bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of phosphoglucomutase in regulating trehalose metabolism in Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Pan Bi-Ying , Liu Yong-Kang , Wu Hong-Kai , Pang Xiao-Qing , Wang Shi-Gui , Tang Bin , Xu Cai-Di 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhosphoglucomutase (PGM) is a key enzyme in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, regulating both glycogen and trehalose metabolism in insects. In this study, we explored the potential function of phosphoglucomutase (PGM) using RNA interference technology in Nilaparvata lugens, the brown planthopper. PGM1 and PGM2 were found highly expressed in the midgut of brown planthoppers, with different expression levels in different instar nymphs. The glycogen, glucose, and trehalose levels were also significantly increased after brown planthoppers were injected with dsRNA targeting PGM1 (dsPGM1) or PGM2 (dsPGM2). In addition, injection of dsPGM1 or dsPGM2 resulted in increased membrane-bound trehalase activity but not soluble trehalase activity. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to trehalose and glycogen metabolism decreased significantly after injection with dsPGM1 and dsPGM2. The expression levels of genes involved in chitin metabolism in the brown planthopper were also significantly decreased and the insects showed wing deformities and difficulty molting following RNAi. We suggest that silencing of PGM1 and PGM2 expression directly inhibits trehalose metabolism, leading to impaired chitin synthesis.
Advanced microstructural characterisation of cast ATI 718Plus®—effect of homogenisation heat treatments on secondary phases and repair welding behaviour
Authors: Hanning Fabian , Khan Abdul Khaliq , Andersson Joel , Ojo Olanrewaju 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe influence of base metal conditions on the weld cracking behaviour of cast ATI 718Plus® is investigated by comparing 4 h and 24 h dwell time pseudo-hip homogenisation heat treatments at 1120, 1160 and 1190 °C with the as-cast microstructure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) on electrolytically extracted powder and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to identify Nb-rich secondary phases in interdendritic areas as the C14 Laves phase and Nb(Ti) MC-type carbides. All homogenisation heat treatments but the 1120 °C 4-h condition dissolve the Laves phase. A repair welding operation was simulated by linear groove multi-pass manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The Laves phase containing microstructures resulted in lower total crack length for heat affected zone cracking. Constitutional liquation of Nb(Ti) MC-type carbides is observed as a liquation mechanism in Laves-free microstructure, while thick liquid film formation due to the Laves eutectic melting could reduce the formation of weld cracks in microstructures containing the Laves phase.
Beyond Normative Control: Against the Will Theory of Rights
Authors: Bowen Joseph 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe Will Theory of Rights says that having control over another’s duties grounds rights. The Will Theory has commonly been objected to on the grounds that it undergenerates right-ascriptions along three fronts. This paper systematically examines a range of positions open to the Will Theory in response to these counterexamples, while being faithful to the Will Theory’s focus on normative control. It argues that of the seemingly plausible ways the defender of the Will Theory can proceed, one cannot both be faithful to the theory’s focus on normative control as the grounds of rights and achieve extensional adequacy.
Career Opportunities in Law: Some Evidence on Career Choices of Nigerian Law Students
Authors: Onoyeyan Glory O. , Bamgbose Oludayo J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe significance of career choice in human life cannot be overstated. Many law students upon graduation do not proceed to mainstream legal practice. They pursue careers in public administration, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as corporate secretaries, and so on. The aim of this study is to confirm the readiness of law students to proceed to legal practice upon graduation and to assess their level of career awareness in relation to law-related careers. The study also determined the areas of interest of law students in law-related careers. The study employed the survey research design in which questionnaires were used to collect data from the twelve universities that run the approved undergraduate law program up to 500 level in south-west Nigeria. Krejcie and Morgan's formula was used to select the sample size of 597. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that a majority of law students do not wish to proceed into mainstream legal practice. Law students’ career intentions are in a variety of legal careers.
