bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geomorphological and stratigraphic evidence along the northeastern U.S. margin for Laurentide glacial lake outburst floods during the MIS 2 deglaciation
Authors: Klotsko Shannon , Driscoll Neal
Published: May 2018

Block Island Sound (BIS), in southern New England, was occupied by a glacial meltwater lake (Lake BIS) during the MIS 2 deglaciation. New CHIRP seismic data, swath bathymetry, and legacy seismic profiles from BIS provide important insights and constraints on the morphologic evolution of a glaciated margin from the last glacial maximum to present. Interpretation of seismic data revealed four well-defined sediment units: acoustic basement, glaciolacustrine varved sediments, a lag deposit, and Holocene sediment. The morphology and architecture of the sedimentary units suggest that Lake BIS drained quickly, followed by the catastrophic drainage of glacial Lake Connecticut through BIS (Lake Connecticut occupied present-day Long Island Sound). The draining waters carved depressions ~100 m deep in the floor of BIS and the region between the lakes. The waters also carved Block Island Valley, which extends across the continental shelf. Continued existence of the depressions and valley suggests a rapid transgression over these water depths and limited sediment supply. Our results show the significant impact of glacial lake outburst floods, even during a sea level transgression, and may help explain morphology observed along other glaciated margins.
Quantifying the erosional impact of a continental-scale drainage capture in the Duero Basin, northwest Iberia
Authors: Antón Loreto , Muñoz-Martín Alfonso , De Vicente Gerardo
Published: May 2018

Formerly closed drainage basins provide exceptional settings for quantifying fluvial incision and landscape dissection at different time scales. Endorheic basins trap all the sediment eroded within the watershed, which allows estimates of post–basin opening erosion patterns. The Duero Basin was a former closed basin and is presently drained by the Duero River into the Atlantic Ocean. During the Cenozoic, the basin experienced a long endorheic period, marked by the formation of continental carbonates and evaporites. The retrogressive erosion of the Atlantic drainage coming from the Portuguese coast subsequently captured the internal drainage, and significant fluvial dissection occurred. Presently, the basin contains a relatively well-preserved sedimentary fill. Gridding and surface fitting in this paper provide the first attempt to reconstruct the surface of the top of the former endorheic sedimentary sequence to quantify the erosional impact of the basin opening. At least 2251±524 km3of sediment was removed from the formerly closed basin following the start of exorheism. This volume represents a mean basin-surface lowering of 65±13 m. Erosion estimates and landscape dissection patterns are consistent with geologic evidence of progressive establishment of an outward drainage system.
Soya proteinβ-conglycinin ameliorates fatty liver and obesity in diet-induced obese mice through the down-regulation of PPARγ
Authors: Li Dongyang , Ikaga Reina , Yamazaki Tomomi
Published: May 2018

Diets high in fat can result in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The improvement of obesity and NAFLD is an important issue.β-Conglycinin, one of the soya proteins, is known to prevent hyperlipidaemia, obesity and NAFLD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects ofβ-conglycinin on the improvement of obesity and NAFLD in high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and clarify the mechanism underlying these effects in liver and white adipose tissue (WAT). DIO male ddY mice were divided into six groups: HF, medium-fat (MF) and low-fat (LF) groups fed casein, and HF, MF and LF groups in all of which the casein was replaced byβ-conglycinin. A period of 5 weeks later, theβ-conglycinin-supplemented group resulted in lower body weight, relative weight of subcutaneous WAT, and hepatic TAG content (P=0·001). Furthermore,β-conglycinin suppressed the hepatic expression ofPparγ2in the HF dietary group, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c and the target genes. The expressions of inflammation-related genes were significantly low in the epididymal and subcutaneous WAT from the mice fedβ-conglycinin compared with those fed casein in the HF dietary group. Moreover, the expressions ofPparγ1andPparγ2mRNA were suppressed in subcutaneous WAT in the HF dietary group but not in epididymal WAT. The concentrations of insulin and leptin were low in the serum of the mice fedβ-conglycinin. In conclusion,β-conglycinin effectively improved obesity and NAFLD in DIO mice, and it appears to be a promising dietary protein for the amelioration of NAFLD and obesity.
Milk and risk of colorectal, colon and rectal cancer in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) Cohort Study
Authors: Bakken Toril , Braaten Tonje , Olsen Anja , Hjartåker Anette , Lund Eiliv , Skeie Guri
Published: May 2018

According to World Cancer Research Fund International/American Institute for Cancer Research, it is ‘probable’ that dairy products decrease the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, meta-analyses restricted to women have not shown associations between milk intake and risk of CRC. The aim of this study was to examine the association between milk intake and risk of CRC, colon cancer and rectal cancer among women. Data from 81 675 participants in the Norwegian Women and Cancer Cohort Study were included, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to investigate milk intake using two different analytical approaches: one that included repeated measurements and one that included baseline measurements only (872 and 1084 CRC cases, respectively). A weak inverse association between milk intake and risk of colon cancer may be indicated both in repeated measurements analyses and in baseline data analyses. Hazard ratios (HR) for colon cancer of 0·80 (95 % CI 0·62, 1·03, Ptrend 0·07) and 0·81 (95 % CI 0·64, 1·01, Ptrend 0·03) and HR for rectal cancer of 0·97 (95 % CI 0·67, 1·42, Ptrend 0·92) and 0·71 (95 % CI 0·50, 1·01, Ptrend 0·03) were found when comparing the high with the no/seldom milk intake group in energy-adjusted multivariable models. Our study indicates that there may be a weak inverse association between milk intake and risk of colon cancer among women. The two analytical approaches yielded different results for rectal cancer and hence CRC. Our study indicates that the use of single or repeated measurements in analyses may influence the results.
The influence of juicing on the appearance of blueberry metabolites 2 h after consumption: a metabolite profiling approach
Authors: Langer Swen , Kennel Aileen , Lodge John K.
Published: May 2018

