bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving extinction projections across scales and habitats using the countryside species-area relationship
Authors: Martins Inês Santos , Pereira Henrique Miguel 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe species-area relationship (SAR) has been often used to project species extinctions as a consequence of habitat loss. However, recent studies have suggested that the SAR may overestimate species extinctions, at least in the short-term. We argue that the main reason for this overestimation is that the classic SAR ignores the persistence of species in human-modified habitats. We use data collected worldwide to analyse what is the fraction of bird and plant species that remain in different human-modified habitats at the local scale after full habitat conversion. We observe that both taxa have consistent responses to the different land-use types, with strongest reductions in species richness in cropland across the globe, and in pasture in the tropics. We show that the results from these studies cannot be linearly scaled from plots to large regions, as this again overestimates the impacts of land-use change on biodiversity. The countryside SAR provides a unifying framework to incorporate both the effect of species persistence in the landscape matrix and the non-linear response of the proportion of species extinctions to sampling area, generating more realistic projections of biodiversity loss.
Variabilities in retinal function and structure in a canine model of cone-rod dystrophy associated with RPGRIP1 support multigenic etiology
Authors: Das Rueben G. , Marinho Felipe Pompeo , Iwabe Simone , Santana Evelyn , McDaid Kendra Sierra , Aguirre Gustavo D. , Miyadera Keiko 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDefects in the cilia gene RPGRIP1 cause Leber congenital amaurosis and cone-rod dystrophy in humans. A form of canine cone-rod dystrophy (cord1) was originally associated with a homozygous insertion in RPGRIP1 (RPGRIP1ins/ins) as the primary disease locus while a homozygous deletion in MAP9 (MAP9del/del) was later identified as a modifier associated with the early onset form. However, we find further variability in cone electroretinograms (ERGs) ranging from normal to absent in an extended RPGRIP1ins/ins canine colony, irrespective of the MAP9 genotype. Ophthalmoscopically, cone ERGabsentRPGRIP1ins/ins eyes show discolouration of the tapetal fundus with varying onset and disease progression, while sd-OCT reveals atrophic changes. Despite marked changes in cone ERG and retinal morphology, photopic vision-guided behaviour is comparable between normal and cone ERGabsentRPGRIP1ins/ins littermates. Cone morphology of the dogs lacking cone ERG are truncated with shortened outer and inner segments. Immunohistochemically, cone ERGabsentRPGRIP1ins/ins retinas have extensive L/M-opsin mislocalization, lack CNGB3 labelling in the L/M-cones, and lack GC1 in all cones. Our results indicate that cord1 is a multigenic disease in which mutations in neither RPGRIP1 nor MAP9 alone lead to visual deficits, and additional gene(s) contribute to cone-specific functional and morphologic defects.
N-terminal gelsolin fragment potentiates TRAIL mediated death in resistant hepatoma cells
Authors: Meyer Keith , Kwon Young-Chan , Ray Ratna B. , Ray Ranjit 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTNF-α related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kills tumor cells, without damaging normal cells. TRAIL receptors facilitate induction of apoptosis for selective elimination of malignant cells. However, some cancer cells have developed resistances to TRAIL which limits anticancer potential. Gelsolin, a multifunctional actin-binding protein, mediates cell death involving the TRAIL receptors in the hepatic stellate cell line, LX2. Here, we have shown that conditioned medium (CM) containing gelsolin fragments or an N-terminal gelsolin fragment (amino acid residues 1–70) in the presence of TRAIL impairs cell viability of TRAIL resistant transformed human hepatocytes (HepG2). Cell growth regulation by CM and TRAIL was associated with the modulation of p53/Mdm2, Erk and Akt phosphorylation status. The use of N-terminal gelsolin peptide1–70 alone or in combination with TRAIL, induced inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and key survival factors, Mdm2 and Survivin. Treatment of cells with an Akt activator SC79 or p53 siRNA reduced the effects of the N-terminal gelsolin fragment and TRAIL. Together, our study suggests that the N-terminal gelsolin fragment enhances TRAIL-induced loss of cell viability by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and promoting p53 function, effecting cell survival.
