bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homophily influences ranking of minorities in social networks
Authors: Karimi Fariba , Génois Mathieu , Wagner Claudia , Singer Philipp , Strohmaier Markus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHomophily can put minority groups at a disadvantage by restricting their ability to establish links with a majority group or to access novel information. Here, we show how this phenomenon can influence the ranking of minorities in examples of real-world networks with various levels of heterophily and homophily ranging from sexual contacts, dating contacts, scientific collaborations, and scientific citations. We devise a social network model with tunable homophily and group sizes, and demonstrate how the degree ranking of nodes from the minority group in a network is a function of (i) relative group sizes and (ii) the presence or absence of homophilic behaviour. We provide analytical insights on how the ranking of the minority can be improved to ensure the representativeness of the group and correct for potential biases. Our work presents a foundation for assessing the impact of homophilic and heterophilic behaviour on minorities in social networks.
Increased Cathepsin S activity associated with decreased protease inhibitory capacity contributes to altered tear proteins in Sjögren’s Syndrome patients
Authors: Edman Maria C. , Janga Srikanth R. , Meng Zhen , Bechtold Mercy , Chen Alexander F. , Kim Chongiin , Naman Luke , Sarma Arunava , Teekappanavar Neha , Kim Alice Y. , Madrigal Sara , Singh Simranjit , Ortiz Elizabeth , Christianakis Stratos , Arkfeld Daniel G. , Mack Wendy J. , Heur Martin , Stohl William , Hamm-Alvarez Sarah F. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCathepsin S (CTSS) activity is elevated in Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS) patient tears. Here we tested whether protease inhibition and cystatin C (Cys C) levels are reduced in SS tears, which could lead to enhanced CTSS-driven degradation of tear proteins. CTSS activity against Cys C, LF and sIgA was tested in SS or healthy control tears. Tears from 156 female subjects (33, SS; 33, rheumatoid arthritis; 31, other autoimmune diseases; 35, non-autoimmune dry eye (DE); 24, healthy controls) were analyzed for CTSS activity and Cys C, LF, and sIgA levels. Cys C and LF showed enhanced degradation in SS tears supplemented with recombinant CTSS, but not supplemented healthy control tears. CTSS activity was significantly increased, while Cys C, LF and sIgA levels were significantly decreased, in SS tears compared to other groups. While tear CTSS activity remained the strongest discriminator of SS in autoimmune populations, combining LF and CTSS improved discrimination of SS beyond CTSS in DE patients. Reductions in Cys C and other endogenous proteases may enhance CTSS activity in SS tears. Tear CTSS activity is reconfirmed as a putative biomarker of SS in an independent patient cohort while combined LF and CTSS measurements may distinguish SS from DE patients.
The Effect of SkitoSnack, an Artificial Blood Meal Replacement, on Aedes aegypti Life History Traits and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Gonzales Kristina K. , Rodriguez Stacy D. , Chung Hae-Na , Kowalski Margaret , Vulcan Julia , Moore Emily L. , Li Yiyi , Willette Stephanie M. , Kandel Yashoda , Van Voorhies Wayne A. , Holguin F. Omar , Hanley Kathryn A. , Hansen Immo A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPublic health research and vector control frequently require the rearing of large numbers of vector mosquitoes. All target vector mosquito species are anautogenous, meaning that females require vertebrate blood for egg production. Vertebrate blood, however, is costly, with a short shelf life. To overcome these constraints, we have developed SkitoSnack, an artificial blood meal replacement for the mosquitoAedes aegypti, the vector of dengue, Zika and chikungunya virus. SkitoSnack contains bovine serum albumin and hemoglobin as protein source as well as egg yolk and a bicarbonate buffer. SkitoSnack-raised females had comparable life history traits as blood-raised females. Mosquitoes reared from SkitoSnack-fed females had similar levels of infection and dissemination when orally challenged with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) and significantly lower infection with DENV-4. When SkitoSnack was used as a vehicle for DENV-2 delivery, blood-raised and SkitoSnack-raised females were equally susceptible. The midgut microbiota differed significantly between mosquitoes fed on SkitoSnack and mosquitoes fed on blood. By rearing 20 generations ofAedesexclusively on SkitoSnack, we have proven that this artificial diet can replace blood in mosquito mass rearing.
