bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-X-C motif chemokine 10 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: role as a pro-inflammatory factor and clinical implication
Authors: Xu Zhilu , Zhang Xiang , Lau Jennie , Yu Jun
Published: September 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more severe form of NAFLD and causes subsequent pathological changes including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Inflammation is the key pathological change in NASH and involves a series of cytokines and chemokines. The C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10), which is known as a pro-inflammation chemokine, was recently proven to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NASH. Hepatic CXCL10 is mainly secreted by hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelium. By binding to its specific receptor CXCR3, CXCL10 recruits activated CXCR3+T lymphocytes and macrophages to parenchyma and promotes inflammation, apoptosis and fibrosis. The circulating CXCL10 level correlates with the severity of lobular inflammation and is an independent risk factor for NASH patients. Thus, CXCL10 may be both a potential prognostic tool and a therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with NASH. The aim of this review is to highlight the growing advances in basic knowledge and clinical interest of CXCL10 in NASH to propagate new insights into novel pharmacotherapeutic avenues.
Influence of laser polarization on collective electron dynamics in ultraintense laser–foil interactions
Authors: Gonzalez-Izquierdo Bruno , Gray Ross J. , King Martin , Wilson Robbie , Dance Rachel J. , Powell Haydn , MacLellan David A. , McCreadie John , Butler Nicholas M. H. , Hawkes Steve , Green James S. , Murphy Chris D. , Stockhausen Luca C. , Carroll David C. , Booth Nicola , Scott Graeme G. , Borghesi Marco , Neely David , McKenna Paul
Published: September 2016

The collective response of electrons in an ultrathin foil target irradiated by an ultraintense (

${\sim}6\times 10^{20}~\text{W}~\text{cm}^{-2}$

) laser pulse is investigated experimentally and via 3D particle-in-cell simulations. It is shown that if the target is sufficiently thin that the laser induces significant radiation pressure, but not thin enough to become relativistically transparent to the laser light, the resulting relativistic electron beam is elliptical, with the major axis of the ellipse directed along the laser polarization axis. When the target thickness is decreased such that it becomes relativistically transparent early in the interaction with the laser pulse, diffraction of the transmitted laser light occurs through a so called ‘relativistic plasma aperture’, inducing structure in the spatial-intensity profile of the beam of energetic electrons. It is shown that the electron beam profile can be modified by variation of the target thickness and degree of ellipticity in the laser polarization.
The Tyrolean Iceman and His Glacial Environment During the Holocene
Authors: Kutschera Walter , Patzelt Gernot , Steier Peter , Wild Eva Maria
Published: September 2016

This paper summarizes the present knowledge on the variation of summer temperatures in the European Alps throughout the Holocene by combining the results of an extraordinary archaeological find with the information gathered from glacier and tree-line movements. As it turns out, there were several distinct periods were the glaciers were smaller than today, allowing in some periods the growth of trees in areas, which even now are still covered with ice. On average, the first half of the Holocene was warmer than the second half, with temperatures starting to decrease around the time of the Iceman some 5000 yr ago. One of the coldest periods during the Holocene, the so-called Little Ice Age (LIA), lasted from about AD 1300 to 1850. It is well known that since then the Alpine glaciers have been receding, most likely amplified by anthropogenic impact. The study of temperature variations before human influence may help to eventually disentangle natural and anthropogenic causes for the global warming of our time.
Association between dietary patterns and low bone mineral density among adults aged 50 years and above: findings from the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS)
Authors: Melaku Yohannes Adama , Gill Tiffany K. , Adams Robert , Shi Zumin
Published: September 2016

Studies on the association between dietary patterns and bone mineral density (BMD) have reported inconsistent findings. Data from the North West Adelaide Health Study, a population-based cohort study undertaken in Australia, were used to assess this association among adults aged 50 years and above. In this specific study, 1182 adults (545 males, 45·9 %) had dietary data collected using a FFQ and also had BMD measurements taken using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Factor analysis with principal component method was applied to ascertain dietary patterns. Two distinct dietary patterns were identified. Pattern 1 (‘prudent pattern’) was characterised by high intake of fruits, vegetables, sugar, nut-based milk, fish, legumes and high-fibre bread. In contrast, pattern 2 (‘Western pattern’) was characterised by high levels of processed and red meat, snacks, takeaway foods, jam, beer, soft drinks, white bread, poultry, potato with fat, high-fat dairy products and eggs. Compared with the study participants in the first tertile (T1, lowest consumption) of the prudent pattern, participants in the third tertile (T3) had a lower prevalence of low BMD (prevalence ratio (PR)=0·52; 95 % CI 0·33, 0·83) after adjusting for socio-demographic, lifestyle and behavioural characteristics, chronic conditions and energy intake. Participants in T3 of the Western pattern had a higher prevalence of low BMD (PR=1·68; 95 % CI 1·02, 2·77) compared with those in T1. In contrast to the Western diet, a dietary pattern characterised by high intake of fruits, vegetables and dairy products is positively associated with BMD.
A randomised, single-blind comparison of high-level disinfectants for flexible nasendoscopes
Authors: Hitchcock B , Moynan S , Frampton C , Reuther R , Gilling P , Rowe F
Published: September 2016

Objectives:

To compare the microbiological efficacy, turnaround time, cost, convenience, and patient and user tolerance of Tristel Trio Wipes, PeraSafe solution and Cidex OPA solution for the high-level disinfection of flexible nasendoscopes.