The consumption of berries has been linked to decreased risk of degenerative disease. Berries are regularly processed into juices. It is largely unknown how the juicing process affects the bioavailability of metabolites. As metabolomics has shown to be a valuable nutritional tool to study global metabolite differences, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of juicing on the relative appearance of blueberry metabolites in humans using metabolomics. Nine healthy subjects consumed 250 g of fresh blueberries either as the whole fruit or after juicing, and provided blood and urine samples before and 2 h after intake in a cross-over design. Samples underwent metabolite profiling using LCMS, and data were mined with multivariate analysis. Overall, <12 % of all ions detected were significantly influenced by blueberry treatment (P<0·05). Partial least-squared discriminant analysis models of post-treatment samples revealed good discrimination. In urinary samples, whole blueberry treatment resulted in 108 ions that were significantly higher compared with juiced treatment (positive and negative mode combined), whereas only eight were significantly higher after juiced treatment. Examples of putative annotations included metabolites of ferulic and caffeic acids, several phenolic metabolites conjugated to sulphate, glycoside or glucuronide and fatty acyl derivatives, which were of higher intensity after whole blueberry treatment. In conclusion, consumption of whole blueberries resulted in a higher range of phenolic and other metabolites in plasma and urine samples 2 h after consumption. Both whole and juiced blueberries resulted in very similar metabolite profiles at 2 h, although this was the only time point measured.
ARE FARMERS SEARCHING FOR AN AFRICAN GREEN REVOLUTION? EXPLORING THE SOLUTION SPACE FOR AGRICULTURAL INTENSIFICATION IN SOUTHERN MALI
Authors: OLLENBURGER MARY , CRANE TODD , DESCHEEMAEKER KATRIEN , GILLER KEN E.
Published: May 2018

Development actors, including the African Union, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and bilateral donors, promote a technology-driven sustainable intensification of agriculture as a way to feed a growing world population and reduce rural poverty. A broader view of smallholder agriculture in the context of rural livelihoods suggests that technological solutions alone are unlikely to meet these goals. Analysis of the solution space for agricultural interventions in a high potential area of southern Mali shows that intensification can lift most farm households out of extreme poverty and guarantee their food self-sufficiency. However, the most effective options do not fit the usual definition of sustainable intensification, increasing production per unit land while protecting the natural environment. Cropland expansion combined with the good yields seen in on-station experiments can nearly eliminate extreme poverty, while the biggest impact may come from taking advantage of peak seasonal prices for crops like groundnut. Other profitable alternatives can include meat production with small ruminants or sales of milk from cows. However, off-farm employment opportunities like gold mining outperform currently attainable agricultural options in terms of profitability. Options for rural households should fit within the households’ socio-ecological niches and respond to their priorities in order to be successful. Given the relatively low impact of (sustainable) intensification technologies alone, a rethinking of the role of agricultural research in development is needed in order to align interventions with farmer priorities and meet development goals.
Isolation, purification and identification of the active compound of turmeric and its potential application to control cucumber powdery mildew
Authors: Fu W. J. , Liu J. , Zhang M. , Li J. Q. , Hu J. F. , Xu L. R. , Dai G. H.
Published: May 2018

Cucumber powdery mildew is a destructive foliar disease caused by Podosphaera xanthii (formerly known as Sphaerotheca fuliginea) that substantially damages the yield and quality of crops. The control of this disease primarily involves the use of chemical pesticides that cause serious environmental problems. Currently, numerous studies have indicated that some plant extracts or products potentially have the ability to act as natural pesticides to control plant diseases. It has been reported that turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and its extract can be used in agriculture due to their insecticidal and fungicidal properties. However, the most effective fungicidal component of this plant is still unknown. In the current study, the crude extract of C. longa L. was found to have a fungicidal effect against P. xanthii. Afterwards, eight fractions (Fr.1–Fr.8) were gradually separated from the crude extract by column chromatography. Fraction 1 had the highest fungicidal effect against this pathogen among the eight fractions. The active compound, (+)-(S)-ar-turmerone, was separated from Fr 1 by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography and identified based on its 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C NMR spectrum data. The EC50 value of (+)-(S)-ar-turmerone was found to be 28.7 µg/ml. The compound also proved to have a curative effect. This is the first study to report that the compound (+)-(S)-ar-turmerone has an effect on controlling this disease. These results provide a basis for developing a new phytochemical fungicide from C. longa L. extract.
Population dynamics of the white shrimp Litopenaeus schmitti (Burkenroad, 1936) on the southern coast of Pernambuco, north-eastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Emanuell Felipe , Calazans Nathalia , Nolé Leandro , Soares Roberta , Frédou Flávia Lucena , Peixoto Silvio
Published: May 2018

