bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Ionospheric view of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake seismic source: the first 60 seconds of the rupture
Authors: Bagiya Mala S. , Thomas Dhanya , Astafyeva Elvira , Bletery Quentin , Lognonné Philippe , Ramesh Durbha Sai 
Published: March 2020

AbstractUsing the specific satellite line of sight geometry and station location with respect to the source, Thomas et al. [Scientific Reports, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-30476-9] developed a method to infer the detection altitude of co-seismic ionospheric perturbations observed in Global Positioning System (GPS) – Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements during the Mw 7.4 March 9, 2011 Sanriku-Oki earthquake, a foreshock of the Mw 9.0, March 11, 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake. Therefore, in addition to the spatio-temporal evolution, the altitude information of the seismically induced ionospheric signatures can also be derived now using GPS-TEC technique. However, this method considered a point source, in terms of a small rupture area (~90 km) during the Tohoku foreshock, for the generation of seismo-acoustic waves in 3D space and time. In this article, we explore further efficacy of GPS-TEC technique during co-seismic ionospheric sounding for an extended seismic source varying simultaneously in space and time akin to the rupture of Mw 9.0 Tohoku-Oki mainshock and the limitations to be aware of in such context. With the successful execution of the method by Thomas et al. during the Tohoku-Oki mainshock, we not only estimate the detection altitude of GPS-TEC derived co-seismic ionospheric signatures but also delineate, for the first time, distinct ground seismic sources responsible for the generation of these perturbations, which evolved during the initial 60 seconds of the rupture. Simulated tsunami water excitation over the fault region, to envisage the evolution of crustal deformation in space and time along the rupture, formed the base for our model analysis. Further, the simulated water displacement assists our proposed novel approach to delineate the ground seismic sources entirely based on the ensuing ionospheric perturbations which were otherwise not well reproduced by the ground rupture process within this stipulated time. Despite providing the novel information on the segmentation of the Tohoku-Oki seismic source based on the co-seismic ionospheric response to the initial 60 seconds of the event, our model could not reproduce precise rupture kinematics over this period. This shortcoming is also credited to the specific GPS satellite-station viewing geometries.
Tau protein- induced sequestration of the eukaryotic ribosome: Implications in neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Banerjee Senjuti , Ferdosh Sehnaz , Ghosh Amar Nath , Barat Chandana 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe human tau is a microtubule-associated intrinsically unstructured protein that forms intraneuronal cytotoxic deposits in neurodegenerative diseases, like tauopathies. Recent studies indicate that in Alzheimer’s disease, ribosomal dysfunction might be a crucial event in the disease pathology. Our earlier studies had demonstrated that amorphous protein aggregation in the presence of ribosome can lead to sequestration of the ribosomal components. The present study aims at determining the effect of incubation of the full-length tau protein (Ht40) and its microtubule binding 4-repeat domain (K18) on the eukaryotic ribosome. Our in vitro studies show that incubation of Ht40 and the K18 tau variants with isolated non-translating yeast ribosome can induce a loss of ribosome physical integrity resulting in formation of tau-rRNA-ribosomal protein aggregates. Incubation with the tau protein variants also led to a disappearance of the peak indicating the ribosome profile of the HeLa cell lysate and suppression of translation in the human in vitro translation system. The incubation of tau protein with the ribosomal RNA leads to the formation of tau-rRNA aggregates. The effect of K18 on the yeast ribosome can be mitigated in the presence of cellular polyanions like heparin and tRNA, thereby indicating the electrostatic nature of the aggregation process.
