differences between treatments that varied across developmental stages and sexes. Alarm cue-exposed juveniles and adult males developed deeper heads, deeper bodies, longer dorsal fin bases, shorter caudal peduncles and shorter caudal fins. Adult alarm cue-exposed males additionally developed a larger relative eye size. These responses represent putative adaptive plasticity as they are linked to reduced predation risk. Perhaps most surprisingly, we found no evidence for inducible morphological defences in females. Understanding whether similar variation occurs in other taxa and their environments is crucial for modelling evolution.
Prognosis and Associated Factors among Elderly Patients with Small Artery Occlusion
Authors: Zhao Yuguang , Yang Chunxiao , Yan Xiaobo , Ma Xu , Wang Xiaokun , Zou Chunying , Wang Shuang
Published: October 2019

Small artery occlusion (SAO) is the one of the primary subtype of ischemic stroke in China. However, its outcomes among elderly patients are unclear. Consecutive patients with SAO were recruited at Jiamusi University First Hospital, China between January 2008 and December 2016. Stroke subtype, severity, and risk factors were collected; outcomes at 3, 12, and 36 months after stroke onset were assessed. A total of 1464 SAO patients were included in this study. Participants aged ≥75 years had higher dependency rates than Participants aged <75 years with SAO in all three follow-up periods, in addition to a higher recurrence rate at 12 months and a higher mortality rate 36 months after stroke. After adjusting for confounders, elevated triglyceride level was found to be a protective factor against mortality 36 months after stroke. Stroke severity, diabetes mellitus, artery stenosis, gender, obesity, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were independently associated with the risk of dependency; elevated triglyceride level was an independent risk factor for recurrence at 3 months point after stroke onset. These findings suggest that it is vital to manage risk factors that may affect prognosis of stroke among elderly patients with SAO to improve patient prognosis and reduce the burden of stroke in China.
Retinal artery occlusion is associated with compositional and functional shifts in the gut microbiome and altered trimethylamine-N-oxide levels
Authors: Zysset-Burri Denise C. , Keller Irene , Berger Lieselotte E. , Neyer Peter J. , Steuer Christian , Wolf Sebastian , Zinkernagel Martin S.
Published: October 2019

Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a sight threatening complication of cardiovascular disease and commonly occurs due to underlying atherosclerosis. As cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis in particular has been associated with compositional alterations in the gut microbiome, we investigated this association in patients with clinically confirmed non-arteritic RAO compared to age- and sex-matched controls. On the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was decreased in patients with RAO compared to controls, whereas the opposite applied for the phylum of Proteobacteria. Several genera and species such as Actinobacter, Bifidobacterium spp., Bacteroides stercoris, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were relatively enriched in patients with RAO, whereas others such as Odoribacter, Parasutterella or Lachnospiraceae were significantly lower. Patient’s gut microbiomes were enriched in genes of the cholesterol metabolism pathway. The gut derived, pro-atherogenic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) was significantly higher in patients with RAO compared to controls (p = 0.023) and a negative correlation between relative abundances of genera Parasutterella and Lachnospiraceae and TMAO levels and a positive correlation between relative abundance of genus Akkermansia and TMAO levels was found in study subjects. Our findings proposes that RAO is associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and with elevated TMAO levels, suggesting that RAO could be targeted by microbiome-altering interventions.
Mantle degassing along strike-slip faults in the Southeastern Korean Peninsula
Authors: Lee Hyunwoo , Kim Heejun , Kagoshima Takanori , Park Jin-Oh , Takahata Naoto , Sano Yuji
Published: October 2019

On September 12, 2016, a ML 5.8 earthquake hit Gyeongju in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula (SeKP), although the area is known to be far from the boundary of the active plate. A number of strike-slip faults are observed in heavily populated city areas (e.g., Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, and Gyeongju). However, dissolved gases related to the active faults have rarely been studied despite many groundwater wells and hot springs in the area. Here we report new results of gas compositions and isotope values of helium and carbon dioxide (CO2) in fault-related fluids in the region. Based on gas geochemistry, the majority of gas samples are abundant in CO2 (up to 99.91 vol.%). Measured 3He/4He ratios range from 0.07 to 5.66 Ra, showing that the mantle contribution is up to 71%. The range of carbon isotope compositions (δ13C) of CO2 is from −8.25 to −24.92‰, showing mantle-derived CO2 is observed coherently where high 3He/4He ratios appear. The weakening of faults seems to be related to enhanced pressures of fluids containing mantle-derived helium and CO2 despite the ductile lower crust underneath the region. Thus, we suggest that the SeKP strike-slip faults penetrate into the mantle through ductile shearing.
Hyperalgesia when observing pain-related images is a genuine bias in perception and enhances autonomic responses
Authors: Chapon Anaïs , Perchet Caroline , Garcia-Larrea Luis , Frot Maud
Published: October 2019

