bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Stealth Integrity Targeted Cyber‐Attack in Distributed Electric Power Networks with Local Model Information
Authors: Ahmadloo Fatemeh , Salmasi Farzad Rajaei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractElectric power networks are critical infrastructures, and their correct operation is of vital importance. Nowadays, these systems are prone to cyber‐attacks because of new vulnerabilities in the system and access to shared networks. In this paper, a novel Stealth Integrity Targeted Attack (SITA) is proposed in the context of distributed power systems. A distributed power system comprises several sub‐networks, or zones with dedicated control and monitoring centers. The overall system is represented by linear time invariant state space models with coupled dynamical and algebraic equations. In the proposed strategy, the attacker has access to only one of the sub networks; therefore, the attacker only requires local information about one of the power system zones. Primarily, the proposed attack policy is defined based on zero‐dynamics of the sub network. The intruder injects predesigned signals to both the local generation unit controller as well as local unsecured and controllable loads in the attacked zone. Moreover, the local measurement system, or the sensors of the targeted zone are tampered. Furthermore, it will be proved that although the neighbor zones have physical connections with the attacked zone, the injected adversary signals are designed as they do not impact other zones directly in order to conceal the local attack from neighbor control centers as much as possible. We provide some advice to system administrators to make the intrusion unfeasible or to reveal the attack. The simulations on IEEE‐118 bus test system illustrate the validity of the assertions.
Early identification of unusually clustered mutations and root causes in therapeutic antibody development
Authors: Qian Yueming , Chen Zhiqiang , Huang Xin , Wang Xuning , Xu Xuankuo , Kirov Stefan , Ludwig Richard , Qian Nan‐Xin , Ravi Kandasamy , Tao Li , Borys Michael C. , Li Zheng Jian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study reports findings of an unusual cluster of mutations spanning 22 bp (base pairs) in a monoclonal antibody expression vector. It was identified by two orthogonal methods: mass spectrometry on expressed protein and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) on the plasmid DNA. While the initial NGS analysis confirmed the designed sequence modification, intact mass analysis detected an additional mass of the antibody molecule expressed in CHO cells. The extra mass was eventually found to be associated with unmatched nucleotides in a distal region by checking full‐length sequence alignment plots. Interestingly, the complementary sequence of the mutated sequence was a reverse sequence of the original sequence and flanked by two 10‐bp reverse‐complementary sequences, leading to an undesirable DNA recombination. The finding highlights the necessity of rigorous examination of expression vector design and early monitoring of molecule integrity at both DNA and protein levels to prevent clones from having sequence variants during cell line development.
Morphological analysis of pore size and connectivity in a thick mixed‐culture biofilm
Authors: Rosenthal Alex F. , Griffin James S. , Wagner Michael , Packman Aaron I. , Balogun Oluwaseyi , Wells George F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMorphological parameters are commonly used to predict transport and metabolic kinetics in biofilms. Yet, quantification of biofilm morphology remains challenging because of imaging technology limitations and lack of robust analytical approaches. We present a novel set of imaging and image analysis techniques to estimate internal porosity, pore size distributions, and pore network connectivity to a depth of 1 mm at a resolution of 10 µm in a biofilm exhibiting both heterotrophic and nitrifying activities. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans revealed an extensive pore network with diameters as large as 110 µm directly connected to the biofilm surface and surrounding fluid. Thin‐section fluorescence in situ hybridization microscopy revealed that ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) distributed through the entire thickness of the biofilm. AOB were particularly concentrated in the biofilm around internal pores. Areal porosity values estimated from OCT scans were consistently lower than those estimated from multiphoton laser scanning microscopy, though the two imaging modalities showed a statistically significant correlation (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001). Estimates of areal porosity were moderately sensitive to gray‐level threshold selection, though several automated thresholding algorithms yielded similar values to those obtained by manually thresholding performed by a panel of environmental engineering researchers (±25% relative error). These findings advance our ability to quantitatively describe the geometry of biofilm internal pore networks at length scales relevant to engineered biofilm reactors and suggest that internal pore structures provide crucial habitat for nitrifier growth.
