bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasive alien pests threaten the carbon stored in Europe’s forests
Authors: Seidl Rupert , Klonner Günther , Rammer Werner , Essl Franz , Moreno Adam , Neumann Mathias , Dullinger Stefan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractForests mitigate climate change by sequestering large amounts of carbon (C). However, forest C storage is not permanent, and large pulses of tree mortality can thwart climate mitigation efforts. Forest pests are increasingly redistributed around the globe. Yet, the potential future impact of invasive alien pests on the forest C cycle remains uncertain. Here we show that large parts of Europe could be invaded by five detrimental alien pests already under current climate. Climate change increases the potential range of alien pests particularly in Northern and Eastern Europe. We estimate the live C at risk from a potential future invasion as 1027 Tg C (10% of the European total), with a C recovery time of 34 years. We show that the impact of introduced pests could be as severe as the current natural disturbance regime in Europe, calling for increased efforts to halt the introduction and spread of invasive alien species.
A biochemical framework for anaerobic oxidation of methane driven by Fe(III)-dependent respiration
Authors: Yan Zhen , Joshi Prachi , Gorski Christopher A. , Ferry James G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractConsumption of methane by aerobic and anaerobic microbes governs the atmospheric level of this powerful greenhouse gas. Whereas a biochemical understanding of aerobic methanotrophy is well developed, a mechanistic understanding of anaerobic methanotrophy has been prevented by the unavailability of pure cultures. Here we report a biochemical investigation of Methanosarcina acetivorans, a methane-producing species capable of anaerobic methanotrophic growth dependent on reduction of Fe(III). Our findings support a pathway anchored by Fe(III)-dependent mechanisms for energy conservation driving endergonic reactions that are key to methanotrophic growth. The pathway is remarkably similar to pathways hypothesized for uncultured anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. The results contribute to an improved understanding of the methane cycle that is paramount to understanding human interventions influencing Earth’s climate. Finally, the pathway enables advanced development and optimization of biotechnologies converting methane to value-added products through metabolic engineering of M. acetivorans.
Fine manipulation of sound via lossy metamaterials with independent and arbitrary reflection amplitude and phase
Authors: Zhu Yifan , Hu Jie , Fan Xudong , Yang Jing , Liang Bin , Zhu Xuefeng , Cheng Jianchun 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The fine manipulation of sound fields is critical in acoustics yet is restricted by the coupled amplitude and phase modulations in existing wave-steering metamaterials. Commonly, unavoidable losses make it difficult to control coupling, thereby limiting device performance. Here we show the possibility of tailoring the loss in metamaterials to realize fine control of sound in three-dimensional (3D) space. Quantitative studies on the parameter dependence of reflection amplitude and phase identify quasi-decoupled points in the structural parameter space, allowing arbitrary amplitude-phase combinations for reflected sound. We further demonstrate the significance of our approach for sound manipulation by producing self-bending beams, multifocal focusing, and a single-plane two-dimensional hologram, as well as a multi-plane 3D hologram with quality better than the previous phase-controlled approach. Our work provides a route for harnessing sound via engineering the loss, enabling promising device applications in acoustics and related fields.
Path to stable quantum spin liquids in spin-orbit coupled correlated materials
Authors: Catuneanu Andrei , Yamaji Youhei , Wachtel Gideon , Kim Yong Baek , Kee Hae-Young 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe spin liquid phase is one of the prominent strongly interacting topological phases of matter whose unambiguous confirmation is yet to be reached despite intensive experimental efforts on numerous candidate materials. Recently, a new family of correlated honeycomb materials, in which strong spin-orbit coupling allows for various bond-dependent spin interactions, have been promising candidates to realize the Kitaev spin liquid. Here we study a model with bond-dependent spin interactions and show numerical evidence for the existence of an extended quantum spin liquid region, which is possibly connected to the Kitaev spin liquid state. These results are used to provide an explanation of the scattering continuum seen in neutron scattering on α-RuCl3.