Observing pain in others can enhance our own pain. Two aspects of this effect remain unknown or controversial: first, whether it depends on the ‘painfulness’ of the visual stimulus; second, whether it reflects a genuine bias in perception or rather a bias in the memory encoding of the percept. Pain ratings and vegetative skin responses were recorded while 21 healthy volunteers received electric nociceptive shocks under three experimental conditions: (i) observing a painful contact between the body and a harmful object; (ii) observing a non-painful body contact, (iii) observing a control scene where the body and the object are not in contact. Pain reports and vegetative responses were enhanced exclusively when the subjects observed a painful body contact. The effect on perception was immediate, abated 3 sec after the shock, and positively correlated with the magnitude of vegetative arousal. This suggests that (a) hyperalgesia during observation of painful scenes was induced by their pain-related nature, and not by the simple body contact, and (b) hyperalgesia emerged from a very rapid bias in the perceptual encoding of the stimulus, and was not the result of a retrospective bias in memory recollection. Observing pain-depicting scenes can modify the processing of concomitant somatic stimuli, increasing their arousal value and shifting perception toward more painful levels.
The Interactome analysis of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus protein M2-1 suggests a new role in viral mRNA metabolism post-transcription
Authors: Bouillier Camille , Cosentino Gina , Léger Thibaut , Rincheval Vincent , Richard Charles-Adrien , Desquesnes Aurore , Sitterlin Delphine , Blouquit-Laye Sabine , Eléouët Jean-Francois , Gault Elyanne , Rameix-Welti Marie-Anne
Published: October 2019

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a globally prevalent negative-stranded RNA virus, which can cause life-threatening respiratory infections in young children, elderly people and immunocompromised patients. Its transcription termination factor M2-1 plays an essential role in viral transcription, but the mechanisms underpinning its function are still unclear. We investigated the cellular interactome of M2-1 using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-trap immunoprecipitation on RSV infected cells coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. We identified 137 potential cellular partners of M2-1, among which many proteins associated with mRNA metabolism, and particularly mRNA maturation, translation and stabilization. Among these, the cytoplasmic polyA-binding protein 1 (PABPC1), a candidate with a major role in both translation and mRNA stabilization, was confirmed to interact with M2-1 using protein complementation assay and specific immunoprecipitation. PABPC1 was also shown to colocalize with M2-1 from its accumulation in inclusion bodies associated granules (IBAGs) to its liberation in the cytoplasm. Altogether, these results strongly suggest that M2-1 interacts with viral mRNA and mRNA metabolism factors from transcription to translation, and imply that M2-1 may have an additional role in the fate of viral mRNA downstream of transcription.
Pyrite-induced uv-photocatalytic abiotic nitrogen fixation: implications for early atmospheres and Life
Authors: Mateo-Marti E. , Galvez-Martinez S. , Gil-Lozano C. , Zorzano María-Paz
Published: October 2019

The molecular form of nitrogen, N2, is universally available but is biochemically inaccessible for life due to the strength of its triple bond. Prior to the emergence of life, there must have been an abiotic process that could fix nitrogen in a biochemically usable form. The UV photo-catalytic effects of minerals such as pyrite on nitrogen fixation have to date been overlooked. Here we show experimentally, using X-ray photoemission and infrared spectroscopies that, under a standard earth atmosphere containing nitrogen and water vapour at Earth or Martian pressures, nitrogen is fixed to pyrite as ammonium iron sulfate after merely two hours of exposure to 2,3 W/m 2 of ultraviolet irradiance in the 200–400 nm range. Our experiments show that this process exists also in the absence of UV, although about 50 times slower. The experiments also show that carbonates species are fixed on pyrite surface.
Urbanization creates diverse aquatic habitats for immature mosquitoes in urban areas
Authors: Wilke André B. B. , Chase Catherine , Vasquez Chalmers , Carvajal Augusto , Medina Johana , Petrie William D. , Beier John C.
Published: October 2019

