bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Dietary Evidence on Medieval Rural Communities of the Basque Country (Spain) and Its Surroundings from Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Analyses: Social Insights, Diachronic Changes and Geographic Comparison
Authors: Lubritto C. , García‐Collado M. I. , Ricci P. , Altieri S. , Sirignano C. , Quirós Castillo J. A.
Published: August 2017

This paper presents the results of palaeodietary reconstruction based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis on bone collagen of five medieval rural populations from the Basque Country (northern Spain) spanning from 5thto 15thcenturiesad. One hundred forty‐seven human and 47 domestic faunal samples were successfully analysed with the objective of defining agrarian productive strategies and food consumption patterns. The results grouped the five sites in two clusters: on one side Zaballa and Treviño, whose inhabitants followed diets exclusively based on C3plants with significant intake of animal protein, and on the other, the populations from Aistra and Zornoztegi, who combined C3and C4plants and consumed lower amounts of animal protein. The isotopic values from Dulantzi were intermediate to these two groups. No differences were detected when individual status markers, such as grave goods, were available. Conversely, some restrictions on the access to certain food resources based on sex were uncovered. A relevant change in δ13C values was identified around 10thcentury, a consequence of a shift in the consumption patterns of C3and C4plants. Finally, these Basque sites were compared with those of the medieval Iberian case studies available in the literature. This comparison made evident the distinctive nature of the diet of the Basque medieval rural contexts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel green biosorbent from chitosan modified by sodium phytate for copper (II) ion removal
Authors: Kong Aiqun , He Benqiao , Liu Guangrui , Lu Xiaosong , Hao Yingdong , Bao Xinyao , Yan Feng , Li Jianxin
Published: August 2017

A novel kind of adsorbent bead was prepared from chitosan (CS) by ionic‐linked with sodium phytate (SP) and then covalent cross‐linked with epichlorohydrin (ECH) by nonsolvent‐induced phase separation. The structure of the beads was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of the beads for Cu(II) ions under different adsorption conditions were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) ions was 177.1 mg g−1 at the conditions of pH of 5.2, temperature of 50°C, and initial Cu(II) ion concentration of 728.3 mg L−1. The adsorption isotherm of Cu(II) ions on the CS/SP/ECH beads was well correlated with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the whole adsorption process could be better followed the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Moreover, the CS/SP/ECH beads still exhibited good adsorption capacity even after the 15th regeneration cycles.
PHB (poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate) and its enzymatic degradation
Authors: Roohi  , Zaheer Mohd Rehan , Kuddus Mohammed
Published: August 2017

Our daily life needs depend on plastics, as they are cheap and durable, so they become the most commonly used synthetic chemical products. But from an environmentalist's point of view, a major concern related to these plastics is their non‐biodegradable nature. Driven by growing demand to search for sustainable solutions to dispose off generating huge volume of synthetic plastic wastes, shifted the mind of researcher towards the use of biodegradable plastics which can be completely disposed‐off by microbial enzymatic degradation. These biodegradable plastics or “bioplastics” are also synthesized by microbes under certain stressed environmental conditions out of which poly(R‐3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is the most ubiquitous and best known representatives of polyhydroxyalkanoate family. The PHB is most intensively used for the innovative biomedical applications owing to suitable combination of biocompatibility, transport characteristics, and mechanical properties. These challenging aspects of PHB can be used for designing of novel medical devices, in tissue engineering, and for systematic sustained drug delivery. Lots of research reports on PHB degrading enzymes and their producing microorganisms including biochemical aspects are available but in scattered form. So this review highlighted all the relevant information of PHB and PHB‐degrading enzymes starting with basic classification, synthesis, mechanism, and applications that are environment friendly and are of public interest.
A closer lens: Cancer survivors' supportive intervention preferences and interventions received
Authors: Arch Joanna J. , Vanderkruik Rachel , Kirk Alex , Carr Alaina L.
Published: August 2017

Objective

Cancer survivor preferences for formal interventions designed to provide psychological support remain relatively unknown. To address this gap, we evaluated cancer survivors' preferences for psychological intervention, whom they preferred to recommend such intervention, and how their preferences compared with what they currently received.

Methods

US cancer survivors (n = 345) who were at least 2 months post‐treatment for diverse forms of cancer were recruited online to complete a survey study.

Results

Based on Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests to distinguish among ranked preferences, cancer survivors rated individual professional counseling as their most‐preferred form of psychological intervention (among 6 choices), p < .001, followed by professionally led cancer support groups and individual peer counseling. Anti‐depressant or other psychiatric medication represented their least‐preferred intervention, ps < .001, but was the one they were most likely to currently receive. Preference for individual professional counseling over psychiatric medication was evident even among the subgroups of cancer survivors screening positively for probable anxiety disorder (n = 188) or major depression (n = 137), ps < .001. Cancer survivors most preferred to learn about psychological interventions from their medical oncologist, p < .001, followed by primary care physician, cancer nurse, or another cancer survivor; they least preferred to learn from a social worker or on their own, ps < .001.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors reported significant unmet need for psychological intervention, preference for non‐pharmacological forms of such support, and a gap between their preferred forms of support and what they currently receive.
Systemic AA amyloidosis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Authors: Rising Anna , Cederlund Ella , Palmberg Carina , Uhlhorn Henrik , Gaunitz Stefan , Nordling Kerstin , Ågren Erik , Ihse Elisabet , Westermark Gunilla T. , Tjernberg Lars , Jörnvall Hans , Johansson Jan , Westermark Per
Published: August 2017

Amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis occurs spontaneously in many mammals and birds, but the prevalence varies considerably among different species, and even among subgroups of the same species. The Blue fox and the Gray fox seem to be resistant to the development of AA amyloidosis, while Island foxes have a high prevalence of the disease. Herein, we report on the identification of AA amyloidosis in the Red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Edman degradation and tandem MS analysis of proteolyzed amyloid protein revealed that the amyloid partly was composed of full‐length SAA. Its amino acid sequence was determined and found to consist of 111 amino acid residues. Based on inter‐species sequence comparisons we found four residue exchanges (Ser31, Lys63, Leu71, Lys72) between the Red and Blue fox SAAs. Lys63 seems unique to the Red fox SAA. We found no obvious explanation to how these exchanges might correlate with the reported differences in SAA amyloidogenicity. Furthermore, in contrast to fibrils from many other mammalian species, the isolated amyloid fibrils from Red fox did not seed AA amyloidosis in a mouse model.
Fluorination as Effective Method for Tuning the Electromagnetic Response of Graphene
Authors: Valynets N. I. , Paddubskaya A. G. , Kuzhir P. P. , Sysoev V. I. , Bulusheva L. G. , Okotrub A. V.
Published: August 2017

Fluorinated graphene (FG) has been obtained by a fluorination of thermally exfoliated graphite fluoride C2F layers using a gaseous mixture of BrF3 and Br2 at room temperature. Comparative study of electromagnetic (EM) response of thin FG films after recovering their conductivity via different methods is presented in microwave (GHz) and terahertz (THz) frequency ranges. We discovered that fluorination can be used as promising tool for producing tunable EM interference (EMI) shielding materials, combining reflective and absorptive layers.
Post‐mortem oxygen isotope exchange within cultured diatom silica
Authors: Tyler Jonathan J. , Sloane Hilary J. , Rickaby Rosalind E.M. , Cox Eileen J. , Leng Melanie J.
Published: August 2017

Rationale

Potential post‐mortem alteration to the oxygen isotope composition of biogenic silica is critical to the validity of palaeoclimate reconstructions based on oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O values) from sedimentary silica. We calculate the degree of oxygen isotope alteration within freshly cultured diatom biogenic silica in response to heating and storing in the laboratory.

Methods

The experiments used freshly cultured diatom silica. Silica samples were either stored in water or dried at temperatures between 20 °C and 80 °C. The mass of affected oxygen and the associated silica‐water isotope fractionation during alteration were calculated by conducting parallel experiments using endmember waters with δ18O values of −6.3 to −5.9 ‰ and −36.3 to −35.0 ‰. Dehydroxylation and subsequent oxygen liberation were achieved by stepwise fluorination with BrF5. The 18O/16O ratios were measured using a ThermoFinnigan MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

Results

Significant alterations in silica δ18O values were observed, most notably an increase in the δ18O values following drying at 40–80 °C. Storage in water for 7 days between 20 and 80 °C also led to significant alteration in δ18O values. Mass balance calculations suggest that the amount of affected oxygen is positively correlated with temperature. The estimated oxygen isotope fractionation during alteration is an inverse function of temperature, consistent with the extrapolation of models for high‐temperature silica‐water oxygen isotope fractionation.

Conclusions

Routinely used preparatory methods may impart significant alterations to the δ18O values of biogenic silica, particularly when dealing with modern cultured or field‐collected material. The significance of such processes within natural aquatic environments is uncertain; however, there is potential that similar processes also affect sedimentary diatoms, with implications for the interpretation of biogenic silica‐hosted δ18O palaeoclimate records.
Subgroup detection and sample size calculation with proportional hazards regression for survival data
Authors: Kang Suhyun , Lu Wenbin , Song Rui
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we propose a testing procedure for detecting and estimating the subgroup with an enhanced treatment effect in survival data analysis. Here, we consider a new proportional hazard model that includes a nonparametric component for the covariate effect in the control group and a subgroup‐treatment–interaction effect defined by a change plane. We develop a score‐type test for detecting the existence of the subgroup, which is doubly robust against misspecification of the baseline effect model or the propensity score but not both under mild assumptions for censoring. When the null hypothesis of no subgroup is rejected, the change‐plane parameters that define the subgroup can be estimated on the basis of supremum of the normalized score statistic. The asymptotic distributions of the proposed test statistic under the null and local alternative hypotheses are established. On the basis of established asymptotic distributions, we further propose a sample size calculation formula for detecting a given subgroup effect and derive a numerical algorithm for implementing the sample size calculation in clinical trial designs. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated by simulation studies. An application to an AIDS clinical trial data is also given for illustration.
Quantum‐Dot‐in‐Polymer Composites via Advanced Surface Engineering
Authors: Lesyuk Rostyslav , Cai Bin , Reuter Uta , Gaponik Nikolai , Popovych Dmytro , Lesnyak Vladimir
Published: August 2017