Low‐adhesive ethylene vinyl alcohol–based packaging to xenogeneic islet encapsulation for type 1 diabetes treatment
Authors: Yang Kai‐Chiang , Yanai Goichi , Yang Sin‐Yu , Canning Priyadarshini , Satou Yoshio , Kawagoe Masako , Sumi Shoichiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTransplantation of encapsulated porcine islets is proposed to treat type 1 diabetes. However, the envelopment of fibrous tissue and the infiltration of immune cells impair islet function and eventually cause implant failure. It is known that hemodialysis using an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) membrane results in minor tissue responses. Therefore, we hypothesized that using a low‐adhesive EVOH membrane for encapsulation may prevent host cell accumulation and fibrous capsule formation. In this study, rat islets suspended in chitosan gel were encapsulated in bags made from highly porous EVOH membranes, and their in vitro insulin secretion function as well as in vivo performance was evaluated. The results showed that the EVOH bag did not affect islet survival or glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Whereas naked islets were dysfunctional after 7 days of culture in vitro, islets within the EVOH bag produced insulin continuously for 30 days. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice were given islets–chitosan gel–EVOH implants intraperitoneally (650–800 islets equivalent) and exhibited lower blood glucose levels and regained body weight during a 4‐week observation period. The transplanted mice had higher levels of serum insulin and C‐peptide, with an improved blood glucose disappearance rate. Retrieved implants had minor tissue adhesion, and histology showed a limited number of mononuclear cells and fibroblasts surrounding the implants. No invasion of host cells into the EVOH bags was noticed, and the encapsulated islets were intact and positive for insulin–glucagon immunostaining. In conclusion, an EVOH bag can protect encapsulated islets, limit fibrous capsule formation, and extend graft function.
Boosting mediated electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems with tailored defined microbial cocultures
Authors: Schmitz Simone , Rosenbaum Miriam A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBioelectrochemical systems (BES) hold great promise for sustainable energy generation via a microbial catalyst from organic matter, for example, from wastewater. To improve current generation in BES, understanding the underlying microbiology of the electrode community is essential. Electron mediator producing microorganism like Pseudomonas aeruginosa play an essential role in efficient electricity generation in BES. These microbes enable even nonelectroactive microorganism like Enterobacter aerogenes to contribute to current production. Together they form a synergistic coculture, where both contribute to community welfare. To use microbial co‐operation in BES, the physical and chemical environments provided in the natural habitats of the coculture play a crucial role. Here, we show that synergistic effects in defined cocultures of P. aeruginosa and E. aerogenes can be strongly enhanced toward high current production by adapting process parameters, like pH, temperature, oxygen demand, and substrate requirements. Especially, oxygen was identified as a major factor influencing coculture behavior and optimization of its supply could enhance electric current production over 400%. Furthermore, operating the coculture in fed‐batch mode enabled us to obtain very high current densities and to harvest electrical energy for 1 month. In this optimized condition, the coulombic efficiency of the process was boosted to 20%, which is outstanding for mediator‐based electron transfer. This study lays the foundation for a rationally designed utilization of cocultures in BES for bioenergy generation from specific wastewaters or for bioprocess sensing and for benefiting from their synergistic effects under controlled bioprocess condition.
Bioengineering triacetic acid lactone production in Yarrowia lipolytica for pogostone synthesis
Authors: Yu James , Landberg Jenny , Shavarebi Farbod , Bilanchone Virginia , Okerlund Adam , Wanninayake Umayangani , Zhao Le , Kraus George , Sandmeyer Suzanne 
Published: May 2018

AbstractYarrowia lipolytica is an oleaginous yeast that is recognized for its ability to accumulate high levels of lipids, which can serve as precursors to biobased fuels and chemicals. Polyketides, such as triacetic acid lactone (TAL), can also serve as a precursor for diverse commodity chemicals. This study used Y. lipolytica as a host organism for the production of TAL via expression of the 2‐pyrone synthase gene from Gerbera hybrida. Induction of lipid biosynthesis by nitrogen‐limited growth conditions increased TAL titers. We also manipulated basal levels of TAL production using a DNA cut‐and‐paste transposon to mobilize and integrate multiple copies of the 2‐pyrone synthase gene. Strain modifications and batch fermentation in nitrogen‐limited medium yielded TAL titers of 2.6 g/L. Furthermore, we show that minimal medium allows TAL to be readily concentrated at >94% purity and converted at 96% yield to pogostone, a valuable antibiotic. Modifications of this reaction scheme yielded diverse related compounds. Thus, oleaginous organisms have the potential to be flexible microbial biofactories capable of economical synthesis of platform chemicals and the generation of industrially relevant molecules.
