bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superconducting and normal-state anisotropy of the doped topological insulator Sr0.1Bi2Se3
Authors: Smylie M. P. , Willa K. , Claus H. , Koshelev A. E. , Song K. W. , Kwok W.-K. , Islam Z. , Gu G. D. , Schneeloch J. A. , Zhong R. D. , Welp U. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSrxBi2Se3 and the related compounds CuxBi2Se3 and NbxBi2Se3 have attracted considerable interest, as these materials may be realizations of unconventional topological superconductors. Superconductivity with Tc ~3 K in SrxBi2Se3 arises upon intercalation of Sr into the layered topological insulator Bi2Se3. Here we elucidate the anisotropy of the normal and superconducting state of Sr0.1Bi2Se3 with angular dependent magnetotransport and thermodynamic measurements. High resolution x-ray diffraction studies underline the high crystalline quality of the samples. We demonstrate that the normal state electronic and magnetic properties of Sr0.1Bi2Se3 are isotropic in the basal plane while we observe a large two-fold in-plane anisotropy of the upper critical field in the superconducting state. Our results support the recently proposed odd-parity nematic state characterized by a nodal gap of Eu symmetry in SrxBi2Se3.
Computational identification and validation of alternative splicing in ZSF1 rat RNA-seq data, a preclinical model for type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Chi , Dower Ken , Zhang Baohong , Martinez Robert V. , Lin Lih-Ling , Zhao Shanrong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObese ZSF1 rats exhibit spontaneous time-dependent diabetic nephropathy and are considered to be a highly relevant animal model of progressive human diabetic kidney disease. We previously identified gene expression changes between disease and control animals across six time points from 12 to 41 weeks. In this study, the same data were analysed at the isoform and exon levels to reveal additional disease mechanisms that may be governed by alternative splicing. Our analyses identified alternative splicing patterns in genes that may be implicated in disease pathogenesis (such as Shc1, Serpinc1, Epb4.1l5, and Il-33), which would have been overlooked in standard gene-level analysis. The alternatively spliced genes were enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion, cell–cell interactions/junctions, and cytoskeleton signalling, whereas the differentially expressed genes were enriched in pathways related to immune response, G protein-coupled receptor, and cAMP signalling. Our findings indicate that additional mechanistic insights can be gained from exon- and isoform-level data analyses over standard gene-level analysis. Considering alternative splicing is poorly conserved between rodents and humans, it is noted that this work is not translational, but the point holds true that additional insights can be gained from alternative splicing analysis of RNA-seq data.
East Asian warm season temperature variations over the past two millennia
Authors: Zhang Huan , Werner Johannes P. , García-Bustamante Elena , González-Rouco Fidel , Wagner Sebastian , Zorita Eduardo , Fraedrich Klaus , Jungclaus Johann H. , Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Zhu Xiuhua , Xoplaki Elena , Chen Fahu , Duan Jianping , Ge Quansheng , Hao Zhixin , Ivanov Martin , Schneider Lea , Talento Stefanie , Wang Jianglin , Yang Bao , Luterbacher Jürg 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEast Asia has experienced strong warming since the 1960s accompanied by an increased frequency of heat waves and shrinking glaciers over the Tibetan Plateau and the Tien Shan. Here, we place the recent warmth in a long-term perspective by presenting a new spatially resolved warm-season (May-September) temperature reconstruction for the period 1–2000 CE using 59 multiproxy records from a wide range of East Asian regions. Our Bayesian Hierarchical Model (BHM) based reconstructions generally agree with earlier shorter regional temperature reconstructions but are more stable due to additional temperature sensitive proxies. We find a rather warm period during the first two centuries CE, followed by a multi-century long cooling period and again a warm interval covering the 900–1200 CE period (Medieval Climate Anomaly, MCA). The interval from 1450 to 1850 CE (Little Ice Age, LIA) was characterized by cooler conditions and the last 150 years are characterized by a continuous warming until recent times. Our results also suggest that the 1990s were likely the warmest decade in at least 1200 years. The comparison between an ensemble of climate model simulations and our summer reconstructions since 850 CE shows good agreement and an important role of internal variability and external forcing on multi-decadal time-scales.
