bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Vibrational Spectroscopic Characterization of Nylon‐6 Precursors for Precise Tracking of the Beckmann Rearrangement
Authors: Chapman Stephanie , O'Malley Alexander J. , Parker Stewart F. , Raja Robert 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAs a key step in nylon‐6 synthesis, the Beckmann rearrangement is an ongoing target of catalytic studies that seek to improve the sustainability of polymer manufacture. Whilst solid‐acid catalysts (predominantly zeotypes) have proven effective for this transformation, the development of more active and selective systems demands an understanding of fundamental catalytic mechanisms. In this undertaking, in situ and operando characterization techniques can be informative, provided rigorous spectroscopic groundwork is in place. Thus, to facilitate mechanistic studies we present a detailed investigation of the vibrational spectra of cyclohexanone, cyclohexanone oxime, ϵ‐caprolactam and their D10‐isotopomers, in the solid state. Variable‐temperature infrared (150–300 K) and Raman (10–300 K) spectra are reported alongside inelastic neutron scattering data. Moreover, where key vibrational modes have been assigned with the aid of periodic density functional theory calculations, it has been possible to include hydrogen‐bonding interactions explicitly.
Acyclic and Cyclic Alkyl and Ether‐Functionalised Sulfonium Ionic Liquids Based on the [TFSI]− and [FSI]− Anions as Potential Electrolytes for Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Murphy Sinead , Ivol Flavien , Neale Alex R. , Goodrich Peter , Ghamouss Fouad , Hardacre Christopher , Jacquemin Johan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis work provides a study based on acyclic and cyclic sulfonium ionic liquids (ILs) with alkyl and ether‐functionality on the cation paired with the bis{(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl}imide, [TFSI]−, or the bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, [FSI]−, as the counter anion. Herein, thermophysical characterisation of nine sulfonium‐based ILs concerning the density, viscosity and conductivity and thermal properties including phase transition behaviour and decomposition temperature is reported. The electrochemical stability of the ILs was also measured by cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon macro‐disk electrode. All of the ILs showed low melting point, low viscosity and good conductivity and could serve as potential electrolytes for energy storage devices.
LC3‐Associated Phagocytosis and Antigen Presentation
Authors: Ligeon Laure‐Anne , Loi Monica , Münz Christian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLC3‐associated phagocytosis (LAP) is an unconventional form of autophagy that relies on parts of the canonical autophagy machinery for its function. LAP is triggered upon receptor‐mediated phagocytosis and is characterized by the formation of a single‐membrane vesicle decorated with the autophagy protein LC3. In professional phagocytic cells, such as macrophages, the role of LAP in immune processes has been characterized, although how LAP functions at the molecular level remains poorly defined. It is important to point out that as for all autophagic pathways, the study of LAP is still challenging for the scientific community because it is a dynamic and complex process, requiring interactions among several proteins. Here, we describe the most common methods used to monitor and quantify the formation of LC3‐coated single‐membrane endosomes, or so‐called LAPosomes, and to validate the involvement of LAP in immunological processes of human macrophages. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mouse Model for Human Vitiligo
Authors: Riding Rebecca L. , Richmond Jillian M. , Harris John E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractVitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease in which the pigment‐producing melanocytes are destroyed by autoreactive CD8+ T cells. As a result, patients develop disfiguring white spots on the skin. This article discusses the first mouse model of vitiligo that develops epidermal depigmentation, similar to disease in human patients. To achieve epidermal depigmentation, mice are genetically engineered to retain melanocytes in the skin epidermis. Induction of disease occurs by adoptive transfer of melanocyte‐specific CD8+ T cells into recipient mice and the subsequent activation of these T cells using a viral vector. Depigmentation of the epidermis occurs within 5 to 7 weeks in a patchy pattern similar to patients with vitiligo. This article describes the methods of vitiligo induction, quantification of lesion progression and regression, processing of the skin for detailed analysis, and how to use this model to inform clinical studies. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Spatiotemporal shifts in distribution of a recolonizing black bear population
Authors: McFadden‐Hiller Jamie E. , Belant Jerrold L. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFollowing one of the most successful relocations of a large carnivore species, American black bears (Ursus americanus; hereafter bears) have expanded from Arkansas to the Ozark Highlands of southern Missouri,USA, where they were potentially extirpated in the early 1900s. Our first objective was to estimate spatial and temporal shifts in probability of bear presence to understand the population distribution in Missouri. Our second objective was to assess which factors might influence any detected shifts. We used public sightings of bears to develop statewide spatial distribution models for early (1991–2003) and late (2004–2015) bear presence probability in Missouri using maximum entropy modeling and determine the rate and direction of population expansion. We evaluated the effects of environmental variables (e.g., land cover, roads) on bear presence probability and predicted the total area of three levels of bear presence probabilities. The average annual density of bear sightings increased temporally by about 3.4/1000 km2in Missouri. The Ozark Highlands ecoregion contained the highest average annual density of sightings during both time periods. The bear presence probability increased spatially about 29 km in a north–northwest direction between the two time periods and the distribution became more dispersed over time. Our results corroborate prior findings suggesting bear presence is greatest in forests and rural areas. However, the increased importance of cultivated crops over time combined with the consistently positive relationship with roads indicates little negative effects from anthropogenic features on the bear presence probability in Missouri.