Methods:

Flexible nasendoscopes were used in routine clinical encounters. They were then disinfected with one of the three disinfectant methods. Surveillance cultures were taken before and after each disinfection process. Data relating to each of the study parameters were recorded.

Results:

Positive bacterial cultures were discovered on nasendoscopes disinfected with PeraSafe and Cidex OPA. Tristel Trio Wipes have no capital outlay cost, the lowest running cost, the greatest convenience and the fastest turnaround time. PeraSafe had a faster turnaround time than Cidex OPA, and lower running costs.

Conclusion:

Tristel Trio Wipes are equal to PeraSafe and Cidex OPA in terms of microbiological efficacy. Turnaround time and cost are dramatically reduced when using Tristel Trio Wipes compared to the other disinfectant methods.
Speculations about plasma free energy, 50 years later
Authors: Fowler T. K.
Published: September 2016

Plasma free energy is that part of the total energy that feeds the growth of turbulence. The most successful free energy formulation in plasma physics is the MHD Energy Principle – successful because, within magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), the free energy$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FF}W$is both exact and self-adjoint (or Hermitian). A corresponding result in Vlasov theory is the free energy of equilibria neighbouring stable Maxwellian states – again giving a free energy of Hermitian form for the linearized equations. Since quantum mechanics is inherently Hermitian, here I speculate that quantum free energy is the ultimate way to understand classical plasma dynamics.
Lecanora inaurata, a new member of theL. subfuscagroup from central North America
Authors: MORSE Caleb A. , LADD Douglas
Published: September 2016

Lecanora inaurata, a corticolous member of theL.subfuscagroup, is described as new to science. This species is characterized by typically epruinose, reddish brown apothecial discs, achlarotera-type epihymenium,pulicaris-type amphithecium, and chloroatranorin and zeorin as major constituents, often with accessory calycin in the thalline margins of the apothecia, imparting a distinctive yellow halo appearance when present in sufficient concentrations.Lecanora inaurataoccurs in open hardwood-dominated woodlands of the Edwards Plateau and grasslands of the southern Great Plains in Oklahoma and Texas.
Photobiont associations in co-occurring umbilicate lichens with contrasting modes of reproduction in coastal Norway
Authors: HESTMARK Geir , LUTZONI François , MIADLIKOWSKA Jolanta
Published: September 2016

The identity and phylogenetic placement of photobionts associated with two lichen-forming fungi,Umbilicaria spodochroaandLasallia pustulatawere examined. These lichens commonly grow together in high abundance on coastal cliffs in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The mycobiont ofU. spodochroareproduces sexually through ascospores, and must find a suitable algal partner in the environment to re-establish the lichen symbiosis.Lasallia pustulatareproduces mainly vegetatively using symbiotic propagules (isidia) containing both symbiotic partners (photobiont and mycobiont). Based on DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) we detected seven haplotypes of the green-algal genusTrebouxiain 19 pairs of adjacent thalli ofU. spodochroaandL. pustulatafrom five coastal localities in Norway. As expected,U. spodochroaassociated with a higher diversity of photobionts (seven haplotypes) than the mostly asexually reproducingL. pustulata(four haplotypes). The latter was associated with the same haplotype in 15 of the 19 thalli sampled. Nine of the lichen pairs examined share the same algal haplotype, supporting the hypothesis that the mycobiont ofU. spodochroamight associate with the photobiont ‘pirated’ from the abundant isidia produced byL. pustulatathat are often scattered on the cliff surfaces. Up to six haplotypes ofTrebouxiawere found within a single sampling site, indicating a low level of specificity of both mycobionts for their algal partner. Most photobiont strains associated with species ofUmbilicariaandLasallia, including samples from this study, represent phylogenetically closely related taxa ofTrebouxiagrouped within a small number of main clades (Trebouxiasp.,T. simplex/T. jamesii, andT. incrustata+T. gigantea). Three of the photobiont haplotypes were found only inU. spodochroathalli.
New and overlooked species from the Galapagos Islands: the generic concept ofDiploiciareassessed
Authors: BUNGARTZ Frank , ELIX John A. , KALB Klaus , GIRALT Mireia
Published: September 2016

Three new species ofDiploiciaare described from the Galapagos Islands and a fourth,D. glebosa, is transferred fromPyxine; all four are considered endemic to the archipelago. In order to accommodate these species, the generic concept ofDiploiciahas been emended. Two of the species are sterile;D. leproidicais placodioid-leproid, where the thalli derive from pseudocorticate granules aggregating into small, placodioid rosettes with distinctly lobate margins. The second sterile species,D. squamulosa, forms scattered squamules that eventually aggregate into small, placodioid rosettes. The two fertile species,D. glebosa, with an olivaceous to beige, smooth, epruinose upper surface, andD. neotropica, with a white to grey-white, roughened, pruinose upper surface, form larger thalli typical ofDiploicia, have apothecia that are initially lecideine, but are soon engulfed and hidden by a thick thalline margin. Anatomically the proper exciple remains visible for a considerable part of the ontogeny, although it eventually becomes almost completely reduced to a few pigmented or almost hyaline hyphae. This transition from lecideine to lecanorine apothecia is similar to thephysciaeformis-type ontogeny observed in somePyxinespecies. Several species currently accommodated inBuellias. lat. with diploicin and effigurate thalli that lack distinctly lobate margins are discussed and the Socotran endemicPhyscia endopyxineais transferred intoDiploicia.
Two new species ofAcarosporaceaefrom North America with carbonized epihymenial accretions
Authors: KNUDSEN Kerry , KOCOURKOVÁ Jana , WESTBERG Martin , WHEELER Tim
Published: September 2016

