bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Volume of Lava Erupted During the 2014 to 2015 Eruption at Holuhraun, Iceland: A Comparison Between Satellite‐ and Ground‐Based Measurements
Authors: Bonny E. , Thordarson T. , Wright R. , Höskuldsson A. , Jónsdóttir I.
Published: June 2018

The 31 August 2014 to 27 February 2015 eruption at Holuhraun created the largest lava flow field in Iceland since the 1783–1784 Laki eruption. Emplacement of a basaltic flow field of this magnitude onto an effectively flat surface (<0.1°) is a rare occurrence. Lava discharge rate, a fundamental variable that controls flow field emplacement, allows us to estimate the total volume of lava erupted when integrated over time. Thus, discharge rate data are important for volcano monitoring and lava flow modeling. Here we compare discharge rates estimated using data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration's MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the method of Harris et al. (1997a, https://doi.org/10.1029/96JB03388; 1997b, https://doi.org/10.1007/s004450050174; 2007, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445‐007‐0120‐y), with estimates of discharge rates derived from comparing intermittent ground‐based measurements of flow field volume. The time‐averaged discharge rates (TADR) reveal a pulsed increase in the first few days of the eruption. Although the trends of the satellite‐ and ground‐based discharge rates are similar, the ground‐based estimates are systematically higher than the satellite‐derived estimates (about 2 to 3 times higher) in the first 30 days of the eruption, and relatively close (within 30%) for the next 20 days. Conversely, during the final 130 days, the satellite‐based estimates are systematically higher than the ground‐based estimates (about 2 times higher). This difference likely arises from the assumption of the lava flow surface temperature used in the space‐based calculation, which may not be entirely representative of this uniquely large and intense basaltic eruption. However, the satellite‐based technique yields a total erupted volume of about 1.21 km3 in good agreement with the 1.2 km3 (84 km2) derived from field observations and mapping.
Ion Injection Triggered EMIC Waves in the Earth's Magnetosphere
Authors: Remya B. , Sibeck D. G. , Halford A. J. , Murphy K. R. , Reeves G. D. , Singer H. J. , Wygant J. R. , Farinas Perez G. , Thaller S. A.
Published: June 2018

We present Van Allen Probe observations of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves triggered solely due to individual substorm‐injected ions in the absence of storms or compressions of the magnetosphere during 9 August 2015. The time at which the injected ions are observed directly corresponds to the onset of EMIC waves at the location of Van Allen Probe A (L = 5.5 and 18:06 magnetic local time). The injection was also seen at geosynchronous orbit by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite and Los Alamos National Laboratory spacecraft, and the westward(eastward) drift of ions(electrons) was monitored by Los Alamos National Laboratory spacecraft at different local times. The azimuthal location of the injection was determined by tracing the injection signatures backward in time to their origin assuming a dipolar magnetic field of Earth. The center of this injection location was determined to be close to ∼20:00 magnetic local time. Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite and ground magnetometer responses confirm substorm onset at approximately the same local time. The observed EMIC wave onsets at Van Allen Probe were also associated with a magnetic field decrease. The arrival of anisotropic ions along with the decrease in the magnetic field favors the growth of the EMIC wave instability based on linear theory analysis.
Adjusting urinary chemical biomarkers for hydration status during pregnancy
Authors: MacPherson Susan , Arbuckle Tye E. , Fisher Mandy
Published: June 2018

One way of assessing a population’s exposure to environmental chemicals is by measuring urinary biomarker concentrations, which can vary depending on the hydration status of the individual. The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy can impact the hydration adjustment approaches, such as calculating the individual’s urinary flow rate (UFR), or adjusting concentrations using specific gravity (SG) or creatinine. A total of 1260 serial spot urine samples were collected from 80 women, averaging 32.4 years of age, throughout and shortly after pregnancy. The relationship between each approach was examined and time of day and across pregnancy differences were tested using linear mixed models. The correlation between the calculated excretion rate and each of the adjustment techniques was examined on a selection of seven phthalate metabolites. Based on the linear mixed model results, we found that UFR and creatinine excretion rates differed systematically across the population, with respect to body mass index (BMI) and time. SG differed with respect to BMI, but there were no systematic time trends. SG had the highest within-person reproducibility, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The excretion rate of each of the phthalates was most strongly correlated with the SG-standardized concentration. This analysis showed that SG showed a slightly better within-person reproducibility and the least amount of systematic variation when compared to creatinine adjustment. Therefore, SG correction appears to be a favorable approach for correcting for the hydration status of the pregnant women from this cohort.
A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of sodium bicarbonate dentifrices in a single brushing clinical model
Authors: Bosma Mary-Lynn , Milleman Kimberly R , Akwagyiram Ivy , Targett Darren , Milleman Jeffery L
Published: June 2018

Objective

To evaluate plaque removal efficacy of dentifrices containing sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) compared with a non-NaHCO3 dentifrice after a single-timed brushing.