This study describes the structure, growth, mortality and stock status of Litopenaeus schmitti in north-eastern Brazil. A total of 1169 specimens were captured (491 males and 678 females) from August 2011 to July 2012. Specimens were weighed and the length of carapace (CL) and total length were measured. The biometric relationships were estimated through regression analysis and growth was described through the von Bertalanffy model. Additionally, total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F), length at first capture (Lc), maximum yield per recruit (ERMY) and longevity were determined. Females were larger (3.07 ± 0.51 cm) than males (2.68 ± 0.25 cm) and dominant in the largest CL classes. The biometric relationships for males, females and both sexes grouped showed a negative allometric growth. Females showed larger L∞ (asymptotic length) and k (coefficient of growth) (L∞ of 5.00–5.16 cm and k of 1.20–1.26 year−1) when compared with males (L∞ of 4.25–4.30 cm and k of 1.00–1.02 year−1). In general, the mortality of males (Z = 1.93–5.48 year−1; M = 1.59–1.61 year−1 F = 0.32–0.3.89 year−1) and longevity (1.11–2.16 years) were higher than those estimated for females (Z = 1.84–3.76 year−1; M = 1.70–1.77 year−1; F = 0.07–1.99 year−1; 1.07–1.78 years). Results indicated that L. schmitti stock is relatively close to the state of full exploitation. Moreover, the CL of first capture of females (2.44–2.51 cm) is below the length of first sexual maturation of the species. The lack of legislation governing shrimp fishing in the area makes this stock even more vulnerable.
Norms, not moral norms: The boundaries of morality do not matter
Authors: Davis Taylor , Kelly Daniel
Published: May 2018

We endorse Stanford's project, which calls attention to features of human psychology that exhibit a “puzzling combination of objective and subjective elements,” and that are central to cooperation. However, we disagree with his delineation of the explanatory target. What he calls “externalization or objectification” conflates two separate properties, neither of which can serve as the mark of the moral.
From objectivized morality to objective morality
Authors: Jebari Joseph , Huebner Bryce
Published: May 2018

Stanford holds that the externalization and objectivization of moral judgments are what sustain human cooperative lifeways. We reply that the central function of human moral psychology is to track and respond to the structural features of our social environment, and we argue that moral obligations are grounded in the relationship between individual agents and the stability of their social groups.
Generalization and the experience of obligations as externally imposed: Distinct contributors to the evolution of human cooperation
Authors: O'Neill Elizabeth
Published: May 2018

It is worth distinguishing two phenomena involved in moral externalization: the experience of moral obligations as externally imposed and the tendency to generalize moral obligations. I propose that each played a distinct role in creating the conditions under which characteristically human cooperation could evolve.
An Interplanetary Network for Spacecraft Autonomous Navigation
Authors: Xin Shijun , Wang Yidi , Zheng Wei , Meng Yunhe , Zhang Dapeng
Published: May 2018

An interplanetary autonomous navigation network, named the Internet of Spacecraft (IoS), is proposed in this paper to enable a Solar System-wide autonomous navigation capability for spacecraft. This network consists of two types of spacecraft, namely host and client spacecraft. The former provide the absolute reference for the whole network, and the latter determine their positions by communicating with the host spacecraft or other client spacecraft. To investigate the performance of IoS, a detailed application scheme that supports a flight from Earth to Mars is developed and analysed. IoS is not a simple extension of the navigation constellation. It is independent of the ground tracking system and the configuration of the network is flexible in that any spacecraft-installed identical device can be added to it. Moreover, client spacecraft whose positions have been determined can also be regarded as host spacecraft and provide further navigation information to others. This paper aims to provide technical support for future deep space exploration.
The Role of Performance Quality in Adolescents’ Self-Evaluation and Rumination after a Speech: Is it Contingent on Social Anxiety Level?
Authors: Blöte Anke W. , Miers Anne C. , Van den Bos Esther , Westenberg P. Michiel
Published: May 2018

Background: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has relatively poor outcomes for youth with social anxiety, possibly because broad-based CBT is not tailored to their specific needs. Treatment of social anxiety in youth may need to pay more attention to negative social cognitions that are considered a key factor in social anxiety development and maintenance. Aims: The aim of the present study was to learn more about the role of performance quality in adolescents’ cognitions about their social performance and, in particular, the moderating role social anxiety plays in the relationship between performance quality and self-cognitions. Method: A community sample of 229 participants, aged 11 to 18 years, gave a speech and filled in questionnaires addressing social anxiety, depression, expected and self-evaluated performance, and post-event rumination. Independent observers rated the quality of the speech. The data were analysed using moderated mediation analysis. Results: Performance quality mediated the link between expected and self-evaluated performance in adolescents with low and medium levels of social anxiety. For adolescents with high levels of social anxiety, only a direct link between expected and self-evaluated performance was found. Their self-evaluation was not related to the quality of their performance. Performance quality also mediated the link between expected performance and rumination, but social anxiety did not moderate this mediation effect. Conclusions: Results suggest that a good performance does not help socially anxious adolescents to replace their negative self-evaluations with more realistic ones. Specific cognitive intervention strategies should be tailored to the needs of socially anxious adolescents who perform well.
Food choice motives, attitude towards and intention to adopt personalised nutrition
Authors: Rankin Audrey , Bunting Brendan P , Poínhos Rui , van der Lans Ivo A , Fischer Arnout RH , Kuznesof Sharron , Almeida MDV , Markovina Jerko , Frewer Lynn J , Stewart-Knox Barbara J
Published: May 2018

Objective

The present study explored associations between food choice motives, attitudes towards and intention to adopt personalised nutrition, to inform communication strategies based on consumer priorities and concerns.

