bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent control of natural killer cell responsiveness and homeostasis at steady-state by CD11c+ dendritic cells
Authors: Luu Thuy Thanh , Ganesan Sridharan , Wagner Arnika Kathleen , Sarhan Dhifaf , Meinke Stephan , Garbi Natalio , Hämmerling Günter , Alici Evren , Kärre Klas , Chambers Benedict J. , Höglund Petter , Kadri Nadir
Published: December 2016

During infection and inflammation, dendritic cells (DC) provide priming signals for natural killer (NK) cells via mechanisms distinct from their antigen processing and presentation functions. The influence of DC on resting NK cells, i.e. at steady-state, is less well studied. We here demonstrate that as early as 1 day after DC depletion, NK cells in naïve mice downregulated the NKG2D receptor and showed decreased constitutive phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR. Subsequently, apoptotic NK cells appeared in the spleen concomitant with reduced NK cell numbers. At 4 days after the onset of DC depletion, increased NK cell proliferation was seen in the spleen resulting in an accumulation of Ly49 receptor-negative NK cells. In parallel, NK cell responsiveness to ITAM-mediated triggering and cytokine stimulation dropped across maturation stages, suggestive of a functional deficiency independent from the homeostatic effect. A role for IL-15 in maintaining NK cell function was supported by a gene signature analysis of NK cell from DC-depleted mice as well as by in vivo DC transfer experiments. We propose that DC, by means of IL-15 transpresentation, are required to maintain not only homeostasis, but also function, at steady-state. These processes appear to be regulated independently from each other.
The complex nature of calcium cation interactions with phospholipid bilayers
Authors: Melcrová Adéla , Pokorna Sarka , Pullanchery Saranya , Kohagen Miriam , Jurkiewicz Piotr , Hof Martin , Jungwirth Pavel , Cremer Paul S. , Cwiklik Lukasz
Published: December 2016

Understanding interactions of calcium with lipid membranes at the molecular level is of great importance in light of their involvement in calcium signaling, association of proteins with cellular membranes, and membrane fusion. We quantify these interactions in detail by employing a combination of spectroscopic methods with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Namely, time-resolved fluorescent spectroscopy of lipid vesicles and vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy of lipid monolayers are used to characterize local binding sites of calcium in zwitterionic and anionic model lipid assemblies, while dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements are employed for macroscopic characterization of lipid vesicles in calcium-containing environments. To gain additional atomic-level information, the experiments are complemented by molecular simulations that utilize an accurate force field for calcium ions with scaled charges effectively accounting for electronic polarization effects. We demonstrate that lipid membranes have substantial calcium-binding capacity, with several types of binding sites present. Significantly, the binding mode depends on calcium concentration with important implications for calcium buffering, synaptic plasticity, and protein-membrane association.
Changes in urinary metabolomic profile during relapsing renal vasculitis
Authors: Al-Ani Bahjat , Fitzpatrick Martin , Al-Nuaimi Hamad , Coughlan Alice M. , Hickey Fionnuala B. , Pusey Charles D. , Savage Caroline , Benton Christopher M. , O’Brien Eóin C. , O’Toole Declan , Mok Ken H. , Young Stephen P. , Little Mark A.
Published: December 2016

Current biomarkers of renal disease in systemic vasculitis lack predictive value and are insensitive to early damage. To identify novel biomarkers of renal vasculitis flare, we analysed the longitudinal urinary metabolomic profile of a rat model of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were immunised with human myeloperoxidase (MPO). Urine was obtained at regular intervals for 181 days, after which relapse was induced by re-challenge with MPO. Urinary metabolites were assessed in an unbiased fashion using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and analysed using partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and partial least squares regression (PLS-R). At 56 days post-immunisation, we found that rats with vasculitis had a significantly different urinary metabolite profile than control animals; the observed PLS-DA clusters dissipated between 56 and 181 days, and re-emerged with relapse. The metabolites most altered in rats with active or relapsing vasculitis were trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), citrate and 2-oxoglutarate. Myo-inositol was also moderately predictive. The key urine metabolites identified in rats were confirmed in a large cohort of patients using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Hypocitraturia and elevated urinary myo-inositol remained associated with active disease, with the urine myo-inositol:citrate ratio being tightly correlated with active renal vasculitis.
Neonicotinoid-induced impairment of odour coding in the honeybee
Authors: Andrione Mara , Vallortigara Giorgio , Antolini Renzo , Haase Albrecht
Published: December 2016

Exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides is considered one of the possible causes of honeybee (Apis mellifera) population decline. At sublethal doses, these chemicals have been shown to negatively affect a number of behaviours, including performance of olfactory learning and memory, due to their interference with acetylcholine signalling in the mushroom bodies. Here we provide evidence that neonicotinoids can affect odour coding upstream of the mushroom bodies, in the first odour processing centres of the honeybee brain, i.e. the antennal lobes (ALs). In particular, we investigated the effects of imidacloprid, the most common neonicotinoid, in the AL glomeruli via in vivo two-photon calcium imaging combined with pulsed odour stimulation. Following acute imidacloprid treatment, odour-evoked calcium response amplitude in single glomeruli decreases, and at the network level the representations of different odours are no longer separated. This demonstrates that, under neonicotinoid influence, olfactory information might reach the mushroom bodies in a form that is already incorrect. Thus, some of the impairments in olfactory learning and memory caused by neonicotinoids could, in fact, arise from the disruption in odor coding and olfactory discrimination ability of the honey bees.
Plant phenolic volatiles inhibit quorum sensing in pectobacteria and reduce their virulence by potential binding to ExpI and ExpR proteins
Authors: Joshi Janak Raj , Khazanov Netaly , Senderowitz Hanoch , Burdman Saul , Lipsky Alexander , Yedidia Iris
Published: December 2016