Surviving in the city: higher apparent survival for urban birds but worse condition on noisy territories
Authors: Phillips Jennifer N. , Gentry Katherine E. , Luther David A. , Derryberry Elizabeth P. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAnthropogenic landscapes and soundscapes impose strong selective pressures on a number of species, which can manifest in changes in vocalizations, foraging strategies, predator vigilance, and reproductive success. However, few studies have examined survival rates, a major component of fitness, across urban landscapes and soundscapes. White‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) persist in both urban and rural landscapes and change their behavior in response to the soundscape. We color‐banded adult white‐crowned sparrows and collected noise levels on their territories in the urban San Francisco Bay Area and adjacent rural Point Reyes National Seashore in California. We collected mark‐encounter data on territorial males from 2014 to 2017. Using the Program MARK, we tested the effects of habitat (urban/rural) and territory noise level on annual survival rates and body condition. We predicted that survival and body condition would be lower in urban habitats and decrease with increasing background noise level on territories. We found that survival estimates vary according to year, and males in urban landscapes have higher survival. Noise levels best predict body condition, such that soundscape negatively correlates with male body condition. Taken together, the urban landscape and soundscape shape the survival and health of birds in and near cities.
A study for on‐demand generation regulation control
Authors: Zoka Yoshifumi , Koshimoto Keita , Muraoka Masaki , Kuwada Yasunori , Mashima Yuki , Rehiara Adelhard Beni , Sasaki Yutaka , Yorino Naoto 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes a real‐time generation regulation system named as “on‐demand generation regulation control” system, which is suitable for small independent power grids with unstable renewable energy generators. It has been developed as a part of “robust demand and supply control manager” and plays an important role of flexible frequency control that includes vehicle to grid and generation restriction when necessary. The main feature of the system is the integrated framework to effectively deal with hard‐to‐predict control options in a flexible way by observing the unstable generator outputs and all generators/batteries status including electric vehicles. In addition, a feedback system is also proposed to flexibly adjust the regulation capacity in case unexpected disturbances occur. The performance of the proposed system is verified through numerical simulations based on an actual test site with successful results.
Relationship Between Dietary Sterols and Gut Microbiota: A Review
Authors: Cuevas‐Tena Maria , Alegría Amparo , Lagarda Maria J. 
Published: September 2018

Cholesterol intestinal absorption differs markedly from that of plant sterols; whereas the cholesterol absorption rate is high (30–60%) for total plant sterols it is low (2–3%). Non‐absorbed sterols reach the colon, where the microbiota interacts with them. Non‐absorbed cholesterol biotransformation has been widely studied by in vitro fermentation assays using gut microbiota from human feces and pure cultures of enteric microorganisms. A great variety of sterols and its metabolites have been detected, which allows establishing two pathways for cholesterol microbial degradation to coprostanol. However, biotransformation studies of plant sterols are scarce and its microbial transformation pathway remains to be fully clarified. Furthermore, the sterol contents in feces are highly variable among individuals, due to specific microbiota and especially dietary factors. However, no standardized methodology has been developed for sterols and their metabolites determination in feces. Studies on sterol excretion values, microbial transformation, and sterol determination methodology have been reviewed. Given that cholesterol metabolites can contribute to the development of colon cancer and that information about plant sterols biotransformation is scarce, this review contributes to improve the knowledge of the sterol implication in the gut microbiota and of PS impact in the colonic microbiota metabolization of cholesterol.Practical Applications: It has been suggested that the metabolites produced during the biotransformation of cholesterol have pro‐carcinogenic activity within colon. In addition, it has been indicated that the intake of high doses of plant sterols can attenuate or decrease this biotransformation. However, it is still unknown if the microbial metabolites of plant sterols have the same effect as those of animal origin. In order to shed light on the aforementioned aspects, all the information about the dietary sterols biotransformation and their impact on gut microbiota have been compiled. In addition, the sterols contents in feces and their methodologic analysis have also been reviewed. This review offers a broad view on the interaction between dietary sterols and gut microbiota, which can help to the better understand the relationship between microbiota and sterols for future research studies.This review presents the impact of dietary sterol on gut microbiota and microbial transformation of dietary sterols.