Future soil moisture and temperature extremes imply expanding suitability for rainfed agriculture in temperate drylands
Authors: Bradford John B. , Schlaepfer Daniel R. , Lauenroth William K. , Yackulic Charles B. , Duniway Michael , Hall Sonia , Jia Gensuo , Jamiyansharav Khishigbayar , Munson Seth M. , Wilson Scott D. , Tietjen Britta 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe distribution of rainfed agriculture, which accounts for approximately ¾ of global croplands, is expected to respond to climate change and human population growth and these responses may be especially pronounced in water limited areas. Because the environmental conditions that support rainfed agriculture are determined by climate, weather, and soil conditions that affect overall and transient water availability, predicting this response has proven difficult, especially in temperate regions that support much of the world’s agriculture. Here, we show that suitability to support rainfed agriculture in temperate dryland climates can be effectively represented by just two daily environmental variables: moist soils with warm conditions increase suitability while extreme high temperatures decrease suitability. 21st century projections based on daily ecohydrological modeling of downscaled climate forecasts indicate overall increases in the area suitable for rainfed agriculture in temperate dryland regions, especially at high latitudes. The regional exception to this trend was Europe, where suitability in temperate dryland portions will decline substantially. These results clarify how rising temperatures interact with other key drivers of moisture availability to determine the sustainability of rainfed agriculture and help policymakers, resource managers, and the agriculture industry anticipate shifts in areas suitable for rainfed cultivation.
Oxygen vacancy clusters essential for the catalytic activity of CeO2 nanocubes for o-xylene oxidation
Authors: Wang Lian , Yu Yunbo , He Hong , Zhang Yan , Qin Xiubo , Wang Baoyi 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCatalytic oxidation of o-xylene was investigated on CeO2 nanocubes calcined at 350, 450, 550, and 650 °C, among which the samples calcined at 550 °C exhibited the highest activity and long durability. Positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements revealed that the size and distribution of oxygen vacancies for CeO2 nanocubes could be tuned by carefully controlling the calcination temperature. An excellent linear correlation between a factor related to size and density of oxygen vacancy clusters and reaction rate of o-xylene oxidation was revealed on ceria nanocubes. This means that oxygen vacancy clusters with suitable size and distribution are responsible for catalytic reaction via simultaneous adsorption and activation of oxygen and o-xylene. Electron spin resonance spectra revealed that over the CeO2 cubes, water vapor significantly promoted the formation of ∙OH radicals with a sharp decrease in the signals relating to oxygen vacancies, accelerating the transformation of o-xylene to the intermediate benzoate species, resulting in an enhancement of catalytic activity. Water thus serves as a “smart” molecule; its introduction into the feed mixture further confirmed the key role of oxygen vacancies in the catalytic performance of CeO2 nanocubes. A possible mechanism of oxygen vacancy formation during the calcination process was also proposed.
Structural evolution of tunneling oxide passivating contact upon thermal annealing
Authors: Choi Sungjin , Min Kwan Hong , Jeong Myeong Sang , Lee Jeong In , Kang Min Gu , Song Hee-Eun , Kang Yoonmook , Lee Hae-Seok , Kim Donghwan , Kim Ka-Hyun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe report on the structural evolution of tunneling oxide passivating contact (TOPCon) for high efficient solar cells upon thermal annealing. The evolution of doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) into polycrystalline-silicon (poly-Si) by thermal annealing was accompanied with significant structural changes. Annealing at 600 °C for one minute introduced an increase in the implied open circuit voltage (Voc) due to the hydrogen motion, but the implied Voc decreased again at 600 °C for five minutes. At annealing temperature above 800 °C, a-Si:H crystallized and formed poly-Si and thickness of tunneling oxide slightly decreased. The thickness of the interface tunneling oxide gradually decreased and the pinholes are formed through the tunneling oxide at a higher annealing temperature up to 1000 °C, which introduced the deteriorated carrier selectivity of the TOPCon structure. Our results indicate a correlation between the structural evolution of the TOPCon passivating contact and its passivation property at different stages of structural transition from the a-Si:H to the poly-Si as well as changes in the thickness profile of the tunneling oxide upon thermal annealing. Our result suggests that there is an optimum thickness of the tunneling oxide for passivating electron contact, in a range between 1.2 to 1.5 nm.
