bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long valley lifetime of dark excitons in single-layer WSe2
Authors: Tang Yanhao , Mak Kin Fai , Shan Jie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSingle-layer transition metal dichalcogenides provide a promising material system to explore the electron’s valley degree of freedom as a quantum information carrier. The valley degree of freedom can be directly accessed by means of optical excitation. However, rapid valley relaxation of optically excited electron-hole pairs (excitons) through the exchange interaction has been a major roadblock. Theoretically such valley relaxation is suppressed in dark excitons, suggesting a potential route for long valley lifetimes. Here we develop a waveguide-based method to detect time-resolved and energy-resolved dark exciton emission in single-layer WSe2, which involves spin-forbidden optical transitions with an out-of-plane dipole moment. The valley degree of freedom of dark excitons is accessed through the valley-dependent Zeeman effect under an out-of-plane magnetic field. We find a short valley lifetime for the dark neutral exciton, likely due to the short-range electron-hole exchange, but long valley lifetimes exceeding several nanoseconds for the dark charged excitons.
Flow-driven micro-scale pH variability affects the physiology of corals and coralline algae under ocean acidification
Authors: Comeau S. , Cornwall C. E. , Pupier C. A. , DeCarlo T. M. , Alessi C. , Trehern R. , McCulloch M. T. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractNatural variability in pH in the diffusive boundary layer (DBL), the discrete layer of seawater between bulk seawater and the outer surface of organisms, could be an important factor determining the response of corals and coralline algae to ocean acidification (OA). Here, two corals with different morphologies and one coralline alga were maintained under two different regimes of flow velocities, pH, and light intensities in a 12 flumes experimental system for a period of 27 weeks. We used a combination of geochemical proxies, physiological and micro-probe measurements to assess how these treatments affected the conditions in the DBL and the response of organisms to OA. Overall, low flow velocity did not ameliorate the negative effect of low pH and therefore did not provide a refugia from OA. Flow velocity had species-specific effects with positive effects on calcification for two species. pH in the calcifying fluid (pHcf) was reduced by low flow in both corals at low light only. pHcf was significantly impacted by pH in the DBL for the two species capable of significantly modifying pH in the DBL. The dissolved inorganic carbon in the calcifying fluid (DICcf) was highest under low pH for the corals and low flow for the coralline, while the saturation state in the calcifying fluid and its proxy (FWHM) were generally not affected by the treatments. This study therefore demonstrates that the effects of OA will manifest most severely in a combination of lower light and lower flow habitats for sub-tropical coralline algae. These effects will also be greatest in lower flow habitats for some corals. Together with existing literature, these findings reinforce that the effects of OA are highly context dependent, and will differ greatly between habitats, and depending on species composition.
Anti-oxidative function of follicular fluid HDL and outcomes of modified natural cycle-IVF
Authors: Nagy Ruxandra A. , van Montfoort Aafke P. A. , Groen Henk , Homminga Irene , Andrei Daniela , Mistry Rima H. , Anderson Josephine L. C. , Hoek Annemieke , Tietge Uwe J. F. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHigh density lipoproteins (HDL) are the main cholesterol carriers in follicular fluid (FF), the natural environment of oocyte development. Additionally, HDL have critical biological functions such as anti-oxidative capacity, which have not been studied in reproduction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the anti-oxidative function of FF-HDL is associated with fertility outcomes. From 253 women undergoing modified natural cycle (MNC)- IVF at a single academic centre FF and plasma were collected (n = 375 cycles). Anti-oxidative function of FF was mainly attributable to HDL (n = 8; 83%). FF-HDL had a higher anti-oxidative function than plasma HDL (n = 19, P < 0.001) coinciding with increased vitamin E and sphingosine 1 phosphate content (P = 0.028 each). Proteomic analysis indicated no significant differences in major anti-oxidative proteins such as paraoxonase 1, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I or apoA-IV between FF-HDL and matched plasma-HDL (n = 5), while apoC-III, apoE and apoC-II were relatively lower in FF-HDL. Finally, FF-HDL anti-oxidative function was related to a decrease in the odds of the oocyte undergoing normal fertilization, an association that persisted after adjustment for confounders (odds ratio 0.97 (0.93–1), P = 0.041). In conclusion, FF-HDL has considerable anti-oxidative properties that might be relevant for embryo quality.
