bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Priming with FLO8-deficient Candida albicans induces Th1-biased protective immunity against lethal polymicrobial sepsis
Authors: Lv Quan-Zhen , Li De-Dong , Han Hua , Yang Yi-Heng , Duan Jie-Lin , Ma Hui-Hui , Yu Yao , Chen Jiang-Ye , Jiang Yuan-Ying , Jia Xin-Ming 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe morphological switch between yeast and hyphae of Candida albicans is essential for its interaction with the host defense system. However, the lack of understanding of host–pathogen interactions during C. albicans infection greatly hampers the development of effective immunotherapies. Here, we found that priming with the C. albicans FLO8-deficient (flo8) mutant, locked in yeast form, protected mice from subsequent lethal C. albicans infection. Deficiency of Dectin-2, a fungus-derived α-mannan recognition receptor, completely blocked flo8 mutant-induced protection. Mechanistically, the flo8 mutant-induced Dectin-2/CARD9-mediated IL-10 production in DCs and macrophages to block thymus atrophy by inhibiting the C. albicans-induced apoptosis of thymic T cells, which facilitated the continuous output of naive T cells from the thymus to the spleen. Continuous recruitment of naive T cells to the spleen enhanced Th1-biased antifungal immune responses. Consequently, depletion of CD4+ T cells or blockade of IL-10 receptor function using specific antibodies in mice completely blocked the protective effects of flo8 mutant priming against C. albicans infection. Moreover, mannans exposed on the surface of the flo8 mutant were responsible for eliciting protective immunity by inhibiting the C. albicans-induced apoptosis of thymic T cells to sustain the number of naive T cells in the spleen. Importantly, priming with the flo8 mutant extensively protected mice from polymicrobial infection caused by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) by enhancing Th1-biased immune responses. Together, our findings imply that targeting FLO8 in C. albicans elicits protective immune responses against polymicrobial infections and that mannans extracted from the flo8 mutant are potential immunotherapeutic candidate(s) for controlling infectious diseases.
Navigating the landscape of multiplayer games
Authors: Omidshafiei Shayegan , Tuyls Karl , Czarnecki Wojciech M. , Santos Francisco C. , Rowland Mark , Connor Jerome , Hennes Daniel , Muller Paul , Pérolat Julien , Vylder Bart De , Gruslys Audrunas , Munos Rémi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMultiplayer games have long been used as testbeds in artificial intelligence research, aptly referred to as the Drosophila of artificial intelligence. Traditionally, researchers have focused on using well-known games to build strong agents. This progress, however, can be better informed by characterizing games and their topological landscape. Tackling this latter question can facilitate understanding of agents and help determine what game an agent should target next as part of its training. Here, we show how network measures applied to response graphs of large-scale games enable the creation of a landscape of games, quantifying relationships between games of varying sizes and characteristics. We illustrate our findings in domains ranging from canonical games to complex empirical games capturing the performance of trained agents pitted against one another. Our results culminate in a demonstration leveraging this information to generate new and interesting games, including mixtures of empirical games synthesized from real world games.
α-proteobacteria synthesize biotin precursor pimeloyl-ACP using BioZ 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase and lysine catabolism
Authors: Hu Yuanyuan , Cronan John E. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPimelic acid, a seven carbon α,ω-dicarboxylic acid (heptanedioic acid), is known to provide seven of the ten biotin carbon atoms including all those of the valeryl side chain. Distinct pimelate synthesis pathways were recently elucidated in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis where fatty acid synthesis plus dedicated biotin enzymes produce the pimelate moiety. In contrast, the α-proteobacteria which include important plant and mammalian pathogens plus plant symbionts, lack all of the known pimelate synthesis genes and instead encode bioZ genes. Here we report a pathway in which BioZ proteins catalyze a 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase III-like reaction to produce pimeloyl-ACP with five of the seven pimelate carbon atoms being derived from glutaryl-CoA, an intermediate in lysine degradation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains either deleted for bioZ or which encode a BioZ active site mutant are biotin auxotrophs, as are strains defective in CaiB which catalyzes glutaryl-CoA synthesis from glutarate and succinyl-CoA.
Intraspecific host variation plays a key role in virus community assembly
Authors: Sallinen Suvi , Norberg Anna , Susi Hanna , Laine Anna-Liisa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractInfection by multiple pathogens of the same host is ubiquitous in both natural and managed habitats. While intraspecific variation in disease resistance is known to affect pathogen occurrence, how differences among host genotypes affect the assembly of pathogen communities remains untested. In our experiment using cloned replicates of naivePlantago lanceolataplants as sentinels during a seasonal virus epidemic, we find non-random co-occurrence patterns of five focal viruses. Using joint species distribution modelling, we attribute the non-random virus occurrence patterns primarily to differences among host genotypes and local population context. Our results show that intraspecific variation among host genotypes may play a large, previously unquantified role in pathogen community structure.
