bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ambient Particulate Matter Size Distributions Drive Regional and Global Variability in Particle Deposition in the Respiratory Tract
Authors: Kodros J. K. , Volckens J. , Jathar S. H. , Pierce J. R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHuman exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) increases the risk of negative health outcomes; however, substantial uncertainty remains in quantifying these exposure‐response relationships. In particular, relating increased risk of mortality to exposure to PM with diameters smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) neglects variability in the underlying size distribution of PM2.5 exposure and size‐resolved deposition in human airways. In this study, we combine a size‐resolved respiratory particle‐deposition model with a global size‐resolved aerosol model to estimate the variability in particle deposition along the respiratory tract due to variability in ambient PM size distributions. We find that the ratio of deposited PM mass in the tracheobronchial and alveolar regions per unit ambient PM2.5 exposure (deposition ratio and DRTB + AV) varies by 20–30% between populated regions due to variability in ambient PM size distributions. Furthermore, DRTB + AV can vary by as high as a factor of 4 between the fossil‐fuel‐dominated region of the Eastern United States and the desert‐dust‐dominated region of North Africa. When considering individual PM species, such as sulfate or organic matter, we still find variability in the DRTB + AV on the order of 30% due to regional variability in the size distribution. Finally, the spatial distribution of DRTB + AV based on number or surface area is substantially different than the DRTB + AV based on mass. These results suggest that regional variability in ambient aerosol size distributions drive variability in PM deposition in the body, which may lead to variability in the health response from exposure to PM2.5.
Lithospheric Deformation and Asthenospheric Flow Associated With the Isabella Anomaly in Southern California
Authors: Yu Youqiang , Zhao Dapeng 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBoth laboratory experiments and seismic observations indicate that the solid Earth is composed of strongly anisotropic materials and its dynamics can be better constrained by exploring seismic anisotropy. Due to the limited number and poor depth resolution of currently available seismic anisotropy measurements, tectonic regimes of upper mantle deformations beneath Southern California still remain enigmatic and controversial. Here we present high‐resolution three‐dimensional models of P wave azimuthal and radial anisotropy in the crust and upper mantle beneath Southern California obtained by a joint inversion of local‐seismic and teleseismic P wave data. Our results reveal significant depth‐dependent anisotropy in which fast orientations in the lithospheric mantle closely follow the strike of the San Andreas fault and those in the asthenosphere are characterized as a predominantly circular pattern centered in the robust high‐velocity Isabella anomaly beneath the Great Valley. The Isabella anomaly is possibly a remnant of the fossil Farallon slab and is currently experiencing a tectonic regime of lithospheric downwelling, contributing to the development of a circular asthenospheric flow. High‐velocity anomalies are revealed below 300‐km depth beneath areas surrounding the Great Valley, which may reflect the delaminated lithospheric segments. Different rifting processes may take place beneath the Inner Borderland and the Salton Trough whose developments are possibly related to regional mantle upwelling and lithospheric stretching, respectively.
Coseismic Slip Distribution of the 12 June 2017 Mw = 6.3 Lesvos Earthquake and Imparted Static Stress Changes to the Neighboring Crust
Authors: Chousianitis Konstantinos , Konca A. Ozgun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe jointly inverted near‐source data consisting of static GPS displacement vectors and 1‐Hz global positioning system time series and inferred the slip model of the 12 June 2017 Mw = 6.3 Lesvos earthquake. The slip distribution is characterized by one slip patch with peak amplitude 1 m that released the entire seismic moment and is located 12 km northwest of the epicenter. The unilateral rupture propagation along with the observed damage distribution implies source directivity. Coulomb stresses determined from the coseismic slip distribution highlighted that the entire aftershock sequence is explained by stress transfer and no further spatial migration of seismicity is justified. The results also underline a triggering relationship between pure extensional structures with smaller strike‐slip faults that coexist in the area. The main shock gave evidence for the presence of an active diffuse microplate boundary between Lesvos Island and Karaburun Peninsula and demonstrated that Coulomb stress calculations are reliable in such tectonic boundaries.
