bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metallothioneins regulate ATP7A trafficking and control cell viability during copper deficiency and excess
Authors: Gudekar Nikita , Shanbhag Vinit , Wang Yanfang , Ralle Martina , Weisman Gary A. , Petris Michael J. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCopper (Cu) is an essential, yet potentially toxic nutrient, as illustrated by inherited diseases of copper deficiency and excess. Elevated expression of the ATP7A Cu exporter is known to confer copper tolerance, however, the contribution of metal-binding metallothioneins is less clear. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of ATP7A and the metallothioneins MT-I and MT-II to cell viability under conditions of Cu excess or deficiency. Although the loss of ATP7A increased sensitivity to low Cu concentrations, the absence of MTs did not significantly affect Cu tolerance. However, the absence of all three proteins caused a synthetic lethal phenotype due to extreme Cu sensitivity, indicating that MTs are critical for Cu tolerance only in the absence of ATP7A. A lack of MTs resulted in the trafficking of ATP7A from the trans-Golgi complex in a Cu-dependent manner, suggesting that MTs regulate the delivery of Cu to ATP7A. Under Cu deficiency conditions, the absence of MTs and / or ATP7A enhanced cell proliferation compared to wild type cells, suggesting that these proteins compete with essential Cu-dependent pathways when Cu is scarce. These studies reveal new roles for ATP7A and metallothioneins under both Cu deficiency and excess.
Comparative litter decomposability traits of selected native and exotic woody species from an urban environment of north-western Siwalik region, India
Authors: Patil Meenu , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Pardeep , Cheema Navneet Kaur , Kaur Rupinder , Bhatti Ramchand , Singh A. N. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractExotic plants can potentially modify ecosystem functions like cycling of nutrients by adjusting their decomposition rates. However, these effects are largely unknown for urban ecosystems, though they act as reservoirs of exotic plants. The present study evaluated the decomposition rates of five native and five exotic (three invasive and two non-invasive) species by conducting the litter bag experiment. Our study, however, did not find any significant differences in overall decomposition rates of native and exotic species but decomposition rates were strongly correlated with initial chemical quality of the litter. Further, litter carbon, lignin to nitrogen ratio and carbon to nitrogen ratio seemed to be good predictors for decomposition rates in this study. Interestingly, invasive exotic species had higher decomposition rate while non-invasive exotic species showed a slower rate as compared to the native species. In conclusion, our study indicates that invasive exotic plants try to maintain a higher chemical quality of litter than native and non-invasive exotic species which promotes their rapid decomposition. Thus, the better chemical quality of litter may facilitate the naturalisation and invasion of exotic plants irrespective of their origin.
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for monitoring proteolytic reactions using dry-films treated with trifluoroacetic acid
Authors: Kristoffersen Kenneth Aase , van Amerongen Aart , Böcker Ulrike , Lindberg Diana , Wubshet Sileshi Gizachew , de Vogel-van den Bosch Heleen , Horn Svein Jarle , Afseth Nils Kristian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this study we explore the potential of using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of trifluoroacetate-protein and peptide complexes for monitoring proteolytic reactions. The idea of treating dry-films of protein hydrolysates with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) prior to FTIR analysis is based on the unique properties of TFA. By adding a large excess of TFA to protein hydrolysate samples, the possible protonation sites of the proteins and peptides will be saturated. In addition, TFA has a low boiling point when protonated as well as complex-forming abilities. When forming TFA-treated dry-films of protein hydrolysates, the excess TFA will evaporate and the deprotonated acid (CF3COO−) will interact as a counter ion with the positive charges on the sample materials. In the study, spectral changes in TFA-treated dry-films of protein hydrolysates from a pure protein and poultry by-products, were compared to the FTIR fingerprints of untreated dry-films. The results show that time-dependent information related to proteolytic reactions and, consequently, on the characteristics of the protein hydrolysates can be obtained. With additional developments, FTIR on dry-films treated with TFA may be regarded as a potential future tool for the analysis of all types of proteolytic reactions in the laboratory as well as in industry.
