bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated numbers of PD-L1 expressing B cells are associated with the development of AIDS-NHL
Authors: Epeldegui Marta , Conti David V. , Guo Yu , Cozen Wendy , Penichet Manuel L. , Martínez-Maza Otoniel 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is markedly increased in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and remains elevated in those on anti-retroviral therapy (cART). Both the loss of immunoregulation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infected cells, as well as chronic B-cell activation, are believed to contribute to the genesis of AIDS-related NHL (AIDS-NHL). However, the mechanisms that lead to AIDS-NHL have not been completely defined. A subset of B cells that is characterized by the secretion of IL10, as well as the expression of the programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1/CD274), was recently described. These PD-L1+ B cells can exert regulatory function, including the dampening of T-cell activation, by interacting with the program cell death protein (PD1) on target cells. The role of PD-L1+ B cells in the development of AIDS-NHL has not been explored. We assessed B cell PD-L1 expression on B cells preceding AIDS-NHL diagnosis in a nested case-control study of HIV+ subjects who went on to develop AIDS-NHL, as well as HIV+ subjects who did not, using multi-color flow cytometry. Archival frozen viable PBMC were obtained from the UCLA Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). It was seen that the number of CD19+CD24++CD38++and CD19+PD-L1+cells was significantly elevated in cases 1–4 years prior to AIDS-NHL diagnosis, compared to controls, raising the possibility that these cells may play a role in the etiology of AIDS-NHL. Interestingly, most PD-L1+ expression on CD19+ cells was seen on CD19+CD24++CD38++ cells. In addition, we showed that HIV can directly induce PD-L1 expression on B cells through interaction of virion-associated CD40L with CD40 on B cells.
Probing non-perturbative QED with electron-laser collisions
Authors: Baumann C. , Nerush E. N. , Pukhov A. , Kostyukov I. Yu. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe vast majority of QED results are obtained in relatively weak fields and so in the framework of perturbation theory. However, forthcoming laser facilities providing extremely high fields can be used to enter not-yet-studied regimes. Here, a scheme is proposed that might be used to reach a supercritical regime of radiation reaction or even the fully non-perturbative regime of quantum electrodynamics. The scheme considers the collision of a 100 GeV-class electron beam with a counterpropagating ultraintense electromagnetic pulse. To reach these supercritical regimes, it is unavoidable to use a pulse with ultrashort duration. Using two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, it is therefore shown how one can convert a next-generation optical laser to an ultraintense (I ≈ 2.9 × 1024 Wcm−2) attosecond (duration ≈ 150 as) pulse. It is shown that if the perturbation theory persists in extreme fields, the spectrum of secondary particles can be found semi-analytically. In contrast, a comparison with experimental data may allow differentiating the contribution of high-order radiative corrections if the perturbation theory breaks.
Monitoring endogenous growth of open-vent volcanoes by balancing thermal and SO2 emissions data derived from space
Authors: Coppola Diego , Laiolo Marco , Massimetti Francesco , Cigolini Corrado 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMeasuring the amount of magma intruding in a volcano represents one of the main challenges of modern volcanology. While in closed-vent volcanoes this parameter is generally assessed by the inversion of deformation data, in open-vent volcanoes its measurement is more complicated and results from the balance between the magma entering and leaving the storage system. In this work we used thermal and SO2 flux data, derived from satellite measurements, to calculate the magma input and output rates of Mt. Etna between 2004 and 2010. We found that during the analysed period more magma was supplied than erupted, resulting into an endogenous growth rate equal to 22.9 ± 13.7 × 106 m3 y−1. Notably, this unbalance was not constant in time, but showed phases of major magma accumulation and drainage acting within a compressible magma chamber. The excellent correlation with the inflation/deflation cycles measured by ground-based GPS network suggests the thermal, SO2 flux and deformation data, can be combined to provide a quantitative analysis of magma transport inside the shallow plumbing system of Mt Etna. Given the global coverage of satellite data and the continuous improvement of sensors in orbit, we anticipate that this approach will have sufficient detail to monitor, in real time, the endogenous growth associated to other world-wide open-vent volcanoes.