Influences of Sedimentary Environments and Volcanic Sources on Diagenetic Alteration of Volcanic Tuffs in South China
Authors: Gong Nina , Hong Hanlie , Huff Warren D. , Fang Qian , Bae Christopher J. , Wang Chaowen , Yin Ke , Chen Shuling 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPermian-Triassic (P-Tr) altered volcanic ashes (tuffs) are widely distributed within the P-Tr boundary successions in South China. Volcanic altered ashes from terrestrial section-Chahe (CH) and marine section-Shangsi (SS) are selected to further understand the influence of sedimentary environments and volcanic sources on diagenetic alterarion on volcanic tuffs. The zircon 206Pb/238U ages of the corresponding beds between two sections are almost synchronous. Sedimentary environment of the altered tuffs was characterized by a low pH and did not experience a hydrothermal process. The dominant clay minerals of all the tuff beds are illite-smectite (I-S) minerals, with minor chlorite and kaolinite. I-S minerals of CH (R3) are more ordered than SS (R1), suggesting that CH also shows a higher diagenetic grade and more intensive chemical weathering. Besides, the nature of the volcanism of the tuff beds studied is derived from different magma sources. The clay mineral compositions of tuffs have little relation with the types of source volcanism and the depositional environments. Instead, the degree of the mixed-layer clay minerals and the REE distribution are mainly dependent upon the sedimentary environments. Thus, the mixed-layer clay minerals ratio and their geochemical index can be used as the paleoenvironmental indicator.
Tropical Meridional Overturning Circulation Observed by Subsurface Moorings in the Western Pacific
Authors: Song Lina , Li Yuanlong , Wang Jianing , Wang Fan , Hu Shijian , Liu Chuanyu , Diao Xinyuan , Guan Cong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMeridional ocean current in the northwestern Pacific was documented by seven subsurface moorings deployed at 142°E during August 2014-October 2015. A sandwich structure of the tropical meridional overturning circulation (TMOC) was revealed between 0–6°N that consists of a surface northward flow (0–80 m), a thermocline southward flow (80–260 m; 22.6–26.5 σ
θ
), and a subthermocline northward flow (260–500 m; 26.5–26.9 σ
θ
). Based on mooring data, along with satellite and reanalysis data, prominent seasonal-to-interannual variations were observed in all three layers, and the equatorial zonal winds were found to be a dominant cause of the variations. The TMOC is generally stronger in boreal winter and weaker in summer. During 2014–2015, the TMOC was greatly weakened by westerly wind anomalies associated with the El Niño condition. Further analysis suggests that the TMOC can affect equatorial surface temperature in the western Pacific through anomalous upwelling/downwelling and likely plays a vital role in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Locally induced neuronal synchrony precisely propagates to specific cortical areas without rhythm distortion
Authors: Toda Haruo , Kawasaki Keisuke , Sato Sho , Horie Masao , Nakahara Kiyoshi , Bepari Asim K. , Sawahata Hirohito , Suzuki Takafumi , Okado Haruo , Takebayashi Hirohide , Hasegawa Isao 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPropagation of oscillatory spike firing activity at specific frequencies plays an important role in distributed cortical networks. However, there is limited evidence for how such frequency-specific signals are induced or how the signal spectra of the propagating signals are modulated during across-layer (radial) and inter-areal (tangential) neuronal interactions. To directly evaluate the direction specificity of spectral changes in a spiking cortical network, we selectively photostimulated infragranular excitatory neurons in the rat primary visual cortex (V1) at a supra-threshold level with various frequencies, and recorded local field potentials (LFPs) at the infragranular stimulation site, the cortical surface site immediately above the stimulation site in V1, and cortical surface sites outside V1. We found a significant reduction of LFP powers during radial propagation, especially at high-frequency stimulation conditions. Moreover, low-gamma-band dominant rhythms were transiently induced during radial propagation. Contrastingly, inter-areal LFP propagation, directed to specific cortical sites, accompanied no significant signal reduction nor gamma-band power induction. We propose an anisotropic mechanism for signal processing in the spiking cortical network, in which the neuronal rhythms are locally induced/modulated along the radial direction, and then propagate without distortion via intrinsic horizontal connections for spatiotemporally precise, inter-areal communication.