Comparative morphometric analysis of lungs of the semifossorial giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) and the subterranean Nigerian mole rat (Cryptomys foxi)
Authors: Maina John N. , Igbokwe Casmir O. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLungs of the rodent species, the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) and the Nigerian mole rat (Cryptomys foxi) were investigated. Significant morphometric differences exist between the two species. The volume of the lung per unit body mass was 2.7 times larger; the respiratory surface area 3.4 times greater; the volume of the pulmonary capillary blood 2 times more; the harmonic mean thickness of the blood-gas (tissue) barrier (τht) ~29% thinner and; the total pulmonary morphometric diffusing capacity (DLo2) for O22.3 times more inC. foxi.C. gambianusoccupies open burrows that are ventilated with air whileC. foxilives in closed burrows. The less morphometrically specialized lungs ofC. gambianusmay be attributed to its much larger body mass (~6 times more) and possibly lower metabolic rate and its semifossorial life whereas the ‘superior’ lungs ofC. foximay largely be ascribed to the subterranean hypoxic and hypercapnic environment it occupies. Compared to other rodents species that have been investigated hitherto, the τht was mostly smaller in the lungs of the subterranean species andC. foxihas the highest mass-specific DLo2. The fossorial- and the subterranean rodents have acquired various pulmonary structural specializations that relate to habitats occupied.
Delayed two steps PRP injection strategy for the improvement of fat graft survival with superior angiogenesis
Authors: Li Yuan , Mou Shan , Xiao Peng , Li Guining , Li Jialun , Tong Jing , Wang Jiecong , Yang Jie , Sun Jiaming , Wang Zhenxing 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used to improve the fat retention rate in autologous fat transplantation since it possesses a good angiogenesis capability in vivo. However, due to the short half-life of growth factors released from PRP and its uneven distribution in injected fat tissue, the strategy of PRP in fat transplantation needs further improvement. Since the capillaries started to grow into fat grafts in 1 week and vascular growth peaks in the second week after transplantation, we hypothesized that delayed two-steps PRP injection into the interior of grafts, accompanied with the extent of neovascularization might theoretically promote microvessel growth inside transplanted adipose tissue. 24 nude mice were divided into three groups: Blank group (0.35 mL fat mixed with 0.15 mL saline, N = 8), Single step group (0.35 mL fat mixed with 0.15 mLPRP, N = 8), and Two steps group (0.35 mL fat (day 0) + 0.075 mL PRP (day 7) + 0.075 mL PRP (day 14), N = 8). At 6 and 14 weeks post-transplantation, grafts were dissected, weighted, and assessed for histology, angiogenesis, fat regeneration and inflammation level. The weight and volume of the fat samples revealed no statistical difference among the three groups at 6 weeks after fat transplantation. The weight and volume of the Two steps group fat samples showed significantly higher compared to that in Blank and Single step groups at 14 weeks after fat transplantation (weight: 137.25 ± 5.60 mg versus 87.5 ± 3.90 mg,106.75 ± 2.94 mg, respectively; volume: 0.13 ± 0.01 mL versus 0.08 ± 0.01 mL, 0.09 ± 0.01 mL, respectively). Histological assessments indicated that delayed two-steps PRP injection strategy helps to improve adipose tissue content and reduce the composition of fibrous connective tissue at 14 weeks after fat transplantation. At 6 weeks and 14 weeks after transplantation, CD31 immunofluorescence indicated that delayed two-steps PRP injection strategy helps to improve angiogenesis and significantly higher compared to that in Blank and Single step groups (6 weeks: 28.75 ± 4.54 versus 10.50 ± 2.06, 21.75 ± 1.85; 14 weeks: 21.75 ± 2.86 versus 9.87 ± 2.08, 11.75 ± 1.47, respectively). Preadipocyte count indicated delayed two-steps PRP injection strategy might promote fat regeneration and significantly higher compared to that in Blank and Single step groups at 14 weeks (129.75 ± 6.57 versus 13.50 ± 3.50, 17.12 ± 6.23, respectively). In this study, we demonstrated that the novel delayed two-steps PRP injection strategy remarkably enhanced the long-term fat retention rate and improved the neovascularization extent in the interior of the fat graft. Platelet-rich plasma, Delayed two-steps injection, Angiogenesis, Fat transplantation
Late weaning and maternal closeness, associated with advanced motor and visual maturation, reinforce autonomy in healthy, 2-year-old children
Authors: Villar José , Ochieng Roseline , Staines-Urias Eleonora , Fernandes Michelle , Ratcliff Marc , Purwar Manorama , Barros Fernando , Horta Bernardo , Cheikh Ismail Leila , Albernaz Elaine , Kunnawar Naina , Temple Sophie , Giuliani Francesca , Sandells Tamsin , Carvalho Maria , Ohuma Eric , Jaffer Yasmin , Alison Noble J. , Gravett Michael , Pang Ruyan , Lambert Ann , Bertino Enrico , Di Nicola Paola , Papageorghiou Aris , Stein Alan , Bhutta Zulfiqar , Kennedy Stephen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe studied neurodevelopmental outcomes and behaviours in healthy 2-year old children (N = 1306) from Brazil, India, Italy, Kenya and the UK participating in the INTERGROWTH-21stProject. There was a positive independent relationship of duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and age at weaning with gross motor development, vision and autonomic physical activities, most evident if children were exclusively breastfed for ≥7 months or weaned at ≥7 months. There was no association with cognition, language or behaviour. Children exclusively breastfed from birth to <5 months or weaned at >6 months had, in a dose-effect pattern, adjusting for confounding factors, higher scores for “emotional reactivity”. The positive effect of EBF and age at weaning on gross motor, running and climbing scores was strongest among children with the highest scores in maternal closeness proxy indicators. EBF, late weaning and maternal closeness, associated with advanced motor and vision maturation, independently influence autonomous behaviours in healthy children.