Disinformation Operations Aimed at (Democratic) Elections in the Context of Public International Law: The Conduct of the Internet Research Agency During the 2016 US Presidential Election
Authors: Rodriguez Manuel 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDue to new technologies, the speed and volume of disinformation is unprecedented today. As seen in the 2016 US presidential election, especially with the conduct of the Internet Research Agency, this poses challenges and threats for the (democratic) political processes of internal State affairs, and in particular, (democratic) elections are under increasing risk. Disinformation has the potential to sway the outcome of an election and therefore discredits the idea of free and fair elections. Given the growing prevalence of disinformation operations aimed at (democratic) elections, the question arises as to how international law applies to such operations and how States under international law might counter such hostile operations launched by their adversaries.From a legal standpoint, it appears that such disinformation operations do not fully escape existing international law. However, due to open questions and the geopolitical context, many States refrain from clearly labelling them as internationally wrongful acts under international law. Stretching current international legal norms to cover the issue does not seem to be the optimal solution and a binding international treaty would also need to overcome various hurdles. The author suggests that disinformation operations aimed at (democratic) elections in the context of public international law will most likely be regulated (if) by a combination of custom and bottom-up law-making influencing and reinforcing each other.
Space resources activities from the perspective of sustainability: legal aspects
Authors: Hofmann Mahulena , Bergamasco Federico 
Published: January 2020

Non-technical abstract
The new forms of the use of outer space, such as space resources activities, not only will provide a vital contribution to research and industry, but could also entail a negative impact to the space environment. The present article aims at discussing from a legal perspective crucial problems such as how we shall ensure that the entities active in the area of space resources take environmental concerns into account, how we shall ensure that they utilize the best possible and least invasive technology and whether they should restore the ‘mining’ area when finishing their tasks.
In silico, in-vitro and in vivo screening of biological activities of citral
Authors: Habib Shagufta , Gupta Pawan , Bhat Sana Shafi , Gupta Jeena 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Citral, one of the main components of lemongrass oil (65–85%), is known to possess various medicinal properties like enhancing skin health and vision-improvement. It also acts as flavoring agent, used in perfumes and skin care products. The objective of this work was to elucidate the biological properties of citral at molecular level using an integrated in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches. To elucidate this in silico molecular docking studies were performed with in vitro validation by DPPH scavenging activity, MTT assays, enzymatic assays and Chorio Allantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. The in silico analysis demonstrated the potential binding of citral with PPARγ ligand binding domain and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2). Citral is already a proven anti-oxidant which is further confirmed by increased DPPH inhibition with increased citral concentration (IC50: 6.9 ± 1.68 μg/ml, p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that citral protect yeast cells from cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide and also increase the activities of antioxidant enzymes like GST, SOD and LPO. It was also demonstrated to be cytotoxic to cancerous HeLa cells (IC50: 3.9 ± 0.38 μM, p < 0.01) and was found anti-angiogenic by CAM assay. This study highlights many important pharmaceutical properties of citral which can be explored further to increase its industrial applications.
Vitamin D signaling in a mouse allergic sensitization model
Authors: Lucas Renata , Mihály Johanna , Gericke Janine , Törőcsik Dániel , Rühl Ralph 
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Vitamin D mediated signalling in the skin is discussed controversially for its beneficial or detrimental influence. In this study we examined various factors involved in Vitamin D-mediated signalling in a mouse model for allergic dermatitis with systemic (OVA IP) and systemic plus topical allergic sensitization (OVA IP + EC). We found that the major enzyme responsible for 1,25-Vitamin D3 synthesis, the 1-hydoxylase CYP27B1 (3,6-fold for OVA IP and 2,7-fold for OVA IP + EC), the vitamin D receptor (not altered) and the sensitive Vitamin D-mediated signalling target gene CYP24A1 (65-fold in OVA IP and 726-fold in OVA IP + EC) are upregulated after systemic and systemic plus topical allergic sensitization (OVA IP + EC). In consequence, active Vitamin D-mediated signalling is involved in systemic as well as systemic/topical allergic sensitization in mouse skin.
