bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Manipulation and prediction of spike morphology traits for the improvement of grain yield in wheat
Authors: Guo Zifeng , Zhao Yusheng , Röder Marion S. , Reif Jochen C. , Ganal Martin W. , Chen Dijun , Schnurbusch Thorsten 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn wheat (Triticum spp.), modifying inflorescence (spike) morphology can increase grain number and size and thus improve yield. Here, we demonstrated the potential for manipulating and predicting spike morphology, based on 44 traits. In 12 wheat cultivars, we observed that detillering (removal of branches), which alters photosynthate distribution, changed spike morphology. Our genome-wide association study detected close associations between carbon partitioning (e.g. tiller number, main shoot dry weight) and spike morphology (e.g. spike length, spikelet density) traits in 210 cultivars. Most carbon-partitioning traits (e.g. tiller dry weight, harvest index) demonstrated high prediction abilities (>0.5). For spike morphology, some traits (e.g. total and fertile spikelet number, spike length) displayed high prediction abilities (0.3–0.5), but others (e.g. spikelet fertility, spikelet density) exhibited low prediction abilities (<0.2). Grain size traits were closely correlated in field and greenhouse experiments. Stepwise regression analysis suggests that significantly associated traits in the greenhouse explain 35.35% of the variation in grain yield and 67.63% of the variation in thousand-kernel weight in the field. Therefore, the traits identified in this study affect spike morphology; these traits can be used to predict and improve plant architecture and thus increase yield.
Genetic diversity of strawberry germplasm using metabolomic biomarkers
Authors: Vallarino José G. , de Abreu e Lima Francisco , Soria Carmen , Tong Hao , Pott Delphine M. , Willmitzer Lothar , Fernie Alisdair R. , Nikoloski Zoran , Osorio Sonia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHigh-throughput metabolomics technologies can provide the quantification of metabolites levels across various biological processes in different tissues, organs and species, allowing the identification of genes underpinning these complex traits. Information about changes of metabolites during strawberry development and ripening processes is key to aiding the development of new approaches to improve fruit attributes. We used network-based methods and multivariate statistical approaches to characterize and investigate variation in the primary and secondary metabolism of seven domesticated and seven wild strawberry fruit accessions at three different fruit development and ripening stages. Our results demonstrated thatFragariasub-species can be identified solely based on the gathered metabolic profiles. We also showed that domesticated accessions displayed highly similar metabolic changes due to shared domestication history. Differences between domesticated and wild accessions were detected at the level of metabolite associations which served to rank metabolites whose regulation was mostly altered in the process of domestication. The discovery of comprehensive metabolic variation among strawberry accessions offers opportunities to probe into the genetic basis of variation, providing insights into the pathways to relate metabolic variation with important traits.
Fecal source tracking and eDNA profiling in an urban creek following an extreme rain event
Authors: Staley Zachery R. , Chuong Jun Dennis , Hill Stephen J. , Grabuski Josey , Shokralla Shadi , Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Edge Thomas A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFecal contamination of recreational waters (i.e. lakes, rivers, beaches) poses an on-going problem for environmental and public health. Heavy rainfall can exacerbate existing problems with fecal contamination. As there could be variable sources of fecal contamination, identifying the source is critical for remediation efforts. This study utilized microbial source tracking (MST), chemical source tracking (CST) markers and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to profile sampling areas and identify sources of fecal contamination in creek, stormwater outfall and beach sites in the Etobicoke Creek watershed (Toronto, ON). Water samples were collected before and immediately following an extreme rain event. MST and CST identified stormwater outfalls as an important source of human fecal contamination during dry and wet conditions. eDNA metabarcoding allowed for potential identification of additional sources of fecal contamination and provided additional evidence of human fecal contamination. The extreme rainfall event altered the eDNA profiles, causing creek and beach sites to reflect a greater diversity of mammal and bird eDNA sequences. The profiles provided by eDNA metabarcoding provide a proof of concept suggesting that eDNA metabarcoding can be a useful tool to complement MST and CST methods for profiling sources of fecal contamination and studying impacts of extreme rain events.
