bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New water maser source near HW3d in the massive star-forming region Cepheus A
Authors: Kim Jeong-Sook , Kim Soon-Wook
Published: July 2018

Cepheus A is the second nearest high mass star-forming region after Orion. It is characterized by the presence of several phenomena, such as a complex molecular outflow, and multiple radio continuum sources, known as HW sources. The radio continuum and water maser emission have been detected toward HW2, HW3b and HW3d regions, and all of them are considered harboring young stellar objects. In 2014, we performed KaVA observations and detected a new bright maser feature, ~700 mas apart from HW3d, which has not been detected with previous VLBI observations. The relative proper motion of the new maser feature is faster than other regions. It can be a clue for a newly forming star. Alternatively, it may be caused by outflow shock from the star-forming regions such as HW3d or HW3c.
A Measurement of the Hubble Constant by the Megamaser Cosmology Project
Authors: Braatz James , Condon James , Henkel Christian , Greene Jenny , Lo Fred , Reid Mark , Pesce Dominic , Gao Feng , Impellizzeri Violette , Kuo Cheng-Yu , Zhao Wei , Constantin Anca , Hao Lei , Litzinger Eugenia
Published: July 2018

The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) measures the Hubble Constant by determining geometric distances to circumnuclear 22 GHz H2O megamasers in galaxies at low redshift (z < 0.05) but well into the Hubble flow. In combination with the recent, exquisite observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background by WMAP and Planck, these measurements provide a direct test of the standard cosmological model and constrain the equation of state of dark energy. The MCP is a multi-year project that has recently completed observations and is currently working on final analysis. Based on distance measurements to the first four published megamasers in the sample, the MCP currently determines H0 = 69.3 ± 4.2 km s−1 Mpc−1. The project is finalizing analysis for five additional galaxies. When complete, we expect to achieve a ~4% measurement. Given the tension between the Planck prediction of H0 in the context of the standard cosmological model and astrophysical measurements based on standard candles, the MCP provides a critical and independent geometric measurement that does not rely on external calibrations or a distance ladder.
Brightness temperatures of galactic masers observed in the RadioAstron project
Authors: Shakhvorostova Nadezhda N. , Alakoz Alexey V. , Sobolev Andrej M.
Published: July 2018

We present estimates of brightness temperature for 5 galactic masers in star-forming regions detected at space baselines. Very compact features with angular sizes of ~23-60 μas were detected in these regions with corresponding linear sizes of ~4-10×106 km. Brightness temperatures range from 1014 up to 1016 K.
Submillimeter H2O maser emission from water fountain nebulae
Authors: Tafoya Daniel , Vlemmings Wouter H. T. , Pérez-Sánchez Andres F.
Published: July 2018

We present the results of the first detection of submillimeter water maser emission toward water-fountain nebulae. Using APEX we found emission at 321.226 GHz toward two sources: IRAS 18043−2116, and IRAS 18286−0959. The submillimeter H2O masers exhibit expansion velocities larger than those of the OH masers, suggesting that these masers, similarly to the 22 GHz masers, originate in fast bipolar outflows. The 321 GHz masers in IRAS 18043−2116 and IRAS 18286−0959, which figure among the sources with the fastest H2O masers, span a velocity range similar to that of the 22 GHz masers, indicating that they probably coexist. The intensity of the submillimeter masers is comparable to the 22 GHz masers, implying that the kinetic temperature of the region where the masers originate is Tk>1000 K. We propose a simple model invoking the passage of two shocks through the same gas that creates the conditions for explaining the strong high-velocity 321 GHz masers coexisting with the 22 GHz masers in the same region.
Water masers in bowshocks: Addressing the radiation pressure problem of massive star formation
Authors: Burns Ross A.
Published: July 2018

Ejection activities in S255IR-SMA1 and AFGL 5142 were investigated by multi-epoch VLBI observations of 22 GHz water masers, tracing bowshocks leading collimated jets. The history of ejections, revealed by the 3D maser motions and supplemented by the literature, suggests that these massive stars formed by episodic accretion, inferred via the accretion-ejection connection. This contribution centers on the role of episodic accretion in overcoming the radiation pressure problem of massive star formation - with maser VLBI and single-dish observations providing essential observational tools.
Long-term and highly frequent monitor of 6.7 GHz methanol masers to statistically research periodic flux variations around high-mass protostars using the Hitachi 32-m
Authors: Sugiyama Koichiro , Yonekura Y. , Motogi K. , Saito Y. , Yamaguchi T. , Momose M. , Honma M. , Hirota T. , Uchiyama M. , Matsumoto N. , Hachisuka K. , Inayoshi K. , Tanaka K. E. I. , Hosokawa T. , Fujisawa K.
Published: July 2018

We initiated a long-term and highly frequent monitoring project toward 442 methanol masers at 6.7 GHz (Dec >−30 deg) using the Hitachi 32-m radio telescope in December 2012. The observations have been carried out daily, monitoring a spectrum of each source with intervals of 9–10 days. In September 2015, the number of the target sources and intervals were redesigned into 143 and 4–5 days, respectively. This monitoring provides us complete information on how many sources show periodic flux variations in high-mass star-forming regions, which have been detected in 20 sources with periods of 29.5–668 days so far (e.g., Goedhart et al. 2004). We have already obtained new detections of periodic flux variations in 31 methanol sources with periods of 22–409 days. These periodic flux variations must be a unique tool to investigate high-mass protostars themselves and their circumstellar structure on a very tiny spatial scale of 0.1–1 au.
Maser Polarization
Authors: Surcis Gabriele , Vlemmings Wouter H. T. , Lankhaar Boy , van Langevelde Huib Jan
Published: July 2018