Effective time- and frequency-domain techniques for interpreting seismic precursors in groundwater level fluctuations on Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Hwang Hak Soo , Hamm Se-Yeong , Cheong Jae-Yeol , Lee Soo-Hyoung , Ha Kyoochul , Lee Cholwoo , Woo Nam-Chil , Yun Sul-Min , Kim Kwang-Hee 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAn effective method, involving time and frequency domains was developed to interpret seismic precursors by comparing groundwater-level fluctuations recorded immediately and long before the occurrence of a known earthquake. The proposed method, consisting of the pre-processing (3-point filtering, band-pass filtering, and spectrum analysis) and post-processing (weighted moving average method and histogram and spectrum analyses) stages, was applied to the groundwater-level time series measured at three monitoring wells on Jeju Island, South Korea, from 00:00 on 8 September 2016 to 00:00 on 22 September 2016. The Gyeongju earthquake (Mw 5.4) occurred at 20:32 on 12 September2016. The histogram analysis exhibited an accentuating bellshape as the total number of waveforms, including those caused by the earthquake, of the groundwater-level fluctuations increased. The weighted moving average analysis indicated that various abnormal waveforms with different periods occurred in the fluctuations approaching the occurrence of the earthquake. The periods of seismic precursors in the groundwater-level fluctuations were determined by spectrum analysis and varied among the monitoring wells. Seismic precursor responses attributable to the Gyeongju earthquake were identified at least 8 hours before the earthquake, and the method used in this study indicates its good potential to predict an impending earthquake.
Quantitative Genetic Assessment of Female Reproductive Traits in a Domesticated Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) Line in China
Authors: Ren Shengjie , Mather Peter B. , Prentis Peter , Li Yutao , Tang Binguo , Hurwood David A. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSeed production can be improved if genetic selection is applied to key reproductive traits when a substantial amount additive genetic variation is present that can be exploited in a selective breeding program. Despite the commercial importance of reproductive traits to the seed production sector currently, few quantitative genetic studies have been conducted to address these traits in farmed penaeid shrimp culture lines. Here, we investigated genetic parameters for a number of key reproductive traits that directly impact nauplii production in Pacific white shrimp (P. vannamei) hatcheries in China. Our objectives were to determine the additive genetic variance associated with reproductive traits, and to anticipate any potential impacts on reproductive performance when selecting for increased body weight by assessing genetic correlations between post-spawning body weight and specific female reproductive traits. Data were collected on 595 females from 78 full-sib families over 30 days, with a total of 1,113 spawning events recorded. Traits studied included: body weight after spawning (WAS), number of eggs per spawn (NE), number of nauplii per spawn (NN), egg hatching rate per spawn (HR), number of eggs produced relative to female weight (g) (FE), and spawn frequency over 30 days (SF). Estimated heritability was high for WAS (h2 = 0.64 ± 0.10) and moderate for NE (0.26 ± 0.07), NN (0.18 ± 0.06), and SF (0.15 ± 0.06), respectively. In contrast, h2 for HR (0.04 ± 0.03) and FE (0.05 ± 0.04) were low. The genetic correlations between growth trait (WAS) with NE, NN and SF were 0.93 ± 0.10, 0.84 ± 0.10, and 0.57 ± 0.18, respectively. While the genetic correlation between WAS and HR was low (0.02 ± 0.33), a negative genetic correlation was found between WAS and FE (−0.50 ± 0.27). Overall, we concluded that it is possible to improve the key female reproductive traits (i.e. NE, NN, and SF) in cultured white shrimp lines via genetic selection, but not for HR or FE. The genetic relationship between the growth trait and reproductive traits predicts that selection on fast growth would increase the production in the seed sector, with little or no compromise on the eggs quality.
