bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-frequency transition characteristics of synthetic natural gas combustion in gas turbine
Authors: Joo S. , Kwak S. , Kim S. , Lee J. , Yoon Y.
Published: February 2019

In this study, the combustion instability and emission characteristics of flames of different H2/CH4compositions were investigated in a partially premixed model gas turbine combustor. A mode shift in the frequency of instability occurred under varying experimental conditions from the first to the seventh mode of longitudinal frequency in the combustor, and a parametric study was conducted to determine the reasons for this shift by using the length of the combustor, a factor that determines the mode frequency of longitudinal instability, as the main parameter. Furthermore, heat load and fuel composition (H2ratio) were considered as parameters to compare the phenomenon under different conditions. The GRI-3.0 CANTERA code, OH chemiluminescence and the Abel inversion process were applied to analyse the frequency mode shift. NOxemissions, which occurred through the thermal NOxmechanism, increased with increasing heat load and H2ratio. The instability frequency shifted from the first to the seventh mode as the H2ratio increased in the H2/CH4mixture. However, 100% H2as fuel did not cause combustion instability because it has a higher burning velocity and extinction stretch rate than CH4. Furthermore, the laminar flame speed influenced the frequency mode shift. These phenomena were confirmed by the flame shapes. The Abel inversion process was applied to obtain the cross section of the flames from averaged OH chemiluminescence images. Stable and unstable flames were identified from the radial profile of OH concentration. The combustor length was found to not influence frequency mode shift, whereas the H2ratio significantly influenced it as well as the flame shape. The results of this experimental study can help in the reliable operation of gas turbine systems in SNG plants.
ON THE SELMER GROUP OF A CERTAIN -ADIC LIE EXTENSION
Authors: BHAVE AMALA , BORA LACHIT
Published: February 2019

Let $E$ be an elliptic curve over $\mathbb{Q}$ without complex multiplication. Let $p\geq 5$ be a prime in $\mathbb{Q}$ and suppose that $E$ has good ordinary reduction at $p$. We study the dual Selmer group of $E$ over the compositum of the $\text{GL}_{2}$ extension and the anticyclotomic $\mathbb{Z}_{p}$-extension of an imaginary quadratic extension as an Iwasawa module.
Metaanalyse zur Wirksamkeit achtsamkeitsbasierter Interventionen bei ADHS im Kindes- und Jugendalter
Authors: Linderkamp Friedrich , Lüdeke Sören
Published: February 2019

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Metaanalyse berechnet die Wirksamkeit achtsamkeitsbasierter Interventionen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit ADHS gemäß empirischer Studien aus den Jahren 2008 – 2018. Als abhängige Maße werden die ADHS-Symptomatik, kognitive Leistungen (Aufmerksamkeitsleistungen in standardisierten Tests) sowie ADHS-spezifische Komorbiditäten berücksichtigt. Insgesamt wurden 16 Studien einbezogen. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich hinsichtlich der Reduktion der gesamten ADHS-Symptomatik eine große Effektstärke von d = 1.08. Zudem konnten eine Verringerung der Unaufmerksamkeitssymptomatik ( d = 0.47), mittlere Effekte auf Hyperaktivität / Impulsivität sowie moderate bis große Effekte auf komorbide internalisierende Störungen (Depressionen, Angststörungen) festgestellt werden. Die Metaanalyse liefert Hinweise darauf, dass achtsamkeitsbasierte Interventionen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit ADHS wirksam sind. Jedoch bestehen auf Ebene der Einzelstudien beträchtliche methodische Limitationen.
Defizite in den Exekutivfunktionen von Kindern mit ADHS
Authors: Schwörer Mona Céline , Jaščenoka Julia , Nitkowski Dennis , Petermann Franz , Vasileva Mira , Petermann Ulrike
Published: February 2019

Zusammenfassung. Das Erhebungsverfahren ADHS-KJ beinhaltet eine differenzierte neuropsychologische Erfassung der exekutiven Funktionen sowie eine standardisierte Verhaltensbeobachtung des hyperaktiven Verhaltens von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Alter von 6;0 bis 12;11 Jahren. Die Aussagekraft des neuropsychologischen Moduls des ADHS-KJ wurde anhand einer Gruppe von Kindern mit einer ADHS-Diagnose ( n = 58) und einer parallelisierten Kontrollgruppe untersucht ( n = 58); es wurde überprüft, inwieweit das Alter und die medikamentöse Behandlung der Kinder die Ergebnisse beeinflussten. Zusätzlich wurden die neuropsychologischen Ergebnisse mit Befunden einer standardisierten Verhaltensbeobachtung in Zusammenhang gesetzt. Es wurde belegt, dass das Erhebungsverfahren ADHS-KJ zwischen Kindern mit und ohne eine ADHS auf der Basis der Komponenten der exekutiven Funktionen und des darauf bezogenen Gesamttestwertes des ADHS-KJ sowie der Beobachtung des hyperkinetischen Verhaltens differenzieren konnte. Die Unterschiede zwischen der ADHS- und Kontrollgruppe wurden durch kleine ( d = .36) bis große ( d = .95) Effektstärken gekennzeichnet. Das Erhebungsverfahren ADHS-KJ differenzierte deutlich zwischen jüngeren und älteren Kindern mit ADHS ( d  ≥ 1.00). Das Erhebungsverfahren ADHS-KJ kann als multimodales und multimethodales Vorgehen für die Diagnostik einer ADHS empfohlen werden, wobei die Auffälligkeiten in den Exekutivfunktionen besonders kennzeichnend für Kinder der Altersgruppe von sechs bis acht Jahren sind.
Bi-Directional Effects of Stimulus Vertical Position and Construal	Level
Authors: Nussinson Ravit , Elias Yaron , Mentser Sari , Bar-Anan Yoav , Gronau Nurit
Published: February 2019

