bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consistent microbial dynamics and functional community patterns derived from first principles
Authors: Delattre Hadrien , Desmond-Le Quéméner Elie , Duquennoi Christian , Filali Ahlem , Bouchez Théodore 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Microbial communities are key engines that drive earth’s biogeochemical cycles. However, existing ecosystem models have only limited ability to predict microbial dynamics and require the calibration of multiple population-specific empirical equations. In contrast, we build on a new kinetic “Microbial Transition State” (MTS) theory of growth derived from first principles. We show how the theory coupled to simple mass and energy balance calculations provides a framework with intrinsically important qualitative properties to model microbial community dynamics. We first show how the theory can simultaneously account for the influence of all the resources needed for growth (electron donor, acceptor, and nutrients) while still producing consistent dynamics that fulfill the Liebig rule of a single limiting substrate. We also show consistent patterns of energy-dependent microbial successions in mixed culture without the need for calibration of population-specific parameters. We then show how this approach can be used to model a simplified activated sludge community. To this end, we compare MTS-derived dynamics with those of a widely used activated sludge model and show that similar growth yields and overall dynamics can be obtained using two parameters instead of twelve. This new kinetic theory of growth grounded by a set of generic physical principles parsimoniously gives rise to consistent microbial population and community dynamics, thereby paving the way for the development of a new class of more predictive microbial ecosystem models.
Revealing the biexciton and trion-exciton complexes in BN encapsulated WSe2
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Wang Tianmeng , Lu Zhengguang , Jin Chenhao , Chen Yanwen , Meng Yuze , Lian Zhen , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Zhang Shengbai , Smirnov Dmitry , Shi Su-Fei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractStrong Coulomb interactions in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) result in the emergence of strongly bound excitons, trions, and biexcitons. These excitonic complexes possess the valley degree of freedom, which can be exploited for quantum optoelectronics. However, in contrast to the good understanding of the exciton and trion properties, the binding energy of the biexciton remains elusive, with theoretical calculations and experimental studies reporting discrepant results. In this work, we resolve the conflict by employing low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy to identify the biexciton state in BN-encapsulated single-layer WSe2. The biexciton state only exists in charge-neutral WSe2, which is realized through the control of efficient electrostatic gating. In the lightly electron-doped WSe2, one free electron binds to a biexciton and forms the trion–exciton complex. Improved understanding of the biexciton and trion–exciton complexes paves the way for exploiting the many-body physics in TMDs for novel optoelectronics applications.
Nonlocal electron correlations in an itinerant ferromagnet
Authors: Tusche Christian , Ellguth Martin , Feyer Vitaliy , Krasyuk Alexander , Wiemann Carsten , Henk Jürgen , Schneider Claus M. , Kirschner Jürgen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOur understanding of the properties of ferromagnetic materials, widely used in spintronic devices, is fundamentally based on their electronic band structure. However, even for the most simple elemental ferromagnets, electron correlations are prevalent, requiring descriptions of their electronic structure beyond the simple picture of independent quasi-particles. Here, we give evidence that in itinerant ferromagnets like cobalt these electron correlations are of nonlocal origin, manifested in a complex self-energy Σσ(E,k) that disperses as function of spin σ, energy E, and momentum vector k. Together with one-step photoemission calculations, our experiments allow us to quantify the dispersive behaviour of the complex self-energy over the whole Brillouin zone. At the same time we observe regions of anomalously large “waterfall”-like band renormalization, previously only attributed to strong electron correlations in high-TC superconductors, making itinerant ferromagnets a paradigmatic test case for the interplay between band structure, magnetism, and many-body correlations.