RNA-Seq reveals novel genes and pathways involved in bovine mammary involution during the dry period and under environmental heat stress
Authors: Dado-Senn Bethany , Skibiel Amy L. , Fabris Thiago F. , Zhang Y. , Dahl Geoffrey E. , Peñagaricano Francisco , Laporta Jimena 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe bovine dry period is a dynamic non-lactating phase where the mammary gland undergoes extensive cellular turnover. Utilizing RNA sequencing, we characterized novel genes and pathways involved in this process and determined the impact of dry period heat stress. Mammary tissue was collected before and during the dry period (−3, 3, 7, 14, and 25 days relative to dry-off [day 0]) from heat-stressed (HT, n = 6) or cooled (CL, n = 6) late-gestation Holstein cows. We identified 3,315 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between late lactation and early involution, and 880 DEGs later in the involution process. DEGs, pathways, and upstream regulators during early involution support the downregulation of functions such as anabolism and milk component synthesis, and upregulation of cell death, cytoskeleton degradation, and immune response. The impact of environmental heat stress was less significant, yet genes, pathways, and upstream regulators involved in processes such as ductal branching morphogenesis, cell death, immune function, and protection against tissue stress were identified. Our research advances understanding of the mammary gland transcriptome during the dry period, and under heat stress insult. Individual genes, pathways, and upstream regulators highlighted in this study point towards potential targets for dry period manipulation and mitigation of the negative consequences of heat stress on mammary function.
Fundamental parameters of the developing thymic epithelium in the mouse
Authors: Hirakawa Mayumi , Nagakubo Daisuke , Kanzler Benoît , Avilov Sergiy , Krauth Brigitte , Happe Christiane , Swann Jeremy B. , Nusser Anja , Boehm Thomas 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe numbers of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes steadily increase during embryogenesis. To examine this dynamic, we generated several TEC-specific transgenic mouse lines, which express fluorescent proteins in the nucleus, the cytosol and in the membranes under the control of theFoxn1promoter. These tools enabled us to determine TEC numbers in tissue sections by confocal fluorescent microscopy, and in the intact organ by light-sheet microscopy. Compared to histological procedures, flow cytometric analysis of thymic cellularity is shown to underestimate the numbers of TECs by one order of magnitude; using enzymatic digestion of thymic tissue, the loss of cortical TECs (cTECs) is several fold greater than that of medullary TECs (mTECs), although different cTEC subsets appear to be still present in the final preparation. Novel reporter lines driven byPsmb11andPrss16promoters revealed the trajectory of differentiation of cTEC-like cells, and, owing to the additional facility of conditional cell ablation, allowed us to follow the recovery of such cells after their depletion during embryogenesis. Multiparametric histological analyses indicate that the new transgenic reporter lines not only reveal the unique morphologies of different TEC subsets, but are also conducive to the analysis of the complex cellular interactions in the thymus.
The effect of adipose-derived stem cell sheets and CTGF on early flexor tendon healing in a canine model
Authors: Shen Hua , Jayaram Rohith , Yoneda Susumu , Linderman Stephen W. , Sakiyama-Elbert Shelly E. , Xia Younan , Gelberman Richard H. , Thomopoulos Stavros 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntrasynovial tendon injuries are among the most challenging in orthopedics. Despite significant improvements in operative and rehabilitation methods, functional outcomes continue to be limited by adhesions, gap formation, and rupture. Adhesions result from excessive inflammation, whereas tendon gapping and rupture result from inflammation-induced matrix degradation and insufficient regeneration. Therefore, this study used a combined treatment approach to modulate inflammation with adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) while stimulating tendon regeneration with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). ASCs were applied to the repair surface via cell sheets and CTGF was delivered to the repair center via porous sutures. The effect of the combined treatment was assessed fourteen days after repair in a canine flexor tendon injury model. CTGF, either alone or with ASCs, reduced inflammatory (IL1B and IL6) and matrix degrading (MMP3 and MMP13) gene expression, while increasing anti-inflammatory gene (IL4) expression and collagen synthesis compared to control repairs. The combined treatment was more effective than CTGF treatment alone, reducing the inflammatory IFNG and scar-associated COL3A1 gene expression and increasing CD146+ tendon stem/progenitor cells at the tendon surface and interior along the core suture tracks. Therefore, the combined approach is promising in promoting early flexor tendon healing and worthy of further investigation.