Raman scattering yields cubic crystal grain orientation
Authors: Tesar K. , Gregora I. , Beresova P. , Vanek P. , Ondrejkovic P. , Hlinka J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe paper proposes a fully optical method for determination of a cubic crystal grain orientation in a sample inspected by a Raman microscope. The method is based on a universal and strong polarisation anisotropy of the Raman scattering by doubly degenerate optic phonon modes and it only requires a standard Raman microscope equipped with a polarisation analysis. Explicit formulas for the orientation of the crystal grain are derived. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by comparing grain orientations in a polycrystalline cubic lacunar spinel GaV4S8 determined independently using electron backscatter diffraction and Raman scattering methods.
MicroRNAs in porcine uterus and serum are affected by zearalenone and represent a new target for mycotoxin biomarker discovery
Authors: Grenier Bertrand , Hackl Matthias , Skalicky Susanna , Thamhesl Michaela , Moll Wulf-Dieter , Berrios Roger , Schatzmayr Gerd , Nagl Veronika 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) poses a risk to animal health because of its estrogenic effects. Diagnosis of ZEN-induced disorders remains challenging due to the lack of appropriate biomarkers. In this regard, circulating microRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) have remarkable potential, as they can serve as indicators for pathological processes in tissue. Thus, we combined untargeted and targeted transcriptomics approaches to investigate the effects of ZEN on the microRNA expression in porcine uterus, jejunum and serum, respectively. To this end, twenty-four piglets received uncontaminated feed (Control) or feed containing 0.17 mg/kg ZEN (ZEN low), 1.46 mg/kg ZEN (ZEN medium) and 4.58 mg/kg ZEN (ZEN high). After 28 days, the microRNA expression in the jejunum remained unaffected, while significant changes in the uterine microRNA profile were observed. Importantly, 14 microRNAs were commonly and dose-dependently affected in both the ZEN medium and ZEN high group, including microRNAs from the miR-503 cluster (i.e. ssc-miR-424-5p, ssc-miR-450a, ssc-miR-450b-5p, ssc-miR-450c-5p, ssc-miR-503 and ssc-miR-542-3p). Predicted target genes for those microRNAs are associated with regulation of gene expression and signal transduction (e.g. cell cycle). Although the effects in serum were less pronounced, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that several microRNA ratios were able to discriminate properly between non-exposed and ZEN-exposed pigs (e.g. ssc-miR-135a-5p/ssc-miR-432-5p, ssc-miR-542-3p/ssc-miR-493-3p). This work sheds new light on the molecular mechanisms of ZEN, and fosters biomarker discovery.
Diversity and extracellular enzyme activities of heterotrophic bacteria from sediments of the Central Indian Ocean Basin
Authors: Gawas Vijayshree S. , Shivaramu Mamatha S. , Damare Samir R. , Pujitha Devagudi , Meena Ram Murti , Shenoy Belle Damodara 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSedimentary bacteria play a role in polymetallic nodule formation and growth. There are, however, limited reports on bacterial diversity in nodule-rich areas of the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB). In this study, bacterial abundance in thirteen sediment cores collected from the CIOB was enumerated, followed by phylogenetic characterisation and, screening of select heterotrophic bacteria for extracellular enzyme activities. Total bacterial counts (TBC) were in the order of 107 cells g−1; there was a significant difference (p > 0.05) among the cores but not within the sub-sections of the cores. The retrievable heterotrophic counts ranged from non-detectable to 5.33 × 105 g−1; the heterotrophic bacteria clustered within the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Bacillus was the most abundant genus. The extracellular enzyme activities were in the order: amylase > lipase > protease > phosphatase > Dnase > urease. Major findings are compared with previous studies from the CIOB and other areas.