A straightforward approach to the fabrication of quantum‐dot (QD)‐in‐polymer solid composites with a tunable content of the nanoparticles is presented. This procedure includes the colloidal synthesis of QDs based on CuInS2 with their subsequent shelling with ZnS and ligand exchange with two molecules containing monomer units. These QDs, on the one hand, retain their bright photoluminescence after the exchange. On the other hand, their functionalized surface bears double‐bond‐containing groups that are copolymerizable with common monomers such as styrene and methyl methacrylate via free radical polymerization. The composites possess an enhanced photostability, in particular polystyrene‐based solids, being tested in a focus of a powerful irradiation. During this treatment, an interesting light‐soaking effect consisting in a significant enhancement of the photoluminescence is observed. Owing to their superior stability under the light irradiation, these composites are very promising for application in low‐cost solar‐energy devices such as photovoltaic windows, solar concentrators, spectral converters. Perspectives of the practical application of the composites are well supported by Monte Carlo simulations. The developed method of surface engineering can be applied to a wide range of other QDs to incorporate them into a polymer matrix and fabricate highly transparent and stable composites.
The Functionalization of Miniature Energy‐Storage Devices
Authors: Zhang Longsheng , Liao Meng , Bao Luke , Sun Xuemei , Peng Huisheng
Published: August 2017

In addition to fabricating miniaturized but high‐performance energy‐storage devices, integrating them with additional intelligent functions is also of great significance to accelerate the development of portable and wearable electronics. The integration of functional materials into energy‐storage devices can endow them with impressive properties besides energy storage, allowing many unprecedented applications to be possible. Here, the recent progress and methodology of constructing functionalized miniature energy‐storage devices that can change color, memorize shapes, and self‐heal are summarized. The strategies in the integration of different functions and the performances of these intelligent energy‐storage devices are then highlighted. The remaining challenges and future directions are provided in conclusion.
Birth of the Biscane
Authors: Maier‐Gerber Michael , Pantillon Florian , Di Muzio Enrico , Riemer Michael , Fink Andreas H. , Knippertz Peter
Published: August 2017

This paper describes the unprecedented storm Stephanie, which exhibited tropical characteristics over the Bay of Biscay on 15 September 2016. Remote sensing observations reveal a cloud‐free area surrounded by a circular precipitation pattern and an axisymmetric wind field, while buoy observations show an abrupt drop in wind speed during the passage of the storm centre. Model analysis further corroborates an ongoing tropical transition from a frontal cold‐core to a symmetric warm‐core system. By analogy with ‘Medicanes’ (Mediterranean hurricanes), we name this storm a ‘Biscane’ (Biscay hurricane). Weather systems of this kind may become more frequent in a warmer climate.
Emerging roles of hnRNPA1 in modulating malignant transformation
Authors: Roy Rajat , Huang Yueyang , Seckl Michael J. , Pardo Olivier E.
Published: August 2017

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) are RNA‐binding proteins associated with complex and diverse biological processes such as processing of heterogeneous nuclear RNAs (hnRNAs) into mature mRNAs, RNA splicing, transactivation of gene expression, and modulation of protein translation. hnRNPA1 is the most abundant and ubiquitously expressed member of this protein family and has been shown to be involved in multiple molecular events driving malignant transformation. In addition to selective mRNA splicing events promoting expression of specific protein variants, hnRNPA1 regulates the gene expression and translation of several key players associated with tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Here, we will summarize our current knowledge of the involvement of hnRNPA1 in cancer, including its roles in regulating cell proliferation, invasiveness, metabolism, adaptation to stress and immortalization. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1431. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1431

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

Translation > Translation Mechanisms

RNA Export and Localization > Nuclear Export/Import
Hospital Workload for Weapon‐Wounded Females Treated by the International Committee of the Red Cross: More Work Needed than for Males
Authors: Andersson Peter , Muhrbeck Måns , Veen Harald , Osman Zaher , von Schreeb Johan
Published: August 2017

Background

Civilians constitute 33–51% of victims in armed conflicts. Several reports on civilian injuries exist, but few have focused on injuries afflicting females. We analyzed routinely collected data on weapon‐related injuries from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in northwestern Pakistan in order to define injury patterns and types of surgical treatment for females.

Methods

A total of 3028 patient files (376 females) from consecutively admitted patients to the ICRC‐hospital in Peshawar from February 2009 to May 2012 were included. Information regarding injury‐mechanism, time since injury, vital parameters at admission, type of injury, treatment and basic outcome was extracted from the files and analyzed. Comparisons between gender and age‐groups were done by cross‐table analyses or nonparametric tests.

