bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling Land Subsidence Using InSAR and Airborne Electromagnetic Data
Authors: Smith R. , Knight R. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLand subsidence as a result of groundwater overpumping in the San Joaquin Valley, California, is associated with the loss of groundwater storage and aquifer contamination. Although the physical processes governing land subsidence are well understood, building predictive models of subsidence is challenging because so much subsurface information is required to do so accurately. For the first time, we integrate airborne electromagnetic data, representing the subsurface, with subsidence data, mapped by interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), to model deformation. By combining both data sets, we are able to solve for hydrologic and geophysical properties of the subsurface to effectively model the complex spatiotemporal process of deformation. The resulting model reveals that roughly 3 m of subsidence has occurred at one location of our study area from 1990 to 2018. This model also allows us to predict subsidence more accurately under future hydrologic scenarios, which is needed to develop plans for sustainable groundwater use.
Is There a Baseflow Budyko Curve?
Authors: Gnann Sebastian J. , Woods Ross A. , Howden Nicholas J. K. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThere is no general theory to explain differences in baseflow between catchments, despite evidence that it is mainly controlled by climate and landscape. One hypothesis is that baseflow fraction (the ratio between baseflow and precipitation) can be primarily attributed to the aridity index (the ratio between potential evapotranspiration and precipitation), that is, that there is a “baseflow Budyko curve.” Comparing catchment data from the United States and the United Kingdom shows, however, that aridity is not always a good predictor of baseflow fraction. We use the revised Ponce‐Shetty annual water balance model to show that there is no single “baseflow Budyko curve” but rather a continuum of curves emerging from a more universal model that incorporates both climate and landscape factors. In humid catchments, baseflow fraction is highly variable due to variations in a catchment's wetting potential, a parameter that describes catchment storage capacity. In arid catchments, vaporization limits baseflow generation, which leads to lower variability in baseflow fraction. Generally, when the magnitude of precipitation is important, the aridity index only partly explains baseflow response. Adapting the model to explain variability of the baseflow index (the ratio between baseflow and total streamflow) shows that the aridity index is generally a poor predictor of baseflow index. While the wetting potentials and other parameters are obtained by fitting the Ponce‐Shetty model to annual catchment data, their links to physical properties remain to be explored. This currently limits the model's applicability to gauged catchments with sufficiently long records.
Drift‐Dispersed Flux Dropouts of Energetic Electrons Observed in Earth's Middle Magnetosphere by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) Mission
Authors: Cohen Ian J. , Mauk Barry H. , Turner Drew L. , Fennell Joseph F. , Blake J. Bernard , Reeves Geoffrey D. , Leonard Trevor W. , Baker Daniel N. , Jaynes Allison N. , Spence Harlan E. , Gabrielse Christine 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEnergetic particle injections are characterized by dispersive or dispersionless increases in observed particle flux. Observations from National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission have revealed transient events displaying injection‐like dispersed reductions in energetic (~30–600 keV) electron flux in the dawnside magnetosphere. Although initially believed to be the result of magnetopause losses, drift tracing of the electrons suggests a source for these drift‐dispersed flux dropouts in the near‐to‐postmidnight magnetotail suggesting that they are likely related to similar signatures previously observed at geosynchronous orbit. We suggest that the dozen examples presented are signatures of “flux‐reduced injections” resulting from earthward injection in the presence of a negative phase space density radial gradient as supported by observed phase space density versus L‐shell profiles. These events also display varying pitch angle responses inconsistent with a singular loss mechanism, leading to the suggestion that they result from preconditioning of the magnetotail source region prior to the injection.