Spin dynamics of the block orbital-selective Mott phase
Authors: Herbrych J. , Kaushal N. , Nocera A. , Alvarez G. , Moreo A. , Dagotto E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIron-based superconductors display a variety of magnetic phases originating in the competition between electronic, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom. Previous theoretical investigations of the multi-orbital Hubbard model in one-dimension revealed the existence of an orbital-selective Mott phase (OSMP) with block spin order. Recent inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments on the BaFe2Se3 ladder compound confirmed the relevance of the block-OSMP. Moreover, the powder INS spectrum revealed an unexpected structure, containing both low-energy acoustic and high-energy optical modes. Here we present the theoretical prediction for the dynamical spin structure factor within a block-OSMP regime using the density-matrix renormalization-group method. In agreement with experiments, we find two dominant features: low-energy dispersive and high-energy dispersionless modes. We argue that the former represents the spin-wave-like dynamics of the block ferromagnetic islands, while the latter is attributed to a novel type of local on-site spin excitations controlled by the Hund coupling.
Steel corrosion inhibition by calcium nitrate in halide-enriched completion fluid environments
Authors: Dong Shiqi , La Plante Erika Callagon , Chen Xin , Torabzadegan Mehrdad , Balonis Magdalena , Bauchy Mathieu , Sant Gaurav 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCalcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) has been suggested to inhibit steel corrosion. However, the effectiveness of corrosion inhibition offered by calcium nitrate in highly halide-enriched environments, for example, completion fluids, is not well known. To better understand this, the inhibition of corrosion of API P110 steel by Ca(NO3)2 was studied using vertical scanning interferometry in solutions consisting of 10 mass % calcium chloride (CaCl2) or 10 mass % calcium bromide (CaBr2), for example, to simulate the contact of completion fluids with the steel sheath in downhole (oil and gas) applications. The evolution of the surface topography resulting from the initiation and growth of corrosion pits, and general corrosion was examined from the nano-scale to micron-scale using vertical scanning interferometry. Special focus was paid to quantify surface evolution in the presence of Ca(NO3)2. The results indicate that, at low concentrations (≈1 mass %), Ca(NO3)2 successfully inhibited steel corrosion in the presence of both CaCl2 and CaBr2. Statistical analysis of surface topography data reveals that such inhibition results from suppression of corrosion at fast corroding pitting sites. However, at higher concentrations, calcium nitrate’s effectiveness as a corrosion inhibitor is far less substantial. These results provide a means to rationalize surface topography evolution against the electrochemical origin of corrosion inhibition by NO3− species, and provide guidance regarding the kinetics, and susceptibility to degradation of the steel sheath during exposure to halide-enriched completion fluids.
Postoperative seizure outcome and timing interval to start antiepileptic drug withdrawal: A retrospective observational study of non-neoplastic drug resistant epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Le , Jiang Xin-Yue , Zhou Dong , Zhang Heng , Bao Shi-Min , Li Jin-Mei 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the impact of timing interval to start AED withdraw (TIW) after surgery on the seizure outcome in non-neoplastic drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). TIW were divided into three groups (respectively,<1 year, 1-<2 years, and ≥2 years). The seizure outcome at the different time points after starting AED withdrawal were compared among three groups. Other factors that related to seizure recurrence and TIW were included into the multiple analysis to investigate the predictors of seizure-free. Altogether, 205 patients were involved in the study. 102 individuals (50%) had seizure recurrence and 127 (62%) had seizure-free at the final follow up. 115 of them have attempted AED reduction and had not seizure recurrence before AED reduction. The rate of seizure-free had no significant difference among people with different TIW. Multiple analysis indicated that temporal surgery is a favorable predictor of seizure-free at the first year after starting AED withdrawal, and preoperative secondary generalized seizures is an unfavorable predictor of seizure-free at the final follow up. In patients with non-neoplastic DRE, TIW is not the mainly influence factor on seizure outcome, however, preoperative secondary generalized seizures and extra-temporal surgery are negatively associated with seizure-free.
Exploring the Ligand Efficacy of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1) using Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Jung Sang Won , Cho Art E. , Yu Wookyung 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is a promising therapeutic target for a variety of disorders. Distinct efficacy profiles showed different therapeutic effects on CB1 dependent on three classes of ligands: agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists. To discriminate the distinct efficacy profiles of the ligands, we carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to identify the dynamic behaviors of inactive and active conformations of CB1 structures with the ligands. In addition, the molecular mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) method was applied to analyze the binding free energy decompositions of the CB1-ligand complexes. With these two methods, we found the possibility that the three classes of ligands can be discriminated. Our findings shed light on the understanding of different efficacy profiles of ligands by analyzing the structural behaviors of intact CB1 structures and the binding energies of ligands, thereby yielding insights that are useful for the design of new potent CB1 drugs.