Climate change is affecting mortality of weasels due to camouflage mismatch
Authors: Atmeh Kamal , Andruszkiewicz Anna , Zub Karol 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDirect phenological mismatch caused by climate change can occur in mammals that moult seasonally. Two colour morphs of the weasel Mustela nivalis (M. n.) occur sympatrically in Białowieża Forest (NE Poland) and differ in their winter pelage colour: white in M. n. nivalis and brown in M. n. vulgaris. Due to their small body size, weasels are vulnerable to attacks by a range of different predators; thus cryptic coat colour may increase their winter survival. By analysing trapping data, we found that the share of white subspecies in the weasel population inhabiting Białowieża Forest decreases with decreasing numbers of days with snow cover. This led us to hypothesise that selective predation pressure should favour one of the two phenotypes, according to the prevailing weather conditions in winter. A simple field experiment with weasel models (white and brown), exposed against different background colours, revealed that contrasting models faced significantly higher detection by predators. Our observations also confirmed earlier findings that the plasticity of moult in M. n. nivalis is very limited. This means that climate change will strongly influence the mortality of the nivalis-type due to prolonged camouflage mismatch, which will directly affect the abundance and geographical distribution of this subspecies.
Reproductive parasitism by worker honey bees suppressed by queens through regulation of worker mandibular secretions
Authors: Mumoki Fiona N. , Pirk Christian W. W. , Yusuf Abdullahi A. , Crewe Robin M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSocial cohesion in social insect colonies can be achieved through the use of chemical signals whose production is caste-specific and regulated by social contexts. In honey bees, queen mandibular gland pheromones (QMP) maintain reproductive dominance by inhibiting ovary activation and production of queen-like mandibular gland signals in workers. We investigated whether honey bee queens can control reproductively active workers of the intraspecific social parasite Apis mellifera capensis, parasitising A. m. scutellata host colonies. Our results show that the queen’s QMP suppresses ovarian activation and inhibits the production of QMP pheromone signals by the parasitic workers, achieved through differential expression of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these pheromones at two points in the biosynthetic pathway. This is the first report showing that honey bee queens can regulate reproduction in intraspecific social parasites and deepens our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of worker reproduction in social insects.
Vitamin D levels correlate with lymphocyte subsets in elderly patients with age-related diseases
Authors: Mao Xudong , Hu Bin , Zhou Zhiwen , Xing Xubin , Wu Yan , Gao Jing , He Yue , Hu Ying , Cheng Qihong , Gong Qing 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHypovitaminosis D is associated with age-related illnesses, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CRVD), cerebrovascular disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In our retrospective observational study, blood samples of elderly healthy controls (n = 461) and patients with age-related diseases (n = 8,621) were subjected to flow-cytometry in order to determine correlations between age-related diseases and cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, CD3, and CD19 lymphocyte markers, as well as serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2(25(OH)D2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(25(OH)D3). More than 70% of the patients in each disease group had total vitamin D < 20 ng/mL (P < 0.001). In CRVD patients, CD3 and CD19 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D3. In CAD patients, CD8, CD4, CD19 and CD4/CD8 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D2, and CD8 correlated (P < 0.05) with 25(OH)D3. In T2DM and hypertension patients, CD8, CD3, CD19 and CD4/CD8 correlated with 25(OH)D3. Progressive trends (P < 0.05) towards increased CD8 and CD4/CD8 were observed in vitamin-D-deficient T2DM and hypertension patients. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in CD8 were observed in vitamin-D-deficient CAD patients, whereas significant differences (P < 0.05) in CD8 and CD19 were observed in CRVD patients. Higher CD8 and CD4/CD8 in 25(OH)D-deficient T2DM and hypertension patients suggested a Th1 lymphocyte profile induction. Increases in CD8-positive lymphocytes suggested a similar, less pronounced effect in vitamin-D-deficient CRVD and CAD patients.
