bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination of saturated ketones for synthesis of polysubstituted anilines
Authors: Hu Rong , Chen Fa-Jie , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Min , Su Weiping 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMetal-catalyzed β-C-H functionalization of saturated carbonyls via dehydrogenative desaturation proved to be a powerful tool for simplifying synthesis of valuable β-substituted carbonyls. Here, we report a copper-catalyzed dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination of saturated ketones that initiates the three-component coupling of saturated ketones, amines and N-substituted maleimides to construct polysubstituted anilines. The protocol presented herein enables both linear and α-branched butanones to couple a wide spectrum of amines and various N-substituted maleimides to produce diverse tetra- or penta-substituted anilines in fair-to-excellent yields with good functional group tolerance. The mechanism studies support that this ketone dehydrogenative γ-C(sp3)-H amination was triggered by the ketone α,β-dehydrogenation desaturation that activates the adjacent γ-C(sp3)-H bond towards functionalization. This α,β-dehydrogenation desaturation-triggered cascade sequence opens up a new avenue to the remote C(sp3)-H functionalization of saturated ketones and has the potential to enable the rapid syntheses of complex compounds from simple starting materials.
Diversity of oligomerization in Drosophila semaphorins suggests a mechanism of functional fine-tuning
Authors: Rozbesky Daniel , Robinson Ross A. , Jain Vitul , Renner Max , Malinauskas Tomas , Harlos Karl , Siebold Christian , Jones E. Yvonne 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSemaphorin ligands and their plexin receptors are one of the major cell guidance factors that trigger localised changes in the cytoskeleton. Binding of semaphorin homodimer to plexin brings two plexins in close proximity which is a prerequisite for plexin signalling. This model appears to be too simplistic to explain the complexity and functional versatility of these molecules. Here, we determine crystal structures for all members of Drosophila class 1 and 2 semaphorins. Unlike previously reported semaphorin structures, Sema1a, Sema2a and Sema2b show stabilisation of sema domain dimer formation via a disulfide bond. Unexpectedly, our structural and biophysical data show Sema1b is a monomer suggesting that semaphorin function may not be restricted to dimers. We demonstrate that semaphorins can form heterodimers with members of the same semaphorin class. This heterodimerization provides a potential mechanism for cross-talk between different plexins and co-receptors to allow fine-tuning of cell signalling.
Effects and acceptability of implementing improved cookstoves and heaters to reduce household air pollution: a FRESH AIR study
Authors: van Gemert Frederik , de Jong Corina , Kirenga Bruce , Musinguzi Patrick , Buteme Shamim , Sooronbaev Talant , Tabyshova Aizhamal , Emilov Berik , Mademilov Maamed , Le An Pham , Quynh Nguyen Nhat , Dang Tran Ngoc , Hong Le Huynh Thi Cam , Chartier Ryan , Brakema Evelyn A. , van Boven Job F. M. ,   FRESH AIR, Kocks Janwillem , Nantanda Rebecca , Katagira Winceslaus , Ndeezi Grace , Tumwine James , Walusimbi Simon , Akylbekov Azamat , Binh Pham Duong Uyen , Tuan Tran Diep , Lan Le Thi Tuyet , Linh Tran Thanh Duv , Loan Kim Xuan , Van Le Thanh , Vinh Nguyen Nhu , Chavannes Niels H. , van der Kleij Rianne M. J. J. , Poot Charlotte , Anastasaki Marilena , Bertsias Antonios , Chatzea Vasiliki E. , Lionis Christos , Papadakis Sophia , Sifaki-Pistolla Dimitra , Tsiligianni Ioanna , Singh Sally , Burges Dennis , Hedrick Ben , Stout James , Warren Louise , Ferarrio Irene , Powell Pippa , Barton Andy , Cartwright Lucy , Kampen Sanne van , Jones Rupert , Pooler Jillian , Poulsen Anja , Kjærgaard Jesper , Hopkinson Nick , Cragg Liza , Pinnock Hilary , Williams Sian , McEwen Andy , Reventlow Susanne , Stubbe-Østergaard Marianne , Postma Maarten J. , de Sousa Jaime Correia 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of locally tailored implementation of improved cookstoves/heaters in low- and middle-income countries. This interventional implementation study among 649 adults and children living in rural communities in Uganda, Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, was performed after situational analyses and awareness programmes. Outcomes included household air pollution (PM2.5 and CO), self-reported respiratory symptoms (with CCQ and MRC-breathlessness scale), chest infections, school absence and intervention acceptability. Measurements were conducted at baseline, 2 and 6–12 months after implementing improved cookstoves/heaters. Mean PM2.5 values decrease by 31% (to 95.1 µg/m3) in Uganda (95%CI 71.5–126.6), by 32% (to 31.1 µg/m3) in Vietnam (95%CI 24.5–39.5) and by 65% (to 32.4 µg/m3) in Kyrgyzstan (95%CI 25.7–40.8), but all remain above the WHO guidelines. CO-levels remain below the WHO guidelines. After intervention, symptoms and infections diminish significantly in Uganda and Kyrgyzstan, and to a smaller extent in Vietnam. Quantitative assessment indicates high acceptance of the new cookstoves/heaters. In conclusion, locally tailored implementation of improved cookstoves/heaters is acceptable and has considerable effects on respiratory symptoms and indoor pollution, yet mean PM2.5 levels remain above WHO recommendations.