DNA hypermethylation and differential gene expression associated with Klinefelter syndrome
Authors: Skakkebæk Anne , Nielsen Morten Muhlig , Trolle Christian , Vang Søren , Hornshøj Henrik , Hedegaard Jakob , Wallentin Mikkel , Bojesen Anders , Hertz Jens Michael , Fedder Jens , Østergaard John Rosendahl , Pedersen Jakob Skou , Gravholt Claus Højbjerg 
Published: September 2018

AbstractKlinefelter syndrome (KS) has a prevalence ranging from 85 to 250 per 100.000 newborn boys making it the most frequent sex chromosome aneuploidy in the general population. The molecular basis for the phenotypic traits and morbidity in KS are not clarified. We performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of leucocytes from peripheral blood samples from 67 KS patients, 67 male controls and 33 female controls, in addition to genome-wide RNA-sequencing profiling in a subset of 9 KS patients, 9 control males and 13 female controls. Characterization of the methylome as well as the transcriptome of both coding and non-coding genes identified a unique epigenetic and genetic landscape of both autosomal chromosomes as well as the X chromosome in KS. A subset of genes show significant correlation between methylation values and expression values. Gene set enrichment analysis of differentially methylated positions yielded terms associated with well-known comorbidities seen in KS. In addition, differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment for genes involved in the immune system, wnt-signaling pathway and neuron development. Based on our data we point towards new candidate genes, which may be implicated in the phenotype and further point towards non-coding genes, which may be involved in X chromosome inactivation in KS.
Sertraline, chlorprothixene, and chlorpromazine characteristically interact with the REST-binding site of the corepressor mSin3, showing medulloblastoma cell growth inhibitory activities
Authors: Kurita Jun-ichi , Hirao Yuuka , Nakano Hirofumi , Fukunishi Yoshifumi , Nishimura Yoshifumi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDysregulation of repressor-element 1 silencing transcription factor REST/NRSF is related to several neuropathies, including medulloblastoma, glioblastoma, Huntington’s disease, and neuropathic pain. Inhibitors of the interaction between the N-terminal repressor domain of REST/NRSF and the PAH1 domain of its corepressor mSin3 may ameliorate such neuropathies. In-silico screening based on the complex structure of REST/NRSF and mSin3 PAH1 yielded 52 active compounds, including approved neuropathic drugs. We investigated their binding affinity to PAH1 by NMR, and their inhibitory activity toward medulloblastoma cell growth. Interestingly, three antidepressant and antipsychotic medicines, sertraline, chlorprothixene, and chlorpromazine, were found to strongly bind to PAH1. Multivariate analysis based on NMR chemical shift changes in PAH1 residues induced by ligand binding was used to identify compound characteristics associated with cell growth inhibition. Active compounds showed a new chemo-type for inhibitors of the REST/NRSF-mSin3 interaction, raising the possibility of new therapies for neuropathies caused by dysregulation of REST/NRSF.
Fluid absorption by skin tissue during intradermal injections through hollow microneedles
Authors: Shrestha Pranav , Stoeber Boris 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHollow microneedles are an emerging technology for delivering drugs and therapeutics, such as vaccines and insulin, into the skin. Although the benefits of intradermal drug delivery have been known for decades, our understanding of fluid absorption by skin tissue has been limited due to the difficulties in imaging a highly scattering biological material such as skin. Here, we report the first real-time imaging of skin tissue at the microscale during intradermal injections through hollow microneedles, using optical coherence tomography. We show that skin tissue behaves like a deformable porous medium and absorbs fluid by locally expanding rather than rupturing to form a single fluid filled cavity. We measure the strain distribution in a cross section of the tissue to quantify local tissue deformation, and find that the amount of volumetric expansion of the tissue corresponds closely to the volume of fluid injected. Mechanically restricting tissue expansion limits fluid absorption into the tissue. Our experimental findings can provide insights to optimize the delivery of drugs into skin for different therapeutic applications, and to better model fluid flow into biological tissue.
