bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From sugar to liver fat and public health: systems biology driven studies in understanding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathogenesis
Authors: Moore J. Bernadette
Published: March 2019

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now a major public health concern with an estimated prevalence of 25–30% of adults in many countries. Strongly associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is dependent on complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors that are not completely understood. Weight loss through diet and lifestyle modification underpins clinical management; however, the roles of individual dietary nutrients (e.g. saturated and n-3 fatty acids; fructose, vitamin D, vitamin E) in the pathogenesis or treatment of NAFLD are only partially understood. Systems biology offers valuable interdisciplinary methods that are arguably ideal for application to the studying of chronic diseases such as NAFLD, and the roles of nutrition and diet in their molecular pathogenesis. Although present in silico models are incomplete, computational tools are rapidly evolving and human metabolism can now be simulated at the genome scale. This paper will review NAFLD and its pathogenesis, including the roles of genetics and nutrition in the development and progression of disease. In addition, the paper introduces the concept of systems biology and reviews recent work utilising genome-scale metabolic networks and developing multi-scale models of liver metabolism relevant to NAFLD. A future is envisioned where individual genetic, proteomic and metabolomic information can be integrated computationally with clinical data, yielding mechanistic insight into the pathogenesis of chronic diseases such as NAFLD, and informing personalised nutrition and stratified medicine approaches for improving prognosis.
The advantage of paradigmatic contestation in shaping and selling public policies
Authors: Alons Gerry
Published: March 2019

While contestation between competing policy paradigms is usually considered to hamper the policy-making process, this article develops an argument explaining how paradigmatic contestation can also help policymakers obtain their preferred policies. Based on a typology of three paradigm situations – paradigm dominance, paradigmatic contestation and paradigm mixes – this article introduces three different types of strategies (paradigm stretching, banking on inconsistencies and commensurability framing) and explains why more strategies become available when a policy field moves from a situation of paradigmatic dominance to one of contestation and paradigm mixes. An analysis of the introduction and development of direct income payments in the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy, subsequently illustrates how a shift in paradigm situation affected the European Commission’s discursive strategies and shaped the development of direct payments through consecutive reforms. Reflecting on sectoral and institutional variations, the article also discusses the applicability of these findings to other institutional settings and policy fields.
Post-monsoon waterlogging-associated upsurge of cholera cases in and around Kolkata metropolis, 2015
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Asish K. , Deb Alok K. , Chowdhury Goutam , Debnath Falguni , Samanta Prosenjit , Saha Rudra Narayan , Manna Byomkesh , Bhattacharya Mihir K. , Datta Dharitri , Okamoto Keinosuke , Bhadra Uchhal K. , Dutta Shanta
Published: March 2019

The Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General Hospital, Kolkata, India witnessed a sudden increase in admissions of diarrhoea cases during the first 2 weeks of August 2015 following heavy rainfall. This prompted us to investigate the event. Cases were recruited through hospital-based surveillance along with the collection of socio-demographic characteristics and clinical profile using a structured questionnaire. Stool specimens were tested at bacteriological laboratory of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata. Admission of 3003 diarrhoea cases, clearly indicated occurrence of outbreak in Kolkata municipal area as it was more than two standard deviation of the mean number (911; s.d. = 111) of diarrhoea admissions during the same period in previous 7 years. Out of 164 recruited cases, 25% were under-5 children. Organisms were isolated from 80 (49%) stool specimens. Vibrio cholerae O1 was isolated from 50 patients. Twenty-eight patients had this organism as the sole pathogen. Among 14 infants, five had cholera. All V. cholerae O1 isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid, followed by co-trimoxazole (96%), streptomycin (92%), but sensitive to fluroquinolones. We confirmed the occurrence of a cholera outbreak in Kolkata during August 2015 due to V. cholerae O1 infection, where infants were affected.
Resident Involvement in Tactical Medicine: 12 Years Later
Authors: Petit Nicholas P. , Stopyra Jason P. , Padilla Ricardo A. , Bozeman William P.
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Interest in tactical medicine, the provision of medical support to law enforcement and military special operations teams, continues to grow. The majority of tactical physicians are emergency physicians with additional training and experience in tactical operations. A 2005 survey found that 18% of responding Emergency Medicine (EM) residencies offered their resident physicians structured exposure to tactical medicine at that time.

Methods:

This study sought to assess interval changes in tactical medicine exposure during EM residency and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fellowship training. A secure online survey was distributed electronically to all 212 EM residency programs and 44 EMS fellowship programs in the United States.

Results:

Responses were received from 99 (46%) EM residency and 40 (91%) EMS fellowship programs. Results showed that 52 (53%) of the responding residencies offered physician trainees formal exposure to tactical medicine as part of their training (P < .0001 compared to 18% in 2005). In addition, 32 (72%) of the 40 responding EMS fellowships (newly established since the initial survey) offered this opportunity. Experiences ranged from observation to active participation during tactical training and call-outs. The EM residents and EMS fellows provide support to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. A small number of programs (six residencies and four fellowships) allowed a subset of qualified trainees to be armed during tactical operations.

Conclusion:

Overall, training opportunities in tactical medicine have grown significantly over the last decade from 18% to 53% of responding EM residencies. In addition, 72% of responding EMS fellowships incorporate tactical medicine in their training program.