Quorum sensing (QS) is a population density-dependent regulatory system in bacteria that couples gene expression to cell density through accumulation of diffusible signaling molecules. Pectobacteria are causal agents of soft rot disease in a range of economically important crops. They rely on QS to coordinate their main virulence factor, production of plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). Plants have evolved an array of antimicrobial compounds to anticipate and cope with pathogens, of which essential oils (EOs) are widely recognized. Here, volatile EOs, carvacrol and eugenol, were shown to specifically interfere with QS, the master regulator of virulence in pectobacteria, resulting in strong inhibition of QS genes, biofilm formation and PCWDEs, thereby leading to impaired infection. Accumulation of the signal molecule N-acylhomoserine lactone declined upon treatment with EOs, suggesting direct interaction of EOs with either homoserine lactone synthase (ExpI) or with the regulatory protein (ExpR). Homology models of both proteins were constructed and docking simulations were performed to test the above hypotheses. The resulting binding modes and docking scores of carvacrol and eugenol support potential binding to ExpI/ExpR, with stronger interactions than previously known inhibitors of both proteins. The results demonstrate the potential involvement of phytochemicals in the control of Pectobacterium.
Unique nonstructural proteins of Pneumonia Virus of Mice (PVM) promote degradation of interferon (IFN) pathway components and IFN-stimulated gene proteins
Authors: Dhar Jayeeta , Barik Sailen
Published: December 2016

Pneumonia Virus of Mice (PVM) is the only virus that shares the Pneumovirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). A deadly mouse pathogen, PVM has the potential to serve as a robust animal model of RSV infection, since human RSV does not fully replicate the human pathology in mice. Like RSV, PVM also encodes two nonstructural proteins that have been implicated to suppress the IFN pathway, but surprisingly, they exhibit no sequence similarity with their RSV equivalents. The molecular mechanism of PVM NS function, therefore, remains unknown. Here, we show that recombinant PVM NS proteins degrade the mouse counterparts of the IFN pathway components. Proteasomal degradation appears to be mediated by ubiquitination promoted by PVM NS proteins. Interestingly, NS proteins of PVM lowered the levels of several ISG (IFN-stimulated gene) proteins as well. These results provide a molecular foundation for the mechanisms by which PVM efficiently subverts the IFN response of the murine cell. They also reveal that in spite of their high sequence dissimilarity, the two pneumoviral NS proteins are functionally and mechanistically similar.
G4IPDB: A database for G-quadruplex structure forming nucleic acid interacting proteins
Authors: Mishra Subodh Kumar , Tawani Arpita , Mishra Amit , Kumar Amit
Published: December 2016

Nucleic acid G-quadruplex structure (G4) Interacting Proteins DataBase (G4IPDB) is an important database that contains detailed information about proteins interacting with nucleic acids that forms G-quadruplex structures. G4IPDB is the first database that provides comprehensive information about this interaction at a single platform. This database contains more than 200 entries with details of interaction such as interacting protein name and their synonyms, their UniProt-ID, source organism, target name and its sequences, ∆Tm, binding/dissociation constants, protein gene name, protein FASTA sequence, interacting residue in protein, related PDB entries, interaction ID, graphical view, PMID, author’s name and techniques that were used to detect their interactions. G4IPDB also provides an efficient web-based “G-quadruplex predictor tool” that searches putative G-quadruplex forming sequences simultaneously in both sense and anti-sense strands of the query nucleotide sequence and provides the predicted G score. Studying the interaction between proteins and nucleic acids forming G-quadruplex structures could be of therapeutic significance for various diseases including cancer and neurological disease, therefore, having detail information about their interactions on a single platform would be helpful for the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. G4IPDB can be routinely updated (twice in year) and freely available on http://bsbe.iiti.ac.in/bsbe/ipdb/index.php.
Sailfish migrations connect productive coastal areas in the West Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lam Chi Hin , Galuardi Benjamin , Mendillo Anthony , Chandler Emily , Lutcavage Molly E.
Published: December 2016

Isla Mujeres, Mexico is home to one of the most well-known aggregations of sailfish. Despite its fisheries prominence, little is known about this sailfish assemblage, or its relationship to other aggregation sites in the western Atlantic. In January 2012, April 2013 and 2014, we deployed 34 popup satellite archival tags on sailfish in order to study their behavior, population connectivity and biophysical interactions. Sailfish were monitored for up to one year, and displayed (1) predominantly shelf associated activity (2) occupancy of the Yucatán Current near Isla Mujeres for up to five months and (3) subsequent dispersals from the Yucatán to productive coastal areas in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and along the South American coast. Tagged sailfish occupied a median temperature of 26.4°C (interquartile range, IQR = 2.5 °C; range = 12.3–33.3 °C) and median depth of 4.4 m (IQR = 19 m; range = 0–452 m). Diel activity was present and individuals made distinctive descents before sunrise and sunset. Tracking missions of sufficient duration (~1 year) revealed previously undetected connectivity between western Atlantic sailfish fisheries and pelagic longline catches, and highlighted how fishery independent tagging can improve understanding of sailfish migrations and behavior for assessment and management.
Discovery and structural characterisation of new fold type IV-transaminases exemplify the diversity of this enzyme fold
Authors: Pavkov-Keller Tea , Strohmeier Gernot A. , Diepold Matthias , Peeters Wilco , Smeets Natascha , Schürmann Martin , Gruber Karl , Schwab Helmut , Steiner Kerstin
Published: December 2016