Formation and Evolution Mechanisms for Two Extreme Haze Episodes in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China During Winter 2016
Authors: Li Mengmeng , Wang Tijian , Xie Min , Li Shu , Zhuang Bingliang , Huang Xin , Chen Pulong , Zhao Ming , Liu Jane 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSevere haze pollution frequently occurred in China during winter. Mechanisms for the formation and evolution of high PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less) episodes, however, remain poorly understood. We characterize two extreme haze episodes in the Yangtze River Delta region of China from 1 to 9 December (Episode I) and 19 to 24 December (Episode II) in 2016 using comprehensive measurements and model analyses. The aqueous sulfur dioxide (SO2) oxidation catalyzed by mineral ions and the heterogeneous uptakes of SO2, sulfuric acid (H2SO4), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen trioxide (NO3), nitrogen pentoxide (N2O5), and nitric acid (HNO3) on mineral aerosols are included in the model to better represent the formation of sulfate‐nitrate‐ammonium. The optimized mechanisms substantially improve the simulations of PM2.5 composition, particularly for sulfate and nitrate. The two episodes show different synoptic conditions and evolution stages, with gradual PM2.5 increase under stagnant weather conditions in Episode I (Stage I: Slow Increase Stage, Stage II: Rapid Formation Stage, and Stage III: Dissipation Stage) and with explosive PM2.5 increase mostly associated with cross‐border transport from North China in Episode II (Stage I′: Clean Stage, Stage II′: Fast Transport Stage, and Stage III′: Clear Stage). The concentrations of sulfate‐nitrate‐ammonium increased evidently and became the key components of PM2.5 during haze episodes. The heterogeneous conversion from SO2 to sulfate on mineral aerosols is the main reason for sulfate increase, accounting for more than 50% of sulfate production. This study provides a better understanding of the causes for winter haze in China.
Broadband THz absorption spectrometer based on excitonic nonlinear optical effects
Authors: Majeed Avan , Ivanov Pavlo , Stevens Benjamin , Clarke Edmund , Butler Iain , Childs David , Kojima Osamu , Hogg Richard 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA broadly tunable THz source is realized via difference frequency generation, in which an enhancement to χ(3) that is obtained via resonant excitation of III–V semiconductor quantum well excitons is utilized. The symmetry of the quantum wells (QWs) is broken by utilizing the built-in electric-field across a p–i–n junction to produce effective χ(2) processes, which are derived from the high χ(3). This χ(2) media exhibits an onset of nonlinear processes at ~4 W cm−2, thereby enabling area (and, hence, power) scaling of the THz emitter. Phase matching is realized laterally through normal incidence excitation. Using two collimated 130 mW continuous wave (CW) semiconductor lasers with ~1-mm beam diameters, we realize monochromatic THz emission that is tunable from 0.75 to 3 THz and demonstrate the possibility that this may span 0.2–6 THz with linewidths of ~20 GHz and efficiencies of ~1 × 10–5, thereby realizing ~800 nW of THz power. Then, transmission spectroscopy of atmospheric features is demonstrated, thereby opening the way for compact, low-cost, swept-wavelength THz spectroscopy.
The LXR-623-induced long non-coding RNA LINC01125 suppresses the proliferation of breast cancer cells via PTEN/AKT/p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Wan Weijun , Hou Yongying , Wang Ke , Cheng Yue , Pu Xia , Ye Xiufeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLXR-623 (WAY-252623), a liver X receptor agonist, reduces atherosclerotic plaque progression and remarkably inhibits the proliferation of glioblastoma cells, owing to its brain-penetrant ability. However, the role of LXR-623 against the proliferation of other cancer cells and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve as novel and crucial regulators that participate in cancer tumorigenesis and diverse biological processes. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying lncRNA-mediated exocytosis of LXR-623 via the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/protein kinase B (AKT)/p53 axis to suppress the proliferation of cancer cells in vitro. We found that LXR-623 significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase in breast cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Experiments using a xenograft mouse model revealed the inhibitory effects of LXR-623 on tumor growth. We used lncRNA microarray to investigate the potential genes regulated by LXR-623. As a result, LINC01125 was found to be significantly upregulated in the cells treated with LXR-623. Gain- and loss-of-function assays were conducted to investigate the anti-proliferation role of LINC01125. LINC01125 knockdown resulted in the inhibition of the cytotoxic effect of LXR-623; in contrast, LINC01125 overexpression significantly enhanced the effect of LXR-623. LXR-623 and LINC01125-mediated anti-growth regulation is, at least in part, associated with the participation of the PTEN/AKT/mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2)/p53 pathway. In addition, SF1670, a specific PTEN inhibitor with prolonged intracellular retention, may strongly block the anti-proliferation effect induced by LXR-623 and LINC01125 overexpression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay results suggest that p53 binds to the promoter of LINC01125 to strengthen the expression of the PTEN/AKT pathway. Taken together, our findings suggest that LXR-623 possesses significant antitumor activity in breast cancer cells that is partly mediated through the upregulation in LINC01125 expression and enhancement in apoptosis via the PTEN/AKT/MDM2/p53 pathway.