Materials and methods

A randomised, controlled, examiner-blinded, four-period, crossover study in 56 adults with a mean whole-mouth plaque index of ≥2.00 (six site modification of Turesky modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque Index [TPI]). Subjects brushed once for one timed minute with a 67% NaHCO3 dentifrice with herbs; a 67% NaHCO3 dentifrice without herbs; a 62% NaHCO3 dentifrice with herbs; or a non-NaHCO3 dentifrice without herbs. All contained 923 p.p.m. fluoride as sodium fluoride. Pre- and post-brushing plaque assessments were performed.

Results

Mean TPI score decreased from pre- to post-brushing with all treatments. There were statistically significantly greater reductions in plaque for NaHCO3 dentifrices compared to non-NaHCO3 (p < 0.0001 for all) with no significant differences between NaHCO3-containing dentifrices. A post hoc analysis of plaque removal from different oral areas showed statistically significant differences in favour of the NaHCO3 dentifrices over the non-NaHCO3 dentifrice for almost all surfaces. No adverse events were reported.

Discussion and conclusion

Plaque removal was significantly greater with NaHCO3-containing dentifrices compared with a non-NaHCO3 dentifrice after a single, timed brushing. There was no effect of herbal tinctures. This study was registered at ClincalTrials.org: NCT03285984.
Reduction of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) leads to visual impairment in vertebrates
Authors: Martín-Jiménez Rebeca , Faccenda Danilo , Allen Emma , Reichel Holly Beatrice , Arcos Laura , Ferraina Caterina , Strobbe Daniela , Russell Claire , Campanella Michelangelo
Published: June 2018

In vertebrates, mitochondria are tightly preserved energy producing organelles, which sustain nervous system development and function. The understanding of proteins that regulate their homoeostasis in complex animals is therefore critical and doing so via means of systemic analysis pivotal to inform pathophysiological conditions associated with mitochondrial deficiency. With the goal to decipher the role of the ATPase inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) in brain development, we employed the zebrafish as elected model reporting that the Atpif1a−/− zebrafish mutant, pinotage (pnt
tq209
), which lacks one of the two IF1 paralogous, exhibits visual impairment alongside increased apoptotic bodies and neuroinflammation in both brain and retina. This associates with increased processing of the dynamin-like GTPase optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), whose ablation is a direct cause of inherited optic atrophy. Defects in vision associated with the processing of OPA1 are specular in Atpif1−/− mice thus confirming a regulatory axis, which interlinks IF1 and OPA1 in the definition of mitochondrial fitness and specialised brain functions. This study unveils a functional relay between IF1 and OPA1 in central nervous system besides representing an example of how the zebrafish model could be harnessed to infer the activity of mitochondrial proteins during development.
Decreased expression of ARHGAP15 promotes the development of colorectal cancer through PTEN/AKT/FOXO1 axis
Authors: Pan Shengli , Deng Yingying , Fu Jun , Zhang Yuhao , Zhang Zhijin , Ru Xiaokun , Qin Xianju
Published: June 2018

Copious evidence demonstrates the crucial role of Rho GTPase-activating proteins in human malignancies. The downregulation of Rho GTPase-activating protein 15 (ARHGAP15), a Rac1-specific GAP, has been observed in glioma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. The present study explored the expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. The possible function of ARHGAP15 in CRC was investegated in vitro and in vivo. We found that ARHGAP15 expression was obviously lower in CRC specimens than in normal colonic mucosa. ARHGAP15 expression was significantly correlated with clinical stage, tumor size metastasis, vital status, and overall survival of CRC patients. ARHGAP15 overexpression inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion of HT29 and RKO cells in vitro, whereas opposite results were observed in ARHGAP15-silenced LoVo cells. Mechanically, we found that PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome 10) signaling pathway was closely correlated with ARHGAP15 expression by Gene set enrichment analysis with The Cancer Genome Atlas CRC data set. Increased PTEN and Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1, a downstream transcription factor of AKT), and decreased phosphorylation of AKT were observed in ARHGAP15-overexpressed HT29 and RKO cells. In addition, ARHGAP15 overexpression increased p21, which was responsible for the accelerated cell growth and S phase arrest, but decreased the protein levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which were stimuli for cell metastasis. Notably, upregulating PTEN expression, FOXO1 overexpression and interdicting the activation of AKT pathway with MK2206 suppressed the proliferation and the metastatic ability of ARHGAP15-silenced LoVo cells. In addition, FOXO1 overexpression markedly enhanced the expression and the promoter activity of ARHGAP15. Furthermore, ARHGAP15 overexpression significantly decelerated the pace of tumor growth and metastasis in the lung in vivo. In summary, these results suggest that ARHGAP15 might serve as a tumor suppressor during CRC progression and metastasis through PTEN/AKT/FOXO1-signaling pathway.
Activation of neutral sphingomyelinase 2 by starvation induces cell-protective autophagy via an increase in Golgi-localized ceramide
Authors: Back Moon Jung , Ha Hae Chan , Fu Zhicheng , Choi Jong Min , Piao Yongwei , Won Jong Hoon , Jang Ji Min , Shin In Chul , Kim Dae Kyong
Published: June 2018