Transaminases are useful biocatalysts for the production of amino acids and chiral amines as intermediates for a broad range of drugs and fine chemicals. Here, we describe the discovery and characterisation of new transaminases from microorganisms which were enriched in selective media containing (R)-amines as sole nitrogen source. While most of the candidate proteins were clearly assigned to known subgroups of the fold IV family of PLP-dependent enzymes by sequence analysis and characterisation of their substrate specificity, some of them did not fit to any of these groups. The structure of one of these enzymes from Curtobacterium pusillum, which can convert d-amino acids and various (R)-amines with high enantioselectivity, was solved at a resolution of 2.4 Å. It shows significant differences especially in the active site compared to other transaminases of the fold IV family and thus indicates the existence of a new subgroup within this family. Although the discovered transaminases were not able to convert ketones in a reasonable time frame, overall, the enrichment-based approach was successful, as we identified two amine transaminases, which convert (R)-amines with high enantioselectivity, and can be used for a kinetic resolution of 1-phenylethylamine and analogues to obtain the (S)-amines with e.e.s >99%.
Predicting missing links in complex networks based on common neighbors and distance
Authors: Yang Jinxuan , Zhang Xiao-Dong
Published: December 2016

The algorithms based on common neighbors metric to predict missing links in complex networks are very popular, but most of these algorithms do not account for missing links between nodes with no common neighbors. It is not accurate enough to reconstruct networks by using these methods in some cases especially when between nodes have less common neighbors. We proposed in this paper a new algorithm based on common neighbors and distance to improve accuracy of link prediction. Our proposed algorithm makes remarkable effect in predicting the missing links between nodes with no common neighbors and performs better than most existing currently used methods for a variety of real-world networks without increasing complexity.
Anti-Hu antibodies activate enteric and sensory neurons
Authors: Li Qin , Michel Klaus , Annahazi Anita , Demir Ihsan E. , Ceyhan Güralp O. , Zeller Florian , Komorowski Lars , Stöcker Winfried , Beyak Michael J. , Grundy David , Farrugia Gianrico , De Giorgio Roberto , Schemann Michael
Published: December 2016

IgG of type 1 anti-neuronal nuclear antibody (ANNA-1, anti-Hu) specificity is a serological marker of paraneoplastic neurological autoimmunity (including enteric/autonomic) usually related to small-cell lung carcinoma. We show here that IgG isolated from such sera and also affinity-purified anti-HuD label enteric neurons and cause an immediate spike discharge in enteric and visceral sensory neurons. Both labelling and activation of enteric neurons was prevented by preincubation with the HuD antigen. Activation of enteric neurons was inhibited by the nicotinic receptor antagonists hexamethonium and dihydro-β-erythroidine and reduced by the P2X antagonist pyridoxal phosphate-6-azo (benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid (PPADS) but not by the 5-HT3 antagonist tropisetron or the N-type Ca-channel blocker ω-Conotoxin GVIA. Ca++ imaging experiments confirmed activation of enteric neurons but not enteric glia. These findings demonstrate a direct excitatory action of ANNA-1, in particular anti-HuD, on visceral sensory and enteric neurons, which involves nicotinic and P2X receptors. The results provide evidence for a novel link between nerve activation and symptom generation in patients with antibody-mediated gut dysfunction.
Phase-to-intensity conversion of magnonic spin currents and application to the design of a majority gate
Authors: Brächer T. , Heussner F. , Pirro P. , Meyer T. , Fischer T. , Geilen M. , Heinz B. , Lägel B. , Serga A. A. , Hillebrands B.
Published: December 2016

Magnonic spin currents in the form of spin waves and their quanta, magnons, are a promising candidate for a new generation of wave-based logic devices beyond CMOS, where information is encoded in the phase of travelling spin-wave packets. The direct readout of this phase on a chip is of vital importance to couple magnonic circuits to conventional CMOS electronics. Here, we present the conversion of the spin-wave phase into a spin-wave intensity by local non-adiabatic parallel pumping in a microstructure. This conversion takes place within the spin-wave system itself and the resulting spin-wave intensity can be conveniently transformed into a DC voltage. We also demonstrate how the phase-to-intensity conversion can be used to extract the majority information from an all-magnonic majority gate. This conversion method promises a convenient readout of the magnon phase in future magnon-based devices.
Deep sequencing of transcriptome profiling of GSTM2 knock-down in swine testis cells
Authors: Lv Yuqi , Jin Yi , Zhou Yongqiang , Jin Jianjun , Ma Zhenfa , Ren Zhuqing
Published: December 2016