Role of Westerly Jet in Torrential Rainfall During Monsoon Over Northern Pakistan
Authors: Bibi Amna , Ullah Kalim , Yushu Zhou , Wang Ziqian , Gao Shouting 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPakistan experiences several torrential rainfall events for many years due to interactive role of midlatitude atmospheric and warm moist monsoon circulations. Deadly events such as flash flooding, runoff, and mudslides may trigger by torrential rainfall events which pose significant threat to human assets. This study was undertaken based on three severe weather events (1988, 2010, and 2013) by using percentage departure to identify wet and dry years during the period 1985–2016, which occurred over northern Pakistan. Rainfall data were obtained from 14 synoptic stations of Pakistan Meteorological Department, which were analyzed at daily, monthly, and annual bases. The data sets of Climate Research Unit, Global Precipitation Climatology Centre, and Pakistan Meteorological Department are used to justify the Weather Research and Forecasting model simulation and for analyzing the various atmospheric and diagnostic variables. Results showed teleconnection between large‐scale circulation pattern and South Asian summer monsoon during the selected events. Detailed analysis revealed that during all three events, a westerly trough was moving in the north of Pakistan and well‐marked monsoon circulations were present at the lower levels. It was observed that the interaction of two weather systems triggered heavy rainfall over area of interest. In addition, high vorticity at all levels and extension of westerly trough to the surface resulted in heavy rainfall and the penetration of upper‐level circulations anomalies consists of blocking signature over Eurasia along with Tibetan anticyclone. Hence, the monsoon low‐pressure system provides moisture convergence and upper‐level westerly trough results in upper‐level divergence to enhance the extreme rainfall events.
Using the Index Over the Last 14 Solar Cycles to Characterize Extreme Geomagnetic Activity
Authors: Chapman S. C. , Horne R. B. , Watkins N. W. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractGeomagnetic indices are routinely used to characterize space weather event intensity. The
index is well resolved but is only available over five solar cycles. The
index extends over 14 cycles but is highly discretized with poorly resolved extremes. We parameterize extreme
activity by the annual‐averaged top few percent of observed values, show that these are exponentially distributed, and they track annual
index minima. This gives a 14‐cycle average of
4% chance of at least one great (
nT) storm and
28% chance of at least one severe (
nT) storm per year. At least one

nT event in a given year would be a 1:151 year event. Carrington event estimate
nT is within the same distribution as other extreme activity seen in
since 1868 so that its likelihood can be deduced from that of more moderate events. Events with
nT are in a distinct class, requiring special conditions.
On the Broadband Instrument Response of Fiber‐Optic DAS Arrays
Authors: Lindsey Nathaniel J. , Rademacher Horst , Ajo‐Franklin Jonathan B. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDistributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is a novel tool in array seismology that measures the phase of backscattered laser pulses traveling in a fiber‐optic cable, and relates this measurement to the axial strain induced on the cable by a propagating seismic wavefield. Combining DAS with telecommunications optical fiber networks has begun to address a range of earth science questions where cost and field logistics have historically hindered observations. Unlike classic inertial seismometers, DAS instrument response is presently unquantified. This topic includes a variable sensing element—the fiber, including packaging and installation—which changes between experiments. Ignoring this element, one DAS record should approximate a fixed‐length strain gauge, which exactly measures Earth's motion down to quasi‐static frequencies relevant to geodesy. In this paper, we test this hypothesis using seismological observations of teleseismic earthquakes and microseism noise spanning the 1 to 120 s period range. We use a commercial DAS interrogator unit connected to an optical fiber previously used for telecommunication and a colocated broadband seismometer to estimate the DAS transfer function. We find a 1:1 correspondence with actual ground motion from 10–120 s. At shorter periods (1–10 s), DAS amplitude response is enhanced by 3–11 dB. Phase response is flat over this range of periods. We interpret the recovered DAS response function in terms of hypothesized fiber coupling and photonic effects. We propose this calibration methodology for future DAS experiments where seismic amplitude information is desired.