T-cell senescence contributes to abnormal glucose homeostasis in humans and mice
Authors: Yi Hyon-Seung , Kim So Yeon , Kim Jung Tae , Lee Young-Sun , Moon Ji Sun , Kim Mingyo , Kang Yea Eun , Joung Kyong Hye , Lee Ju Hee , Kim Hyun Jin , Chun Kwangsik , Shong Minho , Ku Bon Jeong 
Published: March 2019

AbstractChronic inflammation is a driving force for the development of metabolic disease including diabetes and obesity. However, the functional characteristics of T-cell senescence in the abnormal glucose homeostasis are not fully understood. We studied the patients visiting a hospital for routine health check-ups, who were divided into two groups: normal controls and people with prediabetes. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal controls and patients with type 2 diabetes was undertaken using microarray analysis. We also investigated the immunometabolic characteristics of peripheral and hepatic senescent T cells in the normal subjects and patients with prediabetes. Moreover, murine senescent T cells were tested functionally in the liver of normal or mice with metabolic deterioration caused by diet-induced obesity. Human senescent (CD28−CD57+) CD8+T cells are increased in the development of diabetes and proinflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic molecules are highly expressed in senescent T cells from patients with prediabetes. Moreover, we demonstrate that patients with prediabetes have higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their senescent CD8+T cells via enhancing capacity to use glycolysis. These functional properties of senescent CD8+T cells contribute to the impairment of hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans. Furthermore, we found an increase of hepatic senescent T cells in mouse models of aging and diet-induced obesity. Adoptive transfer of senescent CD8+T cells also led to a significant deterioration in systemic abnormal glucose homeostasis, which is improved by ROS scavengers in mice. This study defines a new clinically relevant concept of T-cell senescence-mediated inflammatory responses in the pathophysiology of abnormal glucose homeostasis. We also found that T-cell senescence is associated with systemic inflammation and alters hepatic glucose homeostasis. The rational modulation of T-cell senescence would be a promising avenue for the treatment or prevention of diabetes.
Transcriptional profiling of human microglia reveals grey–white matter heterogeneity and multiple sclerosis-associated changes
Authors: van der Poel Marlijn , Ulas Thomas , Mizee Mark R. , Hsiao Cheng-Chih , Miedema Suzanne S. M. , Adelia  , Schuurman Karianne G. , Helder Boy , Tas Sander W. , Schultze Joachim L. , Hamann Jörg , Huitinga Inge 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHere we report the transcriptional profile of human microglia, isolated from normal-appearing grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of multiple sclerosis (MS) and non-neurological control donors, to find possible early changes related to MS pathology. Microglia show a clear region-specific profile, indicated by higher expression of type-I interferon genes in GM and higher expression of NF-κB pathway genes in WM. Transcriptional changes in MS microglia also differ between GM and WM. MS WM microglia show increased lipid metabolism gene expression, which relates to MS pathology since active MS lesion-derived microglial nuclei show similar altered gene expression. Microglia from MS GM show increased expression of genes associated with glycolysis and iron homeostasis, possibly reflecting microglia reacting to iron depositions. Except forADGRG1/GPR56, expression of homeostatic genes, such asP2RY12andTMEM119, is unaltered in normal-appearing MS tissue, demonstrating overall preservation of microglia homeostatic functions in the initiation phase of MS.