Dust Production by Abrasion of Eolian Basalt Sands: Analogue for Martian Dust
Authors: Bristow Charlie S. , Moller Torsten H. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDust is nearly ubiquitous on Mars, covering much of the planet's surface, having been redistributed by dust storms. Analysis of dust via landed instrumentation indicates a basaltic composition for its protolith; the same is interpreted for the dark dune sands encountered at rover field sites. In this paper, we used samples of eolian sands derived from basaltic volcanoes in an experiment to simulate dust production from basalt dune sands within an abrasion chamber. In addition, we used samples from gypsum dunes because gypsum is found within dune fields on the northern plains of Mars. The results, expressed as weight percent of sample reduced to dust, show a remarkably broad range over 4 orders of magnitude. Eolian abrasion of basalt sands can produce similar amounts of dust, as is the case for some desert sands on Earth. Some plausible Mars analogue materials can produce large amounts of dust, suggesting that eolian movement of basaltic sand and volcanic sediments on the surface of Mars is a potential source of fine‐grained sediment or dust.
Plasmonic bacteria on a nanoporous mirror via hydrodynamic trapping for rapid identification of waterborne pathogens
Authors: Whang Keumrai , Lee Jong-Hwan , Shin Yonghee , Lee Wooju , Kim Young Wan , Kim Dongchoul , Lee Luke P. , Kang Taewook 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA rapid, precise method for identifying waterborne pathogens is critically needed for effective disinfection and better treatment. However, conventional methods, such as culture-based counting, generally suffer from slow detection times and low sensitivities. Here, we developed a rapid detection method for tracing waterborne pathogens by an innovative optofluidic platform, a plasmonic bacteria on a nanoporous mirror, that allows effective hydrodynamic cell trapping, enrichment of pathogens, and optical signal amplifications. We designed and simulated the integrated optofluidic platform to maximize the enrichment of the bacteria and to align bacteria on the nanopores and plasmonic mirror via hydrodynamic cell trapping. Gold nanoparticles are self-assembled to form antenna arrays on the surface of bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, by replacing citrate with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in order to amplify the signal of the plasmonic optical array. Owing to the synergistic contributions of focused light via the nanopore geometry, self-assembled nanoplasmonic optical antennas on the surface of bacteria, and plasmonic mirror, we obtain a sensitivity of detecting E. coli as low as 102 cells/ml via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. We believe that our label-free strategy via an integrated optofluidic platform will pave the way for the rapid, precise identification of various pathogens.
Structural properties of a haemophore facilitate targeted elimination of the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Gao Jin-Long , Kwan Ann H. , Yammine Anthony , Zhou Xiaoyan , Trewhella Jill , Hugrass Barbara M. , Collins Daniel A. T. , Horne James , Ye Ping , Harty Derek , Nguyen Ky-Anh , Gell David A. , Hunter Neil 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPorphyromonas gingivalisis a keystone bacterial pathogen of chronic periodontitis.P.gingivalisis unable to synthesise the porphyrin macrocycle and relies on exogenous porphyrin, including haem or haem biosynthesis intermediates from host sources. We show that under the iron-limited conditions prevailing in tissue environments,P.gingivalisexpresses a haemophore-like protein, HusA, to mediate the uptake of essential porphyrin and support pathogen survival within epithelial cells. The structure of HusA, together with titration studies, mutagenesis and in silico docking, show that haem binds in a hydrophobic groove on the α-helical structure without the typical iron coordination seen in other haemophores. This mode of interaction allows HusA to bind to a variety of abiotic and metal-free porphyrins with higher affinities than to haem. We exploit this unusual porphyrin-binding activity of HusA to target a prototypic deuteroporphyrin-metronidazole conjugate with restricted antimicrobial specificity in a Trojan horse strategy that effectively kills intracellularP. gingivalis.