Entanglement stabilization using ancilla-based parity detection and real-time feedback in superconducting circuits
Authors: Andersen Christian Kraglund , Remm Ants , Lazar Stefania , Krinner Sebastian , Heinsoo Johannes , Besse Jean-Claude , Gabureac Mihai , Wallraff Andreas , Eichler Christopher 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFault-tolerant quantum computing relies on the ability to detect and correct errors, which in quantum error correction codes is typically achieved by projectively measuring multi-qubit parity operators and by conditioning operations on the observed error syndromes. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the use of an ancillary qubit to repeatedly measure the ZZ and XX parity operators of two data qubits and to thereby project their joint state into the respective parity subspaces. By applying feedback operations conditioned on the outcomes of individual parity measurements, we demonstrate the real-time stabilization of a Bell state with a fidelity of F ≈ 74% in up to 12 cycles of the feedback loop. We also perform the protocol using Pauli frame updating and, in contrast to the case of real-time stabilization, observe a steady decrease in fidelity from cycle to cycle. The ability to stabilize parity over multiple feedback rounds with no further reduction in fidelity provides strong evidence for the feasibility of executing stabilizer codes on timescales much longer than the intrinsic coherence times of the constituent qubits.
Ferritin RNA interference inhibits the formation of iron granules in the trophocytes of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Hsu Chin-Yuan , Lo Hsiao-Fan , Mutti Navdeep S. , Amdam Gro V. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIron granules containing superparamagnetic magnetite act as magnetoreceptor for magnetoreception in honey bees. Biomineralization of iron granules occurs in the iron deposition vesicles of trophocytes and requires the participation of actin, myosin, ferritin2, and ATP synthase. The mechanism of magnetoreception in honey bees can be explored by suppressing the formation of iron granules. Toward this goal, we injected double-stranded RNA of ferritin2 and ferritin1 into newly emerged worker honey bees to knock down these genes via RNA interference. We confirmed that mRNA and protein production of the ferritins was inhibited, leading to immature iron granules. Downregulating ferritin2 and ferritin1, moreover, leads to different deposition morphology of 7.5-nm diameter iron particles, indicating that the two genes play different roles in the formation of iron granules in worker honey bees.