The mitigating effect of repeated memory reactivations on forgetting
Authors: MacLeod Sydney , Reynolds Michael G. , Lehmann Hugo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMemory reactivation is a process whereby cueing or recalling a long-term memory makes it enter a new active and labile state. Substantial evidence suggests that during this state the memory can be updated (e.g., adding information) and can become more vulnerable to disruption (e.g., brain insult). Memory reactivations can also prevent memory decay or forgetting. However, it is unclear whether cueing recall of a feature or component of the memory can benefit retention similarly to promoting recall of the entire memory. We examined this possibility by having participants view a series of neutral images and then randomly assigning them to one of four reactivation groups: control (no reactivation), distractor (reactivation of experimental procedures), component (image category reactivation), and descriptive (effortful description of the images). The experiment also included three retention intervals: 1 h, 9 days, and 28 days. Importantly, the participants received three reactivations equally spaced within their respective retention interval. At the end of the interval, all the participants were given an in-lab free-recall test in which they were asked to write down each image they remembered with as many details as possible. The data revealed that both the participants in the descriptive reactivation and component reactivation groups remembered significantly more than the participants in the control groups, with the effect being most pronounced in the 28-day retention interval condition. These findings suggest that memory reactivation, even component reactivation of a memory, makes memories more resistant to decay.
FIV vaccine with receptor epitopes results in neutralizing antibodies but does not confer resistance to challenge
Authors: Miller Craig , Emanuelli Mauren , Fink Elizabeth , Musselman Esther , Mackie Ryan , Troyer Ryan , Elder John , VandeWoude Sue 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is the feline analogue to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and utilizes parallel modes of receptor-mediated entry. The FIV surface glycoprotein (SU) is an important target for induction of neutralizing antibodies, and autoantibodies to the FIV binding receptor (CD134) block infection ex vivo; thus highlighting the potential for immunotherapies which utilize anti-receptor antibodies to block viral infection. To determine whether vaccination with CD134-SU complexes could induce protection against FIV infection, cats (n = 5 per group) were immunized with soluble CD134, recombinant FIV-SU protein, and/or CD134+SU complexes. Two trials were performed with different antigen combinations and vaccination schedules. In vivo generation of anti-CD134 and anti-SU IgG antibodies was measured, and in vitro neutralization assays were conducted. Immunization induced production of anti-CD134 and anti-SU antibodies that significantly inhibited FIV infection in vitro. However, no vaccine combination protected cats from FIV infection, and neat serum from vaccinated cats enhanced FIV growth in vitro. CD134+SU vaccinated cats exhibited increased CD4:CD8 ratio immediately prior to challenge, and antibodies were much more efficiently generated against vaccine by-products versus target antigens. Results suggest vaccination against viral and cryptic receptor epitopes yields neutralizing antibodies that synergistically inhibit FIV infection in vitro. Factors contributing to vaccine failure may include: (1) Heat-labile serum factors that enhance viral replication, (2) changes in circulating target cell populations induced by vaccination, and (3) weak immunogenicity of neutralizing epitopes compared to off-target vaccine components. Results reinforce the need to monitor vaccine preparation components and avoid non-specific immune stimulation during vaccination.
