bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure and calcium‐induced conformational changes of diacylglycerol kinase α EF‐hand domains
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Suzuki Kano , Sakamoto Taiichi , Iwamoto Takeo , Murata Takeshi , Sakane Fumio 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDiacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are multi‐domain lipid kinases that phosphorylate diacylglycerol into phosphatidic acid, modulating the levels of these key signaling lipids. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to DGKα isozyme as a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. We have previously shown that DGKα is positively regulated by Ca2+ binding to its N‐terminal EF‐hand domains (DGKα‐EF). However, little progress has been made for the structural biology of mammalian DGKs and the molecular mechanism underlying the Ca2+‐triggered activation remains unclear. Here we report the first crystal structure of Ca2+‐bound DGKα‐EF and analyze the structural changes upon binding to Ca2+. DGKα‐EF adopts a canonical EF‐hand fold, but unexpectedly, has an additional α‐helix (often called a ligand mimic [LM] helix), which is packed into the hydrophobic core. Biophysical and biochemical analyses reveal that DGKα‐EF adopts a protease‐susceptible “open” conformation without Ca2+ that tends to form a dimer. Cooperative binding of two Ca2+ ions dissociates the dimer into a well‐folded monomer, which resists to proteolysis. Taken together, our results provide experimental evidence that Ca2+ binding induces substantial conformational changes in DGKα‐EF, which likely regulates intra‐molecular interactions responsible for the activation of DGKα and suggest a possible role of the LM helix for the Ca2+‐induced conformational changes.Significance statementDiacylglycerol kinases (DGKs), which modulates the levels of two lipid second messengers, diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid, is still structurally enigmatic enzymes since its first identification in 1959. We here present the first crystal structure of EF‐hand domains of diacylglycerol kinase α in its Ca2+ bound form and characterize Ca2+‐induced conformational changes, which likely regulates intra‐molecular interactions. Our study paves the way for future studies to understand the structural basis of DGK isozymes.
Robotic weeders can improve weed control options for specialty crops
Authors: Fennimore Steven A , Cutulle Matthew 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSpecialty crop herbicides are not a priority for the agrochemical industry, and many of these crops do not have access to effective herbicides. High‐value fruit and vegetable crops represent small markets and high potential liability in the case of herbicide‐induced crop damage. Meanwhile, conventional and organic specialty crop producers are experiencing labor shortages and higher manual weeding costs. Robotic weeders are promising new weed control tools for specialty crops, because they are cheaper to develop and, with fewer environmental and human health risks, are less regulated than herbicides. Now is the time for greater investment in robotic weeders as new herbicides are expensive to develop and few in number, organic crops need better weed control technology and governments are demanding reduced use of pesticides. Public funding of fundamental research on robotic weeder technology can help improve weed and crop recognition, weed control actuators, and expansion of weed science curricula to train students in this technology. Robotic weeders can expand the array of tools available to specialty crop growers. However, the development of robotic weeders will require a broader recognition that these tools are a viable path to create new weed control tools for specialty crops. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Association of zein nanoparticles with botanical compounds for effective pest control systems
