bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analyses of the genetic diversity and population structures ofHistoplasma capsulatumclinical isolates from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Argentina, using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR assay
Authors: Sahaza J. H. , Duarte-Escalante E. , Canteros C. , Rodríguez-Arellanes G. , Reyes-Montes M. R. , Taylor M. L. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe studied the genetic diversity and the population structure of human isolates ofHistoplasma capsulatum, the causative agent of histoplasmosis, using a randomly amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) assay to identify associations with the geographic distribution of isolates from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and Argentina. The RAPD-PCR pattern analyses revealed the genetic diversity by estimating the percentage of polymorphic loci, effective number of alleles, Shannon's index and heterozygosity. Population structure was identified by the index of association (IA) test. Thirty-seven isolates were studied and clustered into three groups by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Group I contained five subgroups based on geographic origin. The consistency of the UPGMA dendrogram was estimated by the cophenetic correlation coefficient (CCCr= 0.94,P= 0.001). Isolates from Mexico and Colombia presented higher genetic diversity than isolates from Argentina. Isolates from Guatemala grouped together with the reference strains from the United States of America and Panama. TheIAvalues suggest the presence of a clonal population structure in the ArgentinianH. capsulatumisolates and also validate the presence of recombining populations in the Colombian and Mexican isolates. These data contribute to the knowledge on the molecular epidemiology of histoplasmosis in Latin America.
Complete sequence analysis of human norovirus GII.17 detected in South Korea
Authors: Kim H. , Won Y. J. , Kang L. H. , Lee A. R. , Han J. I. , Suh C. I. , Paik S. Y. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNorovirus, a major cause of gastroenteritis in people of all ages worldwide, was first reported in South Korea in 1999. The most common causal agents of pediatric acute gastroenteritis are norovirus and rotavirus. While vaccination has reduced the pediatric rotavirus infection rate, norovirus vaccines have not been developed. Therefore, prediction and prevention of norovirus are very important. Norovirus is divided into genogroups GI–GVII, with GII.4 being the most prevalent. However, in 2012–2013, GII.17 showed a higher incidence than GII.4 and a novel variant, GII.P17-GII.17, appeared. In this study, 204 stool samples collected in 2013–2014 were screened by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction; 11 GI (5.39%) and 45 GII (22.06%) noroviruses were identified. GI.4, GI.5, GII.4, GII.6 and GII.17 were detected. The whole genomes of the three norovirus GII.17 were sequenced. The whole genome of GII.17 consists of three open reading frames of 5109, 1623 and 780 bp. Compared with 20 GII.17 strains isolated in other countries, we observed numerous changes in the protruding P2 domain of VP1 in the Korean GII.17 viruses. Our study provided genome information that might aid in epidemic prevention, epidemiology studies and vaccine development.
Altered ascending aortic wall shear stress in patients with corrected atrioventricular septal defect: a comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance and 4D flow MRI evaluation
Authors: Elders Bernadette , Westenberg Jos , van den Boogaard Pieter , Calkoen Emmeline , Blom Nico , Kroft Lucia , de Roos Albert , Roest Arno 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAim:In patients after atrioventricular septal defect correction, altered geometry leads to a changed position and subsequent flow over the left ventricular outflow tract. We hypothesised that this altered flow may influence haemodynamics in the ascending aorta.Methods:In total, 30 patients after atrioventricular septal defect correction (age 27.6 ± 12.8 years) and 28 healthy volunteers (age 24.8 ± 13.7 years) underwent 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Left ventricular ejection fraction and mean and peak wall shear stress calculated at ascending aortic peak systole were obtained from cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Left ventricular outflow tract data including velocity and diameter were obtained from echocardiography.Results:Patients showed a higher mean (911 ± 173 versus 703 ± 154 mPa, p = 0.001) and peak ascending aortic wall shear stress (1264 ± 302 versus 1009 ± 240 mPa, p = 0.001) compared to healthy volunteers. Increased blood flow velocities over the left ventricular outflow tract (1.49 ± 0.30 m/s versus 1.22 ± 0.20 m/s, p < 0.001) correlated well with mean and peak ascending aortic wall shear stress (r = 0.67, p < 0.001 and r = 0.77, p < 0.001).Conclusion:After atrioventricular septal defect correction, increased wall shear stress was observed, which correlated to velocities over the left ventricular outflow tract. These findings imply that altered outflow tract geometry contributes to changed aortic haemodynamics.