Design/Setting

A survey was administered online which included the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and items assessing attitudes towards and intention to adopt personalised nutrition.

Subjects

Nationally representative samples were recruited in nine EU countries (n9381).

Results

Structural equation modelling indicated that the food choice motives ‘weight control’, ‘mood’, ‘health’ and ‘ethical concern’ had a positive association and ‘price’ had a negative association with attitude towards, and intention to adopt, personalised nutrition. ‘Health’ was positively associated and ‘familiarity’ negatively associated with attitude towards personalised nutrition. The effects of ‘weight control’, ‘ethical concern’, ‘mood’ and ‘price’ on intention to adopt personalised nutrition were partially mediated by attitude. The effects of ‘health’ and ‘familiarity’ were fully mediated by attitude. ‘Sensory appeal’ was negatively and directly associated with intention to adopt personalised nutrition.

Conclusions

Personalised nutrition providers may benefit from taking into consideration the importance of underlying determinants of food choice in potential users, particularly weight control, mood and price, when promoting services and in tailoring communications that are motivationally relevant.
Self-Determination and Personal Identity in University Students: The Mediating Role of Future Orientation
Authors: Zhou Mingming , Kam Chester Chun Seng
Published: May 2018

In this study, we sought to extend the research on self-determination, future orientation, and personal identity construction by integrating the theories on self-determination and future orientation to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the relations between personal identity and the following individual characteristics: Hope, optimism, awareness of self, and perceived choice. 191 university students in China responded surveys in hardcopies on an individual basis. Our SEM results revealed that proximal future orientation influenced the mechanisms through which distal psychological traits affected identity construction. Specifically, hope mediated the effects of self-awareness on the participants’ personal identity ratings (b = .45,p< .05). Although optimism was related to both awareness of self and perceived choice, it was not significantly related to personal identity. This study suggested an extended framework through which we could understand how the interaction between future orientation and self-determination can predict personal identity. The findings have significant implications for interventions in educational settings.
Marchenko‐Based Target Replacement, Accounting for All Orders of Multiple Reflections
Authors: Wapenaar Kees , Staring Myrna
Published: May 2018

In seismic monitoring, one is usually interested in the response of a changing target zone, embedded in a static inhomogeneous medium. We introduce an efficient method that predicts reflection responses at the Earth's surface for different target‐zone scenarios, from a single reflection response at the surface and a model of the changing target zone. The proposed process consists of two main steps. In the first step, the response of the original target zone is removed from the reflection response, using the Marchenko method. In the second step, the modelled response of a new target zone is inserted between the overburden and underburden responses. The method fully accounts for all orders of multiple scattering and, in the elastodynamic case, for wave conversion. For monitoring purposes, only the second step needs to be repeated for each target‐zone model. Since the target zone covers only a small part of the entire medium, the proposed method is much more efficient than repeated modelling of the entire reflection response.
On the Relationship Between Probabilistic and Deterministic Skills in Dynamical Seasonal Climate Prediction
Authors: Yang Dejian , Yang Xiu‐Qun , Ye Dan , Sun Xuguang , Fang Jiabei , Chu Cuijiao , Feng Tao , Jiang Yiquan , Liang Jin , Ren Xuejuan , Zhang Yaocun , Tang Youmin
Published: May 2018

Despite the gradually increasing emphasis on assessing the skill of dynamical seasonal climate predictions from the probabilistic perspective, there is a lack of in‐depth understanding that an inherent relationship may exist between the probabilistic and deterministic seasonal forecast skills. In this study, we focus on investigating this relationship, through theoretical consideration based on an analytical approach and diagnostic analysis of the historical forecasts produced by multiple dynamical models. The probabilistic forecast skill is gauged in terms of its two different attributes: resolution and reliability, while the deterministic forecast skill is measured in terms of anomaly correlation (AC). Through the theoretical consideration under certain simplified assumptions, a nonlinear, monotonic relationship is analytically derived between the resolution and the AC. Subsequent diagnostic analysis shows that the resolution and AC skills of both the multimodel ensemble and its member single models indeed appear to be approximately monotonically and nonlinearly related, specifically when they are calculated in a zonally aggregated manner by which the impact of finite sample size is reduced. This observed relationship has a specific form that is consistent with what the theory predicts. In short, the theoretical result is well verified by the dynamical model forecasts. Diagnostic analysis also shows that no good relationship exists between the reliability and the AC, signifying the difference of reliability and resolution in nature. A specific application of the proven resolution‐AC coherence is also demonstrated. The proved resolution‐AC relationship can facilitate comparisons among various assessments of seasonal climate prediction skill from the deterministic or probabilistic perspective alone.
Characterization of Hydrogeological Properties in Salt Lake Valley, Utah, using InSAR
Authors: Hu Xie , Lu Zhong , Wang Teng
Published: May 2018