Abstract. We suggest that there is an association in people’s minds between the vertical position of a stimulus (up vs. down) and its construal level (high vs. low), which results in bi-directional effects between the dimensions. In Study 1, participants exhibited both implicit and explicit associations between the dimensions. Studies 2 and 3 demonstrated that stimulus construal level affects its vertical position, with participants showing a preference for positioning abstract concepts higher up and concrete concepts lower down. Study 4 testified to the effect of vertical positioning of information on its level of construal. Behaviors presented at the top of a display (more than those presented at the bottom) were construed in terms of why they are performed rather than how to perform them. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Strategies for Conducting 21st Century Oceanographic Research
Authors: Doyle Alice , Fornari Daniel , Brenner Elizabeth , Teske Andreas
Published: February 2019

Planning a research cruise requires extensive coordination among research teams, ship operators, funding agencies, logistics companies, and international government entities.
A Target Before Shooting Ryugu
Authors: Redd Nola
Published: February 2019

The asteroid’s rough surface surprised Hayabusa2’s mission scientists. So they pulled out their spare gun and shot an “asteroid” at home first.
Over 100-THz bandwidth selective difference frequency generation at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 nanojunctions
Authors: Chen Lu , Sutton Erin , Lee Hyungwoo , Lee Jung-Woo , Li Jianan , Eom Chang-Beom , Irvin Patrick , Levy Jeremy
Published: February 2019

The ability to combine continuously tunable narrow-band terahertz (THz) generation that can access both the far-infrared and mid-infrared regimes with nanometer-scale spatial resolution is highly promising for identifying underlying light-matter interactions and realizing selective control of rotational or vibrational resonances in nanoparticles or molecules. Here, we report selective difference frequency generation with over 100 THz bandwidth via femtosecond optical pulse shaping. The THz emission is generated at nanoscale junctions at the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) that is defined by conductive atomic force microscope lithography, with the potential to perform THz spectroscopy on individual nanoparticles or molecules. Numerical simulation of the time-domain signal facilitates the identification of components that contribute to the THz generation. This ultra-wide-bandwidth tunable nanoscale coherent THz source transforms the LAO/STO interface into a promising platform for integrated lab-on-chip optoelectronic devices with various functionalities.
Over-expression of FSIP1 promotes breast cancer progression and confers resistance to docetaxel via MRP1 stabilization
Authors: Yan Meisi , Wang Jinsong , Ren Yanlv , Li Lin , He Weidan , Zhang Ying , Liu Tong , Li Zhigao
Published: February 2019

Fibrous sheath-interacting protein 1 (FSIP1) functions centrally in breast carcinogenesis and progression, although its exact role remains to be clarified. Therefore, we sought to establish a correlation between the clinico-pathological features of breast cancer and FSIP1 expression in breast cancer tissues, as well as to validate its role in tumor progression and chemo-resistance. We analyzed FSIP1 expression in the breast cancer and para-tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. We performed MTT, Caspase-Glo 3/7 Assay, Annexin V staining, wound healing and trans-well assays to evaluate cellular apoptosis, proliferation, migration and invasion in FSIP1 knockout and wild-type breast cancer cell lines. Additionally, we examined the effects of FSIP1 on docetaxel sensitivity in a nude mice model transplanted with control or FSIP1 knockout breast cancer cells, and also evaluate its role in tumor metastasis. FSIP1 and MRP1 interaction was determined by co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. We found that breast cancer cells and tissues consistently demonstrated elevated FSIP1 expressions, which correlated with poor overall survival. Notably, patients with high FSIP1 expression in their tumors undergoing docetaxel neoadjuvant chemotherapy had shorter disease-free survival. FSIP1 knockout in breast cancer cells significantly increased their sensitivity to docetaxel both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FSIP1 bound to the multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) and stabilized it, and knocking out FSIP1 decreased MRP1 expression and increased cellular docetaxel accumulation. In sum, FSIP1 promotes breast carcinogenesis and mediates docetaxel resistance, and may serve as a novel target in the development of breast cancer therapies.
Author Correction: Hypericin-mediated sonodynamic therapy induces autophagy and decreases lipids in THP-1 macrophage by promoting ROS-dependent nuclear translocation of TFEB
Authors: Li Xuesong , Zhang Xin , Zheng Longbin , Kou Jiayuan , Zhong Zhaoyu , Jiang Yueqing , Wang Wei , Dong Zengxiang , Liu Zhongni , Han Xiaobo , Li Jing , Tian Ye , Zhao Yajun , Yang Liming
Published: February 2019

The authors wish to point out that in Figure 1f, the picture of DAPI in the ATG5 siRNA group is incorrect. During the process of image synthesis, the authors mixed the pictures of DAPI in the control group and ATG5 siRNA group, leading to the duplicate between them of DAPI. Furthermore, the AMPK blot and the AKT blot in Figure 2a were inadvertently duplicated with the third β-actin in Figure 2a and AKT in Figure 4e, respectively. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
TIGAR promotes neural stem cell differentiation through acetyl-CoA-mediated histone acetylation
Authors: Zhou Wenjuan , Zhao Tiantian , Du Jingyi , Ji Guangyu , Li Xinyue , Ji Shufang , Tian Wenyu , Wang Xu , Hao Aijun
Published: February 2019

