bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Direct evidence of an efficient energy transfer pathway from jellyfish carcasses to a commercially important deep-water species
Authors: Dunlop Kathy M. , Jones Daniel O. B. , Sweetman Andrew K. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHere we provide empirical evidence of the presence of an energetic pathway between jellyfish and a commercially important invertebrate species. Evidence of scavenging on jellyfish carcasses by the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) was captured during two deployments of an underwater camera system to 250–287 m depth in Sognefjorden, western Norway. The camera system was baited with two Periphylla periphylla (Scyphozoa) carcasses to simulate the transport of jellyfish detritus to the seafloor, hereby known as jelly-falls. N. norveigus rapidly located and consumed a large proportion (>50%) of the bait. We estimate that the energy input from jelly-falls may represent a significant contribution to N. norvegicus energy demand (0.21 to 10.7 times the energy required for the population of N. norvegicus in Sognefjorden). This potentially high energetic contribution from jelly-falls highlights a possible role of gelatinous material in the support of commercial fisheries. Such an energetic pathway between jelly-falls and N. norvegicus could become more important with increases in jellyfish blooms in some regions.
Endometrial apoptosis and neutrophil infiltration during menstruation exhibits spatial and temporal dynamics that are recapitulated in a mouse model
Authors: Armstrong Gregory M. , Maybin Jacqueline A. , Murray Alison A. , Nicol Moira , Walker Catherine , Saunders Philippa T. K. , Rossi Adriano G. , Critchley Hilary O. D. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMenstruation is characterised by synchronous shedding and restoration of tissue integrity. Anin vivomodel of menstruation is required to investigate mechanisms responsible for regulation of menstrual physiology and to investigate common pathologies such as heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). We hypothesised that our mouse model of simulated menstruation would recapitulate the spatial and temporal changes in the inflammatory microenvironment of human menses. Three regulatory events were investigated: cell death (apoptosis), neutrophil influx and cytokine/chemokine expression. Well-characterised endometrial tissues from women were compared with uteri from a mouse model (tissue recovered 0, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h after removal of a progesterone-secreting pellet). Immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) revealed significantly increased staining in human endometrium from late secretory and menstrual phases. In mice, CC3 was significantly increased at 8 and 24 h post-progesterone-withdrawal. Elastase+human neutrophils were maximal during menstruation; Ly6G+mouse neutrophils were maximal at 24 h. Human endometrial and mouse uterine cytokine/chemokine mRNA concentrations were significantly increased during menstrual phase and 24 h post-progesterone-withdrawal respectively. Data from dated human samples revealed time-dependent changes in endometrial apoptosis preceding neutrophil influx and cytokine/chemokine induction during active menstruation. These dynamic changes were recapitulated in the mouse model of menstruation, validating its use in menstrual research.
Liquid-Crystal-Based Electrically Tuned Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Metasurface Switch
Authors: Su Hang , Wang Hao , Zhao Hua , Xue Tingyu , Zhang Jingwen 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, a structure to realize a switchover between two different responses of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) was designed and implemented by simulation. Taking advantage of the anisotropy in the structure and the coupling between the radiative and dark elements, a metasurface switch with modulation depth of over 85% between orthogonal polarization incident light illuminations was demonstrated. The key mode switchover between the “on” and “off” states was achieved by electrically changing the dressing light polarization with a liquid crystals layer pre-aligned with a mature technology, without changing the incident light and an expected and reversible transition from an EIT-like spectrum to a strong spectral dip was observed. The modulation in the EIT switch fabricated with the proposed straightforward approach is a promising tool to control the groping velocity delay.