Prospects for Climate Change Litigation in China
Authors: Zhao Yue , Lyu Shuang , Wang Zhu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWhile legal scholarship seeks mainly to assess the impact of climate change litigation (CCL) on the regulatory state and on climate change policy in common law countries, the potential influence of government climate policy on the judicial practices of jurisdictions with different legal traditions attracts much less attention. This article fills the gaps by exploring how courts in China, an authoritarian country with a civil law tradition, react to government climate policies and how this judicial response might affect relevant legal rules and eventually contribute to climate regulation. An empirical analysis of 177 Chinese judicial cases reveals that CCL in China consists mostly of contract-based civil actions steered by the government's low-carbon policies. Moreover, although the prospects of CCL against public authorities in China remain very bleak, there is scope for the emergence of tort-based CCL, backed by government policies. In this respect, recent tort-based public interest litigation on air pollution in China may serve as a substitute or, more promisingly, a gateway to the emergence of a tort-based branch of Chinese CCL.
Functional and structural neural plasticity effects of literacy acquisition in adulthood
Authors: Boltzmann Melanie , Münte Thomas , Mohammadi Bahram , Rüsseler Jascha 
Published: May 2019

Abstract. In Germany, 7.5 Million individuals between 18 and 64 years are considered to be functionally illiterate (Grotlüschen & Riekmann, 2012). Functional illiterates have only rudimentary literacy skills despite attending school for several years. Although they can use written language to a very limited extent, only few functional illiterates attend literacy courses for adults. In addition, most adult literacy courses primarily aim at promoting basic reading and writing skills. Offers specific to workplace literacy are scarce.This review gives an overview of the definition of functional illiteracy. Afterwards, a specific literacy program (AlphaPlus) and its effectiveness will be presented. The reviewed studies indicate that learning to read in adulthood is associated with structural and functional brain changes.
A Modeling Study of the Effects of Vertical Wind Shear on the Raindrop Size Distribution in Typhoon Nida (2016)
Authors: Deng Lin , Gao Wenhua , Duan Yihong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this study, the effects of vertical wind shear (VWS) on the raindrop size distribution in tropical cyclone are investigated, based on the theoretical analyses that intense VWS, which commonly appears in the lower layers of tropical cyclones, can enhance the collisional breakup of raindrops. This is achieved by comparing the numerical sensitivity experiments of Typhoon Nida (2016) using Weather Research and Forecasting model against the polarimetric radar and disdrometer observations. In the control run with the default Morrison microphysics, unrealistic large raindrops are produced with excessively large differential reflectivity and heavier precipitation. An obvious decrease of raindrop size is present when the constant value of cloud droplet number concentration reduces from 250 to 30 cm−3 (NC30), leading to more comparable microphysics characteristics with the observations due to the enhancement of autoconversion rate from cloud droplets to raindrops; however, some unrealistic large‐sized raindrops still exist. A semiempirical raindrop collection/breakup parameterization is further proposed in NC30_WS run by modifying the threshold diameter of raindrops at which breakup occurs as a function of VWS. The certain improvements of simulating raindrop size distribution and precipitation in Typhoon Nida are present in NC30_WS run, owing to the efficient collisional breakup and the induced stronger raindrop evaporation cooling. Our results indicate that the combined effects of reasonable cloud droplet numbers as well as reliable raindrop breakup parameterization are pronounced and highlight the impacts of VWS on raindrop size distribution, which should be involved in current microphysical schemes to forecast the TCs more accurately.