Petit NP, Stopyra JP, Padilla RA, Bozeman WP. Resident involvement in tactical medicine: 12 years later. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2019;34(2):217–219
Multi-professional IAPT CBT training: clinical competence and patient outcomes
Authors: Liness Sheena , Beale Sarah , Lea Susan , Byrne Suzanne , Hirsch Colette R. , Clark David M.
Published: March 2019

Background:

There is international interest in the training of psychological therapists to deliver evidence-based treatment for common mental health problems. The UK Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, one of the largest training initiatives, relies on competent therapists to successfully deliver cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and promote good patient outcome.

Aims:

To evaluate an IAPT CBT training course by assessing if trainees’ clinical skills improve during training and reach competency standards, and to report patient outcome for submitted training cases. To investigate a possible relationship between trainee competence and patient outcome. To explore professional differences during training.

Method:

CBT trainee (n = 252) competence was assessed via audio recordings of therapy sessions at the beginning, middle and end of training. Patient pre- to post-treatment outcomes were extracted from submitted training cases (n = 1927). Differences in professional background were examined across competence, academic final grade and tutorial support.

Results:

CBT trainees attained competence by the end of the course with 77% (anxiety recordings) and 72% (depression recordings) improving reliably. Training cases reported pre- to post-treatment effect sizes of 1.08–2.26 across disorders. CBT competence predicted a small variance in clinical outcome for depression cases. Differences in professional background emerged, with clinical psychologists demonstrating greater competence and higher academic grades. Trainees without a core professional background required more additional support to achieve competence.

Conclusions:

Part of a new CBT therapist workforce was successfully trained to deliver relatively brief treatment effectively. Trainees without a core profession can be successfully trained to competence, but may need additional support. This has implications for workforce training.
Erleben von Tätigkeitsspielraum
Authors: Schweden Florian , Kästner Therese , Rau Renate
Published: March 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die Bedeutung von Tätigkeitsspielraum in der Arbeit für das Erleben von positiven Beanspruchungsfolgen ist seit Jahren bekannt. Die Mehrheit der Studien basiert dabei jedoch auf der Erfassung des selbst eingeschätzten Tätigkeitsspielraums. In dieser Studie (61 Straßenbahnfahrer_innen; M = 44.74 Jahre, SD = 8.64) wurden die Komponenten des Tätigkeitsspielraums nach Karasek (1979) in Beziehung zu Personen- und Arbeitsmerkmalen gesetzt. Objektive und subjektive Verfahren wurden dafür eingesetzt. Das Erleben von Beeinflussbarkeit ist im geringen Maße von Merkmalen der Person, jedoch entscheidend von objektiven Arbeitsmerkmalen abhängig. Die erlebte Beeinflussbarkeit stellt wahrnehmbare, bedingungsbezogene und gestaltbare Arbeitsmerkmale dar, welche im Sinne des Tätigkeitsspielraums in der Arbeit sind ( DIN EN ISO 6385 ). Die erlebte berufliche Anforderungsvielfalt kann als Anforderung an die Einstellung einer Person, sich Belastungen auf der Arbeit zu stellen, aufgefasst werden. Eine detaillierte subjektive und objektive Erfassung der Komponenten des Tätigkeitsspielraums kann Ansätze für verhältnis- als auch verhaltensorientierte Gestaltungsmaßnahmen der Arbeit bieten.
Which Data to Meta-Analyze, and How?
Authors: Voracek Martin , Kossmeier Michael , Tran Ulrich S.
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Which data to analyze, and how, are fundamental questions of all empirical research. As there are always numerous flexibilities in data-analytic decisions (a “garden of forking paths”), this poses perennial problems to all empirical research. Specification-curve analysis and multiverse analysis have recently been proposed as solutions to these issues. Building on the structural analogies between primary data analysis and meta-analysis, we transform and adapt these approaches to the meta-analytic level, in tandem with combinatorial meta-analysis. We explain the rationale of this idea, suggest descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, as well as graphical displays, provide code for meta-analytic practitioners to generate and use these, and present a fully worked real example from digit ratio (2D:4D) research, totaling 1,592 meta-analytic specifications. Specification-curve and multiverse meta-analysis holds promise to resolve conflicting meta-analyses, contested evidence, controversial empirical literatures, and polarized research, and to mitigate the associated detrimental effects of these phenomena on research progress.
Changes in Extreme Precipitation Over Dry and Wet Regions of China During 1961‐2014
Authors: Han Jingya , Du Haibo , Wu Zhengfang , He Hong S.
Published: March 2019

Changes in extreme precipitation differ among regions (e.g., dry and wet regions), causing different adverse effects on human life, social economy, and natural ecosystems on a warming planet. In this study, we use the 95th percentile‐based threshold to define extreme precipitation. The spatiotemporal changes in extreme precipitation and temperature‐extreme precipitation scaling relationship between dry and wet regions of mainland China during 1961‐2014 are analyzed using two gridded data sets of precipitation and temperature observations. Extreme precipitation increased faster in dry regions (3.9% frequency and 2.8% relative intensity per decade) compared to wet regions (2.5% frequency and 2.1% relative intensity per decade) over the past 54 years. Despite the negative regression relationship between mean precipitation and temperature in wet regions, extreme precipitation has a positive relationship with temperature. The regression coefficient in relative intensity against temperature change is 6% per °C in wet regions. The frequency increases significantly (p < 0.01) faster as temperature increases in wet regions (11.1% per °C) compared with dry regions (6.9% per °C). These results suggest that precipitation extremes increase for both dry and wet regions, and faster trends are observed in dry regions. However, the same magnitude of warming causes more extreme precipitation in wet regions. Therefore, more extreme precipitation in future may raise the risk of flooding in both dry and wet regions, particularly for wet regions, due to the stronger relative intensity and faster increases against warming.
A Modeling Strategy for the Investigation of the Effect of Mesoscale SST Variability on Atmospheric Dynamics
Authors: Jia Yinglai , Chang Ping , Szunyogh Istvan , Saravanan R. , Bacmeister Julio T.
Published: March 2019

