bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lignin nanoparticles modified with tall oil fatty acid for cellulose functionalization
Authors: Setälä Harri , Alakomi Hanna-Leena , Paananen Arja , Szilvay Géza R. , Kellock Miriam , Lievonen Miikka , Liljeström Ville , Hult Eva-Lena , Lintinen Kalle , Österberg Monika , Kostiainen Mauri
Published: October 2019

In this study, tall oil fatty acid ester of softwood kraft lignin (TOFA-L) was used to prepare TOFA lignin nanoparticles (TLNP) in water. The average diameters for two prepared TLNPs in 0.1 mg/ml concentration were 140 nm and 160 nm. TLNPs were attached covalently onto modified and unmodified cellulose fibres to form an antimicrobial composite material. The modified cellulose fibres contained reactive allylic double bonds with a degree of substitution of 0.05. The antimicrobial properties of both TLNPs and TLNP coated fibres (TLNP-C) were studied againstEscherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosausing silver nanospheres (average size 10 nm) and Lignoboost lignin particles with 300 and 400 nm sizes as references. Antimicrobial activity of the samples was stronger against Gram-positiveS. aureuscells than against Gram-negative target microbesE. coliandP. aeruginosa.
Ocular manifestations of rheumatic diseases
Authors: Kemeny-Beke Adam , Szodoray Peter
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Our aim was to summarize key aspects of the pathomechanism and the ocular involvements of rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases.

Methods

Apart from a paper in French (Morax V, Ann Oculist 109:368–370, 1893), all papers referred to in this article were published in English. All the materials were peer-reviewed full-text papers, letters, reviews, or book chapters obtained through a literature search of the PubMed database using the keywords ocular manifestations; pathogenesis; systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases; rheumatoid arthritis; osteoarthritis; fibromyalgia; systemic lupus erythematosus; seronegative spondyloarthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; reactive arthritis; enteropathic arthritis; psoriatic arthritis; systemic sclerosis; polymyalgia rheumatica and covering all years available. Some statements articulated in this paper reflect the clinical experience of the authors in their tertiary-referral center.

Results

Ophthalmic disorders are categorized by anatomical subgroups in all rheumatic diseases. The most common ocular manifestations are diverse types of inflammations of different tissues and dry eye disease (DED).

Conclusion

The eye could be a responsive marker for the onset or aggravation of an immune reactivation in many rheumatic diseases, furthermore, ocular findings can antedate the diagnosis of the underlying rheumatic disease. By recognizing ocular manifestations of systemic rheumatic diseases it might be possible to avoid or at least delay many long term sequelae.
AGE: authentication in gadget-free healthcare environments
Authors: Kumar Tanesh , Braeken An , Jurcut Anca Delia , Liyanage Madhusanka , Ylianttila Mika
Published: October 2019

Mobile and sensor related technologies are significantly revolutionizing the medical and healthcare sectors. In current healthcare systems, gadgets are the prominent way of acquiring medical services. However, the recent technological advancements in smart and ambient environments are offering users new ways to access the healthcare services without using any explicit gadgets. One of the key challenges in such gadget-free environments is performing secure user authentication with the intelligent surroundings. For example, a secure, efficient and user-friendly authentication mechanism is essential for elderly/disabled people or patients in critical conditions requiring medical services. Hence, modern authentication systems should be sophisticated enough to identify such patients without requiring their physical efforts or placing gadgets on them. This paper proposes an anonymous and privacy-preserving biometrics based authentication scheme for such gadget-free healthcare environment. We performed formal security verification of our proposed scheme using CDVT /AD tool and our results indicate that the proposed scheme is secure for such smart and gadget-free environments. We verify that the proposed scheme can resist against various well-known security attacks. Moreover, the proposed system showed better performance as compared with existing biometrics based remote user authentication schemes.
Inhibition of DNA-PK potentiates the synergistic effect of NK314 and etoposide combination on human glioblastoma cells
Authors: Kopa Paulina , Macieja Anna , Gulbas Izabela , Pastwa Elzbieta , Poplawski Tomasz
Published: October 2019

Etoposide (VP-16) is the topoisomerase 2 (Top2) inhibitor used for treating of glioma patients however at high dose with serious side effects. It induces DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). These DNA lesions are repaired by non-homologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) mediated by DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK). One possible approach to decrease the toxicity of etoposide is to reduce the dose while maintaining the anticancer potential. It could be achieved through combined therapy with other anticancer drugs. We have assumed that this objective can be obtained by (1) a parallel topo2 α inhibition and (2) sensitization of cancer cells to DSBs. In this work we investigated the effect of two Top2 inhibitors NK314 and VP-16 in glioma cell lines (MO59 K and MO59 J) sensitized by DNA-PK inhibitor, NU7441. Cytotoxic effect of VP-16, NK314 alone and in combination on human glioblastoma cell lines, was assessed by a colorimetric assay. Genotoxic effect of anticancer drugs in combination with NU7441 was assessed by comet assay. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analysed by flow cytometry. Compared with VP-16 or NK314 alone, the combined treatment significantly inhibited cell proliferation. Combination treatment was associated with a strong accumulation of DSBs, modulated cell cycle phases distribution and apoptotic cell death. NU7441 potentiated these effects and additionally postponed DNA repair. Our findings suggest that NK314 could overcome resistance of MO59 cells to VP-16 and NU7441 could serve as sensitizer to VP-16/NK314 combined treatment. The combined tripartite approach of chemotherapy could reduce the overall toxicity associated with each individual therapy, while concomitantly enhancing the anticancer effect to treat human glioma cells. Thus, the use of a tripartite combinatorial approach could be promising and more efficacious than mono therapy or dual therapy to treat and increase the survival of the glioblastoma patients.
Inferring proxy response in household travel surveys with unknown completer using a group-based choice model
Authors: Maruyama Takuya , Hosotani Kenta , Kawano Tomoki
Published: October 2019