Large-scale mitogenomic analysis of the phylogeography of the Late Pleistocene cave bear
Authors: Gretzinger Joscha , Molak Martyna , Reiter Ella , Pfrengle Saskia , Urban Christian , Neukamm Judith , Blant Michel , Conard Nicholas J. , Cupillard Christophe , Dimitrijević Vesna , Drucker Dorothée G. , Hofman-Kamińska Emilia , Kowalczyk Rafał , Krajcarz Maciej T. , Krajcarz Magdalena , Münzel Susanne C. , Peresani Marco , Romandini Matteo , Rufí Isaac , Soler Joaquim , Terlato Gabriele , Krause Johannes , Bocherens Hervé , Schuenemann Verena J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) is one of the Late Pleistocene megafauna species that faced extinction at the end of the last ice age. Although it is represented by one of the largest fossil records in Europe and has been subject to several interdisciplinary studies including palaeogenetic research, its fate remains highly controversial. Here, we used a combination of hybridisation capture and next generation sequencing to reconstruct 59 new complete cave bear mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA) from 14 sites in Western, Central and Eastern Europe. In a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, we compared them to 64 published cave bear mtDNA sequences to reconstruct the population dynamics and phylogeography during the Late Pleistocene. We found five major mitochondrial DNA lineages resulting in a noticeably more complex biogeography of the European lineages during the last 50,000 years than previously assumed. Furthermore, our calculated effective female population sizes suggest a drastic cave bear population decline starting around 40,000 years ago at the onset of the Aurignacian, coinciding with the spread of anatomically modern humans in Europe. Thus, our study supports a potential significant human role in the general extinction and local extirpation of the European cave bear and illuminates the fate of this megafauna species.
Evolutionary drivers of protein shape
Authors: Shannon Gareth , Marples Callum R. , Toofanny Rudesh D. , Williams Philip M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDiffusional motion within the crowded environment of the cell is known to be crucial to cellular function as it drives the interactions of proteins. However, the relationships between protein diffusion, shape and interaction, and the evolutionary selection mechanisms that arise as a consequence, have not been investigated. Here, we study the dynamics of triaxial ellipsoids of equivalent steric volume to proteins at different aspect ratios and volume fractions using a combination of Brownian molecular dynamics and geometric packing. In general, proteins are found to have a shape, approximately Golden in aspect ratio, that give rise to the highest critical volume fraction resisting gelation, corresponding to the fastest long-time self-diffusion in the cell. The ellipsoidal shape also directs random collisions between proteins away from sites that would promote aggregation and loss of function to more rapidly evolving nonsticky regions on the surface, and further provides a greater tolerance to mutation.
Extracellular endonucleases in the midgut of Myzus persicae may limit the efficacy of orally delivered RNAi
Authors: Ghodke Amol Bharat , Good Robert Trygve , Golz John F. , Russell Derek A. , Edwards Owain , Robin Charles 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMyzus persicae is a major pest of many crops including canola and Brassica vegetables, partly because it vectors plant viruses. Previously it has been reported that double-stranded RNA delivered to aphids by injection, artificial diet or transgenic plants has knocked down target genes and caused phenotypic effects. While these studies suggest that RNA interference (RNAi) might be used to suppress aphid populations, none have shown effects sufficient for field control. The current study analyses the efficacy of dsRNA directed against previously reported gene-targets on Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) strains. No silencing effect was observed when dsRNA was delivered in artificial diet with or without transfection reagents. dsRNA produced in planta also failed to induce significant RNAi in M. persicae. Transcriptome analyses of the midgut suggested other potential targets including the Ferritin heavy chain transcripts, but they also could not be knocked down with dsRNA. Here we show that dsRNA is rapidly degraded by midgut secretions of Myzus persicae. Analysis of the transcriptome of the M. persicae midgut revealed that an ortholog of RNases from other insects was abundant.
Serum and brain natural copper stable isotopes in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Moynier Frédéric , Creech John , Dallas Jessica , Le Borgne Marie 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease is associated with the production of Cu rich aβ fibrils. Because monitoring the changes in Cu level of organs has been proposed to follow the evolution of the disease, we analyzed the copper isotopic composition of serum and brain of APPswe/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease, and wild-type (WT) controls. Serum composition of 3, 6, 9 and 12-month-old mice, as well as the composition of 9 brains of 12-month-old mice are reported. In WT mice, brains were ~1‰ isotopically heavier than serum, and the Cu isotopic composition of the serum was isotopically different between males and females. We propose that this effect of sex on the Cu isotopic budget of the serum may be related to a difference of Cu speciation and relative abundance of Cu carriers. Brains of APPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice were slightly lighter than brains of WT mice, while not statistically significant. This trend may reflect an increase of Cu(I) associated with the formation of Aβ fibrils. The Cu isotopic composition of the brains and serum were correlated, implying copper transport between these two reservoirs, in particular a transfer of Cu(I) from the brain to the serum. Altogether, these data suggest that Cu stable isotopic composition of body fluid may have the potential to be used as detection tools for the formation of Aβ fibrils in the brain, but further work has to be done.