Comparative temporal metabolomics studies to investigate interspecies variation in three Ocimum species
Authors: Rastogi Shubhra , Shah Saumya , Kumar Ritesh , Kumar Ajay , Shasany Ajit Kumar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOcimum is one of the most revered medicinally useful plants which have various species. Each of the species is distinct in terms of metabolite composition as well as the medicinal property. Some basil types are used more often as an aromatic and flavoring ingredient. It would be informative to know relatedness among the species which though belong to the same genera while exclusively different in terms of metabolic composition and the operating pathways. In the present investigation the similar effort has been made in order to differentiate three commonly occurring Ocimum species having the high medicinal value, these are Ocimum sanctum, O. gratissimum and O. kilimandscharicum. The parameters for the comparative analysis of these three Ocimum species comprised of temporal changes in number leaf trichomes, essential oil composition, phenylpropanoid pathway genes expression and the activity of important enzymes. O. gratissimum was found to be richest in phenylpropanoid accumulation as well as their gene expression when compared to O. sanctum while O. kilimandscharicum was found to be accumulating terpenoid. In order to get an overview of this qualitative and quantitative regulation of terpenes and phenylpropenes, the expression pattern of some important transcription factors involved in secondary metabolism were also studied.
Maternal obesity and severe pre-eclampsia among immigrant women: a mediation analysis
Authors: Siddiqui Ayesha , Deneux-Tharaux Catherine , Luton Dominique , Schmitz Thomas , Mandelbrot Laurent , Estellat Candice , Howell Elizabeth A. , Khoshnood Babak , Bertille Nathalie , Azria Elie 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe investigated the extent to which pre-pregnancy obesity mediates the association between maternal place of birth and severe pre-eclampsia in the PreCARE cohort of pregnant women in Paris (n = 9,579). Adjusted path analysis logistic regression models were used to assess the role of pre-pregnancy obesity as a mediator in the association between maternal place of birth and the development of severe pre-eclampsia. We calculated 1. adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the total exposure-outcome association and for the direct and indirect/obesity-mediated components 2. the indirect/obesity-mediated effect. Ninety-five (0.99%) women developed severe pre-eclampsia, 47.6% were non-European immigrants, 16.3% were born in Sub-Saharan Africa, and 12.6% were obese (BMI > = 30 kg/m2). Women experiencing severe pre-eclampsia were more likely to be from Sub-Saharan Africa (p = 0.023) and be obese (p = 0.048). Mothers from Sub-Saharan Africa had an increased risk of severe pre-eclampsia compared to European-born mothers (aOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.39–4.58) and the obesity-mediated indirect effect was 18% of the total risk (aOR 1.18, 95%CI 1.03–1.35). In conclusion, Sub-Saharan African immigrant women have a two-fold higher risk of developing severe pre-eclampsia as compared to European-born women, one-fifth of which is mediated by pre-pregnancy obesity. Our results quantify the potential benefit of decreasing obesity among at-risk women.
Usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging findings as biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Baek Seol-Hee , Park Jinseok , Kim Yoo Hwan , Seok Hung Youl , Oh Ki-Wook , Kim Hee-Jin , Kwon Ye-Ji , Sim Youngbo , Tae Woo-Suk , Kim Seung Hyun , Kim Byung-Jo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. However, no reliable biomarkers have been identified to represent the clinical status. This study aimed to investigate whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings are useful imaging biomarkers to indicate the clinical status of ALS patients. Ninety-six probable or definite ALS cases and 47 age- and sex-matched, normal controls were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were collected at the time of DTI. DTI data were acquired using a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner and analysed by voxel-wise statistical analyses for fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, mean diffusivity, and mode of anisotropy. Compared with the healthy control group, the ALS group had significant differences in DTI scalars in the diffuse tracts of the brain, which was predominant in the corticospinal tract at the brainstem and cerebellar peduncle area. Furthermore, the DTI values correlated with the ALS functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) scores and the delta ALSFRS-R score representing the rate of disease progression. The subgroup analysis revealed a more severe and widespread brain degeneration was observed in rapidly progressive ALS. Therefore, our results suggest that DTI findings are useful as imaging biomarkers for evaluating the clinical severity and rate of disease progression in ALS.
Cofilin dysregulation alters actin turnover in frataxin-deficient neurons
Authors: Muñoz-Lasso Diana C. , Mollá Belén , Calap-Quintana Pablo , García-Giménez José Luis , Pallardo Federico V. , Palau Francesc , Gonzalez-Cabo Pilar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAbnormalities in actin cytoskeleton have been linked to Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA), an inherited peripheral neuropathy characterised by an early loss of neurons in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) among other clinical symptoms. Despite all efforts to date, we still do not fully understand the molecular events that contribute to the lack of sensory neurons in FRDA. We studied the adult neuronal growth cone (GC) at the cellular and molecular level to decipher the connection between frataxin and actin cytoskeleton in DRG neurons of the well-characterised YG8R Friedreich’s ataxia mouse model. Immunofluorescence studies in primary cultures of DRG from YG8R mice showed neurons with fewer and smaller GCs than controls, associated with an inhibition of neurite growth. In frataxin-deficient neurons, we also observed an increase in the filamentous (F)-actin/monomeric (G)-actin ratio (F/G-actin ratio) in axons and GCs linked to dysregulation of two crucial modulators of filamentous actin turnover, cofilin-1 and the actin-related protein (ARP) 2/3 complex. We show how the activation of cofilin is due to the increase in chronophin (CIN), a cofilin-activating phosphatase. Thus cofilin emerges, for the first time, as a link between frataxin deficiency and actin cytoskeleton alterations.
Locating neural transfer effects of n-back training on the central executive: a longitudinal fMRI study
Authors: Miró-Padilla Anna , Bueichekú Elisenda , Ávila César 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe large number of behavioral studies testing whether working memory training improves performance on an untrained task have yielded inconclusive results. Moreover, some studies have investigated the possible neural changes during the performance of untrained tasks after training. Here, we studied the transfer from n-back training to the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), two different tasks that use the central executive system to maintain verbal stimuli. Participants completed fMRI sessions at baseline, immediately after one week of training, and at the five-week follow-up. Although behavioral transfer effects were not obtained, training was associated with decreased activation in the anterior dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; BA 9/46) while performing the PASAT that remained stable five weeks later. Consistent with our hypothesis, the changes in the anterior DLFPC largely overlapped with the n-back task fMRI activations. In conclusion, working memory training improves efficiency in brain areas involved in the trained task that may affect untrained tasks, specifically in brain areas responsible for the same cognitive processes.