Allosteric sodium binding cavity in GPR3: a novel player in modulation of Aβ production
Authors: Capaldi Stefano , Suku Eda , Antolini Martina , Di Giacobbe Mattia , Giorgetti Alejandro , Buffelli Mario 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe orphan G-protein coupled receptor 3 (GPR3) belongs to class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and is highly expressed in central nervous system neurons. Among other functions, it is likely associated with neuron differentiation and maturation. Recently, GPR3 has also been linked to the production of Aβ peptides in neurons. Unfortunately, the lack of experimental structural information for this receptor hampers a deep characterization of its function. Here, using an in-silico and in-vitro combined approach, we describe, for the first time, structural characteristics of GPR3 receptor underlying its function: the agonist binding site and the allosteric sodium binding cavity. We identified and validated by alanine-scanning mutagenesis the role of three functionally relevant residues: Cys2676.55, Phe1203.36 and Asp2.50. The latter, when mutated into alanine, completely abolished the constitutive and agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of GPR3 receptor by disrupting its sodium binding cavity. Interestingly, this is correlated with a decrease in Aβ production in a model cell line. Taken together, these results suggest an important role of the allosteric sodium binding site for GPR3 activity and open a possible avenue for the modulation of Aβ production in the Alzheimer’s Disease.
A Photonic Switch Based on a Hybrid Combination of Metallic Nanoholes and Phase-change Vanadium Dioxide
Authors: Sun Miao , Taha Mohammad , Walia Sumeet , Bhaskaran Madhu , Sriram Sharath , Shieh William , Unnithan Ranjith Rajasekharan 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA photonic switch is an integral part of optical telecommunication systems. A plasmonic bandpass filter integrated with materials exhibiting phase transition can be used as a thermally reconfigurable optical switch. This paper presents the design and demonstration of a broadband photonic switch based on an aluminium nanohole array on quartz utilising the semiconductor-to-metal phase transition of vanadium dioxide. The fabricated switch shows an operating range over 650 nm around the optical communication C, L, and U band with maximum 20%, 23% and 26% transmission difference in switching in the C band, L band, and U band, respectively. The extinction ratio is around 5 dB in the entire operation range. This architecture is a precursor for developing micron-size photonic switches and ultra-compact modulators for thin film photonics.
Triple-core-hole states produced in the interaction of solid-state density plasmas with a relativistic femtosecond optical laser
Authors: Gao Cheng , Li Yongjun , Liu Pengfei , Fan Xiaohui , Zeng Jiaolong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractExtremely exotic dense matter states can be produced in the interaction of a relativistic femtosecond optical laser with a solid density matter. Here we theoretically investigate triple-core-hole (TCH) states produced by an intense polychromatic x-ray field formed by hot electrons in the interaction of a relativistic femtosecond optical laser with a thin silver foil. X-ray emission spectra of solid-density silver plasmas show unambiguously the production of TCH states at an electron temperature of a few hundreds of eV and radiative temperature of 1–3 keV of the polychromatic x-ray field. Practical calculations show that the emissivity originating from the TCH states exceeds that from the single- and double-core-hole states in Ne-like Ag37+ at electron temperature of ~500 eV and radiative temperature of ~1500 eV. For the neighbouring ionization stages of Ag36+ and Ag38+, TCH emissivity is roughly equivalent or comparable to that from the single- and double-core-hole states. Present work deepens our insight into investigation of the properties of extremely exotic states, which is important in high energy density physics, astrophysics and laser physics.