Widespread Wolbachia infection in an insular radiation of damselflies (Odonata, Coenagrionidae)
Authors: Lorenzo-Carballa M. O. , Torres-Cambas Y. , Heaton K. , Hurst G. D. D. , Charlat S. , Sherratt T. N. , Van Gossum H. , Cordero-Rivera A. , Beatty C. D. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWolbachia is one of the most common endosymbionts found infecting arthropods. Theory predicts symbionts like Wolbachia will be more common in species radiations, as host shift events occur with greatest frequency between closely related species. Further, the presence of Wolbachia itself may engender reproductive isolation, and promote speciation of their hosts. Here we screened 178 individuals belonging to 30 species of the damselfly genera Nesobasis and Melanesobasis — species radiations endemic to the Fiji archipelago in the South Pacific — for Wolbachia, using multilocus sequence typing to characterize bacterial strains. Incidence of Wolbachia was 71% in Nesobasis and 40% in Melanesobasis, and prevalence was also high, with an average of 88% in the Nesobasis species screened. We identified a total of 25 Wolbachia strains, belonging to supergroups A, B and F, with some epidemic strains present in multiple species. The occurrence of Wolbachia in both males and females, and the similar global prevalence found in both sexes rules out any strong effect of Wolbachia on the primary sex-ratio, but are compatible with the phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nesobasis has higher species richness than most endemic island damselfly genera, and we discuss the potential for endosymbiont-mediated speciation within this group.
An S-cone circuit for edge detection in the primate retina
Authors: Patterson Sara S. , Kuchenbecker James A. , Anderson James R. , Bordt Andrea S. , Marshak David W. , Neitz Maureen , Neitz Jay 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMidget retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the most common RGC type in the primate retina. Their responses have been proposed to mediate both color and spatial vision, yet the specific links between midget RGC responses and visual perception are unclear. Previous research on the dual roles of midget RGCs has focused on those comparing long (L) vs. middle (M) wavelength sensitive cones. However, there is evidence for several other rare midget RGC subtypes receiving S-cone input, but their role in color and spatial vision is uncertain. Here, we confirm the existence of the single S-cone center OFF midget RGC circuit in the central retina of macaque monkey both structurally and functionally. We investigated the receptive field properties of the S-OFF midget circuit with single cell electrophysiology and 3D electron microscopy reconstructions of the upstream circuitry. Like the well-studied L vs. M midget RGCs, the S-OFF midget RGCs have a center-surround receptive field consistent with a role in spatial vision. While spectral opponency in a primate RGC is classically assumed to contribute to hue perception, a role supporting edge detection is more consistent with the S-OFF midget RGC receptive field structure and studies of hue perception.
Functional Transcriptome Analysis in ARSACS KO Cell Model Reveals a Role of Sacsin in Autophagy
Authors: Morani Federica , Doccini Stefano , Sirica Roberto , Paterno Marta , Pezzini Francesco , Ricca Ivana , Simonati Alessandro , Delledonne Massimo , Santorelli Filippo Maria 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAutosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a rare early-onset neurological disease caused by mutations in SACS, which encodes sacsin. The complex architecture of sacsin suggests that it could be a key player in cellular protein quality control system. Molecular chaperones that operate in protein folding/unfolding and assembly/disassembly patterns have been described as essential modulators of selectivity during the autophagy process. We performed RNA-sequencing analysis to generate a whole-genome molecular signature profile of sacsin knockout cells. Using data analysis of biological processes significantly disrupted due to loss of sacsin, we confirmed the presence of decreased mitochondrial function associated with increased oxidative stress, and also provided a demonstration of a defective autophagic pathway in sacsin-depleted cells. Western blotting assays revealed decreased expression of LC3 and increased levels of p62 even after treatment with the lysosomal inhibitor bafilomycin A1, indicating impairment of the autophagic flux. Moreover, we found reduced co-immunolocalization of the autophagosome marker LC3 with lysosomal and mitochondrial markers suggesting fusion inhibition of autophagic compartments and subsequent failed cargo degradation, in particular failed degradation of damaged mitochondria. Pharmacological up-regulation of autophagy restored correct autophagic flux in sacsin knockout cells. These results corroborate the hypothesis that sacsin may play a role in autophagy. Chemical manipulation of this pathway might represent a new target to alleviate clinical and pathological symptoms, delaying the processes of neurodegeneration in ARSACS.