Circulating MiR-374a-5p is a potential modulator of the inflammatory process in obesity
Authors: Doumatey Ayo P. , He William J. , Gaye Amadou , Lei Lin , Zhou Jie , Gibbons Gary H. , Adeyemo Adebowale , Rotimi Charles N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObese individuals without expected metabolic co-morbidities are referred to as metabolically healthy obese (MHO). The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenotype remain elusive. MicroRNAs may be involved in the MHO phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we screened 179 serum miRNAs in 20 African-American women (10 MHOs and 10 metabolically abnormal obese individuals -MAO). We identified 8 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) with validation in an independent sample of 64 MHO and 34 MAO. Of the eight DEMs in the screening phase (p ≤ 0.05), miR-374a-5p remained significant (p = 0.04) with directional consistency in the validation sample. Ingenuity Pathway analysis revealed that miR-374a-5p putatively targeted 37 mRNAs (e.g. chemokines and transcription factors) which are members of canonical pathways involved in inflammation (IL-17A signaling) and lipid metabolism. Analysis restricted to adipocytes, the main source of circulating miRNAs in obesity, identified 3 mRNAs (CCL2, STEAP2, EN1) as the main target of miR-374a-5p. Evaluation of the 3 mRNAs in an independent sample showed that CCL2 was significantly downregulated (p = 0.0005). In summary, MiR-374a-5p is upregulated in MHO compared to MAO individuals and appears to show association with downregulation of pro-inflammatory markers that are linked to insulin resistance. Given the correlative nature of our findings, functional studies are needed.
Molecular details of dimerization kinetics reveal negligible populations of transient µ-opioid receptor homodimers at physiological concentrations
Authors: Meral Derya , Provasi Davide , Prada-Gracia Diego , Möller Jan , Marino Kristen , Lohse Martin J. , Filizola Marta 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVarious experimental and computational techniques have been employed over the past decade to provide structural and thermodynamic insights into G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) dimerization. Here, we use multiple microsecond-long, coarse-grained, biased and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations (a total of ~4 milliseconds) combined with multi-ensemble Markov state models to elucidate the kinetics of homodimerization of a prototypic GPCR, the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), embedded in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/cholesterol lipid bilayer. Analysis of these computations identifies kinetically distinct macrostates comprising several different short-lived dimeric configurations of either inactive or activated MOR. Calculated kinetic rates and fractions of dimers at different MOR concentrations suggest a negligible population of MOR homodimers at physiological concentrations, which is supported by acceptor photobleaching fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments. This study provides a rigorous, quantitative explanation for some conflicting experimental data on GPCR oligomerization.
X-ray based virtual histology allows guided sectioning of heavy ion stained murine lungs for histological analysis
Authors: Albers Jonas , Markus M. Andrea , Alves Frauke , Dullin Christian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractExamination of histological or immunohistochemically stained 2D sections of embedded tissue is one of the most frequently used tools in biomedical research and clinical routine. Since to date, targeted sectioning of specific regions of interest (ROI) in the sample is not possible, we aimed at developing a guided sectioning approach based on x-ray 3D virtual histology for heavy ion stained murine lung samples. For this purpose, we increased the contrast to noise ratio of a standard benchtop microCT by 5–10-fold using free-propagation phase contrast imaging and thus substantially improved image quality. We then show that microCT 3D datasets deliver more precise anatomical information and quantification of the sample than traditional histological sections, which display deformations of the tissue. To quantify these deformations caused by sectioning we developed the “Displacement Index (DI)”, which combines block-matching with the calculation of the local mutual information. We show that the DI substantially decreases when a femtosecond laser microtome is used for sections as opposed to a traditional microtome. In conclusion, our microCT based virtual histology approach can be used as a supplement and a guidance tool for traditional histology, providing 3D measurement capabilities and offering the ability to perform sectioning directly at an ROI.