Acarospora brodoanaK. Knudsen, Kocourk. & M. Westb. is described from the San Bernardino Mountains in southern California. A black hypothecium distinguishes it from other species with a carbonized epihymenium.Sarcogyne albothallinaK. Knudsen, Wheeler & M. Westb. is described from the Missouri Breaks in Montana. A white non-farinose thallus and production of 4-O-methylhiascic acid distinguishes it from other species with a carbonized epihymenium. Both species would previously have been placed inPolysporina.The current reported diversity ofAcarosporaceaein North America north of Mexico is 93 species.
Lichens on the Hudson Bay Lowlands: a long-term survey in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba
Authors: PIERCEY-NORMORE Michele D. , BRODO Irwin M. , DEDUKE Chris
Published: September 2016

Wapusk National Park is part of the Hudson Bay Lowlands in Manitoba and covers 11 475 km2. Lichen surveys were initiated in 2002 but none have reported all species incorporating broad habitat types or a baseline on which to make management decisions. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine species diversity, including species richness and evenness of the lichens present; 2) to explore species distributions; and 3) to compare lichen growth form and substratum relationships among physiographic regions. Fifty-six locations in four habitat types (physiographic regions: open coastal beach ridge, forested coastal beach ridge, boreal transition forest, and peat plateau bog) and three burned locations were visited over nine years and specimens were collected at each location. A total of 276 species and subspecies were collected. One species is new to Canada (Buellia uberior Anzi) and ten species are new to Manitoba. Species diversity, evenness, and richness were highest in the coastal beach ridge. The open coastal beach ridge, boreal transition forest, and peat plateau bogs formed separate clusters in the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) but the forested coastal beach ridge overlapped with the open coastal beach ridge. Unique species in each region may serve as indicators to monitor long-term changes. While the coastal beach ridge facilitates travel along the coast, it also represents the region with the highest need for intervention to conserve species diversity.
Microchemical and molecular investigations reveal Pseudephebe species as cryptic with an environmentally modified morphology
Authors: BOLUDA Carlos G. , HAWKSWORTH David L. , DIVAKAR Pradeep K. , CRESPO Ana , RICO Víctor J.
Published: September 2016

The results of the first molecular phylogenetic study of Pseudephebe are presented; a three-locus phylogeny. The genus is confirmed as monophyletic within the alectorioid clade of Parmeliaceae. Two major clades were recovered, which can be assigned to the two traditional taxa, P. minuscula and P. pubescens, with modifications of the species delimitation, especially the variable P. minuscula. These species are cryptic and cannot be confidently distinguished morphologically due to phenotypic convergence. Therefore, the use of P. pubescens aggr. is recommended for samples not molecularly analyzed. Contrary to previous studies, specimens of both species might have indistinct pseudocyphellae and also contain lichen substances; norstictic acid was detected in c. 60% of specimens tested. An SSU 1516 Group I intron is usually present in P. minuscula but always absent in P. pubescens. The species-level nomenclature is summarized and sequenced reference specimens (RefSpec) for both Pseudephebe species are selected. Sequences from Bryoria mariensis established that this name was a synonym of P. minuscula.
Partial intersubjectivity and sufficient understandings for current practical purposes: On a specialized practice in Swedish conversation
Authors: Linell Per , Lindström Jan
Published: September 2016

This paper explores issues of intersubjectivity and shared understanding as they arise in dyadic spoken interaction. Using data from Swedish conversations, we approach the topic by focusing on the functions of a reactive construction that occurs in situations when a linguistic expression (x) has been used in a prior utterance, and this expression is found to be only partially acceptable in the situation at hand. It is therefore reacted to by one of the interlocutors, and negotiated in a new turn initiated byx-å-x, i.e. a unit in which two identical copies ofxare conjoined byå‘and’, and then expanded by a supporting argument. The pragmatic functions of the construction include that of suggesting a sufficient clarification of what should be a reasonable situated meaning and an intersubjective basis for ensuing talk.
Aging with autism spectrum disorder: an emerging public health problem
Authors: Hategan Ana , Bourgeois James A. , Goldberg Jeremy
Published: September 2016