Size-Tailored Physicochemical Properties of Monodisperse Polystyrene Nanoparticles and the Nanocomposites Made Thereof
Authors: Homaeigohar Shahin , Kabir Rakibul , Elbahri Mady 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe latex monodisperse polystyrene (PS) colloids are important for different advanced applications (e.g. in coating, biotechnology etc.). However, the size dependency of their structural properties that impacts the characteristics of the nanocomposites composed thereof is largely unknown. Here, monodisperse PS nanoparticles (MPNPs) are synthesized via emulsion polymerization in five sizes (50, 150, 300, 350, and 450 nm). The size of the PS MPNPs is tailored by controlling the reaction time, temperature, and amount of surfactant and initiator. The correlation between the particle size and structural properties of the PS MPNPs is established by different thermomechanical and optical characterizations. The smaller particles (50 and 150 nm) show a lower glass transition (Tg) and thermal decomposition temperature and a lower Raman peak intensity. Yet, they trigger a higher IR absorption, thanks to a larger surface area. When incorporated in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, the smaller particles impart the resulting nanocomposite a higher tensile strength, and elastic and storage moduli. Whereas, they decline the elongation and loss factor. The very few examples of the MPNPs incorporated polymeric nanocomposites have been unstudied from this perspective. Thus, these tangible knowledge can profit scalable production of this kind of nanocomposite materials for different applications in a cost/energy efficient manner.
Specificity of synapse formation in Aplysia: paracrine and autocrine signaling regulates bidirectional molecular interactions between sensory and non-target motor neurons
Authors: Alexandrescu Anamaria , Carew Thomas James 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe formation of appropriate neural connections during development is critical for the proper wiring and functioning of the brain. Although considerable research suggests that the specificity of synapse formation is supported by complex intercellular signaling between potential presynaptic and postsynaptic partners, the extracellular factors and the intracellular signal transduction pathways engaged in this process remain largely unknown. Using the sensory-motor neural circuit that contributes to learning in defensive withdrawal reflexes in Aplysia californica, we investigated the molecular processes governing the interactions between sensory neurons and both target and non-target motor neurons during synapse formation in culture. We found that evolutionarily-conserved intercellular and intracellular signaling mechanisms critical for learning-related plasticity are also engaged during synaptogenesis in this in vitro model system. Our results reveal a surprising bidirectional regulation of molecular signaling between sensory neurons and non-target motor neurons. This regulation is mediated by signaling via both paracrine and autocrine diffusible factors that induce differential effects on transcription and on protein expression/activation in sensory neurons and in target and non-target motor neurons. Collectively, our data reveal novel molecular mechanisms that could underlie the repression of inappropriate synapse formation, and suggest mechanistic similarities between developmental and learning-related plasticity.
Single-shot all-optical switching of magnetization in Tb/Co multilayer-based electrodes
Authors: Avilés-Félix L. , Olivier A. , Li G. , Davies C. S. , Álvaro-Gómez L. , Rubio-Roy M. , Auffret S. , Kirilyuk A. , Kimel A. V. , Rasing Th. , Buda-Prejbeanu L. D. , Sousa R. C. , Dieny B. , Prejbeanu I. L. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEver since the first observation of all-optical switching of magnetization in the ferrimagnetic alloy GdFeCo using femtosecond laser pulses, there has been significant interest in exploiting this process for data-recording applications. In particular, the ultrafast speed of the magnetic reversal can enable the writing speeds associated with magnetic memory devices to be potentially pushed towards THz frequencies. This work reports the development of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions incorporating a stack of Tb/Co nanolayers whose magnetization can be all-optically controlled via helicity-independent single-shot switching. Toggling of the magnetization of the Tb/Co electrode was achieved using either 60 femtosecond-long or 5 picosecond-long laser pulses, with incident fluences down to 3.5 mJ/cm2, for Co-rich compositions of the stack either in isolation or coupled to a CoFeB-electrode/MgO-barrier tunnel-junction stack. Successful switching of the CoFeB-[Tb/Co] electrodes was obtained even after annealing at 250 °C. After integration of the [Tb/Co]-based electrodes within perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions yielded a maximum tunneling magnetoresistance signal of 41% and RxA value of 150 Ωμm2 with current-in-plane measurements and ratios between 28% and 38% in nanopatterned pillars. These results represent a breakthrough for the development of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions controllable using single laser pulses, and offer a technologically-viable path towards the realization of hybrid spintronic-photonic systems featuring THz switching speeds.