Seismic Structure Beneath the Tibetan Plateau From Iterative Finite‐Frequency Tomography Based on ChinArray: New Insights Into the Indo‐Asian Collision
Authors: Xiao Zhuo , Fuji Nobuaki , Iidaka Takashi , Gao Yuan , Sun Xinlei , Liu Qi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIndo‐Asian continental collision has contributed to the growth of the Tibetan Plateau, which is one of the most prominent uplifts worldwide since Cenozoic. The crustal and upper‐mantle structures are key factors in understanding the evolutionary process as well as lateral growth of the plateau. We present a new 3‐D seismic model beneath the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding areas, which uses a large‐scale dense array from iterative finite‐frequency tomography. The new tomographic images show obvious east‐west geometrical change of the northward Indian lithosphere by high‐velocity anomalies beneath Tibet. The high‐velocity anomaly extends to Pamir in the western side, but it only reaches north Lhasa in central and eastern Tibet. A convective removal of the thickened Tibetan lithosphere is observed as a high‐velocity anomaly, followed by a subvertical subduction of the Indian mantle lithosphere beneath the Bangong‐Nujiang Suture in central Tibet. We speculate its link to the widespread magmatism and rapid uplift of central Tibet in late Miocene. A high‐velocity gap between 100 and 250 km underneath the Longmenshan fault indicates that lithospheric delamination may play an important role in surface evolution between eastern Tibet and surrounding rigid blocks. Our detailed seismological model will give an insight into how the continents collide.
Wild primates copy higher-ranked individuals in a social transmission experiment
Authors: Canteloup Charlotte , Hoppitt William , van de Waal Erica 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLittle is known about how multiple social learning strategies interact and how organisms integrate both individual and social information. Here we combine, in a wild primate, an open diffusion experiment with a modeling approach: Network-Based Diffusion Analysis using a dynamic observation network. The vervet monkeys we study were not provided with a trained model; instead they had access to eight foraging boxes that could be opened in either of two ways. We report that individuals socially learn the techniques they observe in others. After having learnt one option, individuals are 31x more likely to subsequently asocially learn the other option than individuals naïve to both options. We discover evidence of a rank transmission bias favoring learning from higher-ranked individuals, with no evidence for age, sex or kin bias. This fine-grained analysis highlights a rank transmission bias in a field experiment mimicking the diffusion of a behavioral innovation.
The C. difficile toxin B membrane translocation machinery is an evolutionarily conserved protein delivery apparatus
Authors: Orrell Kathleen E. , Mansfield Michael J. , Doxey Andrew C. , Melnyk Roman A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLarge Clostridial Toxins (LCTs) are a family of six homologous protein toxins that are implicated in severe disease. LCTs infiltrate host cells using a translocation domain (LCT-T) that contains both cell-surface receptor binding sites and a membrane translocation apparatus. Despite much effort, LCT translocation remains poorly understood. Here we report the identification of 1104 LCT-T homologs, with 769 proteins from bacteria outside of clostridia. Sequences are widely distributed in pathogenic and host-associated species, in a variety of contexts and architectures. Consistent with these homologs being functional toxins, we show that a distant LCT-T homolog from Serratia marcescens acts as a pH-dependent translocase to deliver its effector into host cells. Based on evolutionary footprinting of LCT-T homologs, we further define an evolutionarily conserved translocase region that we show is an autonomous translocase capable of delivering heterologous cargo into host cells. Our work uncovers a broad class of translocating toxins and provides insights into LCT translocation.
Enhanced energy-constrained quantum communication over bosonic Gaussian channels
Authors: Noh Kyungjoo , Pirandola Stefano , Jiang Liang 
Published: January 2020

AbstractQuantum communication is an important branch of quantum information science, promising unconditional security to classical communication and providing the building block of a future large-scale quantum network. Noise in realistic quantum communication channels imposes fundamental limits on the communication rates of various quantum communication tasks. It is therefore crucial to identify or bound the quantum capacities of a quantum channel. Here, we consider Gaussian channels that model energy loss and thermal noise errors in realistic optical and microwave communication channels and study their various quantum capacities in the energy-constrained scenario. We provide improved lower bounds to various energy-constrained quantum capacities of these fundamental channels and show that higher communication rates can be attained than previously believed. Specifically, we show that one can boost the transmission rates of quantum information and private classical information by using a correlated multi-mode thermal state instead of the single-mode thermal state of the same energy.