Results

Females were younger than males (20 vs. 25 years), arrived sooner after injury (24 vs. 48 h) (p < 0.001 for both) and were victims of bombs and missiles more frequently (64.4 vs. 54.6%) (p < 0.001). Vital parameters such as systolic blood pressure (110 vs. 113 mmHg) and pulse rate (100 vs. 86) were more affected at admission (p < 0.001 for both). Females were subjected to surgery (83.0 vs. 77.4%) (p < 0.05) and were given blood transfusions more often (18.8 vs. 13.6%) (p < 0.01). No differences in amputations or in‐hospital mortality were found.

Conclusions

Females treated at the ICRC‐hospital in northwestern Pakistan are markedly affected by indiscriminate weapons such as bombs and missiles. Their average consumption of surgery is greater than for males, and this might be relevant in planning for staffing and facility needs in similar contexts.
Minimisers of the Allen–Cahn equation and the asymptotic Plateau problem on hyperbolic groups
Authors: Mramor Blaž
Published: August 2017

We investigate the existence of non-constant uniformly-bounded minimal solutions of the Allen–Cahn equation on a Gromov-hyperbolic group. We show that whenever the Laplace term in the Allen–Cahn equation is small enough, there exist minimal solutions satisfying a large class of prescribed asymptotic behaviours. For a phase field model on a hyperbolic group, such solutions describe phase transitions that asymptotically converge towards prescribed phases, given by asymptotic directions. In the spirit of de Giorgi's conjecture, we then fix an asymptotic behaviour and let the Laplace term go to zero. In the limit we obtain a solution to a corresponding asymptotic Plateau problem by Γ-convergence.
Atriofascicular Mahaim with Ebstein anomaly: A case report
Authors: Ueshima Kazushi , Nakamura Yoshihide , Takeno Satoru , Miyake Toshiharu , Takemura Tsukasa
Published: August 2017

We report a case of a 7‐year‐old girl with atriofascicular Mahaim (AFM) pathway concomitant with Ebstein's anomaly. The QRS wave showed left bundle branch block pattern on electrocardiogram. Holter electrocardiogram showed prolongation of the PR interval and QRS morphological change during sinus tachycardia. An electrophysiological study demonstrated that the distal His potential appeared earlier than the proximal His potential, which suggested retrograde His conduction toward the atrioventricular node. Conduction from the Mahaim fiber to the His bundle was faster than that from the atrioventricular node towards the His bundle. The findings of this important case allowed a differential diagnosis between AFM and Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome.
How to Regulate
Authors: Lambert Thomas A.
Published: August 2017

Markets sometimes fail. But so do regulatory efforts to correct market failures. Sometimes regulations reach too far, condemning good activities as well as bad, and sometimes they don't reach far enough, allowing bad behavior to persist. In this highly instructive book, Thomas A. Lambert explains the pitfalls of both extremes while offering readers a manual of effective regulation, showing how the best regulation maximizes social welfare and minimizes social costs. Working like a physician, Lambert demonstrates how regulators should diagnose the underlying disease and identify its symptoms, potential remedies for it, and their side effects before selecting the regulation that offers the greatest net benefit. This book should be read by policymakers, students, and anyone else interested in understanding how the best regulations are crafted and why they work.
Testing the Effectiveness of Protocols for Removal of Common Conservation Treatments for Radiocarbon Dating
Authors: Brock Fiona , Dee Michael , Hughes Andrew , Snoeck Christophe , Staff Richard , Bronk Ramsey Christopher
Published: August 2017

To achieve a reliable radiocarbon (14C) date for an object, any contamination that may be of a different age must be removed prior to dating. Samples that have been conserved with treatments such as adhesives, varnishes or consolidants can pose a particular challenge to14C dating. At the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU), common examples of such substances encountered include shellac, the acrylic polymers Paraloid B-67 and B-72, and vinyl acetate-derived polymers (e.g. PVA). Here, a non-carbon-containing absorbent substrate called Chromosorb®was deliberately contaminated with a range of varieties or brands of these conservation treatments, as well as two cellulose nitrate lacquers. A selection of chemical pretreatments was tested for their efficiency at removing them. While the varieties of shellac and Paraloid tested were completely removed with some treatments (water/methanol and acetone/methanol/chloroform sequential washes, respectively), no method was found that was capable of completely removing any of the vinyl acetate-derived materials or the cellulose nitrate lacquers. While Chromosorb is not an exact analog of archaeological wood or bone, for example, this study suggests that it may be possible to remove aged shellac and Paraloid from archaeological specimens with standard organic solvent-acid-base-acid pretreatments, but it may be significantly more difficult to remove vinyl acetate-derived polymers and cellulose nitrate lacquers sufficiently to provide reliable14C dates. The four categories of conservation treatment studied demonstrate characteristic FTIR spectra, while highlighting subtle chemical and molecular differences between different varieties of shellac, Paraloid and cellulose nitrate lacquers, and significant differences between the vinyl acetate derivatives.
Public Employees as Politicians: Evidence from Close Elections
Authors: HYYTINEN ARI , MERILÄINEN JAAKKO , SAARIMAA TUUKKA , TOIVANEN OTTO , TUKIAINEN JANNE
Published: August 2017