An efficient modeling strategy is proposed for the investigation of the effect of the sea surface temperature (SST) mesoscale variability on atmospheric dynamics. Two ensembles of numerical simulations are generated with a high‐resolution atmospheric global circulation model coupled to a slab ocean model. The two ensembles differ only in the treatment of the SST data used for the specification of the SST initial conditions and the estimation of the oceanic heat transport: one of the ensembles is generated by retaining, while the other by filtering, the mesoscale SST variability. The effect of mesoscale SST variability is assessed by comparing the two ensembles. The strategy is illustrated by simulation experiments with the Community Earth System Model, with a focus on the processes of the NH midlatitudes. The results suggest that ocean mesoscale variability has a significant effect on the jet streams, large‐scale flow, and midlatitude storm tracks.
Interleukin-8/CXCR2 signaling regulates therapy-induced plasticity and enhances tumorigenicity in glioblastoma
Authors: Hasan Tanwir , Caragher Seamus P. , Shireman Jack M. , Park Cheol H. , Atashi Fatemeh , Baisiwala Shivani , Lee Gina , Guo Donna , Wang Jennifer Y. , Dey Mahua , Wu Meijing , Lesniak Maciej S. , Horbinski Craig M. , James C. David , Ahmed Atique U.
Published: March 2019

Emerging evidence reveals enrichment of glioma-initiating cells (GICs) following therapeutic intervention. One factor known to contribute to this enrichment is cellular plasticity—the ability of glioma cells to attain multiple phenotypes. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing therapy-induced cellular plasticity, we performed genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and gene expression analysis (gene microarray analysis) during treatment with standard of care temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. Analysis revealed significant enhancement of open-chromatin marks in known astrocytic enhancers for interleukin-8 (IL-8) loci as well as elevated expression during anti-glioma chemotherapy. The Cancer Genome Atlas and Ivy Glioblastoma Atlas Project data demonstrated that IL-8 transcript expression is negatively correlated with GBM patient survival (p = 0.001) and positively correlated with that of genes associated with the GIC phenotypes, such as KLF4, c-Myc, and HIF2α (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis of patient samples demonstrated elevated IL-8 expression in about 60% of recurrent GBM tumors relative to matched primary tumors and this expression also positively correlates with time to recurrence. Exposure to IL-8 significantly enhanced the self-renewing capacity of PDX GBM (average threefold,p < 0.0005), as well as increasing the expression of GIC markers in the CXCR2 population. Furthermore, IL-8 knockdown significantly delayed PDX GBM tumor growth in vivo (p < 0.0005). Finally, guided by in silico analysis of TCGA data, we examined the effect of therapy-induced IL-8 expression on the epigenomic landscape of GBM cells and observed increased trimethylation of H3K9 and H3K27. Our results show that autocrine IL-8 alters cellular plasticity and mediates alterations in histone status. These findings suggest that IL-8 signaling participates in regulating GBM adaptation to therapeutic stress and therefore represents a promising target for combination with conventional chemotherapy in order to limit GBM recurrence.
Bone marrow-derived Ly6C− macrophages promote ischemia-induced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Yang Qian , Wang Yuxi , Pei Guangchang , Deng Xuan , Jiang Hongyang , Wu Jianliang , Zhou Cheng , Guo Yi , Yao Ying , Zeng Rui , Xu Gang
Published: March 2019