Statistical learning of transition patterns in the songbird auditory forebrain
Authors: Dong Mingwen , Vicario David S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractStatistical learning of transition patterns between sounds—a striking capability of the auditory system—plays an essential role in animals’ survival (e.g., detect deviant sounds that signal danger). However, the neural mechanisms underlying this capability are still not fully understood. We recorded extracellular multi-unit and single-unit activity in the auditory forebrain of awake male zebra finches while presenting rare repetitions of a single sound in a long sequence of sounds (canary and zebra finch song syllables) patterned in either an alternating or random order at different inter-stimulus intervals (ISI). When preceding stimuli were regularly alternating (alternating condition), a repeated stimulus violated the preceding transition pattern and was a deviant. When preceding stimuli were in random order (control condition), a repeated stimulus did not violate any regularities and was not a deviant. At all ISIs tested (1 s, 3 s, or jittered at 0.8–1.2 s), deviant repetition enhanced neural responses in the alternating condition in a secondary auditory area (caudomedial nidopallium, NCM) but not in the primary auditory area (Field L2); in contrast, repetition suppressed responses in the control condition in both Field L2 and NCM. When stimuli were presented in the classical oddball paradigm at jittered ISI (0.8–1.2 s), neural responses in both NCM and Field L2 were stronger when a stimulus occurred as deviant with low probability than when the same stimulus occurred as standard with high probability. Together, these results demonstrate: (1) classical oddball effect exists even when ISI is jittered and the onset of a stimulus is not fully predictable; (2) neurons in NCM can learn transition patterns between sounds at multiple ISIs and detect violation of these transition patterns; (3) sensitivity to deviant sounds increases from Field L2 to NCM in the songbird auditory forebrain. Further studies using the current paradigms may help us understand the neural substrate of statistical learning and even speech comprehension.
Phosphatidylserine positive microparticles improve hemostasis in in-vitro hemophilia A plasma models
Authors: Zong Yanan , Pruner Iva , Antovic Aleksandra , Taxiarchis Apostolos , Vila Zara Pons , Soutari Nida , Mobarrez Fariborz , Chaireti Roza , Widengren Jerker , Piguet Joachim , Antovic Jovan P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCirculating microparticles (MPs) are procoagulant due to the surface containing phosphatidylserine (PS), which facilitates coagulation. We investigated if MPs improve hemostasis in HA plasma models. MPs isolated from pooled normal human plasma were added to severe, moderate and mild HA plasma models (0%, 2.5%, 20% FVIII). The MPs’ effect on hemostasis was evaluated by calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) and overall hemostasis potential (OHP) assays, while fibrin structure was imaged by standard confocal, stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MPs partially restored thrombin generation and fibrin formation in all HA plasma models. The procoagulant effect of MPs requires PS exposure, to a less extent of contact pathway activation, but not tissue factor exposure or in vitro stimulation of MPs. MPs partially normalized the fibrin structure, and using super-resolution STED, MPs attached to fibrin were clearly resolved. In summary, our results demonstrate that PS positive MPs could improve hemostasis in HA plasma models.
Arc accretion and crustal reworking from late Archean to Neoproterozoic in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Ferreira Alanielson C. D. , Dantas Elton L. , Fuck Reinhardt A. , Nedel Ingrid M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractNew systematic Nd isotope and U-Pb geochronology data were applied to Precambrian rocks of northeastern Brazil to produce a crustal-age distribution map for a small basement inlier (1,500 km2). The results support episodic crustal growth with five short periods of crustal formation at ca. 2.9 Ga, 2.65 Ga, 2.25 Ga, 2.0 Ga, and 0.6 Ga. Based on the frequency histogram of U-Pb zircon ages and Nd isotopic data, we suggest that about 60% of the continental crust was formed during the Archean between 2.9 Ga and 2.65 Ga. The remaining 40% of crust was generated during the Rhyacian to Neoproterozoic (~2.0–0.6 Ga). This overall continental growth is manifested by accretionary processes that involved successive accretions surrounding an older core, becoming younger toward the margin. Strikingly, this repetitive history of terrane accretion show a change from lithospheric peeling dominated accretionary setting during the late Archean to a more, modern-day akin style of arc-accretion during the Proterozoic. Similar tectonic processes are observed only in large continental areas (>1,000,000 km2) as in the North American continent basement and in the Amazonian Craton.