Removal of Cr (III) and Ni (II) from tannery effluent using calcium carbonate coated bacterial magnetosomes
Authors: Jacob Jobin John , Varalakshmi R. , Gargi S. , Jayasri M. A. , Suthindhiran K. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHeavy metal contamination of surface water bodies and ground water has been a major problem around the world. Calcium-based adsorbents are effective but cannot be separated easily after the treatment. Magnetosomes are biogenic magnetite synthesised as highly ordered chain-like structures by magnetotactic bacteria. In this study, we have prepared magnetically controlled calcite microcrystals using magnetosomes for the adsorption experiment. The ability of magnetic calcite as adsorbent was investigated for the removal of Cr (III) and Ni (II) ions from synthetic solution. Critical parameters, such as the effect of pH, temperature, contact time, initial ion concentration, and adsorbent dose, were optimised in comparison with calcite, magnetosomes, and activated carbon for maximum metal ion removal. The study showed that equilibrium was established in 1 h for both Cr (III) and Ni (II) at a pH of 6.0 and 8.0, respectively. The adsorption process follows pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics, along with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The thermodynamics of adsorption of both metal ions on magnetic calcite showed that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Magnetically controlled calcite crystals successfully removed Cr (III) and Ni (II) from collected tannery effluent and separated from the solution by applying magnetic field. Maximum removal of chromium and nickel (94 and 84%) by magnetic calcite is similar to calcite crystals but higher than magnetosomes and activated carbon. The results indicated that magnetic calcite could be used as an alternative adsorbent for removing heavy metals from tannery effluent.
Fit-for-purpose block polymer membranes molecularly engineered for water treatment
Authors: Zhang Yizhou , Almodovar-Arbelo Noelia E. , Weidman Jacob L. , Corti David S. , Boudouris Bryan W. , Phillip William A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractContinued stresses on fresh water supplies necessitate the utilization of non-traditional resources to meet the growing global water demand. Desalination and hybrid membrane processes are capable of treating non-traditional water sources to the levels demanded by users. Specifically, desalination can produce potable water from seawater, and hybrid processes have the potential to recover valuable resources from wastewater while producing water of a sufficient quality for target applications. Despite the demonstrated successes of these processes, state-of-the-art membranes suffer from limitations that hinder the widespread adoption of these water treatment technologies. In this review, we discuss nanoporous membranes derived from self-assembled block polymer precursors for the purposes of water treatment. Due to their well-defined nanostructures, myriad chemical functionalities, and the ability to molecularly-engineer these properties rationally, block polymer membranes have the potential to advance water treatment technologies. We focus on block polymer-based efforts to: (1) nanomanufacture large areas of high-performance membranes; (2) reduce the characteristic pore size and push membranes into the reverse osmosis regime; and (3) design and implement multifunctional pore wall chemistries that enable solute-specific separations based on steric, electrostatic, and chemical affinity interactions. The use of molecular dynamics simulations to guide block polymer membrane design is also discussed because its ability to systematically examine the available design space is critical for rapidly translating fundamental understanding to water treatment applications. Thus, we offer a full review regarding the computational and experimental approaches taken in this arena to date while also providing insights into the future outlook of this emerging technology.
Virus-encoded miRNAs in Ebola virus disease
Authors: Duy Janice , Honko Anna N. , Altamura Louis A. , Bixler Sandra L. , Wollen-Roberts Suzanne , Wauquier Nadia , O’Hearn Aileen , Mucker Eric M. , Johnson Joshua C. , Shamblin Joshua D. , Zelko Justine , Botto Miriam A. , Bangura James , Coomber Moinya , Pitt M. Louise , Gonzalez Jean-Paul , Schoepp Randal J. , Goff Arthur J. , Minogue Timothy D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEbola virus (EBOV) is a negative-strand RNA virus that replicates in the cytoplasm and causes an often-fatal hemorrhagic fever. EBOV, like other viruses, can reportedly encode its own microRNAs (miRNAs) to subvert host immune defenses. miRNAs are short noncoding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by hybridizing to multiple mRNAs, and viral miRNAs can enhance viral replication and infectivity by regulating host or viral genes. To date, only one EBOV miRNA has been examined in human infection. Here, we assayed mouse, rhesus macaque, cynomolgus macaque, and human samples infected with three EBOV variants for twelve computationally predicted viral miRNAs using RT-qPCR. Ten miRNAs aligned to EBOV variants and were detectable in the four species during disease with several viral miRNAs showing presymptomatic amplification in animal models. miRNA abundances in both the mouse and nonhuman primate models mirrored the human cohort, with miR-1-5p, miR-1-3p, and miR-T3-3p consistently at the highest levels. These striking similarities in the most abundant miRNAs during infection with different EBOV variants and hosts indicate that these miRNAs are potential valuable diagnostic markers and key effectors of EBOV pathogenesis.