Optical Manipulation of nanoparticles by simultaneous electric and magnetic field enhancement within diabolo nanoantenna
Authors: Hameed Nyha , Nouho Ali Ali , Baida Fadi I. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we propose and numerically simulate a novel optical trapping process based on the enhancement and the confinement of both magnetic and electric near-fields by using gold Diabolo Antenna (DA). The later was recently proposed to generate huge magnetic near-field when illuminated by linearly polarized wave along its axis. Numerical 3D – FDTD simulation results demonstrate the high confinement of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the DA. This enhancement is then exploited for the trapping of nano-particles (NP) as small as 30 nm radius. Results show that the trapping process greatly depends on the particle dimensions and that three different regimes of, trapping at contact, trapping without contact, or pushing can be achieved within the same DA. This doubly resonant structure opens the way to the design of a novel generation of efficient optical nano-tweezers that allow manipulation of nano-particles by simply changing the operation wavelength.
Macropinocytic entry of isolated mitochondria in epidermal growth factor-activated human osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Patel Dipali , Rorbach Joanna , Downes Kate , Szukszto Maciej J. , Pekalski Marcin L. , Minczuk Michal 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMammalian mitochondria can be transferred between cells both in culture and in vivo. There is evidence that isolated mitochondria enter cells by endocytosis, but the mechanism has not been fully characterised. We investigated the entry mechanism of isolated mitochondria into human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. Initially we confirmed that respiratory-competent cells can be produced following incubation of HOS cells lacking mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) with functional exogenous mitochondria and selection in a restrictive medium. Treatment of HOS cells with inhibitors of different endocytic pathways suggest that uptake of EGFP-labelled mitochondria occurs via an actin-dependent endocytic pathway which is consistent with macropinocytosis. We later utilised time-lapse microscopy to show that internalised mitochondria were found in large, motile cellular vesicles. Finally, we used confocal imaging to show that EGFP-labelled mitochondria colocalise with a macropinocytic cargo molecule during internalisation, HOS cells produce membrane ruffles interacting with external mitochondria during uptake and EGFP-labelled mitochondria are found within early macropinosomes inside cells. In conclusion our results are consistent with isolated mitochondria being internalised by macropinocytosis in HOS cells.
Unveiling some FDA-approved drugs as inhibitors of the store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway
Authors: Rahman Saifur , Rahman Taufiq 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) pathway is an important route for generating cytosolic Ca2+ signals that regulate a diverse array of biological processes. Abnormal SOCE seem to underlie several diseases that notably include allergy, inflammation and cancer. Therefore, any modulator of this pathway is likely to have significant impact in cell biology under both normal and abnormal conditions. In this study, we screened the FDA-approved drug library for agents that share significant similarity in 3D shape and surface electrostatics with few, hitherto best known inhibitors of SOCE. This has led to the identification of five drugs that showed dose-dependent inhibition of SOCE in cell-based assay, probably through interacting with the Orai1 protein which effectively mediates SOCE. Of these drugs, leflunomide and teriflunomide could suppress SOCE significantly at clinically-relevant doses and this provides for an additional mechanism towards the therapeutic utility of these drugs as immunosuppressants. The other three drugs namely lansoprazole, tolvaptan and roflumilast, were less potent in suppressing SOCE but were more selective and thus they may serve as novel scaffolds for future development of new, more efficacious SOCE inhibitors.
