bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Japanese and Indian intestinal microbiota shows diet-dependent interaction between bacteria and fungi
Authors: Pareek Siddhika , Kurakawa Takashi , Das Bhabatosh , Motooka Daisuke , Nakaya Shuuichi , Rongsen-Chandola Temsunaro , Goyal Nidhi , Kayama Hisako , Dodd Dylan , Okumura Ryu , Maeda Yuichi , Fujimoto Kosuke , Nii Takuro , Ogawa Takao , Iida Tetsuya , Bhandari Nita , Kida Toshiyuki , Nakamura Shota , Nair G. Balakrish , Takeda Kiyoshi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe bacterial species living in the gut mediate many aspects of biological processes such as nutrition and activation of adaptive immunity. In addition, commensal fungi residing in the intestine also influence host health. Although the interaction of bacterium and fungus has been shown, its precise mechanism during colonization of the human intestine remains largely unknown. Here, we show interaction between bacterial and fungal species for utilization of dietary components driving their efficient growth in the intestine. Next generation sequencing of fecal samples from Japanese and Indian adults revealed differential patterns of bacterial and fungal composition. In particular, Indians, who consume more plant polysaccharides than Japanese, harbored increased numbers of Prevotella and Candida. Candida spp. showed strong growth responses to the plant polysaccharide arabinoxylan in vitro. Furthermore, the culture supernatants of Candida spp. grown with arabinoxylan promoted rapid proliferation of Prevotella copri. Arabinose was identified as a potential growth-inducing factor in the Candida culture supernatants. Candida spp. exhibited a growth response to xylose, but not to arabinose, whereas P. copri proliferated in response to both xylose and arabinose. Candida spp., but not P. copri, colonized the intestine of germ-free mice. However, P. copri successfully colonized mouse intestine already harboring Candida. These findings demonstrate a proof of concept that fungal members of gut microbiota can facilitate a colonization of the intestine by their bacterial counterparts, potentially mediated by a dietary metabolite.
Machine learning guided appraisal and exploration of phase design for high entropy alloys
Authors: Zhou Ziqing , Zhou Yeju , He Quanfeng , Ding Zhaoyi , Li Fucheng , Yang Yong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHigh entropy alloys (HEAs) and compositionally complex alloys (CCAs) have recently attracted great research interest because of their remarkable mechanical and physical properties. Although many useful HEAs or CCAs were reported, the rules of phase design, if there are any, which could guide alloy screening are still an open issue. In this work, we made a critical appraisal of the existing design rules commonly used by the academic community with different machine learning (ML) algorithms. Based on the artificial neural network algorithm, we were able to derive and extract a sensitivity matrix from the ML modeling, which enabled the quantitative assessment of how to tune a design parameter for the formation of a certain phase, such as solid solution, intermetallic, or amorphous phase. Furthermore, we explored the use of an extended set of new design parameters, which had not been considered before, for phase design in HEAs or CCAs with the ML modeling. To verify our ML-guided design rule, we performed various experiments and designed a series of alloys out of the Fe-Cr-Ni-Zr-Cu system. The outcomes of our experiments agree reasonably well with our predictions, which suggests that the ML-based techniques could be a useful tool in the future design of HEAs or CCAs.
Adenovectors encoding RSV-F protein induce durable and mucosal immunity in macaques after two intramuscular administrations
Authors: Salisch N. C. , Izquierdo Gil A. , Czapska-Casey D. N. , Vorthoren L. , Serroyen J. , Tolboom J. , Saeland E. , Schuitemaker H. , Zahn R. C. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause severe respiratory disease, yet a licensed vaccine is not available. We determined the immunogenicity of two homologous and one heterologous intramuscular prime-boost vaccination regimens using replication-incompetent adenoviral vectors of human serotype 26 and 35 (Ad26 and Ad35), expressing a prototype antigen based on the wild-type fusion (F) protein of RSV strain A2 in adult, RSV-naive cynomolgus macaques. All regimens induced substantial, boostable antibody responses that recognized the F protein in pre- and postfusion conformation, neutralized multiple strains of RSV, and persisted for at least 80 weeks. Vaccination induced durable systemic RSV-F-specific T-cell responses characterized mainly by CD4+ T cells expressing Th1-type cytokines, as well as RSV-F-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, IgG, and IgA in the respiratory tract. Intramuscular immunization with Ad26 and 35 vectors thus is a promising approach for the development of an optimized RSV vaccine expected to induce long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responses that distribute systemically and to mucosal sites.