Cross-serotype interactions and disease outcome prediction of dengue infections in Vietnam
Authors: Aguas R. , Dorigatti I. , Coudeville L. , Luxemburger C. , Ferguson N. M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDengue pathogenesis is extremely complex. Dengue infections are thought to induce life-long immunity from homologous challenges as well as a multi-factorial heterologous risk enhancement. Here, we use the data collected from a prospective cohort study of dengue infections in schoolchildren in Vietnam to disentangle how serotype interactions modulate clinical disease risk in the year following serum collection. We use multinomial logistic regression to correlate the yearly neutralizing antibody measurements obtained with each infecting serotype in all dengue clinical cases collected over the course of 6 years (2004–2009). This allowed us to extrapolate a fully discretised matrix of serotype interactions, revealing clear signals of increased risk of clinical illness in individuals primed with a previous dengue infection. The sequences of infections which produced a higher risk of dengue fever upon secondary infection are: DEN1 followed by DEN2; DEN1 followed by DEN4; DEN2 followed by DEN3; and DEN4 followed by DEN3. We also used this longitudinal data to train a machine learning algorithm on antibody titre differences between consecutive years to unveil asymptomatic dengue infections and estimate asymptomatic infection to clinical case ratios over time, allowing for a better characterisation of the population’s past exposure to different serotypes.
Polyhistidine facilitates direct membrane translocation of cell-penetrating peptides into cells
Authors: Lee Han-Jung , Huang Yue-Wern , Chiou Shiow-Her , Aronstam Robert S. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe bovine lactoferricin L6 (RRWQWR) has been previously identified as a novel cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) that is able to efficiently internalize into human cells. L6 interacts with quantum dots (QDs) noncovalently to generate stable L6/QD complexes that enter cells by endocytosis. In this study, we demonstrate a modified L6 (HL6; CHHHHHRRWQWRHHHHHC), in which short polyhistidine peptides are introduced into both flanks of L6, has enhanced cell-penetrating ability in human bronchoalveolar carcinoma A549 cells. The mechanism of cellular uptake of HL6/QD complexes is primarily direct membrane translocation rather than endocytosis. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), but not pyrenebutyrate (PB), ethanol, oleic acid, or 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2 H)-one (BIT), slightly enhances HL6-mediated protein transduction efficiency. Neither HL6 nor HL6/QD complexes are cytotoxic to A549 or HeLa cells. These results indicate that HL6 could be a more efficient drug carrier than L6 for biomedical as well as biotechnological applications, and that the function of polyhistidine peptides is critical to CPP-mediated protein transduction.
Improved quantification of muscle insulin sensitivity using oral glucose tolerance test data: the MISI Calculator
Authors: O’Donovan Shauna D. , Lenz Michael , Goossens Gijs H. , van der Kallen Carla J. H. , Eussen Simone J. M. P. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , van Greevenbroek Marleen M. , Schram Miranda T. , Sep Simone J. , Peeters Ralf L. M. , Blaak Ellen E. , van Riel Natal A. W. , de Kok Theo M. C. M. , Arts Ilja C. W. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe Muscle Insulin Sensitivity Index (MISI) has been developed to estimate muscle-specific insulin sensitivity based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) data. To date, the score has been implemented with considerable variation in literature and initial positive evaluations were not reproduced in subsequent studies. In this study, we investigate the computation of MISI on oral OGTT data with differing sampling schedules and aim to standardise and improve its calculation. Seven time point OGTT data for 2631 individuals from the Maastricht Study and seven time point OGTT data combined with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycaemic clamp for 71 individuals from the PRESERVE Study were used to evaluate the performance of MISI. MISI was computed on subsets of OGTT data representing four and five time point sampling schedules to determine minimal requirements for accurate computation of the score. A modified MISI computed on cubic splines of the measured data, resulting in improved identification of glucose peak and nadir, was compared with the original method yielding an increased correlation (ρ = 0.576) with the clamp measurement of peripheral insulin sensitivity as compared to the original method (ρ = 0.513). Finally, a standalone MISI calculator was developed allowing for a standardised method of calculation using both the original and improved methods.