Long-term risk for end-stage kidney disease and death in a large population-based cohort
Authors: Zitt Emanuel , Pscheidt Constanze , Concin Hans , Kramar Reinhard , Peter Raphael S. , Beyersmann Jan , Lhotta Karl , Nagel Gabriele 
Published: May 2018

AbstractKnowledge of metabolic risk factors for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the general population is limited when considering the competing event death in risk analysis. The aim of our prospective observational study was to investigate how blood pressure and metabolic factors might influence the risks for ESKD and death before ESKD in a large Austrian population-based cohort with long-term follow-up. 177,255 participants (53.8% women; mean age 42.5 years) were recruited between 1988 and 2005 and linked to the Austrian Dialysis and Transplant Registry and the National Mortality Registry. Over a mean follow-up of 16 years 358 participants reached ESKD and 19,512 participants died. Applying fully adjusted cause-specific Cox proportional hazards models elevated fasting blood glucose, hypertension, hypertrigylceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were associated with a higher relative risk for ESKD than for death before ESKD, whereas elevated γ-glutamyltransferase was associated with an increased relative risk of death but not ESKD. Results were similar using continuous or categorical exposure variable measures in the general cohort but differed in selected high-risk populations. These findings might help improve the design of renal risk factor modification trials and kidney disease awareness and prevention programs in the general population, which may ultimately decrease the burden of ESKD.
Niche conservatism of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti - two mosquito species with different invasion histories
Authors: Cunze Sarah , Kochmann Judith , Koch Lisa K. , Klimpel Sven 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBiological invasions have been associated with niche changes; however, their occurrence is still debated. We assess whether climatic niches between native and non-native ranges have changed during the invasion process using two globally spread mosquitoes as model species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. Considering the different time spans since their invasions (>300 vs. 30–40 years), niche changes were expected to be more likely for Ae. aegypti than for Ae. albopictus. We used temperature and precipitation variables as descriptors for the realized climatic niches and different niche metrics to detect niche dynamics in the native and non-native ranges. High niche stability, therefore, no niche expansion but niche conservatism was revealed for both species. High niche unfilling for Ae. albopictus indicates a great potential for further expansion. Highest niche occupancies in non-native ranges occurred either under more temperate (North America, Europe) or tropical conditions (South America, Africa). Aedes aegypti has been able to fill its native climatic niche in the non-native ranges, with very low unfilling. Our results challenge the assumption of rapid evolutionary change of climatic niches as a requirement for global invasions but support the use of native range-based niche models to project future invasion risk on a large scale.
Microwave effects in the dilute acid hydrolysis of cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Sweygers Nick , Alewaters Niels , Dewil Raf , Appels Lise 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this study, the effect of microwaves on the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a biphasic system was evaluated via a kinetic analysis. The reaction system consisted of an acidified aqueous phase and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as an organic phase, in which HMF is extracted directly upon formation during the reaction. Two identically shaped reactors were used to assess the influence of microwaves on the production of HMF. A borosilicate glass reactor was used to heat the reaction mixture via microwaves directly, whereas the silicon carbide (SiC) wall of the second reactor absorbed all microwaves and hence the reactor content was heated via convective heat transfer. An identical temperature profile was imposed on both reactors. Cellulose, glucose and fructose were chosen as feedstocks for the conversion to HMF. It was observed that microwaves have a significant effect on the reactions. The hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose was a 2.3 folds faster in the presence of microwaves at the process conditions (0.046 M HCl, 177 °C). The isomerization of glucose to fructose showed a similar increase (factor 2.5). The required energy input for the reaction was systematically higher for the SiC reactor.