Through the observations and the analysis of maser polarization it is possible to measure the magnetic field in several astrophysical environments (e.g., star-forming regions, evolved stars). In particular from the linearly and circularly polarized emissions we can determine the orientation and the strength of the magnetic field, respectively. In these proceedings the implications, on observed data, of the new estimation of the Landé g-factors for the CH3OH maser are presented. Furthermore, some example of the most recent results achieved in observing the polarized maser emission from several maser species will also be reported.
Analysis of bipolar outflow parameters, magnetic fields and maser activity relationship in EGO sources
Authors: Bayandina O. S. , Val’tts I. E. , Colom P. , Kurtz S. E. , Rudnitskij G. M. , Shakhvorostova N. N.
Published: July 2018

The interferometric and single-dish observations of the Extended Green Objects sample have been carried out in order to check the possible common pumping mechanism of class I methanol maser (cIMM) and OH(1720 MHz) maser and their identification with a front of bipolar outflow as a source of interstellar shock stimulating collisional pumping of the molecules. High spatial and spectral resolution observations of OH masers allow us to investigate structure, kinematics, and magnetic field configuration of the inner region of the source, i.e., the outflow ejection region. Analysis of magnetic field strength in a disk area is crucial to understanding of the outflow origin.
Quantum-Chemical calculations revealing the effects of magnetic fields on methanol masers
Authors: Lankhaar Boy , Vlemmings Wouter , Surcis Gabriele , van Langevelde Huib Jan , Groenenboom Gerrit C. , van der Avoird Ad
Published: July 2018

Maser observations of both linearly and circularly polarized emission have provided unique information on the magnetic field in the densest parts of star forming regions, where non-maser magnetic field tracers are scarce. While linear polarization observations provide morphological constraints, magnetic field strengths are determined by measuring the Zeeman splitting in circularly polarized emission. Methanol is of special interest as it is one of the most abundant maser species and its different transitions probe unique areas around the protostar. However, its precise Zeeman-parameters are unknown. Experimental efforts to determine these Zeeman-parameters have failed. Here we present quantum-chemical calculations of the Zeeman-parameters of methanol, along with calculations of the hyperfine structure that are necessary to interpret the Zeeman effect in methanol. We use this model in re-analyzing methanol maser polarization observations. We discuss different mechanisms for hyperfine-state preference in the pumping of torsion-rotation transitions involved in the maser-action.
The role of meta-analyses and umbrella reviews in assessing the harms of psychotropic medications: beyond qualitative synthesis
Authors: Solmi M. , Correll C. U. , Carvalho A. F. , Ioannidis J. P. A.
Published: July 2018

ὠφελέειν, ἢ μὴ βλάπτειν (Primum non nocere) – Hιppocrates’ principle should still guide daily medical prescribing. Therefore, assessing evidence of psychopharmacologic agents’ safety and harms is essential. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies may provide complementary information about harms of psychopharmacologic medications from both experimental and real-world settings. It is considered that RCTs provide a better control of confounding variables, while observational studies provide evidence from larger samples, longer follow-ups, in more representative samples, which may be more reflective of real-life clinical scenarios. However, this may not always hold true. Moreover, in observational studies, safety data are poorly or inconsistently reported, precluding reliable quantitative synthesis in meta-analyses. Beyond individual studies, meta-analyses, which represent the highest level of ‘evidence’, can be misleading, redundant and of low methodological quality. Overlapping meta-analyses sometimes even reach different conclusions on the same topic. Meta-analyses should be assessed systematically. Descriptive reviews of reviews can be poorly informative. Conversely, ‘umbrella reviews’ can use a quantitative approach to grade evidence. In this editorial, we present the main factors involved in the assessment of psychopharmacologic agents’ harms from individual studies, meta-analyses and umbrella reviews. Study design features, sample size, number of the events of interest, summary effect sizes, p-values, heterogeneity, 95% prediction intervals, confounding factor adjustment and tests of bias (e.g., small-study effects and excess significance) can be combined with other assessment tools, such as AMSTAR and GRADE to create a framework for assessing the credibility of evidence.
Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation on Plasma and Urine Levels of Isoprostane F2α in Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Rad Esmaeil Yousefi , Falahi Ebrahim , Djalali Mahmoud , Abbasnezhad Amir , Birjandi Mehdi , Saboori Somayeh
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Vitamin E can reduce the level of lipid peroxidation and the related markers such as urine and plasma levels of isoprostanes. However, effects of vitamin E supplementation on plasma and urine level of isoprostane F2α as markers of lipid peroxidation were conflicting in various clinical trials. The current meta-analysis was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin E supplementation on plasma and urine levels of isoprostanes F2α in randomized clinical trials. A systematic search of RCTs was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Cochrane Library databases. OF 889 relevantly founded articles, only four articles with five arms met the criteria for meta-analysis of plasma level of isoprostanes F2α. For the urine level of isoprostane F2α, three studies with 14 arms were included in the meta-analysis. After pooled analyzing, a significant reduction of 6.98 ng / l was seen in plasma level of isoprostane F2α in vitamin E receiving group (95% CI = -11.2, -2.76; P < 0.001) while no significant heterogeneity was seen between the studies included in this meta-analysis (P = 0.81 and I2 = 0.0%). However, the pooled effect of vitamin E supplementation on urine level of isoprostane F2α was not statistically significant (-11.31 pg / mg creatinine (95% CI = -26.4, 3.78; P = 0.88). Results of this meta-analysis have shown that vitamin E supplementation can only reduce plasma level of isoprostane F2α and has no significant effect on reducing urine level of this biomarker.
Evolution of the Magma Conduit Beneath the Galeras Volcano Inferred From Repeated Seismic Tomography
Authors: Koulakov Ivan , Vargas Carlos A.
Published: July 2018