Macrophages play an important role in renal injury and repair after acute kidney injury (AKI) and the subsequent chronic kidney disease (CKD) that often results. However, as macrophages have a high degree of plasticity and heterogeneity, the function(s) of macrophage subtypes in AKI-to-CKD progression are not fully understood. Here, we focused on Ly6C− macrophages, which are derived from the embryonic yolk sac and post-development become resident in the kidneys. We found that C–C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) deficiency, which blocks the migration of Ly6C+ macrophages from the bone marrow to the sites of injury, alleviated ischemia-induced AKI in mice. Unexpectedly, though, CCR2 deficiency worsened the subsequent renal fibrosis, which was marked by notable intra-renal infiltration of Ly6C− macrophages. These Ly6C− macrophages were greater in number in both the acute and chronic phases after ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in kidneys of wild type (WT) mice, and we showed them to be derived from the bone marrow by bone marrow chimerism. Clodronate Liposomes (CLs)-mediated depletion of renal Ly6C− macrophages in CCR2−/− mice or in WT mice after I/R alleviated the renal injury and fibrosis. On the contrary, adoptive transfer of Ly6C− macrophages from injured kidneys of WT mice into immune-deficient mice was sufficient to induce renal injury and fibrosis. Transcriptome sequencing of Ly6C− macrophages from injured kidneys revealed that they secreted various cytokines and growth factors, which were associated with the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. This transdifferentiation effect was further supported by in vitro studies showing that Ly6C− macrophages induced the secretion of extracellular matrix proteins from co-cultured fibroblasts. In conclusion, the presence of bone marrow-derived Ly6C− macrophages after ischemia induces AKI and worsens subsequent CKD.
Genomic and transcriptomic changes complement each other in the pathogenesis of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: López Cristina , Kleinheinz Kortine , Aukema Sietse M. , Rohde Marius , Bernhart Stephan H. , Hübschmann Daniel , Wagener Rabea , Toprak Umut H. , Raimondi Francesco , Kreuz Markus , Waszak Sebastian M. , Huang Zhiqin , Sieverling Lina , Paramasivam Nagarajan , Seufert Julian , Sungalee Stephanie , Russell Robert B. , Bausinger Julia , Kretzmer Helene , Ammerpohl Ole , Bergmann Anke K. , Binder Hans , Borkhardt Arndt , Brors Benedikt , Claviez Alexander , Doose Gero , Feuerbach Lars , Haake Andrea , Hansmann Martin-Leo , Hoell Jessica , Hummel Michael , Korbel Jan O. , Lawerenz Chris , Lenze Dido , Radlwimmer Bernhard , Richter Julia , Rosenstiel Philip , Rosenwald Andreas , Schilhabel Markus B. , Stein Harald , Stilgenbauer Stephan , Stadler Peter F. , Szczepanowski Monika , Weniger Marc A. , Zapatka Marc , Eils Roland , Lichter Peter , Loeffler Markus , Möller Peter , Trümper Lorenz , Klapper Wolfram ,   ICGC MMML-Seq Consortium, Wagner Susanne , Richter Gesine , Eils Jürgen , Kerssemakers Jules , Jaeger-Schmidt Christina , Scholz Ingrid , Borst Christoph , Braulke Friederike , Dreyling Martin , Eberth Sonja , Einsele Hermann , Frickhofen Norbert , Haas Siegfried , Karsch Dennis , Klepl Nicole , Kneba Michael , Lisfeld Jasmin , Mantovani-Löffler Luisa , Ott German , Stadler Christina , Staib Peter , Zenz Thorsten , Kube Dieter , Kostezka Ulrike , Binder Vera , Leich Ellen , Nagel Inga , Pischimariov Jordan , Schreiber Stefan , Vater Inga , Hopp Lydia , Langenberger David , Rosolowski Maciej , Hoffmann Steve , Küppers Ralf , Burkhardt Birgit , Schlesner Matthias , Siebert Reiner
Published: March 2019

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is the most common B-cell lymphoma in children. Within the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), we performed whole genome and transcriptome sequencing of 39 sporadic BL. Here, we unravel interaction of structural, mutational, and transcriptional changes, which contribute to MYC oncogene dysregulation together with the pathognomonic IG-MYC translocation. Moreover, by mapping IGH translocation breakpoints, we provide evidence that the precursor of at least a subset of BL is a B-cell poised to express IGHA. We describe the landscape of mutations, structural variants, and mutational processes, and identified a series of driver genes in the pathogenesis of BL, which can be targeted by various mechanisms, including IG-non MYC translocations, germline and somatic mutations, fusion transcripts, and alternative splicing.
Nucleoside analogue activators of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase A of Trypanosoma
Authors: Bachmaier Sabine , Volpato Santos Yuri , Kramer Susanne , Githure George Boniface , Klöckner Thomas , Pepperl Julia , Baums Cordula , Schenk Robin , Schwede Frank , Genieser Hans-Gottfried , Dupuy Jean-William , Forné Ignasi , Imhof Axel , Basquin Jerôme , Lorentzen Esben , Boshart Michael
Published: March 2019

Protein kinase A (PKA), the main effector of cAMP in eukaryotes, is a paradigm for the mechanisms of ligand-dependent and allosteric regulation in signalling. Here we report the orthologous but cAMP-independent PKA of the protozoan Trypanosoma and identify 7-deaza-nucleosides as potent activators (EC50 ≥ 6.5 nM) and high affinity ligands (KD ≥ 8 nM). A co-crystal structure of trypanosome PKA with 7-cyano-7-deazainosine and molecular docking show how substitution of key amino acids in both CNB domains of the regulatory subunit and its unique C-terminal αD helix account for this ligand swap between trypanosome PKA and canonical cAMP-dependent PKAs. We propose nucleoside-related endogenous activators of Trypanosoma brucei PKA (TbPKA). The existence of eukaryotic CNB domains not associated with binding of cyclic nucleotides suggests that orphan CNB domains in other eukaryotes may bind undiscovered signalling molecules. Phosphoproteome analysis validates 7-cyano-7-deazainosine as powerful cell-permeable inducer to explore cAMP-independent PKA signalling in medically important neglected pathogens.
Prospective discovery of small molecule enhancers of an E3 ligase-substrate interaction
Authors: Simonetta Kyle R. , Taygerly Joshua , Boyle Kathleen , Basham Stephen E. , Padovani Chris , Lou Yan , Cummins Thomas J. , Yung Stephanie L. , von Soly Szerenke Kiss , Kayser Frank , Kuriyan John , Rape Michael , Cardozo Mario , Gallop Mark A. , Bence Neil F. , Barsanti Paul A. , Saha Anjanabha
Published: March 2019