Long-lived and disorder-free charge transfer states enable endothermic charge separation in efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells
Authors: Hinrichsen Ture F. , Chan Christopher C. S. , Ma Chao , Paleček David , Gillett Alexander , Chen Shangshang , Zou Xinhui , Zhang Guichuan , Yip Hin-Lap , Wong Kam Sing , Friend Richard H. , Yan He , Rao Akshay , Chow Philip C. Y. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOrganic solar cells based on non-fullerene acceptors can show high charge generation yields despite near-zero donor–acceptor energy offsets to drive charge separation and overcome the mutual Coulomb attraction between electron and hole. Here, we use time-resolved optical spectroscopy to show that free charges in these systems are generated by thermally activated dissociation of interfacial charge-transfer states that occurs over hundreds of picoseconds at room temperature, three orders of magnitude slower than comparable fullerene-based systems. Upon free electron–hole encounters at later times, both charge-transfer states and emissive excitons are regenerated, thus setting up an equilibrium between excitons, charge-transfer states and free charges. Our results suggest that the formation of long-lived and disorder-free charge-transfer states in these systems enables them to operate closely to quasi-thermodynamic conditions with no requirement for energy offsets to drive interfacial charge separation and achieve suppressed non-radiative recombination.
A circular RNA generated from an intron of the insulin gene controls insulin secretion
Authors: Stoll Lisa , Rodríguez-Trejo Adriana , Guay Claudiane , Brozzi Flora , Bayazit Mustafa Bilal , Gattesco Sonia , Menoud Véronique , Sobel Jonathan , Marques Ana Claudia , Venø Morten Trillingsgaard , Esguerra Jonathan Lou S. , Barghouth Mohammad , Suleiman Mara , Marselli Lorella , Kjems Jørgen , Eliasson Lena , Renström Erik , Bouzakri Karim , Pinget Michel , Marchetti Piero , Regazzi Romano 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFine-tuning of insulin release from pancreatic β-cells is essential to maintain blood glucose homeostasis. Here, we report that insulin secretion is regulated by a circular RNA containing the lariat sequence of the second intron of the insulin gene. Silencing of this intronic circular RNA in pancreatic islets leads to a decrease in the expression of key components of the secretory machinery of β-cells, resulting in impaired glucose- or KCl-induced insulin release and calcium signaling. The effect of the circular RNA is exerted at the transcriptional level and involves an interaction with the RNA-binding protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43). The level of this circularized intron is reduced in the islets of rodent diabetes models and of type 2 diabetic patients, possibly explaining their impaired secretory capacity. The study of this and other circular RNAs helps understanding β-cell dysfunction under diabetes conditions, and the etiology of this common metabolic disorder.
Biocatalytic nanoparticles for the stabilization of degassed single electron transfer-living radical pickering emulsion polymerizations
Authors: Moreno Adrian , Sipponen Mika H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSynthetic polymers are indispensable in many different applications, but there is a growing need for green processes and natural surfactants for emulsion polymerization. The use of solid particles to stabilize Pickering emulsions is a particularly attractive avenue, but oxygen sensitivity has remained a formidable challenge in controlled polymerization reactions. Here we show that lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) coated with chitosan and glucose oxidase (GOx) enable efficient stabilization of Pickering emulsion and in situ enzymatic degassing of single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) without extraneous hydrogen peroxide scavengers. The resulting latex dispersions can be purified by aqueous extraction or used to obtain polymer nanocomposites containing uniformly dispersed LNPs. The polymers exhibit high chain-end fidelity that allows for production of a series of well-defined block copolymers as a viable route to more complex architectures.
Self-consistent kinetic model of nested electron- and ion-scale magnetic cavities in space plasmas
Authors: Li Jing-Huan , Yang Fan , Zhou Xu-Zhi , Zong Qiu-Gang , Artemyev Anton V. , Rankin Robert , Shi Quanqi , Yao Shutao , Liu Han , He Jiansen , Pu Zuyin , Xiao Chijie , Liu Ji , Pollock Craig , Le Guan , Burch James L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNASA’s Magnetospheric Multi-Scale (MMS) mission is designed to explore the proton- and electron-gyroscale kinetics of plasma turbulence where the bulk of particle acceleration and heating takes place. Understanding the nature of cross-scale structures ubiquitous as magnetic cavities is important to assess the energy partition, cascade and conversion in the plasma universe. Here, we present theoretical insight into magnetic cavities by deriving a self-consistent, kinetic theory of these coherent structures. By taking advantage of the multipoint measurements from the MMS constellation, we demonstrate that our kinetic model can utilize magnetic cavity observations by one MMS spacecraft to predict measurements from a second/third spacecraft. The methodology of “observe and predict” validates the theory we have derived, and confirms that nested magnetic cavities are self-organized plasma structures supported by trapped proton and electron populations in analogous to the classical theta-pinches in laboratory plasmas.