USP45 and Spindly are part of the same complex implicated in cell migration
Authors: Conte Claudia , Griffis Eric R. , Hickson Ian , Perez-Oliva Ana B. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractUbiquitylation is a protein modification implicated in several cellular processes. This process is reversible by the action of deubiquinating enzymes (DUBs). USP45 is a ubiquitin specific protease about which little is known, aside from roles in DNA damage repair and differentiation of the vertebrate retina. Here, by using mass spectrometry we have identified Spindly as a new target of USP45. Our data show that Spindly and USP45 are part of the same complex and that their interaction specifically depends on the catalytic activity of USP45. In addition, we describe the type of ubiquitin chains associated with the complex that can be cleaved by USP45, with a preferential activity on K48 ubiquitin chain type and potentially K6. Here, we also show that Spindly is mono-ubiquitylated and this can be specifically removed by USP45 in its active form but not by the catalytic inactive form. Lastly, we identified a new role for USP45 in cell migration, similar to that which was recently described for Spindly.
Cold plasma treatment for cotton seed germination improvement
Authors: de Groot Gerard J. J. B. , Hundt Andy , Murphy Anthony B. , Bange Michael P. , Mai-Prochnow Anne 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAdverse environmental conditions at planting, such as cold temperature or water limitation, can lead to a reduced level of seed germination and plant establishment for cotton. Cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) treatment of cotton seeds prior to planting may help alleviate this problem. CAP is ionised gas that has a range of biological activities due to the formation of a mix of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), excited molecules, charged particles and UV photons. Our results show that a 27 minutes CAP treatment using air can significantly increase water absorption of the seed, and improve warm germination, metabolic chill test germination and chilling tolerance in cotton. We also observe that the beneficial effect of CAP treatment is long-lasting and stable as improved germination activity is still seen when treatment occurs 4 months before germination testing, suggesting that future large-scale industrial seed plasma treatments may still be effectively applied well (months) before the seed planting. We conclude that CAP treatment is a promising new tool for use in the cotton industry that has the potential to significantly improve plant establishment in a wider range of environmental conditions.
Levelt’s laws do not predict perception when luminance- and contrast-modulated stimuli compete during binocular rivalry
Authors: Skerswetat Jan , Formankiewicz Monika A. , Waugh Sarah J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIncompatible patterns viewed by each of the two eyes can provoke binocular rivalry, a competition of perception. Levelt’s first law predicts that a highly visible stimulus will predominate over a less visible stimulus during binocular rivalry. In a behavioural study, we made a counterintuitive observation: high visibility patterns do not always predominate over low visibility patterns. Our results show that none of Levelt’s binocular rivalry laws hold when luminance-modulated (LM) patterns compete with contrast-modulated (CM) patterns. We discuss visual saliency, asymmetric feedback, and a combination of both as potential mechanisms to explain the CM versus LM findings. Competing orthogonal LM stimuli do follow Levelt’s laws, whereas only the first two laws hold for competing CM stimuli. The current results provide strong psychophysical evidence for the existence of separate processing stages for LM and CM stimuli.
Loss of the mitochondrial kinase PINK1 does not alter platelet function
Authors: Walsh Tony G. , van den Bosch Marion T. J. , Lewis Kirsty E. , Williams Christopher M. , Poole Alastair W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPTEN-induced putative kinase (PINK) 1 is regarded as a master regulator of cellular mitophagy such that loss of function mutations contribute to early onset Parkinson’s disease, through aberrant mitochondrial control and function. Mitochondrial function is key to platelet procoagulant activity, controlling the haemostatic response to vessel injury, but can also predispose blood vessels to thrombotic complications. Here, we sought to determine the role of PINK1 in platelet mitochondrial health and function using PINK1 knockout (KO) mice. The data largely show an absence of such a role. Haematological analysis of blood counts from KO mice was comparable to wild type. Quantification of mitochondrial mass by citrate synthase activity assay or expression of mitochondrial markers were comparable, suggesting normal mitophagy in KO platelets. Analysis of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and calcium signalling to platelet activation were unaffected by loss of PINK1, whereas subtle enhancements of activation-induced reactive oxygen species were detected. Platelet aggregation, integrin activation, α- and dense granule secretion and phosphatidylserine exposure were unaltered in KO platelets while mouse tail bleeding responses were similar to wild type. Together these results demonstrate that PINK1 does not regulate basal platelet mitophagy and is dispensable for platelet function.