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) governing the recognition of substrates by E3 ubiquitin ligases are critical to cellular function. There is significant therapeutic potential in the development of small molecules that modulate these interactions; however, rational design of small molecule enhancers of PPIs remains elusive. Herein, we report the prospective identification and rational design of potent small molecules that enhance the interaction between an oncogenic transcription factor, β-Catenin, and its cognate E3 ligase, SCFβ-TrCP. These enhancers potentiate the ubiquitylation of mutant β-Catenin by β-TrCP in vitro and induce the degradation of an engineered mutant β-Catenin in a cellular system. Distinct from PROTACs, these drug-like small molecules insert into a naturally occurring PPI interface, with contacts optimized for both the substrate and ligase within the same small molecule entity. The prospective discovery of ‘molecular glue’ presented here provides a paradigm for the development of small molecule degraders targeting hard-to-drug proteins.
USP32 regulates late endosomal transport and recycling through deubiquitylation of Rab7
Authors: Sapmaz Aysegul , Berlin Ilana , Bos Erik , Wijdeven Ruud H. , Janssen Hans , Konietzny Rebecca , Akkermans Jimmy J. , Erson-Bensan Ayse E. , Koning Roman I. , Kessler Benedikt M. , Neefjes Jacques , Ovaa Huib
Published: March 2019

The endosomal system is a highly dynamic multifunctional organelle, whose complexity is regulated in part by reversible ubiquitylation. Despite the wide-ranging influence of ubiquitin in endosomal processes, relatively few enzymes utilizing ubiquitin have been described to control endosome integrity and function. Here we reveal the deubiquitylating enzyme (DUB) ubiquitin-specific protease 32 (USP32) as a powerful player in this context. Loss of USP32 inhibits late endosome (LE) transport and recycling of LE cargos, resulting in dispersion and swelling of the late compartment. Using SILAC-based ubiquitome profiling we identify the small GTPase Rab7—the logistical centerpiece of LE biology—as a substrate of USP32. Mechanistic studies reveal that LE transport effector RILP prefers ubiquitylation-deficient Rab7, while retromer-mediated LE recycling benefits from an intact cycle of Rab7 ubiquitylation. Collectively, our observations suggest that reversible ubiquitylation helps switch Rab7 between its various functions, thereby maintaining global spatiotemporal order in the endosomal system.
Multiple plant diversity components drive consumer communities across ecosystems
Authors: Schuldt Andreas , Ebeling Anne , Kunz Matthias , Staab Michael , Guimarães-Steinicke Claudia , Bachmann Dörte , Buchmann Nina , Durka Walter , Fichtner Andreas , Fornoff Felix , Härdtle Werner , Hertzog Lionel R. , Klein Alexandra-Maria , Roscher Christiane , Schaller Jörg , von Oheimb Goddert , Weigelt Alexandra , Weisser Wolfgang , Wirth Christian , Zhang Jiayong , Bruelheide Helge , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: March 2019

Humans modify ecosystems and biodiversity worldwide, with negative consequences for ecosystem functioning. Promoting plant diversity is increasingly suggested as a mitigation strategy. However, our mechanistic understanding of how plant diversity affects the diversity of heterotrophic consumer communities remains limited. Here, we disentangle the relative importance of key components of plant diversity as drivers of herbivore, predator, and parasitoid species richness in experimental forests and grasslands. We find that plant species richness effects on consumer species richness are consistently positive and mediated by elevated structural and functional diversity of the plant communities. The importance of these diversity components differs across trophic levels and ecosystems, cautioning against ignoring the fundamental ecological complexity of biodiversity effects. Importantly, plant diversity effects on higher trophic-level species richness are in many cases mediated by modifications of consumer abundances. In light of recently reported drastic declines in insect abundances, our study identifies important pathways connecting plant diversity and consumer diversity across ecosystems.
Two recipes for repelling hot water
Authors: Mouterde Timothée , Lecointre Pierre , Lehoucq Gaëlle , Checco Antonio , Clanet Christophe , Quéré David
Published: March 2019

Although a hydrophobic microtexture at a solid surface most often reflects rain owing to the presence of entrapped air within the texture, it is much more challenging to repel hot water. As it contacts a colder material, hot water generates condensation within the cavities at the solid surface, which eventually builds bridges between the substrate and the water, and thus destroys repellency. Here we show that both “small” (~100 nm) and “large” (~10 µm) model features do reflect hot drops at any drop temperature and in the whole range of explored impact velocities. Hence, we can define two structural recipes for repelling hot water: drops on nanometric features hardly stick owing to the miniaturization of water bridges, whereas kinetics of condensation in large features is too slow to connect the liquid to the solid at impact.
The anti-cancer drugs curaxins target spatial genome organization
Authors: Kantidze Omar L. , Luzhin Artem V. , Nizovtseva Ekaterina V. , Safina Alfiya , Valieva Maria E. , Golov Arkadiy K. , Velichko Artem K. , Lyubitelev Alexander V. , Feofanov Alexey V. , Gurova Katerina V. , Studitsky Vasily M. , Razin Sergey V.
Published: March 2019

Recently we characterized a class of anti-cancer agents (curaxins) that disturbs DNA/histone interactions within nucleosomes. Here, using a combination of genomic and in vitro approaches, we demonstrate that curaxins strongly affect spatial genome organization and compromise enhancer-promoter communication, which is necessary for the expression of several oncogenes, including MYC. We further show that curaxins selectively inhibit enhancer-regulated transcription of chromatinized templates in cell-free conditions. Genomic studies also suggest that curaxins induce partial depletion of CTCF from its binding sites, which contributes to the observed changes in genome topology. Thus, curaxins can be classified as epigenetic drugs that target the 3D genome organization.
Cancer risk in relation to body fat distribution, evaluated by DXA-scans, in postmenopausal women – the Prospective Epidemiological Risk Factor (PERF) study
Authors: Staunstrup Line Mærsk , Nielsen Henning Bay , Pedersen Bente Klarlund , Karsdal Morten , Blair Joseph Patrick Michele , Christensen Jesper Frank , Bager Cecilie Liv
Published: March 2019

