bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-resolved studies of low-temperature, EUV-induced plasmas: EUV emission in selected spectral ranges
Authors: Bartnik A. , Fiedorowicz H. , Wachulak P. , Fok T.
Published: November 2019

Interaction of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pulses of high intensity with gases results in the creation of non-thermalized plasmas. Energies of the driving photons and photoelectrons are sufficient for creation of excited states, followed by emission of the EUV photons. In most cases, decay times of these states are short comparing to the driving EUV pulse. It means that just after stopping of the driving pulse, the EUV emission corresponding to the excited states should also stop. From our earlier measurements in the optical range, however, it can be concluded that lifetimes of such plasmas exceed a time duration of the driving pulse even two orders of magnitude. Hence, it can be expected that the time duration of the EUV emission can be also significantly longer than the irradiation time. In this work, EUV-induced, low-temperature helium (He), krypton, and xenon plasmas were investigated. EUV emission from these plasmas was studied, using a specially prepared detection system, allowing for time-resolved measurements, in selected spectral ranges. The detection system was based on a paraboloidal collector and a semiconductor photodiode, sensitive for the EUV photons. For spectral selection, the corresponding filters or multilayer mirrors were employed. In most cases, the time duration of the EUV emission was significantly longer than the driving EUV pulse. In case of He plasmas, the emission corresponding to excited atoms was detected even hundreds of nanoseconds after the irradiation. It was also shown that the corresponding time profiles depended on densities of gases to be ionized.
“Nothing About Us, without Us.” How Community-Based Participatory Research Methods Were Adapted in an Indigenous End-of-Life Study Using Previously Collected Data
Authors: Funnell Sarah , Tanuseputro Peter , Letendre Angeline , Bearskin Lisa Bourque , Walker Jennifer
Published: November 2019

La recherche en santé autochtone au Canada a été négligée dans le passé et qualifiée de problématique, notamment en raison du manque de collaboration avec les peuples autochtones. L’Énoncé de politique des trois Conseils sur l’éthique de la recherche avec des êtres humains décrit au chapitre 9 la conduite éthique de la recherche axée sur les Premières nations, les Inuits et les Métis. Les principes PCAP® des Premières nations (propriété, contrôle, accès et possession) soulignent l’importance majeure de l’engagement et de la gouvernance autochtones. En vue d’assurer que les buts et les activités de la recherche développée soient réalisés en partenariat complet et significatif avec les peuples et les communautés autochtones, il est possible de faire appel à des méthodes de recherche participative communautaire (RPC) intégrant leur plein engagement. Les recherches utilisant des ensembles de données secondaires, telles que les données administratives sur la santé recueillies en routine, ne devraient plus être exclues de cette approche. Notre objectif était de décrire comment notre équipe de chercheurs universitaires, alliée à un organisme national de santé autochtone, a adapté les méthodes de RPC dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche utilisant des données recueillies antérieurement pour examiner les lacunes dans la prestation de soins de fin de vie aux peuples autochtones en Ontario. Nous décrivons le processus d’élaboration de ce partenariat de recherche et expliquons comment l’intégration des principes de base et des processus de formation du savoir autochtones ont guidé cette collaboration. Notre partenariat de recherche, qui implique l’adaptation de méthodes de RPC, illustre un processus d’engagement qui pourrait guider d’autres chercheurs désirant mener des recherches en santé autochtone à l’aide de données déjà recueillies. Nous faisons aussi état d’une entente de recherche transparente, négociée équitablement entre un organisme national de santé autochtone et des chercheurs, qui pourrait servir de cadre pour des collaborations de recherche similaires. Il est essentiel de s’assurer que les perspectives autochtones soient au cœur des processus de recherche et qu’elles soient reflétées dans ceux-ci lorsque des données administratives sur la santé sont utilisées.
Empires, Visible and Invisible
Authors: Engerman David C.
Published: November 2019

Over the last decade or so, intellectual historians in and beyond the US field have deepened their engagement with the historical profession's “transnational turn.” This welcome development should hardly be a surprise; after all the turn, which began for Americanists in the late 1990s, owed a good part of its erudition and its energy to some of the most distinguished intellectual historians of that time. Thomas Bender convened four conferences at NYU's La Pietra villa—itself part of some intellectual-history footnotes in the early twentieth century—and also made major scholarly and organizational contributions to the field. Two of the most frequently cited works that made the case for the “internationalization of US history”—avant la lettre—were by similarly preeminent intellectual historians Daniel Rodgers and James Kloppenberg. Other scholars, like David Hollinger, encouraged such work in their students before undertaking a more robustly transnational approach themselves. A wealth of scholarship in recent years has not just continued this tradition but expanded it, with intellectual historians individually and collectively pursuing their subjects across geographic borders as well as methodological boundaries. Two recent edited collections showcase work by scholars (mostly mid-career or younger) and contemplate the possibilities and the limits of different scales and methods of investigating the past in its broadest contexts.
Interference of Annual Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus) in Wheat
Authors: Manalil Sudheesh , Haider Ali Hafiz , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh
Published: November 2019