Global increases in temperatures and urbanization are impacting the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases. Urbanization processes create suitable habitats for vector mosquitoes in which there are a reduced number of predators, and human hosts are widely available. We hypothesize that mosquito vector species, especially Aedes aegypti, are locally concentrated primarily in those specific habitats at the neighborhood levels that provide suitable conditions and environmental resources needed for mosquito survival. Determining how mosquito vector species composition and abundance depend on environmental resources across habitats addresses where different types of vector control need to be applied. Therefore, our goal was to analyze and identify the most productive aquatic habitats for mosquitoes in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Immature mosquito surveys were conducted throughout Miami-Dade County from April 2018 to June 2019, totaling 2,488 inspections. Mosquitoes were collected in 76 different types of aquatic habitats scattered throughout 141 neighborhoods located in the urbanized areas of Miami-Dade County. A total of 44,599 immature mosquitoes were collected and Ae. aegypti was the most common and abundant species, comprising 43% of all specimens collected. Aedes aegypti was primarily found in buckets, bromeliads, and flower pots, concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Our results showed that aquatic habitats created by anthropogenic land-use modifications (e.g., ornamental bromeliads, buckets, etc.) were positively correlated with the abundance of Ae. aegypti. This study serves to identify how vector mosquitoes utilize the resources available in urban environments and to determine the exact role of these specific urban features in supporting populations of vector mosquito species. Ultimately, the identification of modifiable urban features will allow the development of targeted mosquito control strategies optimized to preventatively control vector mosquitoes in urban areas.
Increased nasal matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -9 expression in smokers with chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma
Authors: Huang Chien-Chia , Wang Chun-Hua , Wu Pei-Wen , He Jung-Ru , Huang Chi-Che , Chang Po-Hung , Fu Chia-Hsiang , Lee Ta-Jen
Published: October 2019

A potential mechanism underlying cigarette smoke-induced airway disease is insufficient tissue repair via altered production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Osteitis is a signature feature of recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and often results in revision surgery. The present study aimed to investigate MMP expression in the nasal tissues of asthmatic patients with CRS and any association with cigarette smoking and osteitis. Thirteen smokers with CRS and asthma, 16 non-smokers with CRS and asthma, and seven non-smoker asthmatic patients without CRS were prospectively recruited. The expression of MMPs and associated immunological factors in surgically-obtained nasal tissues was evaluated via real-time PCR and western blotting. Maximal bone thickness of the anterior ethmoid (AE) partition was measured in axial sinus computed tomography (CT) sections. MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression was increased in the nasal tissues of smokers with asthma and CRS via real-time PCR and western blot. Maximal AE partition bone thickness was greater in smokers with CRS and asthma than in non-smokers with CRS and asthma. MMP-1 and MMP-9 levels were correlated with maximal AE bone thickness. Cigarette smoking was associated with the up-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-9 in the nasal tissues of patients with airway inflammatory diseases, and with AE osteitis, and with therapeutic resistence.
Fertilization and Cleavage Axes Differ In Primates Conceived By Conventional (IVF) Versus Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Authors: Simerly Calvin R. , Takahashi Diana , Jacoby Ethan , Castro Carlos , Hartnett Carrie , Hewitson Laura , Navara Christopher , Schatten Gerald
Published: October 2019

With nearly ten million babies conceived globally, using assisted reproductive technologies, fundamental questions remain; e.g., How do the sperm and egg DNA unite? Does ICSI have consequences that IVF does not? Here, pronuclear and mitotic events in nonhuman primate zygotes leading to the establishment of polarity are investigated by multidimensional time-lapse video microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Multiplane videos after ICSI show atypical sperm head displacement beneath the oocyte cortex and eccentric para-tangential pronuclear alignment compared to IVF zygotes. Neither fertilization procedure generates incorporation cones. At first interphase, apposed pronuclei align obliquely to the animal-vegetal axis after ICSI, with asymmetric furrows assembling from the male pronucleus. Furrows form within 30° of the animal pole, but typically, not through the ICSI injection site. Membrane flow drives polar bodies and the ICSI site into the furrow. Mitotic spindle imaging suggests para-tangential pronuclear orientation, which initiates random spindle axes and minimal spindle:cortex interactions. Parthenogenetic pronuclei drift centripetally and assemble astral spindles lacking cortical interactions, leading to random furrows through the animal pole. Conversely, androgenotes display cortex-only pronuclear interactions mimicking ICSI. First cleavage axis determination in primates involves dynamic cortex-microtubule interactions among male pronuclei, centrosomal microtubules, and the animal pole, but not the ICSI site.
ZBTB32 restrains antibody responses to murine cytomegalovirus infections, but not other repetitive challenges
Authors: Jash Arijita , Zhou You W. , Gerardo Diana K. , Ripperger Tyler J. , Parikh Bijal A. , Piersma Sytse , Jamwal Deepa R. , Kiela Pawel R. , Boon Adrianus C. M. , Yokoyama Wayne M. , Hsieh Chyi S. , Bhattacharya Deepta
Published: October 2019