Studies with direct measures of body fat distribution are required to explore the association between central and general obesity to cancer risk in postmenopausal women. This study investigates the association between central obesity and general obesity to overall/site-specific cancer risk in postmenopausal women. The analysis included 4,679 Danish postmenopausal women. Body fat distribution was evaluated by whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanners. Cancer diagnoses were extracted from the Danish Cancer Registry and multivariable Cox regression models explored the association between cancer risk and central obesity after adjusting for BMI. Our results showed that high central obese women had a 50% increased risk of overall cancer relative to low central obese women (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:1.50, CI:1.20–1.88]). For site-specific cancers, central obesity was significantly associated with Respiratory (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:2.01, CI:1.17–3.47]), Gastrointestinal (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:1.55, CI:0.99–2.41]) and Female genital organs (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:1.95, CI:1.00–3.78]) cancer diagnoses. Sub-analyses stratified by smoking-habits found a significant association between central obesity and a cancer diagnosis for current (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:1.93, CI:1.25–2.99]) and former smokers (Q1vs.Q4: [HR:1.90, CI:1.23–2.94]). These analyses suggest that central obesity is associated with some cancers in postmenopausal women independent of BMI.
The formin Drosophila homologue of Diaphanous2 (Diaph2) controls microtubule dynamics in colorectal cancer cells independent of its FH2-domain
Authors: Grueb Saskia S. , Muhs Stefanie , Popp Yannes , Schmitt Sebastian , Geyer Matthias , Lin Yuan-Na , Windhorst Sabine
Published: March 2019

In this study, we analyzed the functional role of the formin Drosophila Homologue of Diaphanous2 (Diaph2) in colorectal cancer cells. We show that stable down-regulation of Diaph2 expression in HT29 cells decreased chromosome alignment and the velocity of chromosome movement during M-phase, thus reducing the proliferation rate and colony formation. In interphase cells, Diaph2 was diffusely distributed in the cytosol, while in metaphase cells the protein was located to spindle microtubules (MTs). Diaph2-depletion increased the concentration of stable spindle MTs, showing that the formin is required to control spindle MT-dynamics. Our cellular data indicate that Diaph2-controls spindle MT-dynamics independent of Cdc42 activity and ourin vitroresults reveal that bacterially produced full-length (FL) Diaph2 strongly altered MT-dynamics in absence of Cdc42, where its actin-nucleating activity is auto-inhibited. FL-Diaph2 mediates a 10-fold increase in MT-polymerization compared to the Diaph2-FH2-domain. Interestingly, a Diaph2-mutant lacking the FH2-domain (ΔFH2) increased MT-polymerization to a similar extent as the FH2-domain, indicating the existence of a second MT-binding domain. However, in contrast to FL-Diaph2 and the FH2-domain, ΔFH2 did not alter the density of taxol-stabilized MTs. Thus, the FH2-domain and the second Diaph2-binding domain appear to control MT-dynamics by different mechanisms. In summary, our data indicate that Diaph2 controls M-phase progression under basal conditions by regulating spindle MT-dynamics. In addition, a region outside of the canonical MT-regulating FH2-domain is involved in Diaph2-mediated control of MT-dynamics.
Effect of sodium silicate on Portland cement/calcium aluminate cement/gypsum rich-water system: strength and microstructure
Authors: Wang Zhiming , Sun Yuning , Zhang Shuo , Wang Yonglong
Published: March 2019

After the addition of sodium silicate, the strength of the RW material is improved and the strength retrogression is inhibited.
Self-assembly of magnetic colloids with shifted dipoles
Authors: Vega-Bellido Gabriel I. , DeLaCruz-Araujo Ronal A. , Kretzschmar Ilona , Córdova-Figueroa Ubaldo M.
Published: March 2019

The effect of dipolar shift on the size, morphology, and aggregation process of clusters is studied.
Light-harvesting, 3rd generation RuII/CoII MOF with a large, tubular channel aperture
Authors: Martins Luana , Macreadie Lauren K. , Sensharma Debobroto , Vaesen Sebastien , Zhang Xia , Gough John J. , O'Doherty Mariah , Zhu Nian-Yong , Rüther Manuel , O'Brien John E. , Bradley A. Louise , Schmitt Wolfgang
Published: March 2019

A photoactive CoII/RuII-based MOF with a channel aperture of ca. 21 Å is reported; its gas sorption behavior is characteristic of mesoporous materials with CO2 sorption selectivity over N2.
A human vision inspired adaptive platform for one-on-multiple recognition
Authors: Zhu Zhiyang , Huang Jianbin , Yan Yun
Published: March 2019

One-on-multiple recognition resembling human vision generation is built through the conjunction of an ICT-bearing amphiphile with different metal ions.
Efficient photocatalytic proton-coupled electron-transfer reduction of O2 using a saddle-distorted porphyrin as a photocatalyst
Authors: Aoki Emi , Suzuki Wataru , Kotani Hiroaki , Ishizuka Tomoya , Sakai Hayato , Hasobe Taku , Kojima Takahiko
Published: March 2019