The Colombian volcano Galeras is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and it has an andesitic composition and high explosive potential. We consider the period of 1989–2015, in which the volcano manifested frequent eruptions and high seismic activity. To study the temporal variations in the seismic structure beneath Galeras, we implemented an algorithm of repeated tomography using selected data sets with similar geometries. We obtained the variations in the seismic velocity structures beneath Galeras during the three time episodes of 1989–2000, 2001–2007, and 2008–2015. In the second episode, we observe a columnar anomaly with a high Vp/Vs ratio that possibly represents a conduit transporting a new portion of magma material from below. This result may indicate that in this period, which culminated with dome emplacement and collapse, the volcano was directly fed from deeper magma sources. In other episodes, the conduit is less visible in the tomography models, and we propose that the volcanic activity was merely controlled by shallow magma reservoirs at 2–4 km below the surface.
Insights into global planktonic diatom diversity: The importance of comparisons between phylogenetically equivalent units that account for time
Authors: Nakov Teofil , Beaulieu Jeremy M , Alverson Andrew J
Published: July 2018

Metabarcoding has offered unprecedented insights into microbial diversity. In many studies, short DNA sequences are binned into consecutively lower Linnaean ranks, and ranked groups (e.g., genera) are the units of biodiversity analyses. These analyses assume that Linnaean ranks are biologically meaningful and that identically ranked groups are comparable. We used a metabarcode dataset for marine planktonic diatoms to illustrate the limits of this approach. We found that the 20 most abundant marine planktonic diatom genera ranged in age from 4 to 134 million years, indicating the non-equivalence of genera because some have had more time to diversify than others. However, species richness was largely independent of genus age, suggesting that disparities in species richness among genera were better explained by variation in rates of speciation and extinction. Taxonomic classifications often do not reflect phylogeny, so genus-level analyses can include phylogenetically nested genera, further confounding rank-based analyses. These results underscore the indispensable role of phylogeny in understanding patterns of microbial diversity.
Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into neural stem cells by single non-neural progenitor transcription factor Ptf1a
Authors: Xiao Dongchang , Liu Xiaoning , Zhang Min , Zou Min , Deng Qinqin , Sun Dayu , Bian Xuting , Cai Yulong , Guo Yanan , Liu Shuting , Li Shengguo , Shiang Evelyn , Zhong Hongyu , Cheng Lin , Xu Haiwei , Jin Kangxin , Xiang Mengqing
Published: July 2018

Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) reprogrammed from somatic cells have great potentials in cell replacement therapies and in vitro modeling of neural diseases. Direct conversion of fibroblasts into iNSCs has been shown to depend on a couple of key neural progenitor transcription factors (TFs), raising the question of whether such direct reprogramming can be achieved by non-neural progenitor TFs. Here we report that the non-neural progenitor TF Ptf1a alone is sufficient to directly reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into self-renewable iNSCs capable of differentiating into functional neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and improving cognitive dysfunction of Alzheimer’s disease mouse models when transplanted. The reprogramming activity of Ptf1a depends on its Notch-independent interaction with Rbpj which leads to subsequent activation of expression of TF genes and Notch signaling required for NSC specification, self-renewal, and homeostasis. Together, our data identify a non-canonical and safer approach to establish iNSCs for research and therapeutic purposes.
How nanoscale protein interactions determine the mesoscale dynamic organisation of bacterial outer membrane proteins
Authors: Chavent Matthieu , Duncan Anna L. , Rassam Patrice , Birkholz Oliver , Hélie Jean , Reddy Tyler , Beliaev Dmitry , Hambly Ben , Piehler Jacob , Kleanthous Colin , Sansom Mark S. P.
Published: July 2018

The spatiotemporal organisation of membranes is often characterised by the formation of large protein clusters. In Escherichia coli, outer membrane protein (OMP) clustering leads to OMP islands, the formation of which underpins OMP turnover and drives organisation across the cell envelope. Modelling how OMP islands form in order to understand their origin and outer membrane behaviour has been confounded by the inherent difficulties of simulating large numbers of OMPs over meaningful timescales. Here, we overcome these problems by training a mesoscale model incorporating thousands of OMPs on coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. We achieve simulations over timescales that allow direct comparison to experimental data of OMP behaviour. We show that specific interaction surfaces between OMPs are key to the formation of OMP clusters, that OMP clusters present a mesh of moving barriers that confine newly inserted proteins within islands, and that mesoscale simulations recapitulate the restricted diffusion characteristics of OMPs.
Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion alters metabolic homeostasis by affecting gut signaling and colonic metabolism
Authors: Zarrinpar Amir , Chaix Amandine , Xu Zhenjiang Z. , Chang Max W. , Marotz Clarisse A. , Saghatelian Alan , Knight Rob , Panda Satchidananda
Published: July 2018

Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion (AIMD) has been used frequently to study the role of the gut microbiome in pathological conditions. However, unlike germ-free mice, the effects of AIMD on host metabolism remain incompletely understood. Here we show the effects of AIMD to elucidate its effects on gut homeostasis, luminal signaling, and metabolism. We demonstrate that AIMD, which decreases luminal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes species, decreases baseline serum glucose levels, reduces glucose surge in a tolerance test, and improves insulin sensitivity without altering adiposity. These changes occur in the setting of decreased luminal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate, and the secondary bile acid pool, which affects whole-body bile acid metabolism. In mice, AIMD alters cecal gene expression and gut glucagon-like peptide 1 signaling. Extensive tissue remodeling and decreased availability of SCFAs shift colonocyte metabolism toward glucose utilization. We suggest that AIMD alters glucose homeostasis by potentially shifting colonocyte energy utilization from SCFAs to glucose.
Metaproteomics reveals associations between microbiome and intestinal extracellular vesicle proteins in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhang Xu , Deeke Shelley A. , Ning Zhibin , Starr Amanda E. , Butcher James , Li Jennifer , Mayne Janice , Cheng Kai , Liao Bo , Li Leyuan , Singleton Ruth , Mack David , Stintzi Alain , Figeys Daniel
Published: July 2018

Alterations in gut microbiota have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however factors that mediate the host–microbiota interactions remain largely unknown. Here we collected mucosal-luminal interface samples from a pediatric IBD inception cohort and characterized both the human and microbiota proteins using metaproteomics. We show that microbial proteins related to oxidative stress responses are upregulated in IBD cases compared to controls. In particular, we demonstrate that the expression of human proteins related to oxidative antimicrobial activities is increased in IBD cases and correlates with the alteration of microbial functions. Additionally, we reveal that many of these human proteins are present and show altered abundance in isolated free extracellular vesicles (EVs). Therefore, our study suggests that the alteration of intestinal EV proteomes is associated with the aberrant host–microbiota interactions in IBD.
Non-collinear spin states in bottom-up fabricated atomic chains
Authors: Steinbrecher Manuel , Rausch Roman , That Khai Ton , Hermenau Jan , Khajetoorians Alexander A. , Potthoff Michael , Wiesendanger Roland , Wiebe Jens
Published: July 2018

Non-collinear spin states with unique rotational sense, such as chiral spin-spirals, are recently heavily investigated because of advantages for future applications in spintronics and information technology and as potential hosts for Majorana Fermions when coupled to a superconductor. Tuning the properties of such spin states, e.g., the rotational period and sense, is a highly desirable yet difficult task. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the bottom-up assembly of a spin-spiral derived from a chain of iron atoms on a platinum substrate using the magnetic tip of a scanning tunneling microscope as a tool. We show that the spin-spiral is induced by the interplay of the Heisenberg and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya components of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction between the iron atoms. The relative strengths and signs of these two components can be adjusted by the interatomic iron distance, which enables tailoring of the rotational period and sense of the spin-spiral.
Author Correction: Generation and characterization of ultrathin free-flowing liquid sheets
Authors: Koralek Jake D. , Kim Jongjin B. , Brůža Petr , Curry Chandra B. , Chen Zhijiang , Bechtel Hans A. , Cordones Amy A. , Sperling Philipp , Toleikis Sven , Kern Jan F. , Moeller Stefan P. , Glenzer Siegfried H. , DePonte Daniel P.
Published: July 2018

The original version of this article omitted the following from the Acknowledgements:‘P.B. was funded by the ELI Extreme Light Infrastructure Phase 2 (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15008/0000162) from the European Regional Development Fund and the EUCALL project funded from the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 654220,’ which replaces the previous ‘P.B. was funded by the ELI Extreme Light Infrastructure Phase 2 (CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15008/0000162) from the European Regional Development Fund.’This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article
Evidence for excessive osteoclast activation in SIRT6 null mice
Authors: Zhang Demao , Jing Junjun , Lou Feng , Li Ruimin , Ping Yilin , Yu Fanyuan , Wu Fanzi , Yang Xiao , Xu Ruoshi , Li Feifei , Wang Ke , Bai Mingru , Pi Caixia , Xie Jing , Zheng Liwei , Ye Ling , Zhou Xuedong
Published: July 2018

SIRT6 is a NAD-dependent histone 3 deacetylase. SIRT6 null mice have been reported suffering osteopenia. However, the role of SIRT6 in bone resorption is still not well understood. In this study, we focused on the role of SIRT6 in osteoclast. We performed histological analysis on the femur, spine, alveolar bone and even tail of mutant mice, and found the bone mass is sharply decreased while the osteoclast activity is significantly increased. These phenotypes were further demonstrated by the osteoclast differentiation in cell-cultures with TRAP staining and Pit Resorption Assay. We next found the proliferation activity of mutant osteoclast precursors was increased, which might account for the enhanced osteoclast formation. The concentration of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, a marker of osteoclast differentiation, was significantly higher in the mutant mice than control. Besides, the osteoclastogenic and NF-κB signaling related genes were significantly up-regulated. Moreover, osteoblast/osteoclast co-culture demonstrated that SIRT6 regulated osteoclast mainly through osteoblast paracrine manner, rather than osteoclast-autonomous behavior. Together, the enhanced osteoclast activation in SIRT6 null mice might be regulated by the hyperactive NF-κB signaling and the enhanced proliferation activity of osteoclast precursors through osteoblast paracrine manner at the cellular level.
Prevascularization of dermal substitutes with adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments enhances early skin grafting
Authors: Frueh Florian S. , Später Thomas , Körbel Christina , Scheuer Claudia , Simson Anna C. , Lindenblatt Nicole , Giovanoli Pietro , Menger Michael D. , Laschke Matthias W.
Published: July 2018

Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) are still the gold standard for the treatment of most skin defects. Hence, there is an ongoing need to improve this procedure. For this purpose, we herein analyzed dermal matrices seeded with adipose tissue-derived microvascular fragments (ad-MVF) in a bradythrophic wound model. In additional experiments, the matrices were covered with autologous STSG 10 days after implantation. Green fluorescence protein (GFP)+ ad-MVF were isolated from C57BL/6-Tg(CAG-EGFP)1Osb/J mice and seeded onto collagen-glycosaminoglycan matrices. Non-seeded and prevascularized matrices were implanted into full-thickness skin defects on the skull of CD1 nu/nu mice for 21 days. Vascularization, lymphangiogenesis and incorporation of the matrices were analyzed using photo-acoustic imaging, trans-illumination stereomicroscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. The survival rate of STSG was assessed by planimetry. After 21 days, the density of microvascular and lymphatic networks was significantly higher in prevascularized matrices when compared to controls. This was associated with an improved implant integration. Moreover, prevascularization with ad-MVF allowed successful autologous skin grafting already at day 10, while coverage of non-seeded controls at day 10 resulted in STSG necrosis. In conclusion, ad-MVF represent powerful vascularization units. Seeded on dermal substitutes, they accelerate and enhance the healing of full-thickness skin defects and allow early coverage with STSG.
Analysis of the influence of imaging-related uncertainties on cerebral aneurysm deformation quantification using a no-deformation physical flow phantom
Authors: Schetelig Daniel , Sedlacik Jan , Fiehler Jens , Frölich Andreas , Knopp Tobias , Sothmann Thilo , Waschkewitz Jonathan , Werner René
Published: July 2018

Cardiac-cycle related pulsatile aneurysm motion and deformation is assumed to provide valuable information for assessing cerebral aneurysm rupture risk. Accordingly, numerous studies addressed quantification of cerebral aneurysm wall motion and deformation. Most of them utilized in vivo imaging data, but image-based aneurysm deformation quantification is subject to pronounced uncertainties: unknown ground-truth deformation; image resolution in the order of the expected deformation; direct interplay between contrast agent inflow and image intensity. To analyze the impact of the uncertainties on deformation quantification, a multi-imaging modality ground-truth phantom study is performed. A physical flow phantom was designed that allowed simulating pulsatile flow through a variety of modeled cerebral vascular structures. The phantom was imaged using different modalities [MRI, CT, 3D-RA] and mimicking physiologically realistic flow conditions. Resulting image data was analyzed by an established registration-based approach for automated wall motion quantification. The data reveals severe dependency between contrast media inflow-related image intensity changes and the extent of estimated wall deformation. The study illustrates that imaging-related uncertainties affect the accuracy of cerebral aneurysm deformation quantification, suggesting that in vivo imaging studies have to be accompanied by ground-truth phantom experiments to foster data interpretation and to prove plausibility of the applied image analysis algorithms.
Force field adaptation does not alter space representation
Authors: Michel Carine , Bonnetain Lucie , Amoura Sarah , White Olivier
Published: July 2018

Prism adaptation is a well-known model to study sensorimotor adaptive processes. It has been shown that following prism exposure, after-effects are not only restricted to the sensorimotor level but extend as well to spatial cognition. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate in healthy individuals whether expansion to spatial cognition is restricted to adaptive processes peculiar to prism adaptation or whether it occurs as well following other forms of adaptive process such as adaptation to a novel dynamic environment during pointing movements. Representational after-effects were assessed by the perceptual line bisection task before and after adaptation to a leftward or a rightward force field. The main results showed that adaptation developed at sensorimotor level but did not influence space representation. Our results have therefore a strong methodological impact for prospective investigations focusing on sensorimotor plasticity while sparing space cognition. These methodological considerations will be particulary relevant when addressing sensorimotor plasticity in patients with specific representational feature to preserve. The discussion highlights the differences between prism and dynamic adaptation that could explain the lack of after-effect on space representation following force field adaptation.
Sympathetic inputs regulate adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue through cAMP-Salt inducible kinase axis
Authors: Paulo Esther , Wu Dongmei , Wang Yangmeng , Zhang Yun , Wu Yixuan , Swaney Danielle L. , Soucheray Margaret , Jimenez-Morales David , Chawla Ajay , Krogan Nevan J. , Wang Biao
Published: July 2018

Various physiological stimuli, such as cold environment, diet, and hormones, trigger brown adipose tissue (BAT) to produce heat through sympathetic nervous system (SNS)- and β-adrenergic receptors (βARs). The βAR stimulation increases intracellular cAMP levels through heterotrimeric G proteins and adenylate cyclases, but the processes by which cAMP modulates brown adipocyte function are not fully understood. Here we described that specific ablation of cAMP production in brown adipocytes led to reduced lipolysis, mitochondrial biogenesis, uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression, and consequently defective adaptive thermogenesis. Elevated cAMP signaling by sympathetic activation inhibited Salt-inducible kinase 2 (Sik2) through protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation in brown adipose tissue. Inhibition of SIKs enhanced Ucp1 expression in differentiated brown adipocytes and Sik2 knockout mice exhibited enhanced adaptive thermogenesis at thermoneutrality in an Ucp1-dependent manner. Taken together, our data indicate that suppressing Sik2 by PKA-mediated phosphorylation is a requisite for SNS-induced Ucp1 expression and adaptive thermogenesis in BAT, and targeting Sik2 may present a novel therapeutic strategy to ramp up BAT thermogenic activity in humans.
Sequential Effects in SNARC
Authors: Gökaydin Dinis , Brugger Peter , Loetscher Tobias
Published: July 2018