We analyze the effect of municipal employees’ political representation in municipal councils on local public spending. We use within-party, as-good-as-random variation in close elections in the Finnish open-list proportional election system to quantify the effect. One more councilor employed by the public sector increases spending by about 1%. The effect comes largely through the largest party and is specific to the employment sector of the municipal employee. The results are consistent with public employees having an information advantage over other politicians, and thus, being able to influence policy.
The Church of England, the Nonconformists and Reason: Another Restoration Controversy
Authors: HAIGH CHRISTOPHER
Published: August 2017

This paper (a companion to an article published thisJournallxvii [2016]) considers a twelve-year campaign by some Church of England clergy to discredit Nonconformists as irrational enthusiasts. It began in 1668–9, to discourage concessions to Nonconformists through ‘comprehension’ and to prove the loyalty of men suspected of lukewarm attachment to the Church. Congregationalists responded by accusing the conformists of Socinianism. But Presbyterians were less willing to differ from churchmen, and claimed that orthodox Protestants did not disagree about reason. Any differences were exaggerated for polemical advantage, and the controversy drove conformists and Nonconformists further apart.
Departure from MHD prescriptions in shock formation over a guiding magnetic field
Authors: Bret A. , Pe'er A. , Sironi L. , Dieckmann M.E. , Narayan R.
Published: August 2017

In plasmas where the mean-free-path is much larger than the size of the system, shock waves can arise with a front much shorter than the mean-free-path. These so-called “collisionless shocks” are mediated by collective plasma interactions. Studies conducted so far on these shocks found that although binary collisions are absent, the distribution functions are thermalized downstream by scattering on the fields, so that magnetohydrodynamics prescriptions may apply. Here we show a clear departure from this pattern in the case of Weibel shocks forming over a flow-aligned magnetic field. A micro-physical analysis of the particle motion in the Weibel filaments shows how they become unable to trap the flow in the presence of too strong a field, inhibiting the mechanism of shock formation. Particle-in-cell simulations confirm these results.
Black phosphorus ink formulation for inkjet printing of optoelectronics and photonics
Authors: Hu Guohua , Albrow-Owen Tom , Jin Xinxin , Ali Ayaz , Hu Yuwei , Howe Richard C. T. , Shehzad Khurram , Yang Zongyin , Zhu Xuekun , Woodward Robert I. , Wu Tien-Chun , Jussila Henri , Wu Jiang-Bin , Peng Peng , Tan Ping-Heng , Sun Zhipei , Kelleher Edmund J. R. , Zhang Meng , Xu Yang , Hasan Tawfique
Published: August 2017

Black phosphorus is a two-dimensional material of great interest, in part because of its high carrier mobility and thickness dependent direct bandgap. However, its instability under ambient conditions limits material deposition options for device fabrication. Here we show a black phosphorus ink that can be reliably inkjet printed, enabling scalable development of optoelectronic and photonic devices. Our binder-free ink suppresses coffee ring formation through induced recirculating Marangoni flow, and supports excellent consistency (< 2% variation) and spatial uniformity (< 3.4% variation), without substrate pre-treatment. Due to rapid ink drying (< 10 s at < 60 °C), printing causes minimal oxidation. Following encapsulation, the printed black phosphorus is stable against long-term (> 30 days) oxidation. We demonstrate printed black phosphorus as a passive switch for ultrafast lasers, stable against intense irradiation, and as a visible to near-infrared photodetector with high responsivities. Our work highlights the promise of this material as a functional ink platform for printed devices.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of the microtubule-binding repeats of the Alzheimer-related protein Tau
Authors: Ambadipudi Susmitha , Biernat Jacek , Riedel Dietmar , Mandelkow Eckhard , Zweckstetter Markus
Published: August 2017

The protein Tau aggregates into tangles in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In solution, however, Tau is intrinsically disordered, highly soluble, and binds to microtubules. It is still unclear what initiates the conversion from an innocuous phase of high solubility and functionality to solid-like neurotoxic deposits. Here, we show that the microtubule-binding repeats of Tau, which are lysine-rich, undergo liquid–liquid phase separation in solution. Liquid–liquid demixing causes molecular crowding of amyloid-promoting elements of Tau and drives electrostatic coacervation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that three-repeat and four-repeat isoforms of Tau differ in their ability for demixing. Alternative splicing of Tau can thus regulate the formation of Tau-containing membrane-less compartments. In addition, phosphorylation of Tau repeats promotes liquid–liquid phase separation at cellular protein conditions. The combined data propose a mechanism in which liquid droplets formed by the positively charged microtubule-binding domain of Tau undergo coacervation with negatively charged molecules to promote amyloid formation.
Deep carbon storage potential of buried floodplain soils
Authors: D’Elia Amanda H. , Liles Garrett C. , Viers Joshua H. , Smart David R.
Published: August 2017