Proliferation Tumour Marker Network (PTM-NET) for the identification of tumour region in Ki67 stained breast cancer whole slide images
Authors: Joseph Jesuchristopher , Roudier Martine P. , Narayanan Priya Lakshmi , Augulis Renaldas , Ros Vidalba Rocher , Pritchard Alison , Gerrard Joe , Laurinavicius Arvydas , Harrington Elizabeth A. , Barrett J. Carl , Howat William J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractUncontrolled proliferation is a hallmark of cancer and can be assessed by labelling breast tissue using immunohistochemistry for Ki67, a protein associated with cell proliferation. Accurate measurement of Ki67-positive tumour nuclei is of critical importance, but requires annotation of the tumour regions by a pathologist. This manual annotation process is highly subjective, time-consuming and subject to inter- and intra-annotator experience. To address this challenge, we have developed Proliferation Tumour Marker Network (PTM-NET), a deep learning model that objectively annotates the tumour regions in Ki67-labelled breast cancer digital pathology images using a convolution neural network. Our custom designed deep learning model was trained on 45 immunohistochemical Ki67-labelled whole slide images to classify tumour and non-tumour regions and was validated on 45 whole slide images from two different sources that were stained using different protocols. Our results show a Dice coefficient of 0.74, positive predictive value of 70% and negative predictive value of 88.3% against the manual ground truth annotation for the combined dataset. There were minimal differences between the images from different sources and the model was further tested in oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor-labelled images. Finally, using an extension of the model, we could identify possible hotspot regions of high proliferation within the tumour. In the future, this approach could be useful in identifying tumour regions in biopsy samples and tissue microarray images.
State-Dependent Effects of Transcranial Oscillatory Currents on the Motor System during Action Observation
Authors: Feurra Matteo , Blagovechtchenski Evgeny , Nikulin Vadim V. , Nazarova Maria , Lebedeva Anna , Pozdeeva Daria , Yurevich Maria , Rossi Simone 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe applied transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to the primary motor cortex (M1) at different frequencies during an index–thumb pinch-grip observation task. To estimate changes in the corticospinal output, we used the size of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) obtained by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of M1 using an online MRI-guided simultaneous TMS-tACS approach. The results of the beta-tACS confirm a non-selective increase in corticospinal excitability in subjects at rest; an increase was observed for both of the tested hand muscles, the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM). However, during action observation of the pinch-grip movement, the increase of corticospinal excitability was only observed for the prime mover FDI muscle and took place during alpha-tACS, while gamma-tACS affected both the FDI and control muscle (ADM) responses. These phenomena likely reflect the hypothesis that the mu and gamma rhythms specifically index the downstream modulation of primary sensorimotor areas by engaging mirror neuron activity. The current neuromodulation approach confirms that tACS can be used to induce neurophysiologically detectable state-dependent enhancement effects, even in complex motor-cognitive tasks.
Profiling of lung microbiota discloses differences in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Gomes Sílvia , Cavadas Bruno , Ferreira Joana Catarina , Marques Patrícia Isabel , Monteiro Catarina , Sucena Maria , Sousa Catarina , Vaz Rodrigues Luís , Teixeira Gilberto , Pinto Paula , Tavares de Abreu Tiago , Bárbara Cristina , Semedo Júlio , Mota Leonor , Carvalho Ana Sofia , Matthiesen Rune , Pereira Luísa , Seixas Susana 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe lung is a complex ecosystem of host cells and microbes often disrupted in pathological conditions. Although bacteria have been hypothesized as agents of carcinogenesis, little is known about microbiota profile of the most prevalent cancer subtypes: adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). To characterize lung cancer (LC) microbiota a first a screening was performed through a pooled sequencing approach of 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V3-V6) using a total of 103 bronchoalveaolar lavage fluid samples. Then, identified taxa were used to inspect 1009 cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas and to annotate tumor unmapped RNAseq reads. Microbial diversity was analyzed per cancer subtype, history of cigarette smoking and airflow obstruction, among other clinical data. We show that LC microbiota is enriched in Proteobacteria and more diverse in SCC than ADC, particularly in males and heavier smokers. High frequencies of Proteobacteria were found to discriminate a major cluster, further subdivided into well-defined communities’ associated with either ADC or SCC. Here, a SCC subcluster differing from other cases by a worse survival was correlated with several Enterobacteriaceae. Overall, this study provides first evidence for a correlation between lung microbiota and cancer subtype and for its influence on patient life expectancy.