From 1943, when Leo Kanner originally described autism, and to the first objective criteria for “infantile autism” in DSM-III and the inclusion of Asperger's disorder in DSM-IV, the subsequent classification scheme for autistic disorders has led to a substantial change with the 2013 issuance of the DSM-5 by including subcategories into one umbrella diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Baker, 2013). ASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by social and communication impairments and restricted, stereotypical patterns of behavior (Baker, 2013). It is currently expected that most, or all of the actual cases of ASD, are identified in a timely way (i.e. in early childhood). However, there are many undiagnosed older adults who may have met the current diagnostic criteria for ASD as children, but never received such a diagnosis due to the fact it had yet to be established. In addition, some patients with relatively less impairing phenotypes may escape formal diagnosis in childhood, only to later be diagnosed in adulthood. Nevertheless, the first generation of diagnosed patients with ASD is now in old age. Many such ASD patients have needed family and institutional support for their lives subsequent to childhood diagnosis. Due to aging and death of their parents and other supportive figures leading to a loss of social structures, there is no better time than now for the medical community to act.
Supervised approach to recognise Polish temporal expressions and rule-based interpretation of timexes
Authors: KOCOŃ JAN , MARCIŃCZUK MICHAŁ
Published: September 2016

A key challenge of the Information Extraction in Natural Language Processing is the ability to recognise and classify temporal expressions (timexes). It is a crucial source of information about when something happens, how often something occurs or how long something lasts. Timexes extracted automatically from text, play a major role in many Information Extraction systems, such as question answering or event recognition. We prepared a broad specification of Polish timexes – PLIMEX. It is based on the state-of-the-art annotation guidelines for English, mainly TIMEX2 and TIMEX3 (a part of TimeML – Markup Language for Temporal and Event Expressions). We have expanded our specification for a description of the local meaning of timexes, based on LTIMEX annotation guidelines for English. Temporal description supports further event identification and extends event description model, focussing on anchoring events in time, events ordering and reasoning about the persistence of events. We prepared the specification, which is designed to address these issues, and we annotated all documents in Polish Corpus of Wroclaw University of Technology (KPWr) using our annotation guidelines. We also adapted our Liner2 machine learning system to recognise Polish timexes and we propose two-phase method to select a subset of features for Conditional Random Fields sequence labelling method. This article presents the whole process of corpus annotation, evaluation of inter-annotator agreement, extending Liner2 system with new features and evaluation of the recognition models before and after feature selection with the analysis of statistical significance of differences. Liner2 with presented models is available as open source software under the GNU General Public License.
Primary phenotypical characterization of the Pirot sheep from Stara Planina, Republic of Serbia: can we save the forgotten zackel?
Authors: Stevanovic O.N. , Stojiljkovic M. , Trailovic R. , Ivanov S. , Nedic D.N.
Published: September 2016

The Pirot sheep is a small Zackel that has been developed in the region of Pirot and the neighbouring municipalities in Serbia. Pirot sheep population has been reduced to only 60 animals in the Republic of Serbia. An overview of qualitative phenotypical and morphometrical characteristics of Pirot sheep from the Stara Planina is presented in this paper. The sheep included in this study belong to the last flock of the breed. The evaluation aims to obtain the phenotypical description of this indigenous breed as a phase of preservation strategy. Therefore, a total of 51 ewes and two rams were measured to obtain the detailed data concerning conformation. The phenotypical characteristics of animals included were also described. Based on the results, the Pirot sheep is a small breed with compact, slightly rectangular body frame (body length 115.40 percent of height at withers). The investigated sheep population was homogeneous, and morphological variations were limited to the data obtained in our research. The differences detected among different age groups were significant and reflected late maturing and slow growth of individuals. The comparison of the data determined by the evaluation of the modern population of Pirot sheep with the description from the older literature did not reveal that many significant changes of the morphological characteristics have occurred during the last 30 years. The small effective population and increasing inbreeding can threaten the efforts to preserve this sheep. The cultural heritage of the local community is also in danger due to the fact that the cornerstones of rural tradition in the area have been production of the three nationally important agricultural brands in Serbia – Pirot kilim (Pirot rug), Pirot/Stara Planina lamb and Pirot/Stara Planina Kachkaval cheese, all of which are depending on the Pirot sheep breeding. Additionally, some problems affecting the preservation of animal genetic resources in Serbia are reviewed with the focus on the Stara Planina. The research indicated that ex situ conservation should also be considered in the case of the Pirot sheep.
Seismological Models Are Biased, But Scientists Have a Solution
Authors: Hall Shannon
Published: September 2016

Many seismic wave models are based on an erroneous assumption about the Earth's interior. A new technique corrects this by eliminating false signals produced by models.
CD8+ T‐cell specificity is compromised at a defined MHCI/CD8 affinity threshold
Authors: Dockree Tamsin , Holland Christopher J , Clement Mathew , Ladell Kristin , McLaren James E , van den Berg Hugo A , Gostick Emma , L Miners Kelly , Llewellyn‐Lacey Sian , Bridgeman John S , Man Stephen , Bailey Mick , Burrows Scott R , Price David A , Wooldridge Linda
Published: September 2016