Autophagy is essential for optimal cell function and survival, and the entire process accompanies membrane dynamics. Ceramides are produced by different enzymes at different cellular membrane sites and mediate differential signaling. However, it remains unclear which ceramide-producing pathways/enzymes participate in autophagy regulation under physiological conditions such as nutrient starvation, and what the underlying mechanisms are. In this study, we demonstrate that among ceramide-producing enzymes, neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) plays a key role in autophagy during nutrient starvation. nSMase2 was rapidly and stably activated upon starvation, and the enzymatic reaction in the Golgi apparatus facilitated autophagy through the activation of p38 MAPK and inhibition of mTOR. Moreover, nSMase2 played a protective role against cellular damage depending on autophagy. These findings suggest that nSMase2 is a novel regulator of autophagy and provide evidence that Golgi-localized ceramides participate in cytoprotective autophagy against starvation.
Neutrophils induce macrophage anti-inflammatory reprogramming by suppressing NF-κB activation
Authors: Marwick John A. , Mills Ross , Kay Oliver , Michail Kyriakos , Stephen Jillian , Rossi Adriano G. , Dransfield Ian , Hirani Nikhil
Published: June 2018

Apoptotic cells modulate the function of macrophages to control and resolve inflammation. Here, we show that neutrophils induce a rapid and sustained suppression of NF-κB signalling in the macrophage through a unique regulatory relationship which is independent of apoptosis. The reduction of macrophage NF-κB activation occurs through a blockade in transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and IKKβ activation. As a consequence, NF-κB (p65) phosphorylation is reduced, its translocation to the nucleus is inhibited and NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cytokine transcription is suppressed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis reveals that this suppression of NF-κB activation is not restricted to post-translational modifications of the canonical NF-κB pathway, but is also imprinted at the transcriptional level. Thus neutrophils exert a sustained anti-inflammatory phenotypic reprogramming of the macrophage, which is reflected by the sustained reduction in the release of pro- but not anti- inflammatory cytokines from the macrophage. Together, our findings identify a novel apoptosis-independent mechanism by which neutrophils regulate the mediator profile and reprogramming of monocytes/macrophages, representing an important nodal point for inflammatory control.
NHERF1 inhibits beta-catenin-mediated proliferation of cervical cancer cells through suppression of alpha-actinin-4 expression
Authors: Wang Qiqi , Qin Qiong , Song Ran , Zhao Chunjuan , Liu Hua , Yang Ying , Gu Siyu , Zhou Deshan , He Junqi
Published: June 2018

Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer in female. Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been found to be involved in cervical cancer development and progression, whereas the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The present study showed that NHERF1 was a novel gene associated with both cell proliferation and Wnt signaling pathway in cervical cancer by analysis of differential gene expression and gene cluster for the cervical cancer specimens from GEO data sets. It was further demonstrated in cellular study that NHERF1 inhibition of cervical cancer cell proliferation through Wnt/β-catenin signaling was dependent on α-actinin-4 (ACTN4) expression. A negative association between NHERF1 expression and levels of ACTN4 and β-catenin was found in mouse xenograft model and cervical cancer specimens. Low levels of NHERF1 in cervical cancer specimens were found to associate with activation of cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by gene set enrichment analysis, and also were an independent predictive factor for worse prognosis of cervical cancer patients by Cox regression analysis. These findings demonstrate that NHERF1 inhibits Wnt signaling-mediated proliferation of cervical cancer via suppression of ACTN4, and NHERF1 downregulation may contribute to the progression of cervical cancer. These findings may also shed some lights for understanding the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin resistance and worse prognosis of HPV-inactive cervical cancer patients.
Phylodynamic assessment of intervention strategies for the West African Ebola virus outbreak
Authors: Dellicour Simon , Baele Guy , Dudas Gytis , Faria Nuno R. , Pybus Oliver G. , Suchard Marc A. , Rambaut Andrew , Lemey Philippe
Published: June 2018

Genetic analyses have provided important insights into Ebola virus spread during the recent West African outbreak, but their implications for specific intervention scenarios remain unclear. Here, we address this issue using a collection of phylodynamic approaches. We show that long-distance dispersal events were not crucial for epidemic expansion and that preventing viral lineage movement to any given administrative area would, in most cases, have had little impact. However, major urban areas were critical in attracting and disseminating the virus: preventing viral lineage movement to all three capitals simultaneously would have contained epidemic size to one-third. We also show that announcements of border closures were followed by a significant but transient effect on international virus dispersal. By quantifying the hypothetical impact of different intervention strategies, as well as the impact of barriers on dispersal frequency, our study illustrates how phylodynamic analyses can help to address specific epidemiological and outbreak control questions.
Concurrence of form and function in developing networks and its role in synaptic pruning
Authors: Millán Ana P. , Torres J. J. , Johnson S. , Marro J
Published: June 2018