Degradation of Cu nanowires in a low-reactive plasma environment
Authors: Coradini Diego S. R. , Tunes Matheus A. , Kremmer Thomas M. , Schön Claudio G. , Uggowitzer Peter J. , Pogatscher Stefan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe quest for miniaturisation of electronic devices is one of the backbones of industry 4.0 and nanomaterials are an envisaged solution capable of addressing these complex technological challenges. When subjected to synthesis and processing, nanomaterials must be able to hold pristine its initial designed properties, but occasionally, this may trigger degradation mechanisms that can impair their application by either destroying their initial morphology or deteriorating of mechanical and electrical properties. Degradation of nanomaterials under processing conditions using plasmas, ion implantation and high temperatures is up to date largely sub-notified in the literature. The degradation of single-crystal Cu nanowires when exposed to a plasma environment with residual active O is herein investigated and reported. It is shown that single-crystal Cu nanowires may degrade even in low-reactive plasma conditions by means of a vapour–solid–solid nucleation and growth mechanism.
A critical review on nanomaterials membrane bioreactor (NMs-MBR) for wastewater treatment
Authors: Pervez Md. Nahid , Balakrishnan Malini , Hasan Shadi Wajih , Choo Kwang-Ho , Zhao Yaping , Cai Yingjie , Zarra Tiziano , Belgiorno Vincenzo , Naddeo Vincenzo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe concept of nanomaterials membranes (NMs) promises to be a sustainable route to improve the membrane characteristics and enhance the performance of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) treating wastewater. This paper provided a critical review of recent studies on the use of membranes incorporating nanomaterials in membrane bioreactor (NMs-MBR) applications for wastewater treatment. Novel types of nanomaterials membranes were identified and discussed based on their structural morphologies. For each type, their design and fabrication, advances and potentialities were presented. The performance of NMs-MBR system has been summarized in terms of removal efficiencies of common pollutants and membrane fouling. The review also highlighted the sustainability and cost viability aspects of NMs-MBR technology that can enhance their widespread use in wastewater treatment applications.
Effect of V2O5 B-site substitution on the microstructure, Raman spectrum, and dielectric properties of SrBi2Ta2O9 ceramics
Authors: Wu Chia-Ching , Yang Cheng-Fu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractStrontium bismuth tantalate vanadate [SrBi2(Ta2−xVx)O9, SBTV] ceramics, which are bismuth-layered perovskite ferroelectrics, were synthesized through the solid-state reaction method. The effects of different sintering temperatures and V2O5 contents on the structure of the microstructure, Raman spectrum, and dielectric properties of the SBTV ceramics were investigated. As sintered at high temperature (980–1040 °C) and different V2O5 contents (x = 0.1 − x = 0.4), only disk-like grains of the SBTV ceramics were observed in the scanning electron micrographs. Preferential orientation of the crystals of the SBTV ceramics was confirmed through X-ray diffraction studies. The higher dielectric constant and Curie temperature of the SBTV ceramics compared with those of strontium bismuth tantalite (SrBi2Ta2O9, SBT) ceramics are ascribe to the partial replace of Ta5+ ions by V5+ ions in the B sites. The Curie–Weiss law and the modified Curie–Weiss law were used to discuss the normal-type or relaxor-type ferroelectric characteristic of the SBTV ceramics. The Ta5+ ion replaced by V5+ ion site in SBT ceramics to form SBTV ceramics exerted a pronounced effect on the BO6 mode, as demonstrated by Raman spectrum results.
Revealing the charge carrier kinetics in perovskite solar cells affected by mesoscopic structures and defect states from simple transient photovoltage measurements
Authors: Hidayat Rahmat , Nurunnizar Adhita Asma , Fariz Alvin , Herman  , Rosa Erlyta Septa , Shobih  , Oizumi Tomohisa , Fujii Akihiko , Ozaki Masanori 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis report shows that, by using simple transient photovoltage (TPV) measurements, we can reveal a significant correlation between the TPV decay characteristics and the performance of these perovskite solar cells. TPV decay seems to be composed of a rising part in a short interval after photoexcitation and a long decaying part that extends up to tens of milliseconds. These decay behaviors look different depending on the mesoscopic structures and the perovskite morphology formed therein, as seen from their Scanning Electron Microcopy images and X-ray diffraction patterns. The decay part can be fitted with a three-exponential decay, which reflects different kinetics of electrons in the perovskite/TiO2 layer. On the other hand, the rising part must be fit by a decay equation derived by employing the convolution theorem, where the rising part can be assigned to the electron transport process inside the perovskite layer and the decaying part can be assigned to electron back-transfer. The characteristics can be then understood by considering the effect of crystal defects and trap states in the perovskite grains and perovskite interface with its transport layer, which is TiO2 in this study. Although the TPV decay occurs in a time range much longer than the primary process of photoexcitation as commonly observed in transient photoluminescence spectroscopy, the processes involved in this TPV strongly correlates with the performance of these perovskite solar cells.