Targeting of NLRP3 inflammasome with gene editing for the amelioration of inflammatory diseases
Authors: Xu Congfei , Lu Zidong , Luo Yingli , Liu Yang , Cao Zhiting , Shen Song , Li Hongjun , Liu Jing , Chen Kaige , Chen Zhiyao , Yang Xianzhu , Gu Zhen , Wang Jun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe NLRP3 inflammasome is a well-studied target for the treatment of multiple inflammatory diseases, but how to promote the current therapeutics remains a large challenge. CRISPR/Cas9, as a gene editing tool, allows for direct ablation of NLRP3 at the genomic level. In this study, we screen an optimized cationic lipid-assisted nanoparticle (CLAN) to deliver Cas9 mRNA (mCas9) and guide RNA (gRNA) into macrophages. By using CLAN encapsulating mCas9 and gRNA-targeting NLRP3 (gNLRP3) (CLANmCas9/gNLRP3), we disrupt NLRP3 of macrophages, inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in response to diverse stimuli. After intravenous injection, CLANmCas9/gNLRP3 mitigates acute inflammation of LPS-induced septic shock and monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced peritonitis. In addition, CLANmCas9/gNLRP3 treatment improves insulin sensitivity and reduces adipose inflammation of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D). Thus, our study provides a promising strategy for treating NLRP3-dependent inflammatory diseases and provides a carrier for delivering CRISPR/Cas9 into macrophages.
Bright room temperature single photon source at telecom range in cubic silicon carbide
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Zhou Yu , Wang Ziyu , Rasmita Abdullah , Yang Jianqun , Li Xingji , von Bardeleben Hans Jürgen , Gao Weibo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractSingle-photon emitters (SPEs) play an important role in a number of quantum information tasks such as quantum key distributions. In these protocols, telecom wavelength photons are desired due to their low transmission loss in optical fibers. In this paper, we present a study of bright single-photon emitters in cubic silicon carbide (3C-SiC) emitting in the telecom range. We find that these emitters are photostable and bright at room temperature with a count rate of ~ MHz. Altogether with the fact that SiC is a growth and fabrication-friendly material, our result may be relevant for future applications in quantum communication technology.
High Speed, High Density Intraoperative 3D Optical Topographical Imaging with Efficient Registration to MRI and CT for Craniospinal Surgical Navigation
Authors: Jakubovic Raphael , Guha Daipayan , Gupta Shaurya , Lu Michael , Jivraj Jamil , Standish Beau A. , Leung Michael K. , Mariampillai Adrian , Lee Kenneth , Siegler Peter , Skowron Patryk , Farooq Hamza , Nguyen Nhu , Alarcon Joseph , Deorajh Ryan , Ramjist Joel , Ford Michael , Howard Peter , Phan Nicolas , Costa Leo da , Heyn Chris , Tan Gamaliel , George Rajeesh , Cadotte David W. , Mainprize Todd , Yee Albert , Yang Victor X. D. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntraoperative image-guided surgical navigation for craniospinal procedures has significantly improved accuracy by providing an avenue for the surgeon to visualize underlying internal structures corresponding to the exposed surface anatomy. Despite the obvious benefits of surgical navigation, surgeon adoption remains relatively low due to long setup and registration times, steep learning curves, and workflow disruptions. We introduce an experimental navigation system utilizing optical topographical imaging (OTI) to acquire the 3D surface anatomy of the surgical cavity, enabling visualization of internal structures relative to exposed surface anatomy from registered preoperative images. Our OTI approach includes near instantaneous and accurate optical measurement of >250,000 surface points, computed at >52,000 points-per-second for considerably faster patient registration than commercially available benchmark systems without compromising spatial accuracy. Our experience of 171 human craniospinal surgical procedures, demonstrated significant workflow improvement (41 s vs. 258 s and 794 s, p < 0.05) relative to benchmark navigation systems without compromising surgical accuracy. Our advancements provide the cornerstone for widespread adoption of image guidance technologies for faster and safer surgeries without intraoperative CT or MRI scans. This work represents a major workflow improvement for navigated craniospinal procedures with possible extension to other image-guided applications.