Cellular metabolism plays a crucial role in controlling the proliferation, differentiation, and quiescence of neural stem cells (NSCs). The metabolic transition from aerobic glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation has been regarded as a hallmark of neuronal differentiation. Understanding what triggers metabolism reprogramming and how glucose metabolism directs NSC differentiation may provide new insight into the regenerative potential of the brain. TP53 inducible glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) is an endogenous inhibitor of glycolysis and is highly expressed in mature neurons. However, its function in embryonic NSCs has not yet been explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the precise roles of TIGAR in NSCs and the possible involvement of metabolic reprogramming in the TIGAR regulatory network. We observed that TIGAR is significantly increased during brain development as neural differentiation proceeds, especially at the peak of NSC differentiation (E14.5–E16.5). In cultured NSCs, knockdown of TIGAR reduced the expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin (Tuj1), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ngn1, and NeuroD1, and enhanced the expression of REST, suggesting that TIGAR is an important regulator of NSC differentiation. Furthermore, TIGAR enhanced the expression of lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) and the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) markers, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor (NRF1), and MitoNEET during NSC differentiation. TIGAR can decrease lactate production and accelerate oxygen consumption and ATP generation to maintain a high rate of OXPHOS in differentiated NSCs. Interestingly, knockdown of TIGAR decreased the level of acetyl-CoA and H3K9 acetylation at the promoters of Ngn1, Neurod1, and Gfap. Acetate, a precursor of acetyl-CoA, increased the level of H3K9 acetylation and rescued the effect of TIGAR deficiency on NSC differentiation. Together, our data demonstrated that TIGAR promotes metabolic reprogramming and regulates NSC differentiation through an epigenetic mechanism.
Laparoscopic-based perivascular unilateral renal sympathetic nerve denervation for treating resistant hypertension: a case report
Authors: Gao Chuanyu , Zhao Linwei , Zhu Lijie , Li Muwei , Ding Degang , Liu Zhonghua , Fan Zhiqiang , Zhang You , Zhao Wenli , Wang Jiguang
Published: February 2019

A 38-year-old man with a history of resistant hypertension for more than 10 years underwent laparoscopic-based perivascular unilateral renal sympathetic nerve denervation in 2012. After the operation, the patient’s blood pressure has been controllable while the antihypertensive drug intake has decreased over 6 years. Laparoscopic-based perivascular unilateral renal sympathetic nerve denervation may be a potentially feasible and effective option in treating patients with resistant hypertension.
Deep brain activities can be detected with magnetoencephalography
Authors: Pizzo Francesca , Roehri N. , Medina Villalon S. , Trébuchon A. , Chen S. , Lagarde S. , Carron R. , Gavaret M. , Giusiano B. , McGonigal A. , Bartolomei F. , Badier J. M. , Bénar C. G.
Published: February 2019

The hippocampus and amygdala are key brain structures of the medial temporal lobe, involved in cognitive and emotional processes as well as pathological states such as epilepsy. Despite their importance, it is still unclear whether their  neural activity can be recorded non-invasively. Here, using simultaneous intracerebral and magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy, we demonstrate a direct contribution of amygdala and hippocampal activity to surface MEG recordings. In particular, a method of blind source separation, independent component analysis, enabled activity arising from large neocortical networks to be disentangled from that of deeper structures, whose amplitude at the surface was small but significant. This finding is highly relevant for our understanding of hippocampal and amygdala brain activity as it implies that their activity could potentially be measured non-invasively.
Bioinspired nacre-like alumina with a bulk-metallic glass-forming alloy as a compliant phase
Authors: Wat Amy , Lee Je In , Ryu Chae Woo , Gludovatz Bernd , Kim Jinyeon , Tomsia Antoni P. , Ishikawa Takehiko , Schmitz Julianna , Meyer Andreas , Alfreider Markus , Kiener Daniel , Park Eun Soo , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: February 2019

Bioinspired ceramics with micron-scale ceramic “bricks” bonded by a metallic “mortar” are projected to result in higher strength and toughness ceramics, but their processing is challenging as metals do not typically wet ceramics. To resolve this issue, we made alumina structures using rapid pressureless infiltration of a zirconium-based bulk-metallic glass mortar that reactively wets the surface of freeze-cast alumina preforms. The mechanical properties of the resulting Al2O3 with a glass-forming compliant-phase change with infiltration temperature and ceramic content, leading to a trade-off between flexural strength (varying from 89 to 800 MPa) and fracture toughness (varying from 4 to more than 9 MPa·m½). The high toughness levels are attributed to brick pull-out and crack deflection along the ceramic/metal interfaces. Since these mechanisms are enabled by interfacial failure rather than failure within the metallic mortar, the potential for optimizing these bioinspired materials for damage tolerance has still not been fully realized.
Tightly-orchestrated rearrangements govern catalytic center assembly of the ribosome
Authors: Zhou Yi , Musalgaonkar Sharmishtha , Johnson Arlen W. , Taylor David W.
Published: February 2019