Photocatalytic O2 reduction reactions proceeded efficiently to produce H2O2 using a diprotonated saddle-distorted dodecaphenylporphyrin as a photocatalyst.
Persian waxing of graphite: towards green large-scale production of graphene
Authors: Aliprandi Alessandro , Eredia Matilde , Anichini Cosimo , Baaziz Walid , Ersen Ovidiu , Ciesielski Artur , Samorì Paolo
Published: March 2019

Large quantities of high-quality graphene has been produced through a green and up-scalable method based on the exfoliation and dispersion of graphene in a sugar-based wax, by mimicking the Scotch tape approach to enable the production of graphene paste with unprecedently high concentration of 30% in weight exhibiting ultrahigh stability.
Correction: A study on the dependence of bacteria adhesion on the polymer nanofibre diameter
Authors: De Cesare Fabrizio , Di Mattia Elena , Zussman Eyal , Macagnano Antonella
Published: March 2019

Correction for ‘A study on the dependence of bacteria adhesion on the polymer nanofibre diameter’ by Fabrizio De Cesare et al., Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2019, 6, 778–797.
Facile fabrication of bimetallic Cu–Ag binary hybrid nanoparticles and their application in catalysis
Authors: Meng Yuxi , Gao Hanyu , Li Shuang , Chai Fang , Chen Lihua
Published: March 2019

Herein, high efficiency and recyclable Cu–Ag hybrid catalyst (Trp–Cu–Ag) NPs were prepared by the hydrothermal method using l-tryptophan as a reducing agent and protecting reagent.
Intracellular dynamics of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging
Authors: Teeman Eric , Shasha Carolyn , Evans James E. , Krishnan Kannan M.
Published: March 2019

An examination of the effects of intracellular environmental conditions on the dynamic magnetic response of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
Au-Catalyzed tandem intermolecular hydroalkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement between allylic alcohols and chloroalkynes
Authors: Liu Congrong , Xu Jin , Ding Lianghui , Zhang Haiyun , Xue Yunbo , Yang Fulai
Published: March 2019

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of γ,δ-unsaturated α-chloroketones has been developed via Au-catalyzed tandem intermolecular hydroalkoxylation/Claisen rearrangement.
Self-assembly of nanoencapsulated undecanoic acid on cotton fiber for thermoregulating textiles
Authors: Chen Chunming , Chen Zhonghua , Zeng Xingrong , Yu Fei
Published: March 2019

We herein report the preparation of phase change nanocapsules with undecanoic acid (UA) as the core and a styrene–butyl acrylate copolymer as the shell by miniemulsion polymerization using interfacial redox initiation.
Acoustic and Perceptual Consequences of Speech Cues for Mandarin Speakers With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hsu Sih-Chiao , McAuliffe Megan J. , Lin Peiyi , Wu Ruey-Meei , Levy Erika S.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This study investigated the effects of cueing for increased loudness and reduced speech rate on scaled intelligibility and acoustics of speech produced by Mandarin speakers with hypokinetic dysarthria due to Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method

Eleven speakers with PD read passages in habitual, loud, and slow speaking conditions. Fifteen listeners rated ease of understanding (EOU) of the speech samples on a visual analog scale. Effects of the cues on EOU, vocal loudness, pitch range, pause duration and frequency, articulation rate, and vowel space, as well as relationships between EOU gains and acoustic features, were analyzed.

Results

EOU increased significantly in the loud condition only. The loud cue resulted in increased intensity, and the slow cue resulted both in reduced articulation rate and increased pause frequency. In the loud condition, EOU increased significantly as intensity increased and vowel centralization decreased. In the slow condition, EOU tended to increase as intensity increased and vowel centralization decreased but did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Cueing for loud speech may yield greater EOU gains than cueing for slow speech in Mandarin speakers with PD. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed, although further investigations with more participants and a larger range of dysarthria severity are warranted.
The Impact of a Novel Gaming Reinforcement System on Oral Intake Outcomes in Pediatric Feeding Therapy: A Single Case Study
Authors: Budhan Jamie , Scarborough Donna , Kuren Michael Bailey-Van
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to implement a novel reinforcement strategy into traditional dysphagia therapy with a school-age child diagnosed with a rare genetic syndrome, anxiety, and a hypersensitive gag reflex response. This clinical focus article evaluated the impact of a computer-based straw-drinking game on total liquid volume intake and the relationship between motivation and its role in feeding therapy.

Method

A longitudinal pilot study was used and required the development and implementation of a computer-based straw-drinking game as a novel reinforcement strategy. The gaming system was implemented to supplement ongoing dysphagia treatment in a single-subject case study design utilizing a client with pediatric dysphagia.

Results

The participant exhibited a trend of increased endurance during therapy sessions, allowing for increased volume per sip, increased trials per session, and decreased time between sequential trials. Average daily volume of oral intake remained less than 30 ml.