Gene length as a regulator for ribosome recruitment and protein synthesis: theoretical insights
Authors: Fernandes Lucas D. , Moura Alessandro P. S. de , Ciandrini Luca 
Published: December 2017

AbstractProtein synthesis rates are determined, at the translational level, by properties of the transcript’s sequence. The efficiency of an mRNA can be tuned by varying the ribosome binding sites controlling the recruitment of the ribosomes, or the codon usage establishing the speed of protein elongation. In this work we propose transcript length as a further key determinant of translation efficiency. Based on a physical model that considers the kinetics of ribosomes advancing on the mRNA and diffusing in its surrounding, as well as mRNA circularisation and ribosome drop-off, we explain how the transcript length may play a central role in establishing ribosome recruitment and the overall translation rate of an mRNA. According to our results, the proximity of the 3′ end to the ribosomal recruitment site of the mRNA could induce a feedback in the translation process that would favour the recycling of ribosomes. We also demonstrate how this process may be involved in shaping the experimental ribosome density-gene length dependence. Finally, we argue that cells could exploit this mechanism to adjust and balance the usage of its ribosomal resources.
Characterization of ozone in the lower troposphere during the 2016 G20 conference in Hangzhou
Authors: Su Wenjing , Liu Cheng , Hu Qihou , Fan Guangqiang , Xie Zhouqing , Huang Xin , Zhang Tianshu , Chen Zhenyi , Dong Yunsheng , Ji Xiangguang , Liu Haoran , Wang Zhuang , Liu Jianguo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRecently, atmospheric ozone pollution has demonstrated an aggravating tendency in China. To date, most research about atmospheric ozone has been confined near the surface, and an understanding of the vertical ozone structure is limited. During the 2016 G20 conference, strict emission control measures were implemented in Hangzhou, a megacity in the Yangtze River Delta, and its surrounding regions. Here, we monitored the vertical profiles of ozone concentration and aerosol extinction coefficients in the lower troposphere using an ozone lidar, in addition to the vertical column densities (VCDs) of ozone and its precursors in the troposphere through satellite-based remote sensing. The ozone concentrations reached a peak near the top of the boundary layer. During the control period, the aerosol extinction coefficients in the lower lidar layer decreased significantly; however, the ozone concentration fluctuated frequently with two pollution episodes and one clean episode. The sensitivity of ozone production was mostly within VOC-limited or transition regimes, but entered a NOx-limited regime due to a substantial decline of NOx during the clean episode. Temporary measures took no immediate effect on ozone pollution in the boundary layer; instead, meteorological conditions like air mass sources and solar radiation intensities dominated the variations in the ozone concentration.
Motion guided Spatiotemporal Sparsity for high quality 4D-CBCT reconstruction
Authors: Liu Yang , Tao Xi , Ma Jianhua , Bian Zhaoying , Zeng Dong , Feng Qianjin , Chen Wufan , Zhang Hua 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConventional cone-beam computed tomography is often deteriorated by respiratory motion blur, which negatively affects target delineation. On the other side, the four dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) can be considered to describe tumor and organ motion. But for current on-board CBCT imaging system, the slow rotation speed limits the projection number at each phase, and the associated reconstructions are contaminated by noise and streak artifacts using the conventional algorithm. To address the problem, we propose a novel framework to reconstruct 4D-CBCT from the under-sampled measurements—Motion guided Spatiotemporal Sparsity (MgSS). In this algorithm, we try to divide the CBCT images at each phase into cubes (3D blocks) and track the cubes with estimated motion field vectors through phase, then apply regional spatiotemporal sparsity on the tracked cubes. Specifically, we recast the tracked cubes into four-dimensional matrix, and use the higher order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) technique to analyze the regional spatiotemporal sparsity. Subsequently, the blocky spatiotemporal sparsity is incorporated into a cost function for the image reconstruction. The phantom simulation and real patient data are used to evaluate this algorithm. Results show that the MgSS algorithm achieved improved 4D-CBCT image quality with less noise and artifacts compared to the conventional algorithms.