Transcriptomic and life history responses of the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer to chronic diel thermal challenge
Authors: Chou Hsuan , Jima Dereje D. , Funk David H. , Jackson John K. , Sweeney Bernard W. , Buchwalter David B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTo better understand the effects of transient thermal stress in an aquatic insect, we first identified static temperatures associated with fitness deficits, and then reared larvae from egg hatch to adulthood under diurnally variable regimens including daily forays into deleterious temperatures. We sampled mature larvae at the coolest and warmest portions of their respective regimens for RNA-seq analysis. Few transcripts (28) were differentially expressed when larvae oscillated between favorable temperatures, while 614 transcripts were differentially expressed when experiencing daily transient thermal stress. Transcripts associated withN-glycan processing were downregulated while those associated with lipid catabolism and chitin turnover were significantly upregulated in heat stressed larvae. An across-regimen comparison of differentially expressed transcripts among organisms sampled at comparable temperatures demonstrated that the effects of daily thermal stress persisted even when larvae were sampled at a more optimal temperature (806 differentially expressed transcripts). The chronically stressed population had reduced expression of transcripts related to ATP synthesis, mitochondrial electron chain functions, gluconeogenesis and glycolytic processes while transcripts associated with cell adhesion, synaptic vesicle transport, regulation of membrane potential and lipid biosynthesis increased. Comparisons of constant vs. variable temperatures revealed that the negative consequences of time spent at stressful temperatures were not offset by more time spent at optimal temperatures.
Repeatability of the 6-min walk test in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Rovedder Paula Maria Eidt , Fernandes Rafael Oliveira , Jacques Patrícia Santos , Ziegler Bruna , Andrade Francini Porcher , de Tarso Roth Dalcin Paulo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNon-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive and irreversible changes of the bronchial tree. The evaluation of exercise capacity is essential to manage this disease. This study aims to determine the within-subject repeatability of two Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in adults with NCFB. NCFB. This cross-sectional observational study included 66 NCFB subjects above 18 years-old (mean of 55 ± 17 years old, 68% women). 73% of the participants presented moderate to severe clinical condition classified by Bronchiectasis Severity Index. It showed that these participants walked 16.6 m less (95%CI 3.8 to 29.4; p < 0.01) in the second 6MWT when compared to the first test, with a within-subject coefficient variation of 9.4% (95%CI 7.2–11.2%) and an intra-test reliability with a high intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95%CI 0.80–0.93). Bland–Altman plot showed an agreement regarding test repeatability, besides presented a large limit of agreement (− 85 to 116 m). Respiratory rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher before starting the second test. In conclusion, 6MWT seems to be reproducible in NCFB subjects and vital sign verification should be attentively checked to assess if the patient is fully recovered to perform a second test, as well as the disease severity score. Other studies on this matter should be conducted with a larger number of participants to confirm the findings of the present study.
The influence of breeding history, origin and growth type on population structure of barley as revealed by SSR markers
Authors: Mohammadi Seyyed Abolghasem , Abdollahi Sisi Nayyer , Sadeghzadeh Behzad 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNatural and mass selection during domestication and cultivation favored particular traits of interest in barley. In the present study, population structure, and genetic relationships among 144 accessions of barley landraces and breeding materials from various countries were studied using a set of 77 and 72 EST-SSR and gSSR markers, respectively distributed on seven chromosomes of barley. In total, 262 and 429 alleles were amplified in 77 EST-SSRs and 72 gSSR loci, respectively. Out of which, 185 private/group-specific alleles were identified in the landraces compared with 14 in "cultivar and advanced breeding lines", indicating the possibility to introgress favorite alleles from landraces into breeding materials. Comparative analysis of genetic variation among breeding materials, Iranian landraces, and exotic landraces revealed higher genetic diversity in Iranian landraces compared with others. A total of 37, 15, and 14 private/group-specific alleles were identified in Iranian landraces, exotic landraces, and breeding materials, respectively. The most likely groups for 144 barley genotypes were three as inferred using model- and distance-based clustering as well as principal coordinate analysis which assigned the landraces and breeding materials into separate groups. The distribution of alleles was found to be correlated with population structure, domestication history and eco-geographical factors. The high allelic richness in the studied set of barley genotype provides insights into the available diversity and allows the construction of core groups based on maximizing allelic diversity for use in barley breeding programs.