Charactering subsurface aquifer systems is important not only to managing their long‐term viability as a stable water source but also to protecting the residences and infrastructures. In particular, understanding how aquifer skeletons deform in response to hydraulic head changes requires hydrogeological parameters such as decay coefficient, storage coefficient, and bulk compressibility. Quantifying these key aquifer properties often requires the analysis of limited water gauge and drilling data. Here we investigate the spatiotemporal correlation between the vertical ground deformation derived by ENVISAT Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) and Sentinel‐1A data sets and available hydrological records in order to improve the aquifer characterization under Salt Lake Valley, Utah. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar results show a clear long‐term and seasonal correlation between surface uplift/subsidence and groundwater recharge/discharge, with evidence for the net uplift of 15 mm/year of an area southwest of Salt Lake City for six years. The long‐term uplift, bounded by faults and contained within the water discharge area, reflects a net increase in pore pressure associated with prolonged water recharge probably decades ago. The distribution of both previously mapped faults and newly mapped faults within the fields of deformation and the decay coefficient suggests that the faults disrupt the groundwater flow and partition the hydrological units. We also characterize human‐ and hydrological‐triggered deformation by the features of seasonality and the deviation from the exponentially decaying model. By improving our ability to characterize aquifer structures, interferometric synthetic aperture radar analysis of surface deformation in combination with traditional hydrological monitoring data presents an opportunity to recognize and mitigate potential hazards.
Termination of Electron Acceleration in Thundercloud by Intracloud/Intercloud Discharge
Authors: Wada Y. , Bowers G. S. , Enoto T. , Kamogawa M. , Nakamura Y. , Morimoto T. , Smith D. M. , Furuta Y. , Nakazawa K. , Yuasa T. , Matsuki A. , Kubo M. , Tamagawa T. , Makishima K. , Tsuchiya H.
Published: May 2018

An on‐ground observation program for high‐energy atmospheric phenomena in winter thunderstorms along the Japan Sea has been performed via measurements of gamma ray radiation, atmospheric electric field, and low‐frequency radio band. On 11 February 2017, the radiation detectors recorded gamma ray emission lasting for 75 s, and then abruptly terminated with a nearby lightning discharge. The gamma ray spectrum extended up to 20 MeV and was reproduced by a cutoff power law model with a photon index of
, being consistent with Bremsstrahlung radiation from a thundercloud (known as a gamma‐ray glow or a thunderstorm ground enhancement). The low‐frequency radio monitors, installed ∼50 km away from the gamma ray observation site recorded leader development of an intracloud/intercloud discharge spreading over ∼60 km area with a ∼300‐ms duration. The timing of the gamma ray termination coincided with the moment when the leader development of the intracloud/intercloud discharge passed 0.7 km horizontally away from the radiation monitors. The intracloud/intercloud discharge started ∼15 km away from the gamma ray observation site. Therefore, the glow was terminated by the leader development, while it did not trigger the lightning discharge in the present case.
miRNAs reshape immunity and inflammatory responses in bacterial infection
Authors: Zhou Xikun , Li Xuefeng , Wu Min
Published: May 2018

Pathogenic bacteria cause various infections worldwide, especially in immunocompromised and other susceptible individuals, and are also associated with high infant mortality rates in developing countries. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs with evolutionarily conserved sequences, are expressed in various tissues and cells that play key part in various physiological and pathologic processes. Increasing evidence implies roles for miRNAs in bacterial infectious diseases by modulating inflammatory responses, cell penetration, tissue remodeling, and innate and adaptive immunity. This review highlights some recent intriguing findings, ranging from the correlation between aberrant expression of miRNAs with bacterial infection progression to their profound impact on host immune responses. Harnessing of dysregulated miRNAs in bacterial infection may be an approach to improving the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of infectious diseases.
Interplay between gut microbiota metabolism and inflammation in HIV infection
Authors: Vázquez-Castellanos Jorge F , Serrano-Villar Sergio , Jiménez-Hernández Nuria , Soto del Rio María Dolores , Gayo Sara , Rojo David , Ferrer Manuel , Barbas Coral , Moreno Santiago , Estrada Vicente , Rattei Tomas , Latorre Amparo , Moya Andrés , Gosalbes María José
Published: May 2018