Altered neurovascular coupling as measured by optical imaging: a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kotliar Konstantin , Hauser Christine , Ortner Marion , Muggenthaler Claudia , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Angermann Susanne , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Schmaderer Christoph , Grimmer Timo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNeurovascular coupling can be directly assessed by retinal vessel response to flickering light using optical imaging methods. The response is altered in a number of ocular and cardiovascular diseases. Whether it is altered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is investigated. Retinal vessel reaction to monochromatic flicker stimulation was examined by Dynamic Vessel Analyzer independent of the commercial software in elderly subjects: 15 patients with mild-to-moderate dementia due to AD (ADD); 24 patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI); 15 cognitively healthy controls (HC). Retinal vessels in ADD showed a more emphasized and delayed reactive dilation as compared to HC. In MCI, these aspects still differed from those seen in ADD. Maximal arterial reaction was increased and dilation was delayed in ADD as compared to HC (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001) and to MCI (p = 0.058 and p = 0.004), respectively. Maximal venous reaction was increased in ADD as compared to HC (p = 0.001) and to MCI (p = 0.007), respectively. This finding suggests that retinal neuronal activity is either increased or feed-back loop of neurovascular coupling is damaged with differentiating alterations across the spectrum of AD. Thus, retinal vessel reaction to flicker stimulation is considered a promising non-invasive, widely available and easy-to-administer future biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of AD.
Sodium fluorocitrate having protective effect on palmitate-induced beta cell death improves hyperglycemia in diabetic db/db mice
Authors: Jung Ik-Rak , Choi Sung-E. , Hong Seung A. , Hwang Yoonjung , Kang Yup 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBeta cell loss and insulin resistance play roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Elevated levels of free fatty acids in plasma might contribute to the loss of beta cells. The objective of this study was to find a chemical that could protect against palmitate-induced beta cell death and investigate whether such chemical could improve hyperglycemia in mouse model of type 2 diabetes. Sodium fluorocitrate (SFC), an aconitase inhibitor, was found to be strongly and specifically protective against palmitate-induced INS-1 beta cell death. However, the protective effect of SFC on palmitate-induced cell death was not likely to be due to its inhibitory activity for aconitase since inhibition or knockdown of aconitase failed to protect against palmitate-induced cell death. Since SFC inhibited the uptake of palmitate into INS-1 cells, reduced metabolism of fatty acids was thought to be involved in SFC’s protective effect. Ten weeks of treatment with SFC in db/db diabetic mice reduced glucose level but remarkably increased insulin level in the plasma. SFC improved impairment of glucose-stimulated insulin release and also reduced the loss of beta cells in db/db mice. Conclusively, SFC possessed protective effect against palmitate-induced lipotoxicity and improved hyperglycemia in mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
Phyllomeroterpenoids A-C, Multi-biosynthetic Pathway Derived Meroterpenoids from the TCM Endophytic Fungus Phyllosticta sp. and their Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Yang Heng-Gang , Zhao Huan , Li Jiao-Jiao , Chen Shao-Meng , Mou Lang-Ming , Zou Jian , Chen Guo-Dong , Qin Sheng-Ying , Wang Chuan-Xi , Hu Dan , Yao Xin-Sheng , Gao Hao 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPhyllomeroterpenoids A−C (1−3), multi-biosynthetic pathway derived meroterpenoids from amino acid/pentose phosphate/terpenoid pathways, were isolated from the TCM endophytic fungus Phyllosticta sp. J13-2-12Y, together with six biosynthetically related compounds (4−9). All structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical derivatization, and ECD experiments. A plausible biosynthetic pathway of 1−3 was proposed. In addition, the antimicrobial activities of all isolated compounds were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus 209P (bacterium) and Candida albicans FIM709 (fungus).
Half‐bridge flyback converter with lossless passive snubber and interleaved technique
Authors: Mohammadian Navid , Yazdani Mohammad Rouhollah 
Published: October 2017

Hard‐switching flyback converters are widely used in the low power application but suffer from high electromagnetic emissions, current ripples, and low efficiency. To overcome these problems, a half‐bridge flyback converter with a new lossless passive snubber is proposed using an interleaved structure. All switches of the proposed converter turn on under zero current switching and turn off under zero voltage switching which decreases the switching losses and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Theoretical analysis of the proposed converter is presented and verified by the experimental results of a 200 W prototype. In addition to the 7% efficiency improvement, the proposed converter has lower EMI in comparison with its hard‐switching converter.