ZBTB32 is a transcription factor that is highly expressed by a subset of memory B cells and restrains the magnitude and duration of recall responses against hapten-protein conjugates. To define physiological contexts in which ZBTB32 acts, we assessed responses by Zbtb32−/− mice or bone marrow chimeras against a panel of chronic and acute challenges. Mixed bone marrow chimeras were established in which all B cells were derived from either Zbtb32−/− mice or control littermates. Chronic infection of Zbtb32−/− chimeras with murine cytomegalovirus led to nearly 20-fold higher antigen-specific IgG2b levels relative to controls by week 9 post-infection, despite similar viral loads. In contrast, IgA responses and specificities in the intestine, where memory B cells are repeatedly stimulated by commensal bacteria, were similar between Zbtb32−/− mice and control littermates. Finally, an infection and heterologous booster vaccination model revealed no role for ZBTB32 in restraining primary or recall antibody responses against influenza viruses. Thus, ZBTB32 does not limit recall responses to a number of physiological acute challenges, but does restrict antibody levels during chronic viral infections that periodically engage memory B cells. This restriction might selectively prevent recall responses against chronic infections from progressively overwhelming other antibody specificities.
Comparing modes of delivery of a combination of ion channel inhibitors for limiting secondary degeneration following partial optic nerve transection
Authors: Toomey Lillian M. , Bartlett Carole A. , Gavriel Nikolas , McGonigle Terence , Majimbi Maimuna , Gopalasingam Gopana , Rodger Jennifer , Fitzgerald Melinda
Published: October 2019

Injury to the central nervous system is exacerbated by secondary degeneration. Previous research has shown that a combination of orally and locally administered ion channel inhibitors following partial optic nerve injury protects the myelin sheath and preserves function in the ventral optic nerve, vulnerable to secondary degeneration. However, local administration is often not clinically appropriate. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of systemic and local delivery of the ion channel inhibitor combination of lomerizine, brilliant blue G (BBG) and YM872, which inhibits voltage-gated calcium channels, P2X7 receptors and Ca2+ permeable α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors respectively. Following a partial optic nerve transection, adult female PVG rats were treated with BBG and YM872 delivered via osmotic mini pump directly to the injury site, or via intraperitoneal injection, both alongside oral administration of lomerizine. Myelin structure was preserved with both delivery modes of the ion channel inhibitor combination. However, there was no effect of treatment on inflammation, either peripherally or at the injury site, or on the density of oligodendroglial cells. Taken together, the data indicate that even at lower concentrations, the combinatorial treatment may be preserving myelin structure, and that systemic and local delivery are comparable at improving outcomes following neurotrauma.
CRISPR/Transposon gene integration (CRITGI) can manage gene expression in a retrotransposon-dependent manner
Authors: Hanasaki Miki , Masumoto Hiroshi
Published: October 2019

The fine-tuning of gene expression contributes to both basic science and applications. Here, we develop a novel gene expression technology termed CRITGI (CRISPR/Transposon gene integration). CRITGI uses CRISPR/Cas9 to integrate multiple copies of the plasmid pTy1 into Ty1 loci, budding yeast retrotransposons. The pTy1 plasmid harbors a Ty1 consensus sequence for integration, a gene of interest with its own promoter and a selection marker gene. Interestingly, the expression of the pTy1 gene in Ty1 loci could be induced in synthetic complete amino acid depletion medium, which could activate the selection marker gene on pTy1. The induction or repression of the gene on pTy1 depended on Ty1 transcription. Activation of the selection marker gene on pTy1 triggered Ty1 transcription, which led to induction of the gene on pTy1. The gene on pTy1 was not transcribed with Ty1 mRNA; the transcription required its own promoter. Furthermore, the trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 4, a landmark of transcriptionally active chromatin, accumulated at the 5′ end of the gene on pTy1 following selection marker gene activation. Thus, CRITGI is a unique gene regulation system to induce the genes on pTy1 in amino acid depletion medium and utilizes Ty1 transcription to create a chromatin environment favorable for the transcription of the genes on pTy1.
Seeding hESCs to achieve optimal colony clonality
Authors: Wadkin L. E. , Orozco-Fuentes S. , Neganova I. , Bojic S. , Laude A. , Lako M. , Parker N. G. , Shukurov A.
Published: October 2019

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have promising clinical applications which often rely on clonally-homogeneous cell populations. To achieve this, it is important to ensure that each colony originates from a single founding cell and to avoid subsequent merging of colonies during their growth. Clonal homogeneity can be obtained with low seeding densities; however, this leads to low yield and viability. It is therefore important to quantitatively assess how seeding density affects clonality loss so that experimental protocols can be optimised to meet the required standards. Here we develop a quantitative framework for modelling the growth of hESC colonies from a given seeding density based on stochastic exponential growth. This allows us to identify the timescales for colony merges and over which colony size no longer predicts the number of founding cells. We demonstrate the success of our model by applying it to our own experiments of hESC colony growth; while this is based on a particular experimental set-up, the model can be applied more generally to other cell lines and experimental conditions to predict these important timescales.
The relationship between MUC5B promoter, TERT polymorphisms and telomere lengths with radiographic extent and survival in a Chinese IPF cohort
Authors: Wang Hui , Zhuang Yi , Peng Hui , Cao Min , Li Yan , Xu Qingqing , Xin Xiaoyan , Zhou Kefeng , Liang Geyu , Cai Hourong , Dai Jinghong
Published: October 2019