Annual sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) is a broadleaf weed that is increasing in prevalence in the northern cropping regions of Australia. Being a member of Asteraceae family, this weed possesses many biological attributes needed to thrive in varying environments and weed management pressure. Interference of this weed was examined in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop through field studies in 2016 and 2017. Different densities of S. oleraceus were evaluated for their potential to cause yield loss in wheat: 0.0 (weed free), low (9 to 15 plants m−2), medium (29 to 38 plants m−2), and high (62 to 63 plants m−2). Based on the exponential decay model, 43 and 52 plants m−2 caused a yield reduction of 50% in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Yield components such as panicles m−2 and grains per panicles were affected by weed density. At the high weed infestation level, S. oleraceus produced a maximum of 182,940 and 192,657 seeds m−2 in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Sonchus oleraceus exhibited poor seed retention at harvest as more than 95% of seeds were blown away by wind. Adverse effects on crop, high seed production and wind-blown dispersal may lead to an increased prevalence of this weed in the absence of an integrated weed management strategy utilizing both herbicides and non-chemical options.
Eine Lebensphase, keine Krankheit
Authors: Salzwedel Pieri Anja , Grieser Manuela
Published: November 2019

Zusammenfassung. Bei der pflegerischen Begleitung von Frauen über 50 trifft man häufig Symptome der Menopause an und muss zwischen diesen und den Symptomen einer Depression differenzieren können, um diese Frauen kompetent zu begleiten. Durch die Pflegeausbildung wird eine Fachperson kaum auf diese spezifische Lebensphase einer Frau vorbereitet. Im folgenden Artikel sollen einige Handlungsempfehlungen abgegeben werden, die anhand einer Literaturarbeit zu diesem Thema erarbeitet wurden.
A Correction Method of Environmental Meteorological Model Based on Long‐Short‐Term Memory Neural Network
Authors: Dai Yuliang , Lu Zhenyu , Zhang Hengde , Zhan Tianming , Lu Jia , Wang Peng
Published: November 2019

Correction method can reduce the high deviation between the prediction results of numerical model and the observation results and improve the prediction accuracy. Based on the numerical models, including Rapid Refresh Multi‐scale Analysis and Prediction System‐CHEM and CMA Unified Atmospheric Chemistry Environment, and combined with European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts meteorological field model data, a correction method of environmental meteorological model based on Long‐Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) neural network is proposed in this paper. The method mainly includes the following steps: First, the meteorological factors that have the main influence on the PM2.5 concentration are selected by the correlation coefficient method; at the same time, the forecast results of numerical models are used as additional factors, and these factors are taken as the initial characteristics of the LSTM. Then, the network parameters of the LSTM are trained by initial characteristics and corresponding observation data, and the mapping relationship between the input factors and the output PM2.5 concentration is established. Finally, European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts data of March 2018 are selected to test the prediction performance of LSTM correction method. Results show that compared with single environment meteorological model, the correlation coefficient, the root mean square error, and the mean absolute error between forecasted and observed PM2.5 concentration in 3–72 hr increased from 0.35–0.7 to 0.55–0.75, decreased from 45.3–67.46 to 37.74–53.7 μg/m3, and decreased by 7.86–16.52%, respectively. It indicates that the forecast performance of LSTM correction model is better than single environment meteorological model.
Postmagmatic Tectonic Evolution of the Outer Izu‐Bonin Forearc Revealed by Sediment Basin Structure and Vein Microstructure Analysis: Implications for a 15 Ma Hiatus Between Pacific Plate Subduction Initiation and Forearc Extension
Authors: Kurz W. , Micheuz P. , Christeson G. L. , Reagan M. , Shervais J. W. , Kutterolf S. , Robertson A. , Krenn K. , Michibayashi K. , Quandt D.
Published: November 2019

International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 352 recovered sedimentary‐volcaniclastic successions and extensional structures (faults and extensional veins) that allow the reconstruction of the Izu‐Bonin forearc tectonic evolution using a combination of shipboard core data, seismic reflection images, and calcite vein microstructure analysis. The oldest recorded biostratigraphic ages within fault‐bounded sedimentary basins (Late Eocene to Early Oligocene) imply a ~15 Ma hiatus between the formation of the igneous basement (52 to 50 Ma) and the onset of sedimentation. At the upslope sites (U1439 and U1442) extension led to the formation of asymmetric basins reflecting regional stretch of ~16–19% at strain rates of ~1.58 × 10−16 to 4.62 × 10−16 s−1. Downslope Site U1440 (closer to the trench) is characterized by a symmetric graben bounded by conjugate normal faults reflecting regional stretch of ~55% at strain rates of 4.40 × 10−16 to 1.43 × 10−15 s−1. Mean differential stresses are in the range of ~70–90 MPa. We infer that upper plate extension was triggered by incipient Pacific Plate rollback ~15 Ma after subduction initiation. Extension was accommodated by normal faulting with syntectonic sedimentation during Late Eocene to Early Oligocene times. Backarc extension was assisted by magmatism with related Shikoku and Parece‐Vela Basin spreading at ~25 Ma, so that parts of the arc and rear arc, and the West Philippine backarc Basin were dismembered from the forearc. This was followed by slow‐rift to postrift sedimentation during the transition from forearc to arc rifting to spreading within the Shikoku‐Parece‐Vela Basin system.
Polyphase Mid‐Latitude Glaciation on Mars: Chronology of the Formation of Superposed Glacier‐Like Forms from Crater‐Count Dating
Authors: Hepburn A. J. , Ng F. S. L. , Livingstone S. J. , Holt T. O. , Hubbard B.
Published: November 2019