The Influence of Cu-Additions on the Microstructure, Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of MnAl-C Alloys
Authors: Jürries Florian , Freudenberger Jens , Nielsch Kornelius , Woodcock Thomas George 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlloys of the form (Mn54Al44C2)100-xCux (with x = 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6) were produced by induction melting. After homogenisation and quenching, most of the alloys consist entirely of the retained ε-phase, except for x = 6, in which the κ-phase was additionally present. After subsequent annealing, the alloys with x ≤ 2 consist entirely of a Cu-doped, ferromagnetic τ-phase, whereas the alloys with x > 2 additionally contain the κ-phase. The polarisation of the alloys at an applied field of 14 T decreases with increasing Cu-content, which is attributed i) to the dilution of the magnetic moment of the τ-phase unit cell by the Cu atoms, which do not carry a magnetic moment, and ii) at higher Cu-contents, to the formation of the κ-phase, which has a much lower polarisation than the τ-phase and therefore dilutes the net polarisation of the alloys. The Curie temperature was not affected by the Cu-additions. The stress needed to die-upset the alloys with x ≤ 2 was similar to that of the undoped alloy, whereas it was much lower for x = 4 and 6, due to the presence of intergranular layers of the κ-phase. The extrinsic magnetic properties of alloys with x ≤ 2 were improved by die-upsetting, whereas decomposition of the τ-phase during processing had a deleterious effect on the magnetic properties for higher Cu-additions.
Housefly (Musca domestica L.) associated microbiota across different life stages
Authors: de Jonge Nadieh , Michaelsen Thomas Yssing , Ejbye-Ernst Rasmus , Jensen Anne , Nielsen Majken Elley , Bahrndorff Simon , Nielsen Jeppe Lund 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe housefly (Musca domestica L.) lives in close association with its microbiota and its symbionts are suggested to have pivotal roles in processes such as metabolism and immune response, but it is unclear how the profound physiological changes during ontogeny affect the housefly’s associated microbiota and their metabolic capabilities. The present study applies 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the development of the host-associated microbiota during ontogeny. The potential for microbiota transfer between developmental stages, and the metabolic potential of these microbiota were evaluated. Representatives of Firmicutes were observed as early colonisers during the larval stages, followed by colonisation by organisms affiliating with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes as the flies matured into adults. Microbiota observed across all the developmental stages included Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, while Weissella and Chishuiella were associated with newly hatched larvae and adults, respectively. Predictive metabolic profiling of the identified microorganisms further suggested that the microbiota and their functional profile mature alongside their host and putative host-microbe relationships are established at different stages of development. The predicted metabolic capability of the microbiota developed from primarily simple processes including carbohydrate and nucleotide metabolisms, to more complex metabolic pathways including amino acid metabolisms and processes related to signal transduction.
Data-driven analysis using multiple self-report questionnaires to identify college students at high risk of depressive disorder
Authors: Choi Bongjae , Shim Geumsook , Jeong Bumseok , Jo Sungho 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDepression diagnosis is one of the most important issues in psychiatry. Depression is a complicated mental illness that varies in symptoms and requires patient cooperation. In the present study, we demonstrated a novel data-driven attempt to diagnose depressive disorder based on clinical questionnaires. It includes deep learning, multi-modal representation, and interpretability to overcome the limitations of the data-driven approach in clinical application. We implemented a shared representation model between three different questionnaire forms to represent questionnaire responses in the same latent space. Based on this, we proposed two data-driven diagnostic methods; unsupervised and semi-supervised. We compared them with a cut-off screening method, which is a traditional diagnostic method for depression. The unsupervised method considered more items, relative to the screening method, but showed lower performance because it maximized the difference between groups. In contrast, the semi-supervised method adjusted for bias using information from the screening method and showed higher performance. In addition, we provided the interpretation of diagnosis and statistical analysis of information using local interpretable model-agnostic explanations and ordinal logistic regression. The proposed data-driven framework demonstrated the feasibility of analyzing depressed patients with items directly or indirectly related to depression.