Glutathione-S-transferases mu 2 (GSTM2), a kind of important Phase II antioxidant enzyme of eukaryotes, is degraded by nonsense mediated mRNA decay due to a C27T substitution in the fifth exon of pigs. As a reproductive performance-related gene,GSTM2is involved in embryo implantation, whereas, functional deficiency ofGSTM2induces pre- or post-natal death in piglets potentially. To have some insight into the role ofGSTM2in embryo development, high throughput RNA sequencing is performed using the swine testis cells (ST) with the deletion ofGSTM2. Some embryo development-related genes are observed from a total of 242 differentially expressed genes, includingSTAT1, SRC, IL-8, DUSPfamily,CCLfamily and integrin family.GSTM2affects expression ofSRC, OPN,andSLCs. GSTM2 suppresses phosphorylation of STAT1 by binding to STAT1. In addition, as an important transcription factor,STAT1regulates expression of uterus receptive-related genes includingCCLs, IRF9, IFITs, MXs, and OAS. The present study provides evidence to molecular mechanism ofGSTM2modulating embryo development.
Aminoglycoside-based novel probes for bacterial diagnostic and therapeutic applications
Authors: Zhang Qingyang , Wang Qinghua , Xu Shengnan , Zuo Limin , You Xuefu , Hu Hai-Yu
Published: December 2016

A theranostic agent for broad spectrum pathogenic bacterial imaging and MRSA growth inhibition was developed.
Theranostic TEMPO-functionalized Ru(ii) complexes as photosensitizers and oxidative stress indicators
Authors: Yang Jing , Cao Qian , Hu Wei-Liang , Ye Rui-Rong , He Liang , Ji Liang-Nian , Qin Peter Z. , Mao Zong-Wan
Published: December 2016

New TEMPO-functionalized Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes displayed greatly improved PDT efficacy, capable of simultaneously monitoring cellular oxidative stress during photodynamic therapy.
Application of the CANARY event detection software for real-time performance monitoring of decentralized water reuse systems
Authors: Leow Aaron , Burkhardt Jonathan , Platten III William E. , Zimmerman Brian , Brinkman Nichole E. , Turner Anne , Murray Regan , Sorial George , Garland Jay
Published: December 2016

CANARY event detection software integrated measurements from independent online sensors to monitor the water quality of membrane bioreactor effluent for decentralized reuse.
A comprehensive study of substituent effects on poly(dibenzofulvene)s
Authors: Wong Michael Y. , Leung Louis M.
Published: December 2016

Comparison of absorption, emission, electrochemistry and thermal properties across 14 poly(DBF)s.
Deeper insight into the properties of the newly synthesized macrocycles as drug receptors – some preliminary quantum chemical studies
Authors: Ignaczak Anna , Porwański Stanisław , Szyszka Michalina
Published: December 2016

We present the results of our experimental and theoretical studies on 1,10-N,N′-bis-(β-d-ureidocellobiosyl)-4,7,13-trioxa-1,10-diazacyclopentadecane, its complex with aspirin and the corresponding host–guest interactions.
Natural products from myxobacteria: novel metabolites and bioactivities
Authors: Herrmann J. , Fayad A. Abou , Müller R.
Published: December 2016

This review covers newly isolated natural products from myxobacteria and highlights selected studies on the biological activity of myxobacterial compounds (January 2011 to July 2016).
Rhodium-catalyzed C–H functionalization with N-acylsaccharins
Authors: Wu Hongxiang , Liu Tingting , Cui Ming , Li Yue , Jian Junsheng , Wang Hui , Zeng Zhuo
Published: December 2016

The first rhodium-catalyzed C–H functionalization with N-acylsaccharins by decarbonylation has been developed and afforded biaryls in 51–93% yields.
Alpha and beta diimine cobalt complexes in isoprene polymerization: a comparative study
Authors: Alnajrani Mohammed N. , Alshmimri Sultan A. , Alsager Omar A.
Published: December 2016

Isoprene was polymerized by diimine cobalt catalyst in the presence of DEAC to produce cis-1,4 and 3,4 polyisoprene.
Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides from typical water sources in YiXing City, Taihu Upper-River Basin, East China
Authors: Kong Yanli , Kang Jing , Chen Zhonglin , Shen Jimin , Zhao Ge , Fan Leitao , Wu Xiaofei
Published: December 2016

This is the first report on the occurrence of 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in YiXing, Taihu Upper-River Basin, East China.
Glycation of bovine serum albumin with monosaccharides inhibits heat-induced protein aggregation
Authors: Liu Jianlei , Jing Hao
Published: December 2016

Glycation with Xyl/Gal could hinder the heat-induced BSA aggregation, and the hindrance effect was enhanced with high glycation degree.
Insights into the effect of surface functional groups on catalytic performance for hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride
Authors: Feng Xiang , Song Zhaoning , Guo Tongtian , Yang Rui , Liu Yibin , Chen Xiaobo , Yang Chaohe
Published: December 2016

The effect of surface functional groups on NaBH4 hydrolysis is elucidated using two Pt/polystyrene resin catalysts with –N(CH3)3OH or –SO3H groups.
A two-dimensional hybrid of SbOxnanoplates encapsulated by carbon flakes as a high performance sodium storage anode
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Kangli , Cheng Shijie , Jiang Kai
Published: December 2016