Use of an Environmental Pollutant From Hexavalent Chromium Removal as a Green Catalyst in The Fenton Process
Authors: Chagas Pricila Maria Batista , Caetano Aline Aparecida , Tireli Aline Auxiliadora , Cesar Pedro Henrique Souza , Corrêa Angelita Duarte , Guimarães Iara do Rosário 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe present study refers to the use of an environmental pollutant generated during the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous media. This pollutant is a material with catalytic properties suitable for application in the oxidative degradation of problematic organic compounds. The material, initially used as an adsorbent, is a composite prepared by modifying the crystalline phases of iron oxides together with the chitosan (CT-FeCr). Chemical and morphological characterizations of the materials were performed using SEM analysis coupled with EDS, XRD and DSC. The CT-FeCr beads were used in the degradation of methylene blue dye (MB) and showed excellent degradation potential (93.6%). The presence of Cr on the surface of the catalyst was responsible for the increase in catalytic activity compared to the CT-Fe and pure magnetite materials. The product of the effluent treatment and the presence of the catalyst itself in the environment do not pose toxic effects. In addition, the CT-FeCr beads showed catalytic stability for several consecutive reaction cycles with possible technical and economic viability. The concept of “industrial symbiosis” may be applied to this technology, with that term relating to the reuse of a byproduct generated in one particular industrial sector by another as a raw material.
A critical period for faces: Other-race face recognition is improved by childhood but not adult social contact
Authors: McKone Elinor , Wan Lulu , Pidcock Madeleine , Crookes Kate , Reynolds Katherine , Dawel Amy , Kidd Evan , Fiorentini Chiara 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPoor recognition of other-race faces is ubiquitous around the world. We resolve a longstanding contradiction in the literature concerning whether interracial social contact improves the other-race effect. For the first time, we measure the age at which contact was experienced. Taking advantage of unusual demographics allowing dissociation of childhood from adult contact, results show sufficient childhood contact eliminated poor other-race recognition altogether (confirming inter-country adoption studies). Critically, however, the developmental window for easy acquisition of other-race faces closed by approximately 12 years of age and social contact as an adult — even over several years and involving many other-race friends — produced no improvement. Theoretically, this pattern of developmental change in plasticity mirrors that found in language, suggesting a shared origin grounded in the functional importance of both skills to social communication. Practically, results imply that, where parents wish to ensure their offspring develop the perceptual skills needed to recognise other-race people easily, childhood experience should be encouraged: just as an English-speaking person who moves to France as a child (but not an adult) can easily become a native speaker of French, we can easily become “native recognisers” of other-race faces via natural social exposure obtained in childhood, but not later.
Serotonin is elevated in risk-genotype carriers of TCF7L2 - rs7903146
Authors: Leiherer Andreas , Muendlein Axel , Saely Christoph H. , Fraunberger Peter , Drexel Heinz 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) polymorphism rs7903146 is known to be tightly associated with an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes, whereas the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We evaluated the metabolic profile of a total of 394 patients’ serum samples with respect to their rs7903146 genotype using targeted metabolomics in a discovery (n = 154) and a validation (n = 240) study. We have identified serotonin as the top metabolite being increased in carriers of the risk allele. Serotonin was significantly associated with the rs7903146 genotype after full adjustment including type 2 diabetes and further top ranked metabolites. Given the role of peripheral serotonin in metabolic homeostasis and type 2 diabetes, this finding provides a first hint that the well-known impact of the TCF7L2 polymorphism on type 2 diabetes risk may involve a serotonin-dependent pathway.