Termites shape their collective behavioural response based on stage of infection
Authors: Davis Hannah E. , Meconcelli Stefania , Radek Renate , McMahon Dino P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSocial insects employ a range of behaviours to protect their colonies against disease, but little is known about how such collective behaviours are orchestrated. This is especially true for the social Blattodea (termites). We developed an experimental approach that allowed us to explore how the social response to disease is co-ordinated by multistep host-pathogen interactions. We infected the eastern subterranean termiteReticulitermes flavipeswith the entomopathogenic fungusMetarhizium anisopliae, and then, at different stages of infection, reintroduced them to healthy nestmates and recorded behavioural responses. As expected, termites groomed pathogen-exposed individuals significantly more than controls; however, grooming was significantly elevated after fungal germination than before, demonstrating the importance of fungal status to hygienic behaviour. Significantly, we found that cannibalism became prevalent only after exposed termites became visibly ill, highlighting the importance of host condition as a cue for social hygienic behaviour. Our study reveals the presence of a coordinated social response to disease that depends on stage of infection. Specifically, we show how the host may play a key role in triggering its own sacrifice. Sacrificial self-flagging has been observed in other social insects: our results demonstrate that termites have independently evolved to both recognize and destructively respond to sickness.
Crystalline and oxide phases revealed and formed on InSb(111)B
Authors: Mäkelä Jaakko , Jahanshah Rad Zahra Sadat , Lehtiö Juha-Pekka , Kuzmin Mikhail , Punkkinen Marko P. J. , Laukkanen Pekka , Kokko Kalevi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOxidation treatment creating a well-ordered crystalline structure has been shown to provide a major improvement for III–V semiconductor/oxide interfaces in electronics. We present this treatment’s effects on InSb(111)B surface and its electronic properties with scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Possibility to oxidize (111)B surface with parameters similar to the ones used for (100) surface is found, indicating a generality of the crystalline oxidation among different crystal planes, crucial for utilization in nanotechnology. The outcome is strongly dependent on surface conditions and remarkably, the (111) plane can oxidize without changes in surface lattice symmetry, or alternatively, resulting in a complex, semicommensurate quasicrystal-like structure. The findings are of major significance for passivation via oxide termination for nano-structured III–V/oxide devices containing several crystal plane surfaces. As a proof-of-principle, we present a procedure where InSb(111)B surface is cleaned by simple HCl-etching, transferred via air, and post-annealed and oxidized in ultrahigh vacuum.