Reconstructing Mars's glacial history informs understanding of its physical environment and past climate. The known distribution of viscous flow features (VFFs) containing water ice suggests that its mid‐latitudes were glaciated during the Late Amazonian period (the last several hundred million years). The identification of a subgroup of VFFs—called superposed glacier like forms (SGLFs)—flowing onto other VFFs, indicates multiple glacial phases may have occurred during this time. To explore the history and spatial extent of these glaciations, we record the distribution of SGLFs globally and use impact‐crater counting to date the SGLFs and the VFFs onto which they flow. Our inventory expands the handful of SGLFs reported in earlier literature to include 320 located throughout the mid‐latitudes. Our dating reveals these SGLFs to be much younger than their underlying VFFs, which implies a spatially‐asynchronous glaciation. SGLFs have been forming since ∼65 Ma, and their ages are clustered in two distinct groups around 2–20 and 45–65 Ma, whereas the ages of their underlying VFFs span the last ∼300 Ma diffusely. We discuss these results in the light of well‐known uncertainties with the crater‐dating method and infer that while ice sheets decayed over the Late Amazonian period, alpine glaciers waxed and waned in at least two major cycles before their final demise approximately two million years ago.
Advances in Modeling Interactions Between Sea Ice and Ocean Surface Waves
Authors: Roach Lettie A. , Bitz Cecilia M. , Horvat Christopher , Dean Samuel M.
Published: November 2019

Recent field programs have highlighted the importance of the composite nature of the sea ice mosaic to the climate system. Accordingly, we previously developed a process‐based prognostic model that captures key characteristics of the sea ice floe size distribution and its evolution subject to melting, freezing, new ice formation, welding, and fracture by ocean surface waves. Here we build upon this earlier work, demonstrating a new coupling between the sea ice model and ocean surface waves and a new physically based parameterization for new ice formation in open water. The experiments presented here are the first to include two‐way interactions between prognostically evolving waves and sea ice on a global domain. The simulated area‐average floe perimeter has a similar magnitude to existing observations in the Arctic and exhibits plausible spatial variability. During the melt season, wave fracture is the dominant FSD process driving changes in floe perimeter per unit sea ice area—the quantity that determines the concentration change due to lateral melt—highlighting the importance of wave‐ice interactions for marginal ice zone thermodynamics. We additionally interpret the results to target spatial scales and processes for which floe size observations can most effectively improve model fidelity.
VGLL4 interacts with STAT3 to function as a tumor suppressor in triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Song Hongming , Luo Qifeng , Deng Xiaochong , Ji Changle , Li Dengfeng , Munankarmy Amik , Jian Wei , Zhao Junyong , Fang Lin
Published: November 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, and there are no effective molecular-targeted drugs for TNBC patients in clinical practice. The JAK-STAT pathway is implicated in tumorigenesis and the progression of various cancers. In this study, the results demonstrated that VGLL4 is expressed at low levels in both TNBC specimens and cell lines and that VGLL4 expression is negatively correlated with Ki67 expression and tumor size in TNBC patients. VGLL4 knockdown can promote the growth of TNBC cells, while VGLL4 overexpression significantly suppresses the growth of TNBC cells in vitro. More importantly, VGLL4 significantly inhibits tumor progression in a nude mouse model. In addition, VGLL4 is a direct target of miR-454, and the upregulation of miR-454 decreases VGLL4 expression and promotes the cell growth of TNBC cells. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that VGLL4 interacts with STAT3, the core component of the JAK-STAT pathway, leading to the inactivation of STAT3 and the inhibition of STAT3 downstream transcription. Collectively, these findings indicate that VGLL4 expression is negatively associated with poor prognosis in TNBC patients. High expression of miR-454 may be one of the causes of the downregulation of VGLL4 in TNBC, and VGLL4 acts as a tumor suppressor in TNBC by interacting with STAT3 and subsequently suppresses the STAT3 signaling axis, providing potential biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for this fatal disease.
Author Correction: The FANCM-BLM-TOP3A-RMI complex suppresses alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT)
Authors: Lu Robert , O’Rourke Julienne J. , Sobinoff Alexander P. , Allen Joshua A. M. , Nelson Christopher B. , Tomlinson Christopher G. , Lee Michael , Reddel Roger R. , Deans Andrew J. , Pickett Hilda A.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
The landscape of multiscale transcriptomic networks and key regulators in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Yuanxi , Wang Minghui , Song Won-Min , Shen Qi , McKenzie Andrew , Choi Insup , Zhou Xianxiao , Pan Ping-Yue , Yue Zhenyu , Zhang Bin
Published: November 2019

Genetic and genomic studies have advanced our knowledge of inherited Parkinson’s disease (PD), however, the etiology and pathophysiology of idiopathic PD remain unclear. Herein, we perform a meta-analysis of 8 PD postmortem brain transcriptome studies by employing a multiscale network biology approach to delineate the gene-gene regulatory structures in the substantia nigra and determine key regulators of the PD transcriptomic networks. We identify STMN2, which encodes a stathmin family protein and is down-regulated in PD brains, as a key regulator functionally connected to known PD risk genes. Our network analysis predicts a function of human STMN2 in synaptic trafficking, which is validated in Stmn2-knockdown mouse dopaminergic neurons. Stmn2 reduction in the mouse midbrain causes dopaminergic neuron degeneration, phosphorylated α-synuclein elevation, and locomotor deficits. Our integrative analysis not only begins to elucidate the global landscape of PD transcriptomic networks but also pinpoints potential key regulators of PD pathogenic pathways.
An umpolung strategy to react catalytic enols with nucleophiles
Authors: Sanz-Marco Amparo , Martinez-Erro Samuel , Pauze Martin , Gómez-Bengoa Enrique , Martín-Matute Belén
Published: November 2019