DUSP1 regulates apoptosis and cell migration, but not the JIP1-protected cytokine response, during Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Sendai Virus infection
Authors: Robitaille Alexa C. , Caron Elise , Zucchini Nicolas , Mukawera Espérance , Adam Damien , Mariani Mélissa K. , Gélinas Anaïs , Fortin Audray , Brochiero Emmanuelle , Grandvaux Nathalie 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe host antiviral response involves the induction of interferons and proinflammatory cytokines, but also the activation of cell death pathways, including apoptosis, to limit viral replication and spreading. This host defense is strictly regulated to eliminate the infection while limiting tissue damage that is associated with virus pathogenesis. Post-translational modifications, most notably phosphorylation, are key regulators of the antiviral defense implying an important role of protein phosphatases. Here, we investigated the role of the dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in the host defense against human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a pathogenic virus of the Pneumoviridae family, and Sendai virus (SeV), a model virus being developed as a vector for anti-RSV vaccine. We found that DUSP1 is upregulated before being subjected to proteasomal degradation. DUSP1 does not inhibit the antiviral response, but negatively regulates virus-induced JNK/p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Interaction with the JNK-interacting protein 1 scaffold protein prevents dephosphorylation of JNK by DUSP1, likely explaining that AP-1 activation and downstream cytokine production are protected from DUSP1 inhibition. Importantly, DUSP1 promotes SeV-induced apoptosis and suppresses cell migration in RSV-infected cells. Collectively, our data unveils a previously unrecognized selective role of DUSP1 in the regulation of tissue damage and repair during infections by RSV and SeV.
A switch in nucleotide affinity governs activation of the Src and Tec family kinases
Authors: von Raußendorf Freia , de Ruiter Anita , Leonard Thomas A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Tec kinases, closely related to Src family kinases, are essential for lymphocyte function in the adaptive immune system. Whilst the Src and Abl kinases are regulated by tail phosphorylation and N-terminal myristoylation respectively, the Tec kinases are notable for the absence of either regulatory element. We have found that the inactive conformations of the Tec kinase Itk and Src preferentially bind ADP over ATP, stabilising both proteins. We demonstrate that Itk adopts the same conformation as Src and that the autoinhibited conformation of Src is independent of its C-terminal tail. Allosteric activation of both Itk and Src depends critically on the disruption of a conserved hydrophobic stack that accompanies regulatory domain displacement. We show that a conformational switch permits the exchange of ADP for ATP, leading to efficient autophosphorylation and full activation. In summary, we propose a universal mechanism for the activation and autoinhibition of the Src and Tec kinases.
Role of ATP Hydrolysis in Cyanobacterial Circadian Oscillator
Authors: Das Sumita , Terada Tomoki P. , Sasai Masaki 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA cyanobacterial protein KaiC shows a stable oscillation in its phosphorylation level with approximately one day period when three proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC, are incubated in the presence of ATP in vitro. During this oscillation, KaiC hydrolyzes more ATP molecules than required for phosphorylation. Here, in this report, a theoretical model of the KaiABC oscillator is developed to elucidate the role of this ATP consumption by assuming multifold feedback relations among reactions and structural transition in each KaiC molecule and the structure-dependent binding reactions among Kai proteins. Results of numerical simulation showed that ATP hydrolysis is a driving mechanism of the phosphorylation oscillation in the present model, and that the frequency of ATP hydrolysis in individual KaiC molecules is correlated to the frequency of oscillation in the ensemble of many Kai molecules, which indicates that the coherent oscillation is generated through the coupled microscopic intramolecular and ensemble-level many-molecular regulations.
Structural reorganization of the early visual cortex following Braille training in sighted adults
Authors: Bola Łukasz , Siuda-Krzywicka Katarzyna , Paplińska Małgorzata , Sumera Ewa , Zimmermann Maria , Jednoróg Katarzyna , Marchewka Artur , Szwed Marcin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTraining can induce cross-modal plasticity in the human cortex. A well-known example of this phenomenon is the recruitment of visual areas for tactile and auditory processing. It remains unclear to what extent such plasticity is associated with changes in anatomy. Here we enrolled 29 sighted adults into a nine-month tactile Braille-reading training, and used voxel-based morphometry and diffusion tensor imaging to describe the resulting anatomical changes. In addition, we collected resting-state fMRI data to relate these changes to functional connectivity between visual and somatosensory-motor cortices. Following Braille-training, we observed substantial grey and white matter reorganization in the anterior part of early visual cortex (peripheral visual field). Moreover, relative to its posterior, foveal part, the peripheral representation of early visual cortex had stronger functional connections to somatosensory and motor cortices even before the onset of training. Previous studies show that the early visual cortex can be functionally recruited for tactile discrimination, including recognition of Braille characters. Our results demonstrate that reorganization in this region induced by tactile training can also be anatomical. This change most likely reflects a strengthening of existing connectivity between the peripheral visual cortex and somatosensory cortices, which suggests a putative mechanism for cross-modal recruitment of visual areas.