Fucosylated oligosaccharides in mother’s milk alleviate the effects of caesarean birth on infant gut microbiota
Authors: Korpela Katri , Salonen Anne , Hickman Brandon , Kunz Clemens , Sprenger Norbert , Kukkonen Kaarina , Savilahti Erkki , Kuitunen Mikael , de Vos Willem M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOne of the most abundant components in human milk is formed by oligosaccharides, which are poorly digested by the infant. The oligosaccharide composition of breast milk varies between mothers, and is dependent on maternal secretor (FUT2) genotype. Secretor mothers produce milk containing α1-2 fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides, which are absent in the milk of non-secretor mothers. Several strains of bacteria in the infant gut have the capacity to utilise human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Here we investigate the differences in infant gut microbiota composition between secretor (N = 76) and non-secretor (N = 15) mothers, taking into account birth mode. In the vaginally born infants, maternal secretor status was not associated with microbiota composition. In the caesarean-born, however, many of the caesarean-associated microbiota patterns were more pronounced among the infants of non-secretor mothers compared to those of secretor mothers. Particularly bifidobacteria were strongly depleted and enterococci increased among the caesarean-born infants of non-secretor mothers. Furthermore, Akkermansia was increased in the section-born infants of secretor mothers, supporting the suggestion that this organism may degrade HMOs. The results indicate that maternal secretor status may be particularly influential in infants with compromised microbiota development, and that these infants could benefit from corrective supplementation.
Nitrogen cycle microorganisms can be reactivated after Space exposure
Authors: Lindeboom Ralph E. F. , Ilgrande Chiara , Carvajal-Arroyo José M. , Coninx Ilse , Van Hoey Olivier , Roume Hugo , Morozova Julia , Udert Kai M. , Sas Benedikt , Paille Christel , Lasseur Christophe , Ilyin Vyacheslav , Clauwaert Peter , Leys Natalie , Vlaeminck Siegfried E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLong-term human Space missions depend on regenerative life support systems (RLSS) to produce food, water and oxygen from waste and metabolic products. Microbial biotechnology is efficient for nitrogen conversion, with nitrate or nitrogen gas as desirable products. A prerequisite to bioreactor operation in Space is the feasibility to reactivate cells exposed to microgravity and radiation. In this study, microorganisms capable of essential nitrogen cycle conversions were sent on a 44-days FOTON-M4 flight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and exposed to 10−3–10−4 g (gravitational constant) and 687 ± 170 µGy (Gray) d−1 (20 ± 4 °C), about the double of the radiation prevailing in the International Space Station (ISS). After return to Earth, axenic cultures, defined and reactor communities of ureolytic bacteria, ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria, nitrite oxidizing bacteria, denitrifiers and anammox bacteria could all be reactivated. Space exposure generally yielded similar or even higher nitrogen conversion rates as terrestrial preservation at a similar temperature, while terrestrial storage at 4 °C mostly resulted in the highest rates. Refrigerated Space exposure is proposed as a strategy to maximize the reactivation potential. For the first time, the combined potential of ureolysis, nitritation, nitratation, denitrification (nitrate reducing activity) and anammox is demonstrated as key enabler for resource recovery in human Space exploration.
Non-thermal plasma treated solution with potential as a novel therapeutic agent for nasal mucosa regeneration
Authors: Won Ho-Ryun , Kang Sung Un , Kim Haeng Jun , Jang Jeon Yeob , Shin Yoo Seob , Kim Chul-Ho 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAdequate and rapid mucosal regeneration is one of the most important factors in the healing process of nasal mucosa after surgery or trauma. In particular, delayed mucosal regeneration after surgery is an important cause of surgical failure. However, no effective treatment is available yet. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has several medical effects, but the existing probe type is limited to local direct treatment. Therefore, we investigated the various effects using liquid type plasma to overcome this limitation. In addition, the therapeutic effects of non-thermal plasma treated solution (NTS) on nasal mucosa have yet to be determined. Experiments were carried out using BEAS-2B, a human bronchial epithelial cell line similar to nasal mucosa epithelium. NTS had no cytotoxicity to the BEAS-2B cells and enhanced cell proliferation. NTS also promoted migration of BEAS-2B cells. NTS increased cell proliferation and migration via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activities and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling. Furthermore, NTS enhanced wound healing of nasal mucosa in an animal model. Accordingly, NTS promotes nasal mucosa wound healing by increasing cell proliferation and migration. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of NTS in nasal mucosa wound healing.