Slowed Movement Stopping in Parkinson’s Disease and Focal Dystonia is Improved by Standard Treatment
Authors: Choudhury Supriyo , Roy Akash , Mondal Banashree , Singh Ravi , Halder Saptak , Chatterjee Koustav , Baker Mark R. , Kumar Hrishikesh , Baker Stuart N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPatients with Parkinson’s disease and focal dystonia have difficulty in generating and preventing movement. Reaction time (RT) and stop signal reaction time (SSRT) measure the speed to initiate and stop a movement respectively. We developed a portable device to assess RT and SSRT. This incorporated a novel analysis to measure SSRT more efficiently (optimal combination SSRT, ocSSRT). After validation ocSSRT was measured in Parkinson’s disease patients without dyskinesia (PD), cervical dystonia (CD) and writer’s cramp. We also assessed how ocSSRT responded to L-dopa in PD patients and botulinum toxin injections in CD patients. Participants were instructed to release a button following a green LED flash on the device. On 25% of trials, a red LED flashed 5–195 ms after the green LED; participations were instructed to abort the button release on these trials. ocSSRT and RT were significantly prolonged in patients with Parkinson’s disease and focal dystonia (one-way ANOVA p < 0.001). Administration of L-dopa significantly improved ocSSRT and RT in PD patients (p < 0.001). Administration of botulinum toxin significantly improved ocSSRT, but not RT, in CD patients (p < 0.05). ocSSRT is an easily-administered bedside neuro-physiological tool; significantly prolonged ocSSRT is associated with PD and focal dystonia.
Improving the efficacy of selenium fertilizers for wheat biofortification
Authors: Ramkissoon Chandnee , Degryse Fien , da Silva Rodrigo C. , Baird Roslyn , Young Scott D. , Bailey Elizabeth H. , McLaughlin Mike J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIncreasing the selenium (Se) concentration of staple crops by fertilization is a valuable pathway to increase Se in the human diet, thus preventing Se deficiency. A pot trial was set up to investigate whether the application of 3.33 µg kg−1 of Se (equivalent to 10 g ha−1) to wheat can be made more efficient by its co-application with macronutrient carriers, either to the soil or to the leaves. In the soil, Se was applied either on its own (selenate only) or as a granular, Se-enriched macronutrient fertilizer supplying nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or sulfur. Selenium was also applied to leaves at head emergence with, or without, 2% w/v N fertilizers. With grain Se concentrations varying from 0.13–0.84 mg kg−1, soil application of selenate-only was 2–15 times more effective than granular Se-enriched macronutrient fertilizers in raising grain Se concentrations. Co-application of foliar Se with an N carrier doubled the Se concentration in wheat grains compared to the application of foliar Se on its own, the majority of which was in the highly bioavailable selenomethionine fraction. Results from this study demonstrate the possibility of improving the efficacy of Se fertilizers, which could enrich crops with Se without additional application costs in the field.
Bruch’s membrane opening enlargement and its implication on the myopic optic nerve head
Authors: Sung Mi Sun , Heo Min Young , Heo Hwan , Park Sang Woo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe examined the association between Bruch’s membrane opening (BMO) area and various ocular parameters and investigated the implication of BMO enlargement on the myopic optic nerve head. One hundred eighty-five myopic eyes were included in this cross-sectional study. Among the included eyes, 53 having axial lengths between 26 and 27 mm were further analyzed to investigate the association between BMO area and various ocular parameters. BMO area, BMO-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW), peripapillary choroidal thickness (pCT), width of β-parapapillary atrophy with and without Bruch’s membrane (PPA+BMand PPA−BM), and presence of lamina cribrosa (LC) defect were evaluated. We found that BMO area tended to increase with increasing axial length, but varied among the highly myopic eyes even though they had similar degrees of myopia. In the subgroup analysis of eyes with axial lengths between 26 and 27 mm, BMO area was highly variable and it significantly correlated with PPA−BMwidth and temporal-inferior, nasal-inferior, and nasal BMO-MRW and pCT. LC defects were more common in myopic eyes with enlarged BMO. A multivariate regression model revealed that higher intraocular pressure, enlarged BMO, and thinner BMO-MRW were associated with LC defects in highly myopic eyes. These findings should be considered when evaluating myopic eyes.