Authors: de Oliveira Jhones L , Campos Estefânia V R , Germano‐Costa Taís , Lima Renata , Vechia Jaqueline Franciosi Della , Soares Sidneia Terezinha , de Andrade Daniel Junior , Gonçalves Kelly Cristina , do Nascimento Joacir , Polanczyk Ricardo Antonio , Fraceto Leonardo Fernandes 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDBotanical compounds from plant species are known to have pesticidal activity and have been used in integrated pest management programs. The varied spectrum of the pesticidal action of these compounds can also avoid selection of resistance in pest populations. In this study, mixtures of the botanical compounds geraniol, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were encapsulated in zein nanoparticles to improve their stability and efficiency. Biological effects of the nano‐scale formulations of the botanical compounds were evaluated against two agricultural pests: the two‐spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) and the soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includes).RESULTSThe formulations were stable over time (120 days) with a high encapsulation efficiency (>90%). Nanoencapsulation also provided protection against degradation of the compounds during storage and led to a decrease in toxicity to non‐target organisms. The release of the compounds (especially eugenol and cinnamaldehyde) from the nanoparticles was directly influenced by temperature, and the main mechanism of release was through a diffusion‐based process. Nanoencapsulated compounds also showed superior efficiency compared to the emulsified compounds in terms of repellency and insecticidal activity.CONCLUSIONThe findings of this study indicate that the convergence of botanical compounds with nano‐scale formulation has the potential to improve efficacy for their sustainable use in integrated pest management in agriculture. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Downregulation of carboxylesterase contributes to cyflumetofen resistance in Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)
Authors: Wei Peng , Chen Ming , Nan Can , Feng Kaiyang , Shen Guangmao , Cheng Jiqiang , He Lin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDIncreased expression or point mutations of carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs) have been involved in many cases of insecticide and acaricide resistance. However, it has been only rarely documented that downregulation of CCE genes is associated with resistance, although many insecticides and acaricides need hydrolytic activation in vivo. Previously, expression analysis of a laboratory‐selected cyflumetofen‐resistant strain of Tetranychus cinnabarinus indicated that resistance was associated with increased expression of a CCE gene of TcCCE04, but also the downregulation of two CCE genes, TcCCE12 and TcCCE23.RESULTSSynergism experiments revealed the importance of ester hydrolysis in cyflumetofen toxicity, because treatment with S,S,S‐tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) caused strong inhibition of cyflumetofen hydrolysis, in both the susceptible and resistant strains. Moreover, silencing expression of TcCCE12 and TcCCE23 via RNAi further decreased the susceptibility of mites to cyflumetofen significantly, suggesting that downregulated CCE genes could be involved in cyflumetofen resistance. In addition, it was shown that recombinant TcCCE12 protein could hydrolyze cyflumetofen effectively.CONCLUSIONDecreased esterase activity via downregulation of specific CCE genes most likely contributes to cyflumetofen resistance by decreased activation of cyflumetofen to its active metabolite. Mixtures of cyflumetofen and esterase‐inhibition acaricides (e.g. organophosphates or carbamates) should be avoided in field applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Adolescent neighbourhood context and transition to parenthood: A longitudinal study
Authors: Malmberg Bo , Andersson Eva K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates effects of neighbourhood context on first birth timing in Sweden. Analyses are on the basis of Swedish population registers and innovative methods for the construction of individualised neighbourhoods of varying sizes and a traditional measure using defined areas. The 1980 Swedish birth cohort is followed from age 13 to 36, with neighbourhood characteristics observed at age 15 to define the contexts in which the young adults were socialised and first exposed to socioeconomic opportunities for higher education and early adult careers. Young adults who lived in elite (education and income) neighbourhoods or neighbourhoods with a high proportion of foreign born were slower to have their first child in comparison with those who lived in a less socioeconomically advantaged neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods with high levels of social assistance, as well as those with a high proportion of single‐family housing had earlier births. Although the preponderance of the first evidence is consistent with a pathway from neighbourhoods to individual attainments and delayed childbearing, the availability of affordable family‐friendly housing appears to provide opportunities for earlier transitions to parenthood.