PLPBP mutations cause variable phenotypes of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Authors: Shiraku Hiroshi , Nakashima Mitsuko , Takeshita Saoko , Khoo Chai‐Soon , Haniffa Muzhirah , Ch'ng Gaik‐Siew , Takada Kazuma , Nakajima Keisuke , Ohta Masayasu , Okanishi Tohru , Kanai Sotaro , Fujimoto Ayataka , Saitsu Hirotomo , Matsumoto Naomichi , Kato Mitsuhiro 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObjectiveVitamin B6–dependent epilepsies are treatable disorders caused by variants in several genes, such as ALDH7A1, PNPO, and others. Recently, biallelic variants in PLPBP, formerly known as PROSC, were identified as a novel cause of vitamin B6–dependent epilepsies. Our objective was to further delineate the phenotype of PLPBP mutation.MethodsWe identified 4 unrelated patients harboring a total of 4 variants in PLPBP, including 3 novel variants, in a cohort of 700 patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Clinical information in each case was collected.ResultsEach patient had a different clinical course of epilepsy, with seizure onset from the first day of life to 3 months of age. Generalized tonic–clonic seizures were commonly noted. Myoclonic seizures or focal seizures were also observed in 2 patients. Interictal electroencephalography showed variable findings, such as suppression burst, focal or multifocal discharges, and diffuse slow activity. Unlike previous reports, all the patients had some degree of intellectual disability, although some of them had received early treatment with vitamin B6, suggesting that different mutation types influence the severity and outcome of the seizures.SignificancePLPBP variants should be regarded as among the causative genes of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, even when it occurs after the neonatal period. Early diagnosis and proper treatment with pyridoxine or pyridoxal phosphate is essential to improve the neurologic prognosis in neonates or young children with poorly controlled seizures.
Tensor‐based morphometry using scalar and directional information of diffusion tensor MRI data (DTBM): Application to hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Sadeghi Neda , Arrigoni Filippo , D'Angelo Maria Grazia , Thomas Cibu , Irfanoglu M. Okan , Hutchinson Elizabeth B. , Nayak Amritha , Modi Pooja , Bassi Maria Teresa , Pierpaoli Carlo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTensor‐based morphometry (TBM) performed using T1‐weighted images (T1WIs) is a well‐established method for analyzing local morphological changes occurring in the brain due to normal aging and disease. However, in white matter regions that appear homogeneous on T1WIs, T1W‐TBM may be inadequate for detecting changes that affect specific pathways. In these regions, diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) can identify white matter pathways on the basis of their different anisotropy and orientation. In this study, we propose performing TBM using deformation fields constructed using all scalar and directional information provided by the diffusion tensor (DTBM) with the goal of increasing sensitivity in detecting morphological abnormalities of specific white matter pathways. Previously, mostly fractional anisotropy (FA) has been used to drive registration in diffusion MRI‐based TBM (FA‐TBM). However, FA does not have the directional information that the tensors contain, therefore, the registration based on tensors provides better alignment of brain structures and better localization of volume change. We compare our DTBM method to both T1W‐TBM and FA‐TBM in investigating differences in brain morphology between patients with complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia of type 11 (SPG11) and a group of healthy controls. Effect size maps of T1W‐TBM of SPG11 patients showed diffuse atrophy of white matter. However, DTBM indicated that atrophy was more localized, predominantly affecting several long‐range pathways. The results of our study suggest that DTBM could be a powerful tool for detecting morphological changes of specific white matter pathways in normal brain development and aging, as well as in degenerative disorders.
White matter network connectivity deficits in developmental dyslexia
Authors: Lou Chenglin , Duan Xiting , Altarelli Irene , Sweeney John A. , Ramus Franck , Zhao Jingjing 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA number of studies have shown an abnormal connectivity of certain white matter pathways in developmental dyslexia, as well as correlations between these white matter pathways and behavioral deficits. However, whether developmental dyslexia presents broader white matter network connectivity disruption is currently unknown. The present study reconstructed white matter networks for 26 dyslexic children (11.61 ± 1.31 years) and 31 age‐matched controls (11.49 ± 1.36 years) using constrained spherical deconvolution tractography. Network‐based statistics (NBS) analysis was performed to identify network connectivity deficits in dyslexic individuals. Network topological features were measured based on graph theory to examine whether these parameters correlate with literacy skills, and whether they explain additional variance over previously established white matter connectivity abnormalities in dyslexic children. The NBS analysis identified a network connecting the left‐occipital‐temporal cortex and temporo‐parietal cortex that had decreased streamlines in dyslexic children. Four network topological parameters (clustering coefficient, local efficiency, transitivity, and global efficiency) were positively correlated with literacy skills of dyslexic children, and explained a substantial proportion of additional variance in literacy skills beyond connectivity measures of white matter pathways. This study for the first time reports a disconnection in a local subnetwork in the left hemisphere in dyslexia and shows that the global white matter network topological properties contribute to reduced literacy skills in dyslexic children.