Defining animal welfare standards in hunting: body mass determines thresholds for incapacitation time and flight distance
Authors: Stokke Sigbjørn , Arnemo Jon M. , Brainerd Scott , Söderberg Arne , Kraabøl Morten , Ytrehus Bjørnar 
Published: September 2018

AbstractShooting is an important tool for managing terrestrial wildlife populations worldwide. To date, however, there has been few quantitative methods available enabling assessment of the animal welfare outcomes of rifle hunting. We apply a variety of factors to model flight distance (distance travelled by an animal after bullet impact) and incapacitation from the moment of bullet impact. These factors include body mass, allometric and isometric scaling, comparative physiology, wound ballistics and linear kinematics. This approach provides for the first time a method for quantifying and grading the quality of shooting processes by examining only body mass and flight distance. Our model is a universally applicable tool for measuring animal welfare outcomes of shooting regimes both within and among species. For management agencies the model should be a practical tool for monitoring and evaluating animal welfare outcomes regarding shooting of mammalian populations.
Microwave treatment of the cornea leads to localised disruption of the extracellular matrix
Authors: Morgan Siân R. , Hieda Osamu , Nakai Yoshinori , Boote Craig , Hayes Sally , Kinoshita Shigeru , Meek Keith M. , Quantock Andrew J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMicrowave keratoplasty is a thermo-refractive surgical procedure that can correct myopia (short-sightedness) and pathologic corneal steepening by using microwave energy to cause localised shrinkage around an annulus of the cornea leading to its flattening and vision correction. The effects on the corneal extracellular matrix, however, have not yet been evaluated, thus the current study to assess post-procedure ultrastructural changes in an in-vivo rabbit model. To achieve this a series of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments were carried out across whole transects of treated and untreated rabbit corneas at 0.25 mm intervals, which indicated no significant change in collagen intra-fibrillar parameters (i.e. collagen fibril diameter or axial D-period), whereas inter-fibrillar measures (i.e. fibril spacing and the degree of spatial order) were markedly altered in microwave-treated regions of the cornea. These structural matrix alterations in microwave-treated corneas have predicted implications for corneal biomechanical strength and tissue transparency, and, we contend, potentially render microwave-treated corneas resistant to surgical stabilization using corneal cross-linking procedures currently employed to combat refractive error caused by corneal steepening.
Somatosensory Response to Trigeminal Stimulation: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Study
Authors: Hucke Christine I. , Pacharra Marlene , Reinders Jörg , van Thriel Christoph 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an optical imaging technique measuring relative hemodynamic changes in superficial cortical structures. It has successfully been applied to detect a hemodynamic response in the somatosensory cortex evoked by irritating mechanical, electrical, and heat stimulations of limbs or the face. The aim of the current study was to explore the feasibility of fNIRS to detect respective responses evoked by irritating chemical stimulations of the nasal divisions of the trigeminal nerve. In two experiments, healthy subjects were exposed to acetic acid and ethyl acetate presented using a respiration-synchronized olfactometer. Results demonstrated that fNIRS can detect a signal in both hemispheres after birhinal (experiment 1: n = 14) and monorhinal (experiment 2: n = 12) stimulations using acetic acid but not ethyl acetate. This is a first evidence that fNIRS might be a suitable imaging technique to assess chemosensory neuronal correlates in the somatosensory cortex thereby offering a new, portable method to evaluate the irritating properties of certain volatiles in an objective, nonverbal, easy, and comparably inexpensive manner.