Does turmeric/curcumin supplementation improve serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Goodarzi Reza , Sabzian Kamran , Shishehbor Farideh , Mansoori Anahita 
Published: January 2019

We performed a meta‐analysis to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to November 20, 2018. Studies that examined the effect of turmeric/curcumin on serum concentrations of ALT and AST among patients with NAFLD were included. The mean difference and standard deviation (SD) of changes in ALT and AST between intervention and control groups were used as effect size for the meta‐analysis. A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for meta‐analysis. Results from pooled analysis revealed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation reduced ALT (MD: −7.31 UL/L, 95% CI [−13.16, −1.47],p = 0.014) and AST (MD: −4.68 UL/L, 95% CI [−8.75 −0.60],p = 0.026). When RCTs stratified on the basis of their treatment duration, the significant reduction in serum concentrations of ALT and AST was observed only in studies lasting less than 12 weeks. This review suggests that turmeric/curcumin might have a favorable effect on serum concentrations of ALT and AST in patients with NAFLD. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Sliding mode PI control with backstepping approach for MIMO nonlinear cross‐coupled tank systems
Authors: Aksu Inayet Ozge , Coban Ramazan 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThe control of tank systems in industrial applications is an important issue for monitoring the chemical processes involved in the manufacture and delivery of product. The most important reason to control the tank systems is to keep the liquid level in the tanks constant and at the desired level for a specified period of time. In this study, the sliding mode control (SMC) with a repetitive approach called backstepping that is insensitive to uncertainties in system parameters and input disturbances is proposed and experimentally applied to a quadruple, cross‐coupled, uncertain, nonlinear, and multiple‐input/multiple‐output tank system. A proportional‐integral (PI) control is used to reduce the steady‐state error caused by the parameter variations and external noises. The traditional way of introducing PI usually leads to sliding surfaces. In this paper, the PI action is introduced to the control signal. The proposed backstepping sliding mode PI control (BSMPIC) is applied to such a complex tank system for the first time. The experimental results are compared with those of the SMC, sliding mode PI control, and backstepping sliding mode control to see the effect of the proposed BSMPIC on the system. As a result of the comparison, it is observed that less overshoot and tracking error, better tracking performance, and faster rise time in the transient regime is obtained by the BSMPIC.
Highly Conductive Ti3C2Tx MXene Hybrid Fibers for Flexible and Elastic Fiber‐Shaped Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Jizhen , Seyedin Shayan , Qin Si , Wang Zhiyu , Moradi Sepehr , Yang Fangli , Lynch Peter A. , Yang Wenrong , Liu Jingquan , Wang Xungai , Razal Joselito M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFiber‐shaped supercapacitors (FSCs) are promising energy storage solutions for powering miniaturized or wearable electronics. However, the scalable fabrication of fiber electrodes with high electrical conductivity and excellent energy storage performance for use in FSCs remains a challenge. Here, an easily scalable one‐step wet‐spinning approach is reported to fabricate highly conductive fibers using hybrid formulations of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate. This approach produces fibers with a record conductivity of ≈1489 S cm−1, which is about five times higher than other reported Ti3C2Tx MXene‐based fibers (up to ≈290 S cm−1). The hybrid fiber at ≈70 wt% MXene shows a high volumetric capacitance (≈614.5 F cm−3 at 5 mV s−1) and an excellent rate performance (≈375.2 F cm−3 at 1000 mV s−1). When assembled into a free‐standing FSC, the energy and power densities of the device reach ≈7.13 Wh cm−3 and ≈8249 mW cm−3, respectively. The excellent strength and flexibility of the hybrid fibers allow them to be wrapped on a silicone elastomer fiber to achieve an elastic FSC with 96% capacitance retention when cyclically stretched to 100% strain. This work demonstrates the potential of MXene‐based fiber electrodes and their scalable production for fiber‐based energy storage applications.
How and Where to Find NPS Users: a Comparison of Methods in a Cross-National Survey Among Three Groups of Current Users of New Psychoactive Substances in Europe
Authors: Korf Dirk , Benschop Annemieke , Werse Bernd , Kamphausen Gerrit , Felvinczi Katalin , Dąbrowska Katarzyna , Hernriques Susana , Nabben Ton , Wieczorek Łukasz , Bujalski Michał , Kalo Zsusza , Hearne Evelyn , Van Hout Marie Claire 
Published: January 2019

AbstractUse of new psychoactive substances (NPS) across Europe remains a public health challenge. The study describes potentials and limitations of methods in a transnational survey of recent marginalised, nightlife and online community NPS users in Germany, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal (n = 3023). In terms of demographic profile, drug use history and type of NPS, different methods reached different segments of the NPS-using population. Last year use of different NPS varied across countries and groups. Respondents used NPS in a variety of settings, with public spaces most common in the marginalised group. The study suggests that prevalence rates can reveal a picture of the NPS market that significantly deviates from what law enforcement seizures indicate. Outreach in nightlife settings and peer education are recommended to inform users about health risks and to improve access to drug services and care.