The catalytic activity of the ribosome is mediated by RNA, yet proteins are essential for the function of the peptidyl transferase center (PTC). In eukaryotes, final assembly of the PTC occurs in the cytoplasm by insertion of the ribosomal protein Rpl10 (uL16). We determine structures of six intermediates in late nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of the large subunit that reveal a tightly-choreographed sequence of protein and RNA rearrangements controlling the insertion of Rpl10. We also determine the structure of the biogenesis factor Yvh1 and show how it promotes assembly of the P stalk, a critical element for recruitment of GTPases that drive translation. Together, our structures provide a blueprint for final assembly of a functional ribosome.
Recombinant measles vaccine expressing malaria antigens induces long-term memory and protection in mice
Authors: Mura Marie , Ruffié Claude , Combredet Chantal , Aliprandini Eduardo , Formaglio Pauline , Chitnis Chetan E. , Amino Rogerio , Tangy Frédéric
Published: February 2019

Following the RTS,S malaria vaccine, which showed only partial protection with short-term memory, there is strong support to develop second-generation malaria vaccines that yield higher efficacy with longer duration. The use of replicating viral vectors to deliver subunit vaccines is of great interest due to their capacity to induce efficient cellular immune responses and long-term memory. The measles vaccine virus offers an efficient and safe live viral vector that could easily be implemented in the field. Here, we produced recombinant measles viruses (rMV) expressing malaria “gold standard” circumsporozoïte antigen (CS) of Plasmodium berghei (Pb) and Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) to test proof of concept of this delivery strategy. Immunization with rMV expressing PbCS or PfCS induced high antibody responses in mice that did not decrease for at least 22 weeks post-prime, as well as rapid development of cellular immune responses. The observed long-term memory response is key for development of second-generation malaria vaccines. Sterile protection was achieved in 33% of immunized mice, as usually observed with the CS antigen, and all other immunized animals were clinically protected from severe and lethal Pb ANKA-induced cerebral malaria. Further rMV-vectored malaria vaccine candidates expressing additional pre-erythrocytic and blood-stage antigens in combination with rMV expressing PfCS may provide a path to development of next generation malaria vaccines with higher efficacy.
Attentional processes in typically developing children as revealed using brain event-related potentials and their source localization in Attention Network Test
Authors: Santhana Gopalan Praghajieeth Raajhen , Loberg Otto , Hämäläinen Jarmo Arvid , Leppänen Paavo H. T.
Published: February 2019

Attention-related processes include three functional sub-components: alerting, orienting, and inhibition. We investigated these components using EEG-based, brain event-related potentials and their neuronal source activations during the Attention Network Test in typically developing school-aged children. Participants were asked to detect the swimming direction of the centre fish in a group of five fish. The target stimulus was either preceded by a cue (centre, double, or spatial) or no cue. An EEG using 128 electrodes was recorded for 83 children aged 12–13 years. RTs showed significant effects across all three sub-components of attention. Alerting and orienting (responses to double vs non-cued target stimulus and spatially vs centre-cued target stimulus, respectively) resulted in larger N1 amplitude, whereas inhibition (responses to incongruent vs congruent target stimulus) resulted in larger P3 amplitude. Neuronal source activation for the alerting effect was localized in the right anterior temporal and bilateral occipital lobes, for the orienting effect bilaterally in the occipital lobe, and for the inhibition effect in the medial prefrontal cortex and left anterior temporal lobe. Neuronal sources of ERPs revealed that sub-processes related to the attention network are different in children as compared to earlier adult fMRI studies, which was not evident from scalp ERPs.
Activation of Toll-like receptor 2 induces B1 and B2 kinin receptors in human gingival fibroblasts and in mouse gingiva
Authors: Souza Pedro P. C. , Lundberg Pernilla , Lundgren Inger , Magalhães Fernando A. C. , Costa-Neto Claudio M. , Lerner Ulf H.
Published: February 2019

The regulation of the kallikrein-kinin system is an important mechanism controlling vasodilation and promoting inflammation. We aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in regulating kinin B1 and B2 receptor expression in human gingival fibroblasts and in mouse gingiva. Both P. gingivalis LPS and the synthetic TLR2 agonist Pam2CSK4 increased kinin receptor transcripts. Silencing of TLR2, but not of TLR4, inhibited the induction of kinin receptor transcripts by both P. gingivalis LPS and Pam2CSK4. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) exposed to Pam2CSK4 increased binding sites for bradykinin (BK, B2 receptor agonist) and des-Arg10-Lys-bradykinin (DALBK, B1 receptor agonist). Pre-treatment of HGF for 24 h with Pam2CSK4 resulted in increased PGE2 release in response to BK and DALBK. The increase of B1 and B2 receptor transcripts by P. gingivalis LPS was not blocked by IL-1β neutralizing antibody; TNF-α blocking antibody did not affect B1 receptor up-regulation, but partially blocked increase of B2 receptor mRNA. Injection of P. gingivalis LPS in mouse gingiva induced an increase of B1 and B2 receptor mRNA. These data show that activation of TLR2 in human gingival fibroblasts as well as in mouse gingival tissue leads to increase of B1 and B2 receptor mRNA and protein.
Author Correction: Combining streptozotocin and unilateral nephrectomy is an effective method for inducing experimental diabetic nephropathy in the ‘resistant’ C57Bl/6J mouse strain
Authors: Uil Melissa , Scantlebery Angelique M. L. , Butter Loes M. , Larsen Per W. B. , de Boer Onno J. , Leemans Jaklien C. , Florquin Sandrine , Roelofs Joris J. T. H.
Published: February 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Author Correction: Exogenously applied growth regulators protect the cotton crop from heat-induced injury by modulating plant defense mechanism
Authors: Sarwar Muhammad , Saleem Muhammad Farrukh , Ullah Najeeb , Rizwan Muhammad , Ali Shafaqat , Shahid Muhammad Rizwan , Alamri Saud A. , Alyemeni Mohammed Nasser , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: February 2019