Small and large numbers are typically associated with the left and right side of space, respectively. We conducted an online version of the classical Spatial-Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) paradigm in 604 subjects in order to analyse how previous trials and responses affect SNARC. Our results point to a strong inversion of number-space associations (left/large and right/small) when the last trial was incoherent - i.e. when a response with the left hand was made to a large number or vice-versa. In addition, we demonstrate that the congruency of trials beyond just the last two can influence SNARC, providing empirical support for an important assumption of a working memory account of spatial-numerical associations. Finally, we show that sequential effects in SNARC can be captured by a simple exponential filter, known to underpin sequential effects across a range of stimuli detection and perceptual two-alternative forced choice decision tasks. Our findings point to universal mechanisms responsible for the processing of sequences from perception to cognition.
Cellular-resolution 3D virtual histology of human coronary arteries using x-ray phase tomography
Authors: Vågberg William , Persson Jonas , Szekely Laszlo , Hertz Hans M.
Published: July 2018

High-spatial-resolution histology of coronary artery autopsy samples play an important role for understanding heart disease such as myocardial infarction. Unfortunately, classical histology is often destructive, has thick slicing, requires extensive sample preparation, and is time-consuming. X-ray micro-CT provides fast nondestructive 3D imaging but absorption contrast is often insufficient, especially for observing soft-tissue features with high resolution. Here we show that propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography has the resolution and contrast to image clinically relevant soft-tissue features in intact coronary artery autopsy samples with cellular resolution. We observe microscopic lipid-rich plaques, individual adipose cells, ensembles of few foam cells, and the thin fibrous cap. The method relies on a small-spot laboratory x-ray microfocus source, and provides high-spatial resolution in all three dimensions, fast data acquisition, minimum sample distortion and requires no sample preparation.
Relative fat mass (RFM) as a new estimator of whole-body fat percentage ─ A cross-sectional study in American adult individuals
Authors: Woolcott Orison O. , Bergman Richard N.
Published: July 2018

High whole-body fat percentage is independently associated with increased mortality. We aimed to identify a simple anthropometric linear equation that is more accurate than the body mass index (BMI) to estimate whole-body fat percentage among adult individuals. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004 data (n = 12,581) were used for model development and NHANES 2005–2006 data (n = 3,456) were used for model validation. From the 365 anthropometric indices generated, the final selected equation was as follows: 64 − (20 × height/waist circumference) + (12 × sex), named as the relative fat mass (RFM); sex = 0 for men and 1 for women. In the validation dataset, compared with BMI, RFM better predicted whole-body fat percentage, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), among women and men. RFM showed better accuracy than the BMI and had fewer false negative cases of body fat-defined obesity among women and men. RFM reduced total obesity misclassification among all women and all men and, overall, among Mexican-Americans, European-Americans and African-Americans. In the population studied, the suggested RFM was more accurate than BMI to estimate whole-body fat percentage among women and men and improved body fat-defined obesity misclassification among American adult individuals of Mexican, European or African ethnicity.
Genetic diversity and selection signatures of the beef ‘Charolais de Cuba’ breed
Authors: Rodriguez-Valera Yoel , Renand Gilles , Naves Michel , Fonseca-Jiménez Yidix , Moreno-Probance Teresa Inés , Ramos-Onsins Sebastian , Rocha Dominique , Ramayo-Caldas Yuliaxis
Published: July 2018

In this study, we used BovineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChip data to estimate the structure, putative ancestral origin as well as to identify regions with selective sweeps that may have had an important role in the adaptation to tropical conditions of the ‘Charolais de Cuba’ (CHCU) breed. According to a principal component analysis, CHCU samples cluster together with taurine breeds with an estimated 93% oftaurusancestral alleles. Despite the short period since importation, we detected differentiation (Fst = 0.049) between the French Charolaise (CHA) and CHCU. However, CHA breed was the closest breed to CHCU followed by other hybrids breed with a clear CHA origin. Linkage disequilibrium (r2) decay tends to be lower in CHCU compared to CHA probably due to a less intense artificial selection programs of CHCU. Signals of recent adaptation to tropical conditions between CHCU and CHA were identified. Genes mapping within those regions reflect different functions related to immunity, metabolic changes and heat tolerance (CHCU) and muscle development and meat quality (CHA) that may have had an important role in the phenotypic differentiation of these breeds. Further studies will expand our knowledge on the molecular basis of adaptation of cattle to tropical conditions and molecular process associated with meat quality traits.
Application of coumarin dyes for organic photoredox catalysis
Authors: Gualandi Andrea , Rodeghiero Giacomo , Della Rocca Emanuele , Bertoni Francesco , Marchini Marianna , Perciaccante Rossana , Jansen Thomas Paul , Ceroni Paola , Cozzi Pier Giorgio
Published: July 2018