Pathological macromolecular crystallographic data affected by twinning, partial-disorder and exhibiting multiple lattices for testing of data processing and refinement tools
Authors: Campeotto Ivan , Lebedev Andrey , Schreurs Antoine M. M. , Kroon-Batenburg Loes M. J. , Lowe Edward , Phillips Simon E. V. , Murshudov Garib N. , Pearson Arwen R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTwinning is a crystal growth anomaly, which has posed a challenge in macromolecular crystallography (MX) since the earliest days. Many approaches have been used to treat twinned data in order to extract structural information. However, in most cases it is usually simpler to rescreen for new crystallization conditions that yield an untwinned crystal form or, if possible, collect data from non-twinned parts of the crystal. Here, we report 11 structures of engineered variants of the E. coli enzyme N-acetyl-neuraminic lyase which, despite twinning and incommensurate modulation, have been successfully indexed, solved and deposited. These structures span a resolution range of 1.45–2.30 Å, which is unusually high for datasets presenting such lattice disorders in MX and therefore these data provide an excellent test set for improving and challenging MX data processing programs.
Cytometry meets next-generation sequencing – RNA-Seq of sorted subpopulations reveals regional replication and iron-triggered prophage induction in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Freiherr von Boeselager Raphael , Pfeifer Eugen , Frunzke Julia 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPhenotypic diversification is key to microbial adaptation. Currently, advanced technological approaches offer insights into cell-to-cell variation of bacterial populations at a spatiotemporal resolution. However, the underlying molecular causes or consequences often remain obscure. In this study, we developed a workflow combining fluorescence-activated cell sorting and RNA-sequencing, thereby allowing transcriptomic analysis of 106 bacterial cells. As a proof of concept, the workflow was applied to study prophage induction in a subpopulation of Corynebacterium glutamicum. Remarkably, both the phage genes and flanking genomic regions of the CGP3 prophage revealed significantly increased coverage upon prophage induction – a phenomenon that to date has been obscured by bulk approaches. Genome sequencing of prophage-induced populations suggested regional replication at the CGP3 locus in C. glutamicum. Finally, the workflow was applied to unravel iron-triggered prophage induction in early exponential cultures. Here, an up-shift in iron levels resulted in a heterogeneous response of an SOS (PdivS) reporter. RNA-sequencing of the induced subpopulation confirmed induction of the SOS response triggering also activation of the CGP3 prophage. The fraction of CGP3-induced cells was enhanced in a mutant lacking the iron regulator DtxR suffering from enhanced iron uptake. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the potential of the established workflow to gain insights into the phenotypic dynamics of bacterial populations.
VOC breath profile in spontaneously breathing awake swine during Influenza A infection
Authors: Traxler Selina , Bischoff Ann-Christin , Saß Radost , Trefz Phillip , Gierschner Peter , Brock Beate , Schwaiger Theresa , Karte Claudia , Blohm Ulrike , Schröder Charlotte , Miekisch Wolfram , Schubert Jochen K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInfluenza is one of the most common causes of virus diseases worldwide. Virus detection requires determination of Influenza RNA in the upper respiratory tract. Efficient screening is not possible in this way. Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath holds promise for non-invasive and fast monitoring of disease progression. Breath VOC profiles of 14 (3 controls and 11 infected animals) swine were repeatedly analyzed during a complete infection cycle of Influenza A under high safety conditions. Breath VOCs were pre-concentrated by means of needle trap micro-extraction and analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry before infection, during virus presence in the nasal cavity, and after recovery. Six VOCs could be related to disease progression: acetaldehyde, propanal, n-propyl acetate, methyl methacrylate, styrene and 1,1-dipropoxypropane. As early as on day four after inoculation, when animals were tested positive for Influenza A, differentiation between control and infected animals was possible. VOC based information on virus infection could enable early detection of Influenza A. As VOC analysis is completely non-invasive it has potential for large scale screening purposes. In a perspective, breath analysis may offer a novel tool for Influenza monitoring in human medicine, animal health control or border protection.