A two-dimensional hybrid of SbOxnanoplates encapsulated by carbon flakes enables fast and stable Na+uptake and removal.
Profiling the organic cation-dependent degradation of organolead halide perovskite solar cells
Authors: Zhang Teng , Meng Xiangyue , Bai Yang , Xiao Shuang , Hu Chen , Yang Yinglong , Chen Haining , Yang Shihe
Published: December 2016

Operational stability is one of the main obstacles that may hold back the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs).
Performance analysis of cognitive‐based radio resource allocation in multi‐channel LTE‐A networks with M2M/H2H coexistence
Authors: AlQahtani Salman A.
Published: December 2016

Efficient radio access strategies are necessary and critical to manage an long‐term‐evolution (LTE) network system where machine‐to‐machine (M2M) devices and human‐to‐human (H2H) users coexist. In this study, the authors propose a cognitive‐based access strategy with a priority‐based queuing model that is designed for LTE with M2M/H2H coexistence, where the M2M communications have real‐time (M2M‐RT) and non‐real‐time (M2M‐NRT) traffic. Radio access gives the highest priority to H2H, while M2M‐RT has higher priority than M2M‐NRT. A continuous‐time Markov chain model is developed to evaluate the system performance in terms of service completion rate, blocking and forced termination probabilities, and mean queuing delay of the M2M traffic. In addition, resource utilisation by the M2M traffic is also evaluated. Analytical results reveal that, while protecting the H2H services, the proposed queuing model could increase the capacity of the M2M traffic network while decreasing the blocking probability. Additionally, allowing an interrupted M2M‐NRT to be inserted back into its queue can further decrease the forced termination rate. For these reasons, it can be concluded that the proposed model can be used to improve the system performance of multi‐channel M2M communication networks.
Sub‐channel assignment and link schedule for In‐Home power line communication network
Authors: Qian Yuwen , Wang Ziyang , Li Jun , Zhang Tongfang , Shu Feng
Published: December 2016

To offer communication capability in an easy and simple deployment, power line communications (PLCs) have recently attracted interest from the smart grid. The effective sub‐channel assignment can increase throughput of In‐Home (IH) PLC networks with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme distributed over low‐voltage areas. Given a logical topology of an IH PLC network, the authors present a formulation to optimise the sub‐channel assignment problem as a linear programming with an objective function of maximising the network throughput. It takes into account constraints of the network topology, interference and traffic fairness. According to the solution of the optimising sub‐channel assignment problem, the scheduling algorithm of links to obtain channels is developed for every time slot. Evaluation demonstrates that the proposed approach performs much better in improving overall network throughput and ensuring the traffic fairness of network users than conventional ones.
Efficient privacy‐preserving dot‐product computation for mobile big data
Authors: Hu Chunqiang , Huo Yan
Published: December 2016

Many mobile big data applications require the computation of dot‐product of two vectors. For examples, the dot‐product of an individual's genome data collected by a body area network and the gene biomarkers of a health centre can help detect diseases in m‐Health, and that of the interests of two persons can facilitate profile matching in mobile social networks. Nevertheless, mobile big data typically contain sensitive personal information and are more accessible to the general public as they are collected by mobile devices carried by human beings. Therefore exposing the inputs of dot‐product computation discloses sensitive information about the two participants, leading to severe privacy violations. The authors tackle the problem of private dot‐product computation targeting mobile big data applications in which secure channels are hardly established, and the computational efficiency is highly desirable. We first propose two basic schemes and then present the corresponding advanced versions to improve computational efficiency and enhance the privacy‐protection strength. Furthermore, we theoretically prove that our proposed schemes can simultaneously achieve privacy‐preservation, non‐repudiation, and accountability. Our numerical results verify the performance of the proposed schemes in terms of communication and computational overheads.
Optimal pilot design in massive MIMO systems based on channel estimation
Authors: Ni Shanjin , Zhao Junhui , Gong Yi
Published: December 2016

The performance of multicell massive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems is heavily affected by pilot contamination. This study considers the problem of pilot contamination and analytical expressions are presented on the normalised mean square error (NMSE) of the minimum mean square error channel estimation algorithm. Based on the NMSE of the massive MIMO systems, a pilot design criterion is proposed to design the optimal pilot sequences for mitigating the pilot contamination. Following this criterion, Chu sequence with perfect auto‐correction and cross‐correlation properties are employed to design the optimal pilot sequences. Then the performance of the proposed pilot design‐based scheme is investigated, and the exact NMSE expressions are presented. The excellent performance of this pilot design scheme has been confirmed in the authors’ simulations.
Straightforward analysis of the effect of any H‐plane inductive diaphragm in waveguide
Authors: Meybodi Mohsen Kalantari , Paran Kian
Published: December 2016

In this study, the mode matching method is used to obtain scattering fields due to discontinuity in a uniform waveguide. Unlike the conventional methods, to avoid directly applying the boundary conditions, a new equation is defined in this approach which implicitly involves the boundary conditions. Since employing the boundary conditions directly is not a concern in the authors’ proposed method, it is faster and simpler than other conventional techniques. Next, they derive this equation mathematically. Finally, simulation results with full‐wave softwares confirm the reasonable accuracy of the proposed method with the aid of some examples.
Magnetising inductance of multiple‐output flyback dc–dc convertor for discontinuous‐conduction mode
Authors: Ayachit Agasthya , Reatti Alberto , Kazimierczuk Marian K.
Published: December 2016