Soils account for the largest terrestrial pool of carbon and have the potential for even greater quantities of carbon sequestration. Typical soil carbon (C) stocks used in global carbon models only account for the upper 1 meter of soil. Previously unaccounted for deep carbon pools (>1 m) were generally considered to provide a negligible input to total C contents and represent less dynamic C pools. Here we assess deep soil C pools associated with an alluvial floodplain ecosystem transitioning from agricultural production to restoration of native vegetation. We analyzed the soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations of 87 surface soil samples (0–15 cm) and 23 subsurface boreholes (0–3 m). We evaluated the quantitative importance of the burial process in the sequestration of subsurface C and found our subsurface soils (0–3 m) contained considerably more C than typical C stocks of 0–1 m. This deep unaccounted soil C could have considerable implications for global C accounting. We compared differences in surface soil C related to vegetation and land use history and determined that flooding restoration could promote greater C accumulation in surface soils. We conclude deep floodplain soils may store substantial quantities of C and floodplain restoration should promote active C sequestration.
The universal existence of myodural bridge in mammals: an indication of a necessary function
Authors: Zheng Nan , Yuan Xiao-Ying , Chi Yan-Yan , Liu Pei , Wang Bing , Sui Jia-Ying , Han Seung-Ho , Yu Sheng-Bo , Sui Hong-Jin
Published: August 2017

The “myodural bridge” was described in literatures as a dense fibrous tissue connecting the sub-occipital musculature with the spinal dura mater in human studies. Now the concept of “myodural bridge” was perceived as an exact anatomical structure presumably essential for critical physiological functions in human body, and might exist in other mammals as well. To determine the existence of the “myodural bridge” in other mammals and to lay a foundation for the functional study, we examined representatives in five different mammalian orders. Based on the anatomical dissections, P45 plastinated sections and histological sections, we found that a dense fibrous tissue connected the rectus capitisdorsalis minor and the spinal dura mater through the dorsal atlanto-occipital interspace with or without the medium of the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane. These observed connective tissues were very similar to the “myodural bridge” previously described in humans. We proposed that the “myodural bridge”, as an evolutionally conserved structure, presents in many other mammals. Moreover, we believed that the “myodural bridge” might be a homologous organ in mammals. Thus, this study could provide an insight for our understanding the physiological significance of the “myodural bridge”, especially in human.
Sea of Majorana fermions from pseudo-scalar superconducting order in three dimensional Dirac materials
Authors: Salehi Morteza , Jafari S. A.
Published: August 2017

We suggest that spin-singlet pseudo-scalar s-wave superconducting pairing creates a two dimensional sea of Majorana fermions on the surface of three dimensional Dirac superconductors (3DDS). This pseudo-scalar superconducting order parameter Δ5, in competition with scalar Dirac mass m, leads to a topological phase transition due to band inversion. We find that a perfect Andreev-Klein reflection is guaranteed by presence of anomalous Andreev reflection along with the conventional one. This effect manifests itself in a resonant peak of the differential conductance. Furthermore, Josephson current of the Δ5|m|Δ5 junction in the presence of anomalous Andreev reflection is fractional with 4π period. Our finding suggests another search area for condensed matter realization of Majorana fermions which are beyond the vortex-core of p-wave superconductors. The required Δ5 pairing can be extrinsically induced by a conventional s-wave superconductor into a three dimensional Dirac material (3DDM).
Leaky Integrate and Fire Neuron by Charge-Discharge Dynamics in Floating-Body MOSFET
Authors: Dutta Sangya , Kumar Vinay , Shukla Aditya , Mohapatra Nihar R. , Ganguly Udayan
Published: August 2017

Neuro-biology inspired Spiking Neural Network (SNN) enables efficient learning and recognition tasks. To achieve a large scale network akin to biology, a power and area efficient electronic neuron is essential. Earlier, we had demonstrated an LIF neuron by a novel 4-terminal impact ionization based n+/p/n+ with an extended gate (gated-INPN) device by physics simulation. Excellent improvement in area and power compared to conventional analog circuit implementations was observed. In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a compact conventional 3-terminal partially depleted (PD) SOI- MOSFET (100 nm gate length) to replace the 4-terminal gated-INPN device. Impact ionization (II) induced floating body effect in SOI-MOSFET is used to capture LIF neuron behavior to demonstrate spiking frequency dependence on input. MHz operation enables attractive hardware acceleration compared to biology. Overall, conventional PD-SOI-CMOS technology enables very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) which is essential for biology scale (~1011 neuron based) large neural networks.
Chronic post-stroke aphasia severity is determined by fragmentation of residual white matter networks
Authors: Marebwa Barbara K. , Fridriksson Julius , Yourganov Grigori , Feenaughty Lynda , Rorden Chris , Bonilha Leonardo
Published: August 2017