Intravitreal aflibercept versus bevacizumab for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Wang Jia-Kang , Huang Tzu-Lun , Chang Pei-Yao , Chen Yen-Ting , Chang Chin-Wei , Chen Fang-Ting , Hsu Yung-Ray , Chen Yun-Ju 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe authors performed a retrospective and comparative study to compare the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept and bevacizumab for patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). The patients with treatment-naïve mCNV received 1 + PRN intravitreal bevacizumab from March 2008 to February 2013, while from March 2013 to July 2016 patients were treated by 1 + PRN intravitreal aflibercept, all with monthly follow-up for 12 months. Primary outcome measures included change in central foveal thickness (CFT) in 1 mm by spectral-domain optic coherence tomography, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at month 12. Complications after injections were recorded. The intra-group changes in CFT and BCVA were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test, the between-group difference compared with Wilcoxon rank sum test. Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical comparison between groups. Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients were collected. There were 42 eyes in bevacizumab group, with mean age of 53.2 ± 5.4 years and 27 female patients of them. The mean BCVA significantly improved from baseline 0.56 ± 0.35 logMAR to 0.35 ± 0.35 logMAR at Month 12 after bevacizumab treatment (p < 0.001). The mean CFT significantly decreased from baseline 315.3 ± 25.6 μm to 253.7 ± 24.4 μm at Month 12 following intravitreal bevacizumab (p < 0.001). There were 36 eyes in aflibercept group, with mean age of 52.8 ± 6.8 years and 24 female patients of them. The mean BCVA significantly improved from baseline 0.61 ± 0.47 logMAR to 0.38 ± 0.41 logMAR at Month 12 after aflibercept treatment (p < 0.001). The mean CFT significantly decreased from baseline 328.2 ± 19.8 μm to 241.8 ± 27.2 μm at Month 12 following intravitreal aflibercept (p < 0.001). The baseline demographics, lens status, axial length, refractive errors, duration of symptoms, BCVA, and CFT did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between bevacizumab and aflibercept groups in BCVA and CFT from Month 1 to Month 12 (p > 0.05). Injection number of aflibercept was 2.11 ± 0.41, less than that of bevacizumab (3.23 ± 0.38) during 12-month period (p = 0.01). There were no systemic thromboembolic event, elevated intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, or infectious endophthalmitis following injections in both groups. We concluded that both aflibercept and bevacizumab can effectively treat choroidal neovascularization in high myopes. Intravitreal aflibercept had similar efficacy but less treatment number than bevacizumab for mCNV during 12-month period.
A Potassium Metal-Organic Framework based on Perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate as Sensing Layer for Humidity Actuators
Authors: Seco José Manuel , San Sebastián Eider , Cepeda Javier , Biel Blanca , Salinas-Castillo Alfonso , Fernández Belén , Morales Diego P. , Bobinger Marco , Gómez-Ruiz Santiago , Loghin Florin C. , Rivadeneyra Almudena , Rodríguez-Diéguez Antonio 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe have synthesized a novel three-dimensional metal-organic-framework (MOF) based on the perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate linker and potassium as metallic centre. We report the formation of this K-based MOF using conventional routes with water as solvent. This material displays intense green photoluminescence at room temperature, and displays an aggregation dependent quenching. Correlation of the optical properties with the crystalline packing was confirmed by DFT calculations. We also demonstrate its potential to build humidity actuators with a reversible and reproducible response, with a change of 5 orders of magnitudes in its impedance at about 40% relative humidity (RH). This 3D-MOF is based on an interesting perylene derivative octadentate ligand, a moiety with interesting fluorescent properties and known component in organic semiconductors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to build such a printed and flexible actuator towards humidity with a reversible response, enabling precise humidity threshold monitoring.
Halogen-Bond-Assisted Photoluminescence Modulation in Carbazole-Based Emitter
Authors: Salunke Jagadish K. , Durandin Nikita A. , Ruoko Tero-Petri , Candeias Nuno R. , Vivo Paola , Vuorimaa-Laukkanen Elina , Laaksonen Timo , Priimagi Arri 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHalogen bonding between a carbazole-based, pyridine-substituted organic semiconductor and a common halogen-bond donor (pentafluoroiodobenzene) yields efficient halogen-bond-driven fluorescence modulation in solution. Steady-state, time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy as well as density functional theory studies demonstrate that the fluorescence modulation arises from halogen-bond-induced intramolecular charge transfer. Fluorescence modulation offers a range of possibilities both in solution and in the solid state, for instance providing a potential pathway for the design of tunable luminescent materials for light-emitting devices.