Microdevice‐based solid‐phase polymerase chain reaction for rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: Pham Quang Nghia , Trinh Kieu The Loan , Jung Seung Won , Lee Nae Yoon 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate the integration of DNA amplification and detection functionalities developed on a lab‐on‐a‐chip microdevice utilizing solid‐phase polymerase chain reaction (SP‐PCR) for point‐of‐need (PON) DNA analyses. First, the polycarbonate microdevice was fabricated by thermal bonding  to contain microchambers as reservoirs for performing SP‐PCR. Next, the microchambers were subsequently modified with polyethyleneimine and glutaraldehyde for immobilizing amine‐modified forward primers. During SP‐PCR, the immobilized forward primers and freely diffusing fluorescence‐labeled reverse primers cooperated to generate target amplicons, which remained covalently attached to the microchambers for the fluorescence detection. The SP‐PCR microdevice was used for the direct identifications of two widely detected foodborne pathogens, namely Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus, and an alga causing harmful algal blooms annually in South Korea, Cochlodinium polykrikoides. The SP‐PCR microdevice would be versatilely applied in PON testing as a universal platform for the fast identification of foodborne pathogens and environmentally threatening biogenic targets.
Acute blood pressure levels and long‐term outcome in ischemic stroke
Authors: Bager Johan‐Emil , Hjalmarsson Clara , Manhem Karin , Andersson Bjorn 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObjectivesElevated blood pressure (BP) is common in acute ischemic stroke, but its effect on outcome is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate the association of baseline BP and BP change within the first day after stroke with stroke severity, functional outcome, and mortality.MethodsPatients admitted to hospital with acute ischemic stroke (IS) from 15 February 2005 through 31 May 2009 were consecutively included. Acute stroke severity and functional outcome at three and twelve months were investigated using multivariate regression analysis; the association between BP and all‐cause mortality at one, three, and twelve was investigated by Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan–Meier survival curves.ResultsA total of 799 patients (mean age 78.4 ± 8.0, 48% men) were included. Higher decreases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure (ΔSBP and ΔMAP) were associated with decreased 1‐month mortality (ΔSBP: hazard ratio, HR: 0.981; 95% CI: 0.968 – 0.994; p = .005), 3‐month mortality (ΔSBP: HR 0.989; 95% CI 0.981 – 0.998; p‐value .014), and twelve‐month mortality (ΔSBP: HR 0.989; 95% CI 0.982 – 0.996; p‐value .003). Stroke severity was associated with ΔMAP (B coefficient −.46, p‐value .011). Higher SBP and MAP on admission were associated with better functional outcome at three (SBP: OR 0.987; 95% CI 0.978 – 0.997; p‐value .008 ‐ MAP: OR 0.985; 95% CI 0.971 – 1; p‐value .046) and twelve (SBP: OR 0.988; 95% CI 0.979 – 0.998; p‐value .015 – MAP: OR 0.983; 95% CI 0.968 – 0.997; p‐value .02) months.ConclusionIn this elderly population, higher BP on arrival to the emergency room (ER) and decrease in BP after the patients’ arrival to the ward were associated with improved functional outcome and reduced mortality, respectively. These results may reflect a regulatory situation in which elevated initial blood pressure indicates adequate response to cerebral tissue ischemia while subsequent blood pressure decrease instead may be a consequence of partial, successful reperfusion.