The selective synthesis of α-functionalized ketones with two similar enolizable positions can be accomplished using allylic alcohols and iridium(III) catalysts. A formal 1,3-hydrogen shift on allylic alcohols generates catalytic iridium-enolates in a stereospecific manner, which are able to react with electrophiles to yield α-functionalized ketones as single constitutional isomers. However, the employment of nucleophiles to react with the nucleophilic catalytic enolates in this chemistry is still unknown. Herein, we report an umpolung strategy for the selective synthesis of α-alkoxy carbonyl compounds by the reaction of iridium enolates and alcohols promoted by an iodine(III) reagent. Moreover, the protocol also works in an intramolecular fashion to synthesize 3(2H)-furanones from γ-keto allylic alcohols. Experimental and computational investigations have been carried out, and mechanisms are proposed for both the inter- and intramolecular reactions, explaining the key role of the iodine(III) reagent in this umpolung approach.
Reorientation behavior in the helical motility of light-responsive spiral droplets
Authors: Lancia Federico , Yamamoto Takaki , Ryabchun Alexander , Yamaguchi Tadatsugu , Sano Masaki , Katsonis Nathalie
Published: November 2019

The physico-chemical processes supporting life’s purposeful movement remain essentially unknown. Self-propelling chiral droplets offer a minimalistic model of swimming cells and, in surfactant-rich water, droplets of chiral nematic liquid crystals follow the threads of a screw. We demonstrate that the geometry of their trajectory is determined by both the number of turns in, and the handedness of, their spiral organization. Using molecular motors as photo-invertible chiral dopants allows converting between right-handed and left-handed trajectories dynamically, and droplets subjected to such an inversion reorient in a direction that is also encoded by the number of spiral turns. This motile behavior stems from dynamic transmission of chirality, from the artificial molecular motors to the liquid crystal in confinement and eventually to the helical trajectory, in analogy with the chirality-operated motion and reorientation of swimming cells and unicellular organisms.
Ranking of non-coding pathogenic variants and putative essential regions of the human genome
Authors: Wells Alex , Heckerman David , Torkamani Ali , Yin Li , Sebat Jonathan , Ren Bing , Telenti Amalio , di Iulio Julia
Published: November 2019

A gene is considered essential if loss of function results in loss of viability, fitness or in disease. This concept is well established for coding genes; however, non-coding regions are thought less likely to be determinants of critical functions. Here we train a machine learning model using functional, mutational and structural features, including new genome essentiality metrics, 3D genome organization and enhancer reporter data to identify deleterious variants in non-coding regions. We assess the model for functional correlates by using data from tiling-deletion-based and CRISPR interference screens of activity of cis-regulatory elements in over 3 Mb of genome sequence. Finally, we explore two user cases that involve indels and the disruption of enhancers associated with a developmental disease. We rank variants in the non-coding genome according to their predicted deleteriousness. The model prioritizes non-coding regions associated with regulation of important genes and with cell viability, an in vitro surrogate of essentiality.
AMPA receptors in the synapse turnover by monomer diffusion
Authors: Morise Jyoji , Suzuki Kenichi G. N. , Kitagawa Ayaka , Wakazono Yoshihiko , Takamiya Kogo , Tsunoyama Taka A. , Nemoto Yuri L. , Takematsu Hiromu , Kusumi Akihiro , Oka Shogo
Published: November 2019

The number and subunit compositions of AMPA receptors (AMPARs), hetero- or homotetramers composed of four subunits GluA1–4, in the synapse is carefully tuned to sustain basic synaptic activity. This enables stimulation-induced synaptic plasticity, which is central to learning and memory. The AMPAR tetramers have been widely believed to be stable from their formation in the endoplasmic reticulum until their proteolytic decomposition. However, by observing GluA1 and GluA2 at the level of single molecules, we find that the homo- and heterotetramers are metastable, instantaneously falling apart into monomers, dimers, or trimers (in 100 and 200 ms, respectively), which readily form tetramers again. In the dendritic plasma membrane, GluA1 and GluA2 monomers and dimers are far more mobile than tetramers and enter and exit from the synaptic regions. We conclude that AMPAR turnover by lateral diffusion, essential for sustaining synaptic function, is largely done by monomers of AMPAR subunits, rather than preformed tetramers.
In vivo clonal expansion and phenotypes of hypocretin-specific CD4+ T cells in narcolepsy patients and controls
Authors: Jiang Wei , Birtley James R. , Hung Shu-Chen , Wang Weiqi , Chiou Shin-Heng , Macaubas Claudia , Kornum Birgitte , Tian Lu , Huang Huang , Adler Lital , Weaver Grant , Lu Liying , Ilstad-Minnihan Alexandra , Somasundaram Sriram , Ayyangar Sashi , Davis Mark M. , Stern Lawrence J. , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: November 2019