A fundamental question in neuroscience is how structure and function of neural systems are related. We study this interplay by combining a familiar auto-associative neural network with an evolving mechanism for the birth and death of synapses. A feedback loop then arises leading to two qualitatively different types of behaviour. In one, the network structure becomes heterogeneous and dissasortative, and the system displays good memory performance; furthermore, the structure is optimised for the particular memory patterns stored during the process. In the other, the structure remains homogeneous and incapable of pattern retrieval. These findings provide an inspiring picture of brain structure and dynamics that is compatible with experimental results on early brain development, and may help to explain synaptic pruning. Other evolving networks—such as those of protein interactions—might share the basic ingredients for this feedback loop and other questions, and indeed many of their structural features are as predicted by our model.
Corticosteroid suppression of antiviral immunity increases bacterial loads and mucus production in COPD exacerbations
Authors: Singanayagam Aran , Glanville Nicholas , Girkin Jason L. , Ching Yee Man , Marcellini Andrea , Porter James D. , Toussaint Marie , Walton Ross P. , Finney Lydia J. , Aniscenko Julia , Zhu Jie , Trujillo-Torralbo Maria-Belen , Calderazzo Maria Adelaide , Grainge Chris , Loo Su-Ling , Veerati Punnam Chander , Pathinayake Prabuddha S. , Nichol Kristy S. , Reid Andrew T. , James Phillip L. , Solari Roberto , Wark Peter A. B. , Knight Darryl A. , Moffatt Miriam F. , Cookson William O. , Edwards Michael R. , Mallia Patrick , Bartlett Nathan W. , Johnston Sebastian L.
Published: June 2018

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have limited efficacy in reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations and increase pneumonia risk, through unknown mechanisms. Rhinoviruses precipitate most exacerbations and increase susceptibility to secondary bacterial infections. Here, we show that the ICS fluticasone propionate (FP) impairs innate and acquired antiviral immune responses leading to delayed virus clearance and previously unrecognised adverse effects of enhanced mucus, impaired antimicrobial peptide secretion and increased pulmonary bacterial load during virus-induced exacerbations. Exogenous interferon-β reverses these effects. FP suppression of interferon may occur through inhibition of TLR3- and RIG-I virus-sensing pathways. Mice deficient in the type I interferon-α/β receptor (IFNAR1−/−) have suppressed antimicrobial peptide and enhanced mucin responses to rhinovirus infection. This study identifies type I interferon as a central regulator of antibacterial immunity and mucus production. Suppression of interferon by ICS during virus-induced COPD exacerbations likely mediates pneumonia risk and raises suggestion that inhaled interferon-β therapy may protect.
Synergistic and low adverse effect cancer immunotherapy by immunogenic chemotherapy and locally expressed PD-L1 trap
Authors: Song Wantong , Shen Limei , Wang Ying , Liu Qi , Goodwin Tyler J. , Li Jingjing , Dorosheva Olekasandra , Liu Tianzhou , Liu Rihe , Huang Leaf
Published: June 2018

Although great success has been obtained in the clinic, the current immune checkpoint inhibitors still face two challenging problems: low response rate and immune-related adverse effects (irAEs). Here we report the combination of immunogenic chemotherapy and locally expressed PD-L1 trap fusion protein for efficacious and safe cancer immunotherapy. We demonstrate that oxaliplatin (OxP) boosts anti-PD-L1 mAb therapy against murine colorectal cancer. By design of a PD-L1 trap and loading its coding plasmid DNA into a lipid-protamine-DNA nanoparticle, PD-L1 trap is produced transiently and locally in the tumor microenvironment, and synergizes with OxP for tumor inhibition. Significantly, unlike the combination of OxP and anti-PD-L1 mAb, the combination of OxP and PD-L1 trap does not induce obvious Th17 cells accumulation in the spleen, indicating better tolerance and lower tendency to irAEs. The reports here may highlight the potential of applying PD-L1 inhibitor, especially locally expressed PD-L1 trap, in cancer therapy following OxP-based chemotherapy.
Globally asynchronous sulphur isotope signals require re-definition of the Great Oxidation Event
Authors: Philippot Pascal , Ávila Janaína N. , Killingsworth Bryan A. , Tessalina Svetlana , Baton Franck , Caquineau Tom , Muller Elodie , Pecoits Ernesto , Cartigny Pierre , Lalonde Stefan V. , Ireland Trevor R. , Thomazo Christophe , van Kranendonk Martin J. , Busigny Vincent
Published: June 2018

The Great Oxidation Event (GOE) has been defined as the time interval when sufficient atmospheric oxygen accumulated to prevent the generation and preservation of mass-independent fractionation of sulphur isotopes (MIF-S) in sedimentary rocks. Existing correlations suggest that the GOE was rapid and globally synchronous. Here we apply sulphur isotope analysis of diagenetic sulphides combined with U-Pb and Re-Os geochronology to document the sulphur cycle evolution in Western Australia spanning the GOE. Our data indicate that, from ~2.45 Gyr to beyond 2.31 Gyr, MIF-S was preserved in sulphides punctuated by several episodes of MIF-S disappearance. These results establish the MIF-S record as asynchronous between South Africa, North America and Australia, argue for regional-scale modulation of MIF-S memory effects due to oxidative weathering after the onset of the GOE, and suggest that the current paradigm of placing the GOE at 2.33–2.32 Ga based on the last occurrence of MIF-S in South Africa should be re-evaluated.
Engineering triangular carbon quantum dots with unprecedented narrow bandwidth emission for multicolored LEDs
Authors: Yuan Fanglong , Yuan Ting , Sui Laizhi , Wang Zhibin , Xi Zifan , Li Yunchao , Li Xiaohong , Fan Louzhen , Tan Zhan’ao , Chen Anmin , Jin Mingxing , Yang Shihe
Published: June 2018