New, powerful photoreductant organic dyes are described.
Three-dimensional hydrogen bonding between Landers and planar molecules facilitated by electrostatic interactions with Ni adatoms
Authors: Yu Miao , Benjalal Youness , Chen Chong , Kalashnyk Nataliya , Xu Wei , Barattin Régis , Nagarajan Samuthira , Lægsgaard Erik , Stensgaard Ivan , Hliwa Mohamed , Gourdon André , Besenbacher Flemming , Bouju Xavier , Linderoth Trolle R.
Published: July 2018

Ni adatoms are at the origin of a self-assembled bicomponent molecular system on Au(111).
Self-assembly of conformationally flexible molecules under 2D confinement: structural analysis from computer simulations
Authors: Nieckarz Damian , Szabelski Paweł
Published: July 2018

Monte Carlo simulations reveal the role of surface conformers in self-assembly on crystalline supports.
Influence of the backbone of N5-pentadentate ligands on the catalytic performance of Ni(ii) complexes for electrochemical water oxidation in neutral aqueous solutions
Authors: Shen Junyu , Wang Mei , He Tianhao , Jiang Jian , Hu Maowei
Published: July 2018

A positive influence of the rigid backbone of N5-chelating ligands was demonstrated on the activity of nickel catalysts for electrochemical water oxidation.
Ion-pairing catalysis in the enantioselective addition of hydrazones to N-acyldihydropyrrole derivatives
Authors: Zabaleta Nagore , Uria Uxue , Reyes Efraim , Carrillo Luisa , Vicario Jose L.
Published: July 2018

Quaternary N-acyliminium salts generated from dihydropyrrole derivatives under Brønsted acid catalysis react with hydrazones, the latter participating as masked nucleophilic acyl anion equivalents.
F(2P) + C2H6 → HF + C2H5 kinetics study based on a new analytical potential energy surface
Authors: Espinosa-Garcia J. , Corchado J. C. , Garcia-Chamorro M. , Rangel C.
Published: July 2018

An exhaustive kinetics study was performed for the title reaction using two theoretical approaches: variational transition-state theory and quasi-classical trajectory calculations, based on an original new analytical full-dimensional potential energy surface, named PES-2018, which has been fitted to high-level ab initio calculations.
Significant effects of vibrational excitation of reactant in K + H2 → H + KH reaction based on a new neural network potential energy surface
Authors: Yuan Jiuchuang , Duan Zhixin , Wang Shufen , Liu Jianyong , Han Keli
Published: July 2018

Reactant vibrational energy in K + H2 reaction is significantly more effective in promoting the reaction than translational energy.
‘Reverse’ Hofmeister effects on the sol–gel transition rates for an α-helical peptide–PEG bioconjugate
Authors: O’Neill Sean C. , Kanthe Ankit D. , Weber Jacob A. , Tu Raymond S.
Published: July 2018

We examine the dynamics of the sol–gel transition for end-functionalized linear- and 4-arm-peptides bioconjugated to poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) in aqueous environments with increasingly chaotropic (Cl− < Br− < I−) anions.
Simulated and experimental force spectroscopy of lysozyme on silica
Authors: Hildebrand Nils , Wei Gang , Köppen Susan , Colombi Ciacchi Lucio
Published: July 2018

Force-distance curves of proteins detaching from oxide surfaces measured by atomic force microscopy are interpreted with atomic-scale models which reveal the significance of disulfide and hydrogen bond patterns on the protein stability.
Graphene oxide liquid crystals: a frontier 2D soft material for graphene-based functional materials
Authors: Padmajan Sasikala Suchithra , Lim Joonwon , Kim In Ho , Jung Hong Ju , Yun Taeyeong , Han Tae Hee , Kim Sang Ouk
Published: July 2018

The discovery of graphene oxide liquid crystal (GOLC) has enabled a broad spectrum of novel graphene-based functional materials and triggered the development of other 2D-based liquid crystal systems.
Single-atom iron catalyst with single-vacancy graphene-based substrate as a novel catalyst for NO oxidation: a theoretical study
Authors: Yang Weijie , Gao Zhengyang , Liu Xiaoshuo , Li Xiang , Ding Xunlei , Yan Weiping
Published: July 2018

Nitric oxide (NO) emitted from coal-fired power plants has raised global concerns.
Lactobacillus plantarum LC27 and Bifidobacterium longum LC67 mitigate alcoholic steatosis in mice by inhibiting LPS-mediated NF-κB activation through restoration of the disturbed gut microbiota
Authors: Kim Won-Gyeong , Kim Hye In , Kwon Eun Kyung , Han Myung Joo , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: July 2018

Long-term exposure to ethanol simultaneously causes gastrointestinal inflammation, liver injury, and steatosis.
Nanoporous Cu/Ni oxide composites: efficient catalysts for electrochemical reduction of CO2in aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Yang Dexin , Zhu Qinggong , Sun Xiaofu , Chen Chunjun , Lu Lu , Guo Weiwei , Liu Zhimin , Han Buxing
Published: July 2018

Nanoporous Cu/Ni oxide composites can improve CO2reduction activity for producing formic acid in an aqueous electrolyte with a low overpotential.
Feasibility of As, Sb, Se and Te determination in coal by solid sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Henn Alessandra S. , Flores Erico M. M. , Dressler Valderi L. , Mesko Marcia F. , Feldmann Joerg , Mello Paola A.
Published: July 2018