Increasing altruistic and cooperative behaviour with simple moral nudges
Authors: Capraro Valerio , Jagfeld Glorianna , Klein Rana , Mul Mathijs , de Pol Iris van 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe conflict between pro-self and pro-social behaviour is at the core of many key problems of our time, as, for example, the reduction of air pollution and the redistribution of scarce resources. For the well-being of our societies, it is thus crucial to find mechanisms to promote pro-social choices over egoistic ones. Particularly important, because cheap and easy to implement, are those mechanisms that can change people’s behaviour without forbidding any options or significantly changing their economic incentives, the so-called “nudges”. Previous research has found that moral nudges (e.g., making norms salient) can promote pro-social behaviour. However, little is known about whether their effect persists over time and spills across context. This question is key in light of research showing that pro-social actions are often followed by selfish actions, thus suggesting that some moral manipulations may backfire. Here we present a class of simple moral nudges that have a great positive impact on pro-sociality. In Studies 1–4 (total N = 1,400), we use economic games to demonstrate that asking subjects to self-report “what they think is the morally right thing to do” does not only increase pro-sociality in the choice immediately after, but also in subsequent choices, and even when the social context changes. In Study 5, we explore whether moral nudges promote charity donations to humanitarian organisations in a large (N = 1,800) crowdfunding campaign. We find that, in this context, moral nudges increase donations by about 44 percent.
Mapping behaviorally relevant light pollution levels to improve urban habitat planning
Authors: Schirmer Aaron E. , Gallemore Caleb , Liu Ting , Magle Seth , DiNello Elisabeth , Ahmed Humerah , Gilday Thomas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractArtificial nighttime lights have important behavioral and ecological effects on wildlife. Combining laboratory and field techniques, we identified behaviorally relevant levels of nighttime light and mapped the extent of these light levels across the city of Chicago. We began by applying a Gaussian finite mixture model to 998 sampled illumination levels around Chicago to identify clusters of light levels. A simplified sample of these levels was replicated in the laboratory to identify light levels at which C57BL/6J mice exhibited altered circadian activity patterns. We then used camera trap and high-altitude photographic data to compare our field and laboratory observations, finding activity pattern changes in the field consistent with laboratory observations. Using these results, we mapped areas across Chicago exposed to estimated illumination levels above the value associated with statistically significant behavioral changes. Based on this measure, we found that as much as 36% of the greenspace in the city is in areas illuminated at levels greater than or equal to those at which we observe behavioral differences in the field and in the laboratory. Our findings provide evidence that artificial lighting patterns may influence wildlife behavior at a broad scale throughout urban areas, and should be considered in urban habitat planning.
Novel method for action potential measurements from intact cardiac monolayers with multiwell microelectrode array technology
Authors: Hayes Heather B. , Nicolini Anthony M. , Arrowood Colin A. , Chvatal Stacie A. , Wolfson David W. , Cho Hee Cheol , Sullivan Denise D. , Chal Jérome , Fermini Bernard , Clements Mike , Ross James D. , Millard Daniel C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe cardiac action potential (AP) is vital for understanding healthy and diseased cardiac biology and drug safety testing. However, techniques for high throughput cardiac AP measurements have been limited. Here, we introduce a novel technique for reliably increasing the coupling of cardiomyocyte syncytium to planar multiwell microelectrode arrays, resulting in a stable, label-free local extracellular action potential (LEAP). We characterized the reliability and stability of LEAP, its relationship to the field potential, and its efficacy for quantifying AP morphology of human induced pluripotent stem cell derived and primary rodent cardiomyocytes. Rise time, action potential duration, beat period, and triangulation were used to quantify compound responses and AP morphology changes induced by genetic modification. LEAP is the first high throughput, non-invasive, label-free, stable method to capture AP morphology from an intact cardiomyocyte syncytium. LEAP can accelerate our understanding of stem cell models, while improving the automation and accuracy of drug testing.