Equilibrium shape of single-layer hexagonal boron nitride islands on iridium
Authors: Petrović Marin , Hoegen Michael Horn-von , Meyer zu Heringdorf Frank-J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLarge, high-quality layers of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) are a prerequisite for further advancement in scientific investigation and technological utilization of this exceptional 2D material. Here we address this demand by investigating chemical vapor deposition synthesis of hBN on an Ir(111) substrate, and focus on the substrate morphology, more specifically mono-atomic steps that are always present on all catalytic surfaces of practical use. From low-energy electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy data, we are able to set up an extended Wulff construction scheme and provide a clear elaboration of different interactions governing the equilibrium shapes of the growing hBN islands that deviate from the idealistic triangular form. Most importantly, intrinsic hBN edge energy and interaction with the iridium step edges are examined separately, revealing in such way the importance of substrate step morphology for the island structure and the overall quality of 2D materials.
The driver of dengue fever incidence in two high-risk areas of China: A comparative study
Authors: Liu Keke , Hou Xiang , Wang Yiguan , Sun Jimin , Xiao Jianpeng , Li Ruiyun , Lu Liang , Xu Lei , Sang Shaowei , Hu Jianxiong , Wu Haixia , Song Xiuping , Zhao Ning , Yan Dongming , Li Jing , Liu Xiaobo , Liu Qiyong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn China, the knowledge of the underlying causes of heterogeneous distribution pattern of dengue fever in different high-risk areas is limited. A comparative study will help us understand the influencing factors of dengue in different high-risk areas. In the study, we compared the effects of climate, mosquito density and imported cases on dengue fever in two high-risk areas using Generalized Additive Model (GAM), random forests and Structural Equation Model (SEM). GAM analysis identified a similar positive correlation between imported cases, density of Aedes larvae, climate variables and dengue fever occurrence in the studied high-risk areas of both Guangdong and Yunnan provinces. Random forests showed that the most important factors affecting dengue fever occurrence were the number of imported cases, BI and the monthly average minimum temperature in Guangdong province; whereas the imported cases, the monthly average temperature and monthly relative humidity in Yunnan province. We found the rainfall had the indirect effect on dengue fever occurrence in both areas mediated by mosquito density; while the direct effect in high-risk areas of Guangdong was dominated by temperature and no obvious effect in Yunnan province by SEM. In total, climate factors and mosquito density are the key drivers on dengue fever incidence in different high-risk areas of China. These findings could provide scientific evidence for early warning and the scientific control of dengue fever in high-risk areas.
Age- and sex-related ABC transporter expression in pyrethroid-susceptible and –resistant Aedes aegypti
Authors: Rault Leslie C. , Johnson Ellis J. , O’Neal Scott T. , Chen Rui , McComic Sarah E. , Swale Daniel R. , Anderson Troy D. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractResistance mechanisms to synthetic insecticides often include point mutations and increased expression of genes encoding detoxification enzymes. Since pyrethroids are the main adulticides used againstAedes aegypti, which vectors pathogens such as Zika virus, understanding resistance to this insecticide class is of significant relevance. We focused on adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the pyrethroid-resistant Puerto Rico (PR) strain ofAe. aegypti. We investigated the expression patterns of six ABC transporters previously characterized as differentially expressed in insecticide-challenged mosquitoes, or increased mRNA expression in pyrethroid-resistantAe. aegypti, by comparing PR to the Rockefeller (Rock) susceptible strain. No constitutive differential expression between strains was detected, but expression differences for these genes was influenced by sex and age, suggesting that their role is independent from resistance in PR. Instead, ABC transporters may be induced after insecticide exposure. Challenging mosquitoes with deltamethrin, with or without ABC transporter modulators, showed that Rock and PR responded differently, but a contribution of ABC transporters to deltamethrin toxicity is suspected. Moreover, the effect of dexamethasone, which enhanced the inhibition of nerve firing by deltamethrin, was observed using aDrosophilacentral nervous system preparation, showing synergy of these two compounds through the potential inhibition of ABC transporters.