The CD8 co‐receptor engages peptide‐major histocompatibility complex class I (pMHCI) molecules at a largely invariant site distinct from the T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐binding platform and enhances the sensitivity of antigen‐driven activation to promote effective CD8+ T‐cell immunity. A small increase in the strength of the pMHCI/CD8 interaction (~1.5‐fold) can disproportionately amplify this effect, boosting antigen sensitivity by up to two orders of magnitude. However, recognition specificity is lost altogether with more substantial increases in pMHCI/CD8 affinity (~10‐fold). In this study, we used a panel of MHCI mutants with altered CD8‐binding properties to show that TCR‐mediated antigen specificity is delimited by a pMHCI/CD8 affinity threshold. Our findings suggest that CD8 can be engineered within certain biophysical parameters to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of adoptive T‐cell transfer irrespective of antigen specificity.
14-3-3ζ regulates the mitochondrial respiratory reserve linked to platelet phosphatidylserine exposure and procoagulant function
Authors: Schoenwaelder Simone M. , Darbousset Roxane , Cranmer Susan L. , Ramshaw Hayley S. , Orive Stephanie L. , Sturgeon Sharelle , Yuan Yuping , Yao Yu , Krycer James R. , Woodcock Joanna , Maclean Jessica , Pitson Stuart , Zheng Zhaohua , Henstridge Darren C. , van der Wal Dianne , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Berndt Michael C. , Andrews Robert K. , James David E. , Lopez Angel F. , Jackson Shaun P.
Published: September 2016

The 14-3-3 family of adaptor proteins regulate diverse cellular functions including cell proliferation, metabolism, adhesion and apoptosis. Platelets express numerous 14-3-3 isoforms, including 14-3-3ζ, which has previously been implicated in regulating GPIbα function. Here we show an important role for 14-3-3ζ in regulating arterial thrombosis. Interestingly, this thrombosis defect is not related to alterations in von Willebrand factor (VWF)–GPIb adhesive function or platelet activation, but instead associated with reduced platelet phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and procoagulant function. Decreased PS exposure in 14-3-3ζ-deficient platelets is associated with more sustained levels of metabolic ATP and increased mitochondrial respiratory reserve, independent of alterations in cytosolic calcium flux. Reduced platelet PS exposure in 14-3-3ζ-deficient mice does not increase bleeding risk, but results in decreased thrombin generation and protection from pulmonary embolism, leading to prolonged survival. Our studies define an important role for 14-3-3ζ in regulating platelet bioenergetics, leading to decreased platelet PS exposure and procoagulant function.
Programming temporal shapeshifting
Authors: Hu Xiaobo , Zhou Jing , Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani Mohammad , Daniel William F. M. , Li Qiaoxi , Zhushma Aleksandr P. , Dobrynin Andrey V. , Sheiko Sergei S.
Published: September 2016

Shapeshifting enables a wide range of engineering and biomedical applications, but until now transformations have required external triggers. This prerequisite limits viability in closed or inert systems and puts forward the challenge of developing materials with intrinsically encoded shape evolution. Herein we demonstrate programmable shape-memory materials that perform a sequence of encoded actuations under constant environment conditions without using an external trigger. We employ dual network hydrogels: in the first network, covalent crosslinks are introduced for elastic energy storage, and in the second one, temporary hydrogen-bonds regulate the energy release rate. Through strain-induced and time-dependent reorganization of the reversible hydrogen-bonds, this dual network allows for encoding both the rate and pathway of shape transformations on timescales from seconds to hours. This generic mechanism for programming trigger-free shapeshifting opens new ways to design autonomous actuators, drug-release systems and active implants.
Super-elastic and fatigue resistant carbon material with lamellar multi-arch microstructure
Authors: Gao Huai-Ling , Zhu Yin-Bo , Mao Li-Bo , Wang Feng-Chao , Luo Xi-Sheng , Liu Yang-Yi , Lu Yang , Pan Zhao , Ge Jin , Shen Wei , Zheng Ya-Rong , Xu Liang , Wang Lin-Jun , Xu Wei-Hong , Wu Heng-An , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: September 2016

Low-density compressible materials enable various applications but are often hindered by structure-derived fatigue failure, weak elasticity with slow recovery speed and large energy dissipation. Here we demonstrate a carbon material with microstructure-derived super-elasticity and high fatigue resistance achieved by designing a hierarchical lamellar architecture composed of thousands of microscale arches that serve as elastic units. The obtained monolithic carbon material can rebound a steel ball in spring-like fashion with fast recovery speed (∼580 mm s−1), and demonstrates complete recovery and small energy dissipation (∼0.2) in each compress-release cycle, even under 90% strain. Particularly, the material can maintain structural integrity after more than 106 cycles at 20% strain and 2.5 × 105 cycles at 50% strain. This structural material, although constructed using an intrinsically brittle carbon constituent, is simultaneously super-elastic, highly compressible and fatigue resistant to a degree even greater than that of previously reported compressible foams mainly made from more robust constituents.
Carbene-catalysed reductive coupling of nitrobenzyl bromides and activated ketones or imines via single-electron-transfer process
Authors: Li Bao-Sheng , Wang Yuhuang , Proctor Rupert S. J. , Zhang Yuexia , Webster Richard D. , Yang Song , Song Baoan , Chi Yonggui Robin
Published: September 2016

Benzyl bromides and related molecules are among the most common substrates in organic synthesis. They are typically used as electrophiles in nucleophilic substitution reactions. These molecules can also be activated via single-electron-transfer (SET) process for radical reactions. Representative recent progress includes α-carbon benzylation of ketones and aldehydes via photoredox catalysis. Here we disclose the generation of (nitro)benzyl radicals via N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis under reductive conditions. The radical intermediates generated via NHC catalysis undergo formal 1,2-addition with ketones to eventually afford tertiary alcohol products. The overall process constitutes a formal polarity-inversion of benzyl bromide, allowing a direct coupling of two initially electrophilic carbons. Our study provides a new carbene-catalysed reaction mode that should enable unconventional transformation of (nitro)benzyl bromides under mild organocatalytic conditions.
MicroRNA-155 influences B-cell function through PU.1 in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Alivernini Stefano , Kurowska-Stolarska Mariola , Tolusso Barbara , Benvenuto Roberta , Elmesmari Aziza , Canestri Silvia , Petricca Luca , Mangoni Antonella , Fedele Anna Laura , Di Mario Clara , Gigante Maria Rita , Gremese Elisa , McInnes Iain B. , Ferraccioli Gianfranco
Published: September 2016