A proxy response is often accepted for household travel surveys to reduce the survey cost and increase the sample size, but proxy-response biases may be introduced into the sample data. To investigate and correct the bias, completer information for the survey is important, but such information is not always available in practice. This study proposes a novel model that can be applicable in situations where completer information is unavailable. The method introduces group-decision modeling in analyzing the response choices of the household travel survey, where the survey response is considered to be a task allocation among household members. The proposed model can infer the probability of proxy response and the proxy-response bias of trip-related records without completer information. The potential of the proposed model was confirmed by application to a household travel survey in Japan. The inferred probability of the proxy response and the inferred bias without completer data demonstrated surprisingly similar results to the existing study with actual proxy-response data. Specifically, the model inferred a high probability of proxy response in young adults and a low proxy probability in middle-aged females, and the model inferred the proxy-response bias that female proxy respondents in the middle-aged group report lower trip rates than self-respondents. This method will be valuable not only in travel surveys, but also in the general research and practice of social surveys.
On the Benefits and Challenges of Crowd-Sourced Network Performance Measurements for IoT Scenarios
Authors: Mikkelsen Lars Møller , Madsen Tatiana Kozlova , Schwefel Hans-Peter
Published: October 2019

Systems within IoT domains such as ITS, Smart City, Smart Grid and other, often rely on real-time information and communication. These types of systems often include geographically distributed nodes which are connected via cellular or other wireless networks. This means great variability and uncertainty in network connection performance, effectively increasing the expected minimum system response time. Having information about network connection performance means that it is possible to predict the performance of the system in terms of sensor access delay or application response time. We obtain the performance information, in terms of signal strength and transport layer round trip time, using crowd sourcing and consumer devices which causes the measurements to be heterogeneously distributed. From these measurements we want to create a network performance map but in areas with sparse measurements the reliability of the map values will be low. To solve this problem we include neighboring measurements and evaluate the impact of doing so. We show that generally there is a benefit from including neighboring measurements, and that transport layer round trip times are less sensitive to bias when increasing the size of the extended area to include measurements from.
Douglas-fir climate sensitivity at two contrasting sites along the southern limit of the European planting range
Authors: Castaldi Cristiano , Marchi Maurizio , Vacchiano Giorgio , Corona Piermaria
Published: October 2019

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) is an important exotic tree species that was planted across a large part of Europe during the last century. In both experimental trials and conventional forest plantations, the trees grow at a high rate and produce high-quality timber. The present study investigated climate-growth relationships of Douglas-fir at two Italian sites that contrast in climate: a Mediterranean area in southern Italy (Mercurella site) and a cooler, moister site in the northern Apennines without summer aridity (Acquerino). The relationship between tree-ring chronologies and monthly climatic variables was evaluated by a moving average and correlation analysis. Results showed that the minimum temperature in February and in March play a key role for Douglas-fir at both sites, with a positive effect on growth. At the northern site, it is also highly sensitive to late summer temperatures (negative correlation) and spring–summer precipitation (positive correlation). Growth rates in southern latitudes were high even in Europe and in the Mediterranean environment, with low sensitivity to climatic fluctuation. On the basis of our results, further common garden experiments should test adaptation and the interaction between genetics and environment of second- or third-generation seeds from old stands across Europe such as done by the old International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) or the European Douglas-fir Improvement Research Cooperative (EUDIREC) experimentation programmes.
Investigation of negative effects of rice husk silica on komatsuna growth using three experiments
Authors: Sekifuji Ryoko , Van Chieu Le , Tateda Masafumi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the potential negative effects of rice husk as a source of fertilizer on plant growth.

Methods

Growth tests were conducted on komatsuna (Brassica rapavar.perviridis) using three types of experiment. A pot experiment was conducted to compare different fertilizers on an individual basis. A second pot experiment was conducted to compare different mixtures of fertilizers. Finally, a field experiment was performed to determine the effects of the application of different quantities of silica.

Results

The results showed that komatsuna grew better with the application of silica mixed with fertilizer, and that there was an optimal quantity of silica to be used, when used on its own. It was found that, in all cases, the silica in the rice husk ash did not have any measurable negative effects on the growth of the komatsuna.