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have emerged as promising materials for optoelectronic applications on account of carbon’s intrinsic merits of high stability, low cost, and environment-friendliness. However, the CQDs usually give broad emission with full width at half maximum exceeding 80 nm, which fundamentally limit their display applications. Here we demonstrate multicolored narrow bandwidth emission (full width at half maximum of 30 nm) from triangular CQDs with a quantum yield up to 54–72%. Detailed structural and optical characterizations together with theoretical calculations reveal that the molecular purity and crystalline perfection of the triangular CQDs are key to the high color-purity. Moreover, multicolored light-emitting diodes based on these CQDs display good stability, high color-purity, and high-performance with maximum luminance of 1882–4762 cd m−2 and current efficiency of 1.22–5.11 cd A−1. This work will set the stage for developing next-generation high-performance CQDs-based light-emitting diodes.
Ni(II)-catalyzed asymmetric alkenylations of ketimines
Authors: Quan Mao , Wang Xiaoxiao , Wu Liang , Gridnev Ilya D. , Yang Guoqiang , Zhang Wanbin
Published: June 2018

Chiral allylic amines are not only present in many bioactive compounds, but can also be readily transformed to other chiral amines. Therefore, the asymmetric synthesis of chiral allylic amines is highly desired. Herein, we report two types of Ni(II)-catalyzed asymmetric alkenylation of cyclic ketimines for the preparation of chiral allylic amines. When ketimines bear alkyl or alkoxycarbonyl groups, the alkenylation gives five- and six-membered cyclic α-tertiary allylic amine products with excellent yields and enantioselectivities under mild reaction conditions. A variety of ketimines can be used and the method tolerates some variation in alkenylboronic acid scope. Furthermore, with alkenyl five-membered ketimine substrates, an alkenylation/rearrangement reaction occurs, providing seven-membered chiral sulfamide products bearing a conjugated diene skeleton with excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Mechanistic studies reveal that the ring expansion step is a stereospecific site-selective process, which can be catalyzed by acid (Lewis acid or Brønsted acid).
A transient self-assembling self-replicator
Authors: Colomer Ignacio , Morrow Sarah M. , Fletcher Stephen P.
Published: June 2018

Developing physical models of complex dynamic systems showing emergent behaviour is key to informing on persistence and replication in biology, how living matter emerges from chemistry, and how to design systems with new properties. Herein we report a fully synthetic small molecule system in which a surfactant replicator is formed from two phase-separated reactants using an alkene metathesis catalyst. The replicator self-assembles into aggregates, which catalyse their own formation, and is thermodynamically unstable. Rather than replicating until the reactants are fully consumed, the metastable replicator is depleted in a second metathesis reaction, and closed system equilibrium is eventually reached. Mechanistic experiments suggest phase separation is responsible for both replicator formation and destruction.
Author Correction: High frequency temperature variability reduces the risk of coral bleaching
Authors: Safaie Aryan , Silbiger Nyssa J. , McClanahan Timothy R. , Pawlak Geno , Barshis Daniel J. , Hench James L. , Rogers Justin S. , Williams Gareth J. , Davis Kristen A.
Published: June 2018

The original version of the Article was missing an acknowledgement of a funding source. The authors acknowledge that A. Safaie and K.Davis were supported by National Science Foundation Award No. 1436254 and G. Pawlak was supported by Award No. 1436522. This omission has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
360° omnidirectional, printable and transparent photodetectors for flexible optoelectronics
Authors: Lien Der-Hsien , Wang Hsin-Ping , Chen Shih-Bin , Chi Yu-Chieh , Wu Chung-Lun , Lin Gong-Ru , Liao Ying-Chih , He Jr-Hau
Published: June 2018

Flexible optoelectronics that can be bent, wrapped, and stretched have attracted interest for wearable and mobile applications. In this work, we demonstrate a transparent 360° omnidirectional photodetector (PD) that can be stretched and wrapped around flexible or curved substrates. By embedding interlaced ZnO and Ag nanowires (NWs) in thermoplastic polyurethane via inkjet printing, the device featured > 75% transmittance in the visible region, showing high photoresponsivity and response time (10–30 A/W and 0.8 s, respectively). Moreover, the flexible PD performs well under deformation (only 9% decay in the photocurrent under 60% strain and 8% loss when the device is bent at a radius of 5 mm), which allows it to be readily applied on curved surfaces, such as skin or optical fibers. This study opens the door for the development of flexible optoelectronics that could be implemented in fiber optics, wearable electronics, self-powered systems, bio-signal monitors, and epidermal electronics.
Whole Exome Sequencing of Patients from Multicase Families with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Identifies Multiple Rare Variants
Authors: Delgado-Vega Angélica M. , Martínez-Bueno Manuel , Oparina Nina Y. , López Herráez David , Kristjansdottir Helga , Steinsson Kristján , Kozyrev Sergey V. , Alarcón-Riquelme Marta E.
Published: June 2018