Metabolomics reveals perturbations in endometrium and serum of minimal and mild endometriosis
Authors: Dutta Mainak , Singh Brajesh , Joshi Mamata , Das Debanjan , Subramani Elavarasan , Maan Meenu , Jana Saikat Kumar , Sharma Uma , Das Soumen , Dasgupta Swagata , Ray Chaitali Datta , Chakravarty Baidyanath , Chaudhury Koel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEndometriosis is a common benign gynecological disease, characterized by growth and proliferation of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. With studies showing metabolic changes in various biofluids of endometriosis women, we have set upon to investigate whether endometrial tissue show differences in their metabolic profiles. 1H NMR analysis was performed on eutopic endometrial tissue of women with endometriosis and controls. Analysis was performed on spectral data and on relative concentrations of metabolites obtained from spectra using multivariate and univariate data analysis. Analysis shows that various energy, ketogenic and glucogenic metabolites have significant altered concentrations in various stages of endometriosis. In addition, altered tissue metabolites in minimal and mild stages of endometriosis were explored in serum of these patients to assess their role in disease diagnosis. For Stage I diagnosis alanine was found to have 90% sensitivity (true positives) and 58% specificity (true negatives). For Stage II diagnosis alanine, leucine, lysine, proline and phenylalanine showed significant altered levels in serum. While sensitivity of these serum metabolites varied between 69.2–100% the specificity values ranged between 58.3–91.7%. Further, a regression model generated with this panel of serum markers showed an improved sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 83%, respectively for Stage II diagnosis.
Uniqueness of Protected Areas for Conservation Strategies in the European Union
Authors: Hoffmann Samuel , Beierkuhnlein Carl , Field Richard , Provenzale Antonello , Chiarucci Alessandro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractProtected areas (PAs) constitute major tools in nature conservation. In the European Union (EU), the Birds and Habitats Directives are the most important policies for conservation strategy, legally preserving Europe’s characteristic, rare, endemic and threatened biota. We used occurrence data for species listed in the directives’ Annexes to assess the uniqueness of major PAs in the EU (National Parks, Biosphere Reserves); this is important for preserving the EU’s focal species. We developed a novel, multifunctional approach to calculate different metrics of conservation value that represent different components of species diversity within the PAs, involving inventory diversity, deviation from the species–area relationship, species rarity and differentiation diversity. Applying it, we found that individual PAs frequently vary considerably in their scores on different components, which are often disconnected from PA size. PAs around the EU periphery, often containing few species, are key to conserving species that are rare in the EU. Because our analysis focuses on EU priority species and includes different components of diversity, it allows more appropriate estimation of conservation value inside PAs in context of the EU than recent, high-profile, global-level research. We offer tools to evaluate, and information to regulate, the representativeness, persistence and efficiency of PAs.
Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery can improve clinical outcomes for patients with IB2-IIB cervical cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical surgery
Authors: Sun Haiying , Huang Kecheng , Tang Fangxu , Li Xiong , Wang Xiaoli , Long Sixiang , Zhou Shasha , Suolangquzhen  , Zhang Jianwei , Ning Ruoqi , Li Shuang , Wang Shixuan , Ma Ding 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative treatments based on pathological response for cervical cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical surgery. Firstly, a total of 756 cervical squamous cell cancer (SCC) patients with FIGO IB2-IIB were included in this retrospective study. Then data from a prospective cohort of 393 patients was employed for further validation. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed. In the retrospective study, SCC patients who accepted adjuvant chemotherapy after radical surgery had a relatively better OS than those who received no therapy (P = 0.08, HR = 0.57). The result was more noticeable in the prospective cohort study (P = 0.006, HR = 0.28). In the combined analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy improved clinical outcomes compared with no therapy (P = 0.002 and 0.04 for OS and DFS). Particularly for patients with extra-cervical residual disease, adjuvant chemotherapy improved OS (log-rank P = 0.008, 0.004 and 0.001 in the retrospective, prospective and combined studies). Optimal response patients had good outcomes even without therapy. Our study indicates that adjuvant chemotherapy can benefit clinical outcomes for SCC patients with NACT followed by radical surgery, especially those with extra-cervical residual disease. For optimal response patients, there may be no need for further treatment. This finding needs to be validated in more future studies.