Genome-wide Identification and Characterization of Heat Shock Protein Family Reveals Role in Development and Stress Conditions in Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: Kumar Ashish , Sharma Saloni , Chunduri Venkatesh , Kaur Amandeep , Kaur Satinder , Malhotra Nikhil , Kumar Aman , Kapoor Payal , Kumari Anita , Kaur Jaspreet , Sonah Humira , Garg Monika 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHeat shock proteins (HSPs) have a significant role in protein folding and are considered as prominent candidates for development of heat-tolerant crops. Understanding of wheat HSPs has great importance since wheat is severely affected by heat stress, particularly during the grain filling stage. In the present study, efforts were made to identify HSPs in wheat and to understand their role during plant development and under different stress conditions. HSPs in wheat genome were first identified by using Position-Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSMs) of known HSP domains and then also confirmed by sequence homology with already known HSPs. Collectively, 753 TaHSPs including 169 TaSHSP, 273 TaHSP40, 95 TaHSP60, 114 TaHSP70, 18 TaHSP90 and 84 TaHSP100 were identified in the wheat genome. Compared with other grass species, number of HSPs in wheat was relatively high probably due to the higher ploidy level. Large number of tandem duplication was identified in TaHSPs, especially TaSHSPs. The TaHSP genes showed random distribution on chromosomes, however, there were more TaHSPs in B and D sub-genomes as compared to the A sub-genome. Extensive computational analysis was performed using the available genomic resources to understand gene structure, gene expression and phylogentic relationship of TaHSPs. Interestingly, apart from high expression under heat stress, high expression of TaSHSP was also observed during seed development. The study provided a list of candidate HSP genes for improving thermo tolerance during developmental stages and also for understanding the seed development process in bread wheat.
A Pilot Study Comparing Aortic Valve Area Estimates Derived from Fick Cardiac Output with Estimates Based on Cheetah-NICOM Cardiac Output
Authors: Mitrev Ludmil , van Helmond Noud , Kaddissi Georges , Awad Ahmed , Patel Kinjal , Aji Janah , Ogbara Jeffrey , Rafeq Zahi , Nagubandi Vineeth , Orr Debbie , Gaughan John , Rosenbloom Michael 
Published: May 2020

AbstractCardiac output during cardiac catheterization is often estimated using the modified Fick method (COFick). In this proof-of-concept, prospective non-randomized study carried out in a single academic healthcare centre, we examined whether replacing COFick in the Gorlin formula with Cheetah-NICOM monitor cardiac output (COCheetah) could produce an accurate and precise estimate of aortic valve area in patients with severe aortic stenosis. In twenty-six subjects, COFick and COCheetah were obtained concurrently. A spot and 3-minute running average of COCheetah was used. Bland and Altman analysis was used to derive bias, 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and confidence intervals (CI). The mean difference (bias) between AVACheetah (average) and AVAFick was 0.11 cm2 and the 95% LOA were ±0.42 cm2. The 95% CI of the bias was 0.02–0.2 cm2. The bias and 95% LOA of AVACheetah (spot value) were 0.14 ± 0.42cm2, with a 95% CI of 0.06–0.23 cm2. No proportional bias was present. AVACheetah thus appears to be a reasonably accurate measure of AVA in patients with severe aortic stenosis compared to AVAFick measured using a modified Fick CO. However, the limits of agreement were not narrow enough to consider AVACheetah and AVAFick interchangeable.
Complexity and plasticity in honey bee phototactic behaviour
Authors: Nouvian Morgane , Galizia C. Giovanni 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe ability to move towards or away from a light source, namely phototaxis, is essential for a number of species to find the right environmental niche and may have driven the appearance of simple visual systems. In this study we ask if the later evolution of more complex visual systems was accompanied by a sophistication of phototactic behaviour. The honey bee is an ideal model organism to tackle this question, as it has an elaborate visual system, demonstrates exquisite abilities for visual learning and performs phototaxis. Our data suggest that in this insect, phototaxis has wavelength specific properties and is a highly dynamical response including multiple decision steps. In addition, we show that previous experience with a light (through exposure or classical aversive conditioning) modulates the phototactic response. This plasticity is dependent on the wavelength used, with blue being more labile than green or ultraviolet. Wavelength, intensity and past experience are integrated into an overall valence for each light that determines phototactic behaviour in honey bees. Thus, our results support the idea that complex visual systems allow sophisticated phototaxis. Future studies could take advantage of these findings to better understand the neuronal circuits underlying this processing of the visual information.