In an effort to identify rare alleles associated with SLE, we have performed whole exome sequencing of the most distantly related affected individuals from two large Icelandic multicase SLE families followed by Ta targeted genotyping of additional relatives. We identified multiple rare likely pathogenic variants in nineteen genes co-segregating with the disease through multiple generations. Gene co-expression and protein-protein interaction analysis identified a network of highly connected genes comprising several loci previously implicated in autoimmune diseases. These genes were significantly enriched for immune system development, lymphocyte activation, DNA repair, and V(D)J gene recombination GO-categories. Furthermore, we found evidence of aggregate association and enrichment of rare variants at the FAM71E1/EMC10 locus in an independent set of 4,254 European SLE-cases and 4,349 controls. Our study presents evidence supporting that multiple rare likely pathogenic variants, in newly identified genes involved in known disease pathogenic pathways, segregate with SLE at the familial and population level.
The earliest direct evidence of frogs in wet tropical forests from Cretaceous Burmese amber
Authors: Xing Lida , Stanley Edward L. , Bai Ming , Blackburn David C.
Published: June 2018

Frogs are a familiar and diverse component of tropical forests around the world. Yet there is little direct evidence from the fossil record for the antiquity of this association. We describe four fossil frog specimens from mid-Cretaceous (~99 mya) amber deposits from Kachin State, Myanmar for which the associated fauna provides rich paleoenvironmental context. Microcomputed tomographic analysis provides detailed three-dimensional anatomy for these small frogs, which is generally unavailable for articulated anurans in the Mesozoic. These crown-group anuran specimens provide the earliest direct evidence for anurans in a wet tropical forest. Based on a distinct combination of skeletal characters, at least one specimen has clear similarities to living alytoid frogs as well as several Mesozoic taxa known from the Jehol Biota in China. Whereas many Mesozoic frogs are from seasonal and mesic paleoenvironments, these fossils provide the earliest direct evidence of anurans in wet tropical forests.
Far rapid synthesis of giant DNA in the Bacillus subtilis genome by a conjugation transfer system
Authors: Itaya Mitsuhiro , Sato Mitsuru , Hasegawa Miki , Kono Nobuaki , Tomita Masaru , Kaneko Shinya
Published: June 2018

Bacillus subtilis offers a platform for giant DNA synthesis, which is mediated by the connection of overlapping DNA segments called domino DNA, in the cloning locus of the host. The domino method was successfully used to produce DNA fragments as large as 3500 kbp. However, domino DNA is limited to <100 kbp because of size restrictions regarding the transformation (TF) of B. subtilis competent cells. A novel conjugal transfer (CT) method was designed to eliminate the TF size limit. The CT method enables rapid and efficient domino reactions in addition to the transfer of giant DNA molecules of up to 875 kbp to another B. subtilis genome within 4 hours. The combined use of the TF and CT should enable significantly rapid giant DNA production.
The analysis of latent fingermarks on polymer banknotes using MALDI-MS
Authors: Scotcher K. , Bradshaw R.
Published: June 2018

In September 2016, the UK adopted a new Bank of England (BoE) £5 polymer banknote, followed by the £10 polymer banknote in September 2017. They are designed to be cleaner, stronger and have increased counterfeit resilience; however, fingermark development can be problematic from the polymer material as various security features and coloured/textured areas have been found to alter the effectiveness of conventional fingermark enhancement techniques (FETs). As fingermarks are one of the most widely used forms of identification in forensic cases, it is important that maximum ridge detail be obtained in order to allow for comparison. This research explores the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) profiling and imaging for the analysis of fingermarks deposited on polymer banknotes. The proposed methodology was able to obtain both physical and chemical information from fingermarks deposited in a range of scenarios including; different note areas, depletion series, aged samples and following conventional FETs. The analysis of forensically important molecular targets within these fingermarks was also explored, focussing specifically on cocaine. The ability of MALDI-MS to provide ridge detail and chemical information highlights the forensic applicability of this technique and potential for the analysis of fingermarks deposited onto this problematic surface.
The roughening kinetics of hydrogenated graphene
Authors: Son S. , Nunes J. Figueira , Shin Y. , Lee J-H. , Casiraghi C.
Published: June 2018