Parallel detection of theta and respiration-coupled oscillations throughout the mouse brain
Authors: Tort Adriano B. L. , Ponsel Simon , Jessberger Jakob , Yanovsky Yevgenij , Brankačk Jurij , Draguhn Andreas 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSlow brain oscillations are usually coherent over long distances and thought to link distributed cell assemblies. In mice, theta (5–10 Hz) stands as one of the most studied slow rhythms. However, mice often breathe at theta frequency, and we recently reported that nasal respiration leads to local field potential (LFP) oscillations that are independent of theta. Namely, we showed respiration-coupled oscillations in the hippocampus, prelimbic cortex, and parietal cortex, suggesting that respiration could impose a global brain rhythm. Here we extend these findings by analyzing LFPs from 15 brain regions recorded simultaneously with respiration during exploration and REM sleep. We find that respiration-coupled oscillations can be detected in parallel with theta in several neocortical regions, from prefrontal to visual areas, and also in subcortical structures such as the thalamus, amygdala and ventral hippocampus. They might have escaped attention in previous studies due to the absence of respiration monitoring, the similarity with theta oscillations, and the highly variable peak frequency. We hypothesize that respiration-coupled oscillations constitute a global brain rhythm suited to entrain distributed networks into a common regime. However, whether their widespread presence reflects local network activity or is due to volume conduction remains to be determined.
Human and ecological determinants of the spatial structure of local breed diversity
Authors: Colino-Rabanal Victor J. , Rodríguez-Díaz Roberto , Blanco-Villegas María José , Peris Salvador J. , Lizana Miguel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSince domestication, a large number of livestock breeds adapted to local conditions have been created by natural and artificial selection, representing one of the most powerful ways in which human groups have constructed niches to meet their need. Although many authors have described local breeds as the result of culturally and environmentally mediated processes, this study, located in mainland Spain, is the first aimed at identifying and quantifying the environmental and human contributions to the spatial structure of local breed diversity, which we refer to as livestock niche. We found that the more similar two provinces were in terms of human population, ecological characteristics, historical ties, and geographic distance, the more similar the composition of local breeds in their territories. Isolation by human population distance showed the strongest effect, followed by isolation by the environment, thus supporting the view of livestock niche as a socio-cultural product adapted to the local environment, in whose construction humans make good use of their ecological and cultural inheritances. These findings provide a useful framework to understand and to envisage the effects of climate change and globalization on local breeds and their livestock niches.
A fast-converging iterative method based on weighted feedback for multi-distance phase retrieval
Authors: Guo Cheng , Shen Cheng , Li Qiang , Tan Jiubin , Liu Shutian , Kan Xinchi , Liu Zhengjun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMultiple distance phase retrieval methods hold great promise for imaging and measurement due to their less expensive and compact setup. As one of their implementations, the amplitude-phase retrieval algorithm (APR) can achieve stable and high-accuracy reconstruction. However, it suffers from the slow convergence and the stagnant issue. Here we propose an iterative modality named as weighted feedback to solve this problem. With the plug-ins of single and double feedback, two augmented approaches, i.e. the APRSF and APRDF algorithms, are demonstrated to increase the convergence speed with a factor of two and three in experiments. Furthermore, the APRDF algorithm can extend the multiple distance phase retrieval to the partially coherent illumination and enhance the imaging contrast of both amplitude and phase, which actually relaxes the light source requirement. Thus the weighted feedback enables a fast-converging and high-contrast imaging scheme for the iterative phase retrieval.