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is an important regulator of B cells in mice. B cells have a critical role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we show that miR-155 is highly expressed in peripheral blood B cells from RA patients compared with healthy individuals, particularly in the IgD-CD27- memory B-cell population in ACPA+ RA. MiR-155 is highly expressed in RA B cells from patients with synovial tissue containing ectopic germinal centres compared with diffuse synovial tissue. MiR-155 expression is associated reciprocally with lower expression of PU.1 at B-cell level in the synovial compartment. Stimulation of healthy donor B cells with CD40L, anti-IgM, IL-21, CpG, IFN-α, IL-6 or BAFF induces miR-155 and decreases PU.1 expression. Finally, inhibition of endogenous miR-155 in B cells of RA patients restores PU.1 and reduces production of antibodies. Our data suggest that miR-155 is an important regulator of B-cell activation in RA.
Shortcuts to adiabaticity by counterdiabatic driving for trapped-ion displacement in phase space
Authors: An Shuoming , Lv Dingshun , del Campo Adolfo , Kim Kihwan
Published: September 2016

The application of adiabatic protocols in quantum technologies is severely limited by environmental sources of noise and decoherence. Shortcuts to adiabaticity by counterdiabatic driving constitute a powerful alternative that speed up time-evolution while mimicking adiabatic dynamics. Here we report the experimental implementation of counterdiabatic driving in a continuous variable system, a shortcut to the adiabatic transport of a trapped ion in phase space. The resulting dynamics is equivalent to a ‘fast-motion video’ of the adiabatic trajectory. The robustness of this protocol is shown to surpass that of competing schemes based on classical local controls and Fourier optimization methods. Our results demonstrate that shortcuts to adiabaticity provide a robust speedup of quantum protocols of wide applicability in quantum technologies.
The logarithmic relaxation process and the critical temperature of liquids in nano-confined states
Authors: Chen Changjiu , Wong Kaikin , Mole Richard A. , Yu Dehong , Chathoth Suresh M.
Published: September 2016

The logarithmic relaxation process is the slowest of all relaxation processes and is exhibited by only a few molecular liquids and proteins. Bulk salol, which is a glass-forming liquid, is known to exhibit logarithmic decay of intermediate scattering function for the β-relaxation process. In this article, we report the influence of nanoscale confinements on the logarithmic relaxation process and changes in the microscopic glass-transition temperature of salol in the carbon and silica nanopores. The generalized vibrational density-of-states of the confined salol indicates that the interaction of salol with ordered nanoporous carbon is hydrophilic in nature whereas the interaction with silica surfaces is more hydrophobic. The mode-coupling theory critical temperature derived from the QENS data shows that the dynamic transition occurs at much lower temperature in the carbon pores than in silica pores. The results of this study indicate that, under nano-confinements, liquids that display logarithmic β-relaxation phenomenon undergo a unique glass transition process.
The Evolution of Hyperedge Cardinalities and Bose-Einstein Condensation in Hypernetworks
Authors: Guo Jin-Li , Suo Qi , Shen Ai-Zhong , Forrest Jeffrey
Published: September 2016

To depict the complex relationship among nodes and the evolving process of a complex system, a Bose-Einstein hypernetwork is proposed in this paper. Based on two basic evolutionary mechanisms, growth and preference jumping, the distribution of hyperedge cardinalities is studied. The Poisson process theory is used to describe the arrival process of new node batches. And, by using the Poisson process theory and a continuity technique, the hypernetwork is analyzed and the characteristic equation of hyperedge cardinalities is obtained. Additionally, an analytical expression for the stationary average hyperedge cardinality distribution is derived by employing the characteristic equation, from which Bose-Einstein condensation in the hypernetwork is obtained. The theoretical analyses in this paper agree with the conducted numerical simulations. This is the first study on the hyperedge cardinality in hypernetworks, where Bose-Einstein condensation can be regarded as a special case of hypernetworks. Moreover, a condensation degree is also discussed with which Bose-Einstein condensation can be classified.
Coupling of radiofrequency with magnetic nanoparticles treatment as an alternative physical antibacterial strategy against multiple drug resistant bacteria
Authors: Chaurasia Akhilesh K. , Thorat Nanasaheb D. , Tandon Anshula , Kim Jin-Hahn , Park Sung Ha , Kim Kyeong Kyu
Published: September 2016