Light-regulated crystal growth of π-conjugated luminophores in an azobenzene matrix
Authors: Kobayashi Takuji , Kitamoto Yuichi , Hirai Yu , Kajitani Takashi , Seki Tomohiro , Yagai Shiki 
Published: September 2018

AbstractControl over the phase transition of functional molecules is a key to design stimuli-responsive materials. Although many efforts have been devoted toward controlling the phase transition of functional molecules by various stimuli such as temperature, solvent vapor, and mechanical stimuli, indirect control using other stimuli-responsive molecules has been hardly explored. Here we demonstrate the potential of this methodology by using a luminescent and a photoresponsive molecule. We prepare blend films composed of an oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) amphiphile showing intrinsic luminescent chromism through isotropic-to-crystalline phase transition and a photo-liquefiable azobenzene amphiphile. The two materials are designed to co-assemble on the molecular level by introducing identical alkyl and oligo(ethylene glycol) chains. The blend films exhibit a luminescence color change from orange to green upon rubbing and subsequent exposure to UV light. Structural analyses reveal that the crystallization of the luminescent amphiphile is regulated by the photoinduced isotropization of the azobenzene amphiphile.
Systematic study of magnetar-powered hydrogen-rich supernovae
Authors: Orellana Mariana , Bersten Melina C. , Moriya Takashi J. 
Published: September 2018

Context. It has been suggested that some supernovae (SNe) may be powered by a magnetar formed at the moment of the explosion. While this scenario has mostly been applied to hydrogen-free events, it may also be possible for hydrogen-rich objects.
Aims. We aim to explore the effect of including a magnetar on the light curves of supernovae with H-rich progenitors.
Methods. We have applied a version of our one-dimensional local thermodynamic equilibrium radiation hydrodynamics code that takes into account the relativistic motion of the ejecta caused by the extra energy provided by the magnetar. For a fixed red supergiant (RSG) progenitor, we have obtained a set of light curves that corresponds to different values of the magnetar initial rotation energy and the spin-down timescale. The model is applied to SN 2004em and OGLE-2014-SN-073, two peculiar Type II SNe with long-rising SN 1987A-like light curves, although with much larger luminosities.
Results. The presence of a plateau phase in either normal or superluminous supernovae is one possible outcome, even if a magnetar is continuously injecting energy into the ejecta. In other cases, the light curve shows a peak but not a plateau. Also, there are intermediate events with a first peak followed by a slow decline and a late break of the declining slope. Our models show that bright and long rising morphologies are possible even assuming RSG structures.
Conclusions. A large number of supernova discoveries per year reveal unexpected new types of explosions. According to our results, SLSNe II-P are to be expected, as well as a variety of light curve morphologies that can all be possible signs of a newly born magnetar.
Production of atomic hydrogen by cosmic rays in dark clouds
Authors: Padovani Marco , Galli Daniele , Ivlev Alexei V. , Caselli Paola , Ferrara Andrea 
Published: September 2018

Context.Small amounts of atomic hydrogen, detected as absorption dips in the 21 cm line spectrum, are a well-known characteristic of dark clouds. The abundance of hydrogen atoms measured in the densest regions of molecular clouds can only be explained by the dissociation of H2by cosmic rays.Aims.We wish to assess the role of Galactic cosmic rays in the formation of atomic hydrogen, for which we use recent developments in the characterisation of the low-energy spectra of cosmic rays and advances in the modelling of their propagation in molecular clouds.Methods.We modelled the attenuation of the interstellar cosmic rays that enter a cloud and computed the dissociation rate of molecular hydrogen that is due to collisions with cosmic-ray protons and electrons as well as fast hydrogen atoms. We compared our results with the available observations.Results.The cosmic-ray dissociation rate is entirely determined by secondary electrons produced in primary ionisation collisions. These secondary particles constitute the only source of atomic hydrogen at column densities above ~1021cm−2. We also find that the dissociation rate decreases with column density, while the ratio between the dissociation and ionisation rates varies between about 0.6 and 0.7. From comparison with observations, we conclude that a relatively flat spectrum of interstellar cosmic-ray protons, such as suggested by the most recent Voyager 1 data, can only provide a lower bound for the observed atomic hydrogen fraction. An enhanced spectrum of low-energy protons is needed to explain most of the observations.Conclusions.Our findings show that a careful description of molecular hydrogen dissociation by cosmic rays can explain the abundance of atomic hydrogen in dark clouds. An accurate characterisation of this process at high densities is crucial for understanding the chemical evolution of star-forming regions.