This study presents the following: (i) detailed derivation of the expressions for the maximum value of the magnetising inductance of the ideal and lossy two‐output flyback dc–dc convertor operating in discontinuous‐conduction mode, (ii) a method to appropriately select the duty cycle for the metal–oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistor based on the rated output dc voltages of the two stages, and (iii) a design approach for a three‐winding transformer with a gapped core used in the two‐output flyback convertor. The expressions derived and the proposed design technique can be extended to flyback convertors with more than two output stages with equal or unequal load voltages. A universal power supply (ac line adapter) employing a flyback dc–dc convertor with output voltages 15 and 32 V, supplying a rated output current of 0.563 and 0.533 A, and operating at a switching frequency of 85 kHz is designed using the proposed methodology. Simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the theoretical predictions.
Multi‐aspect micro‐Doppler signatures for attitude‐independent L/N quotient estimation and its application to helicopter classification
Authors: Zhang Rui , Li Gang , Clemente Carmine , Soraghan John J.
Published: December 2016

Micro‐Doppler signals returned from the main rotor of a helicopter can be used for feature extraction and helicopter classification. An intrinsic feature of a helicopter that may be extracted from the micro‐Doppler signatures is the L/N quotient, where N denotes the number of rotor blades and L is the blade length. However, in monostatic radar, the L/N quotient cannot be accurately estimated due to the unknown attitude angles of non‐cooperative helicopters. To solve this problem, an attitude‐independent L/N quotient estimation method based on multi‐aspect micro‐Doppler signatures is proposed in this study. The helicopter is observed from different aspect angles, and the multi‐aspect micro‐Doppler signatures are jointly processed to solve the attitude angles of the helicopter and estimate the L/N quotient unambiguously. Experiments with both simulated and real data demonstrate that, the proposed method is robust with respect to the attitude of the helicopter and, therefore, significantly improves the accuracy of L/N quotient estimation compared with only using the signature observed from single‐aspect angle. This implies that the proposed method has the potential to increase the success rate of helicopter classification.
Posttraumatic Cavernous Segment Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysmal Rupture Presenting as Tentorial Subdural Hematoma
Authors: Emmanuel Thas , Duvuru Shyam , Shunmugam Syamala
Published: December 2016

Traumatic aneurysm rupture following a closed head injury is rare. The rupture of a cavernous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm following a head injury presenting as a tentorial subdural hematoma has not been reported in the literature. We discuss a 50-year-old woman with a closed head injury with her initial computed tomography scan showing a tentorial subdural hematoma. Further investigations revealed the presence of a ruptured cavernous ICA aneurysm. We also conducted a literature review of posttraumatic ICA aneurysmal rupture.
Restriction of Postoperative Joint Loading in a Murine Model of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Botulinum Toxin Paralysis and External Fixation
Authors: Lebaschi Amir , Deng Xiang-Hua , Coleman Nathan , Camp Christopher , Zong Jianchun , Carbone Andrew , Carballo Camila , Cong Guang-Ting , Album Zoe , Rodeo Scott
Published: December 2016

Control of knee motion in small animal models is necessary to study the effect of mechanical load on the healing process. This can be especially challenging in mice, which are being increasingly used for various orthopedic reconstruction models. We explored the feasibility of botulinum toxin (Botox; Allergan, Dublin, Ireland) paralysis and a newly designed external fixator to restrict motion of the knee in mice undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Nineteen C57BL/6 mice were allocated to two groups: (1) Botox group (n = 9) and (2) external fixator group (n = 10). Mice in Botox group received two different doses of Botox: 0.25 unit (n = 3) and 0.5 unit (n = 6). Injection was performed 72 hours prior to ACL reconstruction into the quadriceps, hamstring, and calf muscles of the right hind leg. Mice in external fixator group received an external fixator following ACL reconstruction. Mice were monitored for survival, tolerance, and achievement of complete knee immobilization. All mice were meant for sacrifice on day 14 postoperatively. No perceptible change in gait was observed with 0.25 unit of Botox. All mice that received 0.5 unit of Botox had complete hind limb paralysis documented by footprint analysis 2 days after injection but failed to tolerate anesthesia and were euthanized 24 hours after operation due to their critical condition. In contrast, the external fixator was well tolerated and effectively immobilized the limb. There was a single occurrence of intraoperative technical error in the external fixator group that led to euthanasia. No mechanical failure or complication was observed. Botox paralysis was not a viable option for postoperative restriction of motion and joint loading in mice. However, external fixation was an effective method for complete knee immobilization and can be used in murine models requiring postoperative control of knee loading. This study introduces a robust research tool to allow control of postoperative joint loading in animal models such as ACL reconstruction, permitting study of the effects of mechanical load on the biologic aspects of tendon-to-bone healing.
Spiral arms detected around an infant star
Authors: Smart Ashley G.
Published: December 2016

The spirals may be long-sought evidence of a gravitational instability predicted by hydrodynamic theory.
President Obama’s science legacy is big on climate change and clean energy
Authors: Kramer David
Published: December 2016

But his space policy underwhelmed, and the combination of a GOP-led Congress and fiscal constraints limited his science budgets.
Turmoil in Turkey hits science
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: December 2016