Principles of Economic Rationality in Mice
Authors: Rivalan Marion , Winter York , Nachev Vladislav 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHumans and non-human animals frequently violate principles of economic rationality, such as transitivity, independence of irrelevant alternatives, and regularity. The conditions that lead to these violations are not completely understood. Here we report a study on mice tested in automated home-cage setups using rewards of drinking water. Rewards differed in one of two dimensions, volume or probability. Our results suggest that mouse choice conforms to the principles of economic rationality for options that differ along a single reward dimension. A psychometric analysis of mouse choices further revealed that mice responded more strongly to differences in probability than to differences in volume, despite equivalence in return rates. This study also demonstrates the synergistic effect between the principles of economic rationality and psychophysics in making quantitative predictions about choices of healthy laboratory mice. This opens up new possibilities for the analyses of multi-dimensional choice and the use of mice with cognitive impairments that may violate economic rationality.
Multi-channel microfluidic chip coupling with mass spectrometry for simultaneous electro-sprays and extraction
Authors: Yu Cilong , Tang Fei , Qian Xiang , Chen Yan , Yu Quan , Ni Kai , Wang Xiaohao 
Published: December 2017

AbstractConsidering the advantages and research status of microfluidic chip coupling with mass spectrometry (MS), a microfluidic chip-based multi-channel ionization (MCMCI) for the extraction of untreated compounds in complex matrices without sample pretreatments was developed. Quantitative analysis of human urine spiked with various rhodamine B concentrations was also performed, and good linearity was obtained. Comparing to the macro ionization device, MCMCI significantly improved the integration of ionization source, simplified the operation of such a device, and greatly increased the signal intensity with much lower gas pressure. Comparison of our MCMCI with two and three gas channels indicated that the liquid–liquid extraction process before spraying and after spraying produced similar MS results. Moreover, this MCMCI with three gas channels also implemented simultaneous dual sprays with high DC voltages, the interference of two samples was minor and ion suppression effect was drastically alleviated. Such advantages may easily enable internal calibration for accurate mass measurement. Furthermore, dual extraction can be implemented by integrating such multi-spray configuration, which can improve the extracted signal intensity and sensitivity. These technologies open up new avenues for the application of microfluidic chip coupling with MS.
States and traits of neural irregularity in the age-varying human brain
Authors: Waschke Leonhard , Wöstmann Malte , Obleser Jonas 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSensory representations, and thus human percepts, of the physical world are susceptible to fluctuations in brain state or “neural irregularity”. Furthermore, aging brains display altered levels of neural irregularity. We here show that a single, within-trial, information-theoretic measure (weighted permutation entropy) captures neural irregularity in the human electroencephalogram as a proxy for both, trait-like differences between individuals of varying age, and state-like fluctuations that bias perceptual decisions. First, the overall level of neural irregularity increased with participants’ age, paralleled by a decrease in variability over time, likely indexing age-related changes at structural and functional levels of brain activity. Second, states of higher neural irregularity were associated with optimized sensory encoding and a subsequently increased probability of choosing the first of two physically identical stimuli to be higher in pitch. In sum, neural irregularity not only characterizes behaviourally relevant brain states, but also can identify trait-like changes that come with age.