Individuals with narcolepsy suffer from abnormal sleep patterns due to loss of neurons that uniquely supply hypocretin (HCRT). Previous studies found associations of narcolepsy with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ6 allele and T-cell receptor α (TRA) J24 gene segment and also suggested that in vitro-stimulated T cells can target HCRT. Here, we present evidence of in vivo expansion of DQ6-HCRT tetramer+/TRAJ24+/CD4+ T cells in DQ6+ individuals with and without narcolepsy. We identify related TRAJ24+ TCRαβ clonotypes encoded by identical α/β gene regions from two patients and two controls. TRAJ24-G allele+ clonotypes only expand in the two patients, whereas a TRAJ24-C allele+ clonotype expands in a control. A representative tetramer+/G-allele+ TCR shows signaling reactivity to the epitope HCRT87–97. Clonally expanded G-allele+ T cells exhibit an unconventional effector phenotype. Our analysis of in vivo expansion of HCRT-reactive TRAJ24+ cells opens an avenue for further investigation of the autoimmune contribution to narcolepsy development.
Biodiversity can benefit from climate stabilization despite adverse side effects of land-based mitigation
Authors: Ohashi Haruka , Hasegawa Tomoko , Hirata Akiko , Fujimori Shinichiro , Takahashi Kiyoshi , Tsuyama Ikutaro , Nakao Katsuhiro , Kominami Yuji , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Hijioka Yasuaki , Matsui Tetsuya
Published: November 2019

Limiting the magnitude of climate change via stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation is necessary to prevent further biodiversity loss. However, some strategies to mitigate GHG emission involve greater land-based mitigation efforts, which may cause biodiversity loss from land-use changes. Here we estimate how climate and land-based mitigation efforts interact with global biodiversity by using an integrated assessment model framework to project potential habitat for five major taxonomic groups. We find that stringent GHG mitigation can generally bring a net benefit to global biodiversity even if land-based mitigation is adopted. This trend is strengthened in the latter half of this century. In contrast, some regions projected to experience much growth in land-based mitigation efforts (i.e., Europe and Oceania) are expected to suffer biodiversity loss. Our results support the enactment of stringent GHG mitigation policies in terms of biodiversity. To conserve local biodiversity, however, these policies must be carefully designed in conjunction with land-use regulations and societal transformation in order to minimize the conversion of natural habitats.
Mechanically rigid supramolecular assemblies formed from an Fmoc-guanine conjugated peptide nucleic acid
Authors: Basavalingappa Vasantha , Bera Santu , Xue Bin , Azuri Ido , Tang Yiming , Tao Kai , Shimon Linda J. W. , Sawaya Michael R. , Kolusheva Sofiya , Eisenberg David S. , Kronik Leeor , Cao Yi , Wei Guanghong , Gazit Ehud
Published: November 2019

The variety and complexity of DNA-based structures make them attractive candidates for nanotechnology, yet insufficient stability and mechanical rigidity, compared to polyamide-based molecules, limit their application. Here, we combine the advantages of polyamide materials and the structural patterns inspired by nucleic-acids to generate a mechanically rigid fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-guanine peptide nucleic acid (PNA) conjugate with diverse morphology and photoluminescent properties. The assembly possesses a unique atomic structure, with each guanine head of one molecule hydrogen bonded to the Fmoc carbonyl tail of another molecule, generating a non-planar cyclic quartet arrangement. This structure exhibits an average stiffness of 69.6 ± 6.8 N m−1 and Young’s modulus of 17.8 ± 2.5 GPa, higher than any previously reported nucleic acid derived structure. This data suggests that the unique cation-free “basket” formed by the Fmoc-G-PNA conjugate can serve as an attractive component for the design of new materials based on PNA self-assembly for nanotechnology applications.
Interface-induced magnetic polar metal phase in complex oxides
Authors: Meng Meng , Wang Zhen , Fathima Aafreen , Ghosh Saurabh , Saghayezhian Mohammad , Taylor Joel , Jin Rongying , Zhu Yimei , Pantelides Sokrates T. , Zhang Jiandi , Plummer E. W. , Guo Hangwen
Published: November 2019

Polar metals are commonly defined as metals with polar structural distortions. Strict symmetry restrictions make them an extremely rare breed as the structural constraints favor insulating over metallic phase. Moreover, no polar metals are known to be magnetic. Here we report on the realization of a magnetic polar metal phase in a BaTiO3/SrRuO3/BaTiO3 heterostructure. Electron microscopy reveals polar lattice distortions in three-unit-cells thick SrRuO3 between BaTiO3 layers. Electrical transport and magnetization measurements reveal that this heterostructure possesses a metallic phase with high conductivity and ferromagnetic ordering with high saturation moment. The high conductivity in the SrRuO3 layer can be attributed to the effect of electrostatic carrier accumulation induced by the BaTiO3 layers. Density-functional-theory calculations provide insights into the origin of the observed properties of the thin SrRuO3 film. The present results pave a way to design materials with desired functionalities at oxide interfaces.
Coherent ac spin current transmission across an antiferromagnetic CoO insulator
Authors: Li Q. , Yang M. , Klewe C. , Shafer P. , N’Diaye A. T. , Hou D. , Wang T. Y. , Gao N. , Saitoh E. , Hwang C. , Hicken R. J. , Li J. , Arenholz E. , Qiu Z. Q.
Published: November 2019