Design of an HV capacitor using the inherent advantage of charge simulation method and experimentations
Authors: Devarajan Harimurugan , Punekar Gururaj S. , Kishore Nudurupati Krishna 
Published: October 2017

Standard capacitors form an important component of the measurement and instrumentation in the electrical laboratory. A high‐voltage (HV) standard capacitor of 100 pF, 12 kV (rms) is designed using the charge simulation method (CSM). CSM is a semi‐analytical method and it provides inherent advantage in designing a capacitor from the first principle. The capacitance is obtained from the magnitude of the simulating charges of the CSM‐based model and the corresponding potential. The design details of HV standard capacitor are discussed along with the analysis of the potential and the electric stress distribution. The electric stress everywhere in the capacitor, which is designed, is assured to be <5 kV/cm, which was set as the limiting (maximum permissible) stress. The capacitance of the fabricated unit is measured in the HV laboratory. The CSM‐based result of the capacitance of the designed HV capacitor agree well with the results of the laboratory experimental measurement. The inherent advantage of CSM in designing a capacitor is confirmed by comparing with the results of method of moments (MoM).
Usefulness of a Nonsuture Closure Device in Patients Undergoing Diagnostic Coronary and Peripheral Angiography
Authors: Owens John , Bhatty Shaun , Donovan Robert , Tordini Andrea , Danyi Peter , Patel Kalpesh , Wegelin Jacob , Jovin Ion 
Published: October 2017

AbstractVascular access site complications can follow diagnostic coronary and peripheral angiography. We compared the complication rates of the Catalyst vascular closure device, with the complication rates after manual compression in patients undergoing diagnostic angiographic procedures via femoral access. We studied 1,470 predominantly male patients undergoing diagnostic coronary and peripheral angiography. Catalyst closure devices were used in 436 (29.7%) patients and manual compression was used in 1,034 (70.3%) patients. The former were allowed to ambulate after 2 hours, while the latter were allowed to ambulate after 6 hours. Major complications occurred in 4 (0.9%) patients who had a Catalyst device and in 14 (1.4%) patients who had manual compression (odds ratio [OR]: 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22–2.1, p = 0.49). Any complications occurred in 51 (11.7%) patients who had a Catalyst closure device and in 64 (6.2%) patients who had manual compression (OR: 2, CI: 1.4–3, p < 0.01). After adjustment for other variables and for a propensity score reflecting the probability to receive the closure device, the association of major complications with the use of the closure device remained not significant (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.17–1.7, p = 0.29), while the association of any complications with the use of the Catalyst device remained significant (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.9, p < 0.01). The Catalyst device was not associated with an increased risk of major groin complications but was associated with an increased risk of any complications compared with manual compression. Patients receiving the closure device ambulated sooner.
Early Changes in Platelet Size and Number in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Lozo Mislav , Pintarić Irena , Dujić Željko , Sušilović Grabovac Zora , Baković Darija 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA strong relationship exists between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and platelets (PLTs) volume. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a parameter of PLT functions and a marker for increased PLT activation. The aim of this study was to determine early changes in number of total PLT and MPV in different manifestation of ACS and to find out predictive value of MPV in the spectrum of ACS. This was a prospective study. One hundred thirty-four ACS patients were enrolled, 76 of them finished the study. PLT and MPV in patients with unstable angina, non-ST elevation, and ST elevation myocardial infarctions were determined on arrival and 1, 3, 72 hours, and 7 days after the admission to hospital. There was decrease in PLT and MPV in all three groups after 3 hours of arrival in hospital in comparison with admission values. In the later time period (72 hours and 7 days), there was an increase in PLT and MPV only in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We have revealed completely new dynamics in early changes in MPV and PLT count in patients with AMI. Biphasic changes were found in early phase after admission to the hospital. Fast response in these parameters raises new questions about their origin.