Many stroke survivors with aphasia in the acute period experience spontaneous recovery within the first six months after the stroke. However, approximately 30–40% sustain permanent aphasia and the factors determining incomplete recovery are unclear. Suboptimal recovery may be influenced by disruption of areas seemingly spared by the stroke due to loss of white matter connectivity and network integrity. We reconstructed individual anatomical whole-brain connectomes from 90 left hemisphere stroke survivors using diffusion MR images. We measured the modularity of the residual white matter network organization, the probability of brain regions clustering together, and the degree of fragmentation of left hemisphere networks. Greater post-stroke left hemisphere network fragmentation and higher modularity index were associated with more severe chronic aphasia, controlling for the size of the stroke lesion. Even when the left hemisphere was relatively spared, subjects with disorganized community structure had significantly worse aphasia, particularly when key temporal lobe regions were isolated into segregated modules. These results suggest that white matter integrity and disorganization of neuronal networks could be important determinants of chronic aphasia severity. Connectome white matter organization measured through modularity and other topological features could be used as a personalized variable for clinical staging and aphasia treatment planning.
Global mapping of miRNA-target interactions in cattle (Bos taurus)
Authors: Scheel Troels K. H. , Moore Michael J. , Luna Joseph M. , Nishiuchi Eiko , Fak John , Darnell Robert B. , Rice Charles M.
Published: August 2017

With roles in development, cell proliferation and disease, micro-RNA (miRNA) biology is of great importance and a potential therapeutic target. Here we used cross-linking immunoprecipitation (CLIP) and ligation of miRNA-target chimeras on the Argonaute (AGO) protein to globally map miRNA interactions in the cow. The interactome is the deepest reported to date. miRNA targeting principles are consistent with observations in other species, but with expanded pairing rules. Experimental mapping robustly predicted functional miR-17 regulatory sites. From miRNA-specific targeting for >5000 mRNAs we determined gene ontologies (GO). This confirmed repression of genes important for embryonic development and cell cycle progress by the let-7 family, and repression of those involved in cell cycle arrest by the miR-17 family, but also suggested a number of unappreciated miRNA functions. Our results provide a significant resource for understanding of bovine and species-conserved miRNA regulation, and demonstrate the power of experimental methods for establishing comprehensive interaction maps.
An amphibian chemical defense phenotype is inducible across life history stages
Authors: Bucciarelli Gary M. , Shaffer H. Bradley , Green David B. , Kats Lee B.
Published: August 2017

Inducible phenotypic responses to environmental variation are ubiquitous across the tree of life, but it remains an open question whether amphibian chemical defense phenotypes are inducible. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a key chemical defense trait in North American and Eurasian newts (Salamandridae). We tested if TTX can be induced by exposing populations of adult and larval California newts (Taricha torosa) to sustained stressful conditions while longitudinally quantifying TTX concentrations. Adult newts rapidly increased chemical defenses in response to simulated predator attacks and consistently maintained elevated TTX concentrations relative to wild, non-captive individuals. We also found that laboratory-reared larvae maintained chemical defenses nearly three-fold greater than those of siblings reared in streams. Collectively, our results indicate that amphibian chemical defenses are not fixed. Instead, toxins are maintained at a baseline concentration that can quickly be increased in response to perceived risk with substantial increases to toxicity. Therefore, it is crucial that inducible variation be accounted for when considering ecological dynamics of chemically defended animals and coevolutionary predator-prey and mimic-model relationships.
Heritability of the Symbiodinium community in vertically- and horizontally-transmitting broadcast spawning corals
Authors: Quigley Kate M. , Willis Bette L. , Bay Line K.
Published: August 2017

The dinoflagellate-coral partnership influences the coral holobiont’s tolerance to thermal stress and bleaching. However, the comparative roles of host genetic versus environmental factors in determining the composition of this symbiosis are largely unknown. Here we quantify the heritability of the initialSymbiodiniumcommunities for two broadcast-spawning corals with different symbiont transmission modes:Acropora tenuishas environmental acquisition, whereasMontipora digitatahas maternal transmission. Using high throughput sequencing of the ITS-2 region to characterize communities in parents, juveniles and eggs, we describe previously undocumentedSymbiodiniumdiversity and dynamics in both corals. After one month of uptake in the field,Symbiodiniumcommunities associated withA.tenuisjuveniles were dominated by A3, C1, D1, A-type CCMP828, and D1a in proportional abundances conserved between experiments in two years.M.digitataeggs were predominantly characterized by C15, D1, and A3. In contrast to current paradigms, host genetic influences accounted for a surprising 29% of phenotypic variation inSymbiodiniumcommunities in the horizontally-transmittingA.tenuis, but only 62% in the vertically-transmittingM.digitata. Our results reveal hitherto unknown flexibility in the acquisition ofSymbiodiniumcommunities and substantial heritability in both species, providing material for selection to produce partnerships that are locally adapted to changing environmental conditions.
Serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) impact on vascular remodeling and prevent muscle damage in acute hind limb ischemia
Authors: Cavallari Claudia , Ranghino Andrea , Tapparo Marta , Cedrino Massimo , Figliolini Federico , Grange Cristina , Giannachi Valentina , Garneri Paolo , Deregibus Maria Chiara , Collino Federica , Rispoli Pietro , Camussi Giovanni , Brizzi Maria Felice
Published: August 2017