HIV infection causes a disruption of gut-associated lymphoid tissue, driving a shift in the composition of gut microbiota. A deeper understanding of the metabolic changes and how they affect the interplay with the host is needed. Here, we assessed functional modifications of HIV-associated microbiota by combining metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses. The transcriptionally active microbiota was well-adapted to the inflamed environment, overexpressing pathways related to resistance to oxidative stress. Furthermore, gut inflammation was maintained by the Gram-negative nature of the HIV-associated microbiota and underexpression of anti-inflammatory processes, such as short chain fatty acid biosynthesis or indole production. We performed co-occurrence and metabolic network analyses that showed relevance in the microbiota structure of both taxonomic and metabolic HIV-associated biomarkers. The Bayesian network revealed the most determinant pathways for maintaining the structure stability of the bacterial community. In addition, we identified the taxa’s contribution to metabolic activities and their interactions with host health.
Targeting RNA structure in SMN2 reverses spinal muscular atrophy molecular phenotypes
Authors: Garcia-Lopez Amparo , Tessaro Francesca , Jonker Hendrik R. A. , Wacker Anna , Richter Christian , Comte Arnaud , Berntenis Nikolaos , Schmucki Roland , Hatje Klas , Petermann Olivier , Chiriano Gianpaolo , Perozzo Remo , Sciarra Daniel , Konieczny Piotr , Faustino Ignacio , Fournet Guy , Orozco Modesto , Artero Ruben , Metzger Friedrich , Ebeling Martin , Goekjian Peter , Joseph Benoît , Schwalbe Harald , Scapozza Leonardo
Published: May 2018

Modification of SMN2 exon 7 (E7) splicing is a validated therapeutic strategy against spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, a target-based approach to identify small-molecule E7 splicing modifiers has not been attempted, which could reveal novel therapies with improved mechanistic insight. Here, we chose as a target the stem-loop RNA structure TSL2, which overlaps with the 5′ splicing site of E7. A small-molecule TSL2-binding compound, homocarbonyltopsentin (PK4C9), was identified that increases E7 splicing to therapeutic levels and rescues downstream molecular alterations in SMA cells. High-resolution NMR combined with molecular modelling revealed that PK4C9 binds to pentaloop conformations of TSL2 and promotes a shift to triloop conformations that display enhanced E7 splicing. Collectively, our study validates TSL2 as a target for small-molecule drug discovery in SMA, identifies a novel mechanism of action for an E7 splicing modifier, and sets a precedent for other splicing-mediated diseases where RNA structure could be similarly targeted.
Profiling human breast epithelial cells using single cell RNA sequencing identifies cell diversity
Authors: Nguyen Quy H. , Pervolarakis Nicholas , Blake Kerrigan , Ma Dennis , Davis Ryan Tevia , James Nathan , Phung Anh T. , Willey Elizabeth , Kumar Raj , Jabart Eric , Driver Ian , Rock Jason , Goga Andrei , Khan Seema A. , Lawson Devon A. , Werb Zena , Kessenbrock Kai
Published: May 2018

Breast cancer arises from breast epithelial cells that acquire genetic alterations leading to subsequent loss of tissue homeostasis. Several distinct epithelial subpopulations have been proposed, but complete understanding of the spectrum of heterogeneity and differentiation hierarchy in the human breast remains elusive. Here, we use single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to profile the transcriptomes of 25,790 primary human breast epithelial cells isolated from reduction mammoplasties of seven individuals. Unbiased clustering analysis reveals the existence of three distinct epithelial cell populations, one basal and two luminal cell types, which we identify as secretory L1- and hormone-responsive L2-type cells. Pseudotemporal reconstruction of differentiation trajectories produces one continuous lineage hierarchy that closely connects the basal lineage to the two differentiated luminal branches. Our comprehensive cell atlas provides insights into the cellular blueprint of the human breast epithelium and will form the foundation to understand how the system goes awry during breast cancer.
Structural resolution of inorganic nanotubes with complex stoichiometry
Authors: Monet Geoffrey , Amara Mohamed S. , Rouzière Stéphan , Paineau Erwan , Chai Ziwei , Elliott Joshua D. , Poli Emiliano , Liu Li-Min , Teobaldi Gilberto , Launois Pascale
Published: May 2018

Determination of the atomic structure of inorganic single-walled nanotubes with complex stoichiometry remains elusive due to the too many atomic coordinates to be fitted with respect to X-ray diffractograms inherently exhibiting rather broad features. Here we introduce a methodology to reduce the number of fitted variables and enable resolution of the atomic structure for inorganic nanotubes with complex stoichiometry. We apply it to recently synthesized methylated aluminosilicate and aluminogermanate imogolite nanotubes of nominal composition (OH)3Al2O3Si(Ge)CH3. Fitting of X-ray scattering diagrams, supported by Density Functional Theory simulations, reveals an unexpected rolling mode for these systems. The transferability of the approach opens up for improved understanding of structure–property relationships of inorganic nanotubes to the benefit of fundamental and applicative research in these systems.
Separation of current density and electric field domains caused by nonlinear electronic instabilities
Authors: Kumar Suhas , Williams R. Stanley
Published: May 2018