Conclusions

We, therefore, conclude that rice husk silica can undoubtedly be used for plant cultivation.
Fractional differential equations and Volterra–Stieltjes integral equations of the second kind
Authors: Asanov Avyt , Almeida Ricardo , Malinowska Agnieszka B.
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we construct a method to find approximate solutions to fractional differential equations involving fractional derivatives with respect to another function. The method is based on an equivalence relation between the fractional differential equation and the Volterra–Stieltjes integral equation of the second kind. The generalized midpoint rule is applied to solve numerically the integral equation and an estimation for the error is given. Results of numerical experiments demonstrate that satisfactory and reliable results could be obtained by the proposed method.
Identification and modelling of applicable wear conditions for stir cast Al-composite
Authors: Sardar Santanu , Karmakar Santanu Kumar , Das Debdulal
Published: October 2019

A comprehensive study of the tribological performance of the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu/Al2O3 composite and its matrix alloy is presented in this paper, with a specific emphasis to identify and model the applicable wear conditions where the composite provides a minimum of 50% reduction in wear rate and 25% lowering of the friction coefficient. Two-body abrasion experiments following Taguchi L27 orthogonal design have been performed separately on alloy and composite materials, both prepared by the stir casting method. The influence of crucial control factors including silicon carbide (SiC) abrasive size, load, sliding distance, and velocity on the percentage variations of wear rates and friction coefficients between alloy and composite have been studied using the analysis of variance technique and full quadratic regression method. The dominant control factors are identified as abrasive size, load, and the interaction between abrasive size and load. This has been verified by establishing the influence of abrasive size and load on variations of wear mechanisms like microcutting, microploughing, and delamination, identified by means of in-depth characterization of worn surfaces and generated debris for both alloy and composite. The selection of applicable tribological condition for the composite has been accomplished by adopting the multi-response optimization technique based on combined desirability approach to obtain concurrent optimization of the percentage variations of wear rates and friction coefficients. Predictive models correlating the superiority of tribological performance of composite with abrasion conditions have been developed, and these are found to be accurate (errors <10%), as determined by confirmatory experiment.
Assessment of water-based cutting fluids with green additives in broaching
Authors: Ni Jing , Feng Kai , He Lihua , Liu Xiaofan , Meng Zhen
Published: October 2019

In order to improve the cutting performance in broaching, the lubrication and cleaning effects offered by water-based cutting fluids with green additives need to be studied from the viewpoint of green manufacturing. Therefore, water-based solutions with castor oil, surfactant (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, LAS), and nanographite were prepared by ultrasonic agitation and sprayed into the zone of broaching via atomization. The performances of the cutting fluids, in terms of the viscosity, specific heat, wetting angle, and droplet size, were evaluated to discuss their effects on the broaching load. Among the fluids, the addition of LAS into oil-in-water (WO-S), where its cutting fluid with 10 wt.% castor oil and 1.5 wt.% surfactant, exhibited the lowest broaching force. With regard to the lubricating and cleaning mechanisms, WO-S has good wettability and permeability, and hence, can lubricate the cutting edge of the tool to decrease the cutting load, cool the cutting edge to keep it sturdy, and clean the surface of the cutting edge to keep it sharp. The results reveal that the simultaneous addition of castor oil and LAS had remarkable effects on the lubrication and cleaning, and resulted in a broaching load reduction of more than 10% compared to commercial cutting fluids. However, the addition of nanographite could not improve the lubrication owing to its agglomeration.
Deciphering Brain Complexity using Single-Cell Sequencing
Authors: Mu Quanhua , Chen Yiyun , Wang Jiguang
Published: October 2019

The human brain contains billions of highly differentiated and interconnected cells that form intricate neural networks and collectively control the physical activities and high-level cognitive functions, such as memory, decision-making, and social behavior. Big data is required to decipher the complexity of cell types, as well as connectivity and functions of the brain. The newly developed single-cell sequencing technology, which provides a comprehensive landscape of brain cell type diversity by profiling the transcriptome, genome, and/or epigenome of individual cells, has contributed substantially to revealing the complexity and dynamics of the brain and providing new insights into brain development and brain-related disorders. In this review, we first introduce the progresses in both experimental and computational methods of single-cell sequencing technology. Applications of single-cell sequencing-based technologies in brain research, including cell type classification, brain development, and brain disease mechanisms, are then elucidated by representative studies. Lastly, we provided our perspectives into the challenges and future developments in the field of single-cell sequencing. In summary, this mini review aims to provide an overview of how big data generated from single-cell sequencing have empowered the advancements in neuroscience and shed light on the complex problems in understanding brain functions and diseases.
Declining incidence of dementia: A national registry‐based study over 20 years
Authors: Taudorf Lærke , Nørgaard Ane , Islamoska Sabrina , Jørgensen Kasper , Laursen Thomas Munk , Waldemar Gunhild
Published: October 2019

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the registry‐based national time trends in incidence and prevalence rates of dementia from 1996 to 2015.

Methods

We assessed annual incidence and prevalence using longitudinal data from nationwide registries on dementia status and demographics on all residents ≥ 65 years old in Denmark.

Results

Our population comprised 2 million people, of whom 152,761 were diagnosed with dementia. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence rate increased, on average, by 9% annually from 1996 to 2003, followed by a 2% annual decline, while total prevalence increased during the whole period.