Genetic factors were identified to be associated with the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We aimed to investigate associations between mucin 5B (MUC5B) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) polymorphisms and telomere length (TL) with honeycombing extent and survival in a Chinese IPF cohort. Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with IPF were enrolled. The honeycombing extents in high resolution CT scan (HRCT) were quantitatively scored and defined as mild (<10%), moderate (10–50%), and severe (>50%) upon the honeycombing extents involving the total lung. We tested five single-nucleotide polymorphisms [rs35705950, rs868903 in MUC5B, rs2736100, rs2853676 in TERT and rs1881984 in Telomerase RNA Gene (TERC) and TLs in peripheral blood leucocytes, and evaluated their associations with radiographic extent and survival in IPF. The minor allele frequencies (MAF) were significantly greater for MUC5B rs868903 (P = 0.042) and TERT rs2853676 (P = 0.041) in IPF than those in healthy controls. CT/CC genotype of MUC5B rs868903 (p = 0.045) and short TLs (p = 0.035) were correlated with the more extensive honeycombing opacities in HRCT. After adjustment for age, sex, and smoking status, MUC5B rs868903 polymorphism was the significant gene risk factors for reduced survival (p = 0.044) in IPF. MUC5B promoter rs868903 polymorphism and TLs were associated with radiographic extent and survival in a Chinese IPF cohort. These findings suggested a genetic clue for exploring the underlying molecular basis and pathogenesis of IPF.
Ultracompact meta-pixels for high colour depth generation using a bi-layered hybrid metasurface
Authors: Yun Jeong-Geun , Sung Jangwoon , Kim Sun-Je , Yun Hansik , Choi Chulsoo , Lee Byoungho
Published: October 2019

Nano-structural colour pixels have attracted much attention as promising solutions for compact display devices. However, it is difficult to miniaturize and integrate conventional transmissive colour filtering components for high resolution pixels within subwavelength scale without sacrificing colour depth. Here, we propose a novel colour pixel structure using bi-layered hybrid metasurfaces that are composed of aluminum nanograting and amorphous silicon nanorod layers. The independent high-contrast control of resonance intensity and spectral position is achieved by anisotropic Mie resonances and cavity effect between stacked two metasurfaces. Moreover, the proposed structures permit the wide colour gamut through the novel physical principles. In addition, a meta-pixel which can provide gradual tuning of colour is demonstrated to obtain high colour depth. The proposed structures are expected to be fruitful for the development of next generation display and imaging systems.
Effect of Empagliflozin on Cardiac Function, Adiposity, and Diffuse Fibrosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Hsu Jung-Chi , Wang Chih-Yuan , Su Mao-Yuan M. , Lin Lian-Yu , Yang Wei-Shiung
Published: October 2019

Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, significantly improves cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients; however, the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that empagliflozin might have beneficial effects on cardiac function, structure, adiposity, and myocardial diffuse fibrosis. This prospective study enrolled 35 patients (48.6% men, age 63.5 ± 9.7 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from June 1, 2017, to November 31, 2018. The patients received an SGLT2 inhibitor (empagliflozin 25 or 12.5 mg/d) for 6 months in addition to stable oral hypoglycaemic treatment. All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) before and after empagliflozin treatment. Left ventricular (LV) function and structure were quantified using cine CMRI. Cardiac adiposity was defined based on pericardial fat and intracardiac triglyceride contents, whereas myocardial diffuse fibrosis was indicated by extracellular volume (ECV). The statistical significance of parameter changes was assessed using paired t-test and stepwise multiple linear regression. There were no significant differences in LV function and structure changes. Cardiac adiposity and diffuse fibrosis indices were also not different before and after empagliflozin treatment. Concerning clinical parameters, only a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (by 6.4 mmHg) was observed (p = 0.013). Stepwise multiple linear regression revealed that worse baseline MRI parameters were associated with better improvements. Intracardiac triglyceride content decrease was inversely associated with baseline intracardiac triglyceride content (p < 0.001). Pericardial fat changes were negatively correlated with baseline pericardial fat (p < 0.001) and ECV changes (p = 0.028). ECV changes were inversely associated with baseline ECV (p < 0.001), baseline LV ejection fraction (p < 0.001), and LV mass index changes (p = 0.020). This study demonstrated that 6 months of empagliflozin treatment did not significantly improve the LV function, structure, adiposity, and diffuse fibrosis in patients with T2DM. Further, the beneficial effects of empagliflozin treatment might be more evident in patients with worse baseline LV substrate and structure.
Pretreatment diagnosis factors associated with overtreatment with surgery in patients with differentiated-type early gastric cancer
Authors: Horiuchi Yusuke , Fujisaki Junko , Yamamoto Noriko , Ida Satoshi , Yoshimizu Shoichi , Ishiyama Akiyoshi , Yoshio Toshiyuki , Hirasawa Toshiaki , Yamamoto Yorimasa , Nagahama Masatsugu , Takahashi Hiroshi , Tsuchida Tomohiro
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to clarify the pretreatment factors associated with overtreatment with surgery in patients with differentiated-type early gastric cancer. This single-centre, retrospective study included 781 patients with differentiated-type early gastric cancer treated by surgical resection between April 2005 and May 2017. Postoperative pathological results were used to divide patients into the accurate surgical indication group and overtreatment with surgery group; the groups were compared with respect to accurate diagnosis and misdiagnosis based on tumour diameter (≤30 mm or >30 mm), diagnosis of depth, diagnosis of ulcerative findings, and diagnosis of main histology. There were 224 patients in the overtreatment with surgery group. Multivariate analysis revealed significant differences in misdiagnosis of tumour diameter, misdiagnosis of depth, misdiagnosis of ulcerative findings, and misdiagnosis of main histology between the accurate surgical indication group and overtreatment with surgery group. Significant factors for pretreatment misdiagnosis leading to overtreatment in differentiated-type early gastric cancer were tumour diameter, depth, and main histology. It may be acceptable to perform endoscopic resection for patients with pretreatment tumour diameter ≤30 mm, mucosal invasion of pretreatment depth, and undifferentiated-type cancers containing differentiated-type components of pretreatment histology because this reduces overtreatment with surgery.
Superfluid-Insulator Transition unambiguously detected by entanglement in one-dimensional disordered superfluids
Authors: Canella G. A. , França V. V.
Published: October 2019

We use entanglement to track the superfluid-insulator transition (SIT) in disordered fermionic superfluids described by the one-dimensional Hubbard model. Entanglement is found to have remarkable signatures of the SIT driven by i) the disorder strength V, ii) the concentration of impurities C and iii) the particle density n. Our results reveal the absence of a critical potential intensity on the SIT driven by V, i.e. any small V suffices to decrease considerably the degree of entanglement: it drops ∼50% for V = −0.25t. We also find that entanglement is non-monotonic with the concentration C, approaching to zero for a certain critical value CC. This critical concentration is found to be related to a special type of localization, here named as fully-localized state, which can be also reached for a particular density nC. Our results show that the SIT driven by n or C has distinct nature whether it leads to the full localization or to the ordinary one: it is a first-order quantum phase transition only when leading to full localization. In contrast, the SIT driven by V is never a first-order quantum phase transition independently on the type of localization reached.
Photoperiod controls vegetation phenology across Africa
Authors: Adole Tracy , Dash Jadunandan , Rodriguez-Galiano Victor , Atkinson Peter M.
Published: October 2019

Vegetation phenology is driven by environmental factors such as photoperiod, precipitation, temperature, insolation, and nutrient availability. However, across Africa, there’s ambiguity about these drivers, which can lead to uncertainty in the predictions of global warming impacts on terrestrial ecosystems and their representation in dynamic vegetation models. Using satellite data, we undertook a systematic analysis of the relationship between phenological parameters and these drivers. The analysis across different regions consistently revealed photoperiod as the dominant factor controlling the onset and end of vegetation growing season. Moreover, the results suggest that not one, but a combination of drivers control phenological events. Consequently, to enhance our predictions of climate change impacts, the role of photoperiod should be incorporated into vegetation-climate and ecosystem modelling. Furthermore, it is necessary to define clearly the responses of vegetation to interactions between a consistent photoperiod cue and inter-annual variation in other drivers, especially under a changing climate.
Thermodynamic properties and lattice dynamics investigation of LuB2C: experiment and ab initio calculations
Authors: Shein I. R. , Novikov V. V. , Kuznetsov S. V. , Ponkratov K. V. , Matovnikov A. V. , Mitroshenkov N. V. , Kornev B. I. , Morozov A. V. , Prishchep V. L. , Bud’ko S. L.
Published: October 2019

The phonon dispersion and phonon density of states of LuB2C (Pbam) show the absence of negative phonon frequencies, i.e. this system is dynamically stable.
Predicting the affinity of halogenated reversible covalent inhibitors through relative binding free energy
Authors: Lameira Jerônimo , Bonatto Vinícius , Cianni Lorenzo , dos Reis Rocho Fernanda , Leitão Andrei , Montanari Carlos A.
Published: October 2019