Conformal hexagonal-boron nitride dielectric interface for tungsten diselenide devices with improved mobility and thermal dissipation
Authors: Liu Donghua , Chen Xiaosong , Yan Yaping , Zhang Zhongwei , Jin Zhepeng , Yi Kongyang , Zhang Cong , Zheng Yujie , Wang Yao , Yang Jun , Xu Xiangfan , Chen Jie , Lu Yunhao , Wei Dapeng , Wee Andrew Thye Shen , Wei Dacheng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRelatively low mobility and thermal conductance create challenges for application of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) in high performance devices. Dielectric interface is of extremely importance for improving carrier transport and heat spreading in a semiconductor device. Here, by near-equilibrium plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition, we realize catalyst-free growth of poly-crystalline two-dimensional hexagonal-boron nitride (2D-BN) with domains around 20~ 200 nm directly on SiO2/Si, quartz, sapphire, silicon or SiO2/Si with three-dimensional patterns at 300 °C. Owing to the atomically-clean van-der-Walls conformal interface and the fact that 2D-BN can better bridge the vibrational spectrum across the interface and protect interfacial heat conduction against substrate roughness, both improved performance and thermal dissipation of WSe2 field-effect transistor are realized with mobility around 56~ 121 cm2 V−1 s−1 and saturated power intensity up to 4.23 × 103 W cm−2. Owing to its simplicity, conformal growth on three-dimensional surface, compatibility with microelectronic process, it has potential for application in future two-dimensional electronics.
Duodenal bacterial proteolytic activity determines sensitivity to dietary antigen through protease-activated receptor-2
Authors: Caminero Alberto , McCarville Justin L. , Galipeau Heather J. , Deraison Celine , Bernier Steve P. , Constante Marco , Rolland Corinne , Meisel Marlies , Murray Joseph A. , Yu Xuechen B. , Alaedini Armin , Coombes Brian K. , Bercik Premysl , Southward Carolyn M. , Ruf Wolfram , Jabri Bana , Chirdo Fernando G. , Casqueiro Javier , Surette Michael G. , Vergnolle Nathalie , Verdu Elena F. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMicrobe-host interactions are generally homeostatic, but when dysfunctional, they can incite food sensitivities and chronic diseases. Celiac disease (CeD) is a food sensitivity characterized by a breakdown of oral tolerance to gluten proteins in genetically predisposed individuals, although the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we show that duodenal biopsies from patients with active CeD have increased proteolytic activity against gluten substrates that correlates with increased Proteobacteria abundance, including Pseudomonas. Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing elastase as a model, we show gluten-independent, PAR-2 mediated upregulation of inflammatory pathways in C57BL/6 mice without villus blunting. In mice expressing CeD risk genes, P. aeruginosa elastase synergizes with gluten to induce more severe inflammation that is associated with moderate villus blunting. These results demonstrate that proteases expressed by opportunistic pathogens impact host immune responses that are relevant to the development of food sensitivities, independently of the trigger antigen.
Phototrophic purple bacteria as optoacoustic in vivo reporters of macrophage activity
Authors: Peters Lena , Weidenfeld Ina , Klemm Uwe , Loeschcke Anita , Weihmann Robin , Jaeger Karl-Erich , Drepper Thomas , Ntziachristos Vasilis , Stiel Andre C. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractΤhe morphology, physiology and immunology, of solid tumors exhibit spatial heterogeneity which complicates our understanding of cancer progression and therapy response. Understanding spatial heterogeneity necessitates high resolution in vivo imaging of anatomical and pathophysiological tumor information. We introduce Rhodobacter as bacterial reporter for multispectral optoacoustic (photoacoustic) tomography (MSOT). We show that endogenous bacteriochlorophyll a in Rhodobacter gives rise to strong optoacoustic signals >800 nm away from interfering endogenous absorbers. Importantly, our results suggest that changes in the spectral signature of Rhodobacter which depend on macrophage activity inside the tumor can be used to reveal heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. Employing non-invasive high resolution MSOT in longitudinal studies we show spatiotemporal changes of Rhodobacter spectral profiles in mice bearing 4T1 and CT26.WT tumor models. Accessibility of Rhodobacter to genetic modification and thus to sensory and therapeutic functions suggests potential for a theranostic platform organism.