Discussion

This is the first study to report continuous time trends of incidence and prevalence in an entire national population. The incidence rate has declined steadily since 2003, while the total prevalence is still increasing. Future health care planning on prevention and treatment of dementia should take these findings into account.
Hyperobjects, Media, and Assemblages of Collective Living: Playing With Ontology as Environmental Education
Authors: Bazzul Jesse
Published: October 2019

This article emphasises the importance of creative thought for environmental education through a discussion of the ontologically rich work of Anna Tsing, Timothy Morton and John Peters. The recent turn toward ontology in the humanities and social sciences has consequently led to diverse theories about ‘how things are’, and some of these concepts might assist justice-oriented environmental educators in raising ecological awareness in a time of crisis. Using assemblages, media and hyperobjects as concepts to (re)imagine the the world(s) of the Anthropocene, this article promotes a practice of ontic-play, a constantly changing engagement with ontological thought. To think through ecological crisis means moving towards philosophy as creation or art. In other words, engaging thought from the future.
Old metadata in a new world: Standardizing the Getty Provenance Index for linked data
Authors: Davis Kelly
Published: October 2019

What challenges does metadata managers face when embarking on a Linked Data transformation? How can legacy projects be better understood to ensure such data remodels stay true to their original content? Current efforts made by the Getty Provenance Index elucidate how this task can be much more than simple data re-structuring, and how much manual and specialized labor goes into updating a 35 year old database.
Showcasing the National Museum of the Royal Navy's image collections
Authors: Johnson Heather , Firth Alison
Published: October 2019

It has art and libraries, but it is not a traditional art library. The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) holds extensive imagery and art collections from across two hundred years, a range of locations and breadth of subject matter by professional and talented amateur artists. As a young museum we are discovering the shared heritage and scope of our collections, and the challenges of combining and exhibiting them from six constituent museums.
Making Peasants Chèf: The Tonton Makout Militia and the Moral Politics of Terror in the Haitian Countryside during the Dictatorship of François Duvalier, 1957–1971
Authors: Chochotte Marvin
Published: October 2019

Drawing on never-before-utilized archival and oral sources, “Making Peasants Chèf” contends that decades of peasant marginalization from political power created the social and political conditions for the rise of the infamous tonton makout militia under the dictator François Duvalier. After coming to power in 1957, Duvalier militarized and rearmed peasants in exchange for their loyalty. Thousands of previously ostracized peasants enlisted in the dreaded makout militia to access status and political power. This explains why the peasant-based militia formed an arm of state repression. With the support of an armed peasantry, Duvalier successfully repressed the political opposition, allowing the regime to stay in power for almost three decades.
Detrital zircons and the interpretation of palaeogeography, with the Variscan Orogeny as an example
Authors: Franke W. , Cocks L.R.M. , Torsvik T.H.
Published: October 2019

Analysis of the distribution of detrital zircon grains is one of the few parameters by which Precambrian palaeogeography may be interpreted. However, the break-up of Pangea and the subsequent dispersal of some of its fragments around the Indian Ocean demonstrate that zircon analysis alone may be misleading, since zircons indicate their original derivation and not their subsequent plate-tectonic pathways. Based on analysis of Precambrian–Ordovician zircon distributions, the presence of microcontinents and separating oceans in the north Gondwanan realm has been rejected in favour of an undivided pre-Variscan continental northwards extension of Africa to include Iberia, Armorica and neighbouring southern European terranes, based on analysis of Precambrian–Ordovician zircon distribution. However, contrasting views, indicating the presence of three peri-Gondwanan oceans with complete Wilson cycles, are reinforced here by a critical reappraisal of the significance of that Variscan area detrital zircon record together with a comparison of the evolution of the present-day Indian Ocean, indicating that Iberia, Armorica and other terranes were each separate from the main Gondwanan craton during the early Palaeozoic Era.
A Comparison of Venous versus Capillary Blood Samples when Measuring Blood Glucose Using a Point-of-Care, Capillary-Based Glucometer
Authors: Topping Jessica , Reardon Matthew , Coleman Jake , Hunter Brian , Shojima-Perera Haruka , Thyer Liz , Simpson Paul
Published: October 2019

Background:

Blood glucose level (BGL) is routinely assessed by paramedics in the out-of-hospital setting. Most commonly, BGL is measured using a blood sample of capillary origin analyzed by a hand-held, point-of-care glucometer. In some clinical circumstances, the capillary sample may be replaced by blood of venous origin. Given most point-of-care glucometers are engineered to analyze capillary blood samples, the use of venous blood instead of capillary may lead to inaccurate or misleading measurements.

Hypothesis/Problem:

The aim of this prospective study was to compare mean difference in BGL between venous and capillary blood from healthy volunteers when measured using a capillary-based, hand-held, point-of-care glucometer.

Methods:

Using a prospective observational comparison design, 36 healthy participants provided paired samples of blood, one venous and the other capillary, taken near simultaneously. The BGL values were similar between the two groups. The capillary group had a range of 4.3mmol/l, with the lowest value being 4.4mmol/l and 8.7mmol/l the highest. The venous group had a range of 2.7mmol/l, with the lowest value being 4.1mmol/l and 7.0mmol/l the highest.