Geographical assignment of polar bears using multi-element isoscapes
Authors: Koehler Geoff , Kardynal Kevin J. , Hobson Keith A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWide-ranging apex predators are among the most challenging of all fauna to conserve and manage. This is especially true of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus), an iconic predator that is hunted in Canada and threatened by global climate change. We used combinations of stable isotopes (13C,15N,2H,18O) in polar bear hair from > 1000 individuals, sampled from across much of the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic, to test the ability of stable isotopic profiles to ‘assign’ bears to (1) predefined managed subpopulations, (2) subpopulations defined by similarities in stable isotope values using quadratic discriminant analysis, and (3) spatially explicit, isotopically distinct clusters derived from interpolated (i.e. ‘kriged’) isotopic landscapes, or ‘isoscapes’, using the partitioning around medoids algorithm. A four-isotope solution provided the highest overall assignment accuracies (~80%) to pre-existing management subpopulations with accuracy rates ranging from ~30–99% (median = 64%). Assignment accuracies of bears to hierarchically clustered ecological groups based on isotopes ranged from ~64–99%. Multivariate assignment to isotopic clusters resulted in highest assignment accuracies of 68% (33–77%), 84% (47–96%) and 74% (53–85%) using two, three and four stable isotope groups, respectively. The resulting spatial structure inherent in the multiple stable isotopic compositions of polar bear tissues is a powerful forensic tool that will, in this case, contribute to the conservation and management of this species. Currently, it is unclear what is driving these robust isotopic patterns and future research is needed to evaluate the processes behind the pattern. Nonetheless, our isotopic approach can be further applied to other apex mammalian predators under threat, such as the large felids, providing that isotopic structure occurs throughout their range.
High energy electron beam stimulated nanowelding of silver nanowire networks encapsulated with graphene for flexible and transparent electrodes
Authors: Lee Su Jin , Lee Young Bum , Lim Yi Rang , Han Jin Kyu , Jeon In Su , Bae Garam , Yoon Yeoheung , Song Wooseok , Myung Sung , Lim Jongsun , An Ki-Seok , Lee Sun Sook 
Published: June 2019

AbstractLow-dimensional nanostructures and their complementary hybridization techniques are in the vanguard of technological advances for applications in transparent and flexible nanoelectronics due to the intriguing electrical properties related to their atomic structure. In this study, we demonstrated that welding of Ag nanowires (NWs) encapsulated in graphene was stimulated by flux-optimized, high-energy electron beam irradiation (HEBI) under ambient conditions. This methodology can inhibit the oxidation of Ag NWs which is induced by the inevitably generated reactive ozone as well as improve of their electrical conductivity. We have systematically explored the effects of HEBI on Ag NWs and graphene. The optimized flux for HEBI welding of the Ag NWs with graphene was 150 kGy, which decreased the sheet resistance of the graphene/Ag NWs to 12 Ohm/sq. Following encapsulation with graphene, the initial chemical states of the Ag NWs were well-preserved after flux-tuned HEBI, whereas graphene underwent local HEBI-induced defect generation near the junction area. We further employed resonant Raman spectroscopy to follow the structural evolution of the sacrificial graphene in the hybrid film after HEBI. Notably, the sheet resistance of the welded Ag NWs encapsulated with graphene after HEBI was well-maintained even after 85 days.
Relationship between the Interannual Variations of Summer Convective Afternoon Rainfall Activity in Taiwan and SSTA(Niño3.4) during 1961–2012: Characteristics and Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Wan-Ru , Chang Ya-Hui , Huang Po-Han 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study examines the interannual variation of the Convective Afternoon Rainfall (CAR) activity (including frequency and intensity) in Taiwan during the summers (JJA) of 1961–2012 with a focus on identifying its relationship with the changes in sea surface temperature anomalies over the Niño3.4 region [SSTA(Niño3.4)] and the underlying physical mechanisms. Our analyses show that during the colder (warmer) phase of SSTA(Niño3.4), the subtropical high system over the region east of Taiwan is enhanced (weakened), the local surface wind convergence is enhanced (weakened), and the local thermal instability is enhanced (weakened), which facilitates (suppresses) the formation of CAR in Taiwan. This consistent negative relationship between the interannual variation of CAR frequency in Taiwan and SSTA(Niño3.4) occurs throughout 1961–2012. In contrast, the relationship between the interannual variation of CAR intensity in Taiwan and SSTA(Niño3.4) changed from positively correlated to negatively correlated in the late 1980s. This change is attributed to the change in the moisture supply for maintaining the CAR intensity in Taiwan from an increase (decrease) in the warmer (colder) phase of SSTA(Niño3.4) before the mid-1980s to the opposite after the late 1980s. These findings highlight how the rainfall characteristics in East Asia may change in response to changes in SSTA(Niño3.4).