High‐throughput quantification of microbial birth and death dynamics using fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Hart Samuel F. M. , Skelding David , Waite Adam J. , Burton Justin C. , Shou Wenying 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundMicrobes live in dynamic environments where nutrient concentrations fluctuate. Quantifying fitness in terms of birth rate and death rate in a wide range of environments is critical for understanding microbial evolution and ecology.MethodsHere, using high‐throughput time‐lapse microscopy, we have quantified how Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants incapable of synthesizing an essential metabolite (auxotrophs) grow or die in various concentrations of the required metabolite. We establish that cells normally expressing fluorescent proteins lose fluorescence upon death and that the total fluorescence in an imaging frame is proportional to the number of live cells even when cells form multiple layers. We validate our microscopy approach of measuring birth and death rates using flow cytometry, cell counting, and chemostat culturing.ResultsFor lysine‐requiring cells, very low concentrations of lysine are not detectably consumed and do not support cell birth, but delay the onset of death phase and reduce the death rate compared to no lysine. In contrast, in low hypoxanthine, hypoxanthine‐requiring cells can produce new cells, yet also die faster than in the absence of hypoxanthine. For both strains, birth rates under various metabolite concentrations are better described by the sigmoidal‐shaped Moser model than the well‐known Monod model, while death rates can vary with metabolite concentration and time.ConclusionsOur work reveals how time‐lapse microscopy can be used to discover non‐intuitive microbial birth and death dynamics and to quantify growth rates in many environments.
The Hell-Bound Bandwagon: Train Rooftop Riding in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Olojede Olorunfemi Ayodeji 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Media reports on train mishaps and havocs emanating from rooftop riding abound; however, there has been very limited effort on the empirical investigation of why daredevils embark on this utter suicide mission. Besides, studies that rigorously examined profiles of the perpetrators of the dastardly act are hard to come by in the literature of railway transport. Against this background, this study examined the menace of train rooftop riding in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria, with a view to evolving a policy response that could curtail the life-threatening nuisance. Towards achieving this aim, specific objectives were formulated. These were to examine the socioeconomic characteristics of train rooftop riders in Lagos Metropolis, determine the motivations for train rooftop riding in the study area, assess the efforts made by the authorities to discourage train rooftop riding in the study area, and proffer policy recommendations towards engendering a safe rail transport milieu. Data were obtained through participant observation, interview and questionnaire administration. The respondents comprised 64 conveniently sampled rooftop riders, 183 law-abiding passengers of three Diesel Multiple Units and three Mass Transit Trains selected using multistage sampling, and the 113 staff members of the Nigerian Railway Corporation consisting of 20 engineers, 79 conductors and 14 ticket vendors. The study found that train rooftop riding had defied all the measures taken against it in the study area. It characterized most trips but was prevalent at the morning and evening peak periods (35.2% and 59.2%, respectively). All the rooftop riders were middle-aged men. None of them admitted to ever falling off before; however, 28 (43.8%) admitted to being scared of falling off, while 40 (62.5%) boasted they could not possibly fall off. Two categories of motivations for rooftop riding were found: ‘perceived’ and ‘real’. Smoking (47.0%), substance abuse (23.0%) and criminal tendencies (19.7%) were among the perceived motivations, while space inadequacy (37.5%), queue avoidance (50.0%) and adventure (34.4%) were among the real motivations. Given an overall improvement in the railway services, 28 (43.8%) would stop, 18 (28.1%) would not stop, and 18 (28.1%) were unsure they would stop rooftop riding. The study concluded that the menace of train rooftop riding was undesirable. Consequently, practical policy recommendations were proffered towards curbing the menace.