For the primary research question, the mean BGL for the venous sample group was 5.3mmol/l (SD = 0.6), compared to 5.6mmol/l (SD = 0.8) for the capillary group. This represented a statistically significant difference of 0.3mmol/l (P = .04), but it did not reach the a priori established point of clinical significance (1.0mmol/l). Pearson’s correlation coefficient for capillary versus venous indicated moderate correlation (r = 0.42).

Conclusion:

In healthy, non-fasted people in a non-clinical setting, a statistically significant, but not clinically significant, difference was found between venous- and capillary-derived BGL when measured using a point-of-care, capillary-based glucometer. Correlation between the two was moderate. In this context, using venous samples in a capillary-based glucometer is reasonable providing the venous sample can be gathered without exposure of the clinician to risk of needle-stick injury. In clinical settings where physiological derangement or acute illness is present, capillary sampling would remain the optimal approach.
Counting Chinese People in a Catholic Country:Religious Difference, Racial Discrimination, and the 1930 Mexican Population Census
Authors: Augustine-Adams Kif
Published: October 2019

On May 15, 1930, in the small border town of Naco, Sonora, census enumerator Miguel Robles started to count. When he finished walking his assigned portions of Calle Hidalgo, Avenida Independencia, and Calle Morelos, he had enumerated 143 individuals, each of whom answered the single question regarding religious identity the same way: Catholic. A block over, a carpenter named Ignacio Ledgard left his tools for the day to canvas his own neighborhood, counting 252 individuals, including his own family. They also all identified as Catholic, except for two Chinese men with no religion.
Geochronology of an Apollo 16 Clast Provides Evidence for a Basin‐Forming Impact 4.3 Billion Years Ago
Authors: Marks N. E. , Borg L. E. , Shearer C. K. , Cassata W. S.
Published: October 2019

We examined lithic breccias from the Apollo sample collection in order to identify ferroan anorthosite samples suitable for geochronology, and better define the age relationships between rocks of the lunar highlands. Clast 3A is a previously unstudied noritic anorthosite from Apollo 16 lithic breccia 60016 with textural evidence of slow subsolidus recrystallization. We estimate a cooling rate of ~10 °C/Myr and calculate a pyroxene solvus temperature of 1,100–1,000 °C. Pyroxene exsolution lamellae (1–3 μm) indicate that the last stage of cooling was rapid at ~0.2 °C/year, typical of rates observed in thick ejecta blankets. We calculate concordant ages from the 147Sm‐143Nd, 146Sm‐142Nd, Rb‐Sr, and Ar‐Ar isotopic systems of 4,302 ± 28, 4,296 + 39/−53, 4,275 ± 38, and 4,311 ± 31 Ma, respectively, with a weighted average of 4,304 ± 12 Ma. The closure temperature of the Sm‐Nd system is ~855 ± 14 °C, whereas the closure temperature of the Ar‐Ar system is 275 ± 25 °C. Cooling from 855 to 275 °C at 10 °C/Myr should result in an age difference between the two isotopic systems of ~60 Myr. The concordant Sm‐Nd, Rb‐Sr, and Ar‐Ar ages imply that they record the time the rock was excavated by a large impact from the midcrust. The ages clearly predate various late accretion scenarios in which an uptick in impacts at 3.8 Ga is preceded by a period of relative quiescence between 4.4 and ~4.1 Ga, and instead are consistent with decreasing accretion rates following the formation of the Moon.
Development of a colorectal cancer diagnostic model and dietary risk assessment through gut microbiome analysis
Authors: Yang Jinho , McDowell Andrea , Kim Eun Kyoung , Seo Hochan , Lee Won Hee , Moon Chang-Mo , Kym Sung-Min , Lee Dong Ho , Park Young Soo , Jee Young-Koo , Kim Yoon-Keun
Published: October 2019

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common form of cancer and poses a critical public health threat due to the global spread of westernized diets high in meat, cholesterol, and fat. Although the link between diet and colorectal cancer has been well established, the mediating role of the gut microbiota remains elusive. In this study, we sought to elucidate the connection between the gut microbiota, diet, and CRC through metagenomic analysis of bacteria isolated from the stool of CRC (n = 89) and healthy (n = 161) subjects. This analysis yielded a dozen genera that were significantly altered in CRC patients, including increased Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Dorea, and Porphyromonas prevalence and diminished Pseudomonas, Prevotella, Acinetobacter, and Catenibacterium carriage. Based on these altered genera, we developed two novel CRC diagnostic models through stepwise selection and a simplified model using two increased and two decreased genera. As both models yielded strong AUC values above 0.8, the simplified model was applied to assess diet-based CRC risk in mice. Mice fed a westernized high-fat diet (HFD) showed greater CRC risk than mice fed a regular chow diet. Furthermore, we found that nonglutinous rice, glutinous rice, and sorghum consumption reduced CRC risk in HFD-fed mice. Collectively, these findings support the critical mediating role of the gut microbiota in diet-induced CRC risk as well as the potential of dietary grain intake to reduce microbiota-associated CRC risk. Further study is required to validate the diagnostic prediction models developed in this study as well as the preventive potential of grain consumption to reduce CRC risk.
Lrrc7 mutant mice model developmental emotional dysregulation that can be alleviated by mGluR5 allosteric modulation
Authors: Chong Chi Ho , Li Qi , Mak Priscilla Hoi Shan , Ng Cypress Chun Pong , Leung Eva Hin Wa , Tan Vicky Huiqi , Chan Anthony Kin Wang , McAlonan Grainne , Chan Siu Yuen
Published: October 2019