A 6-DOF Navigation Method based on Iterative Closest Imaging Point Algorithm
Authors: Shi Shuai , You Zheng , Zhao Kaichun , Wang Zhaoyao , Ouyang Chenguang , Cao Yongkui 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo achieve six degree-of-freedom autonomous navigation of an inboard spacecraft, a novel algorithm called iterative closest imaging point (ICIP) is proposed, which deals with the pose estimation problem of a vision navigation system (VNS). This paper introduces the basics of the ICIP algorithm, including mathematical model, algorithm architecture, and convergence theory. On this basis, a navigation method is proposed. This method realizes its initialization using a Gaussian mixture model-based Kalman filter, which simultaneously solves the 3D-to-2D point correspondences and the camera pose. The initial value sensitivity, computational efficiency, robustness, and accuracy of the proposed navigation method are discussed based on simulation results. A navigation experiment verifies that the proposed method works effectively. The three-axis Euler angle accuracy is within 0.19° (1σ), and the three-axis position accuracy is within 1.87 mm (1σ). The ICIP algorithm estimates the full-state pose by merely finding the closest point couples respectively form the images obtained by the VNS and predicted at an initial value. Then the optimized solution of the imaging model is iteratively calculated and the full-state pose is obtained. Benefiting from the absence of a requirement for feature matching, the proposed navigation method offers advantages of low computational complexity, favorable stability, and applicability in an extremely simple environment in comparison with conventional methods.
CRISPR/Cas9 microinjection in oocytes disables pancreas development in sheep
Authors: Vilarino Marcela , Rashid Sheikh Tamir , Suchy Fabian Patrik , McNabb Bret Roberts , van der Meulen Talitha , Fine Eli J. , Ahsan Syed Daniyal , Mursaliyev Nurlybek , Sebastiano Vittorio , Diab Santiago Sain , Huising Mark O. , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Ross Pablo J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOne of the ultimate goals of regenerative medicine is the generation of patient-specific organs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). Sheep are potential hosts for growing human organs through the technique of blastocyst complementation. We report here the creation of pancreatogenesis-disabled sheep by oocyte microinjection of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting PDX1, a critical gene for pancreas development. We compared the efficiency of target mutations after microinjecting the CRISPR/Cas9 system in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and zygote stage embryos. MII oocyte microinjection reduced lysis, improved blastocyst rate, increased the number of targeted bi-allelic mutations, and resulted in similar degree of mosaicism when compared to zygote microinjection. While the use of a single sgRNA was efficient at inducing mutated fetuses, the lack of complete gene inactivation resulted in animals with an intact pancreas. When using a dual sgRNA system, we achieved complete PDX1 disruption. This PDX1−/− fetus lacked a pancreas and provides the basis for the production of gene-edited sheep as a host for interspecies organ generation. In the future, combining gene editing with CRISPR/Cas9 and PSCs complementation could result in a powerful approach for human organ generation.
Effect of high-power-laser with and without graphite coating on bonding of resin cement to lithium disilicate ceramic
Authors: Feitosa Fernanda A. , de Araújo Rodrigo M. , Tay Franklin R. , Niu Lina , Pucci César R. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe present study evaluated the effect of different high-power-laser surface treatments on the bond strength between resin cement and disilicate ceramic. Lithium disilicate ceramic specimens with truncated cones shape were prepared and divided into 5 groups: HF (hydrofluoric acid-etching), Er:YAG laser + HF, Graphite + Er:YAG laser + HF, Nd:YAG laser + HF, and Graphite + Nd:YAG laser + HF. The treated ceramic surfaces were characterized with scanning electron microscopy and surface roughness measurement. Hourglasses-shaped ceramic- resin bond specimens were prepared, thermomechanically cycled and stressed to failure under tension. The results showed that for both the factors “laser” and “graphite”, statistically significant differences were observed (p < 0.05). Multiple-comparison tests performed on the “laser” factor were in the order: Er:YAG > Nd:YAG (p < 0.05), and on the “graphite” factor were in the order: graphite coating < without coating (p < 0.05). The Dunnett test showed that Er:YAG + HF had significantly higher tensile strength (p = 0.00). Higher surface roughness was achieved after Er:YAG laser treatment. Thus Er:YAG laser treatment produces higher bond strength to resin cement than other surface treatment protocols. Surface-coating with graphite does not improve bonding of the laser-treated lithium disilicate ceramic to resin cement.