LGR5 promotes epithelial ovarian cancer proliferation, metastasis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition through the Notch1 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Wenxue , Zhang Jing , Gan Xupei , Shen Fangqian , Yang Xiaoming , Du Na , Xia Dandan , Liu Lei , Qiao Lianqiao , Pan Jufang , Sun Yunyan , Xi Xiaowei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLeucine‐rich repeat‐containing G protein‐coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) plays a vital role in the development of malignant tumors; however, its biological role and underlying mechanism in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological function and clinical significance of LGR5 in human EOC. We evaluated LGR5 expression in EOC cell lines and tissues from ovarian cancer patients by qPCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical analysis. Cell proliferation, colony formation, transwell invasion assay, and scratch‐wound assays were conducted to evaluate the expansion and invasion abilities of EOC cells. Tumor xenograft experiments were performed in female BALB/c athymic nude mice to test cell proliferation in vivo. Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the expression of epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) signature proteins and their association with Notch1 signaling. The results demonstrated that LGR5 was overexpressed in EOC tissues and cell lines. Aberrant expression of LGR5 was significantly associated with patient age (P = 0.006), tumor histologic type (P < 0.001), and distant metastasis (P = 0.025). Consistent with these findings, suppression of LGR5 expression led to decreased proliferation and metastasis of EOC cell lines. Furthermore, LGR5 could induce EMT and regulate the Notch1 signaling pathway. Taken together,LGR5 may have an important role in the promotion of tumorigenesis and metastasis of EOC and is a potential therapeutic target for EOC management.
Nonmuscle myosin II in cardiac and skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Wang Jushuo , Fan Yingli , Sanger Jean M. , Sanger Joseph W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDe novoassembly of contractile myofibrils begins with the formation of premyofibrils where filaments of non‐muscle myosin (NM II), and actin organize in sarcomeric patterns with Z‐Bodies containing muscle‐specific alpha‐actinin. Interactions of muscle specific myosin (MM II) with NM II occur in a nascent myofibril stage that precedes the assembly of mature myofibrils. By the final stage of myofibrillogenesis, the only myosin II present in the mature myofibrils is MM II. In this current study of myofibril assembly, the three vertebrate isoforms of NM II (A, B, and C) and sarcomeric alpha‐actinin, ligated to GFP family proteins, were coexpressed in avian embryonic skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. Each isoform of NM II localized only in the mini‐A‐Bands of premyofibrils and nascent myofibrils. There was no evidence of localization of NM II in Z‐Bodies of premyofibrils and nascent myofibrils or in Z‐Bands of mature myofibrils. Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) experiments indicated similar exchange rates in premyofibrils for NM II isoforms A and B, whereas the IIC isoform was significantly less dynamic. Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) measurements of colocalized fluorescent pairs of different NM II isoforms yielded signals similar to identical pairs, indicating copolymerization of the different NM II pairs. The role of NM II may reside in establishing the future sarcomere pattern in mature myofibrils by binding to the oppositely polarized actin filaments that extend between pairs of Z‐Bodies along premyofibrils prior to their transformation into mature myofibrils.