LRRC7 has been identified as a candidate gene for severe childhood emotional dysregulation. Direct experimental evidence for a role of LRRC7 in the disease is needed, as is a better understanding of its impact on neuronal structure and signaling, and hence potential treatment targets. Here, we generated and analyzed an Lrrc7 mutant mouse line. Consistent with a critical role of LRRC7 in emotional regulation, mutant mice had inappropriate juvenile aggressive behavior and significant anxiety-like behavior and social dysfunction in adulthood. The pivotal role of mGluR5 signaling was demonstrated by rescue of behavioral defects with augmentation of mGluR5 receptor activity by 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB). Intra-peritoneal injection of CDPPB alleviated abnormal juvenile behavior, as well as anxiety-like behavior and hypersociability at adulthood. Furthermore, mutant primary neurons had impaired neurite outgrowth which was rescued by CDPPB treatment. In conclusion, Lrrc7 mutant mice provide a valuable tool to model childhood emotional dysregulation and persistent mental health comorbidities. Moreover, our data highlight an important role of LRRC7 in mGluR5 signaling, which is a potential new treatment target for anxiety and social dysfunction.
The genome-wide multi-layered architecture of chromosome pairing in early Drosophila embryos
Authors: Erceg Jelena , AlHaj Abed Jumana , Goloborodko Anton , Lajoie Bryan R. , Fudenberg Geoffrey , Abdennur Nezar , Imakaev Maxim , McCole Ruth B. , Nguyen Son C. , Saylor Wren , Joyce Eric F. , Senaratne T. Niroshini , Hannan Mohammed A. , Nir Guy , Dekker Job , Mirny Leonid A. , Wu C.-ting
Published: October 2019

Genome organization involves cis and trans chromosomal interactions, both implicated in gene regulation, development, and disease. Here, we focus on trans interactions in Drosophila, where homologous chromosomes are paired in somatic cells from embryogenesis through adulthood. We first address long-standing questions regarding the structure of embryonic homolog pairing and, to this end, develop a haplotype-resolved Hi-C approach to minimize homolog misassignment and thus robustly distinguish trans-homolog from cis contacts. This computational approach, which we call Ohm, reveals pairing to be surprisingly structured genome-wide, with trans-homolog domains, compartments, and interaction peaks, many coinciding with analogous cis features. We also find a significant genome-wide correlation between pairing, transcription during zygotic genome activation, and binding of the pioneer factor Zelda. Our findings reveal a complex, highly structured organization underlying homolog pairing, first discovered a century ago in Drosophila. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of our haplotype-resolved approach by applying it to mammalian embryos.
Zinc-doped Prussian blue enhances photothermal clearance of Staphylococcus aureus and promotes tissue repair in infected wounds
Authors: Li Jun , Liu Xiangmei , Tan Lei , Cui Zhenduo , Yang Xianjin , Liang Yanqin , Li Zhaoyang , Zhu Shengli , Zheng Yufeng , Yeung Kelvin Wai Kwok , Wang Xianbao , Wu Shuilin
Published: October 2019

The application of photothermal therapy to treat bacterial infections remains a challenge, as the high temperatures required for bacterial elimination can damage healthy tissues. Here, we develop an exogenous antibacterial agent consisting of zinc-doped Prussian blue (ZnPB) that kills methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in a rat model of cutaneous wound infection. Local heat triggered by the photothermal effect accelerates the release and penetration of ions into the bacteria, resulting in alteration of intracellular metabolic pathways and bacterial killing without systemic toxicity. ZnPB treatment leads to the upregulation of genes involved in tissue remodeling, promotes collagen deposition and enhances wound repair. The efficient photothermal conversion of ZnPB allows the use of relatively few doses and low laser flux, making the platform a potential alternative to current antibiotic therapies against bacterial wound infections.
Fusion dynamics of cubosome nanocarriers with model cell membranes
Authors: Dyett Brendan P. , Yu Haitao , Strachan Jamie , Drummond Calum J. , Conn Charlotte E.
Published: October 2019

Drug delivery with nanocarriers relies on the interaction of individual nanocarriers with the cell surface. For lipid-based NCs, this interaction uniquely involves a process of membrane fusion between the lipid bilayer that makes up the NC and the cell membrane. Cubosomes have emerged as promising fusogenic NCs, however their individual interactions had not yet been directly observed due to difficulties in achieving adequate resolution or disentangling multiple interactions with common characterization techniques. Moreover, many studies on these interactions have been performed under static conditions which may not mimic the actual transport of NCs. Herein we have observed fusion of lipid cubosome NCs with lipid bilayers under flow. Total internal reflection microscopy has allowed visualisation of the fusion event which was sensitive to the lipid compositions and rationalized by lipid diffusion. The fusion event in supported lipid bilayers has been compared with those in cells, revealing a distinct similarity in kinetics.
New protein-DNA complexes in archaea: a small monomeric protein induces a sharp V-turn DNA structure
Authors: Loth Karine , Largillière Justine , Coste Franck , Culard Françoise , Landon Céline , Castaing Bertrand , Delmas Agnès F. , Paquet Françoise
Published: October 2019