Reproduction predicts shorter telomeres and epigenetic age acceleration among young adult women
Authors: Ryan Calen P. , Hayes M. Geoffrey , Lee Nanette R. , McDade Thomas W. , Jones Meaghan J. , Kobor Michael S. , Kuzawa Christopher W. , Eisenberg Dan T. A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEvolutionary theory predicts that reproduction entails costs that detract from somatic maintenance, accelerating biological aging. Despite support from studies in human and non-human animals, mechanisms linking ‘costs of reproduction’ (CoR) to aging are poorly understood. Human pregnancy is characterized by major alterations in metabolic regulation, oxidative stress, and immune cell proliferation. We hypothesized that these adaptations could accelerate blood-derived cellular aging. To test this hypothesis, we examined gravidity in relation to telomere length (TL, n = 821) and DNA-methylation age (DNAmAge, n = 397) in a cohort of young (20–22 year-old) Filipino women. Age-corrected TL and accelerated DNAmAge both predict age-related morbidity and mortality, and provide markers of mitotic and non-mitotic cellular aging, respectively. Consistent with theoretical predictions, TL decreased (p = 0.031) and DNAmAge increased (p = 0.007) with gravidity, a relationship that was not contingent upon resource availability. Neither biomarker was associated with subsequent fertility (both p > 0.3), broadly consistent with a causal effect of gravidity on cellular aging. Our findings provide evidence that reproduction in women carries costs in the form of accelerated aging through two independent cellular pathways.
Upper limb activity in myoelectric prosthesis users is biased towards the intact limb and appears unrelated to goal-directed task performance
Authors: Chadwell A. , Kenney L. , Granat M. H. , Thies S. , Head J. , Galpin A. , Baker R. , Kulkarni J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractStudies of the effectiveness of prosthetic hands involve assessing user performance on functional tasks, typically collected in the lab, sometimes combined with self-report of real-world use. In this paper we compare real-world upper limb activity between a group of 20 myoelectric prosthesis users and 20 anatomically intact adults. Activity was measured from wrist-worn accelerometers over a 7-day period. The temporal patterns in upper limb activity are presented and the balance of activity between the two limbs quantified. We also evaluated the prosthesis users’ performance on a goal-directed task, characterised using measures including task success rate, completion time, gaze behaviour patterns, and kinematics (e.g. variability and patterns in hand aperture). Prosthesis users were heavily reliant on their intact limb during everyday life, in contrast to anatomically intact adults who demonstrated similar reliance on both upper limbs. There was no significant correlation between the amount of time a prosthesis was worn and reliance on the intact limb, and there was no significant correlation between either of these measures and any of the assessed kinematic and gaze-related measures of performance. We found participants who had been prescribed a prosthesis for longer to demonstrate more symmetry in their overall upper limb activity, although this was not reflected in the symmetry of unilateral limb use. With the exception of previously published case studies, this is the first report of real world upper limb activity in myoelectric prosthesis users and confirms the widely held belief that users are heavily reliant on their intact limb.
Enhanced bending strength and thermal conductivity in diamond/Al composites with B4C coating
Authors: Sun Youhong , Zhang Chi , He Linkai , Meng Qingnan , Liu Bao-Chang , Gao Ke , Wu Jinhao 
Published: July 2018

AbstractDiamond/Al composites containing B4C-coated and uncoated diamond particles were prepared by powder metallurgy. The microstructure, bending strength and thermal conductivity were characterized considering the B4C addition and diamond fraction. The influence of B4C coating and fraction of diamond on both bending strength and thermal conductivity were investigated. The bending strength increased with decreasing diamond fraction. Moreover, addition of B4C coating led to an obvious increase in bending strength. The peak value at 261.2 MPa was achieved in the composite with 30 vt.% B4C-coated diamond particles, which was about twice of that for 30 vt.% uncoated diamond/Al composite (140.1 MPa). The thermal conductivity enhanced with the increase in diamond fraction, and the highest value (352.7 W/m·K) was obtained in the composite with 50 vt.% B4C-coated diamond particles. Plating B4C on diamond gave rise to the enhancement in bending strength and thermal conductivity for diamond/Al composites, because of the improvement of the interfacial bonding between diamond and aluminum matrix.