In vitro evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA2 biofilms in the presence of cystic fibrosis lung microbiome members
Authors: Vandeplassche Eva , Sass Andrea , Lemarcq Astrid , Dandekar Ajai A. , Coenye Tom , Crabbé Aurélie 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn cystic fibrosis (CF) airways, the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosaevolves from an acute to a chronic infection phenotype. Yet, thein vivofactors influencing the evolutionary trajectory ofP.aeruginosaare poorly understood. This study aimed at understanding the role of the CF lung microbiome inP.aeruginosaevolution. Therefore, we investigated thein vitrobiofilm evolution of an early CFP.aeruginosaisolate, AA2, in the presence or absence of a synthetic CF lung microbiome. Whole genome sequencing of evolved populations revealed mutations in quorum sensing (QS) genes (lasR,pqsR) with and without the microbiome. Phenotypic assays confirmed decreased production of the QS molecule 3-O-C12-homoserine lactone, and QS-regulated virulence factors pyocyanin and protease. Furthermore, a mixture oflasRandlasR pqsRmutants was found, in which double mutants showed less pyocyanin and protease production thanlasRmutants. While the microbial community did not influence the production of the testedP.aeruginosavirulence factors, we observed a trend towards more mutations in the transcriptional regulatorsgntRandmexLwhenP.aeruginosawas grown alone.P.aeruginosadeveloped resistance to β-lactam antibiotics during evolution, when grown with and without the microbiome. In conclusion, in an experimental biofilm environment, the earlyP.aeruginosaCF isolate AA2 evolves towards a CF-like genotype and phenotype, and most studied evolutionary adaptations are not impacted by CF microbiome members.
Pollination ecology of the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii): A first description with new hypotheses for Darwin’s orchids
Authors: Houlihan Peter R. , Stone Mac , Clem Shawn E. , Owen Mike , Emmel Thomas C. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe structural variation of orchids enables myriad fascinating symbiotic relationships with organisms across kingdoms. Orchids are frequently known for having elaborate arms races with their pollinators that result in intricate morphologies in both parties, and flowers with long corollas hypothesized to be pollinated only by individual species of long tongued hawkmoths are of particular concern for conservation. Florida’s endangered ghost orchid, Dendrophylax lindenii, has long been confidently assumed to be pollinated by one species (Cocytius antaeus), despite the presence of a resident community of multiple suitable long-tongued candidates. Here we present the first description of ghost orchid pollination, and describe novel remote camera trapping methods. Pollination of D. lindenii by Pachylia ficus disproves long-standing hypotheses concerning the pollination ecology of long-spurred orchids, and new multiple pollinator hypotheses are proposed. We discuss the broader implications for the conservation of an endangered species, orchids globally, and the importance of Everglades restoration.
Molecular, chemical, and structural characterization of prostaglandin A2 as a novel agonist for Nur77
Authors: Lakshmi Sowmya P. , Reddy Aravind T. , Banno Asoka , Reddy Raju C. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Nur77 is a transcription factor belonging to the NR4A subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. Upon induction, Nur77 modulates the expression of its target genes and controls a variety of biological and pathophysiological processes. Prior research that revealed a structurally atypical ligand-binding domain (LBD) and failed to locate an endogenous ligand had led to a classification of Nur77 as an orphan receptor. However, several more recent studies indicate that small synthetic molecules and unsaturated fatty acids can bind to Nur77. Discovery of additional endogenous ligands will facilitate our understanding of the receptor's functions and regulatory mechanisms. Our data have identified prostaglandin A2 (PGA2), a cyclopentenone prostaglandin (PG), as such a ligand. Cyclopentenone PGs exert their biological effects primarily by forming protein adducts via the characteristic electrophilic β-carbon(s) located in their cyclopentenone rings. Our data show that PGA2 induces Nur77 transcriptional activity by forming a covalent adduct between its endocyclic β-carbon, C9, and Cys566 in the receptor's LBD. The importance of this endocyclic β-carbon was substantiated by the failure of PGs without such electrophilic properties to react with Nur77. Calculated chemical properties and data from reactive molecular dynamic simulations, intrinsic reaction co-ordinate modeling, and covalent molecular docking also corroborate the selectivity of PGA2's C9 β-carbon towards Nur77's Cys. In summary, our molecular, chemical, and structural characterization of the PGA2–Nur77 interaction provides the first evidence that PGA2 is an endogenous Nur77 agonist.