MC1, a monomeric nucleoid-associated protein (NAP), is structurally unrelated to other DNA-binding proteins. The protein participates in the genome organization of several Euryarchaea species through an atypical compaction mechanism. It is also involved in DNA transcription and cellular division through unknown mechanisms. We determined the 3D solution structure of a new DNA-protein complex formed by MC1 and a strongly distorted 15 base pairs DNA. While the protein just needs to adapt its conformation slightly, the DNA undergoes a dramatic curvature (the first two bend angles of 55° and 70°, respectively) and an impressive torsional stress (dihedral angle of 106°) due to several kinks upon binding of MC1 to its concave side. Thus, it adopts a V-turn structure. For longer DNAs, MC1 stabilizes multiple V-turn conformations in a flexible and dynamic manner. The existence of such V-turn conformations of the MC1-DNA complexes leads us to propose two binding modes of the protein, as a bender (primary binding mode) and as a wrapper (secondary binding mode). Moreover, it opens up new opportunities for studying and understanding the repair, replication and transcription molecular machineries of Archaea.
Niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti) superconducting joints for persistent-mode operation
Authors: Patel Dipak , Kim Su-Hun , Qiu Wenbin , Maeda Minoru , Matsumoto Akiyoshi , Nishijima Gen , Kumakura Hiroaki , Choi Seyong , Kim Jung Ho
Published: October 2019

Superconducting joints are essential for persistent-mode operation in a superconducting magnet system to produce an ultra-stable magnetic field. Herein, we report rationally designed niobium-titanium (Nb-Ti) superconducting joints and their evaluation results in detail. For practical applications, superconducting joints were fabricated by using a solder matrix replacement method with two types of lead-bismuth (Pb-Bi) solder, including Pb42Bi58 as a new composition. All the joints attained a critical current of >200 A below 1.43 T at 4.2 K. Our optimized superconducting joining method was tested in a closed-loop coil, obtaining a total circuit resistance of 3.25 × 10−14 Ω at 4.2 K in self-field. Finally, persistent-mode operation was demonstrated in an Nb-Ti solenoid coil with a persistent-current switch. This work will pave the way to developing high-performance Nb-Ti superconducting joints for practical applications.
Nonlinearity- and dispersion- less integrated optical time magnifier based on a high-Q SiN microring resonator
Authors: Misra Arijit , Preußler Stefan , Zhou Linjie , Schneider Thomas
Published: October 2019

The ability to measure optical signals with fast dynamics is of significant interest in many application fields. Usually, single-shot measurements of non-periodic signals can be enabled by time magnification methods. Like an optical lens in the spatial domain, a time magnifier, or a time lens, stretches a signal in the time domain. This stretched signal can then be further processed with low bandwidth photonics and electronics. For a robust and cost-effective measurement device, integrated solutions would be especially advantageous. Conventional time lenses require dispersion and nonlinear optical effects. Integration of a strong dispersion and nonlinearities is not straightforward on a silicon photonics platform and they might lead to signal distortions. Here we present a time magnifier based on an integrated silicon nitride microring resonator and frequency-time coherence optical sampling, which requires neither a dispersion, nor a nonlinearity. Sampling of signals with up to 100 GHz bandwidth with a stretching factor of more than 100 is achieved using low bandwidth measurement equipment. Nevertheless, with already demonstrated integrated 100 GHz modulators, the method enables the measurement of signals with bandwidths of up to 400 GHz. Since amplitude and phase can be sampled, a combination with the spectrum slicing method might enable integrated, cost-effective, small-footprint analog-to-digital converters, and measurement devices for the characterization of single irregular optical signals with fast dynamics and bandwidths in the THz range.
A novel miRNA-4484 is up-regulated on microarray and associated with increased MMP-21 expression in serum of systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Rusek Marta , Michalska-Jakubus Małgorzata , Kowal Małgorzata , Bełtowski Jerzy , Krasowska Dorota
Published: October 2019

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, heterogeneous connective tissue disease, characterized by fibrosis and ECM deposition in skin and internal organs, autoimmunity, and changes in the microvasculature. Profiling of circulating miRNAs in serum has been found to be changed in pathological states, creating new possibilities for molecular diagnostics as blood-based biomarkers. This study was designed to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in SSc and might be potentially contributing to the disease etiopathogenesis or be used for diagnostic purposes. Thus, we compared the expression pattern of multiple miRNAs in serum of 10 SSc patients to 6 healthy controls using microarray analysis, and RT-qPCR to confirm the obtained results. In addition, bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore miRNAs target genes and the signaling pathways that may be potentially involved in SSc pathogenesis. Our study shows a different expression of 15 miRNAs in SSc patients. We identified that miR-4484, located on chromosome 10q26.2, was an 18-fold up-regulated in SSc patients compared to a control group. Bioinformatics analysis of the miR-4484 target genes and the signaling pathways showed that it might be potentially involved in the TGF-β signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, and metalloproteinases expression. Based on the chromosomal location, the most interesting target gene of miR-4484 may be MMP-21. We found that the expression of MMP-21 significantly increased in SSc patients compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that miR-4484, and MMP-21 might be novel serum biomarkers that may correspond to pathological fibrosis in SSc, but it needs to be validated in further studies.
Signal flow control of complex signaling networks
Authors: Lee Daewon , Cho Kwang-Hyun
Published: October 2019