Scaling of an Atmospheric Model to Simulate Turbulence and Cloud Microphysics in the Pi Chamber
Authors: Thomas Subin , Ovchinnikov Mikhail , Yang Fan , van der Voort Dennis , Cantrell Will , Krueger Steven K. , Shaw Raymond A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Pi Cloud Chamber offers a unique opportunity to study aerosol‐cloud microphysics interactions in a steady‐state, turbulent environment. In this work, an atmospheric large‐eddy simulation (LES) model with spectral bin microphysics is scaled down to simulate these interactions, allowing comparison with experimental results. A simple scalar flux budget model is developed and used to explore the effect of sidewalls on the bulk mixing temperature, water vapor mixing ratio, and supersaturation. The scaled simulation and the simple scalar flux budget model produce comparable bulk mixing scalar values. The LES dynamics results are compared with particle image velocimetry measurements of turbulent kinetic energy, energy dissipation rates, and large‐scale oscillation frequencies from the cloud chamber. These simulated results match quantitatively to experimental results. Finally, with the bin microphysics included the LES is able to simulate steady‐state cloud conditions and broadening of the cloud droplet size distributions with decreasing droplet number concentration, as observed in the experiments. The results further suggest that collision‐coalescence does not contribute significantly to this broadening. This opens a path for further detailed intercomparison of laboratory and simulation results for model validation and exploration of specific physical processes.
Global Core Top Calibration of δ18O in Planktic Foraminifera to Sea Surface Temperature
Authors: Malevich Steven B. , Vetter Lael , Tierney Jessica E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe oxygen isotopic composition of planktic foraminiferal calcite (
) is one of the most prevalent proxies used in the paleoceanographic community. The relationship between
, temperature, and seawater oxygen isotopic composition (
) is firmly rooted in thermodynamics, and experimental constraints are commonly used for sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions. However, in marine sedimentary applications, additional sources of uncertainty emerge, and these uncertainty constraints have not as of yet been included in global calibration models. Here, we compile a global data set of over 2,600 marine sediment core top samples for five planktic species: Globigerinoides ruber, Trilobatus sacculifer, Globigerina bulloides, Neogloboquadrina incompta, and Neogloboquadrina pachyderma. We developed a suite of Bayesian regression models to calibrate the relationship between
and SST. Spanning SSTs from 0.0 to 29.5 °C, our annual model with species pooled together has a mean standard error of approximately 0.54‰. Accounting for seasonality and species‐specific differences improves model validation, reducing the mean standard error to 0.47‰. Example applications spanning the Late Quaternary show good agreement with independent alkenone‐based estimates. Our pooled calibration model may also be used for reconstruction in the deeper geological past, using modern planktic foraminifera as an analog for non‐extant species. Our core top‐based models provide a robust assessment of uncertainty in the
paleothermometer that can be used in statistical assessments of interproxy and model‐proxy comparisons. The suite of models is publicly available as the Open Source software library bayfox, for Python, R, and MATLAB/Octave.
High-efficiency, large-area, topology-optimized metasurfaces
Authors: Phan Thaibao , Sell David , Wang Evan W. , Doshay Sage , Edee Kofi , Yang Jianji , Fan Jonathan A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMetasurfaces are ultrathin optical elements that are highly promising for constructing lightweight and compact optical systems. For their practical implementation, it is imperative to maximize the metasurface efficiency. Topology optimization provides a pathway for pushing the limits of metasurface efficiency; however, topology optimization methods have been limited to the design of microscale devices due to the extensive computational resources that are required. We introduce a new strategy for optimizing large-area metasurfaces in a computationally efficient manner. By stitching together individually optimized sections of the metasurface, we can reduce the computational complexity of the optimization from high-polynomial to linear. As a proof of concept, we design and experimentally demonstrate large-area, high-numerical-aperture silicon metasurface lenses with focusing efficiencies exceeding 90%. These concepts can be generalized to the design of multifunctional, broadband diffractive optical devices and will enable the implementation of large-area, high-performance metasurfaces in practical optical systems.
Photonic Hall effect and helical Zitterbewegung in a synthetic Weyl system
Authors: Ye Weimin , Liu Yachao , Liu Jianlong , Horsley Simon A. R. , Wen Shuangchun , Zhang Shuang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSystems supporting Weyl points have gained increasing attention in condensed physics, photonics and acoustics due to their rich physics, such as Fermi arcs and chiral anomalies. Acting as sources or drains of Berry curvature, Weyl points exhibit a singularity of the Berry curvature at their core. It is, therefore, expected that the induced effect of the Berry curvature can be dramatically enhanced in systems supporting Weyl points. In this work, we construct synthetic Weyl points in a photonic crystal that consists of a honeycomb array of coupled rods with slowly varying radii along the direction of propagation. The system possesses photonic Weyl points in the synthetic space of two momenta plus an additional physical parameter with an enhanced Hall effect resulting from the large Berry curvature in the vicinity of the Weyl point. Interestingly, a helical Zitterbewegung (ZB) is observed when the wave packet traverses very close to a Weyl point, which is attributed to the contribution of the non-Abelian Berry connection arising from the near degenerate eigenstates.