From eyes‐closed to eyes‐open: Role of cholinergic projections in EC‐to‐EO alpha reactivity revealed by combining EEG and MRI
Authors: Wan Lu , Huang Haiqing , Schwab Nadine , Tanner Jared , Rajan Abhijit , Lam Ngoc B. , Zaborszky Laszlo , Li Chiang‐shan R. , Price Catherine C. , Ding Mingzhou 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlpha rhythm (8 to 12 Hz) observed in EEG over human posterior cortex is prominent during eyes‐closed (EC) resting and attenuates during eyes‐open (EO) resting. Research shows that the degree of EC‐to‐EO alpha blocking or alpha desynchronization, termed alpha reactivity here, is a neural marker of cognitive health. We tested the role of acetylcholine in EC‐to‐EO alpha reactivity by applying a multimodal neuroimaging approach to a cohort of young adults and a cohort of older adults. In the young cohort, simultaneous EEG‐fMRI was recorded from twenty‐one young adults during both EO and EC resting. In the older cohort, functional MRI was recorded from forty older adults during EO and EC resting, along with FLAIR and diffusion MRI. For a subset of twenty older adults, EEG was recorded during EO and EC resting in a separate session. In both young and older adults, functional connectivity between the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM), the major source of cortical acetylcholine, and the visual cortex increased from EC to EO, and this connectivity increase was positively associated with alpha reactivity; namely, the stronger the BNM‐visual cortex functional connectivity increase from EC to EO, the larger the EC‐to‐EO alpha desynchronization. In older adults, lesions of the fiber tracts linking BNM and visual cortex quantified by leukoaraiosis volume, associated with reduced alpha reactivity. These findings support a role of acetylcholine and particularly cholinergic pathways in mediating EC‐to‐EO alpha reactivity and suggest that impaired alpha reactivity could serve as a marker of the integrity of the cholinergic system.
A Simple Probe for Super‐Resolution Imaging of the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Living Cells
Authors: Halabi Elias A. , Püntener Salome , Rivera‐Fuentes Pablo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSuper‐resolution imaging of living cells can reveal nanoscopic details of live biological systems. The development of small‐molecule fluorophores that allow optimal imaging conditions is the key to enable live‐specimen imaging with minimal invasiveness. In this study, we report a simple and non‐toxic rhodamine‐based diazoindanone probe compatible with direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (d‐STORM). Co‐localization studies performed in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells indicated that this probe targets the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Photophysical experiments carried out in polyvinyl alcohol films revealed that each molecule yields a high number of photons before photodecomposition (80’000 photons), allowing good localization precision (42±12 nm) in single‐molecule localization experiments. Super‐resolution imaging employing this photoactivatable probe permitted the visualization of nanoscopic pores within the network of tubules and sheets of the endoplasmic reticulum. We further analyzed this structure in three dimensions to distinguish pores from concave surfaces and built 3D reconstructions of these nanometric tubules and cisternae.
Individual and combined toxicity of T‐2 toxin and deoxynivalenol on human C‐28/I2 and rat primary chondrocytes
Authors: Lin Xialu , Shao Wanzhen , Yu Fangfang , Xing Ke , Liu Huan , Zhang Feng'e , Goldring Mary B. , Lammi Mikko J. , Guo Xiong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDeoxynivalenol (DON) and T‐2 toxin are prevalent mycotoxin contaminants in the food and feed stuffs worldwide, with non‐negligible co‐contamination and co‐exposure conditions. Meanwhile, they are considerable risk factors for Kashin‐Beck disease, a chronic endemic osteochondropathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined cytotoxicity of DON and T‐2 toxin on proliferating human C‐28/I2 and newborn rat primary costal chondrocytes by MTT assay. Four molar concentration combination ratios of DON and T‐2 toxin were used, 1:1 for R1 mixture, 10:1 for R10, 100:1 for R100 and 1000:1 for R1000. The toxicological interactions were quantified by the MixLow method. DON, T‐2 toxin, and their mixtures all showed a clear dose‐dependent toxicity for chondrocytes. The cytotoxicity of T‐2 toxin was 285‐fold higher than DON was in human chondrocytes, and 22‐fold higher in the rat chondrocytes. The combination of DON and T‐2 toxin was significantly synergistic at middle and high level concentrations of R10 mixtures in rat chondrocytes, but significantly antagonistic at the low concentrations of R100 mixtures in both cells and at the middle concentrations of R1000 mixtures in rat chondrocytes. These results indicated that the combined toxicity was influenced by the cell sensitivity for toxins, the difference between the combination ratio and equitoxic ratio, the concentrations and other factors.