The free energy perturbation using the covalent and noncovalent states can predict the binding affinity of covalent halogenated dipeptidyl nitrile inhibitors of the human Cathepsin L (hCatL).
High-performance water oxidation catalysts based on the spontaneous deposition of ruthenium on electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide
Authors: Fruehwald Holly M. , Moghaddam Reza B. , Zenkina Olena V. , Easton E. Bradley
Published: October 2019

Sustainable highly active water oxidation reaction in acid over ruthenium loaded electrochemically exfoliated graphene oxide.
New VIVO-complexes for oxidative desulfurization of refractory sulfur compounds in fuel: synthesis, structure, reactivity trend and mechanistic studies
Authors: Dembaremba Tendai O. , Correia Isabel , Hosten Eric C. , Kuznetsov Maxim L. , Gerber Wilhelmus J. , Pessoa João C. , Ogunlaja Adeniyi S. , Tshentu Zenixole R.
Published: October 2019

A series of oxidovanadium(iv) complexes based on 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)imidazole (HPIMH), with substituent groups of different electronegativities on the phenolicparaposition (HPIMX; X = –H, –Br, –OMe and –NO2), were synthesized and characterized.
Highly stable two-dimensional gold selenide with large in-plane anisotropy and ultrahigh carrier mobility
Authors: Tang Cheng , Zhang Lei , Zhang Chunmei , MacLeod Jennifer , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Du Aijun
Published: October 2019

Two separated Au channels for remarkably anisotropic transport and distribution of electrons and holes in 2D AuSe nanosheets for advanced polarization-sensitive optoelectronics.
Indolizine quaternary ammonium salt inhibitors, part III: insights into the highly effective low-toxicity acid corrosion inhibitor – synthesis and protection performance
Authors: Yang Zhen , Wang Yefei , Zhan Fengtao , Chen Wuhua , Ding Mingchen , Qian Cheng , Wang Renzhuo , Hou Baofeng
Published: October 2019

Three indolizine derivatives (Di-BQC, QM-DiBQC, PyM-DiBQC) were prepared facilely in high yield via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition. These compounds exhibit good inhibition for steel in concentrated acid without the synergism of propargyl alcohol (PA).
Thermal-mediated [1,3]-hydrogen transfer as the key step: access to oxindole–chromone hybrid collection with structural diversity
Authors: Gong Yi , Xu Sheng-Wen , Liu Xiong-Wei , Li Zheng , Liu Xiong-Li , Yao Zhen , Zhou Ying
Published: October 2019

Herein we report the first example of thermal-mediated [1,3]-hydrogen transfer as the key step for the efficient synthesis of oxindole–chromone hybrid collections 2, which avoids additional catalyst and solvent conditions.
Revealing an unusual temperature-dependent CO2 adsorption trend and selective CO2 uptake over water vapors in a polyamine-appended metal–organic framework
Authors: Choe Jong Hyeak , Kang Dong Won , Kang Minjung , Kim Hyojin , Park Jeoung Ryul , Kim Dae Won , Hong Chang Seop
Published: October 2019

Heavily tetraethylenepentamine (tepa)-functionalized Mg2(dobpdc) showed an unusual increase in CO2 uptake on increasing the temperature and selective adsorption of CO2 over water vapors.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of nitrogen-rich carbon dots as effective fluorescent probes for sensitive detection of Ag+
Authors: Feng Jie , Zhao Xiaoran , Bian Wei , Tang Xinjing
Published: October 2019

Highly fluorescent N-dots are rationally designed and synthesized through microwave-assisted reaction of 2-azidoimidazole with glycerol crosslinker and are employed as an effective chemosensor for Ag+analysisviathe static quenching effect.
Lewis acid-catalyzed tandem cyclization of in situ generated o-quinone methides and arylsulfonyl hydrazides for a one-pot entry to 3-sulfonylbenzofurans
Authors: Meng Fan-Xiao , Wang Ruo-Nan , Huang Hong-Li , Gong Shu-Wen , Li Qian-Li , Zhang Shao-Liang , Ma Chun-Lin , Li Chen-Zhong , Du Ji-Yuan
Published: October 2019

Lewis acid-mediated one-pot tandem cyclization of o-QMs with arylsulfonyl hydrazides was described for the first time and the corresponding 3-sulfonylbenzofuran products were obtained in moderate to good yields.
Improved photoelectric performance of all-inorganic perovskite through different additives for green light-emitting diodes
Authors: Yang Xianqi , Gu Huaimin , Li Shuti , Li Jihang , Shi Hengzhi , Zhang Jinyuan , Liu Nana , Liao Zebing , Xu Wenzhu , Tan Yuan
Published: October 2019