The recent discovery of spin current transmission through antiferromagnetic insulating materials opens up vast opportunities for fundamental physics and spintronics applications. The question currently surrounding this topic is: whether and how could THz antiferromagnetic magnons mediate a GHz spin current? This mismatch of frequencies becomes particularly critical for the case of coherent ac spin current, raising the fundamental question of whether a GHz ac spin current can ever keep its coherence inside an antiferromagnetic insulator and so drive the spin precession of another ferromagnet layer coherently? Utilizing element- and time-resolved x-ray pump-probe measurements on Py/Ag/CoO/Ag/Fe75Co25/MgO(001) heterostructures, here we demonstrate that a coherent GHz ac spin current pumped by the Py ferromagnetic resonance can transmit coherently across an antiferromagnetic CoO insulating layer to drive a coherent spin precession of the Fe75Co25 layer. Further measurement results favor thermal magnons rather than evanescent spin waves as the mediator of the coherent ac spin current in CoO.
Identification of Circulating Serum Multi-MicroRNA Signatures in Human DLBCL Models
Authors: Beheshti Afshin , Stevenson Kristen , Vanderburg Charles , Ravi Dashnamoorthy , McDonald J. Tyson , Christie Amanda L. , Shigemori Kay , Jester Hallie , Weinstock David M. , Evens Andrew M.
Published: November 2019

There remains a need to identify new sensitive diagnostic and predictive blood-based platforms in lymphoma. We previously discovered a novel circulating microRNA (miRNA) signature in a Smurf2-deficient mouse model that spontaneously develops diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Herein, we investigated this 10-miRNA signature (miR-15a, let-7c, let-7b, miR-27a, miR-10b, miR-18a, miR-497, miR-130a, miR24, and miR-155) in human lymphoma cell lines, mice engrafted with patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and DLBCL patient serum samples leveraging systems biology analyses and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technology. Overall, 90% of the miRNAs were enriched in PDX DLBCL models and human lymphoma cell lines. Circulating miRNAs from the serum of 86 DLBCL patients were significantly increased compared with healthy controls and had similar patterns to the murine models. Strikingly, miRNAs were identified up to 27-fold higher levels in the serum of PDX-bearing mice and human patients compared with lymphoma cell lysates, suggesting a concentration of these factors over time within sera. Using cut-points from recursive partitioning analysis, we derived a 5-miRNA signature (let-7b, let-7c, miR-18a, miR-24, and miR-15a) with a classification rate of 91% for serum from patients with DLBCL versus normal controls. In addition, higher levels of circulating let-7b miRNA were associated with more advanced stage disease (i.e., III-IV vs. I-II) in DLBCL patients and higher levels of miR-27a and miR-24 were associated with MYC rearrangement. Taken together, circulating multi-miRNAs were readily detectable in pre-clinical cell line and human lymphoma models as well as in DLBCL patients where they appeared to distinguish clinico-pathologic subtypes and disease features.
Numerical modelling of the effects of cold atmospheric plasma on mitochondrial redox homeostasis and energy metabolism
Authors: Murakami Tomoyuki
Published: November 2019

A biochemical reaction model clarifies for the first time how cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs) affect mitochondrial redox homeostasis and energy metabolism. Fundamental mitochondrial functions in pyruvic acid oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation involving the respiratory chain (RC), adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate (ATP/ADP) synthesis machinery and reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)-mediated mechanisms are numerically simulated. The effects of CAP irradiation are modelled as 1) the influx of hydrogen peroxide (H$${}_{2}$$

2

O$${}_{2}$$

2

) to an ROS regulation system and 2) the change in mitochondrial transmembrane potential induced by RNS on membrane permeability. The CAP-induced stress modifies the dynamics of intramitochondrial H$${}_{2}$$

2

O$${}_{2}$$

2

and superoxide anions, i.e., the rhythm and shape of ROS oscillation are disturbed by H$${}_{2}$$

2

O$${}_{2}$$

2

infusion. Furthermore, CAPs control the ROS oscillatory behaviour, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide redox state and ATP/ADP conversion through the reaction mixture over the RC, the TCA cycle and ROS regulation system. CAPs even induce a homeostatic or irreversible state transition in cell metabolism. The present computational model demonstrates that CAPs crucially affect essential mitochondrial functions, which in turn affect redox signalling, metabolic cooporation and cell fate decision of survival or death.
Anatomical study of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) using micro-computed tomography
Authors: Alba-Alejandre Ignacio , Alba-Tercedor Javier , Vega Fernando E.
Published: November 2019

Traditionally, the study of anatomy in insects has been based on dissection techniques. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is an X-ray based technique that allows visualization of the internal anatomy of insectsin situand does not require dissections. We report on the use of micro-CT scans to study, in detail, the internal structures and organs of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), the most damaging insect pest of coffee worldwide. Detailed images and videos allowed us to make the first description of the aedeagus and the first report of differences between the sexes based on internal anatomy (flight musculature, midgut shape, hindgut convolutions, brain shape and size) and external morphology (lateral outline of the pronotum and number of abdominal tergites). This study is the first complete micro-CT reconstruction of the anatomy of an insect and is also the smallest insect to have been evaluated in this way. High quality rendered images, and additional supplementary videos and 3D models are suitable for use with mobile devices and are useful tools for future research and as teaching aids.
Uncovering the reactive nature of 4-deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronate for the utilization of alginate, a promising marine biopolymer
Authors: Nakata Shota , Murata Kousaku , Hashimoto Wataru , Kawai Shigeyuki
Published: November 2019