Impaired lipid biosynthesis hinders anti-tumor efficacy of intratumoral iNKT cells
Authors: Fu Sicheng , He Kaixin , Tian Chenxi , Sun Hua , Zhu Chenwen , Bai Shiyu , Liu Jiwei , Wu Qielan , Xie Di , Yue Ting , Shen Zhuxia , Dai Qingqing , Yu Xiaojun , Zhu Shu , Liu Gang , Zhou Rongbin , Duan Shengzhong , Tian Zhigang , Xu Tao , Wang Hua , Bai Li 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDysfunction of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in tumor microenvironment hinders their anti-tumor efficacy, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we report that iNKT cells increase lipid biosynthesis after activation, and that is promoted by PPARγ and PLZF synergically through enhancing transcription ofSrebf1. Among those lipids, cholesterol is required for the optimal IFN-γ production from iNKT cells. Lactic acid in tumor microenvironment reduces expression of PPARγ in intratumoral iNKT cells and consequently diminishes their cholesterol synthesis and IFN-γ production. Importantly, PPARγ agonist pioglitazone, a thiazolidinedione drug for type 2 diabetes, successfully restores IFN-γ production in tumor-infiltrating iNKT cells from both human patients and mouse models. Combination of pioglitazone and alpha-galactosylceramide treatments significantly enhances iNKT cell-mediated anti-tumor immune responses and prolongs survival of tumor-bearing mice. Our studies provide a strategy to augment the anti-tumor efficacy of iNKT cell-based immunotherapies via promoting their lipid biosynthesis.
WASP family proteins regulate the mobility of the B cell receptor during signaling activation
Authors: Rey-Suarez Ivan , Wheatley Brittany A. , Koo Peter , Bhanja Anshuman , Shu Zhou , Mochrie Simon , Song Wenxia , Shroff Hari , Upadhyaya Arpita 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRegulation of membrane receptor mobility tunes cellular response to external signals, such as in binding of B cell receptors (BCR) to antigen, which initiates signaling. However, whether BCR signaling is regulated by BCR mobility, and what factors mediate this regulation, are not well understood. Here we use single molecule imaging to examine BCR movement during signaling activation and a novel machine learning method to classify BCR trajectories into distinct diffusive states. Inhibition of actin dynamics downstream of the actin nucleating factors, Arp2/3 and formin, decreases BCR mobility. Constitutive loss or acute inhibition of the Arp2/3 regulator, N-WASP, which is associated with enhanced signaling, increases the proportion of BCR trajectories with lower diffusivity. Furthermore, loss of N-WASP reduces the diffusivity of CD19, a stimulatory co-receptor, but not that of FcγRIIB, an inhibitory co-receptor. Our results implicate a dynamic actin network in fine-tuning receptor mobility and receptor-ligand interactions for modulating B cell signaling.
Learning algorithms allow for improved reliability and accuracy of global mean surface temperature projections
Authors: Strobach Ehud , Bel Golan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractClimate predictions are only meaningful if the associated uncertainty is reliably estimated. A standard practice is to use an ensemble of climate model projections. The main drawbacks of this approach are the fact that there is no guarantee that the ensemble projections adequately sample the possible future climate conditions. Here, we suggest using simulations and measurements of past conditions in order to study both the performance of the ensemble members and the relation between the ensemble spread and the uncertainties associated with their predictions. Using an ensemble of CMIP5 long-term climate projections that was weighted according to a sequential learning algorithm and whose spread was linked to the range of past measurements, we find considerably reduced uncertainty ranges for the projected global mean surface temperature. The results suggest that by employing advanced ensemble methods and using past information, it is possible to provide more reliable and accurate climate projections.