Synthesis and characterization of polyethylene glycol-phenol-formaldehyde based polyurethane composite
Authors: Liu Juan , Chen RiQing , Wang ChunPeng , Zhao YongJun , Chu FuXiang 
Published: December 2019

AbstractA series of phenol-formaldehyde-polyethylene glycol polyether polyols (PF-PEGs) were synthesized through the condensation polymerization and etherification of phenol, formaldehyde, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) under alkaline conditions and subsequently reacted with 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate to obtain polyurethane (PU) films using acetone as solvents. The influence of phenol and formaldehyde to PEG mass ratio ((P + F)/PEG) on the hydroxyl number of PF-PEGs and mechanical properties, thermal stabilities, crystallization behaviors, as well as microstructure of polyurethane composite films were studied using chemical analysis, mechanical tests, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), respectively. Results demonstrated that PF-PEGs with (P + F)/PEG of 50/50 had the highest hydroxyl number of 323 mg K(OH)/g. The incorporation of phenol and formaldehyde into PEG improved the mechanical properties of polyurethane films, glass transition temperature (Tg), and thermal properties but resulted in the brittleness characteristic of the composite films and low crystallization properties. Moreover, the synthesis mechanism of PF-PEGs polyurethane composite films was revealed, which would provide a theoretical base for the preparation of the rigid polyurethane foams based on phenolic resins.
Longitudinal Analysis of Paraspinal Muscle Cross-Sectional Area During Early Adulthood – A 10-Year Follow-Up MRI Study
Authors: Mäki Teemu , Oura Petteri , Paananen Markus , Niinimäki Jaakko , Karppinen Jaro , Junno Juho-Antti 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOnly a few previous studies have investigated paraspinal musculature (i.e., multifidus (MF), psoas major (PSM), erector spinae (ES)) in longitudinal, population-based settings. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the paraspinal muscles between the ages of 20 and 30 years. The study population consisted of a sub-cohort from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 298; 156 men, 142 women). Baseline magnetic resonance imaging was performed at a mean age of 21.3 years and follow-up imaging at 30.6 years. The CSA measurements were performed by tracing the paraspinal muscle outlines individually (MF, ES, PM) and all combined (total muscle area (TMA)) at the L4 cranial endplate level. The longitudinal data analysis was performed using generalized estimating equations modelling. The CSA of MF and ES increased during the follow-up among both sexes (men: MF + 5.7%, p < 0.001; ES + 2.7%, p = 0.001; and women: MF + 10.5%, p < 0.001; ES 9.2%, p = 0.001). The CSA of PM decreased among men (PM −4.0%, p < 0.001) but not among women (PM + 0.5%, p = 0.553). TMA increased significantly only among women (men: +0.5%, p = 0.425; women: +6.5%, p < 0.001). The increases in ES and TMA were more distinct among women than men (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrated clear age- and sex-related changes in paraspinal muscle size in early adulthood.
Signature of multilayer growth of 2D layered Bi2Se3 through heteroatom-assisted step-edge barrier reduction
Authors: Kim Yongsam , Lee Geunsik , Li Nannan , Seo Jikeun , Kim Kwang S. , Kim Namdong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDuring growth of two-dimensional (2D) materials, abrupt growth of multilayers is practically unavoidable even in the case of well-controlled growth. In epitaxial growth of a quintuple-layered $${{\rm{Bi}}}_{2}{{\rm{Se}}}_{3}$$Bi2Se3 film, we observe that the multilayer growth pattern deduced from in situ x-ray diffraction implies nontrivial interlayer diffusion process. Here we find that an intriguing diffusion process occurs at step edges where a slowly downward-diffusing Se adatom having a high step-edge barrier interacts with a Bi adatom pre-existing at step edges. The Se–Bi interaction lowers the high step-edge barrier of Se adatoms. This drastic reduction of the overall step-edge barrier and hence increased interlayer diffusion modifies the overall growth significantly. Thus, a step-edge barrier reduction mechanism assisted by hetero adatom–adatom interaction could be fairly general in multilayer growth of 2D heteroatomic materials.