In this work, a method for the determination of As, Sb, Se and Te in mineral coal was developed using solid sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SS-ETV-ICP-MS).
Utilization of pyridoxal acetal salts as water-triggered, slow-release pro-fragrances
Authors: Weeks Kellie L. , Rutkowski Kyle R. , Morales Loyola Arnold A. , Boyce Gregory R.
Published: July 2018

The use of vitamin B6 derivatives as a chemical delivery system for volatile alcohols initiated by neutral water is described.
Uniform small-sized MoS2 from novel solution-based microwave-assisted method with exceptional reversible lithium storage properties
Authors: Tian Xuehui , Gao Qiuming , Zhang Hang , Li Zeyu , Xiao Hong , Zhang Qiang , Ma Li
Published: July 2018

Small-sized MoS2 prepared via a solution-based microwave-assisted precursor pyrolysis method exhibited remarkably large specific capacity, excellent rate capability and fascinatingly high cyclic stability.
Chemical vapor deposition growth of ReS2 nanowires for high-performance nanostructured photodetector
Authors: An Qinwei , Liu Yang , Jiang Renjie , Meng Xianquan
Published: July 2018

Single-crystal triclinic ReS2 nanowires were synthesized via CVD and used as the active layer in a nanostructured photodetector with excellent performance.
Comparative studies on the interaction of anticancer drug irinotecan with dsDNA and ssDNA
Authors: Temerk Yassien , Ibrahim Mohamed , Ibrahim Hossieny , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: July 2018

The binding mode and thermodynamic characteristics of the anticancer drug irinotecan (Irino) with dsDNA were investigated. The interaction of Irino with dsDNA indicated its intercalation into the base stacking domain of dsDNA double helix.
Computational fluid dynamics modeling of the millisecond methane steam reforming in microchannel reactors for hydrogen production
Authors: Chen Junjie , Gao Xuhui , Yan Longfei , Xu Deguang
Published: July 2018

The potential of methane steam reforming to produce hydrogen at short contact times was explored. Operating windows were identified, and engineering maps were constructed to achieve the desired power output.
Preparation of a magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotube@polydopamine/zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 composite for magnetic solid-phase extraction of triazole fungicides from environmental water samples
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Liu Yanan , Liu Guangyang , Li Lingyun , Xu Xiaomin , Zheng Shuning , Xu Donghui , Gao Haixiang
Published: July 2018

A magnetic ZIF-8 composite was prepared based on Fe3O4/MWCNT@PDA and used as an adsorbent for MSPE of triazoles from environmental water samples.
A snapshot of the electrochemical reaction layer by using 3 dimensionally resolved fluorescence mapping
Authors: de Poulpiquet Anne , Goudeau Bertrand , Garrigue Patrick , Sojic Neso , Arbault Stéphane , Doneux Thomas , Bouffier Laurent
Published: July 2018

Fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy under electrochemical control allows imaging of various reaction layers revealing heterogeneous versus homogeneous reactions.
Temperature-regulated protein adsorption on a PNIPAm layer
Authors: Feng Chao , Liu Yong , Ren Chun-lai
Published: July 2018

Two different cases of the unexpected triple-responsive behavior of protein orientation regulated by a PNIPAm layer.
Segregation of polymers under cylindrical confinement: effects of polymer topology and crowding
Authors: Polson James M. , Kerry Deanna R.-M.
Published: July 2018

Monte Carlo computer simulations are used to study the segregation behaviour of two polymers under cylindrical confinement.
Some general features of mesophase formation in hard-core plus tail potentials
Authors: Pini Davide
Published: July 2018

We study the origin of mesophase formation in hard-core particles and obtain simple predictions for the cluster size at the transitions between different mesophases.
A penalty method for nonlinear programming
Authors: Bachir Cherif Larbi , Merikhi Bachir
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a variant of logarithmic penalty methods for nonlinear convex programming. If the descent direction is obtained through a classical Newton-type method, the line search is done on a majorant function. Numerical tests show the efficiency of this approach versus classical line searches.
Cs2CO3-Promoted C-3 Alkylation of 4-[(2,2-Difluoroethyl)amino]-5,5-disubstituted Furan-2(5H)-ones with Heteroarylmethyl Chlorides
Authors: Wang Mingan , Yu Zhao , Xinlei Liu , Weiwei Wang , Rui Geng
Published: July 2018

4-(2,2-Difluoroethylamino)-3-(heteroarylmethyl)-5,5-disubstituted furan-2(5H)-ones were regioselectively synthesized via C-3 alkylation of 4-(2,2-difluoroethylamino)-5,5-disubstituted furan-2(5H)-ones with heteroarylmethyl chlorides using Cs2CO3 as a base in 62–85% yields. Their structures were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, HRMS (ESI), and X-ray diffraction. This C-alkylation selectivity was rationalized by bulky hindrance and electron-withdrawing effects.
A Highly Efficient NHC-Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Aldehydes to Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Tiwari Bhoopendra , Khatana Anil , Singh Vikram , Gupta Manoj
Published: July 2018

An N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) organocatalytic aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acids is explored. Remarkably, this method allows for efficient conversion of different classes of aldehydes including highly challenging electron-rich aryl aldehydes, ortho-substituted aryl aldehydes, various heteroaromatic aldehydes and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes under mild reaction conditions. These substrates, under previously reported NHC-catalyzed methods, are typically unreactive or give poor yields, require high reaction temperatures and reaction times of several days.