In a time of funding gaps, suspicion, and uncertainty, international interactions are key to keeping up morale and scientific output.
109 REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS IN A LARGE HERD OF CONFINED FREE-ROAMING WHITE RHINOCEROSES (CERATOTHERIUM SIMUM)
Authors: Ververs C. , Hostens M. , van Zijll Langhout M. , Otto M. , Govaere J. , Van Soom A.
Published: December 2016

During the last decade, the population of wild white rhinoceroses has been in steady decline, mainly because of increased poaching incidents and habitat loss. Therefore, more data are necessary on reproduction of this endangered species in order to improve captive breeding, which is at present not very successful. Currently, ~20,000 Southern white rhinoceroses are remaining of which the majority are privately owned. The aim of this study was to create reference values of several reproductive parameters for future white rhinoceros breeding. In previous studies, only low numbers of animals have been observed, often in captive settings. In this study performed between 2008 and 2016, reproductive performance was analysed in 1300 animals kept in a geographically identical, confined free-roaming environment. Analyses were performed in R (R Development Core Team, 2008) using the lme4 and fixed package to model the number of animals born (family = Poisson) and sex ratio (family = binomial). Females had a median age of 83.2 months at first calving (interquartile range: 72.9–110.7) and intercalving intervals of 29.2 (interquartile range: 24.6–34.8) months. Fertility records were excellent with 38% adult females calving per year when compared to previous research, in which first reproduction occurred between 78 and 138 months of age with an intercalving period of 3 years average. A clear seasonal calving pattern was seen with a significant increase of calvings during December–April when compared to April–December. In contrast to the Trivers-Willard hypothesis, our results did not show any significant skewed progeny sex ratios. Weather observations showed no significant influence of rain or season on sex ratios of the calves. Furthermore, translocations of animals did not seem to interfere with reproductive success when looking at intercalving periods or age at first calving. In the free roaming environment of over 10,000 ha, this captive population showed an average annual population growth (%) of 18 ± 0.07 (minimum 5 to maximum 26). As such, comparable breeding management systems can increase population numbers and contribute to increase dwindling population numbers of the wild white rhinoceros. This is the first study to describe reproductive performances in the white rhinoceros at such large scale, indicating that confined free-roaming populations can be used for captive breeding of white rhinoceros to contribute to white rhinoceros conservation.
123 EVALUATION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE RECEPTOR (LHR) OVER THE ESTROUS CYCLE IN CANINE OVARIES
Authors: De los Reyes M. , Ramirez F. , Palomino J.
Published: December 2016

Luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a major role in reproductive processes. This hormone exerts its effects through binding to its receptor LHR, which is one of the 7 transmembrane domain G-protein-coupled receptor superfamilies. Compared with other mammals, an early acquisition of LH receptors on granulosa cells has been reported in dogs around the period of LH surge, during the proestrous-oestrous transition. However, there are no available data with respect to the follicular stage at which LHR starts to become expressed. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the LHR pattern in the canine ovarian follicles at different stages of development. The ovaries were obtained from 1- to 7-year-old bitches at proestrus/oestrus, anestrus, and diestrus stages following ovariohysterectomy. Follicular cells were mechanically recovered from follicles (n = 2,043) distributed into 4 types (preantral, small antral, medium antral, and large antral). Intrafollicular amounts of LHR were assessed by Western blot method (with the goat polyclonal anti-LHR antibody SC-26341 at 1:100 dilution) and results were evaluated by a 2-way ANOVA (follicle type, stage of oestrous cycle). The LHR was detected in dog follicles in all reproductive phases with patterns varying with stage of follicular development over the reproductive cycle. The antibody against human LHR, which had previously been proven to cross-react with canine LHR, revealed 2 bands at ~90 and ~65 kDa, probably representing the matured protein and its precursor, respectively. Both bands LHR appeared already at preantral follicles increasing (P < 0.05) with growth. Densitometric analysis of each immunoreactive band showed that LHR level changed among the different development stages and phases of reproductive cycle. These bands appeared to be specific for LH, as the secondary antibody alone did not produce cross-reactivity. During proestrus/oestrus, follicular cells expressed mostly the precursor form, increasing significantly with an increase in follicular diameter. The mature form showed a lower (P < 0.05) intensity band, which increased from the preantral to preovulatory stage. At diestrus, the relative abundance of these bands was different between the precursors and mature forms, with a higher expression of precursor form in all follicle stages and rising (P < 0.05) immunoreactivity from the preantral to medium antral stage. The mature form also exhibited LHR variation among follicle sizes (P < 0.05). At anestrous, both bands were expressed with increasing (P < 0.05) levels from preantral to antral follicle stages. A high proportion of LHR was presented as immature forms in all follicles stages during different phases of the oestrous cycle. In conclusion, the LHR is differentially expressed in dogs over the oestrous cycle, increasing during development, and the precursor protein is the most predominant LHR form present in canine follicles.
This study was funded by Grant FONDECYT 1140658.
130 A CATALOG OF REFERENCE GENES WITH HIGH, MEDIUM, AND LOW LEVELS OF EXPRESSION DURING BOVINE IN VIVO PRE-IMPLANTATION DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Jiang Z. , Sun J. , Marjani S. , Dong H. , Zheng X. , Bi J. , Chen J. , Tian X.
Published: December 2016