A genomic Neolithic time transect of hunter-farmer admixture in central Poland
Authors: Fernandes D. M. , Strapagiel D. , Borówka P. , Marciniak B. , Żądzińska E. , Sirak K. , Siska V. , Grygiel R. , Carlsson J. , Manica A. , Lorkiewicz W. , Pinhasi R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAncient DNA genome-wide analyses of Neolithic individuals from central and southern Europe indicate an overall population turnover pattern in which migrating farmers from Anatolia and the Near East largely replaced autochthonous Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. However, the genetic history of the Neolithic transition in areas lying north of the European Neolithic core region involved different levels of admixture with hunter-gatherers. Here we analyse genome-wide data of 17 individuals spanning from the Middle Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (4300-1900 BCE) in order to assess the Neolithic transition in north-central Poland, and the local impacts of hunter-farmer contacts and Late Neolithic steppe migrations. We evaluate the influence of these on local populations and assess if and how they change through time, reporting evidence of recurrent hunter-farmer admixture over three millennia, and the co-existence of unadmixed hunter-gatherers as late as 4300 BCE. During the Late Neolithic we report the appearance of steppe ancestry, but on a lesser scale than previously described for other central European regions, with evidence of stronger affinities to hunter-gatherers than to steppe pastoralists. These results help understand the Neolithic palaeogenomics of another central European area, Kuyavia, and highlight the complexity of population interactions during those times.
Machine-learning based lipid mediator serum concentration patterns allow identification of multiple sclerosis patients with high accuracy
Authors: Lötsch Jörn , Schiffmann Susanne , Schmitz Katja , Brunkhorst Robert , Lerch Florian , Ferreiros Nerea , Wicker Sabine , Tegeder Irmgard , Geisslinger Gerd , Ultsch Alfred 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBased on increasing evidence suggesting that MS pathology involves alterations in bioactive lipid metabolism, the present analysis was aimed at generating a complex serum lipid-biomarker. Using unsupervised machine-learning, implemented as emergent self-organizing maps of neuronal networks, swarm intelligence and Minimum Curvilinear Embedding, a cluster structure was found in the input data space comprising serum concentrations of d = 43 different lipid-markers of various classes. The structure coincided largely with the clinical diagnosis, indicating that the data provide a basis for the creation of a biomarker (classifier). This was subsequently assessed using supervised machine-learning, implemented as random forests and computed ABC analysis-based feature selection. Bayesian statistics-based biomarker creation was used to map the diagnostic classes of either MS patients (n = 102) or healthy subjects (n = 301). Eight lipid-markers passed the feature selection and comprised GluCerC16, LPA20:4, HETE15S, LacCerC24:1, C16Sphinganine, biopterin and the endocannabinoids PEA and OEA. A complex classifier or biomarker was developed that predicted MS at a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of approximately 95% in training and test data sets, respectively. The present successful application of serum lipid marker concentrations to MS data is encouraging for further efforts to establish an MS biomarker based on serum lipidomics.
Evidence of a Causal Role for mid-Ventrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Based Functional Networks in Retrieving High-Fidelity Memory
Authors: Wais Peter E. , Montgomery Olivia , Stark Craig E. L. , Gazzaley Adam 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFunctional neuroimaging studies have implicated regions of both ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and angular gyrus in processes associated with retrieving goal-relevant information, which increases the fidelity and richness of long-term memory (LTM). To further investigate the roles of these cortical regions as nodes in functional networks with memory regions of the medial temporal lobe (MTL), we used fMRI-guided, 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to perturb normal neuronal function. The aim was to test the causal roles of left mid-VLPFC and left angular gyrus (AG) in MTL-VLPFC-parietal networks that have been associated with high-fidelity memory retrieval. rTMS treatments were administered immediately before blocks in an old/new recognition test, which was based on a mnemonic similarity task requiring discrimination of previously studied pictures of common objects. Capability for mnemonic discrimination was evaluated after each of three conditions: placebo control (rTMS at somatosensory cortex), mid-VLPFC target (rTMS at left pars triangularis) and parietal target (rTMS at left AG). The results showed the effect of rTMS perturbation of mid-VLPFC diminished subsequent discrimination-based memory performance, relative to placebo control, and no significant effect of perturbation of AG. These findings show a causal role for functional networks with left mid-VLPFC in high-fidelity retrieval.