Alginate is a linear polyuronate in brown macroalgae. It is also a promising marine biopolymer that can be degraded by exo-type alginate lyase into an unsaturated uronate that is non-enzymatically or enzymatically converted to 4-deoxy-l-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronate (DEH). In a bioengineered yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae(DEH++) strain that utilizes DEH, DEH is not only an important physiological metabolite but also a promising carbon source for biorefinery systems. In this study, we uncovered the essential chemical nature of DEH. In particular, we showed that DEH non-enzymatically reacts with specific amino groups in Tris, ammonium salts [(NH4)2SO4and NH4Cl], and certain amino acids (e.g., Gly, Ser, Gln, Thr, and Lys) at 30 °C and forms other compounds, one of which we tentatively named DEH-related product-1 (DRP-1). In contrast, Asn, Met, Glu, and Arg were almost inert and Ala, Pro, Leu, Ile, Phe, Val, and Asp, as well as sodium nitrate (NaNO3), were inert in the presence of DEH. Some of the above amino acids (Asn, Glu, Ala, Pro, Phe, and Asp) were suitable nitrogen sources for the DEH++ yeast strain, whereas ammonium salts and Ser, Gln, and Thr were poor nitrogen sources owing to their high reactivity to DEH. Nutrient-rich YP medium with 1% (w/v) Yeast extract and 2% (w/v) Tryptone, as well as 10-fold diluted YP medium, could also be effectively used as nitrogen sources. Finally, we identified DRP-1 as a 2-furancarboxylic acid and showed that it has a growth-inhibitory effect on the DEH++ yeast strain. These results show the reactive nature of DEH and suggest a basis for selecting nitrogen sources for use with DEH and alginate in biorefineries. Our results also provide insight into the physiological utilization of DEH. The environmental source of 2-furancarboxylic acid is also discussed.
Author Correction: A machine-learning heuristic to improve gene score prediction of polygenic traits
Authors: Paré Guillaume , Mao Shihong , Deng Wei Q.
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide induces glucose and neutral amino acid uptake through mTOR signalling in human cytotrophoblast cells
Authors: Merech Fatima , Soczewski Elizabeth , Hauk Vanesa , Paparini Daniel , Ramhorst Rosanna , Vota Daiana , Pérez Leirós Claudia
Published: November 2019

The transport of nutrients across the placenta involves trophoblast cell specific transporters modulated through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has embryotrophic effects in mice and regulates human cytotrophoblast cell migration and invasion. Here we explored the effect of VIP on glucose and System A amino acid uptake by human trophoblast-derived cells (Swan 71 and BeWo cell lines). VIP activated D-glucose specific uptake in single cytotrophoblast cells in a concentration-dependent manner through PKA, MAPK, PI3K and mTOR signalling pathways. Glucose uptake was reduced in VIP-knocked down cytotrophoblast cells. Also, VIP stimulated System A amino acid uptake and the expression of GLUT1 glucose transporter and SNAT1 neutral amino acid transporter. VIP increased mTOR expression and mTOR/S6 phosphorylation whereas VIP silencing reduced mTOR mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of mTOR signalling with rapamycin reduced the expression of endogenous VIP and of VIP-induced S6 phosphorylation. Our findings support a role of VIP in the transport of glucose and neutral amino acids in cytotrophoblast cells through mTOR-regulated pathways and they are instrumental for understanding the physiological regulation of nutrient sensing by endogenous VIP at the maternal-foetal interface.
Dysregulation of lipid metabolism and appearance of slow myofiber-specific isoforms accompany the development of Wooden Breast myopathy in modern broiler chickens
Authors: Papah Michael B. , Abasht Behnam
Published: November 2019

Previous transcriptomic studies have hypothesized the occurrence of slow myofiber-phenotype, and dysregulation of lipid metabolism as being associated with the development of Wooden Breast (WB), a meat quality defect in commercial broiler chickens. To gain a deep understanding of the manifestation and implication of these two biological processes in health and disease states in chickens, cellular and global expression of specific genes related to the respective processes were examined in pectoralis major muscles of modern fast-growing and unselected slow-growing chickens. Using RNA in situ hybridization, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was found to be expressed in endothelial cells of capillaries and small-caliber veins in chickens. RNA-seq analysis revealed upregulation of lipid-related genes in WB-affected chickens at week 3 and downregulation at week 7 of age. On the other hand, cellular localization of slow myofiber-type genes revealed their increased expression in mature myofibers of WB-affected chickens. Similarly, global expression of slow myofiber-type genes showed upregulation in affected chickens at both timepoints. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the expression of LPL from the vascular endothelium in chickens. This study also confirms the existence of slow myofiber-phenotype and provides mechanistic insights into increased lipid uptake and metabolism in WB disease process.
Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation has a greater ameliorating effect on posture in unstable subjects: a feasibility study
Authors: Fujimoto Chisato , Kinoshita Makoto , Kamogashira Teru , Egami Naoya , Kawahara Takuya , Uemura Yukari , Yamamoto Yoshiharu , Yamasoba Tatsuya , Iwasaki Shinichi
Published: November 2019