Codimension two spacelike submanifolds of the Lorentz-Minkowski spacetime into the light cone
Authors: Alías Luis J. , Cánovas Verónica L. , Rigoli Marco 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFollowing an original idea of Palmas, Palomo and Romero, recently developed in [12], we study codimension two spacelike submanifolds contained in the light cone of the Lorentz-Minkowski spacetime through an approach which allows us to compute their extrinsic and intrinsic geometries in terms of a single function u. As the first application of our approach, we classify the totally umbilical ones. For codimension two compact spacelike submanifolds into the light cone, we show that they are conformally diffeomorphic to the round sphere and that they are given by an explicit embedding written in terms of u. In the last part of the paper, we consider the case where the submanifold is (marginally, weakly) trapped. In particular, we derive some non-existence results for weakly trapped submanifolds into the light cone.
Estimation of Evapotranspiration of Amazon Rainforest Using the Maximum Entropy Production Method
Authors: Xu Donghui , Agee Elizabeth , Wang Jingfeng , Ivanov Valeriy Y. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEnergy budget of Amazonian forests has a large influence on regional and global climate, but relevant data are scarce. A novel energy partition method based on the maximum entropy production (MEP) theory is applied to simulate evapotranspiration in Amazonia. Using site‐level eddy flux data, the MEP method shows high skill at the hourly, daily, and monthly scales. Consistent performance under different levels of land surface dryness is revealed, hinting that drought signal is appropriately resolved. The site‐level MEP‐based estimates outperform the estimates of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer evapotranspiration product, which is commonly used for large‐scale assessments. At the Amazon basin scale, the two series yield similar averages but exhibit spatial differences. The parameter parsimony and demonstrated skill of the MEP method make it an attractive approach for environments with diverse strategies of water flux control.
Global Distribution of the Oceanic Bottom Mixed Layer Thickness
Authors: Huang Peng‐Qi , Cen Xian‐Rong , Lu Yuan‐Zheng , Guo Shuang‐Xi , Zhou Sheng‐Qi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe ocean bottom is the Earth's least explored region, and the bottom mixed layer (BML) is the pathway for communication between the ocean interior and the ocean floor. In this study, we used full‐depth conductivity‐temperature‐depth profiles archived by the World Ocean Circulation Experiment Program to obtain the first approximation of the global distribution of the oceanic BML thickness,HBML, by applying an integrated method (Huang, Cen, et al., 2018,https://doi.orag/10.1175/jtech-d-18-0016.1). We found that the medianHBMLvalues were 40, 42, and 64 m in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, respectively, and 47 m globally. Statistically, the peak values for the medianHBMLwere around 20°N or 20°S, and it had weak dependence on the buoyancy frequency, where a thinHBMLcorresponded to strong stratification. In addition, the medianHBMLbecame thicker with the ocean depth (D), according toHBML = 26.34 + 0.85e(D/1271.8).
Northern Hemisphere Monsoon Response to Mid‐Holocene Orbital Forcing and Greenhouse Gas‐Induced Global Warming
Authors: D'Agostino Roberta , Bader Jürgen , Bordoni Simona , Ferreira David , Jungclaus Johann 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPrecipitation and circulation patterns of Northern Hemisphere monsoons are investigated in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 simulations for mid‐Holocene and future climate scenario rcp8.5. Although both climates exhibit Northern Hemisphere warming and enhanced interhemispheric thermal contrast in boreal summer, changes in the spatial extent and rainfall intensity in future climate are smaller than in mid‐Holocene for all Northern Hemisphere monsoons except the Indian monsoon. A decomposition of the moisture budget in thermodynamic and dynamic contributions suggests that under future global warming, the weaker response of the African, Indian, and North American monsoons results from a compensation between both components. The dynamic component, primarily constrained by changes in net energy input over land, determines instead most of the mid‐Holocene land monsoonal rainfall response.