Conclusions

The gaming system maximized opportunities for orosensory desensitization of tactile input, resulting in increased comfort and endurance during therapy sessions, leading to more opportunities to practice the swallow. A novelty effect was observed as motivation and interest in the gaming system appeared greatest at the onset of the study. Generalized fatigue and anxiety continue to serve as barriers to more significant progress.
Study on lightning risk assessment and early warning for UHV DC transmission channel
Authors: Gu Shanqiang , Wang Jian , Wu Min , Guo Juntian , Zhao Chun , Li Jian
Published: March 2019

Operation data show lightning faults account for >70% for the main ultra‐high voltage (UHV) DC transmission channels, very different from the design view. In order to accurately master the lightning characteristics and the lightning protection performance of the line so as to propose solutions to weak points, this study firstly obtains and analyses the density and strength distributions of lightning risk source. Then the study proposes a set of risk assessment process where the key model electrogeometric model is improved according to the polarity effect of DC line. Then the work realises the calculation of the lightning shielding failure risk of single tower and whole line. The example shows the assessment result is consistent to the line's actual operation. Next, to further evaluate and predict the lightning risk in real time, the study adopts the backpropagation neural network algorithm to integrate the lightning detection data, atmospheric electric fields, and radar echoes to develop the early warning model of lightning risk source, and proposed a method to realise the early warning of lightning damage risk for UHV DC channels. The results show that the effective warning ratio is 73% and the failure‐to‐warn ratio is 27% which indicates very good application effects.
Performance comparison of two novel relay‐assisted hybrid FSO/RF communication systems
Authors: Amirabadi Mohammad Ali , Vakili Vahid Tabataba
Published: March 2019

In this study, two novel multi‐hop relay‐assisted hybrid FSO/RF communication systems are presented and compared. In these structures, RF and FSO links, at each hop, are parallel and send data simultaneously. This is the first time that in a multi‐hop hybrid FSO/RF structure, detect and forward protocol is used. In the first structure, at each hop, received signals with a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio are selected. However, in the second structure, at each hop, received FSO and RF signals are separately detected and forwarded and selection is done only at the last hop. Considering FSO link in negative exponential atmospheric turbulence and RF link in Rayleigh fading, for the first time, closed‐form expressions are derived for outage probability () and bit error rate of the proposed structures. MATLAB simulations are provided to verify derived expressions. Results indicate that the structure with the selection at each hop has better performance than the structure with a selection at the last hop.
On lifetime evaluation of medium‐voltage drives based on modular multilevel converter
Authors: Júnior Paulo R.M. , Cupertino Allan F. , Mendonça Gabriel A. , Pereira Heverton A.
Published: March 2019

Reliability is an important issue related to the modular multilevel converter (MMC)‐based medium voltage (MV) drives. The design for reliability (DFR) approach has been discussed in many power electronic systems in recent years. MMC‐based MV drives power losses and thermal cycling are strongly affected by start‐up and low‐speed operation, since zero‐sequence current injection must be applied. In order to implement fast thermal simulations, the traditional DFR approach does not consider the heat sink thermal capacitance, which can significantly affect the MMC lifetime prediction. This article discusses how the heat sink realisations (material, thickness) affect the MMC‐predicted lifetime and evaluates how the drive start‐up time affects the damage in the power converter. The case study is based on a 1.4 MW slurry pump system driven by a three‐phase induction motor. The lifetime evaluation of the MMC is realised through the Monte–Carlo simulation. The results show that the traditional approach results in an underestimation of up to 42.5% of the converter lifetime. In addition, long start‐up times lead to a longer lifetime when compared to the shorter start‐up times, due to the reduced thermal stresses in the semiconductors.
Voltage control of PV inverter connected to unbalanced distribution system
Authors: Mishra Priyanka , Pradhan Ashok Kumar , Bajpai Prabodh
Published: March 2019

Distribution system possesses high resistance to reactance ratio and unbalanced load profile. Introduction of power electronic devices such as solar photovoltaic (PV) inverter in the distribution system leads to power imbalance and unregulated voltage profile at the point of common coupling (PCC) because these devices having low‐voltage ride through feature remain connected to grid during fault and inject balanced current to unbalanced fault. Also, high PV integration may increase the voltage at PCC beyond its desired limit. To overcome such unbalanced conditions and to maintain voltage at PCC, a positive, negative and zero sequence‐based current controller with reactive power compensation is proposed in this work. The sequence controller controls the sequence currents to their reference command. DC‐link voltage regulator, reactive power compensator and PCC voltage regulator decide the references for sequence currents. The proposed reactive power compensator uses both positive sequence voltage at PCC and reactive power supplied by the filter capacitor to generate the reactive power reference value. Feedforward and feedback actions are involved in the controller to produce switching pulses for inverter. The proposed method is tested in OPAL‐RT for real‐time validation using IEEE 13 bus distribution system model and found to be accurate.
Cost‐effective template development for the microfluidic device
Authors: Choudhury Sambita , Dutta Sambit , Chatterjee Sulagna
Published: March 2019

Photolithography, typically used to create microchannel networks on silicon to fabricate the template for microfluid devices, has the drawback of requiring sophisticated instruments, available only in few premier fabrication units. Template fabrication thus was a privilege of few researchers. Through the years, researchers economised the process of device development using a three‐dimensional (3D) printer which directly projected non‐planar structures on to a photo‐curable resin. Devices thus built lacked the versatility of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The novelty of this work is to use the 3D printing resin for template fabrication and subsequent device development with PDMS. In this way, cost reduction and ease of template generation are substantially enhanced while retaining the advantages of a PDMS device. Unlike directly printed devices that are formed from ultraviolet curable photopolymer, this method fabricates the master with cured photopolymer used in 3D printing. The master pattern is transferred to PDMS for subsequent processing to construct the device. Compared to devices built on silicon templates, PDMS on polymer templates necessitate careful curing at a lower temperature. Low‐temperature PDMS–substrate bonding has also been studied in this work. Fabricated device has channel dimensions in the order of 200–300 μm and has been used to study various oil–water emulsions.