The roughness is a common property of all growing surfaces – however, the way the roughness of a growing surface changes with time and space is uniquely related to the underlying growth process, i.e. to how the atoms stick to the surface during the first stage of nucleation. This concept allows getting insights on the nucleation process of a growing surface by measuring two scaling exponents, α and β, known as roughness and growth exponents, respectively. In this work, we studied hydrogenation of graphene using the roughening kinetics. The coverage of graphene will depend on how the H ions stick on the surface, giving rise to a unique roughness evolution in time and space. We measured a roughness exponent of ~0.5 (derived from a Fourier index of ~3), and a growth exponent of ~0.3. The values of the growth and roughness exponents are close to those reported for clustered carbon, suggesting a roughening mechanism by clustering, in good agreement with the theory. We also compared our coverage data with a different model, used to describe the dynamics of graphene coverage, during chemical vapour deposition. Our data are in agreement with a nucleation-dominated growth, further confirming that hydrogenation is happening by clustering.
Association of isolated minor nonspecific ST-T abnormalities with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Kang Jeong Gyu , Chang Yoosoo , Sung Ki-Chul , Kim Jang-Young , Shin Hocheol , Ryu Seungho
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of isolated minor nonspecific ST-T abnormalities (NSSTTA) on 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and LV geometry on echocardiography. A cross-sectional study comprised of 74,976 Koreans who underwent ECG and echocardiography as part of a comprehensive health examination between March 2011 and December 2014. ECG was coded using Minnesota Code criteria. The frequencies of NSSTTA, impaired LV relaxation, and echocardiographic LVH were 1,139 (1.5%), 21,118 (28.2%), and 1,687 (2.3%) patients, respectively. The presence of NSSTTA was positively associated with the prevalence of impaired LV relaxation and LVH on echocardiography. In a multivariable-adjusted model, the odds ratio (95% CIs) comparing patients with NSSTTA to control patients was 1.55 (1.33–1.80) for impaired LV relaxation and 3.15 (2.51–3.96) for echocardiographic LVH. The association between NSSTTA and impaired LV relaxation was stronger in the intermediate to high cardiovascular disease-risk group than in the low-risk group according to Framingham Risk Score stratification (P for interaction = 0.02). NSSTTA were associated with increased prevalence of impaired LV relaxation and LVH, suggesting NSSTTA as an early indicator of subclinical cardiac dysfunction and geometric abnormalities.
High capacity and stable all-solid-state Li ion battery using SnO2-embedded nanoporous carbon
Authors: Notohara Hiroo , Urita Koki , Yamamura Hideyuki , Moriguchi Isamu
Published: June 2018

Extensive research efforts are devoted to development of high performance all-solid-state lithium ion batteries owing to their potential in not only improving safety but also achieving high stability and high capacity. However, conventional approaches based on a fabrication of highly dense electrode and solid electrolyte layers and their close contact interface is not always applicable to high capacity alloy- and/or conversion-based active materials such as SnO2 accompanied with large volume change in charging-discharging. The present work demonstrates that SnO2-embedded nanoporous carbons without solid electrolyte inside the nanopores are a promising candidate for high capacity and stable anode material of all-solid-state battery, in which the volume change reactions are restricted in the nanopores to keep the constant electrode volume. A prototype all-solid-state full cell consisting of the SnO2-based anode and a LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2-based cathode shows a good performance of 2040 Wh/kg at 268.6 W/kg based on the anode material weight.
Optimized protocol for combined PALM-dSTORM imaging
Authors: Glushonkov O. , Réal E. , Boutant E. , Mély Y. , Didier P.
Published: June 2018

Multi-colour super-resolution localization microscopy is an efficient technique to study a variety of intracellular processes, including protein-protein interactions. This technique requires specific labels that display transition between fluorescent and non-fluorescent states under given conditions. For the most commonly used label types, photoactivatable fluorescent proteins and organic fluorophores, these conditions are different, making experiments that combine both labels difficult. Here, we demonstrate that changing the standard imaging buffer of thiols/oxygen scavenging system, used for organic fluorophores, to the commercial mounting medium Vectashield increased the number of photons emitted by the fluorescent protein mEos2 and enhanced the photoconversion rate between its green and red forms. In addition, the photophysical properties of organic fluorophores remained unaltered with respect to the standard imaging buffer. The use of Vectashield together with our optimized protocol for correction of sample drift and chromatic aberrations enabled us to perform two-colour 3D super-resolution imaging of the nucleolus and resolve its three compartments.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) exposed to different insecticides
Authors: Zhou Cao , Yang Hong , Wang Zhao , Long Gui-yun , Jin Dao-chao
Published: June 2018

White-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera (Horváth) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), one of the main agricultural insect pests in China, is resistant to a wide variety of insecticides. We used transcriptome analysis to compare the expression patterns of resistance- and stress-response genes in S. furcifera subjected to imidacloprid, deltamethrin, and triazophos stress, to determine the molecular mechanisms of resistance to these insecticides. A comparative analysis of gene expression under imidacloprid, deltamethrin, and triazophos stress revealed 1,123, 841, and 316 upregulated unigenes, respectively, compared to the control. These upregulated genes included seven P450s (two CYP2 clade, three CYP3 clade, and two CYP4 clade), one GST, one ABC transporter (ABCF), and seven Hsps (one 90 and six Hsp70s) under imidacloprid stress; one P450 (CYP3 clade), two ABC transporters (one ABCF and one ABCD), and one Hsp (Hsp90) under deltamethrin stress; one P450 (CYP3 clade) and one ABC transporter (ABCF) under triazophos stress. In addition, 80 genes were commonly upregulated in response to the three insecticide treatments, including laminin, larval cuticle protein, and fasciclin, which are associated with epidermal formation. These results provide a valuable resource for the molecular characterisation of insecticide action in S. furcifera, especially the molecular characteristics of insecticide cross resistance.
Temporal and spatial variation of extreme temperatures in an agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China from 1960 to 2016
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Li Yuqiang , Chen Yinping , Lian Jie , Luo Yongqing , Niu Yayi , Gong Xiangwen , Yu Peidong
Published: June 2018

The agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China is one of the areas most sensitive to global temperature change. To analyze the temporal and spatial trends of extreme temperature events in this area, we calculated the values of 16 extreme-temperature indices from 1960 to 2016 based on data from 45 national meteorological stations. We found that the coldest-temperature indices decreased significantly and the warmest-temperature indices increased significantly. The warming of night temperatures contributed more than warming of day temperatures to the overall warming trend. In addition, the warm-temperature indices appeared to be increasing since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Overall, though the four extremal indices showed an increasing trend, the rate of change in the minimum temperature was greater than that of the maximum temperature; thus, the minimum temperature contributed most strongly to the overall temperature increases. The growing season is being prolonged in higher-elevation areas, but vegetation maturation in lower-elevation areas has been accelerated by the high temperatures, potentially leading to a shorter growing season at low altitudes. However, the impacts of land-use changes caused by human activities on the temperature increases will require additional study.
Identification of serpins specific for activated protein C using a lysate-based screening assay
Authors: Polderdijk Stéphanie G. I. , Huntington James A.
Published: June 2018

Activated protein C (APC) is a powerful anticoagulant enzyme that proteolytically inactivates the cofactors of the Xase and prothrombinase complexes, factors VIIIa and Va. A common mutation in factor V, fVLeiden, confers resistance to APC leading to an increased risk of thrombosis in the normal population. However, when coinherited with haemophilia, fVLeiden reduces bleeding severity, suggesting that inhibition of APC may be a useful strategy for treatment of haemophilia. We previously reported on serpins that were rationally designed for improved specificity for APC over other coagulation serine proteases. Based on structural differences in the substrate binding pockets to either side of the P1 Arg, we mutated the P2 and P1′ residues to Lys. Although this approach achieved APC specificity, it resulted in a reduction in the rate of APC inhibition relative to the parent containing only the P1 Arg. Here we conduct site-specific random mutagenesis at the P2 and P1′ positions to determine if improvements could be made in the rate of APC inhibition. In addition to our original Lys mutations, we found that Arg and Gln also confer specificity for APC. However, in all cases specificity for APC resulted in a reduction in inhibition rate.
Genome-wide association study identifies genes associated with neuropathy in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Reyes-Gibby Cielito C. , Wang Jian , Yeung Sai-Ching J. , Chaftari Patrick , Yu Robert K. , Hanna Ehab Y. , Shete Sanjay
Published: June 2018

Neuropathic pain (NP), defined as pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system, is a debilitating chronic pain condition often resulting from cancer treatment. Among cancer patients, neuropathy during cancer treatment is a predisposing event for NP. To identify genetic variants influencing the development of NP, we conducted a genome-wide association study in 1,043 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, based on 714,494 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (130 cases, 913 controls). About 12.5% of the patients, who previously had cancer treatment, had neuropathy-associated diagnoses, as defined using the ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. We identified four common SNPs representing four genomic regions: 7q22.3 (rs10950641; SNX8; P = 3.39 × 10−14), 19p13.2 (rs4804217; PCP2; P = 2.95 × 10−9), 3q27.3 (rs6796803; KNG1; P = 6.42 × 10−9) and 15q22.2 (rs4775319; RORA; P = 1.02 × 10−8), suggesting SNX8, PCP2, KNG1 and RORA might be novel target genes for NP in patients with head and neck cancer. Future experimental validation to explore physiological effects of the identified SNPs will provide a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying NP and may provide insights into novel therapeutic targets for treatment and management of NP.
The Drosophila homologue of MEGF8 is essential for early development
Authors: Lloyd Deborah L. , Toegel Markus , Fulga Tudor A. , Wilkie Andrew O. M.
Published: June 2018

Mutations of the geneMEGF8cause Carpenter syndrome in humans, and the mouse orthologue has been functionally associated with Nodal and Bmp4 signalling. Here, we have investigated the phenotype associated with loss-of-function ofCG7466, a gene that encodes theDrosophilahomologue ofMEGF8. We generated three different frame-shift null mutations inCG7466using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Heterozygous flies appeared normal, but homozygous animals had disorganised denticle belts and died as 2ndor 3rdinstar larvae. Larvae were delayed in transition to 3rdinstars and showed arrested growth, which was associated with abnormal feeding behaviour and prolonged survival when yeast food was supplemented with sucrose. RNAi-mediated knockdown using theGal4-UASsystem resulted in lethality with ubiquitous and tissue-specific Gal4 drivers, and growth defects including abnormal bristle number and orientation in a subset of escapers. We conclude thatCG7466is essential for larval development and that diminished function perturbs denticle and bristle formation.
Silicon Integrated Interferometric Optical Gyroscope
Authors: Wu Beibei , Yu Yu , Xiong Jiabi , Zhang Xinliang
Published: June 2018

Miniaturized and low-cost optical gyroscopes are urgently required for emerging applications in consumer electronics market. In this paper, we proposed a theoretical analysis and preliminary experiment results for integrated interferometric optical gyroscope based on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform for the first time. The gyroscope is based on the Sagnac effect and composed of coiled multimode waveguides to reduce propagation loss and the footprint. The sensitivity of the sensing part is fully investigated in terms of waveguide loss, gyroscope footprint, crossing numbers for coiled waveguides, as well as the waveguide cross section. The experimental results show that gyroscope sensitivity is 51.3 deg/s with a footprint of 600 μm × 700 μm.