In 1963 Ridley postulated that under certain bias conditions circuit elements exhibiting a current- or voltage-controlled negative differential resistance will separate into coexisting domains with different current densities or electric fields, respectively, in a process similar to spinodal decomposition of a homogeneous liquid or disproportionation of a metastable chemical compound. The ensuing debate, however, failed to agree on the existence or causes of such electronic decomposition. Using thermal and chemical spectro-microscopy, we directly imaged signatures of current-density and electric-field domains in several metal oxides. The concept of local activity successfully predicts initiation and occurrence of spontaneous electronic decomposition, accompanied by a reduction in internal energy, despite unchanged power input and heat output. This reveals a thermodynamic constraint required to properly model nonlinear circuit elements. Our results explain the electroforming process that initiates information storage via resistance switching in metal oxides and has significant implications for improving neuromorphic computing based on nonlinear dynamical devices.
Postnatal DNA demethylation and its role in tissue maturation
Authors: Reizel Yitzhak , Sabag Ofra , Skversky Yael , Spiro Adam , Steinberg Benjamin , Bernstein Diana , Wang Amber , Kieckhaefer Julia , Li Catherine , Pikarsky Eli , Levin-Klein Rena , Goren Alon , Rajewsky Klaus , Kaestner Klaus H. , Cedar Howard
Published: May 2018

Development in mammals is accompanied by specific de novo and demethylation events that are thought to stabilize differentiated cell phenotypes. We demonstrate that a large percentage of the tissue-specific methylation pattern is generated postnatally. Demethylation in the liver is observed in thousands of enhancer-like sequences associated with genes that undergo activation during the first few weeks of life. Using a conditional gene ablation strategy we show that the removal of these methyl groups is stable and necessary for assuring proper hepatocyte gene expression and function through its effect on chromatin accessibility. These postnatal changes in methylation come about through exposure to hormone signaling. These results define the molecular rules of 5-methyl-cytosine regulation as an epigenetic mechanism underlying cellular responses to a changing environment.
Self-selection of dissipative assemblies driven by primitive chemical reaction networks
Authors: Tena-Solsona Marta , Wanzke Caren , Riess Benedikt , Bausch Andreas R. , Boekhoven Job
Published: May 2018

Life is a dissipative nonequilibrium structure that requires constant consumption of energy to sustain itself. How such an unstable state could have selected from an abiotic pool of molecules remains a mystery. Here we show that liquid phase-separation offers a mechanism for the selection of dissipative products from a library of reacting molecules. We bring a set of primitive carboxylic acids out-of-equilibrium by addition of high-energy condensing agents. The resulting anhydrides are transiently present before deactivation via hydrolysis. We find the anhydrides that phase-separate into droplets to protect themselves from hydrolysis and to be more persistent than non-assembling ones. Thus, after several starvation-refueling cycles, the library self-selects the phase-separating anhydrides. We observe that the self-selection mechanism is more effective when the library is brought out-of-equilibrium by periodic addition of batches as opposed to feeding it continuously. Our results suggest that phase-separation offers a selection mechanism for energy dissipating assemblies.
Low doses of bioherbicide favour prion aggregation and propagation in vivo
Authors: Lafon Pierre-André , Imberdis Thibaut , Wang Yunyun , Torrent Joan , Robitzer Mike , Huetter Elisabeth , Alvarez-Martinez Maria-Teresa , Chevallier Nathalie , Givalois Laurent , Desrumaux Catherine , Liu Jianfeng , Perrier Véronique
Published: May 2018

Public concerns over the use of synthetic pesticides are growing since many studies have shown their impact on human health. A new environmental movement in occidental countries promoting an organic agriculture favours the rebirth of botanical pesticides. These products confer an effective alternative to chemical pesticides such as glyphosate. Among the biopesticides, the α-terthienyls found in the roots of Tagetes species, are powerful broad-spectrum pesticides. We found that an α-terthienyl analogue with herbicidal properties, called A6, triggers resistant SDS oligomers of the pathogenic prion protein PrPSc (rSDS-PrPSc) in cells. Our main question is to determine if we can induce those rSDS-PrPSc oligomers in vitro and in vivo, and their impact on prion aggregation and propagation. Using wild-type mice challenged with prions, we showed that A6 accelerates or slows down prion disease depending on the concentration used. At 5 mg/kg, A6 is worsening the pathology with a faster accumulation of PrPSc, reminiscent to soluble toxic rSDS-PrPSc oligomers. In contrast, at 10 and 20 mg/kg of A6, prion disease occurred later, with less PrPSc deposits and with rSDS-PrPSc oligomers in the brain reminiscent to non-toxic aggregates. Our results are bringing new openings regarding the impact of biopesticides in prion and prion-like diseases.
Investigation on the interface between Li10GeP2S12 electrolyte and carbon conductive agents in all-solid-state lithium battery
Authors: Yoon Kyungho , Kim Jung-Joon , Seong Won Mo , Lee Myeong Hwan , Kang Kisuk
Published: May 2018

All-solid-state batteries are considered as one of the attractive alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, due to their intrinsic safe properties benefiting from the use of non-flammable solid electrolytes in ASSBs. However, one of the issues in employing the solid-state electrolyte is the sluggish ion transport kinetics arising from the chemical and physical instability of the interfaces among solid components including electrode material, electrolyte and additive agents. In this work, we investigate the stability of the interface between carbon conductive agents and Li10GeP2S12 in a composite cathode and its effect on the electrochemical performance of ASSBs. It is found that the inclusion of various carbon conductive agents in composite cathode leads to inferior kinetic performance of the cathode despite expectedly enhanced electrical conductivity of the composite. We observe that the poor kinetic performance is attributed to a large interfacial impedance which is gradually developed upon the inclusions of the various carbon conductive agents regardless of their physical differences. The analysis through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy suggests that the carbon additives in the composite cathode stimulate the electrochemical decomposition of LGPS electrolyte degrading its surface during cycling, indicating the large interfacial resistance stems from the undesirable decomposition of the electrolyte at the interface.
Ochratoxin A reduction ability of biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis isolated from Korean traditional fermented food Kimchi
Authors: Shukla Shruti , Park Jung Hyun , Chung Soo Hyun , Kim Myunghee
Published: May 2018