Canagliflozin inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma via blocking glucose-influx-induced β-catenin activation
Authors: Hung Man-Hsin , Chen Yao-Li , Chen Li-Ju , Chu Pei-Yi , Hsieh Feng-Shu , Tsai Ming-Hsien , Shih Chih-Ting , Chao Tzu-I , Huang Chao-Yuan , Chen Kuen-Feng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAccelerated glucose metabolism is critical in hepatocarcinogenesis, but the utilities of different glucose transporter inhibitors in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we examined a collection of glucose transporter inhibitors and found differential anti-HCC effects among these compounds. Canagliflozin (CANA), phloretin, and WZB117 decreased cellular glucose influx, but only CANA showed potent growth inhibition in HCC, which indicated a glucose-independent anti-HCC mechanism. Notably, we found that CANA treatment significantly downregulated the expression of β-catenin in HCC cells in. By co-treating cells with cycloheximide and MG-132, we proved that CANA promoted proteasomal degradation of β-catenin protein by increasing phosphorylation of β-catenin, and CANA-induced inactivation of protein phosphatase 2A was identified being responsible for this effect. Moreover, using Huh7 xenografted tumor model, CANA treatment was shown to delay tumor growth and improved the survival of HCC bearing mice. Our study highlights the unique dual β-catenin-inhibition mechanisms of CANA, which may provide new thoughts on treating HCC patient with concurrent diabetes, and, furthermore, on developing novel treatment targeting metabolic reprogram and/or WNT/β-catenin signaling in HCC.
A single layer spin-orbit torque nano-oscillator
Authors: Haidar Mohammad , Awad Ahmad A. , Dvornik Mykola , Khymyn Roman , Houshang Afshin , Åkerman Johan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSpin torque and spin Hall effect nano-oscillators generate high intensity spin wave auto-oscillations on the nanoscale enabling novel microwave applications in spintronics, magnonics, and neuromorphic computing. For their operation, these devices require externally generated spin currents either from an additional ferromagnetic layer or a material with a high spin Hall angle. Here we demonstrate highly coherent field and current tunable microwave signals from nano-constrictions in single 15–20 nm thick permalloy layers with oxide interfaces. Using a combination of spin torque ferromagnetic resonance measurements, scanning micro-Brillouin light scattering microscopy, and micromagnetic simulations, we identify the auto-oscillations as emanating from a localized edge mode of the nano-constriction driven by spin-orbit torques. Our results pave the way for greatly simplified designs of auto-oscillating nano-magnetic systems only requiring single ferromagnetic layers with oxide interfaces.
Are microtubules tension sensors?
Authors: Hamant Olivier , Inoue Daisuke , Bouchez David , Dumais Jacques , Mjolsness Eric 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMechanical signals play many roles in cell and developmental biology. Several mechanotransduction pathways have been uncovered, but the mechanisms identified so far only address the perception of stress intensity. Mechanical stresses are tensorial in nature, and thus provide dual mechanical information: stress magnitude and direction. Here we propose a parsimonious mechanism for the perception of the principal stress direction. In vitro experiments show that microtubules are stabilized under tension. Based on these results, we explore the possibility that such microtubule stabilization operates in vivo, most notably in plant cells where turgor-driven tensile stresses exceed greatly those observed in animal cells.