New self‐balancing 7‐level inverter with coupled inductors for 1‐φ grid‐connected renewable energy systems with voltage boosting capability
Authors: Phanikumar Chamarthi , Agarwal Vivek , El Moursi Mohamed Shawky 
Published: December 2019

In this study, a new self‐balancing 7‐level inverter (SB7LI) topology, suitable for interfacing the low voltage renewables with the power grid, is proposed that uses coupled inductors to generate additional levels in the output voltage. Owing to the presence of a self‐balancing circuit, the voltage across the two‐input DC capacitors is self‐balanced by charging them in series and discharging them in parallel. The self‐balancing feature of the proposed SB7LI also obviates the sensing of input DC capacitors’ voltages. The SB7LI is controlled using a novel multi‐sine wave pulse width modulation strategy. A significant advantage of the proposed SB7LI topology is that it uses fewer power components in comparison with traditional multi‐level inverter topologies, which ensures higher power density and compact circuits. This also improves the overall efficiency of the system and reduces the cost. Further, a modified version of the SB7LI is also presented with a reduced number of power components. An additional advantage of coupled inductors is their filtering action on the output voltage/current, which reduces the overall filter requirements. SB7LI can be easily extended to an n‐level, 3‐φ application. The proposed SB7LI and modified SB7LI are validated through simulations in MATLAB/SIMULINK and hardware experiments on 300 W laboratory prototypes.
Fault detection and location in medium‐voltage DC microgrids using travelling‐wave reflections
Authors: Saleh Khaled , Hooshyar Ali , El‐Saadany Ehab F. 
Published: December 2019

Fast dc fault detection method is required in medium‐voltage dc (MVDC) microgrids to avoid severe damage to the interfacing converters. Ensuring selectivity and sensitivity of the protection system within a few milliseconds is a major challenge. This study proposes a new technique based on fault launched travelling‐waves (TWs) to detect, classify, and locate different dc fault types in MVDC microgrids. Unlike the existing TW‐based protection and fault location methods, the proposed technique utilises the frequency of TW reflections, rather than their arrival time. Moreover, the fault initiated voltage TW is contained within the faulted line by adding smoothing inductors on line terminals, which (i) prevents relays on adjacent lines from detecting the TW and (ii) results in higher reflected TW magnitudes. Therefore, the proposed method's selectivity and sensitivity are enhanced compared to existing methods. Other salient features of the proposed scheme include a moderate sampling frequency of 2 MHz, detection speed of 128 μs, fault location accuracy of ±25 m, no communication requirement, and independence from system configuration. The proposed scheme's performance has been assessed using a ±2.5 kV TN‐S grounded MVDC microgrid under various conditions. The fault location accuracy of the proposed technique is compared to the conventional single‐terminal TW‐based method.
Gyrodactylus magadiensisn. sp. (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) parasitising the gills ofAlcolapia grahami(Perciformes, Cichlidae), a fish inhabiting the extreme environment of Lake Magadi, Kenya
Authors: Dos Santos Quinton Marco , Maina John Ndegwa , Avenant-Oldewage Annemariè 
Published: December 2019

A new species ofGyrodactylusvon Nordmann, 1832 is described from the gills ofAlcolapia grahami, a tilapian fish endemic to Lake Magadi. This alkaline soda lake in the Rift Valley in Kenya is an extreme environment with pH as high as 11, temperatures up to 42 °C, and diurnal fluctuation between hyperoxia and virtual anoxia. Nevertheless, gyrodactylid monogeneans able to survive these hostile conditions were detected from the gills the Magadi tilapia. The worms were studied using light microscopy, isolated sclerites observed using scanning electron microscopy, and molecular techniques used to genetically characterize the specimens. The gyrodactylid was described asGyrodactylus magadiensisn. sp. and could be distinguished from otherGyrodactylusspecies infecting African cichlid fish based on the comparatively long and narrow hamuli, a ventral bar with small rounded anterolateral processes and a tongue-shaped posterior membrane, and marginal hooks with slender sickles which are angled forward, a trapezoid to square toe, rounded heel, a long bridge prior to reaching marginal sickle shaft, and a long lateral edge of the toe. The species is also distinct from all otherGyrodactylustaxa based on the ITS region of rDNA (ITS1–5.8s–ITS2), strongly supporting the designation of a new species. These findings represent the second record ofGyrodactylusfrom Kenya, with the description ofG. magadiensisbringing the total number ofGyrodactylusspecies described from African cichlids to 18.