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
A patch-based super resolution algorithm for improving image resolution in clinical mass spectrometry
Authors: Ščupáková Klára , Terzopoulos Vasilis , Jain Saurabh , Smeets Dirk , Heeren Ron M. A.
Published: February 2019

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) and histology are complementary analytical tools. Integration of the two imaging modalities can enhance the spatial resolution of the MSI beyond its experimental limits. Patch-based super resolution (PBSR) is a method where high spatial resolution features from one image modality guide the reconstruction of a low resolution image from a second modality. The principle of PBSR lies in image redundancy and aims at finding similar pixels in the neighborhood of a central pixel that are then used to guide reconstruction of the central pixel. In this work, we employed PBSR to increase the resolution of MSI. We validated the proposed pipeline by using a phantom image (micro-dissected logo within a tissue) and mouse cerebellum samples. We compared the performance of the PBSR with other well-known methods: linear interpolation (LI) and image fusion (IF). Quantitative and qualitative assessment showed advantage over the former and comparability with the latter. Furthermore, we demonstrated the potential applicability of PBSR in a clinical setting by accurately integrating structural (i.e., histological) and molecular (i.e., MSI) information from a case study of a dog liver.
Antibodies to a CA 19-9 Related Antigen Complex Identify SOX9 Expressing Progenitor Cells In Human Foetal Pancreas and Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Farley Alison M. , Braxton David R. , Li Jonathan , Trounson Karl , Sakar-Dey Subhanwita , Nayer Bhavana , Ikeda Tatsuhiko , Lau Kevin X. , Hardikar Winita , Hasegawa Kouichi , Pera Martin F.
Published: February 2019

The Sialyl Lewis A antigen, or CA 19-9, is the prototype serum biomarker for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Despite extensive clinical study of CA 19-9 in gastrointestinal malignancies, surprisingly little is known concerning the specific cell types that express this marker during development, tissue regeneration and neoplasia. SOX9 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in these processes in foregut tissues. We report the biochemistry and tissue expression of the GCTM-5 antigen, a pancreatic cancer marker related to, but distinct from, CA19-9. This antigen, defined by two monoclonal antibodies recognising separate epitopes on a large glycoconjugate protein complex, is co-expressed with SOX9 by foregut ductal progenitors in the developing human liver and pancreas, and in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. These progenitors are distinct from cell populations identified by DCLK1, LGR5, or canonical markers of liver and pancreatic progenitor cells. Co-expression of this antigen complex and SOX9 also characterises the ductal metaplasia of submucosal glands that occurs during the development of Barrett’s oesophagus. The GCTM-5 antigen complex can be detected in the sera of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The GCTM-5 epitope shows a much more restricted pattern of expression in the normal adult pancreas relative to CA19-9. Our findings will aid in the identification, characterisation, and monitoring of ductal progenitor cells during development and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in man.
The susceptibility of sea-island cotton recombinant inbred lines to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum infection is characterized by altered expression of long noncoding RNAs
Authors: Yao Zhengpei , Chen Quanjia , Chen Dong , Zhan Leilei , Zeng Kai , Gu Aixing , Zhou Jian , Zhang Yu , Zhu Yafu , Gao Wenwei , Wang Liping , Zhang Yi , Qu Yanying
Published: February 2019

Disease resistance is one of the most complicated yet important plant traits. The potential functions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in response to pathogenic fungi remain unclear. In this study, we sequenced the transcriptomes of four different sea-island cotton (Gossypium barbadense) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) with susceptible, highly susceptible, highly resistant, or super highly resistant phenotypes and compared their responses to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) infection with those of their susceptible and resistant parents. Infection-induced protein coding genes were highly enriched in similar disease resistance-related pathways regardless of fungal susceptibility. In contrast, we found that the expression of a large number of Fov infection-induced lncRNAs was positively correlated with plant susceptibility. Bioinformatics analysis of potential target mRNAs of lncRNAs with both trans-acting and cis-acting mechanisms showed that mRNAs co-expressed or co-located with Fov-regulated lncRNAs were highly enriched in disease resistance-related pathways, including glutathione metabolism, glycolysis, plant hormone signal transduction, anthocyanin biosynthesis, and butanoate metabolism. Together these results suggest that lncRNAs could play a significant role in the response to pathogenic fungal infection and the establishment of disease resistance. The transcriptional regulation of these infection-susceptible lncRNAs could be coordinated with infection-susceptible mRNAs and integrated into a regulatory network to modulate plant-pathogen interactions and disease resistance. Fov-susceptible lncRNAs represent a novel class of molecular markers for breeding of Fov-resistant cotton cultivars.
Genome survey, high-resolution genetic linkage map construction, growth-related quantitative trait locus (QTL) identification and gene location in Scylla paramamosain
Authors: Zhao Ming , Wang Wei , Chen Wei , Ma Chunyan , Zhang Fengying , Jiang Keji , Liu Junguo , Diao Le , Qian Heng , Zhao Junxia , Wang Tian , Ma Lingbo
Published: February 2019