The UbiX flavin prenyltransferase reaction mechanism resembles class I terpene cyclase chemistry
Authors: Marshall Stephen A. , Payne Karl A. P. , Fisher Karl , White Mark D. , Ní Cheallaigh Aisling , Balaikaite Arune , Rigby Stephen E. J. , Leys David 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe UbiX-UbiD enzymes are widespread in microbes, acting in concert to decarboxylate alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acids using a highly modified flavin cofactor, prenylated FMN (prFMN). UbiX serves as the flavin prenyltransferase, extending the isoalloxazine ring system with a fourth non-aromatic ring, derived from sequential linkage between a dimethylallyl moiety and the FMN N5 and C6. Using structure determination and solution studies of both dimethylallyl monophosphate (DMAP) and dimethyallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) dependent UbiX enzymes, we reveal the first step, N5-C1’ bond formation, is contingent on the presence of a dimethylallyl substrate moiety. Hence, an SN1 mechanism similar to other prenyltransferases is proposed. Selected variants of the (pyro)phosphate binding site are unable to catalyse subsequent Friedel-Crafts alkylation of the flavin C6, but can be rescued by addition of (pyro)phosphate. Thus, retention of the (pyro)phosphate leaving group is required for C6-C3’ bond formation, resembling pyrophosphate initiated class I terpene cyclase reaction chemistry.
Atypical function of a centrosomal module in WNT signalling drives contextual cancer cell motility
Authors: Luo Yi , Barrios-Rodiles Miriam , Gupta Gagan D. , Zhang Ying Y. , Ogunjimi Abiodun A. , Bashkurov Mikhail , Tkach Johnny M. , Underhill Ainsley Q. , Zhang Liang , Bourmoum Mohamed , Wrana Jeffrey L. , Pelletier Laurence 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Centrosomes control cell motility, polarity and migration that is thought to be mediated by their microtubule-organizing capacity. Here we demonstrate that WNT signalling drives a distinct form of non-directional cell motility that requires a key centrosome module, but not microtubules or centrosomes. Upon exosome mobilization of PCP-proteins, we show that DVL2 orchestrates recruitment of a CEP192-PLK4/AURKB complex to the cell cortex where PLK4/AURKB act redundantly to drive protrusive activity and cell motility. This is mediated by coordination of formin-dependent actin remodelling through displacement of cortically localized DAAM1 for DAAM2. Furthermore, abnormal expression of PLK4, AURKB and DAAM1 is associated with poor outcomes in breast and bladder cancers. Thus, a centrosomal module plays an atypical function in WNT signalling and actin nucleation that is critical for cancer cell motility and is associated with more aggressive cancers. These studies have broad implications in how contextual signalling controls distinct modes of cell migration.
Ep400 deficiency in Schwann cells causes persistent expression of early developmental regulators and peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Fröb Franziska , Sock Elisabeth , Tamm Ernst. R. , Saur Anna-Lena , Hillgärtner Simone , Williams Trevor J. , Fujii Toshihiro , Fukunaga Rikiro , Wegner Michael 
Published: May 2019

AbstractSchwann cells ensure efficient nerve impulse conduction in the peripheral nervous system. Their development is accompanied by defined chromatin changes, including variant histone deposition and redistribution. To study the importance of variant histones for Schwann cell development, we altered their genomic distribution by conditionally deleting Ep400, the central subunit of the Tip60/Ep400 complex. Ep400 absence causes peripheral neuropathy in mice, characterized by terminal differentiation defects in myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells and immune cell activation. Variant histone H2A.Z is differently distributed throughout the genome and remains at promoters of Tfap2a, Pax3 and other transcriptional regulator genes with transient function at earlier developmental stages. Tfap2a deletion in Ep400-deficient Schwann cells causes a partial rescue arguing that continued expression of early regulators mediates the phenotypic defects. Our results show that proper genomic distribution of variant histones is essential for Schwann cell differentiation, and assign importance to Ep400-containing chromatin remodelers in the process.
Publisher Correction: Chromatin dysregulation and DNA methylation at transcription start sites associated with transcriptional repression in cancers
Authors: Ando Mizuo , Saito Yuki , Xu Guorong , Bui Nam Q. , Medetgul-Ernar Kate , Pu Minya , Fisch Kathleen , Ren Shuling , Sakai Akihiro , Fukusumi Takahito , Liu Chao , Haft Sunny , Pang John , Mark Adam , Gaykalova Daria A. , Guo Theresa , Favorov Alexander V. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Fertig Elana J. , Ha Patrick , Tamayo Pablo , Yamasoba Tatsuya , Ideker Trey , Messer Karen , Califano Joseph A. 
Published: May 2019

The original version of this Article contained an error in the author affiliations. Trey Ideker was incorrectly associated with ‘Department of Medicine (Oncology), Stanford University School of Medicine, 875 Blake Wilbur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.’ This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.