Complex disease such as cancer is often caused by genetic mutations that eventually alter the signal flow in the intra-cellular signaling network and result in different cell fate. Therefore, it is crucial to identify control targets that can most effectively block such unwanted signal flow. For this purpose, systems biological analysis provides a useful framework, but mathematical modeling of complicated signaling networks requires massive time-series measurements of signaling protein activity levels for accurate estimation of kinetic parameter values or regulatory logics. Here, we present a novel method, called SFC (Signal Flow Control), for identifying control targets without the information of kinetic parameter values or regulatory logics. Our method requires only the structural information of a signaling network and is based on the topological estimation of signal flow through the network. SFC will be particularly useful for a large-scale signaling network to which parameter estimation or inference of regulatory logics is no longer applicable in practice. The identified control targets have significant implication in drug development as they can be putative drug targets.
Whale counting in satellite and aerial images with deep learning
Authors: Guirado Emilio , Tabik Siham , Rivas Marga L. , Alcaraz-Segura Domingo , Herrera Francisco
Published: October 2019

Despite their interest and threat status, the number of whales in world’s oceans remains highly uncertain. Whales detection is normally carried out from costly sighting surveys, acoustic surveys or through high-resolution images. Since deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are achieving great performance in several computer vision tasks, here we propose a robust and generalizable CNN-based system for automatically detecting and counting whales in satellite and aerial images based on open data and tools. In particular, we designed a two-step whale counting approach, where the first CNN finds the input images with whale presence, and the second CNN locates and counts each whale in those images. A test of the system on Google Earth images in ten global whale-watching hotspots achieved a performance (F1-measure) of 81% in detecting and 94% in counting whales. Combining these two steps increased accuracy by 36% compared to a baseline detection model alone. Applying this cost-effective method worldwide could contribute to the assessment of whale populations to guide conservation actions. Free and global access to high-resolution imagery for conservation purposes would boost this process.
Anti-aphrodisiac pheromone, a renewable signal in adult butterflies
Authors: Mozuraitis Raimondas , Murtazina Rushana , Zurita Javier , Pei Yuxin , Ilag Leopold , Wiklund Christer , Karlson Anna Karin Borg
Published: October 2019

The male butterfly Pieris napi produces the anti-aphrodisiac pheromone methyl salicylate (MeS) and transfers it to the female during mating. After mating she releases MeS, when courted by conspecific males, which decreases her attractiveness and the duration of male harassment, thus increasing her time available for egg-laying. In previous studies we have shown that males produced MeS from the amino acid L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) acquired during larval stage. In this study we show that adult males of P. napi can utilize L-Phe and aromatic flower volatiles as building blocks for production of anti-aphrodisiac pheromone and transfer it to females during mating. We demonstrate this by feeding butterflies with stable isotope labelled molecules mixed in sugar solutions, and, to mimic the natural conditions, we fed male butterflies with floral nectar of Bunias orientalis plants treated with labelled L-Phe. The volatiles from butterflies and plants were collected and identified by solid phase micro extraction, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry techniques. Since P. napi is polygamous, males would gain from restoring the titre of MeS after mating and the use of aromatic precursors for production of MeS could be considered as an advantageous trait which could enable butterflies to relocate L-Phe for other needs.
Co-functionalization with phosphate and carboxylate on polydiacetylene for colorimetric detection of calcium ions in serum
Authors: Oh Jinyoung , Eom Min Sik , Han Min Su
Published: October 2019

Polydiacetylene co-functionalized with phosphate and carboxylate groups was evaluated as a colorimetric probe for the detection of calcium ions in serum.
Site-selective modification of tryptophan and protein tryptophan residues through PdNP bionanohybrid-catalysed C–H activation in aqueous media
Authors: Perez-Rizquez Carlos , Abian Olga , Palomo Jose M.
Published: October 2019

PdNP bionanohybrid catalyzed selective C–H bond arylation of tryptophan residues in proteins in aqueous media at room temperature.
Effects of micro-bubbles on the nucleation and morphology of gas hydrate crystals
Authors: Kuang Yangmin , Feng Yu , Yang Lei , Song Yongchen , Zhao Jiafei
Published: October 2019

Micro-mechanism of micro-bubbles promoting hydrate formation.
Alkaline-earth-metal-doped TiO2 for enhanced photodegradation and H2 evolution: insights into the mechanisms
Authors: Lv Chao , Lan Xuefang , Wang Lili , Yu Qi , Zhang Minghui , Sun Hualong , Shi Jinsheng
Published: October 2019

The doping strategy of TiO2 with an AM (alkali earth metal) for photocatalysis applications has been reported in several literature reports.