Scylla paramamosain is one of the most economically important crabs in China. In this study, the first genome survey sequencing of this crab was performed, and the results revealed that the estimated genome size was 1.21 Gb with high heterozygosity (1.3%). Then, RAD technology was used to construct a high-resolution linkage map for this species. A total of 24,444 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) makers were grouped into 47 linkage groups. The total length of the linkage groups was 3087.53 cM with a markers interval of 0.92 cM. With the aid of transcriptome and genome scaffold data, 4,271 markers were linked to genes, including several important growth-related genes such as transforming growth factor-beta regulator I, immune related-gene C-type lectin and ecdysone pathway gene broad-complex-like protein. Further, 442 markers, representing 279 QTLs, associated with 24 traits were identified, and of these markers, 78 were linked to genes. Some interesting genes, such as dedicator of cytokinesis protein 3, tenascin-X and DNA helicase MCM8, were believed to have important relationship with specific traits and merit further exploration. The results of this study will accelerate the genetic improvement and genome sequencing analysis of the mud crab.
Growth of vanadium dioxide thin films on hexagonal boron nitride flakes as transferrable substrates
Authors: Genchi Shingo , Yamamoto Mahito , Shigematsu Koji , Aritomi Shodai , Nouchi Ryo , Kanki Teruo , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Murakami Yasukazu , Tanaka Hidekazu
Published: February 2019

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is an archetypal metal-insulator transition (MIT) material, which has been known for decades to show an orders-of-magnitude change in resistivity across the critical temperature of approximately 340 K. In recent years, VO2 has attracted increasing interest for electronic and photonic applications, along with advancement in thin film growth techniques. Previously, thin films of VO2 were commonly grown on rigid substrates such as crystalline oxides and bulk semiconductors, but the use of transferrable materials as the growth substrates can provide versatility in applications, including transparent and flexible devices. Here, we employ single-crystalline hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), which is an insulating layered material, as a substrate for VO2 thin film growth. VO2 thin films in the polycrystalline form are grown onto hBN thin flakes exfoliated onto silicon (Si) with a thermal oxide, with grains reaching up-to a micrometer in size. The VO2 grains on hBN are orientated preferentially with the (110) surface of the rutile structure, which is the most energetically favorable. The VO2 film on hBN shows a MIT at approximately 340 K, across which the resistivity changes by nearly three orders of magnitude, comparable to VO2 films grown on common substrates such as sapphire and titanium dioxide. The VO2/hBN stack can be picked up from the supporting Si and transferred onto arbitrary substrates, onto which VO2 thin films cannot be grown directly. Our results pave the way for new possibilities for practical and versatile applications of VO2 thin films in electronics and photonics.
Hydration shell differentiates folded and disordered states of a Trp-cage miniprotein, allowing characterization of structural heterogeneity by wide-line NMR measurements
Authors: Taricska Nóra , Bokor Mónika , Menyhárd Dóra K. , Tompa Kálmán , Perczel András
Published: February 2019

Hydration properties of folded and unfolded/disordered miniproteins were monitored in frozen solutions by wide-line 1H-NMR. The amount of mobile water as function of T (−80 °C < T < 0 °C) was found characteristically different for folded (TC5b), semi-folded (pH < 3, TCb5(H+)) and disordered (TC5b_N1R) variants. Comparing results of wide-line 1H-NMR and molecular dynamics simulations we found that both the amount of mobile water surrounding proteins in ice, as well as their thaw profiles differs significantly as function of the compactness and conformational heterogeneity of their structure. We found that (i) at around −50 °C ~50 H2Os/protein melt (ii) if the protein is well-folded then this amount of mobile water remains quasi-constant up to −20 °C, (iii) if disordered then the quantity of the lubricating mobile water increases with T in a constant manner up to ~200 H2Os/protein by reaching −20 °C. Especially in the −55 °C ↔ −15 °C temperature range, wide-line 1H-NMR detects the heterogeneity of protein fold, providing the size of the hydration shell surrounding the accessible conformers at a given temperature. Results indicate that freezing of protein solutions proceeds by the gradual selection of the enthalpically most favored states that also minimize the number of bridging waters.
The Effect of Visual Capture Towards Subjective Embodiment Within the Full Body Illusion
Authors: Carey Mark , Crucianelli Laura , Preston Catherine , Fotopoulou Aikaterini
Published: February 2019

Typically, multisensory illusion paradigms emphasise the importance of synchronous visuotactile integration to induce subjective embodiment towards another body. However, the extent to which embodiment is due to the ‘visual capture’ of congruent visuoproprioceptive information alone remains unclear. Thus, across two experiments (total N = 80), we investigated how mere visual observation of a mannequin body, viewed from a first-person perspective, influenced subjective embodiment independently from concomitant visuotactile integration. Moreover, we investigated whether slow, affective touch on participants’ own, unseen body (without concomitant touch on the seen mannequin) disrupted visual capture effects to a greater degree than fast, non-affective touch. In total, 40% of participants experienced subjective embodiment towards the mannequin body following mere visual observation, and this effect was significantly higher than conditions which included touch to participants own, unseen body. The velocity of the touch that participants received (affective/non-affective) did not differ in modulating visual capture effects. Furthermore, the effects of visual capture and perceived pleasantness of touch was not modulated by subthreshold eating disorder psychopathology. Overall, this study suggests that congruent visuoproprioceptive cues can be sufficient to induce subjective embodiment of a whole body, in the absence of visuotactile integration and beyond mere confabulatory responses.
Differential epithelial and stromal protein profiles in cone and non-cone regions of keratoconus corneas
Authors: Yam Gary Hin-Fai , Fuest Matthias , Zhou Lei , Liu Yu-Chi , Deng Lu , Chan Anita Sook-Yee , Ong Hon Shing , Khor Wei-Boon , Ang Marcus , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: February 2019