Antibiotic resistant bacteria not only affect human health and but also threatens the safety in hospitals and among communities. However, the emergence of drug resistant bacteria is inevitable due to evolutionary selection as a consequence of indiscriminate antibiotic usage. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel strategy by which pathogenic bacteria can be eliminated without triggering resistance. We propose a novel magnetic nanoparticle-based physical treatment against pathogenic bacteria, which blocks biofilm formation and kills bacteria. In this approach, multiple drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 and uropathogenic Escherichia coli CFT073 are trapped to the positively charged magnetic core-shell nanoparticles (MCSNPs) by electrostatic interaction. All the trapped bacteria can be completely killed within 30 min owing to the loss of membrane potential and dysfunction of membrane-associated complexes when exposed to the radiofrequency current. These results indicate that MCSNP-based physical treatment can be an alternative antibacterial strategy without leading to antibiotic resistance, and can be used for many purposes including environmental and therapeutic applications.
Erratum: Bona-fide method for the determination of short range order and transport properties in a ferro-aluminosilicate slag
Authors: Karalis Konstantinos T. , Dellis Dimitrios , Antipas Georgios S. E. , Xenidis Anthimos
Published: September 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 30216; published online: 26 July 2016; updated: 27 September 2016 In this Article, the rows in Table 3 are misaligned. The correct Table 3 appears below
SMAR1 binds to T(C/G) repeat and inhibits tumor progression by regulating miR-371-373 cluster
Authors: Mathai Jinumary , Mittal Smriti P. K. , Alam Aftab , Ranade Payal , Mogare Devraj , Patel Sonal , Saxena Smita , Ghorai Suvankar , Kulkarni Abhijeet P. , Chattopadhyay Samit
Published: September 2016

Chromatin architecture and dynamics are regulated by various histone and non-histone proteins. The matrix attachment region binding proteins (MARBPs) play a central role in chromatin organization and function through numerous regulatory proteins. In the present study, we demonstrate that nuclear matrix protein SMAR1 orchestrates global gene regulation as determined by massively parallel ChIP-sequencing. The study revealed that SMAR1 binds to T(C/G) repeat and targets genes involved in diverse biological pathways. We observe that SMAR1 binds and targets distinctly different genes based on the availability of p53. Our data suggest that SMAR1 binds and regulates one of the imperative microRNA clusters in cancer and metastasis, miR-371-373. It negatively regulates miR-371-373 transcription as confirmed by SMAR1 overexpression and knockdown studies. Further, deletion studies indicate that a ~200 bp region in the miR-371-373 promoter is necessary for SMAR1 binding and transcriptional repression. Recruitment of HDAC1/mSin3A complex by SMAR1, concomitant with alteration of histone marks results in downregulation of the miRNA cluster. The regulation of miR-371-373 by SMAR1 inhibits breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis as determined by in vivo experiments. Overall, our study highlights the binding of SMAR1 to T(C/G) repeat and its role in cancer through miR-371-373.
Expanded graphite embedded with aluminum nanoparticles as superior thermal conductivity anodes for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhao Tingkai , She Shengfei , Ji Xianglin , Guo Xinai , Jin Wenbo , Zhu Ruoxing , Dang Alei , Li Hao , Li Tiehu , Wei Bingqing
Published: September 2016

The development of high capacity and long-life lithium-ion batteries is a long-term pursuing and under a close scrutiny. Most of the researches have been focused on exploring electrode materials and structures with high store capability of lithium ions and at the same time with a good electrical conductivity. Thermal conductivity of an electrode material will also have significant impacts on boosting battery capacity and prolonging battery lifetime, which is, however, underestimated. Here, we present the development of an expanded graphite embedded with Al metal nanoparticles (EG-MNPs-Al) synthesized by an oxidation-expansion process. The synthesized EG-MNPs-Al material exhibited a typical hierarchical structure with embedded Al metal nanoparticles into the interspaces of expanded graphite. The parallel thermal conductivity was up to 11.6 W·m−1·K−1 with a bulk density of 453 kg·m−3 at room temperature, a 150% improvement compared to expanded graphite (4.6 W·m−1·K−1) owing to the existence of Al metal nanoparticles. The first reversible capacity of EG-MNPs-Al as anode material for lithium ion battery was 480 mAh·g−1 at a current density of 100 mA·g−1 and retained 84% capacity after 300 cycles. The improved cycling stability and system security of lithium ion batteries is attributed to the excellent thermal conductivity of the EG-MNPs-Al anodes.
Onset of nonlinearity in a stochastic model for auto-chemotactic advancing epithelia
Authors: Ben Amar Martine , Bianca Carlo
Published: September 2016

We investigate the role of auto-chemotaxis in the growth and motility of an epithelium advancing on a solid substrate. In this process, cells create their own chemoattractant allowing communications among neighbours, thus leading to a signaling pathway. As known, chemotaxis provokes the onset of cellular density gradients and spatial inhomogeneities mostly at the front, a phenomenon able to predict some features revealed in in vitro experiments. A continuous model is proposed where the coupling between the cellular proliferation, the friction on the substrate and chemotaxis is investigated. According to our results, the friction and proliferation stabilize the front whereas auto-chemotaxis is a factor of destabilization. This antagonist role induces a fingering pattern with a selected wavenumber k0. However, in the planar front case, the translational invariance of the experimental set-up gives also a mode at k = 0 and the coupling between these two modes in the nonlinear regime is responsible for the onset of a Hopf-bifurcation. The time-dependent oscillations of patterns observed experimentally can be predicted simply in this continuous non-linear approach. Finally the effects of noise are also investigated below the instability threshold.
Avian influenza A(H7N9) and (H5N1) infections among poultry and swine workers and the general population in Beijing, China, 2013–2015
Authors: Yang Peng , Ma Chunna , Cui Shujuan , Zhang Daitao , Shi Weixian , Pan Yang , Sun Ying , Lu Guilan , Peng Xiaomin , Zhao Jiachen , Liu Yimeng , Wang Quanyi
Published: September 2016