Appropriate reference genes for accurate normalization in RT-PCR are essential for the study of gene expression. Ideal reference genes should not only have stable expression across stages of embryo development, but also be expressed at comparable levels to the target genes. Using RNA-seq data from in vivo-produced bovine oocytes and embryos from the 2-cell to blastocyst stage (Jiang et al., 2014 BMC Genomics 15, 756), we tried to establish a catalogue of all reference genes for RT-PCR analysis. One-way ANOVA generated 4055 genes that did not differ across stages. To reduce this list, we used the entire RNA-seq data set and first removed genes with a FPKM (fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads) of <1, and then rescaled each gene’s expression values within a range of 0 to 1. We subsequently calculated the expression variance for each gene across all stages. By assuming that the calculated variances follow a Gaussian distribution and that the majority of the genes do not have a stable expression level, a gene was classified as a reference if its variance significantly deviated (P < 0.05) from these assumptions. We identified 346 potential reference genes, all of which were among the candidates from the ANOVA analysis. We arbitrarily assigned genes in this list to high (FPKM ≥ 100), medium (10 < FPKM < 100), and low expression levels (FPKM ≤ 10), and 37, 154, and 155 genes, respectively, fell into these groups. Surprisingly, none of the commonly used reference genes, such as GAPDH, PPIA, ACTB, PRL15, GUSB, and H3F2A, were identified as being stably expressed across in vivo development. This is consistent with findings of prior RT-PCR studies (Robert et al. 2002 Biol. Reprod. 67, 1465–1472; Ross et al. 2010 Cell Reprogram. 12, 709–717). The following gene ontology terms were significantly enriched for the 346 genes: cell cycle, translation, transport, chromatin, cell division, and metabolic process, indicating that the early embryos maintained constant levels of genes involved in fundamental biological functions. Finally, we performed RT-PCR to validate the RNA-seq results using different bovine in vivo-derived oocytes and embryos (n = 3/stage). We successfully validated 10 selected genes, including those in the high (CS, PGD, and ACTR3), medium (CCT5, MRPL47, COG2, CRT9, and HELLS), and low expression groups (CDC23 and TTF1). In conclusion, we recommend the use of reference genes that are expressed at comparable levels to target genes. This study offers a useful resource to aid in the appropriate selection of reference genes, which will improve the accuracy of quantitative gene expression analyses across bovine embryo pre-implantation development.
149 EFFECT OF RESVERATROL ANALOGUE ON DEVELOPMENT OF IN VITRO-FERTILIZED BOVINE EMBRYOS
Authors: Patrocínio T. A. , Fernandes C. A. C. , Amorim L. S. , Ribeiro J. R. , Macedo G. C. , Silva A. D. , Viana J. H. M. , Camargo L. S. A.
Published: December 2016

Oxidative stress is one of the main effects of in vitro culture. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by embryos can be enhanced by the sub-optimal in vitro culture conditions and are associated with a delay in embryonic development. However, supplementation of culture medium with antioxidant agents can minimize the effects of ROS (Guérin et al. 2001 Hum. Reprod. Update 7, 175–189). Resveratrol is an example of a potent antioxidant, and modifications in its structure can improve its biological activity. This study evaluated the effect of AR33 (formula with patent pending), an analogue of resveratrol with high antioxidant activity, on embryo development. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes recovered from ovaries collected at the slaughterhouse were in vitro matured for 24 h and oocytes were in vitro fertilized for 20 h, both at 38.8°C under 5% CO2 in air and high humidity. Partially denuded presumptive zygotes were randomly distributed in 4 treatments (with 6 replicates): 0 µM (control, n = 347), 0.1 µM (n = 337), 0.5 µM (n = 277), and 2.5 µM (n = 343) of AR33. The base medium was SOFaa supplemented with 2.5% FCS and incubation conditions were 38.8°C under 5% CO2 in air and high humidity. Half of culture medium was renewed (feeding) at Day 3 and 5 post-fertilization. Cleavage was evaluated at Day 3 and blastocyst rates at Day 7 and 8 post-fertilization. Data were analysed by logistic regression considering the significance level of P < 0.05. Values are shown as mean ± SEM. Cleavage rate was higher (P < 0.05) for 2.5 µM (69.0 ± 4.4%) than for 0, 0.1, and 0.5 µM AR33 (62.1 ± 2.0%, 60.7 ± 5.9%, and 56.7 ± 5.8%, respectively). At Day 7, the blastocyst rate was similar (P > 0.05) among 0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 µM (18.1 ± 5.4%, 17.5 ± 2.9%, and 19.4 ± 3.3%, respectively) and all of them were higher (P < 0.05) than 0 µM AR33 (12.4 ± 2.5%). At Day 8, there was again no difference (P > 0.05) among 0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 µM AR33 (21.0 ± 5.0%, 18.4 ± 2.1%, and 24.6 ± 3.3%, respectively) but only 0.1 and 2.5 µM showed higher (P < 0.05) blastocyst rate than 0 µM AR33 (15.2 ± 2.5%). In conclusion, the synthetic analogue of resveratrol tested in this study can improve bovine embryo development in culture medium supplemented with 2.5% FCS under 5% CO2 in air. A concentration of 2.5 µM AR33 can be a choice for further studies.
This study was supported by Fapemig, CAPES, and CNPq.