Keratoconus (KC) is an ectatic corneal disease characterized by progressive thinning and irregular astigmatism, and a leading indication for corneal transplantation. KC-associated changes have been demonstrated for the entire cornea, but the pathological thinning and mechanical weakening is usually localized. We performed quantitative proteomics using Sequential Windowed Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment Ion Mass Spectrometry (SWATH-MS) to analyze epithelial and stromal changes between the topographically-abnormal cone and topographically-normal non-cone regions of advanced KC corneas, compared to age-matched normal corneas. Expression of 20 epithelial and 14 stromal proteins was significantly altered (≥2 or ≤0.5-fold) between cone and non-cone in all 4 KC samples. Ingenuity pathway analysis illustrated developmental and metabolic disorders for the altered epithelial proteome with mitochondrion as the significant gene ontology (GO) term. The differential stromal proteome was related to cellular assembly, tissue organization and connective tissue disorders with endoplasmic reticulum protein folding as the significant GO term. Validation of selected protein expression was performed on archived KC, non-KC and normal corneal specimens by immunohistochemistry. This is the first time to show that KC-associated proteome changes were not limited to the topographically-thinner and mechanically-weakened cone but also non-cone region with normal topography, indicating a peripheral involvement in KC development.
Anti-coccidial properties and mechanisms of an edible herb, Bidens pilosa, and its active compounds for coccidiosis
Authors: Yang Wen-Chin , Yang Cheng-Ying , Liang Yu-Chuan , Yang Chu-Wen , Li Wei-Qun , Chung Chih-Yao , Yang Meng-Ting , Kuo Tien-Fen , Lin Chuen-Fu , Liang Chih-Lung , Chang Cicero Lee-Tian
Published: February 2019

Avian coccidiosis is an economically important disease in the poultry industry. In view of the disadvantages of anti-coccidial drugs in chickens, edible plants and their compounds are re-emerging as an alternative strategy to combat this disease. A previous publication reported that the edible plant B. pilosa showed promise for use against coccidiosis. Here, we first investigated into the anti-coccidial effects of B. pilosa. We found that B. pilosa at 100 ppm or more significantly suppressed E. tenella as evidenced by reduction in mortality rate, oocyst excretion and gut pathological severity in chickens and its minimum prophylactic duration was 3 days. Next, we explored the mode of action of anti-coccidial mechanism of B. pilosa. The E. tenella oocysts were not directly killed by B. pilosa; however, administration of the plant suppressed oocyst sporulation, sporozoite invasion, and schizonts in the life cycle of E. tenella. Besides, B. pilosa boosted T cell-mediated immunity. Finally, we characterized the related anti-coccidial phytochemicals and their mode of action. One of three potent polyynes present in B. pilsoa, Compound 1 (cytopiloyne), acted against coccidiosis in chickens in a similar manner to B. pilosa. These data illustrate the anti-coccidial potency and mechanism of B. pilosa and one of its active compounds, and provide a cornerstone for development of novel herbal remedies for avian coccidiosis.
Serum Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Correlate with Serum Cytokines and Clinical Disease Activity in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Scoville Elizabeth A. , Allaman Margaret M. , Adams Dawn W. , Motley Amy K. , Peyton Shannon C. , Ferguson Sarah L. , Horst Sara N. , Williams Christopher S. , Beaulieu Dawn B. , Schwartz David A. , Wilson Keith T. , Coburn Lori A.
Published: February 2019

Crohn’s disease (CD) has been associated with an increased consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), while greater intake of n-3 PUFA has been associated with a reduced risk. We sought to investigate serum fatty acid composition in CD, and associations of fatty acids with disease activity, cytokines, and adipokines. Serum was prospectively collected from 116 CD subjects and 27 non-IBD controls. Clinical disease activity was assessed by the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI). Serum fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Serum cytokines and adipokines were measured by Luminex assay. Dietary histories were obtained from a subset of patients. Nine serum cytokines and adipokines were increased in CD versus controls. CD subjects had increased percentage serum monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), dihomo-gamma linolenic acid (DGLA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and oleic acid, but decreased arachidonic acid (AA) versus controls. The % total n-3 fatty acids and % EPA directly correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and HBI, whereas the % total n-6 fatty acids were inversely correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and HBI. CD subjects had increased caloric intake versus controls, but no alterations in total fat or PUFA intake. We found differences in serum fatty acids, most notably PUFA, in CD that correlated both with clinical disease activity and inflammatory cytokines. Our findings indicate that altered fatty acid metabolism or utilization is present in CD and is related to disease activity.
Integrated single-base resolution maps of transcriptome, sRNAome and methylome of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) in tomato
Authors: Piedra-Aguilera Álvaro , Jiao Chen , Luna Ana P. , Villanueva Francisco , Dabad Marc , Esteve-Codina Anna , Díaz-Pendón Juan A. , Fei Zhangjun , Bejarano Eduardo R. , Castillo Araceli G.
Published: February 2019