Control of biosilica morphology and mechanical performance by the conserved diatom gene Silicanin-1
Authors: Görlich Stefan , Pawolski Damian , Zlotnikov Igor , Kröger Nils 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe species-specifically patterned biosilica cell walls of diatoms are paradigms for biological mineral morphogenesis and the evolution of lightweight materials with exceptional mechanical performance. Biosilica formation is a membrane-mediated process that occurs in intracellular compartments, termed silica deposition vesicles (SDVs). Silicanin-1 (Sin1) is a highly conserved protein of the SDV membrane, but its role in biosilica formation has remained elusive. Here we generate Sin1 knockout mutants of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Although the mutants grow normally, they exhibit reduced biosilica content and morphological aberrations, which drastically compromise the strength and stiffness of their cell walls. These results identify Sin1 as essential for the biogenesis of mechanically robust diatom cell walls, thus providing an explanation for the conservation of this gene throughout the diatom realm. This insight paves the way for genetic engineering of silica architectures with desired structures and mechanical performance.
Dynamic stereoselective annulation via aldol-oxa-cyclization cascade reaction to afford spirooxindole pyran polycycles
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Tanaka Fujie 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSpiro polycyclic compounds bearing pyran ring systems are found in bioactive molecules, and we recently reported the construction of spirooxindole all-carbon polycycles. Here we show the development of catalytic stereoselective annulation reactions that afford spirooxindole pyran polycycles. Oxindole-derived spiro[4,5]decanes are reacted with arylglyoxal to construct a pyran ring via the formation of carbon-carbon and carbon-oxygen bonds through dynamic aldol-oxa-cyclization cascade reactions, leading to the formation of spirooxindole pyran polycycles bearing six stereogenic centers as single diastereomers. During the reaction, the starting material is isomerized to the diastereomer, and this is key to afford the product. Taking advantage of this isomerization, highly enantiomerically enriched single diastereomers of spirooxindole pyran polycycles are obtained. The reactions generating the spiro pyran polycycles show stereoselectivities distinct from those previously observed in the construction of all-carbon polycycles.
Age-Related Changes in Speech Recognition Performance in Spanish–English Bilinguals' First and Second Languages
Authors: Desjardins Jamie L. , Barraza Elisa G. , Orozco Jordan A. 
Published: June 2019

Purpose
The purposes of the current study were to examine the effect of age on Spanish–English bilinguals' speech recognition performance and to identify differences in speech recognition performance between Spanish and English bilinguals' 1st and 2nd languages.

Method

Fifteen younger adult Spanish–English bilinguals, 15 older adult Spanish–English bilinguals, 15 younger adult English monolinguals, and 15 older adult English monolinguals participated in this study. Bilingual participants had learned Spanish from birth and began learning English by the age of 4 years (
SD
= 2.7). Speech recognition performance was measured using the Spanish and English versions of the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT;
Nilsson, Soli, & Sullivan, 1994
) presented in quiet and in a speech-shaped background noise. Participants also completed a self-assessment of the listening effort they expended on the HINT in background noise.

Results
There were no significant differences in performance within or between the participant groups for the HINT in quiet. In background noise, Spanish–English bilinguals performed significantly poorer and had increased listening effort on the English HINT than English monolinguals, with the most significant effects evidenced for the older Spanish–English bilingual group. Overall, the bilingual participants performed significantly better and expended less listening effort on the Spanish than on the English HINT in background noise, despite learning both languages at an early age.

Conclusions
Older Spanish–English bilinguals are at an increased disadvantage in understanding English in background noise compared to older English monolinguals. This suggests that current clinical audiological evaluation and treatment procedures may need to be modified to better serve an older bilingual population.