Structural and functional brain scans from the cross-sectional Southwest University adult lifespan dataset
Authors: Wei Dongtao , Zhuang Kaixiang , Ai Lei , Chen Qunlin , Yang Wenjing , Liu Wei , Wang Kangcheng , Sun Jiangzhou , Qiu Jiang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecently, the field of developmental neuroscience has aimed to uncover the developmental trajectory of the human brain and to understand the changes that occur as a function of ageing. Here, we present a dataset of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data covering the adult lifespan that includes structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI. Four hundred ninety-four healthy adults (age range: 19-80 years; Males=187) were recruited and completed two multi-modal MRI scan sessions at the Brain Imaging Center of Southwest University, Chongqing, China. The goals of the dataset are to give researchers the opportunity to map the developmental trajectories of structural and functional changes in the human brain and to replicate previous findings.
Experimental demonstration of IDMA‐OFDM for visible light communications
Authors: Lin Bangjiang , Tang Xuan , Shen Xiaohuan , Zhang Haiguang , Wu Yi , Li Hui , Ghassemlooy Zabih 
Published: July 2018

We experimentally demonstrate a multicarrier interleave division multiple access (IDMA) scheme for bidirectional visible light communications using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which has the advantages of good tolerance against multi‐path, high spectral efficiency and excellent transmission performance. The generated IDMA signals are modulated on OFDM subcarriers and the different users are separated by the interleavers. When compared with orthogonal frequency domain multiple access, IDMA‐OFDM offers increased transmission spans of 30 and 50 cm at a bit error rate (BER) of 10−3 in the cases of two and four users, respectively.
Stem cell-derived clade F AAVs mediate high-efficiency homologous recombination-based genome editing
Authors: Smith Laura J. , Wright Jason , Clark Gabriella , Ul-Hasan Taihra , Jin Xiangyang , Fong Abigail , Chandra Manasa , St Martin Thia , Rubin Hillard , Knowlton David , Ellsworth Jeff L. , Fong Yuman , Wong Kamehameha K. , Chatterjee Saswati 
Published: July 2018

Significance
Precise genomic correction of pathogenic mutations is an attractive therapeutic strategy. Here, we show that a unique class of stem cell-derived nonpathogenic virus, hematopoietic stem cell-derived adeno-associated virus vector (AAVHSC), mediates precise genome editing at unprecedented efficiencies in primary human cells, including postmitotic cells, and in vivo. Unlike the majority of current editing platforms, genome editing by AAVHSC is uniquely based on homologous recombination (HR), requiring no exogenous nucleases. AAVHSC-mediated editing is seamless, with no evidence of on-target insertion/deletion mutations common to nuclease-based platforms. Efficient in vivo editing was achieved by i.v. injection of AAVHSC editing vectors. The combination of efficient and precise HR-based genome editing coupled with the superior in vivo transduction properties of AAV facilitates progress toward in vivo therapeutic gene editing.
Between party and movement: conceptual and empirical considerations of the radical right’s organizational boundaries and mobilization processes
Authors: Minkenberg Michael 
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT
The article seeks to contribute to the conceptual and comparative debate with its focus on political parties by approaching the topic through the logic of collective action. Starting from an ideologically centered definition of right-wing radicalism, it conceptualizes the radical right in liberal democracies as a collective actor with different ideological as well as organizational manifestations, the latter most notably in party or movement forms. The article argues that unlike other movement-party linkages, which build on clear typological distinctions between parties and movement, radical right parties almost by definition exhibit movement characteristics in that they continuously engage in ‘contentious politics’. Empirical evidence will be drawn from member states of the EU to illustrate the argument. It will be further argued that in the interaction between radical right parties and movements in Western democracies, movements endure where radical right parties remain marginal. In other words, to the extent that radical right parties maintain their movement qualities and become electorally successful, movement mobilization on the far right is inhibited. This ‘Western’ pattern is contrasted by patterns in Eastern Europe, where more porous borders between radical right parties and movements exist along with symbiotic interactions.