The development of synaptic transmission is time-locked to early social behaviors in rats
Authors: Naskar Shovan , Narducci Roberto , Balzani Edoardo , Cwetsch Andrzej W. , Tucci Valter , Cancedda Laura 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe development of functional synapses is a sequential process preserved across many brain areas. Here, we show that glutamatergic postsynaptic currents anticipated GABAergic currents in Layer II/III of the rat neocortex, in contrast to the pattern described for other brain areas. The frequencies of both glutamatergic and GABAergic currents increased abruptly at the beginning of the second postnatal week, supported by a serotonin upsurge. Integrative behaviors arose on postnatal day (P)9, while most motor and sensory behaviors, which are fundamental for pup survival, were already in place at approximately P7. A reduction in serotonin reuptake accelerated the development of functional synapses and integrative huddling behavior, while sparing motor and sensory function development. A decrease in synaptic transmission in Layer II/III induced by a chemogenetic approach only inhibited huddling. Thus, precise developmental sequences mediate early, socially directed behaviors for which neurotransmission and its modulation in supragranular cortical layers play key roles.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 accelerates vascular calcification by upregulating Runx2
Authors: Wang Cheng , Xu Wenjing , An Jie , Liang Minglu , Li Yiqing , Zhang Fengxiao , Tong Qiangsong , Huang Kai 
Published: March 2019

AbstractVascular calcification is highly prevalent in end-stage renal diseases and is predictive of cardiovascular events and mortality. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibition or deletion is vasoprotective in several disease models. Here we show that PARP activity is increased in radial artery samples from patients with chronic renal failure, in arteries from uraemic rats, and in calcified vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro. PARP1 deficiency blocks, whereas PARP1 overexpression exacerbates, the transdifferentiation of VSMCs from a contractile to an osteogenic phenotype, the expression of mineralization-regulating proteins, and calcium deposition. PARP1 promotes Runx2 expression, and Runx2 deficiency offsets the pro-calcifying effects of PARP1. Activated PARP1 suppresses miRNA-204 expression via the IL-6/STAT3 pathway and thus relieves the repression of its target, Runx2, resulting in increased Runx2 protein. Together, these results suggest that PARP1 counteracts vascular calcification and that therapeutic agents that influence PARP1 activity may be of benefit to treat vascular calcification.
Network-based prediction of drug combinations
Authors: Cheng Feixiong , Kovács István A. , Barabási Albert-László 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDrug combinations, offering increased therapeutic efficacy and reduced toxicity, play an important role in treating multiple complex diseases. Yet, our ability to identify and validate effective combinations is limited by a combinatorial explosion, driven by both the large number of drug pairs as well as dosage combinations. Here we propose a network-based methodology to identify clinically efficacious drug combinations for specific diseases. By quantifying the network-based relationship between drug targets and disease proteins in the human protein–protein interactome, we show the existence of six distinct classes of drug–drug–disease combinations. Relying on approved drug combinations for hypertension and cancer, we find that only one of the six classes correlates with therapeutic effects: if the targets of the drugs both hit disease module, but target separate neighborhoods. This finding allows us to identify and validate antihypertensive combinations, offering a generic, powerful network methodology to identify efficacious combination therapies in drug development.
Radiation tolerance of two-dimensional material-based devices for space applications
Authors: Vogl Tobias , Sripathy Kabilan , Sharma Ankur , Reddy Prithvi , Sullivan James , Machacek Joshua R. , Zhang Linglong , Karouta Fouad , Buchler Ben C. , Doherty Marcus W. , Lu Yuerui , Lam Ping Koy 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCharacteristic for devices based on two-dimensional materials are their low size, weight and power requirements. This makes them advantageous for use in space instrumentation, including photovoltaics, batteries, electronics, sensors and light sources for long-distance quantum communication. Here we present a comprehensive study on combined radiation effects in Earth’s atmosphere on various devices based on these nanomaterials. Using theoretical modeling packages, we estimate relevant radiation levels and then expose field-effect transistors, single-photon sources and monolayers as building blocks for future electronics to γ-rays, protons and electrons. The devices show negligible change in performance after the irradiation, suggesting robust suitability for space use. Under excessive γ-radiation, however, monolayer WS2 shows decreased defect densities, identified by an increase in photoluminescence, carrier lifetime and a change in doping ratio proportional to the photon flux. The underlying mechanism is traced back to radiation-induced defect healing, wherein dissociated oxygen passivates sulfur vacancies.