Ameliorating effect of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) on posture varies among subjects. In this feasibility study, we investigated the association between original postural instability and the ameliorating effect of nGVS on posture. Data were collected in a previously published study. Thirty healthy elderly were recruited. Two nGVS sessions (30 min or 3 h) were performed in a randomised order. The optimal intensity of nGVS, the most effective intensity for improving posture, was determined before each session. Posture was measured for 30 s during and after nGVS in the eyes-closed/foam rubber condition. The velocity, envelopment area, and root mean square of the centre of pressure movement without nGVS were significantly larger in the group with an optimal intensity than those in the group without an optimal intensity. There was a significant positive correlation between these values and the long-term ameliorating effects. The ratio of the values in the eyes-closed/foam rubber condition to those in the eyes-open condition was significantly larger in the group with an optimal intensity, and had a significant correlation with the long-term ameliorating effects. The ameliorating effects are greater in subjects who were originally unstable and in those whose postural stability was relatively independent of vestibular input.
Author Correction: Methylation of LINE-1 in cell-free DNA serves as a liquid biopsy biomarker for human breast cancers and dog mammary tumors
Authors: Lee Kang-Hoon , Shin Tae-Jin , Kim Wan-Hee , Cho Je-Yoel
Published: November 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Seasonal variability does not impact in vitro fertilization success
Authors: Liu Xitong , Bai Haiyan , Mol Ben W. , Shi Wenhao , Gao Ming , Shi Juanzi
Published: November 2019

It is unknown whether seasonal variation influences the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Previous studies related to seasonal variation of IVF were all small sample size, and the results were conflicting. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the relationship between seasonal variability and live birth rate in the year of 2014–2017. Patients were grouped into four seasons (Winter (December-February), Spring (March-May), Summer (June-August), and Autumn (September-November)) according to the day of oocyte pick-up (OPU). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate association between seasonal variation and live birth. Models were adjusted for covariates including temperature, sunshine hour, infertility type, infertility duration, infertility factor and BMI. In total 38,476 women were enrolled, of which 25,097 underwent fresh cycles, 13,379 were frozen embryo transfer. Live birth rates of fresh embryo transfer were 50.36%, 53.14%, 51.94% and 51.33% for spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Clinical pregnancy rate between the calendar months varied between 55.1% and 63.4% in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and between 58.8% and 65.1% in frozen embryo transfer (FET) (P-values 0.073 and 0.220). In the unadjusted model and adjust model, seasonal variation was not associated with live birth. In conclusion, there was no significant difference of seasonal variations in the outcome of IVF with fresh embryo transfer and frozen embryo transfer.
Bilayer Electrolytes for Low Temperature and Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells – A Review
Authors: Pesaran Alireza , Jaiswal Abhishek , Wachsman Eric D.
Published: November 2019

The commercialisation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology would benefit dramatically by a reduction of the operating temperature to a lower range (500–650 °C). Unfortunately, the ionic conductivity of YSZ and electrode performance decrease significantly at low temperatures resulting in low power density SOFCs. Doped ceria materials have ionic conductivity orders of magnitude higher than YSZ and have been extensively explored as an alternative electrolyte material. However, doped ceria reduces under fuel conditions at the anode side resulting in internal leakage current. This work is primarily focused on reviewing the recent developments of the concept of a bilayer electrolyte SOFC where ceria is the main electrolyte and the second electrolyte serves to block the leakage current. A thorough survey of works in the literature reveals that bismuth oxide/ceria bilayer electrolyte SOFCs yield higher power density compared to zirconia/ceria bilayer electrolyte SOFCS mainly due to the much higher ionic conductivity of stabilised bismuth oxide compositions compared to YSZ. A proper ceria/bismuth oxide thickness ratio is of great importance and hence needs to be tuned carefully. In addition, bilayer electrolytes can serve other functions in SOFC structures such as a diffusion barrier layer between the electrolyte and adjacent electrodes or a fast oxide ion conductor to promote catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction.
Redox Oxides for Thermochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Carrillo Alfonso J. , Rupp Jennifer L. M. , Coronado Juan M.
Published: November 2019

Solar energy presents enormous potential to spearhead the fight against climate change. However, due to its intrinsic intermittent character it requires an energy storage media for fully exploiting its potential. Although there are several competing and partially complementary technologies for achieving that goal, thermochemical processes are becoming relevant in concentrating solar power plants for energy storage. Among the systems used for those applications, redox metal oxides stand out as very flexible and robust materials for either direct heat storage, or CO2 and H2O splitting in thermochemical cycles for solar fuel production. Furthermore, methane chemical looping reforming coupled with CO2 valorisation and/or H2O dissociation is an incompletely decarbonised route that can also take advantage of these materials. This alternative strategy compensates sustainability losses by increasing the overall efficiency. All these processes operate at high temperatures swinging from an oxidised to a reduced state, and this fact imposes harsh conditions to the stability of the solids acting as oxygen carriers. The latest developments in this area are described in detail here, paying attention to the relevance of structural and morphological changes, as well as to the role of thermodynamics and kinetics aspects on the performance of these redox transformations in the solid–gas interphase.