In the present study, a new biocontrol strain, Bacillus subtilis KU-153, was isolated from the Korean traditional fermented food Kimchi and evaluated for its ability to reduce the ochratoxin A (OTA) content in culture medium. A 16 S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed the identity of newly isolated strain KU-153 as B. subtilis. The growth kinetic study of B. subtilis KU-153, in terms of the OTA reduction in culture medium, confirmed its biocontrol efficacy. To verify its ability to reduce the OTA content in culture medium, bacterial extracts (intracellular and extracellular) of B. subtilis were separated and compared with whole B. subtilis cells (viable and heat-killed). No reduction in the OTA content was observed in culture medium with extracellular and intracellular extracts, while viable and heat-killed cells of B. subtilis showed significant levels (p < 0.05) of OTA reduction in culture medium. Interestingly, B. subtilis heat-treated cells showed a higher OTA reduction (45%) than viable cells (22%). Further, B. subtilis heat-treated cells were assessed for their ability to reduce OTA levels in artificially contaminated red wine samples that resulted in an OTA reduction of approximately 90%, suggesting the biocontrol potential of the newly isolated strain B. subtilis KU-153 on OTA reduction.
Cholinergic activity is essential for maintaining the anterograde transport of Choline Acetyltransferase in Drosophila
Authors: Dey Swagata , Ray Krishanu
Published: May 2018

Cholinergic activity is essential for cognitive functions and neuronal homeostasis. Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT), a soluble protein that synthesizes acetylcholine at the presynaptic compartment, is transported in bulk in the axons by the heterotrimeric Kinesin-2 motor. Axonal transport of soluble proteins is described as a constitutive process assisted by occasional, non-specific interactions with moving vesicles and motor proteins. Here, we report that an increase in the influx of Kinesin-2 motor and association between ChAT and the motor during a specific developmental period enhances the axonal entry, as well as the anterograde flow of the protein, in the sensory neurons of intact Drosophila nervous system. Loss of cholinergic activity due to  Hemicholinium and Bungarotoxin treatments, respectively, disrupts the interaction between ChAT and Kinesin-2 in the axon, and the episodic enhancement of axonal influx of the protein. Altogether, these observations highlight a phenomenon of synaptic activity-dependent, feedback regulation of a soluble protein transport in vivo, which could potentially define the quantum of its pre-synaptic influx.
Reflective grating-coupled structure improves the detection efficiency of THz array detectors
Authors: Xiao Peng , Tu Xuecou , Kang Lin , Jiang Chengtao , Zhai Shimin , Jiang Zhou , Pan Danfeng , Chen Jian , Jia Xiaoqing , Wu Peiheng
Published: May 2018

A reflective grating-coupled structure on the silicon substrate was designed to improve the detection efficiency of terahertz detectors for the frequency ranging from 0.26 THz to 0.36 THz. By using finite difference time domain (FDTD) solutions, the simulation and optimized design of the grating-coupled structure were carried out. The results showed that the signal was effectively reflected and diffracted by the reflective grating-coupled structure which significantly enhanced the electric field in the place of the detector. The maximum electric field can be increased by 2.8 times than that of the Fabry-Perot resonator. To verify the design results, the reflective grating-coupled structure was applied in the preparation of the Nb5N6 array detector chip and compared with the Nb5N6 array detector chip with the F-P resonator. The results showed that the maximum voltage responsivity of the Nb5N6 detector with the reflective grating-coupled structure was 2 times larger than the Nb5N6 detector with the F-P resonator. It indicates that the reflective grating-coupled structure can efficiently improve the detection efficiency of THz detectors.
Ultrathin, flexible and multimodal tactile sensors based on organic field-effect transistors
Authors: Viola Fabrizio Antonio , Spanu Andrea , Ricci Pier Carlo , Bonfiglio Annalisa , Cosseddu Piero
Published: May 2018

In this study, a novel approach to the fabrication of a multimodal temperature and force sensor on ultrathin, conformable and flexible substrates is presented. This process involves coupling a charge-modulated organic field-effect transistor (OCMFET) with a pyro/piezoelectric element, namely a commercial film of poly-vinylene difluoride (PVDF). The proposed device is able to respond to both pressure stimuli and temperature variations, demonstrating the feasibility of the approach for the development of low-cost, highly sensitive and conformable multimodal sensors. The overall thickness of the device is 1.2 μm, being thus able to conform to any surface (including the human body), while keeping its electrical performance. Furthermore, it is possible to discriminate between simultaneously applied temperature and pressure stimuli by coupling sensing surfaces made of poled and unpoled spin-coated PVDF-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE, a PVDF copolymer) with OCMFETs. This demonstrates the possibility of creating multimodal sensors that can be employed for applications in several fields, ranging from robotics to wearable electronics.