Although several studies have reported seroprevalences of antibody against avian influenza A(H7N9) virus among poultry workers in southern China, results have varied and data in northern China are scarce. To understand risks of H7N9 and H5N1 virus infections in northern China, a serological cohort study was conducted. Poultry workers, swine workers and the general population in Beijing, China, were evaluated through three surveys in November 2013, April 2014 and April 2015. The highest seroprevalence to H7N9 virus among poultry workers was recorded in the April 2014 and April 2015 surveys (0.4%), while that to H5N1 clade 2.3.4 or clade 2.3.2.1 virus was noted in the April 2014 survey (1.6% and 0.2%, respectively). The incidence of H7N9 virus infections among poultry workers (1.6/1000 person-months) was significantly lower than that of H5N1 clade 2.3.4 infections (3.8/1000 person-months) but higher than that of H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 infections (0.3/1000 person-months). Compared with the general population, poultry workers were at higher risk of contracting H7N9 virus (IRR: 34.90; p < 0.001) or H5N1 clade 2.3.4 virus (IRR: 10.58; p < 0.001). Although risks of H7N9 and H5N1 virus infections remain low in Beijing, continued preventive measures are warranted for poultry workers.
Matrix viscoplasticity and its shielding by active mechanics in microtissue models: experiments and mathematical modeling
Authors: Liu Alan S. , Wang Hailong , Copeland Craig R. , Chen Christopher S. , Shenoy Vivek B. , Reich Daniel H.
Published: September 2016

The biomechanical behavior of tissues under mechanical stimulation is critically important to physiological function. We report a combined experimental and modeling study of bioengineered 3D smooth muscle microtissues that reveals a previously unappreciated interaction between active cell mechanics and the viscoplastic properties of the extracellular matrix. The microtissues’ response to stretch/unstretch actuations, as probed by microcantilever force sensors, was dominated by cellular actomyosin dynamics. However, cell lysis revealed a viscoplastic response of the underlying model collagen/fibrin matrix. A model coupling Hill-type actomyosin dynamics with a plastic perfectly viscoplastic description of the matrix quantitatively accounts for the microtissue dynamics, including notably the cells’ shielding of the matrix plasticity. Stretch measurements of single cells confirmed the active cell dynamics and were well described by a single-cell version of our model. These results reveal the need for new focus on matrix plasticity and its interactions with active cell mechanics in describing tissue dynamics.
A systems biology approach to defining regulatory mechanisms for cartilage and tendon cell phenotypes
Authors: Mueller A. J. , Tew S. R. , Vasieva O. , Clegg P. D. , Canty-Laird E. G.
Published: September 2016

Phenotypic plasticity of adult somatic cells has provided emerging avenues for the development of regenerative therapeutics. In musculoskeletal biology the mechanistic regulatory networks of genes governing the phenotypic plasticity of cartilage and tendon cells has not been considered systematically. Additionally, a lack of strategies to effectively reproduce in vitro functional models of cartilage and tendon is retarding progress in this field. De- and redifferentiation represent phenotypic transitions that may contribute to loss of function in ageing musculoskeletal tissues. Applying a systems biology network analysis approach to global gene expression profiles derived from common in vitro culture systems (monolayer and three-dimensional cultures) this study demonstrates common regulatory mechanisms governing de- and redifferentiation transitions in cartilage and tendon cells. Furthermore, evidence of convergence of gene expression profiles during monolayer expansion of cartilage and tendon cells, and the expression of key developmental markers, challenges the physiological relevance of this culture system. The study also suggests that oxidative stress and PI3K signalling pathways are key modulators of in vitro phenotypes for cells of musculoskeletal origin.
Probiotic legacy effects on gut microbial assembly in tilapia larvae
Authors: Giatsis Christos , Sipkema Detmer , Ramiro-Garcia Javier , Bacanu Gianina M. , Abernathy Jason , Verreth Johan , Smidt Hauke , Verdegem Marc
Published: September 2016

The exposure of fish to environmental free-living microbes and its effect on early colonization in the gut have been studied in recent years. However, little is known regarding how the host and environment interact to shape gut communities during early life. Here, we tested whether the early microbial exposure of tilapia larvae affects the gut microbiota at later life stages. The experimental period was divided into three stages: axenic, probiotic and active suspension. Axenic tilapia larvae were reared either under conventional conditions (active suspension systems) or exposed to a single strain probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) added to the water. Microbial characterization by Illumina HiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed the presence of B. subtilis in the gut during the seven days of probiotic application. Although B. subtilis was no longer detected in the guts of fish exposed to the probiotic after day 7, gut microbiota of the exposed tilapia larvae remained significantly different from that of the control treatment. Compared with the control, fish gut microbiota under probiotic treatment was less affected by spatial differences resulting from tank replication, suggesting that the early probiotic contact contributed to the subsequent observation of low inter-individual variation.