Immense random colocalization, revealed by automated high content image cytometry, seriously questions FISH as gold standard for detecting EML4‐ALK fusion
Authors: Smuk Gábor , Tornóczky Tamás , Pajor László , Chudoba Ilse , Kajtár Béla , Sárosi Veronika , Pajor Gábor 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEML4‐ALK gene fusion (inv2(p21p23)) of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) predisposes to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. One of the gold standard diagnostics is the dual color (DC) break‐apart (BA) FISH technique, however, the unusual closeness of the involved genes has been suggested to raise likelihood of random co‐localization (RCL) of signals. Although this is suspected to decrease sensitivity (often to as low as 40–70%), the exact level and effect of RCL has not been revealed thus far. Signal distances were analyzed to the 0.1 µm precision in more than 25,000 nuclei, via automated high content‐image cytometry. Negative and positive controls were created using conventional DC BA‐, and inv2(p21p23) mimicking probe‐sets, respectively. Average distance between red and green signals was 9.72 pixels (px) (±5.14px) and 3.28px (±2.44px), in positives and negatives, respectively; overlap in distribution being 41%. Specificity and sensitivity of correctly determining ALK status was 97% and 29%, respectively. When investigating inv2(p21p23) with DC BA FISH, specificity is high, but seven out of ten aberrant nuclei are inevitably falsely classified as negative, due to the extreme level of RCL. Together with genetic heterogeneity and dilution effect of non‐tumor cells in NSCLC, this immense analytical false negativity is the primary cause behind the often described low diagnostic sensitivity. These results convincingly suggest that if FISH is to remain a gold standard for detecting the therapy relevant inv(2), either a modified evaluation protocol, or a more reliable probe‐design should be considered than the current DC BA one. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The indestructible insect: Velvet ants from across the United States avoid predation by representatives from all major tetrapod clades
Authors: Gall Brian G. , Spivey Kari L. , Chapman Trevor L. , Delph Robert J. , Brodie Edmund D. , Wilson Joseph S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVelvet ants are a group of parasitic wasps that are well known for a suite of defensive adaptations including bright coloration and a formidable sting. While these adaptations are presumed to function in antipredator defense, observations between potential predators and this group are lacking. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the risk of velvet ants to a host of potential predators including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. Velvet ants from across the United States were tested with predator's representative of the velvet ants native range. All interactions between lizards, free‐ranging birds, and a mole resulted in the velvet ants survival, and ultimate avoidance by the predator. Two shrews did injure a velvet ant, but this occurred only after multiple failed attacks. The only predator to successfully consume a velvet ant was a single American toad (Anaxyrus americanus). These results indicate that the suite of defenses possessed by velvet ants, including aposematic coloration, stridulations, a chemical alarm signal, a hard exoskeleton, and powerful sting are effective defenses against potential predators. Female velvet ants appear to be nearly impervious to predation by many species whose diet is heavily derived of invertebrate prey.
Predicting phototoxicity of alkylated PAHs, mixtures of PAHs, and water accommodated fractions (WAF) of neat and weathered petroleum with the phototoxic target lipid model
Authors: Marzooghi Solmaz , Finch Bryson E. , Stubblefield William A. , Di Toro Dominic M. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

The toxicity of petroleum can increase considerably after exposure to solar radiation, during which certain components in the mixture, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), absorb light in ultraviolet and visible portions of the solar radiation spectrum. A phototoxic target lipid model (PTLM), previously developed to predict the phototoxicity of single PAHs, is validated for 4 species (Americamysis bahia, Rhepoxynius abronius, Daphnia magna, and Pimephales promelas) exposed to 12 compounds that are components of petroleum, including alkylated PAHs and dibenzothiophene. The PTLM is also used to predict the phototoxicity of binary and ternary mixtures of 3 PAHs, pyrene, anthracene, and fluoranthene, to A. bahia and Menidia beryllina. Finally, it is used to predict the toxicity of water accommodated fractions of neat and naturally weathered Macondo crude oil samples from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill sites. The Gulf of Mexico species, including A. bahia, M. beryllina, Cyprinodon variegatus, and Fundulus grandis were exposed to the oil samples under natural and simulated solar radiation. The results support the applicability of the PTLM for predicting the phototoxicity of petroleum. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2165–2174. © 2018 SETAC.
FishGen.net: An Online Genetic Repository for Salmon and Steelhead Genetic Baselines
Authors: McCane Jesse , Adam Chris , Fleming Bill , Bricker Mark , Campbell Matthew R 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
FishGen is a final repository for Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. and steelhead O. mykiss genetic data generated as part of the genetic stock identification and parentage-based tagging projects in the Columbia River basin and throughout the Pacific Coast of North America. Resource Data, Inc., developed this web-based, GIS-interfaced software, which is freely available to the public, with funding from the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and Bonneville Power Administration. FishGen currently houses genetic stock identification baselines for both Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha and steelhead in the Columbia and Snake river basins, as well as hatchery, parentage-based, tagging baselines for both species in the Snake River basin. Because it has a user-friendly interface and protocol for submitting and storing standardized genetic and sample metadata, it is an excellent tool for supporting genetic research and monitoring projects throughout the region.