Serum is an abundant and accessible source of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs). Serum-EV (sEV) pro-angiogenic capability and mechanisms are herein analyzed using an in vitro assay which predicts sEV angiogenic potential in vivo. Effective sEVs (e-sEVs) also improved vascular remodeling and prevented muscle damage in a mouse model of acute hind limb ischemia. e-sEV angiogenic proteomic and transcriptomic analyses show a positive correlation with matrix-metalloproteinase activation and extracellular matrix organization, cytokine and chemokine signaling pathways, Insulin-like Growth Factor and platelet pathways, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor signaling. A discrete gene signature, which highlights differences in e-sEV and ineffective-EV biological activity, was identified using gene ontology (GO) functional analysis. An enrichment of genes associated with the Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) signaling cascade is associated with e-sEV administration but not with ineffective-EVs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis on the inhibitor of DNA binding I (ID1) promoter region, and the knock-down of small mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD)1–5 proteins confirmed GO functional analyses. This study demonstrates sEV pro-angiogenic activity, validates a simple, sEV pro-angiogenic assay which predicts their biological activity in vivo, and identifies the TGFβ1 cascade as a relevant mediator. We propose serum as a readily available source of EVs for therapeutic purposes.
Temporal changes in the radiocesium distribution in forests over the five years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident
Authors: Imamura Naohiro , Komatsu Masabumi , Ohashi Shinta , Hashimoto Shoji , Kajimoto Takuya , Kaneko Shinji , Takano Tsutomu
Published: August 2017

To elucidate the temporal changes in the radiocesium distribution in forests contaminated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, we monitored the 137Cs concentration and inventory within forests from 2011 to 2015 across nine plots containing variable tree species and different contamination levels. The 137Cs concentrations in needles and branches decreased exponentially at all coniferous plots, with effective ecological half-lives of 0.45–1.55 yr for needles and 0.83–1.69 yr for branches. By contrast, the 137Cs concentration in deciduous konara oak leaves did not change over the five years. The concentration of 137Cs in oak wood increased by 37–75%, whereas that in Japanese red pine decreased by 63% over the five years. In Japanese cedar and hinoki cypress, the 137Cs concentration in wood showed an increasing trend in half of the plots. The changes in 137Cs in the organic and mineral soil layers were not strongly related to the tree species or contamination level. Our multi-site, multi-species monitoring results revealed that the pattern of temporal changes in radiocesium in the 9 forest plots was similar overall; however, changes in 137Cs in needles/leaves and wood differed among tree species.
Prognostic significance and function of mammalian target of rapamycin in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Shau-Hsuan , Chien Chih-Yen , Huang Wan-Ting , Luo Sheng-Dean , Su Yan-Ye , Tien Wan-Yu , Lan Ya-Chun , Chen Chang-Han
Published: August 2017

Despite improvement in preoperative imaging, surgical technique, and adjuvant therapy, the prognosis of patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is still unsatisfactory. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) play a key role in the regulation of tumor cell proliferation and survival. However, the significance of mTOR on the prognosis of tongue SCC remains largely undefined. In the present study, immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) in 160 surgically resected tongue SCC, and correlated with survival. Univariate analysis revealed that p-mTOR overexpression (P = 0.006) was associated with inferior overall survival. In multivariate comparison, p-mTOR overexpression (P = 0.002, hazard ratio = 2.082) remained independently associated with worse overall survival. In vitro study, tongue cancer cells treated with everolimus, the specific mTOR inhibitor, or transfected with mTOR-mediated siRNAs dramatically attenuated the abilities of cell proliferation by MTT and BrdU assays. In 4-NQO-induced tongue cancer murine model, mTOR inhibitors significantly decreased the incidence of tongue SCC. In conclusion, p-mTOR overexpression was independently associated with poor prognosis of patients with tongue SCC. In vitro and vivo, mTOR inhibition showed the promising activity in tongue SCC. Our results suggest that inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for tongue SCC.
Identification, replication and characterization of epigenetic remodelling in the aging genome: a cross population analysis
Authors: Li Shuxia , Christiansen Lene , Christensen Kaare , Kruse Torben A. , Redmond Paul , Marioni Riccardo E. , Deary Ian J. , Tan Qihua
Published: August 2017

Aging is a complex biological process regulated by multiple cellular pathways and molecular mechanisms including epigenetics. Using genome-wide DNA methylation data measured in a large collection of Scottish old individuals, we performed discovery association analysis to identify age-methylated CpGs and replicated them in two independent Danish cohorts. The double-replicated CpGs were characterized by distribution over gene regions and location in relation to CpG islands. The replicated CpGs were further characterized by involvement in biological pathways to study their functional implications in aging. We identified 67,604 age-associated CpG sites reaching genome-wide significance of FWER <0.05, 86% demethylated with increasing age. Double-replication resulted in 5,168 CpGs (39% age-methylated and 61% age-demethylated) which were characterized by high concentration of age-methylated CpGs at 1stExon and TSS200 and a dominant pattern of age-demethylated CpGs at other gene regions, and by overwhelming age-related methylation in CpG islands and demethylation at shore/shelf and open sea. The differential distribution patterns over gene regions for methylated and demethylated CpGs both relate to reduced gene activity during aging. Pathway analysis showed that age-dependent methylations were especially involved in cellular signalling activities while demethylations particularly linked to functions of the extracellular matrix, all implicated in the aging process and age-related disease risk.