Improving the performance of all-inorganic CsPbBr3–PEO–PVP-based LEDs with the structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Perovskite/TPBI/LiF/Al.
Effects of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane grafting and in situ silica particle generation on the curing and mechanical properties of a styrene butadiene rubber composite
Authors: Yin Changjie , Zhang Qiuyu
Published: October 2019

The reinforcement of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) grafted styrene butadiene rubber (SBR-g-D4) with in situ generated silica was performed using the sol–gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in latex.
Ru(ii)–N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis, characterization, transfer hydrogenation reactions and biological determination
Authors: Boubakri Lamia , Chakchouk-Mtibaa A. , Al-Ayed Abdullah S. , Mansour L. , Abutaha Nael , Harrath Abdel Halim , Mellouli L. , Özdemir I. , Yasar S. , Hamdi Naceur
Published: October 2019

A series of ruthenium(ii) complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands were successfully synthesized by transmetalation reactions between silver(i) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2in dichloromethane under Ar conditions.
Ultrasmall V8C7 nanoparticles embedded in conductive carbon for efficient electrocatalytic N2 reduction toward ambient NH3 production
Authors: Feng Jing , Zhu Xiaojuan , Chen Quanying , Xiong Wei , Chen Xin , Luo Yonglan , Alshehri Abdulmohsen Ali , Alzahrani Khalid Ahmad , Jiang Zhenju , Li Wei
Published: October 2019

Vanadium carbide nanoparticles/carbon acts as an efficient NRR electrocatalyst in 0.1 M HCl, achieving a large NH3 yield of 34.62 μg h−1 mgcat.−1 and a high FE of 12.20%.
Transplantation of neural scaffolds consisting of dermal fibroblast-reprogrammed neurons and 3D silk fibrous materials promotes the repair of spinal cord injury
Authors: Hu Ya’nan , Zhang Feng , Zhong Wentao , Liu Ya’nan , He Qisheng , Yang Min , Chen Huanhuan , Xu Xiaojing , Bian Kaipeng , Xu Jianwei , Li Jian , Shen Yixin , Zhang Huanxiang
Published: October 2019

Neural scaffolds consisting of dermal fibroblast-reprogrammed neurons and 3D silk fibrous materials promote repair of spinal cord injury.
Solution-processed hybrid hosts: a way to explore high triplet energy with admirable current and power efficiency without outcoupling techniques for phosphorescent OLEDs
Authors: Thakur Diksha , Dubey Deepak Kumar , Yadav Rohit Ashok Kumar , Venkateswarulu Mangili , Banik Subrata , Jou Jwo-Huei , Ghosh Subrata
Published: October 2019

Rationally engineered host materials for high efficiency OLEDs are demonstrated.
Graphene/SiC heterojunction nanoarrays: toward field emission applications with low turn-on fields and high stabilities
Authors: Wang Lin , Jiang Lan , Zhang Tian , Gao Fengmei , Chen Shanliang , Yang Weiyou
Published: October 2019

Graphene/SiC heterojunction nanoarray emitters were reported, which had low turn-on field, small current fluctuation and high field enhancement factor.
Photoluminescent manipulation of phenoxazine-based moleculesviaregulating conformational isomerization, and the corresponding electroluminescent properties
Authors: Cheng Zong , Liang Jixiong , Li Zhiqiang , Yang Tong , Lin Chunhui , Mu Xiaoyue , Wang Yue
Published: October 2019

Systematic and detailed research on mechanochromic luminescence reveals the conformational isomerization mechanism behind single-molecule white-light emission.
Self‐repairing hardware architecture for safety‐critical cyber‐physical‐systems
Authors: Khairullah Shawkat S. , Elks Carl R.
Published: October 2019

Digital embedded systems in safety‐critical cyber‐physical‐systems (CPSs) require high levels of resilience and robustness against different fault classes. In recent years, self‐healing concepts based on biological physiology have received attention for the design and implementation of reliable systems. However, many of these approaches have not been architected from the outset with safety in mind, nor have they been targeted for the safety‐related automation industry where the significant need exists. This study presents a new self‐healing hardware architecture inspired by integrating biological concepts, fault tolerance techniques, and IEC 61131‐3 operational schematics to facilitate adaption in automation and critical infrastructure. The proposed architecture is organised in two levels: the critical functions layer used for providing the intended service of the application and the healing layer that continuously monitors the correct execution of that application and generates health syndromes to heal any failure occurrence inside the functions layer. Finally, two industrial applications have been mapped on this architecture to date, and the authors believe the nexus of its concepts can positively impact the next generation of critical CPSs in industrial automation.