Geminiviruses are plant ssDNA viruses that replicate through dsDNA intermediates and form minichromosomes which carry the same epigenetic marks as the host chromatin. During the infection, geminiviruses are targets of the post-transcriptional and transcriptional gene silencing machinery. To obtain insights into the connection between virus-derived small RNAs (vsRNAs), viral genome methylation and gene expression, we obtained the transcriptome, sRNAome and methylome from the geminivirusTomato yellow leaf curl virus-infected tomato plants. The results showed accumulation of transcripts just at the viral ORFs, while vsRNAs spanned the entire genome, showing a prevalent accumulation at regions where the viral ORFs overlapped. The viral genome was not homogenously methylated showing two highly methylated regions located in the C1 ORF and around the intergenic region (IR). The compilation of those results showed a partial correlation between vsRNA accumulation, gene expression and DNA methylation. We could distinguish different epigenetic scenarios along the viral genome, suggesting that in addition to its function as a plant defence mechanism, DNA methylation could have a role in viral gene regulation. To our knowledge, this is the first report that shows integrative single-nucleotide maps of DNA methylation, vsRNA accumulation and gene expression from a plant virus.
Discordant attributes of structural and functional brain connectivity in a two-layer multiplex network
Authors: Lim Sol , Radicchi Filippo , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , Sporns Olaf
Published: February 2019

Several studies have suggested that functional connectivity (FC) is constrained by the underlying structural connectivity (SC) and mutually correlated. However, not many studies have focused on differences in the network organization of SC and FC, and on how these differences may inform us about their mutual interaction. To explore this issue, we adopt a multi-layer framework, with SC and FC, constructed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data from the Human Connectome Project, forming a two-layer multiplex network. In particular, we examine node strength assortativity within and between the SC and FC layer. We find that, in general, SC is organized assortatively, indicating brain regions are on average connected to other brain regions with similar node strengths. On the other hand, FC shows disassortative mixing. This discrepancy is apparent also among individual resting-state networks within SC and FC. In addition, these patterns show lateralization, with disassortative mixing within FC subnetworks mainly driven from the left hemisphere. We discuss our findings in the context of robustness to structural failure, and we suggest that discordant and lateralized patterns of associativity in SC and FC may provide clues to understand laterality of some neurological dysfunctions and recovery.
(p)ppGpp-mediated stress response induced by defects in outer membrane biogenesis and ATP production promotes survival in Escherichia coli
Authors: Roghanian Mohammad , Semsey Szabolcs , Løbner-Olesen Anders , Jalalvand Farshid
Published: February 2019

Cellular growth requires a high level of coordination to ensure that all processes run in concert. The role of the nucleotide alarmone (p)ppGpp has been extensively studied in response to external stresses, such as amino acid starvation, in Escherichia coli, but much less is known about the involvement of (p)ppGpp in response to perturbations in intracellular processes. We therefore employed CRISPRi to transcriptionally repress essential genes involved in 14 vital processes and investigated whether a (p)ppGpp-mediated response would be induced. We show that (p)ppGpp is produced and required for a pertinent stress response during interference with outer membrane biogenesis and ADP synthesis specifically. When these processes were perturbed via the transcriptional repression of essential genes, wild type E. coli MG1655 ceased growing and entered a semi-dormant state, whereas isogenic (p)ppGpp0 cells continued to grow uncontrollably to the point of lysis. Furthermore, in vivo measurements revealed that the ATP levels were intrinsically offset in (p)ppGpp0 cells, further indicating a role for the alarmone in cellular energy homeostasis. In summary, our investigation suggests that (p)ppGpp acts as a coordinator of cell growth in response to imbalances in outer membrane biogenesis and adenosine ribonucleotide synthesis, elucidating novel roles for (p)ppGpp in bacterial physiology.
A Novel Optical Scanning Technique with an Inclined Focusing Plane
Authors: Alexandrov Andrey , De Lellis Giovanni , Tioukov Valeri
Published: February 2019

We propose a novel technique for fully automated optical scanning of thin samples. We analyze its performance and estimate the achievable scanning speed to compare it with conventional techniques. It paves the way to the next generation of highspeed scalable scanning systems, at least one order of magnitude faster than existing ones. We show that the efficiency and the accuracy of this new technique are comparable to those of the conventional ones, while the scanning speed scales proportionally with the number of cameras installed, hence the large expected improvement.
Boron-neutron Capture on Activated Carbon for Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Romanos Jimmy , Beckner Matthew , Prosniewski Matthew , Rash Tyler , Lee Mark , Robertson J. David , Firlej Lucyna , Kuchta Bogdan , Pfeifer Peter
Published: February 2019

This work investigates the effects of neutron irradiation on nitrogen and hydrogen adsorption in boron-doped activated carbon. Boron-neutron capture generates an energetic lithium nucleus, helium nucleus, and gamma photons, which can alter the surface and structure of pores in activated carbon. The defects introduced by fission tracks are modeled assuming the slit-shaped pores geometry. Sub-critical nitrogen adsorption shows that nitrogen molecules cannot probe the defects created by fission tracks. Hydrogen adsorption isotherms of irradiated samples indicate higher binding energies compared to their non-irradiated parent samples.