Can artificial neuron networks be used for control of HVAC in environmental quality management systems?
Authors: Romanska-Zapala Anna , Bomberg Mark 
Published: September 2019

The concept of environmental quality management has been described in papers [1 - 4] that looked at the next generation of low energy buildings from the point of view of the occupant. Optimizing energy use is difficult for a few reasons: presence of dramatic changes in the manner we design and operate buildings, change in the role of an architect who must be a leader of interacting team, often quality management is biased towards the design more than on performance of the finished product and finally the need for integrated monitoring and modeling in the occupancy stage.
Effectively, we are integrating heating/cooling and ventilation with the structure at the same time as we verify the appropriateness of the new methods to evaluate performance of these systems. In this process we require double controls, one by the occupant and the other by the computerized (smart) control system. The traditional approaches to modify human behavior generally failed because occupants were not given enough control over their environment. Thus, a major part of the trend to a low-carbon, climate resilient future will be focused on methodology to include path from a complex field testing of building performance to simplified testing that combined with simple monitoring and data from utilities would allow assessment of the energy and carbon emission in a district of a city.
Our experience shows that preliminary design must be optimized during the period of service for all more complex buildings such as large residential, office or commercial buildings. In this context the artificial neural network approach appears to have significant advantages. Yet, traditionally ANN requires large data set to establish functional relations during the learning stage and therefore the first question is how precise can the control of temperature be when the heat exchanger is subjected to different climatic conditions.
Oxytocin Compared to Buccal Misoprostol for Induction of Labor after Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes
Authors: Freret Taylor S. , Chacón Kelly M. , Bryant Allison S. , Kaimal Anjali J. , Clapp Mark A. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Objective This study was aimed to determine if admission-to-delivery times vary between term nulliparous women with prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) who initially receive oxytocin compared with buccal misoprostol for labor induction.
Study Design This is a retrospective cohort of 130 term, nulliparous women with PROM and cervical dilation of ≤2 cm who underwent induction of labor with intravenous oxytocin or buccal misoprostol. The primary outcome was time from admission to delivery. Linear regressions with log transformation were used to estimate the effect of induction agent on time to delivery.
Results Women receiving oxytocin had faster admission-to-delivery times than women receiving misoprostol (16.9 vs. 19.9 hours, p = 0.013). There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes between the groups. In the adjusted model, women who received misoprostol had a 22% longer time from admission to delivery (95% CI 5.0–42.0%) compared with women receiving oxytocin.
Conclusion In term nulliparous patients with PROM, intravenous oxytocin is associated with faster admission-to-delivery times than buccal misoprostol.
Acting upon background of understanding rather than role
Authors: Albl-Mikasa Michaela 
Published: September 2019

AbstractResearch into dialogue interpreting has thus far focused on its interactional dimension. Only recently have cognitive approaches been introduced. This article uses the situated cognition and functional pragmatics paradigms to explain how a broad and holistic understanding of the (healthcare) set-up in which dialogue interpreting assignments take place enables interpreters to develop an awareness of the purpose-orientation of medical professionals’ (inter)action plan. This understanding forms part of an inferential mental backdrop that allows interpreters to go from bottom-up drifting to gaining top-down control over their task. On the basis of a corpus of 19 interpreter-mediated doctor-patient encounters, the article suggests that it is acting upon an integral background of understanding as inferential basis (rather than role) that empowers dialogue interpreters to perform successfully.